Second Trimester Appetite

I've slowly shifted away from not feeling hunger pains and only being alerted to the need of food/drink by nausea, light headedness, headache or the like. Now, I feel hungry before I'm afflicted with those other symptoms. And when taken care of timely I am able to avoid most of these. My appetite has increased, but I have to slow down! I eat fast and can eat too much which causes queasiness and bloating of a different sort. No matter, it is really nice to have the familiar body cues back.

Week 22

Wow, today is the beginning of my 22nd week of pregnancy. So what’s new or newish??

Edema: The mild swelling, that's so common during pregnancy and thanks to the laws of gravity, is particularly noticeable in my feet and ankles (and ring finger – due to restriction of my wedding band). It can vary by the hour and by the weather. My care instructions include drinking water and elevating my feet (to hip level) while resting.  I tend to simply lie down on the couch when I get home and rely on Rick for dinner. Thank you honey bunny for the good eats J

Leg cramps: Thought to be caused in part to a shortage of calcium or magnesium in the diet. I was told to reduce the frequency of these painful spasms by taking my prenatal vitamin every day. I’m trying to follow this, but sometimes my stomach can’t handle any and other times I simply forget.

Belly button soreness:  My uterus has now stretched to such proportions that it extends up past my belly button which is causing some tightness and minor aching. This is mostly due to natural and healthy development and growth but a little due to my scar tissue from the removal of my appendix as a teen. I did have some soreness with Guin too, but had no serious pain and no complications at all due to this. With G, though I remained an innie to full term my belly button is stretched open and became shallow (while pregnant). I expect the same this time around.

Fatigue continues… I am having trouble sleeping well for a variety of reasons, including heartburn/indigestion, leg cramps, neck/backache, breast tenderness, baby’s movement, and especially the need to pee frequently. The last few nights we had the added night time disruption of a screaming toddler sometime between 3-6am. Not sure if she is having nightmares or is half asleep and trying to figure out this whole potty by herself thing. None-the-less she needs comfort and care and I need a nap!

Growing gardens and family time

An afternoon of fun and sun, an afternoon of walking and sniffing, a beautiful afternoon with the family! Our trip to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens was the tail end of my birthday celebrations this year. Guinny really liked the flower's colors and fragrance, the water fountains and still pools, and the ample amounts of soft green grass. But she was particularly delighted to have Rick escort her up and down as many stairs as we would allow. Toward the end of our visit, I stopped here to pose for a belly profile shot realizing I haven't taken any so far. So for all that are interested here I am - nice and round... and still expanding!

Oh yeah, one more thing to share -  I've been trying to alert Rick when there is baby movements so he can either watch or feel my belly with me in anticipation for the next jiggle or bump. But it seems like his calming ways have continued. Not only did a developing G seem to be still when she had Rick's attention, so does little 'Eggert'. Yesterday, with all the activity and warmth at the gardens, the baby was moving and moving plenty. Later that evening when we got home I had Rick place his hand on the lower left area of my belly to see once again if he could feel the movements. And this time he did! What a great bonding moment :)