23 Weeks

About the baby:

In week 23, fat is beginning to accumulate on your baby's body, and the skin hangs loosely, giving your baby a very wrinkled appearance. Your baby's daily workout routine includes moving the muscles in the fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet, and legs regularly. As a result, you may feel more forceful movements. Can you believe that just a few weeks ago you were focusing hard to try and notice those fluttering movements? Now, your little martial artist has no problem making those movements known. 

Your little bean has sprouted into a tiny human that probably weighs about (if not slightly more than) 1 whole pound! If preterm labor and delivery were to occur this week, a baby could survive with expert medical care, but might have mild to severe disabilities. With increasing research and knowledge in the field of fetal medicine, the long-term prognosis for premature babies continues to improve. 

I have definitely felt more movement! It was a very sudden thing too. I just woke up Friday morning (very sick, I'll add) and was like, 'Wow, he's moving a lot." 

I could even see some movement through the skin on my belly which was super precious! And, Cory's been able to feel some more too.

It was like that again on Saturday… and Sunday… and now I can pretty much count on getting to feel those jabs throughout the day.

I've noticed the skin on my belly feeling really tight this week too. I've been using my lotions and am hopeful I can avoid stretch marks (that might be too optimistic, if it is hopefully I can at least avoid really bad ones). Only time will tell. 

I'm up to a weight gain of 6 pounds. I've been steadily gaining weight since about the 20th week. Doc said I could 'expect' to gain anyway from 3/4 of a pound to 1 pound each week from here on out! I guess that's another one that only time will tell   :/   

I'm still not fully recovered from my illnesses, which I find annoying. I have a lingering, barky cough and sinus junk. I also feel much more tired than I did last week.

I have two baby showers coming up! I'm so excited. Both our next, next weekend (December 1st and 2nd). I cannot wait to start getting some things in his nursery. And I'm so ready to start decorating I can barely stand it! 

I've been browsing baby clothes pretty hard-core since we found out we were having a boy. However, the hubs still hasn't wanted me to purchase anything until we've had our showers. But, I found this most adorable 0-3 month sleeper that was a zip-up and I could not pass it up! It was at the Children's Place in the mall. Even the colors on it were perfect for his nursery! Lol. Plus, when our nieces were young… I don't think Cory ever did get a handle on appropriately buttoning up those button sleepers. Ha!

I had a brainstorming session with my cousin who's doing my shower for me here in Cape and we got most everything sorted out for that one! How fun! 

I know I'm having one more shower with Cory's side of the family on December 29th too! We're super blessed with a lot of family and friends ;-)

AAAHHH. You guys… I'm fixing to be a mom! In like 4 months!! I just cannot wait to hold my little man! ❤