24 Weeks

24 Weeks. Ella loves feeling baby Olivia. And don't mind the hand on my butt. I assume I was using it to counter balance the belly.

Who knew I would ever enjoy peeing in a cup but how nice to have a normal Dr.'s appointment! Today I had my regular (though, a little late) 24 week OB appointment. Ella loves going to these. She gets so excited to play with the toys in the waiting area and she loves "Docta Mock." Dr. Firth's name is Mark and since we know him a little bit outside of the clinic we sometimes call him Dr. Mark. Anyway, she loves him and loved hearing Olivia's heartbeat.
I feel so well taken care of. He seems genuinely concerned about our situation and pleased that everything is going so well considering. Since the MFS (maternal fetal specialist) is IHC and so is Primary Children's and so is he, he has access to results, records etc. and has been checking on them. I feel so fortunate to have a Dr. who cares enough to think to check those in his spare time, which he has little of, I'm sure. After my next appointment he will start seeing me every two weeks instead of the once a month. So instead of three Dr.'s appointments next month I'll have four. CRAZY!
Anyway, I still wanted to document the actual pregnancy stuff like I had been doing until we got distracted by the defect. So here it is.
At 24 weeks pregnant, I not only feel pregnant but look it. Ella keeps telling me "Ooo, baby Yivia big!" And we've still got a ways to go. The skin on my tummy is starting to be itchy. Not too bad. As long as it stays lotioned I'm generally ok. And my bellybutton is half popped. It only half popped with Ella but since we're already there I'm thinking we might get a full pop this time. (And no Randi, you may not see it.)
Holding Ella has gotten difficult. A. My lap is running out of room. B. If I'm standing it feels like the muscles on the sides of my stomach are going to tear. I guess a 30 lb squirmy toddler are just to much for my expanding belly to handle.
Getting up and down has also started getting difficult as well. Not because I'm too heavy to maneuver but because the aches and pains have started. The ligament pain has lessened and now it's turned to joint pain. My hips and ciatic have been a little difficult. Then, there's the sudden movements. If I move wrong to fast then shooting pains occur wherever. And my favorite. I've started having to pee more often again. Boo! Often at night I'll just lay there and wait since I don't want to get out of my warm bed. Well, apparently Olivia does NOT like my bladder to be super full. If I lay there too long she'll flail about just so til I get one of those shooting pains and be forced to get up. It scares the living daylights out of Andrew because they are sometimes strong enough to make me gasp. In his state of half-asleep he thinks I'm going into labor. Of course the pain goes away as soon as I use the little girls room.
I am no longer able to wear regular pants and many of my regular shirts are starting to look a little silly on me.
As for the good stuff, Olivia is certainly growing well. When she moves now I'm starting to be able to tell if it's a round head/bum that's poking out or small hand or foot. I love it! She's also gotten on a schedule. I no longer need to panic if I haven't felt her all late morning since that's when she quietist. She is most active around 8 am, when I eat, and she really starts partying between 10 and 11 pm.
Andrew is loving this part of the pregnancy too. He loves feeling this girls massive kicks. And even when she's being a big tease and only kicks after he's moved his hand he can see the kicks. We haven't reached the alien in the stomach stage yet but she certainly makes those kicks visible.