Second Pregnancy: 24 Weeks

Wasn't sure how to go about this update so I took a note from my sweet friend Whitney and used the questions she had on her latest bump post! Whitney lives in Alaska with her husband and toddler boy named Riggs, I strongly encourage you to give her a visit! 

How Far Along? 24 weeks

Size of Baby: A cantaloupe- roughly 11.8 inches and 1.3lbs

Gender: Let you know in 16(ish) weeks! 

Weight Gain: Somewhere between 10-12 pounds. It's crazy how much my appetite is fluctuating these days! Some days I am just starving and after a couple bites I feel more than Thanksgiving full and then other times I can't seem to get full. 

Maternity Clothes: Mainly just bottoms. Most of my tops are long so they are still working even with the bump! 

Nursery: Baby is going straight into the already finished and waiting nursery that we put together for Gabriel. When we get home in a couple weeks we'll be turning the guest room into Gabriel's big boy room (check out my Pinterest Board!). Gabe is still in a crib though so he'll have the crib in his big boy room and the baby will get the pack n' play in the nursery. Once Gabriel transitions to a bed we'll give the crib back to baby. 

Movement: Can definitely tell when baby is awake and sleeping. I can also tell when I'm sitting in a position that baby doesn't care for. No big kicks or jabs yet and still haven't identified limbs but baby is for sure moving. 

Symptoms: The varicose veins have unfortunately progressed down my leg and are pretty prevalent from the top of the back of my right thigh to the back of my knee- the back of my knee now being the worse. Some are even starting to show on the top of my right leg. The pain some days has gone beyond burning and throbbing but actually makes me whole leg feel numb and 100lbs heavier. I'm starting to be self conscience wearing shorts/skirts which is such a mental and emotional battle. Chris reminds me that I visualize it far worse than it actually is but it's still hard. 

I've been doing a lot of squats and lunges (T25 and other BeachBody workout programs) and I've noticed that building the muscles around the thigh has helped but still nervous for 16 weeks of progression. 

Sleep: Lets just say I am so ready to not only get home to our own bed but a new bed we're purchasing as soon as we get home! 

Cravings: Food in general- really looking forward to certain foods and restaurants we have waiting for us back in the states. And SUPER stoked for watermelon!  

What I Miss: Being able to buy "normal" clothes. 

Best Moment This Week: Visiting the poppy fields in Kurihama and playing at the Godzilla park. Chris was surprised with getting a weekend back (thought he wasn't going to have a day off until we got home) but then Saturday he was dead to the world being sick in bed. Thankfully he woke Sunday feeling much better so we got out and about visiting a few fun stores and then off to the park. 

We visited the Poppy Festival and Godzilla park last year. If you'd like to read those posts you can see them here:

Poppy Festival

Godzilla Park 

Looking Forward To: Flying home in 2 weeks! I was originally pretty stressed out and anxious about doing it solo and as much as I'd prefer to fly with Chris, I am just so crazy ready and excited to get home that I don't even care how it happens. We'll see if I'm singing a different tune when/if it actually happens.