23 weeks and counting...

I was hoping no one would notice that I haven't been posting pictures of me in my pregnant state. But, my sister Rebecca called me on it.

I have two reasons for omitting these pictures:
1. I haven't even taken any pictures of myself this whole pregnancy (because of reason #2).
2. I feel so freaking huge.

I'm not talking about my ever-growing stomach. That's fine. That's a baby.
No, I'm talking about my thighs that won't fit in my jeans, and my arms that have quickly turned to flab (probably due to the lack of exercise I have been getting), and the extra pounds added to my face.

I don't remember feeling fat my first pregnancy. This is kind of a bummer for me.

However, I do realize that this baby may one day feel shafted because I have not documented every stage of her pre-natal development. Poor thing.
So, today, at 23 weeks and four days, I set up the camera on a pile of books and put it on self-timer.
It took about 10 attempts and some editing to make me feel as if I could post this for all my friends and family to see... but now that I look at it, it's not that bad.

Some things to remember at this point of my pregnancy:

*She is now moving... A LOT. And especially likes to target her punches and kicks at my bladder. I love feeling her move around, it makes us feel bonded.

*I have been enjoying the second trimester. It's everybody's favorite, right?

*I'm still pretty tired some days, but nesting really early anyhow. I'll go crazy for a few days planning her nursery and making things for it, and then spend the next few days lounging around.

*At my last appointment (March 10th) I had gained a total of 8 pounds for this pregnancy. And even though I feel big, the doctor says I measure normal. Whew!

*Brinkley points to my belly and says "baby." I can also get her to say "sister." I think she'll be a terrific older sister.

*I just started feeling tingly in my fingers, especially if I get hot (i.e. during relief society).

*I tend to get pretty emotional some days. Darn those blasted hormones. The thought of having two kids makes me a little bit nervous, but I can't wait to have a newborn baby in the house again! I love little tiny babies!!

*I want to eat all day long, and while most the time I'll eat whatever, I have been LOVING vegetables. Asparagus is the current favorite.

*I have also been craving banana bread (in fact, I have some in the oven right now).

*This pregnancy has been flying by. I don't know if because during my first pregnancy I was constantly checking pregnancy calendars and reading all these pregnancy books that it seemed I would never have my baby... but this time I can't believe I'm already over halfway done! Incredible!

*I can already tell that I'm going to be a much more relaxed mom with this baby (because I've been so much more relaxed with this pregnancy). I'm not nervous about labor, breastfeeding, sleep... Nothin'.
Poor Brinkley will probably always be my guinea pig with parenting, because she is the first to go through all those new, exciting stages.

*Overall, I feel pretty darn good.