weeks 22-24

Hello Hello!

Well the website that I have been referencing to find out the information on how our little baby is growing in comparison to produce really threw me for a loop the other week -- once you reach 22 weeks they only go by month, not week, for updates. I guess that is understandable given that basically everything is formed, now it just needs to gain a little more girth, if you will.

Anyways, I do have an updated for weeks 22-24 (we are currently 1/2 way through our 25th week): Supposedly this month, Month 5, Bean is the size of a papaya. This may very well be, but again, the selection of papaya at my grocery store leaves me to wonder... I mean, look at the size of the thing in the photo! It dwarfs my belly! And, my belly is getting big (more on this in a min).

Ok, so aside from being the size of a "papaya", here is what the Little One has been up to: The baby can now hear outside noise!! Can you believe it?!! (we bought some really good headphones so that when I am sitting and just reading or something the baby can be listening to Mozart and becoming a genius!) Also, nipples have sprouted!! I love it! I love that my baby has nipples right now! Also, that adorable little face that I will get to see in a couple months (holy crap! it's right around the corner!!) is fully formed. And one last thing, the Bean is now snoozing up to 14 hours a day -- which makes sense b/c before I could feel the baby move around every few hours, and now, not so much. But, we are starting to figure out the baby's sleep cycle, and it looks like we have a night owl (Pablo is already asking how we can change this :) ) -- between 7:30 and 8pm it is like a party in there! AND, the baby is getting big enough that you can see my actual belly move sometimes when there is big kick (of course, this is nothing compared to what is to come, but it's still a pretty big development). The baby is supposed to be between 10.5-11.8 in. long and 12.7-20.8 oz.... :)

On a couple of other notes, I am now officially looking for cute pregnancy clothes that are reasonably priced. Well, I should clarify that, I am shopping for tops (thanks to my sister sara, and the emptying of her closet into multiple care packages, I have several pairs of pants that I wear constantly and that fit my ever-expanding hips perfectly). My belly, while it is still on the small time (people are constantly reminding me of this and how I haven't even begun to experience The Belly), is already getting in the way -- bending over, putting on my shoes, getting in out of the car (this is the worst so far), all these things are becoming more and more difficult. In addition, the number of trips I take to the bathroom is becoming comical to the men at my work, as well as my husband.

We only have 3 more weeks in our Bradley Birth class (this class has been amazing! If you are planning on doing a natural child birth in the future, I DEFINITELY recommend this class while you are pregnant), and have begun to work on our Birth Plan, relaxation techniques, and birthing positions that will enable the baby to better "engage in my pelvis"... it is all very intense and overwhelming stuff, I assure you, but I am feeling more and more confident about it, especially with Pablo being so supportive.

Ok, well I think that is more than enough for a "brief" update on the growing family here in Chicago, IL. Love you all!