Bugabug 24 Weeks

Weeks pregnant: 24
Total weight gain: +21
Total waist gain +9"
Baby size: banana

Physical stuff: I can't believe I've gained 20 pounds already. Holy crap. I still have 16 weeks to go, so that's not boding well! I think this baby is going to be bigger than Penny and more mellow. I feel her move often, but not nearly as much as Penny. Maybe I am busier and more distracted this time around, or maybe she is just a mellow baby. I guess we'll see. Penny was such a little monkey, and this baby is more like a mermaid. Not too many creaks or groans yet. It is hard to get up if I'm sitting on the floor, but the belly isn't too much in the way yet.

Emotional stuff: I'm still a little blues-y, but it's getting better. Penny seems to be adjusting better and better. Gigi is visiting this week, so that helps for sure. Penny gets lots of attention and playtime, and I get a break too, which makes me feel more refreshed. I've started taking yoga again once/week, which helps me to feel more centered and strong, but Penny absolutely hates the childcare there. We keep going to try to work through it, but it's rough. I've also hired a babysitter (alleluia!) who will start next week for 4 hours/week. I treasure that time and am looking forward to going to some appointments and running errands without my squirrely toddler in tow!

Birth prep: Major news on this front!! We have decided to have a home birth, and I am so excited and confident that it's the right decision. I am an excellent candidate for a home birth, as I had a very positive and healthy first birth, am having a healthy pregnancy again, and I am prepared for an unmedicated birth, as I've had one already. For someone like me, birthing at home is absolutely the safest option statistically, and it also just makes me so happy to think that my family will be all together for Bugabug's first hours and days and that I won't have to deal with crappy hospital food or cramped quarters or any of the silly hospital restrictions. I examined every birthing option in the area, and once I made the decision, it felt totally right. We still need to iron out a few details about who will be here for Penny and to help around the house during and after the birth, as we don't have family in town, but I am looking into sibling doulas and postpartum doulas, and I'm sure we'll figure it out. Also, there is a hospital like 2 minutes away from home in case of emergency (which I'm not at all concerned about, but good to know).

Nursing/Boobs: We are like 99% weaned. I thought we were in the clear, as Penny didn't nurse for 4 days, but then she had a huge meltdown on day 5 and asked for mommy milk, so I let her nurse for like 1 minute. Now we're on day 2 without mommy milk, so maybe this will be it. I guess there's a part of me that is a tiny bit sad to be moving on from this stage, but the vast majority of me is relieved and thankful to be finishing up. And she seems to be taking it all in stride for the most part.

24 Weeks with Penelope: