23 weeks

I had a much better week this week, thank goodness. I had one day (Friday I think) where I woke up in a funk and it took me most of the day to get out of it, but at least I was aware I was just in a bad mood, and managed to get through the day without too many bad moments with the kids. To be honest, I think I was just burnt out... I had had such a good week and been on top of everything - I think I was exhausted. It's subtle right now, but being pregnant definitely does take its toll on my energy... I'm used to being go-go-go all the time, and I just can't be doing that constantly. I need to remind myself to rest every now and then.

My little bubba bump has been getting more active, and the movements are getting much stronger. I have tried to get the kids to feel a few times, but as soon as they try bubba stops moving, of course! I can feel her kick from the outside pretty easily now though, so I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Hubby has still only felt kicks that one time - I'll have to remember to get him to have a feel. That's the thing - this pregnancy is so in the background most of the day, I just don't even think of it!

I had my second midwife appointment with the lovely Anna on Thursday just gone. She came to my house again and we had a chat about birth and natural living, etc. She is such a wealth of knowledge - I could listen to her all day! She was very tolerant of my kids too, who were very excited to have a visitor and were all in her face and trying to talk to her most of the time she was here. Anyway, she did all the checks - my wee (very good apparently), blood pressure (same as last time), feel of my belly and a listen with the doppler (I couldn't hear the heartbeat, but she got a reading through my placenta I think she said). All pretty boring really, which is what we want! I'll see her again in about 6 weeks... by then I'll be 28 weeks! Yikes!
The only other thing she mentioned was about what reading I had done so far. None is the answer. Last pregnancy I was so passionate about getting my VBAC that I was always reading and gearing myself up. Plus, I had Mel living nearby, also pregnant who was my own personal VBAC cheerleader. This time I am so much busier (seriously, having two kids compared to one placid toddler makes an amazing amount of difference) that I have not had time to read anything. I will though. I have my trusty Ina May on the bookshelf, as well as The Silent Knife to remind myself that VBAC is in fact safe for the most part. I'm not sure what else I want to read yet. Positive birth stories are always good.

I have had a much better week with the healthy pregnancy. I have eaten really well (until the weekend haha, when I had a chocolate party) and I got in some exercise. I think I went to the gym twice as well as a couple of walks (one very decent walk that I'm still recovering from!). I didn't make it to yoga this weekend - so I have missed it two weeks in a row now. This weekend was just so busy! I'm hoping to make it next weekend. The further along in the pregnancy I get, the more important that class will become, as it is very much about preparing for birth.

My belly is really growing, and I'm slowly starting to notice it in my movements and centre of gravity. It's so early, but I sometimes feel like I'm already waddling a little! Anyway, here is this week's belly pic:

17 weeks till my due date, just under 4 months. This pregnancy is going too fast!