Week 24 – End of the Second Trimester

Holy Moly – I don’t know about all of you who have been following our blog, but I feel like I’ve just blinked and we’re now ending the Second Trimester! I can still remember thinking in January and talking to Dan, saying, “things will get busy once school is done, there’s so much we’ll have to do this summer to get ready for the baby.” Well, it’s here! School has ended (as of Wednesday) and today (Thursday) is our last day of Week 24, and the end to month 6. It’s overwhelming and exciting at the same time.

Knowing our discussions with the doctors up until this point, even though our official due date is September 16, we will more than likely be induced the first week of September (around 37 weeks), which means that at this point we’re down to 12 weeks left until his arrival. WOW!

This was a big week at home, we’ve painted and are almost done. One more wall to complete – those pictures will come next week! We found a beautiful area rug at Marshalls that I think is going to be a great addition and pop of color in the room. Again, we’ll post those together next week. Just a little tease to the reveal.

Next weekend is the first baby shower that we’re having at Dan’s parents house and we’re looking forward to celebrating with the Stern/Hoffman families. We’ll have to do a special post after the weekend because I know there will be some great photos from Saturday. Nancy, Gretchen and Megan have been putting details together and we can’t wait to see everything for the party!

We had maternity photos taken a few weeks ago by our friend Steph (see preview here: http://ourhappyplaceandco.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/22-weeks/) and this past week she sent me this picture she took of our family. All I wanted from the shoot was a photo of all (five) of us because we didn’t have any family photos, except from our engagement shoot four years ago. That evening Murray wouldn’t cooperate, no matter what we tried, and little Theo sat in the same spot and didn’t move (go-figure!). I was so upset because I wanted this shot so bad, so you can imagine my emotions when Steph sent this picture to me:

I nearly cried and couldn’t stop looking at it. She is amazing! All of us are looking, everyone is sitting still and in a good spot. It’s unbelievable and has made me so happy. I can not wait to print a copy for our living room wall. This will be a picture that I will cherish for a very long time.

So, on to the highlights of Week 24!
How far along: 24 weeks (end of month 6)
Total weight gain/measurements: 21lbs; 42.5 in (belly)
Maternity clothes: yes, please! Loving being able to wear sundresses – so comfortable!
Stretch marks: itty bitty ones
Sleep: sleeping better since we put the AC in upstairs
Best moment of this week: Baby Boy is on the move – we saw him kick! (on the outside) and Dan was able to feel him moving around. Loving these moments.
Have you told family & friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? Being able to go to Kennywood (Dan went with school on Wednesday and I was so sad I couldn’t go)
Food cravings: Something sweet after dinner; fruit during the day – I’m not a big grape fan, but lately they’ve been a nice snack during the day.
Anything that makes you queasy or sick: n/a
Have you started to show yet: Yes!
Gender prediction: No more predictions – BOY, BOY, BOY!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Still in there!
Wedding rings on or off? Wedding ring is still on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & Emotional
Looking forward to: Getting the painting finished and some of the pieces we already have put together and in there! Baby Shower #1 next weekend!