Week 21: Brothers and Sisters

 

No way around it, I am pooped. This weekend, Daniel's brother, sister, and their partners made the trip to WNC to visit us all. Joel, Daniel's brother, hadn't visited in over two years- since before the beginning of the pandemic. Frankie wasn't even walking then! So the weekend was a whirlwind of activities and catching up with them all. One thing that is always a little tough is being the pregnant momma of a wrecking ball toddler in a family with no other kids. We had a wonderful time, but I will absolutely need some time to recover and let my ankles rest.

In Lark news, I'm about at the same place/size as I was with Frankie's pregnancy. My bump feels like it gets bigger by the day and it stays pretty tight with the occasional cramp. I'm always hungry for a snack. I've put on 9 lbs. In some ways, I feel way ahead of the game than I was with Frankie- I've got the nursery furniture in and done, we already have a pediatrician, we've got allllll the baby clothes and stuff. In other ways, I feel very behind! I haven't worked out leave at our jobs all the way yet. I feel like so much more is up in the air, since she will be born during the Christmas holidays. I know there isn't much really to be done other than to keep resting and growing this little one- the other things will fall into place.... but nesting is real and I my instinct is to keep getting things together!

How far along? 21 weeks
Maternity clothes? For sure, and looking forward to cozy fall maternity clothes! 
Stretch marks? No
Ankle Watch: Very sore.
Sleep: No one is interested in letting me sleep lately. Baby, Frankie, dogs, and my own anxiety are all out to get me.
Best moment(s) this week: Seeing the Russo/Hansen family all together finally!
Miss Anything? My first pregnancy. As things get more physically difficult, I really miss not chasing a toddler. I love Frankie, obviously, but I wish I could get a little bit more of a break to enjoy this pregnancy.
Movement: Little wiggle worm. I get a GOOOOOOD punch every few days, but she wiggles around a lot now. I can occasionally even see it from the outside now.
Food cravings: Easy food. Nothing that has to be cooked. Snacks snacks snacks. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still meat and especially seafood
Gender: Ballerina
Labor Signs: No
Pregnancy Symptoms: Exhaustion, physically and emotionally. My anxiety is really starting to ramp up, as is my inability to keep up with toddler/the house. I'm always hungry, but mostly want to just graze, not eat full meals.
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but not for much longer.
Rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Grumpy. I need help. I also need Daniel to finish projects in the house and still be a sane person who doesn't have to parent alone all the time. We still don't have a reliable sitter here (nor the budget for one, really)... its a lot. We'll make it, but I am feeling defeated. 
Looking forward to: FALL. I hope part of my general grumpiness is due to the weather. I am really loving the cooler temperatures in the morning and can't wait to start wearing cozy slippers again!