Blake and Melissa's Next Big Adventure: Week 22 and some pics :)

Week 22 has been good - flying by still, which is kind of crazy!

I have 4 wks to go until the 3rd trimester - and I'm giving up a bit on the idea of the smooth, happy 2nd trimester. Just not meant to be for me (given worse nausea/vomiting) but it's really ok. It is true that, in the grand scheme of things, this has been a smooth and uneventful pregnancy!

Kind of not fun things this week - my back and side (right side, just under my ribs) have hurt quite a bit. Also I can't breathe through my nose - mega-congestion, and maybe things are starting to get squeezed a bit...? Kind of making me (and Blake who is noticing my "deep breathing" (aka snoring)) crazy. Benadryl helps but makes me sooo sleepy!

On the plus side, though - I can feel Gracie moving quite a bit at least 1 - 2 times each day. :)

I am still thankful for everything I noted last week. :) Also, this week I saw Dr. Jim Chamberlain (diabetes doctor) and my HbA1C was... drumroll... 5.7! :) So - things are still right on track there. Blake had a great question - is the baby's blood sugar the same as mine...? I asked Dr. C - and yes, it is. I asked if I am hurting her when my blood sugars go low - he said there is no evidence of that - while she's not producing insulin, seems her liver may produce glycogen (sugar) if needed, so she should be just fine. He verified that running high is far more risky for her than running low. Interesting stuff!

My insulin needs are creeping up steadily - I'm about 50-60% higher than usual right now. Dr. C said that in May, we'll make sure I am ready to change pump settings back to pre-pregnancy levels - apparently as soon as the placenta is out, you go back to your "usual" insulin needs, which I think is really interesting!

I also found a pediatrician (if I didn't mention it before) - Dr. C's wife, Dr. Michelle Chamberlain, who works at Willow Creek Pediatrics. I am meeting her March 11. :)

In terms of development, this week (from http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-22-weeks_1111.bc?responsys_count=1&scid=mbtw_preg22:1037&pe=2UvuHCR&st=MjAxMTAyMTM=) :

"At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. [Her] lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and [s]he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath [her] gums. [Her] eyes have formed, but [her] irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers [her] body and the deep wrinkles on [her] skin, which [s]he'll sport until [s]he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside [her] belly, [her] pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

See what your baby looks like this week."

It also talks about changes a mom may be noticing...

"You expected your belly to grow — and perhaps your breasts, too — but the following physical changes may take you by surprise. As with many pregnancy changes, hormones play a role in most of these alterations in your looks.

Thicker, more lustrous hair You're not actually growing more hair, just losing less than normal. During pregnancy, your body sheds hair much more slowly than it did before. What to do: If thicker hair is a boon for you, enjoy it. If it's making your mane more unruly than ever, ask your stylist to do some thinning at your next cut. These changes won't last forever. After your baby's born, you'll start to lose this excess hair, sometimes in clumps.
Increased body hair Sex hormones known as androgens can cause new hair to sprout on your chin, upper lip, jaw, and cheeks. Stray hairs can also pop up on your belly, arms, legs, and back. What to do: Tweezing, waxing, and shaving are all safe ways to manage these temporary changes.
Faster-growing fingernails Your fingernails may grow more quickly than usual, and you may notice changes in texture. Some women's nails get harder, while others' get softer or more brittle. What to do: Protect your nails by wearing rubber gloves when you're cleaning, and using moisturizer on them if they're brittle.
Skin changes Some pregnant women report that their skin has never looked better. If that's you, enjoy the proverbial "glow." Others find the hormones of pregnancy aggravate skin conditions such as acne. What to do: Wash twice a day with a gentle soap or cleanser, and make sure that any moisturizer or makeup you use is oil-free.
Stretch marks As your belly expands to accommodate your growing baby, you may get tiny tears in the supportive tissue that lies just beneath your skin, resulting in striations of varying color. These marks will begin to fade and become considerably less noticeable about six to 12 months after you give birth. There's not much you can do besides trying not to gain more than the recommended amount of weight. Heredity is responsible for the natural elasticity of your skin and plays a role in determining who will end up with stretch marks.
Skin discolorations Increased melanin can cause splotchy patches of darkened skin on your face. These pigment changes may become intensified if you spend time in the sun. What to do: Protect your face by using a sunblock that offers both UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing a hat with a brim, and avoiding the sun during peak hours of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Larger and darker nipples and areolas You may find that your nipples and the pigmented area around them (the areolas) are getting bigger and darker. The little bumps on your areolas, known as Montgomery's tubercles, may also be more pronounced. These bumps are oil-producing glands that help fight off bacteria and lubricate the skin. Some women also notice more pronounced veins in their breasts. What to do: Nothing!
Larger feet Your feet may go up half a shoe size or more. Lax ligaments may make your feet spread a bit — permanently. Swelling can make your shoes feel tight as well, although it will go away after delivery. What to do: Buy comfortable shoes to accommodate your growing feet."

I am noticing the thicker hair, faster growing nails, stretch marks, and increasing foot size... luckily not too much with extra hair and skin discoloration - and sorry but no comment on the other item! :)

On babyzone.com, the week 22 information for your partner is about "intimacy" - I think I'll skip that for the general readership. :)

On to PICTURES!!!

First... the latest belly shots... :) Almost 23 weeks - about 16 weeks to go!

Next - toys from Grandpa Rick.

On the left, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Violet"; on the right, the "Sounds of the Womb" Bear. Both are really cool! :)

Next is the first toy we've bought specifically for Grace (not just "future baby Dimond") - a little knit teddy bear we got at Sundance. Isn't Blake cute??? :)

I love this dress!!! A very wonderful, good friend of mine made it for us as soon as she knew we're naming the baby Grace. I love it, love it, love it - what a talented gal, and a sweet gift for Grace! :)