Pregnancy Update - Week 22

September 3, 2010

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along

22 weeks

Symptoms

I have felt GREAT the last few weeks! The minor symptoms I have had feel like nothing compared to months before. I love the 2nd Trimester!!! I am trying to appreciate this time as much as possible because I know that the 3rd Trimester is tough and uncomfortable. The only minor symptoms that have been bothering me lately are restless leg syndrome and a little bit of back pain and hip pain. Sleeping as also been a little better. My appetite slowed down since the last time I posted and it is pretty much back to normal. I can't say that I have been craving much lately other than the occasional Egg McMuffin from McDonald's :-) for breakfast.

Weight gain: 11 lbs total

Gender:

It's a GIRL!!!! 

We have decided to name her Haley Grace Schmitt.  

I have had this name picked out for so long that I can't even tell you when it came to mind. I know it was long before Carson was even a thought in our mind. If Carson would have been a girl, he would have been Miss Haley Grace.

After finding out the sex it took me a few days to stop calling her "it" or "baby" and to start referring to her as a girl. And now that Brian and I decided for sure she would be named Haley Grace, it has been so much fun referring to her by name. And what melts my heart the most is to hear Carson say "Baby Haley" or "Baby Sister". He used her name frequently at the beginning when referring to my belly or saying good night to her...but now he prefers to call her "Baby Sister". I just love it!!! And just yesterday Brian was talking to her and calling her Haley. I can't remember what it was that he was saying to her, but I do remember how it made me smile for him to call his daughter by name. I can not wait to watch him with her. I still enjoy those moments when I can sit and watch Brian with Carson. Just last night I enjoyed watching Carson chasing Daddy in the rain in the backyard. Those moments I never want to forget.

Movement:

She is definitely an active baby. The times I feel her the most are generally after meals. I am sure my digestive system is a bit loud to her when its active :-) Brian has felt her move a few times. I can't wait to sit with him, and hopefully Carson, and just watch her move in my belly. Looking forward to that! I think I have felt hiccups. They didn't last for long and I have not felt them since. But I know they are coming! I remember them very well with Carson. He had them all the time.

Preparations:

I recently purchased some of my friend Valerie's little girl's clothes. Her daughter Harper was born in early February so the size and the season will match up well for Haley. My hope that purchasing these clothes would curb my "need" to go out and buy an entire wardrobe for her. When I received the boxes in the mail I sat on my office floor in tears going through the beautiful clothes. I think it truly became a reality at that moment that I was going to have a little girl. Thank you Valerie! The clothes are beautiful!!!

As for the rest of my preparations, Brian and I have decided to go with the Tahiti Bedding Collection by CoCaLo Couture.

I narrowed my search down to only those lines that my sister Tara's store, www.yourbabiesroom.com, carried. I can't wait to get the bedding and get the room all set-up for Miss Haley!

And last but not least, here are a few belly shots from this week. 

And here is a comparison from one month ago....

17 weeks

22 weeks

I'd say Miss Haley did a 'lil bit of growing, wouldn't you?