Is it really time for my 24 week bumpdate? I mentioned this on Instagram when I shared my 24 week photo, but 24 weeks feels like the next milestone after the halfway mark. Now I’m 6 months pregnant and there are only 16 weeks left until my due date. 16 weeks is less than 4 months and it feels so tangible.
Here’s what’s been going on in the last 4 weeks since my last bumpdate!
How far along?
Officially 24 weeks and 2 days today!
Just for fun, here are my 24 week bumpdates with Chloe and Brody!
Size of Baby
Baby G3 is right around 12 inches long from head to toe. We have a little footlong sub y’all! He or she is also weighing in around 1.3 lbs. As far as food and toy comparisons go, this week baby is the size of a cantaloupe, a French demi-baguette, a GI Joe doll or a Mr. Potato Head. I’m personally digging the Mr. Potato Head comparison. Thanks Babylist for sharing that one with me!
Weight Gain
About 17-18 lbs total so far. A little more than I had gain with my first two at this point, but what can I say, this baby is hungry!
Symptoms
- Sciatica Pain – starting to get more especially on days that I’m more active. It kind of suck, but at least it’s mostly rearing its ugly head in the evenings.
- Sore Boobs
- Itchy belly
- Calf cramps
- Exhaustion at the end of the day – I think that’s just part of being a mom.
Cravings
Sweets lately – cookies, ice cream, cake, you name it. I haven’t discriminated against treats. I’ve also wanted smoothies and fruit like I did with Chloe as well as chicken salad and chili like I did with Brody. So pretty much my cravings aren’t going to help us figure out the gender of this little nugget.
I have been very weird about meat this pregnancy like I was with Chloe. I don’t want to see it or mess with it if it’s raw, and I 100% will not eat leftover meat.
Mood
It’s up and down for sure. Some days I feel so secure and emotionally stable, while others I feel like I’m struggling to keep it together. Luckily it’s been more on the up side than down the last several weeks.
I think the fact that we’ve been busier helps! We’ve been going to the splash pad and our gym to get out of the house more. Plus we went on two road trips! One more trip to Galveston for a family beach weekend and another to the Dallas area to visit my sister and brother-in-law!
I find that finding the right balance of busyness and rest helps my mental health immensely!
Movement
This baby is busy, busy, busy! I’m feeling baby wiggle and move all the time now. Because my placenta is anterior, movements were muted at the beginning. It also kept others from being able to see or feel the baby. Luckily, Chloe and JP were both able to feel this little nugget move this past week!
Sleep
Melatonin and Natural Calm are life. I’m exhausted in the evenings, but melatonin and the Natural Calm drink are helping my body wind down and then shut down for the night.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try I can’t sleep past about 6:30am. I slept until 6:45 one day and that’s about it! Good thing I go to bed between 9:30 and 10:00pm, so I’m getting plenty of rest…for now.
Here’s the Natural Calm drink powder in case anyone is interested in trying it. It’s great for everyone, not just pregnant women. It’s a magnesium supplement, so it aids in rest, muscle relaxation and digestion.
Workouts
I try to walk or do walk/run intervals 5-6 days a week with 2-3 strength sessions as well. I find that days that I walk, my body feels much better and less stiff throughout the day. On days that I throw in run intervals, I feel great and strong afterwards, but by about 4-5pm my hips ache and my sciatica pain rears its ugly head.
I did run a virtual 5K this past weekend and managed to run without walk breaks! I have another virtual 5K next weekend at 25 weeks and I’m looking forward to feeling strong again. I miss races!
I recently created 5 prenatal workouts that are also great for postpartum mommas too! They’re all using different equipment (or none at all) and include video demonstrations for all the moves! These are all being rotated in my strength sessions. Though I highly recommend you check out the kickboxing option – cardio strength for the win!
Favorite Products
Kindred Bravely Under the Bump Panties
I bought a 3 pack of these panties when I was pregnant with Brody and immediately wished that I had gotten the 5 pack. They are amazing! I even tried some similar, cheaper options from Amazon this pregnancy and nothing compares. I’ve returned them all and repurchased these. I personally love them for postpartum as well!
NEOtech Belly Support Belt
I actually wrote about this product in my third trimester must haves when I was pregnant with Brody! I started using it again this last week after my doctor recommended it. I mentioned an odd sensation near my ribs that comes and goes throughout the day and she suspects that it’s musculoskeletal. This is my third pregnancy after all and each one is a little harder on your body! Here’s a fun shot from back when I wore it while teaching classes pregnant with Brody!
What I Miss
- Sushi
- Wine after a long day
- Sleeping on my belly
- Not having sciatica pain
- Running with ease
Looking Forward To
Chloe starting school (even though it’s virtual) and Brody’s 2nd birthday!
As far as my pregnancy goes, I’m looking forward to continuing to grow this sweet baby. I’m trying to soak it up and not wish it to go faster especially while I’m comfortable enough!
I’ll be back with my next bumpdate at 28 weeks when I’ll officially be in the 3rd trimester! My last pregnancy I did a fun comparison bumpdate, so I’m looking forward to doing it again comparing all 3 pregnancies!
From there I’ll likely be sharing every 2 weeks or so until this baby arrives! Thanks for reading along and being invested in this pregnancy with me.
In case you missed it:
We’re Pregnant | Pregnant in a Pandemic | First Trimester Bumpdate | 17 Week Bumpdate | 20 Week Bumpdate
