22 Weeks!

Here is my 22 week update, a little bit late. Hey, I didn't even do a 21 week update, so this is good!

This picture was taken at 21 weeks and 5 days, and in reality today I am 22 weeks and 3 days... I will get caught up by 23 weeks, I promise!!

Also, I am not going to do what I have been doing which is answering the same old questions, mostly because the answers are going to be the same!

This week the baby started really kicking! He kicks some in the morning, quite a bit at night, and sometimes throughout the day. I can feel it really well on the outside if I am laying down on my back, and most of these can be seen as well. I took a video of him kicking or punching or head butting me a few days ago, and I was surprised to see how big the movements have gotten! Tim can feel them, but is not as entranced by them as I am. Don't get me wrong, he will feel them when I put his hand on my belly, and he definitely gets how awesome it is that our little guy is only about a pound (just a guess from good old google, but his 19 week weight was given to us at an ultrasound and he was right on for how far along I was... 9 ounces). He just knows that in a month or so, he will be able to see it across the room, and in about 3 months exactly, he will be able to hold the little man.

I was worried about my uterus shape for a while because he always seemed to be in the same position, and always kicked in the same exact spot. I was worried that he didn't actually have enough room in there to move around, but these past two weeks his movements have been all over the place! He also must be stretching out more across my uterus because he no longer curls up on one side or the other. When I would lay down I would either have a bulging right or left side, and that is where I would be able to find his heartbeat. Now, I usually have a round shape even when laying down. 

I don't have another doctor's appointment until February 6th, when I will be 24 weeks. I need to start thinking of questions. I love my doctor, but I get kind of annoyed when all that happens is this:

And I leave thinking, "oooookay...."

I mean, in the movies, they always measure your belly and see if you're dilated. I have asked pregnant friends, and they are having similar experiences, but I think I would feel better is she looked at or felt something! Don't get me wrong, when I do have questions, she happily answers them! But if I don't, she is gonna scoot right on outta there!

Like I said, Hunter is about one pound, and is about a foot long from his head to his heels. He is covered is wrinkly skin, which will be filled out as he fattens up. His body is also covered in fine hair (lanugo) to help protect his skin from all the water and fluid. His tooth buds are developing, and he can hear pretty well at this point!

On my end, I am still the same, actively trying to help my skin stretch without getting stretch marks, eating more than usual, but not too much, and peeing about twice an hour. That last part is quite annoying. Also, I am having a really hard time figuring out how much work, if any, to take off. I am due May 28th, and I have a feeling he will come late. I hope not, but I have this feeling he is gonna test my longevity! I can probably get away with taking off only a few days at the end of this school year, but what am I going to do about next school year? Here are my options (not given to me by the school, given to myself...)

1. Return to work the same day as everyone else, August 20th. 
2. Take off a little bit of 'Me-Time' at end of this school year before he comes. 
3. Take off as many weeks as I want (up to 12) at the beginning of next school year.
4. Mix of choice 3 and 4, total weeks off not to go over 12.

I am just not sure what to do! Taking off time at the beginning of a school year with kindergarteners is very hard. I am sure that leaving your baby after 2 months is hard as well, especially when most women take 3 months. Any opinions?