week 23

What happens at week 23.....

At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)

No wonder she's started kicking profusely.. and usually towards my lower abdomen. I can feel her kicks are much harder now, and when I put on the music to play, she starts kicking as well. Hahaha.. It is such a joy to feel the kicks especially when I'm so stressed at work or when I feel down. We have also experimented with voice, she responds with a kick or a movement as well. Though sometimes not accurate and immediate, but she does respond! And yes, she starts kicking if she's hungry too! Hehehe...

As for me, I'm still trying to get into a comfy position to sleep.. It's sooooo uncomfy, and I sometimes get sleepless nights with at least twice a night visits to the loo. :) But overall I'm good. Very good. And am putting on weight and my face and my body. Especially my lower body. Sad to say... Trying to do more exercise to reduce water retention (if I have), so I did 2 rounds of walking at the stadium just now while hubs ran. :)