Brandi White : Michael Austin White. Week 23

Baby: Our baby boy is the size of a grapefruit this week. He is measuring about 11.3 inches long and weighing in at 1.10 pounds. His face is fully formed now and he is also forming little nipples. His lungs are starting to produce surfactant, which will help prep him for breathing air on the outside. He may now startle at loud noises and respond by turning his head, the nerve endings in his inner ear are now fully developed.

Symptoms: I had my first Braxton Hicks contraction this week and oh man was it intense! It only lasted a few seconds but wow, it took my breath away.

I had a surge of hormones take over my body this week. I had TERRIBLE heartburn for about 2 hours one night. It started around 11pm. I paced around the room just waiting for it to go away. I tried drinking milk and just stood there with tears in my eyes hoping it would stop so I could go to sleep, I was so tired. I finally gave in and took 2 Tums and guess what? It went away within 10 minutes. I'm so stubborn about taking any meds. I need to remember that we were given meds like this for a reason.

Weight: I actually lost 3 pounds this week. I wasn't feeling so good from being nauseated and having heartburn. I drank a lot of water and tried to stay hydrated but it was hard for me to eat like I normally do. I ate light meals and snacks throughout the day, nothing sounded good.

Sleep: Sleep deprived! Having nighttime heartburn makes it incredibly hard to sleep. Elevating my head and shoulders on pillows did help though.

Cravings/food: Nothing seemed to sound good this week. I was just so nauseous and dizzy that I ate really bland foods. My appetite came back in full force come the weekend though. Thank goodness!

Clothes: Still living in my same two maternity skinny jeans and leggings. I really need to get a new pair, just so I have something different to wear.

Thoughts: Christmas Day and New Years Eve were both in my 23rd week. Both holidays were emotional days for me. Happy emotions of course. I couldn't help but think how different it will be next year. Michael Austin will be 8 months next Christmas. I can't wait to decorate the house and tree with him right next to us. He'll have his own stocking and we'll begin our own new family Christmas traditions. I had tears in my eyes when the clock hit midnight on New Years Eve. I couldn't believe 2017 was already here, the year that our son will be born. I didn't last long after midnight... I was in my pj's with lavender oil in my diffuser and in bed reading by 12:30am. There isn't anywhere else I would have rather been.

Christmas Day bump pic