23 Weeks 6 Days

February 1st already! My goodness the time is just flying by. Tomorrow is a day that many pregnant woman look forward to. Tomorrow is 24 weeks. People refer to this day as "viability day" which means that this baby has a very good chance of surviving on the outside, and that a team of doctors would do everything in their power to make sure the baby survives. I do not want him coming out even a minute before he is good and ready, but knowing that we are at the point, where Gavin is actually developed enough to survive on the outside is awesome. As I tell many people, I am convinved that he will not be born until June. I have a feeling he will stay cozy in mama's belly for quite awhile. AND, since we are going to a no-intervention practice of midwives, there will be no inducing to get him out. We will let him (and God) decide what his birthday is.

Although, I did have a random dream just a few days ago that I went into labor on May 13 and he was born early, early in the morning May 14. Who knows?

Things that we've accomplished since my last post:
1. Andre did a BEAUTIFUL job painting the nursery blue.
2. My amazing, generous parents and sister outfitted the nursery with all the furniture which we assembled (and rearranged about 100 times).

3. We had our 20 week ultrasound (also known as the Anatomy Scan) which was the last time we will see Gavin until he greets us on his birthday. We got to see that his brain, spine, spinal cord, lungs, stomach, kidneys, liver, fingers, toes etc are growing exactly as to be expected. He is one healthy, beautiful little boy. I was 20w6d at the ultrasound and he was measuring 21w5d. Again... he will likely be tall like his Daddy!

4. Our little karate kid kicks and moves all the time, and Andre FINALLY has seen/felt him!
5. I met and hired a beautiful woman to be our birth doula. I am so excited to have her as a part of our journey and to help pray for us, help us during labor, and help us establish breast feeding.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.747783923225.2207830.36400546&type=3#!/MommyMeDoulaServices

6. I also met and hired a birth photographer, who I clicked with immediately. She is so awesome and set me up with a network of other natural birth, cloth diapering, breastfeeding mamas in the Tampa area.
http://www.whatisremarkable.com/category/remarkable-photography/?doing_wp_cron=1359730941.3872249126434326171875

7. My boss and I began discussing maternity leave, and what my schedule will look like once Gavin is born. (We are praying that I get to stay home with him part time).

And here is our survey update...

How far along? 24 Weeks

Total weight gain: My total weight gain to this point is still around 9-10 pounds. Almost all of which was gained during the first trimester, very litte of which I've gained since week 12.
Maternity clothes? Exclusively. I've got quite the belly now!
Stretch marks? No stretch marks, but I have noticed that I have some tiny veins/capillaries on my belly.
Sleep: I've become quite accustomed to sleeping on my side, with a pillow between my knees, and getting up to pee 1-3 times.
Best moment this week: Likely yesterday when I met Lee Anne Roquomore of Remarkable Photography. The entire conversation was such a blessing to me.
Miss Anything? Hmm, I think I miss being able to sleep through without getting up to pee constantly. And maybe, being able to sit on the floor and get up from the floor effortlessly. This is something I had definitely taken for granted!
Movement: Constantly! Sometimes my entire belly moves. It never gets old and I am still obsessed with feeling/seeing him move.
Food cravings: Nothing crazy. I do eat Chobani yogurt pretty much very single day of my life, but I don't crave it, I just know that its a good, healthy morning snack.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: I KNEW he was a boy!!! Gavin Luis Genao!
Labor Signs: None, and if I had any this early, I'd probably freak!
Symptoms: Well my breasts have proven to me that they ARE in fact capable of feeding our son... Let's leave it at that :-P
Belly Button in or out? It's still innie, but at least half of the depth that it normally is. It is very shallow.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Andre says I get a little whiny sometimes, but I'd say generally very happy!
Looking forward to: My mama, daddy and Serena coming to Florida in just 19 days to see our house, my belly, and have our little baby shower! I can not wait to have them here! FINALLY!