Week 21 - Limited lungspace

Breathing is getting difficult, especially after meals in the evenings. Somehow, there just isn't enough lungspace and my skin feels so stretched and taut over my belly. I've been using the stretch mark creams religiously but I've already discovered some close to buttock/thigh area. *sigh* I haven't weighed myself yet since my last checkup 2 weeks ago, but I do feel heavier and I'm certain I've put on weight - walking up the stairs is quite tiring! Feels like I'm lugging a rice sack!

We are going off on our babymoon next weekend to Chiang Mai. Lots to do there, including elephant trekking and white water rafting, which unfortunately, I won't be able to enjoy! So we're going to sign up for a cooking class instead. Yup, they'll pick us up from the hotel, bring us to the local markets, and teach us to cook local thai food. YUM! I just hope I'll be able to eat! I've been getting really bloated in the evenings, probably due to the hormones slowing down my digestion...but it means I can't eat much by dinner and I keep burping all the time.

Pipsqueak has been going through cycles of activity and non-activity. I got worried at first cos he was active for a whole week but stopped considerably for a few days. I've discovered however that he hasn't got a fixed pattern yet. He's active for 2-3 days in a row and then kicks a lot less for another 2-3 days. The kicks are harder and clearer in the evenings, after dinner and when I'm about to sleep. And he kicks a lot more when I'm hungry - I think he's got the greedy genes, protesting violently when its time to eat. Good luck to us when he's out! I can imagine him screaming a the top of his voice for his milk.

Its the most wonderful thing so far though, being able to feel another life growing inside you, having Pipsqueak close to me and its like our little secret, only I can feel him kick and knows when he's active or quiet...our prayer is that God will make him a healthy and fuss-free baby! We're determined to not have our entire lives revolve around him, but as advised by Aunty G, "run with your baby, he should enhance your ministry and not hinder". Amen to that!