Feeling huge

Well I'm nearly at 25 weeks, and still in Sweden. Some sort of internal instinct is begging me to start preparing a nursery, read parenting and breastfeeding books and cook and clean. But most of those things will have to wait another 5 weeks until we are back home in NYC. (The cooking part is my daily ritual here in Stockholm - the food is amazing and I can't stop eating!)

As I write, my tummy is jumping up and down as my little boy wriggles and kicks. It's very comforting, because he's had a few quiet days. That's not to say I haven't felt him, but he seems to be kicking less and a bit gentler these last few days. My lovely Swedish midwife (Birgitte) says it's completely normal, his heart rate is great (154), and he needs to rest after particularly active days/nights. Ok whatever, I still prefer it when he's moving!

She also told me I am low in iron, so I'm taking supplements now, which are hideous. My tummy feels weird all the time now. And (TMI alert), it made my poop BLACK!!! I just about had a heart attack.

Anyway, I am really loving this time in Stockholm. I get all day to just be pregnant and happy, and eat well, and think about my little boy growing inside me. It's bliss.

How Far Along? 24 weeks, 5 days.

Maternity Clothes? Yep. Visited H & M in Stockholm and bought some great singlets and a dress from their 'Mama' range. I'm not sure if it's in the US, but I am planning on going back next week to get more of the great singlets. Also, today I wore my J.Brand maternity 'jeggings' and felt like a proper trendy pregnant lady! They were totally worth the $185 I spent on them. Although, now I'm home, I'm back in loose clothes.

Stretch Marks? Had a scare last week in the morning. I thought I saw the sign of the first one on my belly and was SO disappointed. It turned out to be a crease from sleeping. Thank god!

Sleep? Still not great. The online S.noogle turned into a disaster with the silly woman at the online store in the US insisting I change my mailing address with the bank in NYC before she would send it to me. And this was when the money was already OUT of my account. I'm going to be back in NYC in 5 weeks, so why on earth would I do that?  So I ordered a Swedish version instead. Nowhere near as good, but helping somewhat. DH still snoring, so most nights are apart, but we did manage 3 nights in a row together this week.  I seem to have also got my afternoon tiredness back from the 1st trimester. I could seriously nap every day.

Best Moment of the Week? Passing my glucose test. I took it in Stockholm with my temporary midwife. I was a bit worried because I have had some light headed moments which I was attributing to blood sugar. But now I think it's all iron related, which I mentioned above. The midwife's office is so nice - I had a lovely bed to lie on while I waited for the blood test. I read my mags and napped. That could NEVER have happened at NY Downtown Hospital :)

Movement? Yes still all the time, but with less force this week. On Friday night however he had a real burst of energy, and it was the weirdest feeling ever. It was like he was rubbing his hand on the inside of me. Strange but nice.

Food Cravings? Goats cheese! I cannot stop eating it. In fact just writing it has made me want to get up and eat some on crackers now. It's pasteurized so I can eat it, and it is SO good.

Gender? BOY :)

What I miss? Not too much, mainly just particular foods. Seafood, ham, cold meat. But it's a small price to pay.

What I'm looking forward to? Sounds ridiculous, but being back home so I can start the nursery. The more I feel my baby move, the more real it is that he will be here in 3 months. And I want him to come home to a lovely environment. Also, more baby clothes shopping at the cool Swedish stores. I love them!

Weekly Wisdom: Hmmm. I don't feel I've done enough to gain much wisdom this week. However, I do read a lot of blogs by pregnant ladies (and is it just me, or are a LOT of previously IF bloggers getting pregnant lately?), and read about their fears and worries. Now, I was never considered IF, really just impatient and worried. But the fears they have in the 1st trimester seem to be the same as a lot of pregnant women. Particularly me! If I could go back and talk to my 7 weeks pregnant self - I would say 'RELAX'. It's amazing how tough these little babies are.

Milestones: Passing my glucose test. Being mobile again in our rental car and cruising around Stockholm with my now (obviously pregnant) huge belly.