Baby #2 - Week 23 - A Wet But Fun Weekend

(ABOVE: The new front of the house - right now the peak of the house is 6' lower than the proposed and we don't have a window above the garage door ... we are getting pretty excited now)
(ABOVE: The new floorplan for the house - Jaden's room is towards the front and the baby's room is in the middle)

(ABOVE: Fetal Development at 23 weeks)
(ABOVE: A Fetus at 23 weeks)

Well I missedd posting a Baby#2 update yesterday so I will go ahead and do so today … along with a few photos of the proposed addition on the house … we FINALLY got some plans to look at! We sit down with the builders today to go over siding colors, electrical outlet locations and the ever important cable outlet locations. Jaden is getting excited now that she has seen drawings of her new room … we will soon be picking paint and once the baby bedding is bought I will be able to pick out the paint for that room as well.
I hope everyone had a nice weekend … our was WET – WET – WET … which hasn’t happened in quite a while! We stayed busy nonetheless … Friday I spent an hour at Wal Mart grocery shopping while Jaden and Jason headed to the Pet Store for a new fish tank and some more fish. I am happy to say that for the 4th month in a row I came in about $50 under budget on my groceries – WHOO-HOO! Friday night my MIL came up to spend the night so we could go shopping Saturday. We were supposed to head to the Target Book Fair on Saturday but the rain got heavier heavier as the day wore on so we headed to IKEA instead. We spent a good while in that store – where you can get lost just about everywhere … but my MIL and Husband thought the store was pretty neat! We then tried to head to the Mall of America but I think with the rainy day everyone in the Metro had the same idea so after trying to find a place to park we decided to head to Babies R Us instead. Jaden LOVES to shop for baby clothes and she picked out some pretty cute outfits … My MIL also found some great onesies on clearance!! And I even found 2 pair of Maternity Dress Pants! YIPPIE! We were also able to try out the sit and stand stroller that we want to get – the one where the old child can sit or stand on the back platform with the baby seat in the front. It is a pretty neat stroller and will work out well … we also got to see in person the baby bedding I fell in love with on the internet … it will be perfect for the new room. It is pink and brown with large daisies on it. The blanket is a quilt versus a comforter and I decided I will hang in on a quilt rack on the wall since you hardly ever use the baby bedding quilt! It was a nice day all in all … Sunday Jason headed to the MetroDome to sadly see the Viking lose to the Colts while Jaden and I went back for a few odds and ends at Wal Mart, we then had lunch together and then headed to Edinborough Park – the indoor play park … It was a good weekend all in all! Now it is Wednesday and we are heading towards another busy weekend … Saturday we have a birthday bash for our good friend Lisa in Albert Lea and Sunday we are heading to Uncle Dale’s house to celebrate his birthday! It will be a warm weekend too so we are looking forward to a fun weekend with Family and Friends! I hope you all have a great weekend!

How your baby's growing:Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound about as much as a large mango, you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

How your life's changing:You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or standing — in one place for long periods. Also, try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy, comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention. While a certain amount of edema in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia. Be sure to call your midwife or doctor if you have severe or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, swelling in your face, or puffiness around your eyes.

Once again I am happy to report that none of the 'stuff' above has happened to me 'yet'. I am also happy to report that Baby Charlotte is using my lower 'private' area as a soccer ball and it is pretty funny at times when it catches me my surprise. Jaden was finally able to feel the bumping going on and her face was shocked by what it felt like ... other than that ... not much going on! My girlfriend decided on a Shower Date - October 18th from 11-1 ... we are having it at my friend Heather's house since my house willlacka garage roof - and Heather's condo party room in by the indoor, heated pool ... which for us Minnesotan's that sounds pretty good in October! It should be pretty fun ... well we will see you all on Friday for FFF! Have a great rest of the week!

Love ~ The Clark Family ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Baby Charlotte