Week 24: Body changes, flutters or kicks, and cravings.

    I hit my 24th week on July 22nd. Time is going by so quickly! People have started to ask when I'm due, which is almost jarring as I'm used to the "don't ask unless you know" rule. It's strange how pregnancy puts your body under anything-goes-commentary. I have had several people acknowledge my expanding shape, not always with the sweetest adjectives. It's actually really rude, and creates a whole new complexity for female body image. I've always struggled with the way my stomach looks and it isn't always easy having so much focus be on my most hated body part. All I can do is remind myself that this isn't just the average burrito belly, this one has a person growing inside of it! It's a struggle, the pregnant body. It's a body that changes so rapidly and can look so strange--but, it's a beautiful thing, too. It's crazy to think that my body is cultivating a human being. Sometimes that thought really blows me away.

    It's easy to forget that I'm growing a person, especially when I can't even feel them. From the research I've done, it seems that most people feel their babies by now. I have an anterior placenta (some crazy medical jargon), which means I could be delayed in feeling everything; I have a buffering placenta. There are times I feel something, but I can't always discern digestion from fetal limbs. Hopefully soon!

    As I near the third chunk of pregnancy, one thing that almost irks me is my lack of kooky pregnancy cravings. No pickles and coconut milk ice cream? I have noticed that I am really into lemonade and orange juice--but those cravings aren't very interesting. Ever since being pregnant I have been obsessed with Arnold Palmers, an immediate problem due to the caffeine in iced tea. I've taken to brewing giant pots of decaf black tea. Pregnancy really changes your taste buds. Things that I loved before aren't that great now--such as Primal Strips vegan jerky and Daiya's havarti wedge. I really hope I like these again one day, especially that havarti wedge. It was seriously one of my favorite things. What I do love is fruit and the new Earth Balance macaroni and cheese. Comfort food and natural sweets. Earlier in the pregnancy I couldn't stand sprouted bread, luckily that didn't last long.

   I only have four weeks left before my third trimester--which is nearly impossible to believe. We are getting ready to move, and I think that will have me feeling more prepared for the baby. I'm super excited to set up the nursery and hang up the pile of baby stuff that is currently gathered in front of our record player. Pacifiers, diapers, creams, etc assembled in front of Bauhaus and Joy Division records. I think this will be my life for a while.