Dear Pooh Bear,

Happy 23 weeks little one! You are getting so big! Word on the street is that you weigh about 1 lb these days! How exciting! Before you know it, you will already be bigger that your big “sister” Tinkerbell! (3.5 lbs) We got to see you again last week, which was both scary and exciting!

We had what is called a Fetal Echo done last week dear Pooh Bear to check out your little heart. When we saw you the last time they found some white spots on your heart and we had to have it checked out to make sure you were A Ok! And guess what? You are perfect! Your little heart has been developing just right, just like the rest of you. Your mommy was told to be sure to eat and get you moving that morning, but I think I went a little overboard. You were bouncing around like crazy. It was fun to feel you in my belly, and then watch you move on screen. You showed us your little boy parts right away,  so you definitely are still our little DUDE!

I want to discuss something that has me a bit worried. They say your little ears are developing each and every day, and I got a little taste of that the other day when your daddy and I were riding in the car. Your daddy, as usual, thought we were partying it up in a club and was listening to his “club” type music (that mommy doesn’t really like), and you really started giving me little punches. Your daddy seems to think that you were “fist pumping” to the music. I do hope that he was wrong and you were just telling him that the music was hurting your ears, because trust me….you will not be a “typical” Long Island boy if I have anything to do with it. I will state this loud and clear…you are not a guido! No fist pumps!

EVAN EDIT: THIS WAS THE SONG THAT WAS ON

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy2nBvtkgyE[/youtube]

I don’t have any wierd cravings per se, but it seems that random things they show on TV makes me want that type of food. Like commercials for Reece’s peanut butter cups make me want cyclones, and anything shown as chocolate makes me want a nice warm brownie. You see the pattern? Luckily I am pretty good at keeping those cravings at bay and have yet to send your daddy out on random grocery store runs. I’m not sure he’ll be so lucky as time goes on.

Pooh Bear: Week 23

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.

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.

Look at that little one…You can now feel sense my movement! Maybe at your Aunt Kelly and Uncle John Paul’s wedding you can feel your daddy and I dance! And you see what they say about your “keen ears”? I guess that’s why you were dancing to your daddy’s music. I won’t hold that against you…for now….you just haven’t really heard anything better yet. Enjoy the week dear Pooh Bear! I know I will!

Love Mommy