22 weeks

Along: 22w0d
Size of baby: This week is supposed to be a papaya, because Cara weighs  almost a pound. The only papayas I could find at HEB this week were upwards of 3 lbs! Not quite right, and they looked giant. So we did without this week, and just have a belly pic. She's growing!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Right at 5-6 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: I bought a few t-shirts/casual shirts this week to have for the summer when it's really hot and I need to be comfortable. I have some options like the one I'm wearing in the picture, but not enough to get me through the weeks when I'm not working and can't wear one of Chance's t-shirts in public. :)
Gender: It's a girl! Cara Beth Connell
Movement: I felt a few nudges a couple of times this week. I'm anxious for the days when I'm feeling her all the time!
Sleep: Not enough--I'm exhausted! TAKS has been all week, and while I'm able to leave school early, I'm so tired at night and just can't get enough rest.
What I miss: bending over to reach my toes, esp. while I'm sitting down. I tried to paint my toes this week, and it was harder than it used to be! Chance laughed at me--silly boy. Now he's probably going to buy me a pedicure each month from now on!
Cravings: milk, water, Sonic Diet Coke with vanilla (a fave before pregnancy; tastes SO GOOD still!), fruit cups, Babybel cheeses, Raisin Bran cereal
Symptoms: a growing belly, trouble being as flexible as I used to...
Worst moment of the week: TAKS!!!!! It was 4 days of testing or review sessions with the same group of kiddos, and they started off ROUGH. They improved with more structure/seating charts/bribes/etc., but it was just a loooooong week. My classes in the afternoons balked at the idea of actually doing work (work at school--who'd have thought?), and it was just a really draining week. I also got confirmation that several of my really great friends/mentors at school have found jobs elsewhere for next year, and that was so disheartening. There is a plan for me for next year (most likely teaching pre-AP when I return from maternity leave), but it's just hard to think about proceeding with that plan when my work nearest/dearest are leaving...
Best moment of the week: seeing M&D for the evening Wednesday. They drove through Waco on their way to vacation, and we had dinner. Mom gave me my first Mother's Day present a little early! It's a necklace with a disc that has "cara beth" printed on it from Posh Mommy. We'll have her birthday engraved on it later. It was such a sweet gift, and it made me teary to see her name in print and get to wear it. I thought of the e.e. cummings quote "i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)".

Sweet Cara Beth, your name means so much to us, and we can't wait to attach a face and personality to it! So many friends are having babies today/tomorrow and this weekend, and it makes me very anxious for our time to come! Stay healthy and keep growing strong, and come here soon!