The Ridgeway Family: 22 Weeks... and counting!

Overall, the pregnancy is status- quo and things are continuing to go really good, thankfully! In the last two weeks, however, I've developed a dairy sensitivity to cow's milk, cow's cheese, and cream. It all started when I noticed some red dots on my stomach, right over baby bump- which because itchy and irritating to the point where I decided this was something food-gut related if it was showing up on my skin. The wonderful Meg muscle tested me at Rev for a food sensitivity that might be causing this reaction. She tried all sorts of foods, because originally I thought it may have been from our Thanksgiving meal where we ate a ton of food we don't normally eat, however not the case. Turned out to be cow's dairy- I'm off all cheese and cream. Which actually isn't hard at all because I don't really drink milk to begin with and am substituting cream for soy milk and coconut milk and regular cow cheese for goat cheese. I've also been taking activated charcoal to bind the toxins out and a weed botanical (Usnea Lichen) to get rid of the associated mild blood infection it caused. I can see a difference already as the red spots have pretty much completely diminished. The hard part about this sensitivity is that it came right in between the holidays, so I can't indulge in the heavy whipping cream with coffee and pie like I was hoping to :-) But thankfully there are a lot of wonderful alternatives!

Thanksgiving in Taylors Falls- enjoying the Lighting Festival!

Activity wise- still going on the usual LTF journey 1-2x/ week. I'm hoping to try a prenatal yoga class in January, after Christmas is over to get into the swing of that on an occasional basis. I'm also hoping Paul and I can register for Hypnobirthing at Blooma or take a refresher course. I've been listening to Rainbow Relaxation every night and it has brought me back to some good times and memories! For anyone who has listened to that CD, you will understand :)

I have to admit that I'm feeling a little more tired these last couple weeks- I don't know if it's because it's the holidays and a busy time of the year that would make anyone tired- or if my body is just wanting extra sleep. Two naps this past weekend were splendid and I'm thankful I was able to lay down without feeling guilty like I should be getting other things done. I am one to struggle with listening to my body on when to slow down and rest, I'm usually pushing to the max.

We're slowly but surely starting to gear up for baby-- Paul finished a project he started last month of storage racking in the lower level to make room for me to move my office downstairs in with his. We'll be using what was my office for the nursery and need to start furnishing, unpacking the baby gear, and decorating to make it into a bedroom. The girls rooms will be just 2 doors away from each other, making it super convenient.

We're thinking of names and have our favorite, but we're not 100% sure on it quite yet. Still praying about that since it's a very big decision and would love some confirmation in our Spirit about it. The next prenatal visit happens this upcoming Tuesday afternoon- just a routine appointment and will go over the findings of the ultrasound. Will definitely update on any highlights!

On a side note, Sophia's finger is completely fine now but she does tell me everyday that "a door closed on my finger and it hurt...but it's just fine now!" She also loves giving the baby kisses, hugs- and even tried to share her hot cocoa with her today after sledding! It's pretty cute. We are excited to see her as a "big sis"!