I don't always feel like I'm keeping it all together... just taking everything day by day. Thanks, Meli!

i loooove your updates!  i just have to say how blown away i am by your strength. you truly amaze me. you have so much on your plate, so much emotional turmoil and stress and you still seem to keep it together. you are my hero. :) *BIG HUGS*

Hi, girls!

My life is still way up in the air, but things are getting a little better every day. There are officially criminal proceedings going on against my husband and every day I pray that justice is served. My nephew has not once budged from his story of what's happened and has only added more information while my husband has responded to the allegations primarily with lies and finger pointing which only makes him look more guilty. I have decided to wait on the divorce until after all the criminal stuff is sorted out for a couple of reasons. 1.) a small part of me still hopes that it will come to light that my husband has been falsely accused (though I really don't see that happening) and 2.) having the criminal stuff and civil stuff going on at the same time will be way overwhelming considering I already have so much else going on.

My kids are doing great! My baby boy just turned 10 months old (I can't believe it)! He is getting brave and taking a few steps on her own here and there - he'll be walking in no time, I think! He's developed such a little personality and is getting so big - already wearing primarily 12 month clothes! My daughter, meanwhile, turns 5 tomorrow. Can someone tell me where the last 5 years of my life went? LOL

Baby bean is doing good. I'm finally feeling her move and kick through my anterior placenta, which is nice! I love it! I am now 24 weeks pregnant which means even if I were to give birth tomorrow, she would have an excellent chance at surviving :) Not that I've ever had issues with preterm labor, but yay viability! I went a little more than a week ago for an elective ultrasound just to verify gender since the tech that did my u/s at 19 weeks wasn't completely sure about the girl verdict. We got great shots this time and definite verification that we are having a girl. I'm still torn between a couple of names, but I'm leaning more toward Amaliyah Joy (first name pronounced ah-MAH-lee-uh like Amelia but with an 'ah' sound in place of the e.)

I'll leave you all with pictures of me and the kiddos. Pretty sure the last belly shot I shared here was 17 weeks. I have a side-by-side comparison of that photo with this week's photo - I've grown a LOT even though I'm still right around a 14 pound loss from pre-pregnancy weight so far). I've regained 9 of what I had lost already, so I just might make it back up to pp weight by the time this little princess is born! lol

None of my Doctors know anything about bariatric either.  I'm the 1st bariatric patient my OB has had. I trust my OB's opinion completely, he is doing more than I ever expected and although I get annoyed with all the "extra" tests, I know he is just doing his best to make sure he don't miss anything.   My perinatologist hasn't acted like he knows too much about it and doesn't appear to care to learn either.  He is treating me more for being "old" than having had VSG.  (I'm 39, I have a 20 year old and 16 year old daughter, this baby was a COMPLETE SURPRISE)  I'm just thankful I haven't had any "real" complications.  I do believe your own instinct is best, I learned with my 2nd pregnancy that you have to follow your own heart.  you know more about that baby than anyone.  Momma knows best....

Hope all this government mess ends soon.  I live close to a navy base and most of my community are government workers.  It's going to hit us pretty hard if it lasts too long.

I hope all is well with both our babies...My doctor said the earliest he would consider inducing is 37 weeks I'm curious what your Dr told you?  I think the longer they get to "cook" the better off they will be. 

I know what you mean about the comments.  If I hear one more time "are they sure your pregnant?"  I might choke someone.  I try to remind myself to appreciate not being big.  I know a woman who isn't as far as me but is huge and miserable.  She gets teary when she sees me because she is having so much discomfort.  I am grateful to not have that problem but like you I feel like my belly is growing now, that uncomfortable huge feeling may be coming soon!!

I find myself eating all the time.  more like grazing.  I try to really watch during meals because its so easy to overeat then feel like I need a nap or just feel crappy.  I worry about getting back on track after delivery but I plan on hitting it hard from day 1.  I was 10 lbs from goal when I discovered I was pregnant.  I am determined to hit that magic number! 

Please update how your scan goes next week.. I will be thinking of you!