22 Weeks - I'm so Full...

You know that 'I ate too much and can't quite breath right when I'm bent over tying my shoes' feeling? Or that 'I shouldn't have had that second plate of food, now I'm struggling to push myself off the couch for some reason'? That is what I feel like, except I'm not over eating. Which makes sense, as the baby is now the size of a cantaloupe, weighing a full pound now!

I feel the baby move often now and sort of regularly. Mitch even felt Aiden the other morning. It was cool. He couldn't really tell a few days before that and thought he felt it, but then the other morning we were laying in bed and I put his hand on my belly because I could feel him moving around. I felt a good strong kick, but didn't say anything. I could only imagine how frustrating that could be if I keep asking, 'Did you feel it?' and he doesn't, so I didn't say anything. Mitch says, 'Ohmygod!' Hehe...he felt it for sure that time.

The baby has been able to hear the noises of the world for some time, but now can recognize particular voices. I talk enough all day, but we decided to start reading out loud together to help Aiden recognize his voice. We just got a bunch of information on birthing classes and we are going to start to sort through it. I know some people say it is a waste of time, but others say it was helpful, and for the first time around I think I'd feel better at tricking myself into thinking I'm more prepared! :)

My blood pressure is still low, as it always has been my whole life. But, my pulse has quickened...which is kind of neat...the way the body works. My heart rate is up an extra 10 beats per minute (from 60 to about 70 now). I guess they are right about your heart working extra pumping extra blood around your body.

Mitch started working a new job that is overnights. I have to admit that although it makes me more appreciative of him when he is home at night, I also REALLY enjoy having the whole bed to myself - I haven't slept this great in a while. I'm such a light sleeper anyways, and then throw someone else next to you that occasionally snores, moves around and a newly squeaky bed...sometimes I wake up downright irritated in the morning. This could save his life in the long run. :)

I should take pictures now I think. I think I've been showing for a while, but you know how even the smallest difference you can notice yourself. But now even co-workers have commented about the baby bump! A stranger asked if I was pregnant and when I am due. That was pretty exciting. I immediately started smiling and couldn't stop.

20 Weeks - Previa!

My doctor's office called me Thursday with information I already knew, that the ultrasound we had last week showed that my placenta is still at the bottom of my uterus, covering the cervix a little bit. This is common and should still correct itself. In the meantime, no heavy lifting and pelvic rest (no inserting anything). Just cross your fingers - if this doesn't correct itself I may end up on bed rest, which I can't afford at work, and worse-have to have a C-section.

Its hard to believe I'm halfway done! Time has flown, but having an easy pregnancy makes things much better. I feel so bad for friends that have had chronic morning sickness and other serious complications. That seems like it would be a nightmare. The worst of it I had was the tiredness. My nose has been constantly running since day 1 and I've been sneezing all along too. This has something to do with thinning membranes I guess. The last couple of weeks I've been having round ligament pain, varying from light feeling cramps to brief stabbing pains.

I just finished making Aiden's first piece of furniture! I had a little wood end table that I sanded and painted with a sun, moon and stars. I am blown away at how expensive baby stuff is. Thankfully I am the recipient of a few people's used baby stuff and I'm hoping to get most basic this way. I am really getting excited to start taking inventory of what I have and need for the baby.

19 weeks - It's a BOY!

Mitch and I went to the hospital for the second round of some tests...I was just excited to have the ultrasound. I love seeing the baby! They checked a bunch of stuff, measured different bones, around the heat, looked at the spine, heart, etc. And the question comes...Do you want to know the sex? Heck yes. I realized I was so excited today about finding out that I really did want to know, although I already knew. Mitch is excited, he wanted a boy. I didn't care either way, but I've always thought having a boy first would be cool and then a girl (you know, if I'm allowed to plan and call the shots here!) I always wished I'd had an older brother.

There are on average more boys than girls. Boys are easier than girls to raise (or so I've heard). Mitch's family is full of males that like to kill animals of all kinds and eat them. I'm okay with that, and honestly wish that my grandpa and uncles would have taken me. All I'm saying, is that hunting isn't just a boy thing, guys!

That's about it for now!