the Hump

Week 20 Well, I am officially half way through my pregnancy! It's crazy to think how fast these last few months have gone, but at the same time seems so slow. I am starting to get out of the "is she/isn't she" stage of my pregnancy, and am starting to look more and more pregnant, literally, every day. Yes, it may look like I'm clearly pregnant in my most recent picture, but I will admit that clothing and angles make my growing belly more obvious. I had always thought that I would show a little early, even though it's my first pregnancy, due to a shorter torso. I'll admit I've worried how on earth everything will continue to fit inside my pint sized torso, but I know, in all of our bodies miracles - it all works out. Now with all that cramped space, comes plenty of pains. Ribs are expanding, belly muscles are stretching, and organs are getting pushed up and around who knows where!

Due to all of the pain and mild complications, we have been lucky enough to have 4 ultrasounds up to this point to check up on our growing bean. The latest ultrasound was to look at an ovarian cyst, first mentioned in earlier posts here and here. Although the cyst continues to hang around, it has stayed contained. It continues to cause mild pain and discomfort, but for now it is manageable. At the end of the check up, I was able to have a quick glimpse of our sweet baby. Baby bean was all curled and snuggled up tight, just sleeping the time away. I was able to witness a couple twitches, but even cuter, a few yawns. Thankfully this time, our baby was still enough to get some great shots!

Now this is not our first 3D picture (below), but it is the best one yet. As you can see, he/she may sleep with an open mouth, or maybe this was taken right before one of the many yawns. I have already begun hearing who people think the baby looks like (so far it's a general agreement that the baby has my profile, but looks like Chris in the face). Lol, who knows for sure, there is still 20 more weeks for things to grow and develop!

I conclude this post with a little peek at one of the best mother gifts I've received so far. At the beginning of my pregnancy, my sweet thoughtful sister sent me this Cancer charm in honor of our little blessing to come in July. I wear it everyday around my neck as a constant reminder of how lucky I am to have such supportive and loving family and friends as we await our baby miracle. Thank you and love you all!

Update

Here is our sweet baby a week and a half ago at almost 17 weeks. Boy, was it sure difficult to even get this semi profile shot. Our little one is either really shy or enjoyed playing tricks with our ultrasound tech. Either way, I'm going to guess we're going to have our hands full!

And then there's me, in all my pregnancy glory - 18.4 weeks.

I never was one for 'self' shots in the mirror, but this will have to do until I can start those cute week by week maternity photos I've seen others do. To be honest, you should be surprised I've even got this far with two self portrait pictures. For now, it's on my list of things to do - along with cutting out sweets and working out :)

Thump, thump, thump

Week 18 Talk about a crazy week. After a couple of contraction scares, I have been released to continue on with my daily routine of work and exercise. Whew. Although Chris and I have not been too worried, as my fears have been eased with the first kicks of our little baby. I suspected movement at the beginning of my 17th week, but when it's your first baby, who's really to know for sure?? As the week progressed, if I laid on my back really still, I felt soft little thuds just below my belly button (and a little to the right to be exact). I had to be paying attention, otherwise I would miss it, but starting this past Thursday these little thuds have become a constant occurrence, if I'm laying down, sitting, or standing. I suppose once a mother recognizes the feeling of her baby, it's hard to not notice when it moves. Friends and Internet have described these feelings as "butterfly flutters", "gas bubbles", "like a feather", even the "little feet of a hamster on your hand". It's tough to really pin point the exact way in describing the first time you feel your baby, other than purely incredible. For now, I can't help but say "Hello, baby" every I feel that little thump or series of thuds. Unfortunately for Chris, our baby is still too small for him to feel him/her from the outside of my belly, but this doesn't stop Chris from keeping his hand on my stomach in high hopes to feel our baby's tiny feet.

Our baby is now the size of a sweet potato. Baby websites claim average size of a fetus at this stage of 18 weeks is 5.5 inches and 6.6 ounces. Well, at our 16.6 week ultrasound our baby measured 6.12 inches and 6 ounces (a 'little' ahead of schedule). Tall and skinny. Surprise, surprise.

*Sorry, still no baby bump picture updates at this time. Will come soon, though. Promise.