23 Weeks

Like a having a little alien inside of me....

Today, while at my temp job, I looked at my stomach because I was feeling Stella kick and I actually saw the kick from the outside! It was the strangest thing to see my stomach moving like that. So awesome! I so feel pregnant and am definitely loving it. The other perk - today someone gave up their seat on the metro during rush hour. So loving it....once you get past the hump of adjusting to all of the changes your body goes through it really becomes fun. I mean I still feel achy at times and experience many of the unpleasant aspects of pregnany but at least now I have all of these wonderful things to balance that out.

So ladies, when you get pregnant my advice would be - hang in there!! There will come a time when you will truly enjoy being pregnant. It might take a couple...or even five months, but it will happen. And the sheer excitement of meeting the precious little miracle inside of you is the greatest part! It's like every day I have that same excitement and anticipation I used to have for Christmas when I was a child. And Chris too is like a little kid - he talks to my stomach and gets so excited when he can feel her kick. He has been so amazing and I am so grateful for him. He is going to be the best daddy!!!

BELLY AT 22 WEEKS

Getting big!!!!!!

22 weeks and counting!

I am now 5 and a 1/2 months....time is flying by!!! This past weekend my parents came into town and we bought baby furniture. That made it feel so real!! It was so great spending time with them and sharing in the excitement of the new baby. And they bought us so much! It was so sweet - we feel truly blessed to have such wonderful parents. I have never seen them this excited before.

The other huge milestone was that I started to feel the baby kick last week. Real kicks, not just little movements. It has got to be the strangest sensation I have ever felt. It was nice because once when Chris had his hand on my stomach he was able to feel the baby move too. I was so excited that it wasn't just my imagination. I think the best way to describe it is that it feels like someone poking me but from the inside. She is way more active at night - at least that is when I feel her more. Especially after dinner. Last night I didn't feel her as much when I was sitting watching tv and of course became concerned (since I am always looking for something new to be anxious about). But then last night when I woke up she was kicking away. The kicks are not strong enough to wake me up but once I'm up it is harder to get back to sleep. But it could also just be because I love to feel her!

Baby Stella....we decided (meaning Chris begged me) to name her Stella instead of Tristan and save that name for when we have a boy. I have always loved Stella and actually picked it awhile ago, so its not a total loss. Plus, Chris agreed that I would choose the future names. Not a bad deal;)

ME AT 22 WEEKS PREGNANT

Almost to the half way point!

This weekend we went out with our college friends. We hadn't seen most of them since we left for California. It was such a great time seeing everyone and they are all so happy for us. It was nice to unveil the growing belly (pictured). Of course I was the only sober one by the end of the evening which meant that everyone was rubbing my tummy like it was communal property. But I didn't mind. It was nice to bask in so much attention. Eat it up right?

I also went to a baby shower. Besides the beautiful pregnant mama we were celebrating my other good friend is also pregnant so it was nice to compare war stories. It was also fun to see where I will be in the coming months. There were a ton of kids there too, which sorta bugged me out. I still can't believe that is going to be me! The recurring theme is complete disbelief that I'm actually going to be a mommy! Especially now that I am nearing the half way point. Actually the half way point is tomorrow – 20 weeks!! There is no stopping this train.

Today we went to our new OB and got to hear the heartbeat again. She is sounding strong and healthy. Our little princess. I just can't wait for her to start kicking me in the ribs....as weird as that sounds. They say that when that happens the fireworks go off and it really starts to sink in.
 

Baby Bump Pictures - 18 Weeks Pregnant (10/9/09)

First (Perceptible) Movements!!!

All of the literature says that at about 16 weeks is the earliest time when you can feel the baby move (I am now at 18 weeks as of yesterday) but that those feeling (also called "quickening") could feel like almost anything innocuous such as butterflies, gas or hunger pains. I feel like mine up to this point might have been hunger pains because I would feel them when I wasn't hungry (i.e. after just eating). But then early this morning, Chris and I just happened to be awake and he was touching my belly when I felt a rolling sensation on the right side of my belly. Like a hand or foot or some other little part!!!! It was very cool and exciting! I can't wait to feel more of the baby's movements.

We were talking yesterday about all of the milestones we are experiencing almost daily. It is soooo amazing to find out the sex of your first born and then to feel those first perceptible movements. Yesterday, I also felt so very pregnant for the first time. Up to this point, it has seemed a bit unreal. But now, I can't even believe how happy I am!!