19 weeks!

Jess took this picture of me last Sunday at the Braves game. Today I hit the 19 week mark. Can't believe I'm almost halfway done. Everyone told me it would go by fast and I didn't believe them. Now I do!

Monday I went for my monthly midwife appointment... everything is still going well. I've gained 8 lbs so far (I think giving up desserts for Lent has saved me several pounds!) and the baby's heart rate was around 160. I asked if it's true that girls have higher heart rates but the midwife said she had heard that, but wasn't sure. Like everything else, it depends. My uterus is right below my belly button, which is on track for how far along I am. The midwife even showed Tad how to press down on my belly and feel it. Apparently it feels like a bicep. Strange.

I've started to feel the baby move. Last Wednesday I felt some light poking, but now it's much more apparent. Like little tapping inside of me. I have to be sitting pretty still to notice it, and it's always on my left side. The midwife said that the placenta is on the right and the baby on the left, probably. I kind of forgot that part of pregnancy (feeling the baby inside of you). It calms me. I can't wait for Tad to be able to feel it too! I'm feeling like a million bucks these days. Well, maybe not a million but several hundred thousand. ;) I have a lot more energy, only need around 8 hours of sleep (I still shoot for more!) and minimal puking. (Although I ate Oz last night and threw it all up after I brushed my teeth and gagged -- oops.) The only major symptom left from the first trimester is having to pee a lot during the night. I typically get up anywhere from 2-5 times, even if I stop drinking liquids hours before I go to bed. I can tell my body is going through some changes... everything is loosening up from the progesterone, which make my hips and back sore. I've never been to a chiropractor before but I'm going Monday and I feel like it's a few days before Christmas -- I can't wait! There's also a massage therapist on staff so I'm hoping for a double dose of goodness.

Next Friday at 9:00 I go in for an ultrasound. It will be my first one so Tad and I are stoked to see this kid! Nope, not finding out what we're having (that's always the next thing people ask). If all goes well that day, then we'll get into planning mode. Tad's parents are planning to come in a few weeks to help with the nursery and some house stuff (building a privacy fence, painting the house, re-doing some of the flooring). I'm sure mom and dad will be here too. The thought of all the work exhausts me but I'm excited at the same time.

We were supposed to be in Helen for the weekend and take Lilli and Avery to Cabbage Patchland for their Easter Egg Hunt, but the weather last night was crummy. Instead, Abby and I are going to the Dawsonville outlets to find some maternity clothes. I've worn out the bella band and I want to get some work dresses. Abby will also get to meet Brecken for the first time because we're having lunch with Jess and the little guy. I'm sure it will make Abby have the baby bug again, like she says holding a baby always does!