20 weeks-Halfway

I can't believe we are already halfway through this pregnancy....on the other hand I feel like I have been pregnant forever! I'm sure every pregnant lady can relate. We just feel SO thankful to be pregnant. I know there are so many sweet couples struggling to have a baby and my heart aches with them. Of all the struggles to deal with in life I think it has got to be one of the hardest. Sometimes I feel guilty or selfish when I post things about my pregnancy, but it is therapeutic for me to share and I think I would understand if the tables were turned.


How far along...
20 weeks (and 4 days)...my mind is blown-poof!


Symptoms...
I am finally over my sickness. HOORAY!!! Mike and I have been so happy--we survived:) My favorite quote lately is from Michael, "you know what....pregnancy is not for sissies. I think this is why men don't give birth." How can I not love him?
I have started having a hard time sleeping (my hips ache and I have to turn over quite a few times a night) and am hoping for remedies...anyone? I'm thinking of buying one of those ridiculous pregnancy pillows-they look heavenly!


Gender...
IT'S A BOY!!! A sweet baby boy is coming to our home this December and we are so thrilled. Around week 14 I swear I was going to die if I had to wait 6 more weeks to find out a gender. I was so anxious to know. Luckily, a few friends suggested we visit Fetal Fotos in Murray (cheesy name I know, Mike was totally against the idea). It was fabulous! The rooms were very nice and the staff was so helpful. During the ultrasound babyD had his little legs crossed and tucked up under his body. After what felt like an eternity of prodding and poking the ultrasound tech said, "okay would you like to know what you are having?" "YES! a girl?" "It's a boy!" Oh man we were so surprised--we both thought that we were having a girl! When she told us we both felt so at peace (not shocked or disappointed) just a feeling of Ohhhh....that's what you are! We are in love with baby boy and are excited to meet him--our son. still sends chills up my spine:)


Best moments lately...
We had so much fun telling our families that babyD is a boy. We had a 'gender reveal' party that was so much fun to plan! We had both of our families in our little home, played a guessing game, cut the reveal cake, and had dinner. I opted NOT to have dinner (smells were still an issue and meat was not my friend) but cute Mike said, 'hey it's my baby too---and I haven't been able to cook real food for months!' haha touche. He went all out-roasted a whole chicken, beef tenderloin, blue cheese sauce, salad, rolls. The works! Mike was in heaven.

Feeling the baby kick! It is literally the best feeling in the world and I squeal every time. Mike has also been able to feel him a few times which is so fun:)

Going to Samoa. This deserves a blog post all by itself, but Samoa was really the trip of a lifetime and I'm so glad I was able to do it!

Growing my bump! I thought I would be mortified watching my body transform (I had been on a big fitness kick right before getting pregnant and was finally at my ideal body size) but I LOVE it. It is so crazy that we make this human with our bodies, bring them into the world with our bodies, and then can feed said human with OUR BODIES. I think it would be hard to be pregnant and atheistic-life is truly miraculous!

Going to the gym. enough said:)


Hardest moments lately...
I decided the term"worst moments" was inaccurate. Yes there are hard moments of pregnancy, but I would call anything 'bad' or 'worst'. Even during the hardest times it is still such a blessing to be pregnant! I really feel so happy to be past the hard first trimester. I have more energy, I can eat, and even grocery shop and clean the house (whoot whoot). Mike was SUCH a champ during the first trimester, but he is definitely happy it is behind us too.

The new hard thing is sleep. I do not do well without sleep (blah blah blah insert comments about how I won't get any sleep once the baby is born so I had better get used to it....heard it before..) but really, anyone who knows me well will confirm this fact. I need sleep--hoping this pregnancy pillow is the ticket!

Worry. I've been feeling worried about baby boy lately and it wears on me. I worry if I'm getting enough water, enough food, enough rest, if he is kicking as much today, etc. etc. There are so many things that can go wrong I just need to take a deep breath and have faith that no matter what happens the Lord will see us through-faith not fear.


What I'm looking forward to...
Our 20 week ultrasound is today in fact, so I am hoping it goes well!

Decorating the nursery. Mike has one month left to enjoy his precious den and then it's babytime. I get to take over and create his nursery!

not sure what is going on here...haha but I thought it was funny:)