Week 18
Baby H is the size of a sweet potato.

18 weeks exactly- Baby H is finally big enough for me to feel his/her movements!

Baby H is 6" inches long and weighs around 7 ounces.

Gabe is clearly empathetic- our first birthing class

Things I crafted for the baby this week and my one Etsy splurge (the Hogwarts onesie). Thanks ModernOliveStudio!

Delicious donuts from Baker's Pride

Date night in: the best chili I've ever made, Moscow Mule mocktails, and a perfect night with my man.

How far along? 18 Weeks

Maternity clothes: I bought some new pjs this week. Yes, I've reached the stage where even my pajamas don't fit...and I'm less than halfway along!

Stretch marks? None yet!

Sleep: My dreams are getting crazier and I'm still spending the night tossing and turning. Thankfully when I get a good 1/2 mile swim in, I seem to be able to sleep through the night better and my legs bother me less. 

Best moments this week: 

1) Feeling the baby's movements! I wasn't sure if what I have been feeling is the baby or not, but there is a pattern to Baby H's movements now. Our little bean is usually active when I'm resting on the couch or before bedtime. His/her little movements feel like little flicks from the inside. It's amazing to feel the baby moving and know he/she is doing well in there!

  

2) Getting the nursery set up! While we still need some basics, most of the furniture is in place and we've started putting up decorations. I also crafted some things for the nursery and the baby this week, which is making the arrival of our little bean feel closer. 

3) Gabe and I started our birthing classes this week. Our friends Laura and David are in the class with us, so we're hoping that will liven it up a little. Last night we watched some pretty painful looking births. I was thinking they were natural births, then the video ended and the instructor said, "Okay, now we're going to watch a natural birth." I definitely had a moment of horror thinking "those were the medicated births?!". I'm really freaked out by epidurals, so I'm hoping I can avoid getting one. Usually I'm pretty strong about pain, but those videos were intense and I'm sure actual birth will be too. These classes will help us understand all our delivery options, but I'm hoping for as natural of a birth as possible. Only time will tell! Thankfully the class ended on a lighter note- all the husbands/partners, including Gabe, took a turn with the "empathy belly" which was hilarious. 

 

Miss Anything? Cocktails (see cravings)

Movement: Finally! I usually feel our little one's movements in groups of two or three little pops. I can also feel when the baby turns which is like the swooping feeling you get on a roller coaster. Hopefully Gabe will be able to feel the baby's kicks soon!

Food cravings: Pumpkin everything (I'm rereading the Harry Potter books), cocktails - we made delicious Moscow Mule Mocktails the other night-, maple donuts, and chili. I guess I'm ready for fall lol!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Spicy food still gives me heartburn, but I'm not planning on parting with it anytime soon. I already gave up caffeine and I have to draw the line somewhere!

Gender: The countdown for our gender and anatomy scan feels like the wait for Christmas! June 11th is just around the corner!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Sleeplessness, restless leg syndrome, hunger(!), and a slightly rounder bump :-)

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, but they keep getting tighter. Hopefully my new ring will be in soon!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy. I fall more in love with Gabe and our baby everyday!

Looking forward to: Our trip to Jax this weekend during which we'll be visiting friends, getting tasty food at the finest Riverside establishments, and antiquing. I love when Gabe has weekends off!