I’m 20 weeks along; halfway through my pregnancy!
***First of all, a HUGE congratulations to my sister who is graduating from HARVARD today. I’m beyond proud of you and so happy I get to be there to celebrate! And even happier that you are moving back to New York this summer!!!!!!***
Jessica and I last weekend
Photos taken last weekend, I’ll take an official 20-week photo this weekend!
Halfway, I can barely believe it. Just about five months until I can enjoy a bagel with lox, an extra large fountain soda (Diet Coke to be exact) and a cocktail or five. Not that I’m counting or anything.
How far along: 20 weeks
Total weight gain: 10.5 pounds
Maternity clothes: There are a few regular tops that still fit me but most are getting too short or just aren’t flattering. The maternity clothes are great because they are comfortable and insure that I look pregnant instead of fat! I’m pretty much in maternity attire 99% of the time.
Stretch marks: Luckily no. I’m hoping that genetics stay on my side for this one.
Sleep: Other than a few off nights I’ve been sleeping pretty well. As long as I don’t drink too much water in the evening I can limit my bathroom trips to twice a night. Still loving this pillow!
Best moment of this week: Last week was the first full week where I really felt like myself. The energy drain really took away my motivation for a while. Now it feels good to be excited about working in the kitchen.
Miss anything: The warm weather has me missing summer cocktails. I’m not a huge drinker but it is hard not having the option!
Movement: Apparently I have an anterior placenta (it sits between the baby and my abdominal wall). That basically means that I won’t feel anything until later in the pregnancy than normal. I guess I should be happy that kicking doesn’t keep me up all night but I do wish I could feel the baby a little bit.
Food cravings: No significant cravings since the first few weeks. I’m still hungry ALL the time and loving carbs and ice cream (shocker).
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing since the first trimester! Although, brussels sprouts and some veggies just don’t appeal to me like they used to.
Have you started to show yet: I’m full on pregnant in appearance. I saw some family on Sunday and the first thing everyone said to me was “wow, you really are pregnant!” I just have to stop comparing myself to the pregnant women who still look skinnier than I’ve ever been in my life. I know that I’ve gained the healthy amount of weight and I’m short, so I probably show even more because of that.
Gender: BOY!
Labor signs: Nope.
Belly button in or out: All in.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Happy or moody most of the time: I don’t know that I’m moody exactly, but I’m definitely a little more sensitive. Once I get upset I go from somewhat upset to very upset quickly. Oh, and I cried during a movie preview last week.
Looking forward to: Matt and I are going to Cape Cod for a few days next month, can.not.wait. Also, I can’t wait to start registering! We won’t be buying anything before the baby comes except for some furniture and the layette, but it’s exciting to pick things out anyway.
Fun Facts: I’m so glad I wrote this post because most people now know that I’m sensitive about the belly touching. It isn’t as big of a big deal now that my belly is more of a pregnant belly, less regular belly fat! Luckily I haven’t had strangers reach for me yet.
And some miscellaneous pregnancy thoughts::*
Weird or inappropriate commentary: I actually haven’t gotten too many inappropriate comments since I first told everyone I was pregnant so that’s good! Well, minus a few choice people who just could not understand why I was so hungry. Um, hello little human growing inside of me. Granted, I eat small healthy meals most of the time so I end up eating every 2-3 hours, but you know what, don’t judge a pregnant person’s hunger levels. It won’t end well.
What I’ve learned about eating during pregnancy: I’ve always been a pretty healthy eater, read labels and watched my diet, but pregnancy has definitely pushed that to the extreme in a different way. I’m fully aware that everything I eat goes to the baby so I’ve been avoiding all of the typical off-limit foods (raw fish, undercooked meats, deli meat, etc.) but also have cut out artificial sweetener (no Splenda, Stevia, anything of that sort) and keep an eye out for similar ingredients like maltodextrin and other shady items listed in processed foods. I’m probably more extreme than I need to be, but it’s 9 months so why not be as healthy as I possibly can be? This whole process has really made me more aware of what I’m putting into my body in a good way. For once in my life I’m really focusing on feeding myself the nutrients I need when I’m hungry. That happens often enough that I don’t even have much opportunity for boredom eating, either.
That said, I definitely still treat myself. But it’s so different from before I was pregnant. I used to try to limit my calories in a way that when I’d eat dessert I’d need to eat all of it at once. Now I am able to have a reasonable portion of dessert at night and stop because I know that I can do it again the next day if I want. Plus, gorging on unhealthy sweets wouldn’t make me feel good (night time stomach aches are the worst these days) and definitely wouldn’t be good for the baby. Of course sometimes I eat a bigger dessert serving than I really should, but the next day I skip dessert and don’t feel guilty about it at all. I’d really love if this new way of moderation could translate after the baby as well.
Cloth diapers: I’ve been starting to do a little research on cloth diapers and would love to hear if any of you have experience using them. I’d really like to consider it for after the first month with the baby but am definitely nervous about how overwhelming it might be. I also don’t know that it is necessarily better for the environment given the additional water used for all of the extra laundry. Any of you have experience to share on this?
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I can’t believe you’re halfway through already – so exciting! And you look amazing; positively glowing.
Thank you so much, Kathryn!
Oh your little bump is so CUTE!! This is when pregnancy really starts to get fun because of kicks, movements, knowing the gender, and just watching that belly grow!
Thanks, Steph! I’m anxiously awaiting the kicks (well, I know he is kicking I just haven’t felt it yet!).
you’re looking great! i have my 20 week appt Monday and i’m thinking i have the anterior placenta as well.
Congratulations!!
I loved feeling my son kick especially at night~it lulled me to sleep!
I went through alot to be pregnant and stay pregnant so his kicking always made me feel better!!
Enjoy it all!!
Thank you so much, Terry! I bet each kick felt like a blessing!
OMG time seriously FLIES. I feel like it was just yesterday that we were sitting in Alice’s and you were telling me and Audra!! Looking good lady, looking good!!
I feel like the last eight weeks have gone by in five seconds!
loooved this post! You’re such a cute lil pregnant lady now! (yes-little-you are not big!) You sound like you’re doing great! It’s all so exciting!
Haha, thanks, Kayle!
I hear you on the summer cocktails! Try some seltzer with a splash of cranberry and a lime wedge in a cocktail glass and at least it feels like you are drinking something special :)
I looked into cloth diapering also and ultimately decided to go disposable. Now being 16 months in, I truly cannot imagine cloth diapering. Seems like so much extra work and I have to say…baby excrement(whether the early stages or solid food-based) is disgusting and when I change that diaper I just want it wrapped up and out of my sight as quickly as possible ;) But I’m sure those who use them love ’em. I found there was so much ‘pressure’ put on by other bloggers and websites to cloth diaper, have a natural birth, breast feed (the latter of which I did do and loved it), etc., etc. In the end, just do what works for you! Good luck!
Yes, I need to start getting creative with my seltzer since that is my “drink of choice.”
Thanks for your input on the cloth diapering! I’m trying to ignore all of those pressures (my birth plan is extra drugs lol) but I definitely would like to consider the cloth diapering if there is a sort of easy way to do it. I’ll let you know what we decide!
You look great! :)
How gorgeous you look!!!! Did I ever ask you if your sister knew my cousin Noah (also at Harvard)
Ah thank you so much! I don’t know… she was in the education masters program.
Smile. I loved loved loved the second half of my pregnancy. I know you will too! And congratulations are definitely in store for your sister! So many good things happening in your life right now!
Thank you so much for the sweet notes, Monet!
You look great, Lauren! I can’t believe you are already halfway, it really goes so quick doesn’t it? Congrats on the boy! They are so much fun! In regards to cloth diapering, I went disposable because babies are so much work already and I cannot even imagine dealing with diapers. That being said, I think you will quickly figure out what works for you and what doesn’t.
Thanks, Jessica! That definitely makes sense… I really have no idea what it will be like with the baby at this point!
Lauren, congrats!! We’re both behind here. You look amazing…your baby bump is too, too cute! I know so many people due right at the same time as us, kind of crazy!! :) Wishing you a happy and healthy remainder :) I look forward to your pregnancy updates!!
Thank you so much, Nicole! Such a wonderful time:-)