This is SO Amazing

Baby has been really active today and I was able to feel quite a few kicks (or punches) with my hand from the outside of my belly this morning. For a few minutes when he or she was especially forceful I just watched my belly and actually SAW the movement a couple times. Holy cow, there really IS a little human inside me! I'm so excited that I'm already feeling and seeing these activities, and I can't wait for Richard to feel and see it too. I tried getting him to feel it when he was home for lunch today but of course that's when Baby decided to catch a nap for a while. :) Anyway, that's all for today. I'm sure I'll have more to report the further along I get in this pregnancy!

18 1/2 week appointment

I just got home from seeing my midwife and everything looks and sounds great still! My uterus is just the right size and Baby's heart rate is at about 150 bpm now. It's always SO incredible to hear it! And my midwife says we should start thinking about what we want to say to Baby because he or she will be able to hear us in about another 2 weeks. :) In other good news, I have gained about 6 lbs since my last appointment. That puts me about a pound and a half above my pre-pregnancy normal, so I have done a good job of catching up with some healthy weight gain. I have been eating very well with balanced meals of whole grains, fruits, veggies, and I haven't had too many cravings besides an occassional sweet tooth (which I don't think is pregnancy related, hehe). I have also been drinking tons of water, which means I spend plenty of time in the ladies room, but is so good for me and our little one. Richard and I walk the pups pretty much every night for about 45 minutes and then I usually do some light free weights and other home exercises when we're done walking. The exercise is really doing me good. Overall... I feel great, I'm sleeping great (other than getting up 2 or 3 times a night to go to the bathroom), and I'm really thoroughly enjoying this pregnancy. Hallelujah! :) Ultrasound appointment: August 12...

Still Feeling Good...

We spent the last two weeks in Georgia! We left June 27 late and came home July 13. It was a long drive (16+ hrs) with more stops than usual for my pregnant self to eat or find a bathroom, but the time spent with our families was great! That is likely the last time Richard will see everyone before he deploys, so it was all especially worthwhile. While we were at the Ezells I thought I felt a little baby movement. But as I've read, many women confuse those first flutters with gas or digestion, etc. Well it has continued every day since then! It's soft enough that I have to be lying down or sitting still to notice it (and I am probably only feeling the strongest kicks) but it is definitely not gas or anything else. How amazing!!! Here's a picture of me at 17 1/2 weeks! My pre-pregnancy shorts and pants are becoming increasingly uncomfortable. I've been wearing mostly work-out pants or shorts with elastic or drawstring waists. I have an appointment with my midwife next week (July 23) and then we have an ultrasound appointment on August 12!!! I am SUPER excited about that one. Next post after next appointment... :)