Pregnancy: 16w

What I love: That I actually look pregnant, if tiny-pregnant. That I'm growing into quite a preggo, if I do say so myself. ;) That awesome attorney-boss shares trials and joys with his own family, and keeps saying that it's still the greatest thing ever. That Matt loves the baby already, talks to Kit regularly, and keeps saying he's so happy and excited to expanding our little family. <3

What I hate: That I actually look pregnant, if tiny-pregnant. ;) THAT is taking some getting used to.

What I miss: My body, already. And I'm not even halfway through!

What I’m looking forward to the most: Thanksgiving, seeing my family, and finding out the sex!

Worries: I keep worrying when I don't feel Kit move. I have to reassure myself constantly that I'm only 16w and won't feel more constant movement for another few weeks or so. Not knowing what's going on in there is freaking me out a bit.

Symptoms: A bigger belly, car sickness, some hip pain, and dude, PREGNANCY RHINITIS. It's confirmed, I have it. It sucks!

Mood: Good! Nothing out of the ordinary. Still chill. [Same]

Sleep: Very good, if not for the fact that I always feel like I’m getting too little! [Same]

Movement: Yes!! It's not constant, but there are some triggers: Chocolate and my singing. Leading me to believe that this is a girl with no developed eardrums yet. ;)

The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! Totally weird, though, it’s definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger. [Same]

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Weight gain: I’m up about 5.5lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, give or take a bit. Right on track, though I admittedly don't like it. :P

Milestones: Still in the second trimester! Also, feeling movement pretty frequently. :)

Best moment of the week: Oh, there are so many! A coworker friend saying I had a cute belly, this hilarious list of parenting-related things from awesome attorney-boss, Matt and his insane cuteness towards my pregnancy and our family. :) It's been a good week!

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

How your life's changing:

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Feel your baby move "I wasn't sure if I could feel my baby moving, so a friend suggested I lie down for a while. After a few minutes, I started feeling a butterfly sensation in my lower abdomen. It was amazing!" — Linda B.

3 Questions About...Gaining weight

Q1.

How much weight should I gain now?

Aim to gain about 12 to 14 pounds this trimester (toward a total of 25 to 35 for your whole pregnancy) if you started your pregnancy at an average weight. Your caregiver may advise that you gain a little more or less if you started your pregnancy over- or underweight or you're carrying twins or more.

Q2.

How can I keep my weight gain on track? During pregnancy, most women need to eat about 300 calories a day more than their usual daily intake. (The total amount of calories you'll need depends on your weight and activity level.)

If you're gaining too much: Some women find that they're gaining weight too quickly. It's not a good idea to go on a low-calorie diet or skip meals during pregnancy, though. Instead, try these suggestions to help slow your weight gain:

• Start your day with a nutritious breakfast that includes adequate protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and a small amount of healthy fat.


• Eat vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and low-fat dairy products, and skip processed foods, packaged snacks, and sugar-loaded desserts.


• Keep healthy, filling snacks around, such as low-fat cheese and yogurt, baby carrots, and fresh fruit such as apples or bananas. You'll be less susceptible to junk-food snack attacks.


• Choose a tasty alternative to a fatty food. For example: Nonfat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, a bagel instead of a doughnut, or air-popped popcorn instead of potato chips. (Get more ideas.)


• Drink water instead of reaching for a glass of juice.


• With your caregiver's okay, get regular exercise. If you have trouble getting started or keeping to a routine, find an exercise buddy who'll go for a daily walk or swim with you. This will help to keep you motivated. Even a 20-minute daily walk at lunchtime will make a difference.

If you're having a hard time gaining enough:Some women find themselves struggling to budge the scale. Here are a few tips to help you put on the pounds:

• Drink a milk shake every day (add in fresh fruit for vitamin C). You'll get a calorie boost and you'll benefit from the calcium in the ice cream.


• Eat nutrient-dense foods with good fats, such as avocados and nuts.


• Try eating dried fruit. It's not as filling as fresh fruit, so you tend to eat more of it and pack in more healthy calories.


• In addition to your meals, eat frequent snacks.


• Remind yourself that you're supposed to be putting on weight now, for yourself and for your baby's well-being. Then chow down!

Q3.

How will the weight I gain during pregnancy affect my body? At least some of the aches and pains you'll feel as pregnancy progresses are related to your changing body shape and the increasing weight of your womb. Backaches are common, and you may begin to feel more clumsy and prone to falls. Expect your skin to stretch, too, as your belly and breasts expand, which may result in stretch marks.

You may be most worried about whether you'll be able to shed all your "baby fat" after your baby's born. It may take a while, but if you eat right and exercise you'll most likely get rid of the pounds eventually. You'll have an easier time getting back in shape if you're active now.

• It's easy to obsess about your weight during pregnancy, especially if you're having a hard time staying within the 25- to 35-pound gain recommended for most women of normal weight.

This Week's Activity:

Plan a romantic getaway — even if you stay home. Once your baby arrives, it will be very hard for you and your partner to slip away for a weekend alone. Don't miss this chance to kick back together. And don't wait much longer because by your third trimester you may feel too tired and achy to hit the road. If you can't get out of town, plan local activities you can enjoy together — even dinner and a movie counts.