Pregnancy: 18w(4d... a little late)

Thanks to the holidays, I'm a little behind on this. I don't want to forget, though. :)

What I love: That we're having a little BOY!! I admit that I had an hour or so the night we found out, lying alone in my old bedroom, about whether I was actually excited about a son, but I totally am. As is Matt. :)

What I hate: Pregnancy pains!

What I miss: My body, already. And I’m not even halfway through! [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: Getting our furniture in!! We ordered it today (thank you, Cyber Monday), and we should get it the first week of December, if not earlier. I just realized that's, like, Saturday...

Worries: I've been too busy to worry lately. LOL

Symptoms: A bigger belly, lots of hip pain, pregnancy rhinitis, nosebleeds, some nausea on and off. I feel great otherwise!

Mood: Pretty good!

Sleep: Getting more poor. I had a difficult time sleeping last night and woke up several times to adjust a pillow, blow my nose, pee, adjust another pillow, cover Matt's face when he snored...

Movement: Yes! Lots of it, too! :)

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 6-7lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Milestones: We found out we're having a BOY!! :D We're having an anatomy ultrasound this Friday, so we get to see him again soon! We're also looking for daycares this Friday, which should be soooo exciting, lol.

Best moment of the week: Aside from the ultrasound? I mean, that part was awesome -- we had both our families there! The woman giving the exam did a little bit of 3D, and while it was a bit creepy (it probably looks better if you're 24 weeks or more), we DID get to see Kit do a little boxing jab! That explains all the sudden movement I have in there. XD

I also got to spend a ton of time with my family over Thanksgiving, and Matt and I came to a pseudo-consensus about Thanksgiving for years to come (we'll have to discuss it more). I'll have a separate post about that later.

All in all, this was a great week!

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

Afternoon energy booster "If you're finding it hard to get through the afternoon at work without a little nap, find a place you can escape for 15 to 20 minutes (close your office door, use a conference room, even sit in your car). Bring a small travel alarm clock and set it for 15 minutes." — Laura

This Week's Activity:

Look into childbirth classes. The best and most popular ones fill up fast so start your search now. Classes vary quite a bit in their approach. Some are spread out over several weeks, while others are as short as a day. Your hospital probably offers classes, but you may want to take a specialized class elsewhere. To find a class, get recommendations from your healthcare provider and your friends, or call the International Childbirth Education Association at (952) 854-8660 for information about childbirth educators in your area.