The Bump @ 19 Weeks

A little blurry - in the bathroom - self portrait ... the best I can do right now.

Maternity Clothes:
After making it through most of the summer maternity clothes free ... (that's right - I didn't pack one single maternity outfit for my 2 month vacation!)  I finally broke out the grey bin that's been sitting in my closet for years.  At least since my sister Becky had them last with her twins that are now 3.  Yes, my sisters share maternity clothes.  Whomever is pregnant they get passed to.  We each add a shirt, dress, or new pair of Capri's and the pile continues to grow.  I bagged all my "normal" clothes and hung up the maternity stuff.  My belly is enjoying the freedom of stretchy fabric.

Best Moment This Week:
Getting loves from my kids last night before bed.  My kids have been extra well behaved since returning home.  Last night they each kept giving me hugs and telling me that they loved me so much and they are so glad I'm home with them.  It's nice to feel appreciated from them ... since it doesn't happen that often.

Movement:
The 'bump' is getting bigger and bigger.  I can feel the baby moving and kicking more and more.  I started feeling light fetal movement as early as 11 weeks but it became more consistent around 16 weeks.  Last night Brooke was singing to my belly and the baby kicked. When I told her she got SO excited. She is insisting to everyone that she also has a baby in her tummy that is also coming out at Christmas time and that is why we are having twins. I tried to explain to her that she can have a pretend baby but really little girls can't have babies in their tummies. I know - what a mean mom. At first it was just funny and cute that she thought this but lately she has been insistent that she does have a baby. I didn't want her to be completely disappointed when my baby was born and hers didn't show up... so now she has a "pretend" baby in there.

Food Cravings:
Fresh fruit and vegetables!!  I couldn't eat a lot of the veggies in Peru so now that I'm home I can't get enough salad, fresh berries, .... and fiber.  Yeah.  I need lots of fiber and water since I tend to get more stopped up during pregnancy.  On to another topic...

What I Miss:
I miss having my husband here for support.  Sometimes a phone call just isn't the same as a hug. I also, desperately miss sleeping on my back.  I'm not really a side sleeper normally but HAVE to be while preggo.  It stinks.  I also miss being able to just lay on my stomach as well.

Sleep:
Pretty much covered this one in What I Miss .. but I'm sleeping well.  I can't get enough sleep actually.  Last night I was ready to go to bed at 6:30pm. 

What I Am Looking Forward To:
I am looking forward to my 20 week ultrasound/ having my husband back!  I'm still at a crossroads as to what this child is???  With both Jace and Brooke I knew before that I was having either a boy or girl... call it maternal instincts.  I just knew.  This time I'm stuck.  I've been referring to the baby as a he because at first I had a hunch that it was a boy.  However,  the way that I'm carrying .. very low... leads me to believe it may be a girl because that was how Brooke was.  I guess I'll just have to wait and see.  I have a doctor appt.  on August. 4th and will probably schedule the ultrasound sometime soon after that.  I'm hoping my doctor will allow me to wait until Craig gets home in 2 weeks because I'm also looking forward to that and want him to be there.  In the mean time it's fun to watch my belly go bump bump bump and know that everything is okay. 

Symptoms:I dont' want to jinx myself but by FAR this pregnancy has been my easiest.  I feel like it's getting easier and easier each time.  With Jace I was sick the entire 9 months even with anti-nausea medication.  I was barfing as I was pushing.  With Brooke I was less sick after 16 weeks as long as I took my medicine EVERY day.  I tried to go off of it several times with no success... I would be terribly sick the next day.  With this pregnancy I was less sick after about 14 weeks as long as I was on my medicine and now that I'm home from vacation I've actually weaned myself off of everything but half a dose of fenegren every night.  I'm so excited!!  I'm feeling great.  I've even been exercising every day now that I'm home.

Other Thoughts:
My adventures in Peru were amazing.  3 weeks vacation with your husband and no kids.  Probably not something that's going to happen again any time soon.  I had so much fun with Craig.  However, I'm happy to be back home and to get myself and the kids on somewhat of a routine again after our crazy busy summer hoping from one place to the next. School is starting soon and I will have free mornings since both my kids will be in school: Jace full days as a first grader and Brooke half days at preschool.  Brooke is beyond excited that she gets to go to school too.  She will love it.  She is so sweet and so eager to learn.  I'm so glad she got a scholarship to cover the expenses - preschool can be expensive!  She gets to go Mon-Thurs. for 3 hours each morning.  Life is good right now.