pregnancy diaries - 20 weeks

here's the update:

how preggo am I?

20 weeks

I am officially 1/2 way there!!! I have been waiting to be able to say that. I really hope that the 2nd half goes by quickly, but I've heard from a lot of people that it goes by slower than the first 1/2.

gender:

We're having a BOY!

and he has a name:
Parker John Ridd

weight gain:

I haven't weighed myself since my last dr.'s appointment (where I had gained around 15 lbs). I definitely think I am going to be on the higher end of the weight gain spectrum, but I am trying not to worry about it. Supposively they say the smaller you are starting off, the more weight you're allowed to gain - so I will blame it on that! I am going to ask for a bike for my bday in March to try to lose some of the weight after he comes.

maternity clothes:

I am pretty much wearing all maternity pants. I still use the belly band every now and then, but I think the maternity pants are a lot more comfy. I feel like the band rides up all the time.

I was also excited this week when I finally found a pair of maternity jeggings! Now I can once again wear my boots.

I also had a mini "nothing fits me" breakdown recently. I remember the same thing happening when I noticed all of my pants getting tight. I am now set in the pants department, but this time it was wth shirts. I had one of those frantic, highly emotional moments when I rummaged through my closet and every shirt I tried on felt tight and too short. I guess this is just what happenens when your belly grows, so I will enbrace it. So, now I am wearing about 1/2 regular shirts and 1/2 maternity. Thankfully I found a few great maternity shirts at Old Navy for only $8 each.
 difficult to tell if it's him or not because the movement doesn't feel like kicks yet. I feel him the most when I am sitting on the couch at night and when I am driving in my car. E and I are getting really excited for the day when we can both feel him. Hopefully it will come in the next couple weeks.

movement:

I feel him moving around almost every day. Sometimes it's still hard to tell if it's really him, because it's such a weird feeling. I feel him moving the most when I am sitting on the couch at night and when I am driving in my car. I am really looking forward to the day when E and I can both feel him from the outside. Hopefully it will be soon.

sleep:

I was sleeping perfectly ... then we went out of town for Christmas and everything seemed to fall apart. I slept terrible while we were away from home. The # of times I got up to pee went from 2 to like 4 ... and I felt like I just rolled from one side to the other all night. So sad. I was back in my bed last nigtht, and I do think that I slept a little better. I think I only got up 2 times to pee. You would think I would know for sure, but I'm so used to getting up now that it just feels like I am in a daze and can't remember if I actually got up or not. Yesterday, E and I were out shopping and I picked up a gigantic body pillow. I am serious ... it's huge. I feel like there is another person in my bed. Hopefully it will help keep me comfortable as this little man grows in my belly.

what I miss:
Lately, there hasn't really been anything that I miss. Maybe just being able to take a really hot bath.

cravings:
I still love Chipotle! I don't go there all the time ... although I would like to. I think I would eat there a lot more if there was one in the city where I work ... it's probaly good for my budget that there is not one.

I am also still craving cinnamon ice cream. I searched everywhere (and I heard some of you were on the hunt too - thank you!) and had no luck. So when E and I were in OH this past week we went to the store where his parents get it. At first glance it looked like they were all out, but thankfully E found one last tub hidden in the back. Tomorrow is E and I's anniversary, and I am thinking that after dinner we will have to come home and have cinnamon ice cream for desert.

I also have had a few milk shake and pizza cravings.

symptoms:
Well, the obvious - my belly is growing. I still get a little shocked each time I look in the mirror. I am still not used to it.

I also feel like I've been a little more emotional / moody lately. I'm usually not much of a crier, but lately the tears have been coming a lot more easily.

I still have a faint pain in my right side every now and then. It's not really my hip and not really my butt... kind of in between. It doesn't hurt all the time, but every now and then when I move or twist around I can feel it.

I also have noticed that my face has been breaking out more ... stupid hormones.

And ... like always I've been a little extra tired. Not as tired as I was during the first tri-mester, but more fatigued than my normal.

That's about it. I seriously cannot complain. I feel like I have had it really easy. The majority of days I physically feel very normal and wouldn't even know I was pregnant if I didn't have this baby bump.

best moment (s) of the week:
I loved telling some of our close friends and family his name. It's also fun to be able to call him by name now.

Another fun momen was seeing my mom's side of the family for Chirstmas. No one on that side had seen me pregnant yet, so it was fun seeing their reactions to my bulging belly.

Also, E's mom gave us a bunch of fun baby gifts for Christmas. It was so exciting, and also made it feel all the more real.

One more thing ... we found our crib! I have been searing craigs list for a jenny lind crib, and while we were home for Christms, E's mom told me that she had one in the attic. It is in great condition, and I am so excited that Parker will be sleeping in the same crib that his daddy slept in. Now we have a crib, dresser/changing table, and mobile! Everything is coming together. I am really going to work on cleaning/organizing/purging things in our house, and then start working on his room. I have lots of ideas going. I hope they all come together! Can't wait to share them with you.

prayers:
#1: Please pray that Parker would be growing to be a healthy and strong little baby.

#2. Lately, E and I have been talking a lot about our future as parents. We're processing if I will work full-time, part-time, or stay at home. We're figuring out what we can afford, and what we feel like God is calling us to. These are big decisions, and to be honest, I feel a little anxious about it. Please pray that God would make the path for E and I very clear, and that we would trust Him for all of our needs. Thanks everyone :)