18 weeks

PREGNANCY SO FAR:

How far along: 18 weeks

Baby's size: Sweet potato (approximate size: 5.6 inches, 6.7 oz)

What's going on with baby: Baby's busy flexing arms and legs — movements that I should start feeling in the weeks ahead. Blood vessels are visible through thin skin and ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from the head a bit. If I'm having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If I'm having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them during an ultrasound.

Total weight gain: 3 lbs. The weight gain has begun. I should start gaining about 1 lb per week at this point.

Doctor's update: Doctor said I am doing really well and, so far, no concerns. All my blood/urine tests came back with no concerns. Baby's heartbeat is at a steady 160 bpm. Baby/uterus is growing as expected and the baby bump has finally emerged.

Baby movement: I don't think I've felt anything yet, but then again, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be feeling. I read that it's pretty common in first-time pregnancies to not feel anything until closer to 20 weeks. Movement has been described as "fluttering" - kind of like having a butterfly flying around in your belly (often times confused with having gas, lol). Definitely have not felt butterflies. Most of my feelings are minor aches and pains as my body stretches to accommodate baby's growth.

Maternity Clothes: Not yet but I'm getting close. My waist has pretty much disappeared and wardrobe choices are becoming fewer and fewer each week. I think I can wear a good amount of my normal clothes through the rest of summer, but will definitely have to get some maternity clothes for cooler weather. 

Sleep: Good. I've stopped obsessing about sleeping on my stomach or back. I'm just trying to focus on getting rest in whatever position is most comfortable. Lots of weird dreams. Seriously, really weird dreams.

Food Cravings: Everything and anything. Especially peaches, nuts, string cheese, tuna fish, cookies, and pickles. I'm pretty much into all food in general. I'm also extremely thirsty all the time - I carry my water bottle everywhere since I'm drinking so much water.
 
Food Aversions: Some meats. They skeeve me out a little bit.

What I miss: Not wanting to fall asleep at 9:00 every night. Also, for the first time since I got pregnant, I really really wanted a glass of wine.

Overall Feeling: Really good! I'm still tired and probably could take a daily nap, but I feel good considering I rarely get naps. I'm not minding this stage at all - dare I say, it's actually been kind of fun to be pregnant?!

Milestones: We scheduled our next ultrasound to find out the baby's sex. August 26 is the big day! Can't wait!

Best moment this week: My neighbor just had a baby and she was outside sitting with him during one of our cooler evenings. The baby was teeny tiny and he and mom both looked so content sitting there. She told me how tired she was but that it was all worth it for him. She told me, "soon this will be you." Crazy to think about how one minute a baby is chilling in its mom's belly and, before you know it, it's out in the world and things will never be the same.

Worst moment this week: I got four medical bills in the mail in a two-day span. They were not cheap. Being pregnant is expensive and the baby isn't even here yet! Oy vey! Trying hard not to stress out about money, but it's always there staring me in the face. Brian and I have been attending daycare interviews and information sessions. It's going well so far, but it made the fact that I have to put an infant in daycare all too real. It's expensive, it's scary, and I can't help but feel like I'm going to be neglecting my baby by putting him/her in daycare. I know everything is going to be fine, but some days I feel overwhelmed.

Baby Brain Moment: Fortunately, nothing major lately.

Weekly Wisdom: People have babies everyday. People less fortunate than we are. They manage to take care of them, pay for them, and raise them to be great people. We can do this even though it's really scary when I think about it too much.