Thursday, October 01, 2009

18 Weeks and Counting...

...better weeks than kids, I suppose.

Things have been good around here. Good and uneventful, just the way I like them nowadays.

I haven't been having any more bleeding or spotting (knock on wood) for about 3.5 weeks. I know it could come back at any time and I still have my moments of panic when I am sure I am suddenly bleeding, only to find out everything is fine. But those moments only happen a few times a week now, instead of a few times an hour, like they did a few weeks ago. I think my paranoia is starting to fade a bit.

It's really no wonder all mothers end up crazy.

But I am finally settling into this whole pregnancy thing and even possibly thinking it may really happen for us this time. I will definitely feel better after our 20 week ultrasound that we have on the 15th. Even though we had five ultrasounds early on, we decided this time to forgo all genetic testing and just take things as they come. I'm terrified of going in because of what they might find, but I'm trying t stay positive and just focus on seeing Butterbean again.

We're also hoping The Bean isn't shy so we can find out the sex. We thought about waiting, but I think for us, finding out the sex will be a great way to help us bond to a pregnancy we have been to wary of attaching ourselves too. Awwww...is The Bean a girl or a boy?!?!? Honestly, I have been going back an forth. Lately, I keep calling it a boy on accident, but my first instinct was a girl. And even though J will never admit it, I think he is secretly hoping for a little girl :)

At this point they could tell me there is a chimpanzee in there. As long as it's healthy, I am totally cool with it.

Speaking of my little monkey, I think (but am not sure) that I may have been feeling it move now for the past week. It started last Thursday as I laid on the couch after dinner. I felt the little "flutter" or "bubble popping" as so many people call it. Actually, it felt exactly like gas, except there was no actual "passing of gas" to go along with it.

I have been feeling it at least once a day since then. Sometimes harder than others. A poke here or a light rumble there. It's like as soon as you realize what you may be feeling it's gone. Just like when you see a shooting star or something. It's still very light and honestly, it could just be gas (unfortunately for everyone else, my most intense pregnancy symptom at this point). Since I have never felt a baby move before and seem to have gas constantly now, I really have no way of knowing. But it does feel just a tiny bit different...I can't really explain why.

Also, the past few days, after some serious round ligament pains that scared the shit out of me, my stomach completely popped out. I have noticed it getting a little bigger over the weeks, but last Saturday I woke up and was like "WOW!" Then Monday I walked by a mirror at work and was even bigger! As you can see in the second picture below, I can't even suck it in anymore without there still being a big bump on the bottom. It's exciting to finally have a visual symbol of this kid inside of me, although most of the time, when I am wearing my everyday clothes, I still just look like I finished off a pizza and a six-pack. Oh well.



Other than baby stuff, things are great. Work is good and keeping me busy, the house is great (we are having our first get together this weekend), I'm feeling great right now and I am LOVING the cool fall weather. Although I have to say, it does make me a little sad not to be out there. It's PREFECT running weather!!! I'm so sad to be missing it and was SO bummed to miss my favorite race last week, the Philly Distance Run.

I even had a dream a few nights ago that there was a 10 mile race by my house and J wasn't around and I kept telling myself that even though I haven't run in ELEVEN weeks now, I could just sign up and run it and be fine. In my dream, I kept running around the parking lot to see how I felt and was like, "Yeah, this is no problem, I feel great. I can sneak in the race and he will never know!"

For some reason, I didn't end up doing it in my dream although I can't remember why. But I do remember that those few moments I was running around the parking lot, felt amazing.

You know you haven't run in forever when you are dreaming about sneaking in road races.

Oh well. I hope you like jogging strollers, Butterbean.

18 comments:

MCM Mama said...

You look gorgeous and it's awesome to hear that things are going well.

One of the few things i miss about pregnancy is the early movements. Pretty soon you'll have no question of whether it's a movement or not.

So happy for you!

joyRuN said...

I can't see the pic for some reason :(

I'll stalk your facebook for it!

It's hard to tell baby movement at first, but soon you'll KNOW. And it's the most awesome thing ever!

I'm so very happy for you :D

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to hear that things are going well on teh baby front and house too. Very cool that you can feel the baby moving. Have a fabulous weekend.

Unknown said...

the pic isn't coming up for me. bummer.

i think you are feeling the baby move. i remember when pregnant with my son it kind of felt like butterflies at first. really light something or other...

exciting times :-)

Felice Devine said...

You look terrific!
Isn't so cool to feel the baby move? Loved that.

Heather said...

i LOVE, LOVE your pictures! Glad things are going well for you and you are feeling the baby move. So cool. :)

Marlene said...

I'm so, so happy for you Laurel! I've been thinking of you guys often.

I love your belly pics - you look wonderful and so happy!

LOL at the running dream.

Have fun with your first get-together in your new home.

That Pink Girl said...

You look great - so full of life! What an exciting time in y'all's life!!!

X-Country2 said...

Those pics are ADORABLE. What a great way to track your progress. :o)

Denise said...

You look (and sound) GREAT!! Thanks for posting, I love seeing how you're doing.

I didn't see J last weekend because I ran at Valley Forge. I'm headed that way again this wknd.

BeachRunner said...

Running dreams, a great new home, pregnancy ... Your awesome post got me smiling and singing about dreams: "You may say that I'm a dreamer; But I'm not the only one; I hope someday you'll join us..."
You look fabulous. Sending beachy congrats and best wishes your way. xoxo.

Chic Runner said...

this was the cutest post ever and you are just adorable! seriously! so glad things are working out well for you and I can't wait to see what butterbean will be!

Dori said...

Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress. I'm happy for you.

Too funny about your racing dream! When I quit drinking, I had dreams where I drank. Sometimes it's hard for our brains to catch up with our current lifestyle. Maybe you can volunteer so that you can get a t-shirt. :-)

CJ said...

Glad you are doing well! The pic is cute! I love running dreams!

CJ

N.D. said...

aww you look so cute! can't wait to hear about the ultrasound/sex.

Lily on the Road said...

you and the Bean are just so cute!!!

I Run for Fun said...

You look radiant! Thanks for the update...it's so great you and the bean are doing well. Hope to hear more good news after the next ultrasound!

Julie D said...

Wow, you definitely look the part now! =)

 
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