This Photographer's Life

Happy New Year everybody!  Jimmy, Mom and I just got back from Northside where we got the 20 week ultrasound. :) Half way finished.  The baby is as big as cantaloupe.  I didn't actually believe that until we went in today.  They were moving that ultrasound wand all over my belly.  Last time they kept it pretty limited to right below my belly button, but this time they were everywhere with it!

In case you have no idea what that picture is (I won't judge you), it's the baby laying on his back,  one of his hands is up by his chin, and he is looking at you.  I know he still looks a little bit like an alien, but that's a face!   The doctor said he is perfect, and we don't have to go back until 28 weeks.  Honestly, I would look at him every day if I could.  There is a certain amount of, "is he ok in there?" running through my head, and looking at an ultrasound is the only thing that really makes me feel better.  Hopefully that's normal.

Once again the baby made it VERY clear that he's a boy.  It's like he wants there to be no question in our minds...  like many men I know :)

Jimmy, his grandma, and me over Christmas.

People keep asking me how I'm feeling...

I basically just feel huge.  It's such a strange sensation to watch the numbers on the scale continue to rise after a lifetime of trying to get them to go lower.  Anytime anyone says anything to me about how big I am I have to fight off tears.  I know that's stupid since I am incredibly lucky to be pregnant, and I wouldn't want it any other way.  I also know it's really shallow, but I'm just being honest.  It's hard.  I also blame it on hormones to make myself feel better. ;)

I stepped on the scale on New Years Day and almost fainted.  I thought, "but I haven't even done anything to make that happen," but that's not 100% true.  I actually went into this holiday season with a certain amount of, "well I'm going to get fat anyway, so I might as well have that cookie."  Maybe not the best approach, but it sure tasted nice.

The upside to being much bigger is that I can feel the baby!  It is without a doubt the best feeling in the entire world.  Forget back scratches or massages, NOTHING is better than having a live baby move around inside of you.  He started two weeks before Christmas with a HUGE summersault.  There was no easing into it.  There were no "butterfly wings" or "popping bubbles" like the book said.  It was just...  Boom.  "Here I am mom!"  There was no doubt what it was.

He likes to practice his dancing/tumbling the most at night with Charlotte sitting on my stomach, so I have found myself getting into position nightly just so I can let him do his thing.  It's the best part of my day.  It's also lead to me binge watching tv (not helpful with the whole weight gain thing, but totally worth it).

To combat negative effects of laying around waiting for the baby to move/eating oranges in the bed, I've been swimming a good bit.  I've always loved to swim.  It's my favorite form of exercise and how I got into "wedding shape."  The first few times I went after I found out about being pregnant were awkward.  I kept getting the hiccups, and people noticed!  The last month swimming has saved me.  Putting on a speedo and getting in the water makes me feel super skinny!  I promise!  It's the only part of my day where my legs and back don't hurt.  Sometimes I just hang out in the water and walk around just to get that feeling.  If you're pregnant and haven't tried it, I cannot recommend it enough!

For Christmas I gave Jimmy these onsies and tennis shoes so that the baby can keep up his dancing/tumbling routine as soon as he gets here, and also so that nobody will ever forget who his daddy is.

 

Happy New Year everybody!  I hope it's your best yet!

Blayne Macauley