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20 Weeks

How far along: 20 weeks, completed 5.22.12–halfway there!

Weight gain: 4 pounds! Hello, 137.

Clothes: I’ve been wearing lots of skirts and dresses these days and feeling both feminine and mighty comfortable. Though I did sport my skinny black cords one day, by mid-afternoon I finally relented and unbottoned that top button before it dug a permanent divet in my midriff. In a few weeks I may be saying my final goodbyes to my skinny pants . . . but I know it’s not goodbye forever, and I’m confident that we’ll have a tearfully happy reunion sometime in the fall. Hopefully earlier rather than later–we’ll just have to see how fast the weight melts away.

But first things first! It ain’t time to be losing weight yet, compadres.

Purchases: My wonderful mother-in-law has been collecting baby books! For some reason this made me extremely emotional (in a good way). This baby is going to be so loved.

Body: Feeling dang good! I love my little belly. I like to rub it all the time.

My belly also makes me feel safe. I was heading home on the El after dark one day and there were some sketchy characters on the platform with me. They were probably fine and wonderful people . . . but I was keeping an eye out (you fellow city-folk know how it goes). Then I remembered that pregnant women are universally loved and bring out that generous, gushing side of people–maybe even gangsters! So I pooched out my belly, settled my hands on it in a nicely pregnant pose, and quickly felt a bubble of baby-safety-zone descend around me.

Sleep: Still sleeping on my stomach–I wonder how much longer this can last?

Best moment(s) of the week: This one’s hard! The ultrasound . . . the conversation with my boss about my future at the company as a mother . . . my husband feeling the baby move for the first time . . . there’s just too much wonderfulness to choose from.

Movement: Yes!! Sunday night I was lying on the bed on my back, reading and trying to get sleepy. I looked down at my stomach and suddenly noticed that there was a weird lump on the lower righthand side of my abdomen. “Whoa! What the . . . baby, look at this!” I cried to my husband. I prodded the lump and it was hard as a rock. My husband reached over to touch it, and felt the baby move for the first time! Just about 15 seconds after he felt this, the lump subsided and my stomach got soft again–I guess the baby moved on to a different part of his or her little realm. It was the strangest thing, and the first time I’ve seen the baby’s body manifest itself so clearly.

Food cravings/aversions: Nothing!

Symptoms: A little nausea if I don’t eat as soon as the hunger hits, more tears than usual (but nothing insane), and a cramped feeling in the calve (or is it calf?) of my left leg (I’ve heard this is totally normal).

Emotions: Some bouts of crying, probably every other day. This can be provoked by anything–a tender word from my husband, talking about the future, my mother in law’s email with the list of books she was buying for the Little Wa-Wa . . . it’s all very wonderful.

I’ve also talked to my boss about what my life as an employee and mother will look like–but there’s a lot to say there, so I’ll save it for another post. Suffice it to say, the conversation was so much better than anything I had dared hope for that I might start crying again just thinking about it. God is GOOD!

Hopes and dreams: We’re officially searching for an apartment to move to when our lease is up at the end of August, and I dream of in-unit laundry . . . a not-so-heinous kitchen . . . a beautiful, sunlit space for our little family . . . a little baby room with a comfy chair . . . I’m excited about this move and thrilled that we’re able to upgrade our living space in time for this little one. I know it’s not strictly necessary–I slept quite comfortably in a cardboard box stashed in a closet during my first few months of life–but it’s just nice.

What I miss: Hmmm . . . nothing at the moment. Next question!

What I’m looking forward to: Getting some kind of birthing prep class nailed down. I’m fascinated by hypnobirth (not as scary or weird as it sounds, I promise), and love the idea of going natural and taking a Bradley method class. At this point, I am open to an epidural if I hate my life when the time comes and if it becomes evident to me that the pain just ain’t worth it, but I do really want to find that mental focus that can make the pain tolerable. We’ll see. I have a lot to learn, and I still don’t quite believe I’m going to have to go through that experience.

Husband update:  A few days before the ultrasound, I asked if he was dreaming more of a baby girl or a baby boy. I told him to just tell me what his heart was saying–I knew he’d be happy with whatever and not disappointed, blah blah blah. Anyway. He got this really tender, almost sheepish look on this face and said, “well . . . I would kind of like a little girl.”

He’s a darlin’.

Wednesday morning he came with me to my 3rd appointment with the midwives (followed by the ultrasound downstairs), and got to hear the baby’s heartbeat. It would go thump-thumpitty-thump-thump-GRNK!–thump-thump-thump-thumpitty-thump-GRNKLJL!

The midwife said the baby could sense the light from the machine and was kicking at it, hence the repeated GRNKLJL’s inserting themselves violently into the otherwise regular little rhythm. “The baby is really active!” she exclaimed.

As we took the elevator down to the ultrasound, my husband said, “After hearing those kicks I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a boy.”

So–boy? Girl? Girl? Boy? Cast your votes now, and I’ll tell you guys what we learned at the ultrasound tomorrow!

(Yes, slightly evil, but I need time to scan all the pictures we brought home with us.)

And by the way–for the complete progression of pregnancy pictures you can see this page. It’s much more interesting now that there’s some visible progress!

Jenna:

View Comments (23)

  • I vote girl. But I would be equally excited about a boy! I'm hoping for a whole houseful of boys myself. :-)

  • Due to the fantastic Facebook message I got from your hubby, I'm not going to participate in this guessing game. =)

    I know the shadow in these photos isn't idea but the second photo is amazing. Your glow of preggo energy, the blank canvas feel of the white wall, plus the amplification of your belly size cast on the wall by your shadow makes this photo pretty great.

  • I can't wait to hear!!! I say boy. Because I love boys. Haha.

    And did you know I took hypnobirth classes preparing for Jude? I also hired a hypnobirth doula. I'd love to chat if you have any questions! :-)

    • Ooooh! That's awesome. Did you think it was worthwhile to do the class (as opposed to my current idea of just reading the book)?

  • I say grrrrrrlllll! Although you have a higher chance of having a boy, since you are young. Now listen up, lady, I will not have internet access tomorrow and 7 days after that, so I need an email today because I am DYING to know. I won't tell a soul, I promise!

  • Oh you little sneaky snake!! Making us wait ;) My 4-day weekend starts tomorrow and I wasn't going to be checking any blogs but, now I have to at least check yours :) I'm casting my vote for a lil' Adam. Love the pics too.

  • Ah! The suspense! Man, this could go either way. From my experiences, boys are good to their mamas in the weight department. I only gained 25lbs with Zack. With Lizzy, I gained 60! If this is true for you, I would say that it's a boy, but I am kind of getting the girl vibe.

    By the way, bananas help with the leg cramps. I had them with Lizzy.

    You're looking great! :) Can't wait to hear tomorrow's news!

  • I'm guessing a girl. I was at bible study last night and got a feeling a friend was pregnant with a girl - I thought it was someone else, but maybe it's you! I'm super excited for you and this incredible journey you guys are on :)

  • I say boy, because of being so active! Boys are fun, and boys clothes are cooler....I think.

    I found birthing classes really fun (is that weird?) and super helpful. One of the most helpful classes was about exercises you can do in the last 2 months of pregnancy so that the baby will stay in the right position for birth (OA or occiput anterior?). OP (posterior) is when the baby comes out face up instead of face down and that causes a much longer and more difficult labor and more likelihood for C-section. So you wanna do things like sleep on your left side, never recline on your back, periodically get on hands and knees (relaxes your back when you have the really heavy belly at the end) and scrub the kitchen floor on hands and knees, stuff like that. Those things will help gravity to keep your baby in the right birthing position. It was extremely helpful for me. I had a 12 hour, relatively straightforward labor, that progressed well, and I went totally natural. Compared to some other women, my labor was relatively easy, and could've been for other reasons, but I think that class definitely helped. So take one about that if you can.

  • oh, the suspense!! All I can say is my most active baby in utero was hands down my little girl (and firstborn) Elise. Luke may be catching up now as Elise gradually settles (almost 6 years out). Hmm... I can picture you guys with a boy or girl. So no votes, just very curious :) You're both looking great--way to fight those cravings, Adam ;) Jenna, so glad to know God has provided many good things for you and look forward to knowing about your work plan!