21.5 Week Belly Progression

It's been about a month since our last belly progression pic, so I thought I'd post one. Mainly I wanted to offer proof that I do, in fact, get haircuts sometimes.

17.5 weeks with shaggy hair on October 16:

 And today at 21.5 weeks looking far more chic and with way cooler lighting:

I promise the next belly pics will be in something other than a dress. I feel like it is a little hard to see exactly how the belly is progressing when I'm wearing something drapey. So next time will be jeans and a nice fitted maternity shirt so you all can be amazed at how I am all belly and so adorable and haven't gained any weight anywhere else, etc. etc. Because that is what's important here, obv.

Try to ignore that everything written to this point has basically reflected huge insecurities about how I look as a preggo mom. I am apparently working hard to overcome the emotional baggage of having gained 50 pounds with Mikayla and also having gone about 2 months without a haircut not long ago.

Also, please ignore Mikayla's Christmas presents in the background of the new belly pics. She isn't supposed to know about them and yes we are lame parents for hiding them in plain sight, and this is probably the first and last Christmas that this strategy will work, which works out since we are in a house without much closet space.

Anyway, thanks for checking in! Time to go Sabbath for awhile...

SDG

Just Don't Play "Butterfly Kisses"

I am super emotional this morning and I'm not sure why. Not really tired, not really stressed. Just...pregnant! And thinking about our little man ever since I woke up. The moment my eyes opened this morning, I felt him kick and I called him by name. Good morning, precious boy!

Thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Also, I started to cry listening to Indelible Grace's version of "The Church's One Foundation". The line where "the great Church victorious shall be the Church at rest" just got to me. I don't know, people, I'm just reporting the facts as I experienced them.

So now I'm sitting here just eating some breakfast (homemade raisin granola bars fresh from the oven; slightly crumbly, but oh so buttery and delicious) and every time I feel our son wiggling around in my belly, the emotions are almost overwhelming. I suppose these are the moments a second-time-momma ought to cherish and treasure in her heart. My firstborn is sleeping peacefully and it's just little 2P and me enjoying each other.

But as with most momma moments, this one is not to last very long. My sweet sister in law Becca is on her way to visit with her kiddos, AND sister in law Amy, who is by far the coolest aunt among us (sorry Becca...I've come to accept it already, personally) is planning to stop by this afternoon, too! Dinner is in the crock pot and granola bars are made, but do you think I look remotely presentable? Time to dash through the motions of making myself fit for company and then back down to do the same for this poor kitchen!

SDG!

Go Team Blue!

She squirted warm goop all over my belly. She pressed the ultrasound wand down with a squish. And what should we see immediately on the screen but a clear view between 2P's legs. There is no doubt that Mikayla has a little brother!

Here are a few less-invasive photos of our son that we were able to bring home:

He had his little hands up to his face the whole time, as if sucking his thumb or, at times, together as though he was saying a little prayer. But we caught a glimpse of his precious face and, providentially, we were in the room with the new ultrasound machine, equipped with 4D capabilities! So we have a close-up, albeit slightly lumpy, photo of our little man. Isn't technology amazing??

In that first moment when we saw that it is a boy, his name sprang to my lips, and tears sprang to my eyes. Hello, my little son! The whole rest of the ultrasound session, as our wonderful technician narrated her measurements and pointed out organs and parts, I kept thinking, "There is ____'s little heart, beating strong and clear. And there are his tiny feet, and his hands. Look, ____'s spine is perfectly formed!" It struck me that this was the closest, most intimate view we could have of him. Even after his birth, we will only be able to look at him from the outside...but at this moment, we were actually exploring his whole little body, inside and out, beholding how fearfully and wonderfully he is made. What a sweet blessing to a momma's (and dadda's!) heart, to know that our child is healthy.

And of course, as soon as we left, my nesting energy and motivation kicked into overdrive as I began to visualize all of the preparations that we need to make for our son before he comes home. We can take down the guest bed this afternoon, right? Good thing I bought that crib bumper for $5; we can get the crib from Laurie and have the nursery set up by this weekend. Because it's so important that he have a place to sleep 19 weeks before he's born.

How grateful we are to the Lord for granting us this baby out of the abundance of His grace. Seeing his little form and face make it all so real that we will be welcoming him in a very little while. We can't wait to meet you in person, sweet son!

SDG

Banana Baby (21 weeks)

According to people who know, 2P is about the size of a large banana this week. About 7 inches long and 11 ounces in weight. Although 2P has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few weeks, he or she has lots of room to wiggle around yet. And we are feeling it! Last night, with his hand just below my belly button, Joel felt kicks for the first time! When 2P has active spurts, he or she seems to be a little more consistent than Mikayla was. I remember sitting and hoping she would kick again so her dadda could feel it. 2P was not nearly so difficult to keep track of, kicking and flipping around probably 5-6 times within a few minutes so that Joel kept sayin, "ooh was that one? I felt that!" It's so much fun to sit and talk about whatever needs talking about, and be able to react together when we feel little 2P do a cartwheel. I love this part of pregnancy!

There are, however, parts of which I am slightly less fond. To this list I would add both fatigue and morning sickness, which have returned with a vengeance this week. The heck? At 21 weeks I should be enjoying my adorable baby bump while still feeling energized and nesty, not moaning and hoping Mikayla will understand why Momma just wants to lie on the couch today. And why no, she may not sit on top of 2P because it will only make things worse.

The Lord is gracious in this season of weakness, however. It seems that at the times when I feel most tired and most sick, my work schedule just providentially opens up, allowing me to rest. This week, for instance, just as I feel slammed with exhaustion and illness, I had only two appointments yesterday and two again today...one of which canceled, allowing me to be home all evening. What a blessing, to both me and my clients, since I doubt the words coming out of my mouth would be very helpful with my brain turned off (and oh, it is turned off when I feel this tired).

So little 2P, you are reminding me of the very beginning this week. Except now I know for sure exactly why I feel the way I do - there is no doubt of your presence as you wallop me in the bladder, tailbone, whatever your little tootsies can reach at the moment. And as you increasingly take up residence out in front of me. One client said just last week, "So, are you having twins or triplets?" I guess that means it's getting obvious? I know I'm not THAT huge though, simply by comparing my weight gain to where I was last time around. I have gained a total of 10 pounds and I'm pretty sure it all goes through the doorway before I do. Joel commented to me maybe a week ago, as I sat at the kitchen table, that if he didn't know I had a belly underneath the table he'd never know I was pregnant. Of course, it is also in his job description to say things like that...and he is experienced now in the art of managing a pregnant wife...but I'd still like to say there is at least a grain of truth to what he said.

And at least he hasn't asked me to scoop ice cream lately...

Tomorrow: Anatomy/gender ultrasound!! Tune in tomorrow for some (Lord and baby-willing) exciting news!