17 Weeks

Actually, I'm almost 18 weeks now.  I can't believe I've made it this far. Is this really happening?

You know as much as I want this baby, I'm really terrified about how I'll juggle two - especially when I'm on maternity leave. I just can't imagine staying home every single day dealing with Carter's antics while trying to take care of a newborn, but I know it will all work out.

We're still having a girl! And I say we're still having a girl because I was secretly worried that the doctor would end up telling me that the elective ultrasound I had was wrong, and our baby grew a penis, but it she did not. I had my 16 week appointment at my doctors office last week, and our baby was again confirmed to be all lady. I'm much more relieved now that it's been confirmed by my doctors office.

I started buying things for the nursery the other day. I'm still going back and forth on what I want to do with the room, but I know for starters we are painting the room grey. I'm pretty set on a grey and purple nursery, with some  other bright colors thrown in. I have a blue glider chair in the room already (we're changing the nursery over from Carter's room, and he'll be getting a toddler room), and I think we're going to keep the blue chair, and add a bright flowery pillow to the chair to give it a more feminine look. I'll post pictures eventually so you'll see what I mean.

As for me, I'm having a harder time this pregnancy then I did with Carter. Pregnancy seemed much breezier then, but maybe I only remember the good parts, and forgot everything else. I have been having debilitating migraines on an almost daily basis which have been my worst symptom so far. Tylenol helps if I take it right when I feel the migraine coming on, but once I'm in the throws of it, there is nothing I can do about it.

I've also started getting Braxton Hicks contractions on an almost daily basis (scary!). My in-laws are coming into town today for three weeks. Andy and I have been doing a lot around the house to prepare, and I know I've been overdoing it. I feel like I'm not doing enough to help him though, but once I start feeling my belly contracting, I have to put my feet up and drink water. I feel so helpless and scared at the same time!

I didn't really start feeling movement until about 20 weeks with Carter, and when I did, it was very strong. I'm sure I felt movement before 20 weeks, I just didn't know what it was, and until it was a good strong kick, I was hesitant to say I felt the baby. This time around I started feeling movement around 15 weeks. I'm still not feeling it often, but at least a few times a day (usually at night before I go to sleep, or when I'm using my doppler) I'll feel these little pops or somersaults. I'm looking forward to feeling her regularly so I don't have to use my doppler every single night, but for now I am.

Off topic, I bought a new camera yesterday! My rebel definitely got it's use out of me, and I was tired of only being able to shoot indoors with a flash unless the lighting was very, very good. I've been eyeing the Canon EOS 7D for a while. I've been doing well at work lately (I'm paid commission from sales) so I was able to get an extra commission check this week. Usually when that happens, it goes into the bank and is used to pay off credit cards and for daily life, but not this time.

I plan on breaking the camera in this weekend so expect some pictures. I'm hoping that I'll actually start taking some better bump pictures too now that you can sort of distinguish a baby bump from the usual flab. I haven't actually gained any weight, but none of my pants fit, and my belly is hard and big - I look fat in the mornings and pregnant by the evening.

Sorry for this picture-less update. I am having a new blog banner designed and am making some minor tweaks to the blog in the coming weeks. I promise to start posting regularly again soon (with pictures!).