Halfway!

Time sure does fly when you're preggers... This is the end of my 20th week. HOLY CRAP. That means we're halfway! The "big" ultrasound is next week. Still not sure if we'll find out the gender. I don't want to. Hot Husband does. So... We'll see. ;) Can't believe we're nearly to Age of Viability (some medical professionals and advanced hospitals see AoV a few weeks earlier than this, but at 25 weeks, your chances of survival are much better). Obviously I don't want Vanilla Bean here until he's good and baked, but its nice to know that the wonderful 25 week mark is just around the corner now. I keep promising myself I'll chill out a little when that happens... ;)

The little bug seems to be doing well. We had an appointment a week ago and VB's heart rate was at a good strong 160 (its been coming down, but not much 174, 172, 161, 160). Started feeling bubbles and waves around 18 weeks, which have now become full on pokes and rolls. Every once in a while I'll get a good honest kick, which is awesome. I'm sure it won't be as cute when VB is 5+ pounds and in my ribs though.

2nd trimester hasn't been the glorious-ness all my books made it out to be, but I really am doing well. More nausea, but less actual puking. Extreme exhaustion but the fibro is in full remission. Things could have been much, MUCH worse, so I'm very grateful I've gotten off so easy thus far.

I'm also 4 weeks into a wonderful Bradley Method birth class. I'm hoping all will be well on the ultrasound next week and that when I see my OB again at the end of next month he'll confirm things are still peachy. If so, I'm hoping to move over to midwives at the near-by birth center. I may have to be co-managed the whole time, but that's just fine with me. Meds have been under control and reduced to almost nothing. Aside from some nasty heartburn and the occasional migraine I'm pretty much symptom free. Woot, woot, lucky me.

I'm STILL not showing and its my biggest complaint. I WANT to be huge. Obscenely huge. I feel like this all isn't "real" until some stranger on the street can tell I'm knocked up from half a block away. Vanilla Bean is measuring perfectly, but I've only gained 2 pounds so far. Doc isn't worried, so I guess I shouldn't be either. I'm already a "big" girl, but I *really* want to look preggers, not just fatter. Crossing fingers that by the end of 2nd trimester I'll be waddling. ;) Shouldn't be too much longer before Hot Husband will be able to feel VB kick and squirm. Can't wait for that!