Pregnancy Week 18

Today I reached the 18 week mark! Yay! Two weeks from the half way point, and the baby should be about the size of a bell pepper! Why do they use food to compare babies too? If numbers are more helpful to you, the baby should be about 5 and  1/2 inches long and 7 ounces. If we were to do an ultrasound this second, they would be able to tell us the gender of the baby, unless the baby were to take after me and cover up during the ultrasound. I know, it is killing everyone to wait a few more weeks, but if Eric can wait a couple more weeks while listening to me talk about how I think it is a girl, everyone else can handle the suspense too. lol Eric keeps getting frustrated, because I  keep referring to the baby using female pronouns. He tells me that God has a sense of humor and is going to send a boy just because I keep saying it is a girl. It isn't like I want a girl more than a boy. I just want a healthy baby. I just feel like this baby has been enough trouble already, it must be a girl. lol But seriously, they say that a lot of morning sickness means girl. If that is true, it is most definitely a girl. Also the baby has a faster heart rate, which can also indicate girl. Either way, I am thrilled just to have the opportunity to bring such a blessing into our lives :)

Pictures from the 17 week mark

Everyone keeps telling me that the second trimester is the best. I can tell you it is definitely better than the first, but I think the part about having a sudden abundance of energy is some sort of twisted lie to get you past the morning sickness. I definitely haven't experienced an increase in energy at all. All I want to do is sleep and eat, but at least I can eat most of the time now. 

The best part of this trimester is that I can now feel the baby regularly! Our baby definitely is already full of opinions, and I can only blame myself for that. If a shower is too warm or I rest a cold drink on my stomach, it is quite clear how the baby feels about it. It will only be more fun as the baby gets stronger and Eric can understand what I am talking about.

Talking about Eric, he has been amazing this whole time. I mean, the guy who doesn't even like hearing stories about people being sick or getting injured (unless it is funny), has cleaned up throw up on more than one occasion without breaking a sweat, getting mad, or complaining. Eric also has been waking up early to take care of me so I can get out the door for work. He brings me breakfast in bed to help my morning sickness. He starts the car for me and scraps the ice of the windshield for me, so I have one less thing to do to get out the door on time for work. He has even become quite the chef, and when I have one of my hormonal break downs, for no apparent reason, he stifles a laugh and just hugs me. When I cry about not having accomplished anything on my list that day, Eric assures me that it is okay because taking care of myself is the most important thing I can do for our growing family. I mean, he is the kind of guy they base romance novels on... Sweet, funny, handsome, understanding, supportive, hard working, level headed. I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the idea. 

Being pregnant is definitely harder than I expected it to be, but I feel so blessed to have such a terrific husband and to have this chance to bring a new addition to our family. I am aware of how lucky I am, and try not to take any of it for granted.