18 weeks

How Far Along? 18 weeks and 1 day

Baby Size: Okay, I think we are either a sweet potato or a mango. I cannot remember which.

Total Weight Gain: Haven't weighed myself this week... I should be adding on a pound a week by now though.

Maternity Clothes: I refuse to wear anything but maternity pants or dresses in public. I did try on a pair of my old jeans yesterday - they zipped and buttoned - but Ben said (in a loving way) that they did not fit and to change immediately.  

Stretch Marks: None yet. But I've doubled up on the creams. I've got the bio-oil that I put on morning and night. I've added in the Palmers Coco Butter morning and night too. I also have a tube that I take to work with me and leave in the ladies room. The itchy belly is no joke! The only thing that makes it feel better is some lotion. It stops the itching and cools my belly off.

Sleep: Not too bad. Having occasional bad dreams though - which is not cool whatsoever!

Best moment this week: Playing with my little babe-a-loo! (Explanation under movement.)

Miss Anything? Not really.

Movement: Yes! Friday was a little hectic. I think my little baby knew I needed a pick-me-up. Baby was moving and grooving all through lunch - but when I got back to work I received some definite little kicks. So I poked back... and baby kicked back! We kept it up - going back and forth - for a little over thirty minutes! It was so much fun and made me so happy! Feeling baby move really does make all of the stinky parts of pregnancy so worth it!

Food Cravings: I still kinda want rutabagas... gross. Still with the sweets and cold food... The other day I thought I was full at lunch - until I saw Ben's salad... and I had to go back in the kitchen and make myself a salad too.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Started to show yet? I think so... Though I'm not sure if my belly had completely "popped" yet...

Gender: I can't wait to find out...

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding Rings on or off? On!

Weird Pregnancy Stuff? Okay, occasionally my belly feels "heavy." Kinda like it's just going to fall off of my body. (I can't really explain that one... weird, I know.)
I've been getting hot a lot lately. (From what I read, this has to do with increased blood volume.) Ben's enjoying this part. I haven't fussed at him for keeping it cold in here for two weeks!
I HAVE to eat and drink something about every two hours.
My heart rate is up... and sometimes I feel like I cannot catch my breath. It doesn't happen all of the time - but when it does happen I've found out it's best to take a break and chill out for about 15 minutes.  Example: The other night my heart was beating so fast and hard that Ben could feel it on his side of the bed. (I hear this has to do with increased blood volume too. Granted, it kinda freaks you out a little too - which can make both things worse. In which case, it is REALLY nice having a nice husband that helps talk you through what looks like an impending panic attack.)

At night, I have to sleep with a bottle of water by the bed - this is not going to make any sense and it's totally gross... but here goes: My mouth feels really dry... and kinda like it's full of snot. Gross? Yeah. Believe me, I know and agree.

I get REALLY cranky if I am not home and preparing for bed by 8pm. Which may or may not lead to crying at your husband because you put your toothpaste on his toothbrush... and he kindly reminds you before you start brushing your teeth that it's not your toothbrush... so you get mad and cry because it's all his fault... you have no logical idea why - but it's completely and totally his fault. 

Looking forward to: Feeling more little kicks and rolls. Finding out if Baby C is a he or a she. :) (Also, maybe a clean house this week?)