20 Weeks - We're Halfway! It's About Time!

It's that time...that time we can officially celebrate the half-way mark. Woohoo! Honestly, this whole pregnancy/new-baby-coming-into-our-lives thing hasn't caught on completely yet, and I learned from last time that it won't until he is actually here with us. That's why counting down the weeks is so important to us - it keeps us focused on the amazing gift we are about to receive in less than 5 months. For a couple to actually start talking about and deciding that they are ready for a baby (when are we ever ready, though?), the least amount of time they can expect until they are holding that baby in their arms is 11 months - which I round up to 1 year. 1 year it takes to conceive, grow, and give birth to a child. When you think about it, a year is a long time. And because I am such an antsy person, I have to have those special moments and milestones to look forward to in each pregnancy to gratify me. So, I have decided to share my milestone chart in hopes that it will help other antsy mom-to-be's in their year-quest to hold their baby.

• Week 4 - Pee on a Stick. Yes, this is the moment you've been waiting for. You grab your Clear Blue Easy Digital and hit it with a steady stream of pee. 2 minutes later, you've got your answer. You're pregnant! Spend the next 2 weeks getting your first doctor's appointment, stocking up on your prenatal vitamins and fish oil, saving all those favorite pregnancy Web sites to your Favorites: www.whattoexpect.com, www.thebump.com, www.babycenter.com, and purchasing (or blowing the dust off of) the pregnancy "bible," What to Expect When You're Expecting.
• Week 6 - Now's a good time to tell your close family and friends. Your mom, dad, sisters, brothers. Your best friend since grade school. Share the great news with them. And most importantly, ask them to pray that your baby keeps growing healthy during the next crucial weeks (it never hurts to have too many people praying for your miracle!).
• Week 8 - Start a work-out routine and remain consistent. Yes, I know, I need to take my own advice. Don't judge. Just do it - trust me, you will thank me later. Also, this is a key time to start researching all the safe anti-nausea remedies: Flat Ginger Ale, sour candy (like preggo pops), vitamin B6, lemon water, Sea-bands, etc. Let's face it, you're looking at at least 4 more weeks until you see the light at the end of the nausea tunnel.
• Week 9 or 10. Your first doctor's appointment. Reality and anticipation begin to sink in. You may even want to let your co-workers and friends know of the news now.
• Week 12. You can breathe now. The chance of you having a miscarriage is less than 3%. Start thanking God for letting your baby grow healthy during the most crucial development period. In the next weeks, start researching names, coming up with a nursey theme, and mapping out your maternity leave. Trust me, this takes time.
• Week 12 or 13. It's Facebook announcement time. Yes, time to let your facebook "friends" know there's a baby on the way. That way, they won't be surprised with your seemingly emotional posts. I agree with you, I sobbed at last week's Grey's Anatomy, too!
• Weeks 14 and 15. Go on a maternity-clothes shopping spree. Remember to get timeless items that you can take with you into your next pregnancy. If you have one near you, the Gap Clearance Outlet will let you outfit yourself for the rest of your pregnancy for around $150.
• Weeks 16, 17 or 18. You can stop guessing now. That IS the baby moving inside of you. Cherish every punch, jab, and kick you feel. Begin to track his movements and see if you can predict them. Start talking to your baby. He can hear you!
• Week 18, 19, or 20. Boy or girl? You will finally find out! And if you haven't already, you'll get to see that precious face and body for the first time. The little feet and hands are heart-melters. And, is that a cute little belly I see poking out?  
• See, you've arrived at week 20 already! Stay tuned for the charting of the next 20 weeks...

Cant-a-lope Get Any Cuter?

Hi my sweet cantalope. Your daddy would like to say a few things to you tonight. "I can't wait to hold you, see you, and play with you." And I have to report, he is laughing as he says this because he realizes how ridiculously cheesy it is. Not that he doesn't mean those things, it's just that he is much better at showing his emotions than verbalizing them. Let's be honest here - your mama's definitely the writer of the family. :)

In terms of development, you are mostly focused on getting bigger and maturing your already-formed organs (and gulpinig in that yummy amniotic fluid). We reached another milestone this week - daddy put his hand on my belly and felt you move! It was amazing. We will continue to pray for your health and growth. Keep kicking, my darling son. Mama and Dada love it!