le bump / 18 weeks

now we’re getting somewhere, baby.

progress & countdown: 18 weeks down & 154 days to go

baby size: a bell pepper

food & drink: all i can say is: STUFFING. the thanksgiving feast did the trick, folks. the bump is legit now. and baby has been VERY happy. all the rich stuff. all the turkey. all the savory stuff. no complaints here. this pregnancy has had me enjoying the salty side of things. sweet stuff hasn’t been as appealing (not like elinor and the chocolate ice cream obsession… hmmm… maybe that’s a sign?). at this point, i am officially over leftovers. moving on and adding some lighter seasonal dishes to the mix. cue the greens…

bump stuff: would you look at that bump?! it is the real-deal now.

highs: a popped bump. a midwife appointment (complete with anatomy scan) on the calendar for this week. a girl name and boy name decided.

lows: adjusting to a disappearing waistline. it’s always so bizarre when the ball of baby takes over your midsection.

new developments: head to rump, baby is around 5.5 inches long and weighs almost 8.5 ounces. baby’s ears are in final position, lungs are branching out, and boy/girl parts are visible. fingers crossed that baby cooperates so we can see what’s what.

meaningful moments & hormones & feelings: elinor and ridley setting aside old toys and articles of clothing to start a collection for “baby pumpkin”. and i am sure that i can feel baby moving now. it is swirly-whirly and low and off to the sides which makes me think i might have a placenta muffling things a bit. but, I CAN FEEL BABY! it never gets old. so cool and crazy. i am just so grateful to get to do this again. oh my goodness. i love it so much.

superficial stuff: my skin has been extra dry (hello arizona in the fall/winter) so i am slathering on all the belly cream and hand cream and everything. the struggle is real.

looking forward to: (i am a broken record here, but) finding out if we are having a boy or girl. we are eager to call this baby by name and start that next level of connection.