le bump / 19 weeks
started calling you by name.
progress & countdown: 19 weeks down & 147 days to go
baby size: a tomato
food & drink: i am trying to be mindful of my water intake, right now. it is easy to guzzle the good stuff during warmer months but man, the last thing i want in the winter is boring old water. i have been trying to add some coconut water to the mix, here and there. and make tea during the day so i can stay hydrated and get some nutrients while sipping on a warm beverage. that seems to be working well. i am also loving booch and sparkling mineral water. that fizzy stuff makes me very happy. when it comes to food, i am trying to eat what sounds yummy and keeping it rather light so i don’t feel too stuffed. so far, so good. over the weekend, we had our 6th annual cheese night (a christmas tradition with the schroeders) and baby seemed quite happy with the calcium boost. he is hardening his bones, at the moment…
bump stuff: the bump feels huge. i know i still have a long way to go but, wow. i always forget how weird and wild it is to have a ball of baby in your midsection. here’s to 20+ more weeks of expansion.
highs: getting to sneak a peek of baby. all is well, development is good, all parts accounted for. we were able to learn that baby whitehouse number three is a BOY! and, and, and… he has a name. getting to call him by name (and hearing the kids do so) is the best.
lows: a bit more round ligament discomfort as the belly grows.
new developments: head to rump, baby is around 6 inches long and weighs almost 9.5 ounces. baby’s sensory development is exploding and his arms and legs are in proportion to each other.
meaningful moments & hormones & feelings: seeing baby. telling family “it’s a boy!” hearing elinor and ridley casually insert “albert” into conversation. it’s so wonderfully strange and catches me off guard every time. we are going to have such fun getting to know him.
superficial stuff: i am starting to feel more pulling and stretching and general bump-ness. i love it… and it also makes every day an adjustment, in some way. exercises that felt great a week ago are more awkward. clothes that fit are now odd looking. foods that sounded great just aren’t that appealing (except for pomegranates, that love is true). every day / week, i am changing. and learning to shift and balance and flow and adapt along with it.
looking forward to: enjoying the advent season, give me all the festive things and coziness and excitement for what’s to come! i am trying to slow and savor. i know that the pace will pick up in january and i will shift back into the daily grind and be eager to dive into projects. for now, being still and mindful is amazing.