Photo: week 21

Hey, look! Somebody's pregnant! I feel more confident about my body now than I have in a long time. My skin is clearing up, I don't have stretch marks (yet), and I get lots of attention. I have to say, I'm still feeling very good. I am thankful every day for this experience.

w00t w00t!

Just got a text from one of my besties, Andrew. He told me to keep open August 7...For my baby shower! His wife, Jennifer (also a good friend of mine), will be hosting it. I am beside myself with joy! I honestly didn't expect anyone to go out of his or her way to throw me a shower, and it's certainly tacky to ask for one or throw one for your yourself. Joey and I had planned on buying everything we need ourselves, but this is certainly a tremendous surprise! I am forever thankful for Andrew and Jennifer's thoughtfulness.

*does awkward and clumsy pregnant happy dance*

Ready to rumble.

You know what always seems to make my day better? Actually feeling my baby. His movements, once tiny flutters, are changing. They are starting to feel more like pokes and rumblings with a little bit of strength behind them. He's not keeping me awake at night yet, but he'll get big enough to do so very soon. Right now, I think he might already be responding to my voice and to what I eat.

Sometimes I just can't wipe the grin from my face.

Week 21: Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Weight: 138 pounds
Symptoms: fatigue, a few food aversions, itchy abdomen
Mood: blue, depressed

I've had a problem with depression and anxiety since I was a teenager. However, since I got pregnant, I've had nary a depression symptom. Although I was required to stop taking all antidepressants and antianxiety medications 2 months before we tried to conceive, I've felt great--better than I've felt in years. It seems that pregnancy hormones work for me in a way that even the best antidepressants never could.

Until now. For the past couple of days, I've been feeling rather down. I can't pinpoint a specific cause, which scares me, because that means the depression might be returning. Maybe I'm lonely. Maybe I'm ready to meet my dear little boy. Maybe I'm overwhelmed.

Of course I am anxious. I have a lot to be anxious about. But I don't feel like that's what's bothering me. I hope it's just a temporary swing.

Other than that, I feel wonderful physically. Sure, I'm still tired as hell, no matter how many hours of sleep I get each night, but I really do feel fine.

Looking forward to cheerier days ahead...

Itchy itchy ya ya da da...

Less than a week ago, I started using Bio-Oil and cocoa butter on my chest and abdomen to prevent stretch marks. Methinks I'm a bit late to the party. For the past couple of days, the skin on my abdomen, especially in the rib cage areas, has been itching like crazy. Although I don't see any signs of stretch marks yet, this itchiness cannot be a good omen. Oy...Proactivity fail.

Alas...It's all for a good cause, right?

Mission(s) accomplished.

I began this Memorial Day weekend with a cloud of gloom enveloping me. I was disappointed in myself for not having done much, if anything, in the way of preparations for baby. What a terrific parent I am already, I thought to myself as I considered my intimidating To-Do List. After all, I'm halfway through this pregnancy, and all I have to show for it are a teddy bear and an Amazon wish list.

But yesterday, I crossed an item off my To-Do List--a huge, glaring item. I began our baby registry at Babies R Us. I took some items from my Amazon wish list and added them to this registry, thus gaining a sense of accomplishment. However, I noticed that many items on my wish list--items I had selected after hours and hours of research--were not available at Babies R Us or any other local store that sells baby gear. The perfect highchair, the sweetest swing, the most bad-ass convertible car seat...They evidently are enigmas that elude the brick-and-mortar store. Oh well, more stuff for us to buy online, I suppose...

And today, Joey and I struck another daunting task off the To-Do List: finding THE nursery furniture. Here's what we put a down payment on:
We didn't purchase the armoire, but the other 2 pieces will be in our home in a month or so. The crib converts to a toddler bed and then to a full-size bed. For that reason, I wanted a more grown-up look, something that will befit both a child and a teenager. After all, it is my hope that this furniture stays with our son through at least early adulthood.

So hooray for productivity in the household of Mr. and Mrs. T! I already celebrated with a vanilla shake from Keller's. Now the party will carry on with a nap or a Netflix break. Or both. Because that's how wild and crazy I am these days.

Halfway Day!

Weight: 135 pounds
Symptoms: rhinitis (not sure if it's allergies or if it's pregnancy related), some gas, insomnia, back pain
Mood: calm, happy, tired
Listening to: XMU (channel 43 on XM Radio)
Reading: Baby Bargains, 8th Edition by Denise and Alan Fields

Today marks the halfway point of my pregnancy: 20 weeks and 0 days!

As clichéd as it sounds, it seems at times like time has flown quickly, while other times, I feel like I'm stuck in slow motion. Either way, I cherish every day that I am pregnant, no matter how physically uncomfortable I might be or scared I might feel.

I'm celebrating with a second caffeinated beverage this evening--a Diet Dr Pepper, to be exact. That's some hard partyin' for me these days!

Here's to another 20 weeks (hopefully!) of milestones and smiles.