TNT

I seem to have exploded overnight. Where did this big tummy come from in only 10 hours???

26 weeks!

Nesting Syndrome

This weekend marked the first (of most likely many) crazed nesting rampages I have thus far experienced in this pregnancy. I have rearranged almost every room, moving this here and that there, scrubbed and polished, swept and dusted. It's still not perfect, but it's much better than it was.

I'm sure I'm driving the mister batty with my cries of, "Not in my clean sink!" and "Where did this fingerprint come from?!" I truly can't help it -- it's uncontrollable. Thank goodness I work full-time, otherwise I'm sure I would tear this place apart this week.

High Kick!

I felt the baby kicking today for the first time. Hopefully s/he will enjoy tap dancing with his/her mama!

Mama & Papa

Here we are at 21w3d.

What I'm Craving As Of Late

I am still feeling great with lots of energy and a positive attitude.

Things that I have been craving lately:

Cinnamon. Even the smell.

Skirts. I can't bear to wear pants in this heat.

Coffee. With cream.

Fruit. I can't get enough!

Yoga.

Citrus. Especially lemon!

But please don't think that I'm some kooky healthy nut. What I have neglected to post is the fact that I sometimes take the elevator up three floors instead of taking the stairs, eat a bag of Old Dutch Arriba chips once in a while, and probably eat way more cheese than I should.

Soundwaves

The big ultrasound is scheduled for this morning. We don't intend to discover whether we're having a daughter or a son until the moment the little one is delivered into our arms.

I think the only part of carrying this child that has given me nightmares or trouble is the ultrasound preparation. Before I was pregnant, I could easily go to the bathroom two or three times an hour. Now imagine a uterus pushed up against a bladder. Now imagine drinking one litre of water and being told you're not permitted to pee for at least two hours. Now imagine getting on a bus being driven down a bumpy, pot-holey, in-construction road. Now imagine sitting in the waiting room, legs crossed, feet bopping up and down, silently cursing the two receptionists are completely ignorant of your plight while they log into Facebook and speak loudly about who drank too much last night and "Oh my gawd! He did not!!"

Only 80 minutes left!

19 weeks

*photo by Jana Frandsen of Wink Photography

Nineteen weeks and I am still feeling fine.

We had our first Centering Pregnancy class and it went well. My fundal height is measuring at 22 rather than 18, but the midwife is not concerned as this is common and tends to even out towards the end (I hope!). The mister heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time during our one-on-one time with the midwife, and it just squeezed my heart watching him listening to the little one inside me.

Over the long weekend, I was lucky enough to have a Girls' Weekend in Toronto. We ate too much and laughed too much. I even managed to stay up until after midnight most nights.

Please no Madisons or Jaxons

I have been scouring the obituaries, scanning the oldtimey names.

Choosing a name is difficult. One day I love it, the next day, I can't imagine calling it out every day until the day I die.

We decided long ago that we did not want to know if we were having a son or a daughter. Our detailed ultrasound is booked for the end of this month, and although I am tempted, I can't imagine the feeling of surprise when the little one finally joins us on the outside.

We have pretty much decided on a girl's name but are finding that making a decision on a boy's name is much more difficult.

A Few Treasures For The Kid

1. Where You Came From, by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad

2. Knitted bird mobile to be made by grandma

3. ABC cards by Julie Morstad

4. Ikea Gulliver crib

5. Vinyl decals for over the crib, by Elephannie at Etsy

6. Charley Harper memory game

7. Fabrics for a quilt to be made by mama, purchased from Whipstitch Fabrics at Etsy

8. Garage sale find! $0.50 last summer

Tootsies

I bought both of these pairs of shoes today in the hopes I'll be able to wear them in the coming months...swollen feet be damned!