18 Weeks - and Pics of my Belly

Today I am 18 weeks pregnant (almost 1/2 way there)

I had a doctor's appointment this week and everything still looks good! I finally gained some weight - 2 lbs. I had another quick ultrasound and we tried to see if the baby is a boy or girl. We did not get a good look, but we did not see any boy parts. So it could be a girl or just a shy boy who doesn't want to show us the goods. haha! Either way the baby looked great and was moving around a lot, which is part of why we didnt see the sex very well.

I am scheduled to have a routine ultrasound with a radiologist on October 4th (a little over a week from now) since I will be 1/2 way through my pregnancy. They will look at the baby's development, skeletal structure, and organs. This will be a more extensive ultrasound, and it will probably be my last one for the whole pregnancy unless they want to check on the baby again later. We should be able to get a better look at the baby's gender too! So we will (hopefully) know for sure then.

Lately I am still feeling really good thankfully, aside from the fact I am pretty hungry most of the time. I can feel the baby move which is really fun! It is nothing too noticeable, but when I am still and quiet I feel little pokes here and there. As time goes by the pokes have become more noticeable and I think I can also feel when the baby rolls or moves from one side to the other. Arturo is excited for when the baby is bigger and he can feel it too, right now, he cannot feel it from the outside.

Here is a new belly picture. I played around and found a way to put 2 pictures side by side for you to compare and see the change between when I was 12 weeks pregnant and 18 weeks pregnant.

16 weeks

So I am 4 months pregnant now! Here is what we have been up to:
A few weeks ago we cleared out what used to be our home office to prepare to make it into the baby's room. We consolidated our guest room to function as both a guest room and office now. It worked out really well and I think the room turned out great. We will have our first guest in the new guest room next week when Arturo's brother comes into town to visit. I hope he likes it!

Last weekend we discovered that the crib we wanted for the baby went on SALE so call us crazy, but we bought it! We could not pass up the wonderful sale (and the store advised us we got the last one in stock!) Talk about good timing! Arturo was so excited about having the crib he insisted on putting it together that day (even though I think we should wait until we paint) but there was no stopping him! So now the crib and changing table are set up and ready. I have to admit I got excited once he was done putting it together. Something about having a crib made it hit me a bit more that we will have a baby in our house in a few short months. And it is one less thing we need to do later, you all know me, I like to be prepared rather than rushing in the end.

I am officially in my 2nd trimester and still feeling really good. I am lucky to be having a rather easy pregnancy, lets hope it stays that way! As of my last doctors appointment I have still not gained any weight (I am actually down 7lbs from when I first found out I was pregnant) My doctor said I have plenty of time to catch up though. I should start gaining anywhere from 3/4 to 1lb a week as the baby heads towards a big growth spurt in the coming weeks. My pregnancy guide advised in the next 3 weeks the baby will likely DOUBLE in weight and size! I can feel the growth spurt too! My appetite has been growing to feed him /or her. So I am preparing myself to finally see the number on the scale go up a little at my next Doctor's appointment on the 21st of this month.

Speaking of my next doctor's appointment. I am scheduled to have a routine ultrasound to examine the baby's growth, bones, and anatomy. During that ultrasound if the baby behaves we should be able to see if it is a Boy ir Girl. So stay tuned for that update!