Pregnancy Update: 18 Weeks!

Note to self: a white shirt against a white wall
doesn't make the best belly picture. :(

This baby deep inside of me, ever so small, is a child of God. A child that God gave to me to take care of whether for a day or for years. That care began at conception. Whether he or she lives or dies each day I am with him or her is a gift and has a purpose with eternal consequences. My baby is now a part of my life, my testimony. -Brenda Rodgers, "New Rules for Announcing a Pregnancy"

How far along: 18 weeks!

"baby is filling out nicely and getting large enough that you might even be feeling those twists, rolls, kicks, and punches he or she is perfecting. Another set of skills your baby is mastering now is yawning and hiccupping ... And your one-of-a-kind baby is truly one of a kind now, complete with unique fingerprints on his or her fingertips and toes." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Baby size:  "5 1/2 inches long and about 5 ounces in weight" -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Gender: We'll find out when he/she arrives in March!

Belly: The baby belly is growing! The change is exciting to watch. It seems like it gets a little bigger each day! 

Sleep: Sleep is ... well, it is what it is. I'm so thankful for the ability to rest or nap during the day when needed!

Clothes: The time has come for doing some shopping. It would be so nice to just borrow maternity clothes, but that's not a realistic option for me. God has provided us with an avenue for a little extra income that will be to meet the clothing need and then perhaps another baby-related need later. :)

Movement: Okay, so my  Pregnancy Fitness dvd is still sitting. We have at least gone for walks around the neighborhood a few times. It has been way too nice outside to choose a dvd over taking a walk!

Baby Movement- Back at only 14 weeks, I was feeling a strange sensation that made me wonder if it was the baby moving. 14 weeks was a couple of weeks sooner than the expected time for feeling baby movements, and so I didn't think much of it. Plus, I had always heard it described as "flutters," and so that's what I have been waiting for. Then, last week it occurred to be that I had feeling yet another sensation since that previous time, and that must be the baby. It's no "flutter" though! It's much more like a "flipping" or "tumbling"! Nighttime must be playtime. haha. I'll say something to my husband about him/her moving, and he'll rush over to put a hand to my belly. I adore how excited he is for this little one! As of today I began to feel individual pokes. It's incredible every time!

Food aversions: I don't think there are any anymore. Anything and everything sounds and tastes fantastic. 

Food cravings: I seem to have taken a turn towards the ability to eat and eat and eat. I'm pretty much loving anything I'm familiar with and can eat in large quantities. 

What I'm excited about: So many things...

       I'm excited to just be at this place. I've witnessed yet another dear friend struggle to conceive and then lose the baby. It's utterly heartbreaking. I'm reminded of all the time when we desired a child and yet didn't receive one then, and how much my heart struggled. Though we've now made it to 18 weeks, I don't take a moment for granted. I realize just how precious it is to have this child. There are no guarantees,  yet somewhere through it all there must be faith. It's a hard attained kind of faith, and I'm not certain of the strength my own if faced with such difficulty. The quote with which I begin each pregnancy update is a reminder of this. These updates are a reminder to me to be present and embrace every moment. I'm so grateful to have the privilege of carrying this child for 18 weeks so far. 

     I'm also excited to finally be feeling better! I came down with a nasty sinus infection a couple weeks ago. Having all that crud in my head and chest while also pregnant really knocked me out. I got out of bed when I needed to go in to work the preschool (because when a job needs done, you do it!). Beyond those occasions, I rested. My midwife then prescribed an antibiotic which did the job at knocking it out. I usually resist conventional medicine unless absolutely necessary, but that ended up being the case (a fever isn't good for the baby after all!) and I'm so grateful! It's so good to feel more like myself. It's also good to get some housework done! haha. 

     We started a registry list on Amazon, and browsed the baby aisles at a physical store. It's quite overwhelming to me, and so I figured I'd better start early and just build the list slowly. I'm finding and thinking of a few things here and there that would be good to have. There is so much to consider! However, I intend to maintain a rather simplistic approach. 

     While we were walking and talking through the aisles, I asked hubby what he's excited about or looking forward most with this little one. He responded that he's just ready for him/her to be here! (I think I may need these next few months to get myself as ready. haha). It delights my heart to see how at ease and enthused he is for this little one. I'm beyond grateful that this child is so deeply wanted and loved... even at only 18 weeks. :)

    I'm also excited for the next ultrasound in a couple of weeks in which we'll get to see our little one once again. I so enjoyed getting to see him/her moving around in there at only 13 weeks. I imagine 20 weeks to be even more exciting! This would be the gender reveal ultrasound, but we're still resolved to wait until he/she arrives in March!

    There's just so much to be excited about right now! The growing "bump" and little movements are just such beautiful reminders of this season of life!

Comparison posts/pictures:

10 Weeks Post          /          12 Weeks Post          /          14 Weeks Post     /          16 Weeks Post

*Note: Some of the products listed above contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Reviving Homemaking is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and as such receives compensation for each purchase made through the links. 

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