Bumpdate: Halfway!

I am back with another bumpdate! And I am halfway! Actually, I am more than halfway. I am 21 weeks and some change. I can’t believe it.  At first thought, I was so excited to be halfway but then I remembered I still have another 20 weeks (give or take) and the end felt so far! But I am not in any actual rush to get it over with so it is okay.

How Far Along

21 weeks & 2 days

Due Date

2/16/19

Baby Size

A large carrot! About 10.5 inches long and 12.7 ounces. Although the little one always seems to be measuring a little ahead at each visit.

Heart Rate

9/28/18 (19 weeks 6 days): 141 – this was a big jump down from all the other times! It had been around 160 each previous time.

Weight Gain

0 pounds! Well, at least as of 17 weeks 5 days. I wasn’t weighed at my last appointment and I packed my scale accidentally while moving last week. I am actually excited to see what my weight gain is at my next appointment since my bump has really started to actually show itself recently.

Bump Gain

I look like I barely have a bump until you compare it to the beginning! The left is 5 weeks and the left is 21 weeks. I apologize for the awful quality (especially in the most recent shot)! We just moved into a temporary space so lighting isn’t the best and our belongings (and boxes) are everywhere! And clearly, I need to wipe down my mirror from the move. I promise (maybe) to do a better job for next update photo.

Symptoms

They say second trimester is the honeymoon phase. And while my nausea definitely dissipated it hasn’t been all roses.

• The heartburn has already started. I had a heartburn problem pre-pregnancy so this was no surprise. I have been eating tums like candy and trying to pretend like my chest isn’t on fire.
• Emotional rollercoaster! I am not usually someone who has huge highs and lows but now that I have this parasite growing inside of me I literally can not control my emotions half the time. My husband had me cracking up about something the other day and I was laughing so hard I was crying and then I literally just couldn’t stop crying. It was bizarre. I don’t think I have been that bad but I’m sure if you talk to my husband he would have something else to say… There is no quick fix for this one unfortunately. I have just been trying to relax as much as possible and keep my stress level low to avoid any unnecessary negative emotions. (Not so easy when moving!)
• I have had wiked sore and bleeding gums. This is a symptom no one had warned me about. My mouth bleeds like crazy every time I brush my teeth. It’s like the Boston Massacre when I spit into the sink. And some days my gums just throb for no real reason all day long.
• Sleeping sucks. I just toss and turn all night long for no apparent reason. I couldn’t tell you why but it makes for very disruptive sleep! I finally broke down and bought a pregnancy pillow. This has definitely been helping but I still don’t get the most restful sleep. I got an hourglass shaped one like this so when I toss and turn I have something to cuddle on both sides without having to move my pillow.

Etc.

• Since last time, we got out NIPT results. Everything came back perfect which was a load off.
• We’ve started creating a (long) list of names! This has been one of my favorite parts so far. Whenever, I hear of anyone else having a baby all I want to know is the gender and name! Ha! We are not finding out the gender so we are making a list of our favorite boy and girl names. I don’t see us narrowing down the list very much until the baby comes and we get to take a good look at the sucker.
• Feeling that baby toss and turn and kick around! Starting at maybe 17 weeks I was feeling some weird light taps in my lower abdomen, usually at night when I’d sit down to relax. I waved it  off as gas or just muscle twitches. But as the days passed It became more prominent and a few taps turned into minutes of taps. I finally figured out that this was actually the baby! Everyone said it would feel like butterflys or popcorn popping and I don’t think it felt like this in the least bit. It literally feels like something tapping (or now more like strong pushes) from the inside. Now I feel it in the morning sometimes and randomly throughout the day. I love it!
• Maternity clothes! I finally broke down and got some jeans and other things. Holy crap – so comfortable. why did I wait so long!! I could still button most of my jeans and pants but they were pretty tight and uncomfortable. Giving in to the sweet bliss of stretchy waisted pants was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. I’ve gotten a few things at Target and Old Navy. I also went to a Destination Materinty store that carried Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod.

Current Must Have Pregnancy Items

• Tums – for that heartburn! I have at my house, in my desk at work, in my car, everywhere!
• Horseshoe shaped pregnancy pillow – an absolute must have! If you are tossing and turning and like a good hugging pillow then I highly reccomend this style.
• Leggings – I was never a huge legging person but I have been living in them on the weekends. They are so comfortable and good quality. And with a lot of maternity tops being tunic style they work great with a good pair of leggings and cute footwear.

If you missed the original Bumpdate, check it out here. What are your pregnancy must haves? Also, I am just starting to create my registry and I am open to all tips, tricks and recommendations!