Craving-wise I'm still really lovin' the sweets. I would be pleased as punch to be able to eat baked goods to my heart's delight. Unfortunately (and probably fortunately as well), my stomach doesn't handle too many sweets very well, and I get awful stomachaches/pains if I indulge too much. But it's definitely hard to deny them when they're a major craving! I've also been eating lots of honey nut cheerios.
Sleeping is already tricky and fairly uncomfortable. I can't stand staying on one side the whole night (I wake frequently during the night), but moving the belly from one side to the other is always a chore! It would be so helpful if we had a bigger bed (working with a double, here, how crazy is that?!) and I could sprawl out to find the perfect position. I also keep telling David how much I'd like a body pillow, but of course getting one would inevitably push David to the floor. Maybe we'll have room for one someday!
Well the best part about being in this stage of pregnancy is getting to find out the gender! I had an ultrasound at 21 weeks (it was killer waiting that extra week when I knew the gender could already be known!). David took the morning off so he could be there with us. It was a LONG ultrasound--a full hour! The technician was incredibly thorough, wanting to look at everything and take tons of pictures (we took home 20 photos, when I believe we received about 4 with Eli). Eli was terrific during the whole appointment. He had a truck and snacks with him, so between playing with his truck, eating his snack, and trying to lay down and snuggle up to Mommy, he was kept a happy boy. The appointment also lasted longer because our baby was being a true Metheny/Hayes (super stubborn) and would not uncross its legs! For weeks before the ultrasound I thought we were having a boy. I don't know why, maybe just because I have a boy and don't know any different. David (for the most part) thought it was a girl. During the ultrasound I kept looking to see that sign of a boy, and figured I eventually would. Although the technician wasn't getting a straight shot, she was pretty sure of the gender. She brought in another tech to verify her decision. Both techs told us we were officially having a GIRL! I was fairly surprised, not at all disappointed, just a little stunned. Of course I've always wanted a girl, I guess I was just never certain I'd have one (especially with a husband who only has 5 brothers!). David and I were both very happy to hear the news, and to learn that she was healthy and well.
After the appointment David went back to work, but he said it was a mistake because he wasn't able to concentrate on his assignments. He kept thinking about when she starts dating and if he'll need to start a gun collection. : ) The idea of a girl in the past always made David a little squirmish (understandably so since he didn't grow up with a sister). I tell him that this little girl is just going to melt his heart and be a Daddy's Girl, and that then he won't be able to imagine not having her. He says he's already looking forward to taking her on Daddy-Daughter dates. : )
We enjoyed getting to share our happy news with our family and friends, and were grateful for all the happy and supportive feedback! My family has most recently had three grandsons in a row, so I think everyone was ready for another little girl. I think the same day that we had our appointment I was already online trying to find the perfect bedding! (Which I did, and for a reasonable price!) It's so much fun to shop for a girl and buy things that are oh-so-pretty!
Soon after we found out the gender I also buckled down on baby names. Of course I've had an on-going list since I could write (the names change up every now and then, but the list continues!), but I studied over it more carefully, and again spent hours researching names online (always to come back to the conclusion that my own list is best). After discussing it a bit with David, her name was chosen! I feel very good about the choice, and call her by her name quite often. Unless I make an accidental slip, we won't be announcing the name until she's born. Although Eli also knows her name, so you might be able to get it out of him. ; )
I think I started really feeling the baby move a few weeks ago, and she's sure active! Her movements are getting stronger, so David and Eli have both been able to feel her, and I've seen my belly move a few times. I love that she's the most active when I'm resting so that I can focus on feeling where she's at and talk to her. I know those movements will all-too-soon become uncomfortable and even painful, but it really is amazing to know your baby is growing and developing inside you!
Eli has been really interested and excited about the baby and my belly. He loves to pull up my shirt, touch my belly, and say "Hi, baby!" He amazes me by saying things like "baby growing" and "baby kicking" when he sees and feels my belly, and "baby crying" when I mention how I'm so hungry, and the baby's hungry, too. He knows he's having a sister and that he'll be the big brother. We got a book that he enjoys reading called I'm a Big Brother Now. I talk with him about how he'll get to be a big helper when the baby comes. I hope we can keep the excitement and good feelings going when she actually arrives! I'm sure he'll struggle with less attention and having to be more patient for his demands, but I hope in time they'll be the best of buds!
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