19 weeks

I'm at 19 weeks now and nothing really new to report. Next week will be the big news with the whole gender unveiling, so this week seems a bit weak on announcements. I did actually gain two pounds this past week, which is somewhat significant since I haven't gained any weight thus far. I hope my double lunches are working, but we'll get the official stats next Friday when I have my monthly OB visit.

My stomach is continuing to grow, and I'm pretty much unable to button my jeans and dress pants (without causing serious discomfort to my mid-section anyway). I'll probably be 100% unable to button up even with some serious contortionist moves in the next week or two. Luckily, my friend Lauren recommended this belly band thing, which is a stretchy, nylon piece of fabric that looks like a tube top or late 80's mini skirt, depending on position. Anyway, it's tight enough that it fits snugly over the top part of your pants so that you don't need to button the top enclosure but it smooths any flaps/buttons and keeps everything together. Very ingenious, especially because it keeps me in my current pants which I may be in for a while at this pace, when only my belly seems to be growing (not that I'm complaining about this...)

I do believe now that I've begun to feel the baby, without question. It's either the baby I'm feeling or something else is living in my gut and should probably be checked out my a medical professional. I understand why people find it hard to describe - it's really extremely subtle at times, but it doesn't feel like a flutter to me. More like very muted bumps from within (I'm imagining a Super Mario Brothers water level, swimming to the top of the screen and bumping Mario's head against the top). Whatever it feels like, I'm already getting attached to the movement and look forward to more obvious action. Until my ribs or cervix start to get punched that is...

In baby development news, he should be about six inches long and over half a pound in weight. He also just started being able to hear noise, potentially, if it's loud enough. If noise is a factor, he may be most familiar with Cash, our barky Beagle-son, by the time he gets to meet us face-to-face...I'm still researching day care providers and registry stuff, and think I have things fairly well organized, thanks to Google and friend/mom suggestions. I should be able to devote a ton of Easter Sunday time to these tasks and maybe make some real progress. In the meantime, we'll be anxiously awaiting next Thursday's ultrasound, and to see who's speculation was right...