baby on the way

Yep...it's true!  We could not be more thrilled to announce the upcoming arrival of our very first baby girl.  I figure now that I'm halfway there (20 weeks!), I'd better start documenting my pregnancy and sharing a little piece of our excitement! 

First of all, this pregnancy has been a breeze. (Sorry ladies!)  I really have been so blessed to have it so easy.  I had been warned that the first trimester would be brutal, but besides a few queasy weeks (7-9), the only other symptoms I experienced were a weird appetite and some serious sleepiness.  I could sleep in until 10 and still desperately need a 3 hour nap by the afternoon.  No nausea, thankfully, just some motion sickness and dizziness at the beginning.  Now that I'm into the second trimester, my energy's back and I'm feeling great!  

Now to catch up on the past 20 weeks, a few pregnancy updates...

• Suspicions on Gender (before we found out): I knew for sure it was a boy...mostly because I wanted a girl so bad and I knew I wasn't that lucky. You can imagine how ecstatic I was when we found out :)  I think I insulted the ultrasound technician with how many times I asked, "Are you sure?" "Are you really sure?" "Are you absolutely positive?!" At 16 weeks they were "99% sure," and at our 20 week ultrasound they confirmed, once again, that she is indeed a little girl. Still dying of excitement!
• Aches or Pains: None, really. Just barely starting to feel some back discomfort while sitting or laying in certain positions. I'm sure this is only the start...
• Sleeping: Lots and lots of it! Starting to get uncomfortable just in the past few days... I've always understood how a big belly would make it difficult to sit up and move around in bed, but WOW, I did not realize how soon those muscles would go away- long before the belly even comes! (Didn't even realize rolling over in bed required any muscles...) My abs are gone. It's pathetic.
• Maternity Clothes: Thankfully, not yet! Let's be honest, I'd much rather be spending my pennies on baby girl's wardrobe, not on new clothes for me I'll only be able to wear a for few weeks at a time.  There's definitely a little baby bump there, but luckily I'm carrying high enough that it hasn't affected my pants yet. Hoping to hold out at least a few more weeks!
• Cravings: No consistent cravings, but whatever it is that I'm craving in the moment, I MUST have it. This has ranged from Kneader's turkey sandwiches and real-fruit strawberry popsicles in the beginning...to ice-cream, popcorn, cake, donuts, fast-food breakfast, KFC (what?!), and pizza in the recent weeks. Hopefully I'll start craving fruits and veggies one of these days...whoops!
• Baby Movement: Just started feeling her this past week! It feels like little twitches inside me, sometimes it even tickles. I absolutely LOVE IT. There's really a baby in there!
• Baby Items Purchased: TOO MANY. I can't help it! My parents were generous enough to spoil us with our stroller/carseat combo (thanks mom and dad!), and other than that it's just been lots and lots of clothes. My personal favorite purchase has been her sparkly pink jellies (pictured below). I'm dying. (Oh, and I guess we bought a crib and a changing table/dresser set too. But that was months ago, WAY TOO EARLY, we are aware. Clearly first-time parents, cut us some slack :)
• Best Moment So Far: Catching Ryan sneaking around the nursery...peeking in her closet at all her clothes, "test driving" her stroller... :) I think what I'm most excited for is watching him become a daddy. He just adores this baby girl already and it is absolutely melting my heart. 

We are so in love already! December cannot come soon enough!