20 weeks!!!

we have reached the half way point!  the first half has been an easy one for me and i hope it is an indication of what the 2nd half and labor will be like.  the first trimester i struggled with being tired and hungry all the time, but luckily i had no sickness.  so far the second trimester has been a more emotional one for me as i become more and more attached to the little being in my tummy and as we prepare to tackle new adventures in a new home state!  yikes!  lately the stress of moving soon and jarad's job has been a bit overwhelming, but we are taking it one day at a time.  we will be heading up to washington at the end of this week for a long weekend to house hunt and for a job interview for jarad.  never in my life have i felt more scared, excited, nervous, hopeful, sad and joyful all at once.  2016 will bring a lot of changes for us and the biggest one will be the addition to our family!

i gotta think my belly is ready to POP any week now!  the other night at dinner, jarad looked at me and said "wow, your belly is bigger than it was this morning!"  of course after i eat, it looks bigger, but my mom had the same reaction the other day as well telling me "i think your belly literally just popped."  so i know i am showing more and getting bigger by the day.  i have completely given up on my pre-pregnancy clothes and am sticking to yoga pants, maternity tops, maternity dresses and sweatshirts, whatever feels soft and comfy!

i am able to feel lots of movement.  i feel it most when laying down at night, but also in the morning.  i will feel it occasionally during the day, but that is much more unpredictable for me.  and i also notice it after i eat or drink something cold.  i keep having jarad put his hand on my belly, but he hasn't been able to feel anything yet.  hopefully in the next week or so as she gets bigger!  it is the neatest feeling.

with the weather changing and traveling,  i am getting very paranoid about staying healthy!  when you are pregnant, your immune system is compromised and you can't take any medication to get you better.  my doctor gave me a list of medications i can and can't take.  it is taped on my bathroom cabinet and i have it on my phone so i can have it handy. 

weight gain this week = 0
total weight gain = 1 pound

growth milestones this week...

~baby has developed some red blood cells already , and the white blood cells are being made
~taste buds are developing
~digestive system is advanced enough for water and sugar to be absorbed from amniotic fluids and pass it to the large bowel
~eyes are still shut
~at 20 weeks the baby is no longer measured from  crown to rump, but the legs are included in the measurement now from crown to heel
~baby is developing a more regular sleep pattern.  baby often becomes more active as it's mom's bedtime
~baby girls uterus is completely developed at this point
~most energy will go towards the baby gaining weight
~placenta has reached its maximum thickness and is supplying all the nutrients and oxygen and also disposing of the wastes

baby is the size of a banana!