Welcome Back, 20's!

I realized the other day that I'm doing a fairly horrendous job of documenting this pregnancy and while daily I don't feel like there's too  much exciting stuff going on I know that one day I'll want to reflect upon this time.  So from here on out I'll try to post an update at least once a month.  Better late than never, right?

I may have just kissed my 20's good bye, but on October 21st they resurrected themselves in the form of weeks of pregnancy.  October 21st was 20 weeks and thus the official halfway point of this journey.  I really haven't been taking pictures of my belly or anything mainly because I still think it looks like I'm incubating several rounds of chinese buffet rather than an actual human child.  However, one day at work I recognized that I actually did look a little bit pregnant if you squinted right and tilted your head just so.  My sister didn't really believe me, so I had no choice but to send her an awful picture snapped in our work bathroom.  Oh yes, I went there.

 This is what 19 weeks & 2 days looks like from a work bathroom.

This is what 21 weeks & 3 days looks like.  This time from our own tiny half bath.  (Why yes, I DID get a new phone case - thank you for noticing).

This is 22 weeks with a photobombing Lola.

So now that we've covered my appearance - how am I feeling?  I actually feel pretty great.  My energy level is back and I'm loving it.  I'm finally being productive again which Ryan and the dust bunnies in our house are all very thankful for. The only physical thing that's really notable is that I am already having a hard time sleeping.  I wake up what feels like every time I roll over and have become almost physically incapable of sleeping past 6:30 or 7:00 am.  (Mom, are you gasping?)

For a few weeks now I've felt INCREDIBLY sporadic things that I think might be movement but then talk myself into thinking they're something else (like my PB&J making itself at home).  On Saturday October 20th, I started feeling something more consistently that I'm pretty sure is our little dance/soccer star in training practicing her high kick.  I actually felt it the first time as Ryan and I were discussing possible middle names.  We finally decided on one and I interpreted her kick as her vote of approval.  Since then she has also kicked her approval of both Chick-fil-a and Lupe's.  Girlfriend clearly has impeccable taste.

What else, what else?  Ryan & I have started tackling some nursery planning tasks.  I'll cover those in another post at a later date once things start coming together.  Currently the nursery still looks like a big brown cave with brown carpet and brown walls inherited when we bought the house. 

I have also nobly taken on the task of making sure that baby girl has an appropriate wardrobe ready when she arrives.  I was proud of myself for waiting 5 days after gender reveal before I started purchasing things.  I would say that's quite the embodiment of self-restraint, right?

 I could just eat this up.  That's awkward though, so I'll refrain.

Girlfriend's got to keep her feet well clothed.  Duh.

Ryan despises Uggs.  He once stole an ex-GF's Uggs and hid them from her.  So the fact that he sanctioned this fake Ugg purchase is a testament to a father's love.

Baby girl is not the only one who's expanding her wardrobe these days.  I officially dove into the maternity wear pool.  Let's discuss for just a moment, shall we?  Maternity pants are simultaneously the most amazing and weird things I've ever purchased.  Going to work in pants that have no zipper or button makes my inner accountant feel like I'm breaking some very cardinal dress code rules.  Additionally, the service in the maternity stores is top notch.  They must be used to some crazy hormonal women because they are on top of their game.  Why yes, you can get my fitting room started after I've only barely grazed one item.  And THANK YOU for telling me that I don't look nearly as far along as my cow-feeling self is.  The wedding industry could learn a thing or two.

We had our anatomy scan on October 29th at just over 21 weeks.  Everything went well and homegirl is measuring right on schedule.  Another important tidbit - she is still a little miss.  It would have been really awkward to explain the hot pink "I love Daddy" sweatsuit I bought if her parts had morphed.  Apparently she now weighs 1 pound.  Where the others are coming from is anyone's guess.  Here are some pics of my favorite little ladybug.

 Putting her best foot forward.  Brendan, she is probably channeling your ability to do the Cha Cha Slide here. 

Sweet little ladybug profile.