18 Weeks Pregnant

Somehow I have made it to 18 weeks pregnant, and it really feels like the time has flown by.  I think having a toddler to run around after means you have a lot less to time to just be pregnant.  My next update will signify the half way mark and it is not long until the anomoly scan where we can check everything is ok, and hopefully find out the gender!  Squish is about the size of a bell pepper now and busy putting on weight as he or she is getting bigger by the day - just like me!  Here is my 18 week bump shot;

On the Outside

The bump growth has definitely slowed down, although I still have a lot of people convinced there is twins in there (3 under 18 months . . . ahhhh!)  I have done quite a bit of maternity clothes shopping as I am finding them a lot more comfortable and all I have from my last pregnancy is shorts and vests.  My skin is definitely feeling better and  my hair is refusing to let go of any odd strands and getting thicker.  I am not a believer in the pregnancy glow, but I am feeling very healthy.  

On the Inside

I felt the first proper kicks in the bath a couple of days ago and it was lovely.  I have felt lots of bubbles and wriggles but now there are little kicks I am hoping the bloke will be able to feel squish moving soon.  Still feeling very healthy and full of energy, although I did fit in a day time nap on tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I bought a couple of newborn bits this week (let's hope I guessed the gender right) and it is so strange seeing how teeny tiny they are - Dylan is going to seem so big when Squish is here
I am having the same odd and annoying symptom I had with my last pregnancy where my left ear gets blocked and I can unpop it by turning my head upside down (nothing else works) yet the moment my head is the right way up it is blocked again.  It happens mostly at work or if I am out walking, which makes doing any exercise very difficult! It didn't go last time until I had the baby so looking forward to another 22 weeks of blocked ears!

It's not too late to enter my giveaway and win some Palmer's cocoa butter goodies, just take a guess whether you think Squish is a little brother or sister for Dylan - all will be revealed very soon!

You can also check out my other pregnancy posts 

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The First Flutterings

There is nothing more reassuring than feeling that little growing baby start wriggling around.  The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are hard, with the tiredness, the secrets and the sickness for some, but I found every little symptom reassuring, as it told me that my baby was doing well, getting comfy and telling my body about its presence.

12 weeks comes and goes, and the symptoms start to lessen..  My energy came back and everyone knew about our pregnancy.  My bump started to slow down growth as the bloating became more baby, but I had no way of knowing that this little creature was ok in there.

I remember the first time I had felt Dylan move.  I was having a spring picnic with some friends and had bought myself a coca cola, even though I knew I couldn't really handle caffeine.  I had to leave early and walked to work.  When I sat down at work I felt this odd sensation in my tummy, like bubbles popping against it, and all in  the same place.  I remember sitting there with a giant grin on my face as I finally understood this was my baby moving.  It wasn't the first time I had felt something similar but suddenly it was stronger and more confident and I knew what it was. I was 19 weeks and with an anterior placenta I had been told it might be later that I felt the baby kick.  At the 20 week scan it was all confirmed.  I mentioned where baby was moving and the sonographer scanned over that part and saw his little legs kicking outwards.

This pregnancy, my placenta is at the back, meaning there is less of a barrier between Squish and the outside world.  It means I was likely to feel movement a lot earlier and I certainly have.  I was nearly 15 weeks pregnant when I first felt this little wriggler and I knew that it was my baby telling me everything was alright in there.  I don't feel it all day but most days, several times a day I feel the all too familiar bubbling that tells me Squish is awake and having a wiggle.  

I know it is still early and it will be quite a while before you can feel the little kicks and punches from the outside.  I know that some days I don't really feel anything, either because I am too busy to notice or because Squish is facing in a different direction and kicking my bladder or something else.  I do however, cherish every single movement, and if you see me sat there smiling, hands hovering over my tummy then you know there is a little party going on in my womb.

Those first flutterings are magical.  They are light and small but powerful in their own way.  It won't be long until I am wishing this baby will nap at appropriate times and let me get some sleep, but until then I intend to enjoy my little secret kicks - I love not having to share my little Squish with anyone as I know once he or she is here, everyone will be wanting a cuddle!

How did your baby's first movements make you feel?  Do you still remember the first time you felt them?

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