Half Way There!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 20. The half way mark!

Baby is the size of a small cantaloupe!

We are half way there so I thought I would share my expectations versus reality & thoughts!

Baby Bump- I never thought I would be half way through and not really have a bump! I had visions of having this enormous belly after 12 weeks but in reality no one can really tell I am pregnant! (umm unless I have a huge lunch and seltzer water).

Here is my latest picture..... I am finally starting to get a bump!

Morning sickness- Sooo much worse than expected. I thought I would be somewhat nauseous and it would be gone by noon. In reality I had nausea every day 24-7 until about 18 weeks. I would actually wake up in the middle of the night from nausea. I actually remember the day it really started it was March 16th and we were at the Elton John concert. I thought I was not going to be able to stay for the whole show.  It was that intense. I also thought that at 12 weeks it would magically disappear (that's what all the books say!) not the case. Although it is mostly gone I still get some waves here and there and I have had some random days where it has been full on again. As bad as it was on some level I liked being so sick - it meant that there was something really happening and according to my doctors severe morning sickness is a sign of a healthy pregnancy.

Cravings and Aversions- Mostly aversions not so many carvings! I thought I would be craving all sorts of things not fruits and veggies! On the other hand the aversions threw me for a loop. No sweets seriously? seriously? I did have a moment at Whole Foods the other day. I was alternating between a spoon of chicken noodle soup, a grape and a spoonful of smashed yams only to look up and catch this fellow patron staring at me with an amused look on his face!

Unexpected pregnancy symptoms- sensitive teeth and weird dreams.

Other surprises and things I am grateful for:

How cute baby clothes are!

Besides the morning sickness- how good I feel physically.

My job- Sooo lucky that I can come home between clients and nap!

How hard it is to find baby items made in the USA!

How overwhelming baby gear is. Having lived abroad where most of this stuff doesn't even exist. I ask is this stuff really necessary?

Probably the best medical care in the U.S. and having access to the top obstetricians in the country.  I actually had an hour long consult with the head of Duke obstetrics. Seriously! Cutting edge technology here in the NC. 4D ultrasounds- fetal DNA tests at 10 weeks- absolutely amazing! Lab results almost immediately!

Hunger: Baby G kicks me when I get hungry! I feel like I have Seymour from Little Shop oh Horrors in my belly yelling FEED ME!!!!