Checkpoint

Have you ever played the car racing game at an arcade where you hit the halfway mark and the woman shouts "Checkpoint" in a very excited voice...? Well, that's what I imagined hearing when I woke up this morning and realized we were at the halfway mark. Twenty weeks!! Five months?! How is it possible I am already half way done cooking this little baby? Unbelievable!

According to BabyCenter Baby H is around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana (or about the size of a cantaloupe). I just learned that for the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and we'll see it in his first soiled diaper.

I gained four pounds this month, which is right on target and am officially in maternity pants for good! They are just so comfy and I couldn't bear to squeeze into my regular pants anymore-- even with the Bella Band. I had a major growth spurt in the last month and am now visibly pregnant. Strangers are commenting and it feels good! Now people don't have to wonder if I'm just fat ;) I am still playing tennis a few times a week and walking with my buddy Robyn as often as we can. Sleeping continues to get more difficult, but my sister Alex loaned me her body pillow and I managed to find a comfy enough position last night where I only woke up twice! That's a huge improvement!

I didn't want to keep taking bare belly photos, but it really is the best way to see how much I have grown and since I keep this blog more for myself than anything else...here goes! My mom and sister took a few pictures of me last night and even though they are technically 19 weeks 6 days, I was too sleepy this morning to set up my camera and try again! The shadow is a bit dramatic in the second shot, but you can see how I am definitely filling out! I'll try and get another pic today after our Dr. appointment!

Alex, Me, and Baby H...................................and a 20 week Bare Belly!

And because I am a dork and just couldn't help myself,
here is one last photo of me and Baby H.

Happy Halfway Point Baby Boy H!
Can't wait to "see" you in a few hours!