18 weeks

I'm 18 weeks today, and the baby should be 10 inches from head to toe.  I had my monthly doctor's appointment a week and a half ago.  Everything was good.  Heartbeat sounded good and it was a quick visit.  I gained four pounds, so I'm up to 5.5 pounds so far. 

I don't know why my shirt looks psychedelic in this picture....

My sonogram to find out the gender was scheduled for Jan. 2nd, but I told Dr. Huston that I wasn't very happy with that date and I would love to find out before Christmas.  My doctor's office likes for you to be 22 weeks before they do a gender sonogram, and I would only be 20 weeks (almost 21 weeks) the week before Christmas. 

I guess they need a "reason" to do a sonogram early.  He asked how tall I was, looked at my weight chart,  and said "You're skinny". I'm going to use that in my argument to try to get your sonogram moved up. Whatever works, but did he really just call me skinny?!? I've always liked him, but now I like him even more!!!  I think he made my day (okay, maybe my month) when those words came out of his mouth. 

He worked his magic, and they called on Friday to let me know they got me in on Friday, Dec. 21st for my sonogram!  What a great early Christmas present to me!!!  Jamie find out on the 21st also, so we'll both know what our little peanuts are before Christmas. 

I wanted to do a gender reveal party with either balloons or a cake to find out the sex, but I don't know when I would be able to schedule it with the busy weekend we have planned with Christmas and my Mom and Dad's work schedules.

I've thought the entire pregnancy that the baby is a boy this time.  My pregnancy has been completely different than with Ainsley, and I just have a "feeling".  That was until last night and I had a dream about the sonogram.  We ended up going ahead and finding out during the sonogram instead of waiting until my planned "gender reveal party" to find out the sex, and it was a GIRL!  I was completely shocked!  I guess we'll have to wait a few more weeks to find out if it's a boy or girl.  We really don't care either way, and just want it to be healthy. 

I'm not as tired as I have been, and am still feeling pretty good.  I've been feeling the baby move for a few weeks now.  I haven't had a definite "kick" yet, but the baby is definitely moving around in there.  I'll never forget the first few times I felt Ainsley move.  I was so grossed/freaked out by it and would squirm around and tell her to quit! 

Last weekend I woke up with a major cramp in my lower abdomen.  I could hardly roll over in bed and stand up.  It continued throughout the morning, and eventually got a little better that afternoon.   It lasted a few days, although it wasn't as strong as the first day.  I'm sure it was the round ligament pain, and I think I remember having it with Ainsley a few times, but never as bad as it was last weekend.

Ainsley still has no clue that Mommy has a baby in her belly, even though I tell her constantly.  She's going to get a huge surprise when this baby does make its appearance!