20 - 22 Weeks!

We are half-way there!  The weeks fly by so quickly, especially with the holidays that just passed.  I feel huge - and I'm definitely larger at 20 weeks than I was with Farrah, by about two weeks or so in my opinion.  I have a hard time catching my breath every once and awhile, and lately I've experienced a sharp pain in my inner thigh and hip that radiates into my back.  It was so bad the other night I could hardly walk.  It was better by morning but then it happened again a few days later.  I dread getting dressed and my wardrobe is very minimal right now.

I am feeling her kick especially when I lay down for the night.  I really enjoy this time.  My days are so hectic so for a brief moment each evening or when I first wake up in the morning, I get to think about and focus on the new baby girl.  I can begin to feel the kicks on the outside, but I also can tell when she is about to kick and where.  Nobody has had the opportunity to feel it themselves yet, except for Keane once.

We got to see our littlest one for her anatomy scan at my 20-week appointment.  Farrah was less impressed than I hoped she would be - and she was confused why her sister looked a little black on the sonogram.  But the baby looked great, although the ultrasound tech was terrible.  She was the same one I had previously in this pregnancy, and I even called to request someone else for this one.  My heart sank when she showed up at the door and called my name.  She didn't share the heart rate or the size of the baby.  I found out that my placenta is in the lower front on the right side and it wraps around my right side.  My doctor said that it won't be in the way for a c-section.

Of course there are a lot of things the tech needs to find and measure, but she doesn't give the parents a show at all.  Toward the end, I was beginning to get frustrated that she hadn't really shown us the baby at all.  I asked her if, when she was done, we could just watch the baby for a few minutes.  I'm glad I asked, because that was my favorite part.  We could see her long legs kicking my insides, and I could feel it each time!

At 22 weeks, we are nowhere near a name yet.  My favorite name is Nova and Keane suggested Grace.  I have been having some Braxton Hicks contractions that I know I didn't really have with Farrah.  It can be triggered from being sick or dehydrated, so I am drinking more water and I am also on the recovery from over a week long cough/cold that almost completely drug me down.

I don't have a lot of energy and I'm starting to desire to nest a little.  I really want to get the baby room ready, which really only consists of bringing in a crib to Farrah's room, and possibly some painting and redecorating, but it's such a small room that I don't think there's any reason to crunch until closer to the due date.

We are still in the process of finishing our basement - the walls are all studded, all the water lines are switched to a newer Pex material, and the can lights have been hung.  Keane has to hang the remainder of the lights and run the electricity, and Andrew will then be back to hang sheet rock and mud.  Then we need to paint, have carpet installed, and hang doors and trim!  It's up to Kylie if she wants to move downstairs to the second bedroom down there or stay upstairs in her bigger bedroom for now.  If she moves downstairs, I will move Farrah to the bigger bedroom, and if Kylie stays upstairs, I will make the second downstairs bedroom a playroom for the girls and it will help clear out some space!

It's really neat to see how much the new baby looks like Farrah!  I'm getting more anxious to meet her, and I am really anxious to decide on a name for her.  I'm really looking forward to holding her, worrying less, and seeing how the family adjusts to fit just one more life in our lives.  

I have gained 10 lbs so far and the heartburn may be beginning.  Otherwise, my symptoms have been pretty minimal.  I feel her move quite often and Keane was able to feel her last night several times (22 weeks, 2 days).