18 Weeks

My Hope JarPregnant Again After Loss, Uncategorized

It’s hard to believe, but I’m 18 weeks pregnant today! It’s even harder to believe I’m only 2 weeks away from reaching the half way point. Where did the time go?

With each week that passes, I begin to feel a bit more relaxed with this pregnancy. We’re still 10 weeks away from my big milestone, the 28 week mark so I still have some anxiety, but it’s much better then it was. Reaching 28 weeks is a big milestone for me because I was just shy of 28 weeks when I had to have an emergency c-section with Holdon. At 27 1/2 weeks it all came crashing down. The 28 week point will be the most pregnant I have ever been.

Up until now, I hadn’t allowed myself to think that far ahead, but I’m starting to look to it now and have hope that it will be different this time. My SIL and a good friend want to throw me a baby shower on October 18th. I’ll be 29 weeks that day. Both my Mom and my MIL will be visiting along with my SIL at that time, so it’s a really good time to have it. A small nagging part of me wonders if I’ll make it that long, but a bigger part of me is feeling really optimistic about it and finally allowing myself to consider what it will be like to have a baby shower. I never got to have one when I was pregnant with Holdon. My MIL threw a little party with family when I was visiting her in Chicago the week before my emergency C, but it wasn’t really a shower. We never made it far enough to plan a real shower. So thinking about getting to have a real a baby shower is a bit surreal to me. Part of me is scared to even think that far ahead right now, but another part of me is getting excited for it.

It helps that I’ve been feeling our little man move the past couple weeks, and my SIL surprised me with a home doppler last week, so I’ve also been listening to his amazing heartbeat. I had been debating getting one since around the 10 week mark, but talked myself out it because I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find the heartbeat and then I’d worry. But since my SIL gave us one, I really couldn’t resist giving it a try. After a brief moment of anxiety when all I heard was the static of the doppler, I moved it over to the right side of my belly and there it was, loud and clear. It was so cool! It really helps ease the little worries that like to creep in. Now I just have to resist the urge to do it all the time!

We have our anatomy scan on Monday, August 11th. I think once that’s done I’ll finally be ready to announce this pregnancy to the world. The anatomy scan was supposed to be on Wednesday the 13th, but that day didn’t work for my husband’s schedule, so I called back and got it changed to the 11th, which made me happy because it’s 2 days sooner! We also have an appointment with Dr. S on Thursday the 7th, so we’ll get to see little man twice in just a few days 🙂

Now for my 18 week progress report…

How far along?  18 Weeks

Total weight gain? 6 lbs

Maternity clothes? Still 50/50 regular clothes and maternity clothes. I’m mostly wearing maternity tops now because my belly really popped out in the past two weeks (see my belly pics below), and most of my regular tops are a bit short now. Some of my longer T-shirts are still okay and I’m also still getting away with yoga pants/shorts, leggings, and jersey skirts and dresses. Jeans are a different story. I’m still making them work with my belly band, but I think this is going to change soon now that I’m starting to put on some weight and my belly is really popping out. I tried on a pair of my old maternity jeans from my first pregnancy and they really are so much more comfortable.

Stretch marks? Nothing so far.

Sleep: Sleep is not great. I’m getting used to sleeping on my side now, but I still wake up a lot throughout the night, and I keep getting these weird headaches from tension in my neck and shoulders that I’m assuming is from the side sleeping. So all in all, I’m still  pretty tired and the headaches make it even harder to get through my day.

Best moment this week: Getting to hear our little guy’s heartbeat on the home doppler and feeling real movement.

Miss anything? Sleeping on my back.

Movement: Yes! It’s not every day yet, but I have definitely felt some very distinct pokes and flutters in the past 2 weeks. The most notable was other day. I woke up at 5 am to pee, and was a bit hungry, but wasn’t ready to get up yet so I just had a glass of milk and got back into bed. Then about 20 minutes later, little man went to town kicking or whatever he was doing on the left side of my belly. It was amazing. I told my hubby later when we both got up and he kept rubbing my belly and saying “kick me baby”. It was hilarious. I told him it will still be a few more weeks before they’re strong enough for him to feel.

Food cravings/Aversions: Still craving salty foods and hydrating foods like cucumber and watermelon. I’m also still loving orange juice and oranges in morning. Basically anything fresh and crisp or anything pickled is amazing. I’m also loving bacon, but I don’t think it’s a real craving because I’ve always loved bacon. I’m just loving it more these days 🙂

Anything making you feel queasy or sick: No! I think this has finally passed. Woohoo!

Showing? Yep, there’s no hiding it now! I’ve decided to make our big announcement in 2 weeks at the 20 week mark. We’ll have the anatomy scan done by then, so I think I’ll finally be ready, and my belly is definitely making it known to the world already. I’ve had to be really careful to not have any pics of me show up on Facebook and Instagram recently.

Gender: A boy!

Labor signs: No! And not for a really long time I hope!

Symptoms: All about the same.The most notable new symptom is the weird tension headaches, but I really think those are from sleeping on my side. Hopefully I’ll figure out what to do with my pillows soon so this gets better.

Belly button in or out? In.

Wedding ring on or off? On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Still pretty emotional, but mostly really happy.

Looking forward to: Our next OB appointment on August 7th and our anatomy scan on August 11th.

What’s Going on with Baby:

  • At 18 Weeks baby is about 5.6 inches long and weighs about 6.7  ounces and is about the size of a sweet potato.
  • He’s yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing.
  • He’s also twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, and he’s big enough that I can now feel it 🙂

Here are my belly pics for 17 and 18 weeks, and I have included my 16 week pic again so you can really see how much my belly has popped out in the past 2 weeks.

BellyPics16-18WeeksI just want to sign off with this pic of my 3 Willow Tree ornaments. The one of the couple dancing was given to us by my mother when we got married, the pregnant one was given to me by my MIL when I became pregnant with Holdon, and the third is a little angel holding a baby and was a gift from my mother after we lost Holdon. I keep these on a glass shelf in our living room on the other side of the room from the windows, but the other night I happened to glance over at the shelf and noticed the light reflecting like a rainbow on the angel/baby and pregnant ornaments. I have no idea how the light reached there from the window across the room, but it gave me chills. I think this is a true sign that Holdon is watching out for us and protecting his little brother, our rainbow baby 🙂

WillowTreeRainbow

 

 

 

 

38 thoughts on “18 Weeks”

  1. Girl, you look Awesome! You have definitely popped. Love it! I also love me some orange juice in the morning. I go through a bottle a week all by myself. I also got that pregnant willow tree figurine when I was pregnant with my son ten years ago. They are such a special way to remember, aren’t they? I’m excited for you and for your upcoming shower! October will be here before you know it!!! Love ya my friend!

  2. Wow, the sign from Holdon is amazing. I think you’re right about his presence. So glad things are going mostly well and sending love and hope for your jar in the coming weeks.

  4. The willow figurines are very sentimental to me–my Mom left me one in my “wedding box”. I’m so in love with your belly! Looking forward to more milestones! XOXO

    1. I remember your post about the one your mom gave you. I only have the three, but they’re very sentimental to me too. I’m looking forward to more milestones from you too! I’m so glad you’re feeling a little better!

  6. You look absolutely adorable! So glad to hear alls going well and wow it’s almost time for anatomy scan! That light you saw is just beautiful… hugs!

    1. Thanks! I know, it’s hard to believe we’re already here! Been thinking about you. Hope all is well with you and your little one. Can’t wait for your next update! Hugs back!

  7. That picture of the Willow Tree ornaments really struck me, I got a bit if a shiver down my spine! Very cool. You look amazing! XOXO

  8. I am right there with you, excited and scared. I love this post though, that you can feel and hear him. <3 I also love the Willow figurines, my mom loved them too. The rainbow is an amazing sign. Much love and hugs

    1. I know it’s so hard to not fear the worst, but we just have to keep taking it one day at a time and hoping it all continues to go smoothly. Much love and hugs back!

  9. Yay! Love the update, as always. That’s an awesome pic of the Willow Tree ornaments too! Now you make me want to move my anatomy scan up a few days!! 10 days to go for me – it’s getting closer at least! I hope all goes well at your next two appointments!

    1. I know, I was surprised I could change it. Hang in there hon, those 10 days will be here before you know it 🙂 Hope all goes well at your appointment too! And yay for finally finding out your baby’s gender!

  10. You are such a beautiful Mommy! I am so excited to hear about the baby shower! And I cannot wait for your anatomy scan. Little man is going to be amazing and perfect! Thank goodness that nausea has passed…I know that a few have been just destroyed by it.
    Also, I love pickles too, but I always did. Kinda my same feelings towards bacon!

  12. You are gorgeously pregnant! It is SO good to see these pics!!! Love, love, love. So truly happy that this is happening for you!!!! Keep the pics coming!!! Each one is a victory!!

        1. I think it’s a good sign that your embryos are looking great and they want to wait until day 5. Sending you so many prayers! I will be thinking about you tomorrow!

  14. I love reading this! I am glad you are finally able to relax a little with each milestone which I know is so tough to do when you have been through losses. It gives me such hope when I hear these positive stories:)

    1. Thanks so much hon <3 I remember thinking the same thing whenever I would read a positive story from one of our fellow RPL bloggers. It gave me the strength to keep going. Sending you strength and praying for your next pregnancy. May it bring you your miracle baby. Hugs hon <3

  15. 18 weeks and looking great! SO very happy for you and glad you get to see that little boy twice in the next week or so. I have a u/s this Thursday and the anatomy scan the following Friday. I’m realizing that I do need more frequent reassurance and am going to schedule accordingly going forward.

    You and I both have the same time frame goal (I lost L at 26 weeks). I don’t know about you, but I feel the anxiety creeping up. Actually, you said you were feeling more calm – I’m jealous. I need to get there, but am just not sure how. Anyway… so glad you are feeling good and looking great!

    1. No, the anxiety keeps creeping up for me too, but I’m pushing it as far down as I can. Some days are easier than others 🙂 It does help that I’ve been finding the heartbeat on the doppler consistently and I’ve been feeling a lot of activity, especially in the past few days 🙂 Hope you start to feel some steady movement soon too and that it will help ease your mind a bit. Sending you prayers for Thursday! As for the extra monitoring, I’m sure your doctor will accommodate you given your history. My Dr. told me to contact her whenever I needed too, and starting at 24 weeks, I’ll be seeing her every 2 weeks rather than every month just to make sure all is continuing to go well and I’m not having a recurrence of HELLP. Hang in there hon! We’ll get through this together <3

  16. Jo, there is no doubt in my mind that the rainbow over your Willow Tree Pregnant Mom and Angel holding Baby is a sign from above. Holdon, with Gods help is surely watching over you. Let your Faith be greater then your Fear, remember, this has carried you this far.

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