This probably should've been a much more exciting post, except the first few times I felt Baby Lump move, I wasn't exactly sure it was Baby Lump moving.� So yeah, the title of this post probably should've JUST been, "OMG! I Felt The Baby!"

I'm not going to lie - I've always been under the impression that the first time you feel your baby, it's some kind of monumental kicking sensation that anyone else who has their hand on your belly can also feel.� This is not the case.� James has yet to feel a thing.� In fact, the first few times I felt movement, I was pretty sure it was indigestion.� It wasn't until several feelings of "indigestion" later that I realized I was an idiot.

What's cool is that lately, Baby Lump's movement has been much more pronounced.� Most women describe the feeling of movement as butterflies fluttering and goldfish swimming around (or, just plain gas).� I can generally agree with this, but honestly, it just feels like there's a baby moving around in my belly :o)

Oven Timer: 20 weeks, 4 days

Topics: Milestones, pregnancy, little baby lump, kicking, movement

I hit an important pregnancy milestone on Monday - the halfway point!� It's hard to believe I only have about four and a half months left before Baby Lump pops out.� I had another appointment Monday, and Dr. Stagg says everything is looking A-okay.� She also whipped out the tape measure and started measuring my belly this week.� Things are right on track!

If any of you are curious since my last post, I did remember to ask her about the hiccuping sitch.� She said hiccups are a result of an irritation of the diaphragm and speculates that the added pressure of the baby is just causing more frequent irritation.� And no, apparently it's not that common.� I'm just weird.

Also, the beach was great!� The weather was perfect, the water was beautiful, and despite James' unwillingness to wear sunscreen and his subsequent sunburn, he had a great first time at the Jersey shore.

I've also been looking into some childbirth education classes, since apparently it's about that time.� After some careful thought, I decided I want to give birth naturally.� That's right - no meds for me.� My mom delivered both my sisters and I naturally, so I decided I wanted to be brave as well.� Plus, I love myself a challenge (as if raising the the pending baby won't be enough of a challenge).� Anyway, when my mom basically laughed in my face after I told her I was planning on just winging the natural childbirth thing sans instruction, I figured I'd look into some classes.

As of this coming October, Mass General Hospital will be holding all of their family education courses through Isis Maternity, a series of pregnancy wellness centers in Massachusetts, which works out great for us since we can attend classes right in Brookline - much closer than downtown at MGH.� I'm hoping to enroll in the Natural Childbirth class in October, but I'm still banging out the details.

Enjoy the last few days of summer!

Oven Timer: 20 weeks, 2 days

Topics: Weekly Updates, Milestones, beach, natural childbirth, pregnancy, Isis Maternity, little baby lump, Mass General Hospital, 20 weeks, family education classes

I had a fun little pregnancy milestone today: I broke out and wore my maternity jeans for the first time.� Let me tell you - you've been missing out.� I can't stress how incredibly comfortable maternity pants are.

I actually encourage every woman to invest in a pair for the sole purpose of wearing during major food consumption holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Super Bowl.� Not a huge investment either - I bought mine on sale for only $14.99 at Old Navy (be careful though; not all Old Navy stores have maternity sections).� I bet you it'd be completely worth your money.� No need to unbutton your pants when your waste band stretches to accommodate your growing belly - whether it be full of baby or full or turkey.� Just a thought.

I'm also 18 weeks today, which means Baby Lump weighs between five to seven ounces and is almost six inches long.� To stick with the food metaphor, this means he/she is about the size of a deli pickle.

Why do I have a craving for ice cream all of a sudden?� I kid, I kid.� ;o)

Oven Timer: 18 weeks

Topics: Weekly Updates, Milestones, holidays, shopping, pregnancy, little baby lump, Old Navy, 18 weeks, motherhood, maternity clothes

[caption id="attachment_76" align="alignleft" width="266" caption="baby lump's head/brain"][/caption]

On Monday I had my second ultrasound, and I'm happy to report James and I were able to stick to our guns and deny the opportunity to find out baby lump's sex.� Although I'm not sure how well James would've done on his own - he got kind of excited when the technician mistakenly said "And those are his legs ... ummm or hers!"

An easy enough slip-up, I'm sure.� It's much easier to say "his" than "the baby's" all the time.� Plus, I'm pretty sure they're not really allowed to address the baby as "it."� I bet that has some kind of controversial connotation.� You know, the whole "is a fetus really a person yet?" argument.

Anyway, I'm also happy to report that (as far as they can tell via ultrasound) Baby Lump is completely happy and healthy (okay - I added the happy part).� James and I could see all of the bones (fingers, toes, spine, ribs, etc.) as well as the eyes, kidneys, brain, stomach and beating little heart (132 beats/minute - normal!).� It was pretty amazing, to say the least.

I asked the technician how big the baby is at this point, but he said it's tough to tell since he/she is confined to the womb and can't exactly stretch out straight.� However, all the week-by-week pregnancy sites I visit tell me the baby is approximately five inches long - "about the size of the baked potato."� It's funny how many of these sites use food - often fruit - as a means of measurement.� I swear, a few weeks ago the baby was the size of a peach.

Check out the "Sonograms" page for more baby pictures!

Oven Timer: 17 weeks, 2 days

Topics: Weekly Updates, Milestones, Announcements, ultrasound, gender, pregnancy, sonogram, little baby lump, fetus, 17 weeks