Growing belly - 21 weeks

I just thought I'd quickly add some pictures of my growing belly this week. Perhaps the little one has been going through a growth spurt, because I've been feeling a dull ache in my tummy for a few days. I've read about this being referred to as round ligament pain - the ligaments around your uterus stretch and thicken to support the growth.

I've also noticed that what used to be delicate little flutters has turned into slightly more forceful and harder movement as she tries to settle and get comfortable. It already keeps me awake some nights, so I can only imagine what I have to look forward to as there becomes less and less space in there!

Nug bought me a 'pregnancy pillow' when I was sick in my first trimester. They're meant to help you sleep when it gets too uncomfortable to sleep on your stomach/back, and it sort of balances you out when you sleep on your side and throw a leg over. Well, I've gotten to the stage where I am ready to use it, but I'm too late - Nug has become too attached to it himself! I've substituted with something else, but do you think there is much room in our bed? Forget about it.

Half Way - 20 weeks

A couple of days ago, I had my highly anticipated gender scan, but believe it or not, our little one's gender was actually the last thing we were thinking about. Nug was able to come with me for the first time which was wonderful, and I know we both appreciated each others support. Before you start to think there is something wrong, let me say, there's definately not. I'll get to our baby in a minute but first I just want to take a moment to think about friends of ours who were forced to say good-bye to their growing little one this week, far too soon. I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through but our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them, with love.

With everything now in perspective, we are even more grateful for the excellent health of our growing baby. I'll take heartburn and a sore back any day. Our appointment went really well, and the scan showed our beautifully developing little 300 gram alien! The heartbeat is still loud and strong, and its weight and anatomy measurements are all right on track. In the ultrasound picture above, you can see the spine, and the stomach (the black circle), and the doctor has put the cursor where its heart was beating. Because of the position the baby is in, Dr Katayama still couldn't get a visible of the boy/girl parts, but from the angles he could get, he said he is 90% sure its a girl....

We're both very excited! Nug wants her to have certain personality attributes of his so they can drive me crazy together, and I want to have a little friend who likes girly things and doesn't care about cricket! Would you believe we're already in negotiations regarding what sports she'll play?

My tummy is getting a little bit bigger every week, and I find that I am ALWAYS hungry. When your husband's reaction to your growing stomach (at a small 18 weeks, I might add!) is, 'Oh my god, that is bad,' it doesn't instill a lot confidence (he quickly back tracked and said it just 'caught him by surprise'), but now that he has seen (and heard) her, I think he might just believe I am in fact pregnant, and not just getting fat and lazy! All jokes aside, we are very lucky and are really enjoying this time. I can feel her moving around all the time, and I can't wait til Nug can start feeling those kicks and pokes too.

The Belly - 18 weeks

I can't believe I am 18 weeks, and into my fifth month. It's crazy how fast the time goes! It's lovely to finally be able to do normal things, and actually get excited about having our little baby in my tummy. I've started to feel it fluttering around, which is pretty surreal. It started on NYE - must have been the angelic voices at karaoke! It's very faint and I generally have to be not doing anything to properly notice it.

My tummy is finally growing, and though its still pretty unnoticable in clothes, I think, at my next appointment in 2 weeks, the tape measure will finally show a couple of extra centimetres growth around my abdomen. It's a pretty wierd stage where I don't really look pregnant, just like I have this potbelly type thing! Fortunately, all my clothes still fit though I wonder for how much longer?

We've been chatting about names, and we do agree on a few beautiful ones, but the discussion seems to go round in circles. True to form (my husband is VERY black and white), Nug likes two or three names and that's it. I do see his point: 'I like these names, why think of others?' but there are MANY shades of grey, and names that he just hasn't thought of! We 'vito' each others suggestions that we absoloutely don't like (he thinks some of mine are too pretentious, and I think some of his are too 'rugby league'). It's also very hard to get away from the 'I knew/taught a (insert name) and don't like it anymore.' Maybe we'll just name it Tokyo.

I can't wait for my next scan in 2 weeks. Hopefully the little one cooperates this time round. I can't believe it will be my second last appointment in Japan!