20 weeks = Half Baked

Yes, can you believe it? We are half way done. I still can't believe it. I'm surprised at how fast this has gone by. I had my 20 week appointment yesterday where the Nurse Practitioner (have I told you how great she is?) measured my belly (right on target), measured my cervix (perfect), listened to the heartbeat, and gave me my results of the quad screen which was completely negative. She asked if I could feel the baby yet and I said that I thought so. While she listened to the heartbeat with the doppler she would ask me everytime she'd hear a kick if I could feel it. At one point I did feel one and I knew it wasn't gas. At this point we hadn't been to our ultrasound yet, so baby Courtney was still unknown. And according to the old wives tales, it seems like the fast heartbeat was the only one right. She has always had a heartbeat in the 160s.

It seems though that even in just the last few days her kicks are getting stronger. I notice them more when I'm laying down and especially after a meal. You'd think I would have felt her sooner after seeing her legs go a mile a minute during the ultrasound. The technician asked if I had had any soda before the appointment and all I had was a glass of milk with breakfast, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and the 32oz of water they require you to drink before the ultrasound (which had me in pain from such a full bladder. It was aweful). Go ahead little girl, get out all your energy inside. :)

Pregnancy: 20 weeks

Weight Gain: Up 5 total. So proud of this since I do vaguely remember devouring a 1 pound box of See's Candy over Christmas break. And yes, they were all Bordeaux's. Thanks Betsy and Jeff!

Sleep: Not so bad.

Gender: Girl, can you believe it? We are so excited.

Name: Courtney (still working on her middle name)

Feeling: Great!

Health: Great. The NP said that she wishes all her patients were like me (see, I told you I liked her.)

Movement: Yes, now that I know that is what I'm feeling. She seems to be getting stronger too.

Belly: Getting a little bigger. Lathering on my Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter and Oil. I love this stuff. It smells so good.

Next Appointment: February 10. I'll be 23w6d.

Here is my 20 week belly picture (taken yesterday before the ultrasound):


This week, baby is said to be about the size of a cantaloupe: