Adventures in Parenthood: Halfway!

This week marked the 20 week point in my pregnancy. We are halfway to holding the baby in our arms!

I have been really very lucky to have had a pretty easy pregnancy thus far. The first trimester was almost too easy... many days I still wondered if I was even pregnant! Other than the need to eat every two hours to avoid feeling a bit queasy, I was blessed to not experience morning sickness. The worst part was not telling the world for the first twelve weeks! I am not a very good secret-keeper. Every once in a while I get a brutal sinus headache, which I just kind of let ride with some non-medicinal stuff. That is hard knowing a little bit of medicine would cure the headache almost immediately. For a while, I do think I might have experienced pregnancy rhinitis since my nose runs... a lot! Second trimester brought me some extra energy that was severely lacking in the first trimester. And there is a slight annoyance with the pressure in my left ear; it basically feels like I can hear and feel my heart beat within my ear. But overall -- So far, so good! I certainly feel pretty blessed!

Within the last few weeks, I really think I can feel the baby moving around in there. Sometimes the pressure is pretty intense! Aaron is anxiously awaiting the day he can feel the baby move just by touching my belly. Luckily, my brother and sister-in-law let us borrow their home Doppler, so Aaron and I try and listen for the baby's heartbeat about once a week. It is so cool to see Aaron's face light up when he can hear the little heart pumping away!

I have been holding off on posting photos. I know some people are not particularly excited with ultrasound photos, while others are... so if you want to see them, here they are. If not... I won't be offended. :) With all of the ultrasounds we have had so far, the baby has been pretty cooperative and looks to be growing healthy and strong. Here are a few of my favorite shots of our little boy, Ethan!

Baby Plattner, 12 weeks,
Waving hello to the camera! 

Baby Plattner, 17 weeks & 4 days

Yes, I am a boy! No more pictures, please! 

Here is my foot. 

Ethan, 19 weeks & 5 days