Adventures in Pregnancy: 20 Weeks
10 Mar 2014
There are definitely some signs of expansion around here! But, let’s cut right to the chase: it’s a…
BOY!! I never want to forget the hours leading up to when we found out. Our appointment was on Saturday morning, and on Friday night Eric was so happy. He was so looking forward to seeing the baby. I asked him if he was excited, and he said, “Big time excited!” Adorable.
On the way to the doctor in the morning, Eric played two of our favorite songs and held my hand, smiling at me at every stop sign. He took this picture of my excited face before we went into the office. I guess I was wearing the right color! When we finally got in to do the ultrasound, there he was! The funny thing is that Eric and I saw right away, and we would have known he was a boy even if the doctor hadn’t told us. We were so excited, but even more excited that everything in the anatomy scan looked perfect, just the right size for the baby’s age. He was jumping and kicking and dancing and cradling his sweet little face in his hands. We love him more than we can even comprehend.
We spent the rest of the day in a happy daze. We would have been completely thrilled either way, and we are just so happy that he is healthy and strong and growing just as he should. There is so much celebrating to be done over that.
I am also doing great–the doctor told me I have gained five pounds so far, and I’m right on track with where she’d like me to be. Now I should be gaining about a pound a week for the next 20 weeks. I would like to think that my walking has helped me stay where I need to be, and I’m sure it has, but mostly I think it’s just that my stomach is still sensitive enough that anything sweet or rich doesn’t seem worth the risk. Luck of the Irish! Or something like that.
Physically, things are the same. I feel great most of the day, but nights are still hard, and sleeping is getting a little more iffy. About once a week my body lets me know I’ve eaten something that it does not approve of, but otherwise I feel fantastic!
Our sweet baby is kicking away, and this past week I was able to actually see a kick while looking at my belly. That was pretty amazing! His latest trick is kicking me in the bladder, which is, thankfully, more uncomfortable than it is painful so far.
In other exciting news, Eric made an off-hand comment about a trip to Hawaii this week, and I did some digging, and it turns out that we were able to use Eric’s copious frequent flyer miles to book a trip to Maui in April! We are pretty ecstatic about it. It all came together so quickly, it was kind of amazing. We are really looking forward to our babymoon on the beach!
Thank you all so much for reading and for your sweet comments! My mom and my aunt are in town (hurray!), so I will probably be a little behind in replying until about Thursday. Thanks for your patience!

Mar 10, 2014 @ 05:29:48
July just can’t get here soon enough. I can’t wait to get to hold my first grandson!
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:51:47
You are so sweet! He is kicking away, and I know he can’t wait to meet you either! I guess we should start talking about plane tickets! I was going to try to catch you this weekend, but thought you might be watching March Madness:)
Mar 10, 2014 @ 07:36:15
Congratulations times two! Baby Boy and Maui! Both are awesome! So happy for you.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:52:09
Thank you so much, Sandi! We are feeling just tremendously blessed and grateful!
Mar 10, 2014 @ 08:04:10
Awesome! And I love the little booty things. 😀
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:52:26
Thank you! I keep buying things that have monkeys on them–too cute!
Mar 10, 2014 @ 08:05:37
We should have known he was a boy from all the ruckus he’s been putting you through! We can’t wait to welcome Young Master Bellm!
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:52:57
Us either! Thank you for helping us with his tiny adorable little layette! Love you!
Mar 10, 2014 @ 08:50:20
Yeah! It’s a BABY! Any flavor would be great, but it is nice to know that we’re anticipating him. 🙂
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:53:32
I totally agree! Can’t wait to hold him and kiss him and introduce him to his Ellen:) Thank you for all the sweet baby gifts!
Mar 11, 2014 @ 07:38:21
I have been checking in here daily recently, waiting for this. How exciting! A baby boy, such wonderful news xxx
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:54:04
Thank you so much, Debbie! We are thrilled that he is healthy and strong, and so looking forward to holding him! XOXO
Mar 11, 2014 @ 11:39:53
oh yay! as a mother of two boys.. I must say they are the best..
enjoy your trip!
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:54:19
Thank you so much! Your boys are so incredibly adorable!
Mar 11, 2014 @ 12:53:55
A boy! How exciting!!! Congratulations! Also….now you get to start thinking up names! 😀
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:54:56
Thank you so much, Alex!! I know, we are actually at square one on names, but Eric was reading our baby name book in bed last night. I guess he’s ahead of me!
Mar 14, 2014 @ 06:46:39
Big congratulations for the happy news!! And glad to know you are feeling better; sleeping at night gets harder, but it’s your body training for when the baby comes 🙂
Thanks for suggesting the book “A life worth reading” in one of your instagram’s feeds; I got intrigued and bought it…it is just the type of book I needed right now, and loving it. Thank you. xxx
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:56:33
Thank you so much, Marina! It’s so sweet of you to comment, and I’m so happy we met and can be pregnancy buddies! I do think that every time I get up in the night–how I’ll be a pro at that before too long:) I am so glad you are enjoying the book! My husband actually recommended it to me, and it has been so helpful. I hope you are feeling great and getting as much sleep as you can! XOXO
Mar 15, 2014 @ 13:30:40
so very very excited for all of you….it certainly sounds as if baby is coming into a blessed family!!!
Mar 15, 2014 @ 20:56:54
Thank you so much, Steph! We do feel very blessed indeed!