31 weeks! You should see the looks I get when people ask how much longer I have.

They pretty much get bug-eyed.

24 weeks and feeling great! My only complaint every now and then is an aching back or hips, some days a little exhaustion. Third Trimester is just around the corner though so I’m expecting this feeling good thing to go away as the belly expands even more. I’m pretty amazed at how quickly this pregnancy is flying by. Slow down, time! Of course, I’m anxious to meet Jaxson but I’m also really enjoying this pregnancy and want to cherish every moment, especially if this is our last.

(P.S. The shirt? $3 at Target! Despite having 2 other full term pregnancies, all have been in different seasons or the shirts have shrunk to where they don’t fit right, so it’s been a challenge finding clothes to wear without wearing the same thing every day. My $3 shirt is super comfy and still has room to grow. Score!)

When I was pregnant with Kaylee and Savannah, I didn’t have a wedding ring on my finger. I was still a teenager. In one case, I hadn’t finished high school, in the other I hadn’t finished college. I didn’t have much money, my own house to live in, a permanent job. Walking around school, work, the mall, whenever, I felt shame. I knew people were looking at me wondering how old I was. I knew they were looking at my finger for a ring. Maybe it was all in my head, but I also know how judgmental people can be, especially with people they barely know. My belly felt like a giant red A on my chest (The Scarlet Letter, anyone?) I was a teenager that had had sex and it was obvious.

I hid it from my peers at school and co-workers until around 16 weeks when people  finally asked me, “Are you pregnant?” No one was ever mean to me to my face about it and were supportive, but I still felt people were judging me by my belly and not knowing who I really was. This choice wasn’t me, it was just a choice.

This time? My belly isn’t shameful, I’m proud of it. I love it. I wanted to show off my tiny bump at 5 weeks. I wanted to show off pictures and talk about my pregnancy with the other students I had classes with. Maybe it’s that I’m a little bit older at 22, maybe it’s the fact that I’m married to a wonderful husband, that we have our own house, that we have a steady income and I know we can provide.  Maybe it’s that I’ve done this before at 19 and if I can make it then, I can certainly make it now. Maybe I am just more confident in who I am.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved my belly with Kaylee and Savannah too. I absolutely love being pregnant, the changing body that comes with it, and I adored my little girls from the moment I knew they were on their way. It’s just socially, I feel different. I feel like I’m in a place that is more “acceptable” rather than shameful. I feel like I can show off my belly and be proud rather than worry what others think.

I think it shows.

This was 2 weeks ago at 13 weeks. Tomorrow I am 15 weeks. Isn’t that insane?! Another month-ish and I will be half way through this pregnancy! I’m feeling absolutely fantastic.  14 weeks was the magic number and I have stopped gagging when changing diapers and opening the refrigerator (Oh, what a wonderful feeling to be free of). I have some-what more energy, but still am known to fall asleep on the couch at 8:30 some nights. The belly never goes away now and people are starting to take notice.

And? And! I’m definitely feeling little kicks and rolls now. I swear I’ve been feeling them since 10 weeks, but now the baby is stronger and it is much more obvious. I absolutely love this stage of pregnancy. Well, besides being in the in between stage of clothes, it’s always interesting getting dressed now. Who knows what won’t fit next.

Our “big” ultrasound is set for June 8th when I am 18.5 weeks. Since I’m using the midwife now I’ll be going to an separate ultrasound technician and I get cool extra stuff like 4D image, CD’s with pictures, DVD, and my family/friends have the option of watching it over the internet.  So exciting :-) It’s strange though because even though I thought for a while this may be a boy due to different symptoms and the boy looking 12 week photo, my gut is SCREAMING that it is a girl and Savannah is still insisting it’s a girl. Guess we will see soon enough and I cannot wait!

On a separate note: Yesterday was the last day of exams and I am officially d-o-n-e forever. My family arrives tomorrow and then the graduation fun happens on Saturday.  And, while I think who ever invented the traditional graduation cap and gown was insane and knew nothing about fashion, I will wear it with pride. Even if I feel silly in a square hat.

Things are pretty uneventful around here.  Mark and I have just 3 classes left and 2 days of exams before he graduates (!) and I can take a breather before summer classes start.  It’s flown by, and boy, we’re glad. The projects, papers, and last minute tests are stressing us out at the moment.

I guess the most exciting thing is that my baby belly is already popping out.  Which, baffles me as the baby is suposably the size of a lentil bean right now (1/4th of an inch) and yet I look about 3 months pregnant.  The lady at Salsaritas looked at my belly and a winked, which says a lot because that lady is normally very mean like she hates her life and job. I shouldn’t be surprised though because I popped out quickly with Savannah as well. Oh, the pregnancy bloat.

And so, because of this tummy growth I am in sudden need of new shirts. I have 3  left from when I was pregnant with Savannah (non-maternity, but still loose) but a girl needs more than 3 shirts per week, no?  My pants still fit as I’m not gaining much weight yet, but I’ve been using the hair tie trick to give my expansion more room.  (Shhh…no one tell my pants are unbuttoned!)

Proof of my belly:

I’m still feeling good as well. No nausea and not extremely exhausted like I was with Savannah. My appetite is picking up a little more and the cravings for sweets has hit full blown. It’s about all I want now (versus 2 weeks ago the thought of sweets was gross). Doughnuts are my best friend right now (speaking of which, perhaps I should go more?). I’m craving all the unhealthy stuff. Typical!  Overall though I don’t really feel pregnant yet, which is normal I suppose.

Ultrasound in less than 2 weeks! I’ll feel better when I can see things are good and that my not-many-symptoms are ok.