Nineteen Weeks and Anatomy Scan

19w3d, front view (at work)

19w3d, side view

Slightly scary looking but more baby-like, too. 

Check out those skinny legs and giant feet hovering above her chest!

Nineteen weeks (plus three days) with small guest star, drinking her milk

All went well at the anatomy scan last week. The sex was confirmed -- definitely a girl. Only the tech couldn't get all the heart images she needed so I have to go back in two weeks to try again.

My sister came for my prenatal visit on Thursday afternoon and my ultrasound on Friday morning. It was so nice to have her company. We spend a long time with the midwife -- who I am totally loving. She just seems so unhurried and caring and kind. My sister really liked her too, a nice change from the previous midwife, who she never liked.

I was looking forward to the anatomy scan but honestly, it was sort of boring after the first few seconds of thrilled relief that the growing belly actually still housed a growing human who might someday, hopefully, become a baby. Still, I'm very glad to have another milestone checked off. I've been looking forward to reaching twenty weeks for quite a while now, so Friday will be another happy milestone.

I'm suddenly feeling much more pronounced kicks and movement, which is really fun and much more reassuring than those very faint flutters. Now I'm much more sure it's not just my imagination.

My fatigue suddenly seems a bit better the last few days, which is also a relief. My friend Talia foisted my infant car seat back onto me so now that's strapped into the backseat of my car -- my first bit of baby gear for the second child. And being kept there mainly so it doesn't take over precious closet space in my apartment.

I was offered a seat on the subway for the first time last week, and couldn't stop smiling. And several people have asked in the last week if I'm pregnant. So I guess I'm showing... though most people still don't seem to notice.

I'm up six pounds, which is, I think, twice my weight gain at nineteen weeks in my first pregnancy, but still seems reasonable, and anyway, this time around I've got a healthier view of my body. Or at least, I care less. Whether that is healthier or not is debatable. The midwife said my uterus is just the right size -- at my belly button, and the size of a cantaloupe, I believe, so that's great. I can deal with my lumpy thighs next year... or not. Luckily neither Calliope nor Blueberry will care, as long as I am happy. And even more luckily, motherhood has taught me a lot about the value of self acceptance.

The last photo is of me at 18 plus weeks pregnant with Calliope. What a difference! Everything looks so much more tucked in and tidy the first time around, despite the fact that I am actually doing a little core work this time around and only did elliptical last time. The human body is quite a miracle, even when it looks a bit untidy.