This week has been wonderful for me, as it's my school's half-term break. I spent the first half of it in Switzerland visiting many of my old friends there for one last calm trip down memory lane. It was fun traveling with my little bump, which is finally showing enough so that others might suspect I'm pregnant too. When I look down, I think I look quite pregnant, while in the mirror I still just look a bit more round than usual. I know soon it will be unmistakable!
My friends were (as usual) incredibly lovely, sweet, kind and generous. Everyone bought me dinner, treated me to spa days, and even gave me thoughtful gifts! My favorite gift is a belly chime necklace, that hangs right on the bump and makes beautiful sounds for my baby. I absolutely adore it! During the entire trip, I could feel all the love towards my tiny Wriggles, and am already getting so excited to bring my sweet baby back to Switzerland to meet everyone.
The plane flight, I'll admit, was a bit uncomfortable - especially on the way back when I was stuck in a middle seat. I'm only a little nervous for our babymoon (to Majorca!) and my girl's weekend trip to Denmark, but both flights are tolerably short and I'm sure I'll be fine even though I'll be 7 months pregnant.
I'm really writing today to remember this exciting moment, the day I felt the baby's kicks on the outside! They say you can start to feel them anywhere between 20-30 weeks on the outside, and I felt Wriggles just kicking away in there. I put my hand on my tummy just in case (plus it's kind of a habit now!) and there it was clear as day, little kicks! My dear husband isn't home at the moment, so it's just me getting excited about every little thing. Before I know it, everyone will be able to feel the kicks and then in 18 short weeks, baby will be here too!
First, I wanted to celebrate... I'm halfway through this pregnancy already! Part of me can't believe it, it has flown by so quickly. The other half of me is getting more and more excited every day. Although I want to keep my little Wriggles inside of me forever where s/he is safe and warm, I can't wait to meet my little bundle of joy and give him/her mountains of hugs and snuggles and kisses and love.
This past week has been an interesting one for me, as I have been what I would think of as a stereotypical pregnant lady. First, on Monday, I saw a picture of 7-layer dip on a friend's Facebook account that I NEEDED TO HAVE RIGHT NOW. That's a craving, isn't it? So I ran off to the store after getting back from work to buy all the ingredients, make it for myself, and stuff myself full of it. The next night, it was pancake night and I NEEDED pancakes (really, they're crepes here, but who cares?) The food needs are getting real!
Then there's the emotions! On Monday afternoon we had our 20 week anomaly ultrasound, and even though we got to the hospital 20 minutes early, we couldn't manage to find parking. We were waiting in long lines to get into a lot, when finally my hubby dropped me at the maternity ward entrance so I wouldn't be late. When I got there, they made me start the scan right away without my husband there. I tried to enjoy it, but when he text me 10 minutes later to say he was STILL waiting in line, I panicked and started crying. Okay, okay, I was sobbing. Big, heavy sobs that made my abdomen shake and I'm sure the technician's job much more complicated. I didn't want him to miss it! They continued the scan I tried my best to listen and stifle my tears. Emotions were running rampant! He got there just after the scan finished, and they did another quick 5 minute one for us to see the baby together. Wriggles was much more squished inside me and curled up with his/her little toes in front of him/her. There was more crying on Tuesday (I wanted those pancakes but I was too tired to make them!), and I just felt like I couldn't stop the crying. Being out of control like that was a completely new feeling for me! I just have to remind myself - it's the hormones.
There was a bit more crying on Wednesday, as I was too exhausted to put on my exercise clothes. Yes, you read that right. Turns out I am putting too much pressure on myself and really just needed a night off. Lesson learned (I hope!).
Crying, craving, exhaustion, it's all there and even if it makes my life a little more stressful at the moment it's still worth every second. Wriggles is now turning around, kicking and punching me more often and I love the feeling. I look forward to seeing what next week brings!
