This Friday will be the halfway mark in this pregnancy – we’re just 4 1/2 months from meeting our little one! I’m feeling just a bit of movement now and then, when I hold very still and look for it.
I’m well past the general nausea now and am able to able to eat more than just beans. I feel good as long as I watch my blood sugar and don’t let it drop too low. I don’t monitor my blood sugar now, although I did for most of 2 pregnancies. My signs are very predictable, so I know when I’m dropping. This means eating every 2-3 hours. This also means I miss the middle of the sermon every Sunday when I slip into the kitchen behind our meeting room for a quick snack.
Since my nausea was relatively mild this time, I can’t help but think I don’t actually feel pregnant – in spite of the fact that I have all the normal aches, pains, ligament cramps, etc. After so many pregnancies, I think I’ve lost enough tone that I feel movement later and later, so I hardly know I’m pregnant except for my expanding belly. Not that that leaves any doubt.
2 weeks ago, I was still in that awkward phase in which everyone wonders if you’re pregnant, or just sporting a little leftover baby belly. I’ve only gained 5 lbs. so far, but I’m still holding 5 from Bethany so I’m 10 above my normal weight.
Rabbit trail: Let’s have a show of hands. Who thinks I should resign myself to that extra 5? I’ve never had to fight my weight before, but this 5 stayed on all summer, even without a/c. It came off briefly due to morning sickness but came right back again. I’m afraid it’s here to stay unless I resolve to battle my metabolism for the rest of my life. That’s not my idea of fun.
But I digress (are you surprised?). Two weeks ago, I was hardly showing. Last week in WalMart, the little old lady who was ringing up my groceries nearly flew around the counter to keep me from lifting a 25 lb. bag of flour. She insisted on doing it herself while I stood by. I guess I’m officially showing now.
Over the past 3 days, at least 10 people have squealed at the sight of my belly: “Oh, look at you! You’re finally showing! You’re really showing! Look how that baby is growing!” It’s a good thing I don’t mind having cooing admirers handle my belly, because there have been plenty. There have also been plenty of knowing looks and sappy smiles from strangers. I’m not mocking them. I do the same thing. 
Wanna see? Yes, I know you do. Here’s the belly. Don’t laugh at the typical Pregnant Lady Stance. I didn’t even do it on purpose. These things just happen.
But wait – there’s more. That’s when I’m just standing there, not thinking about The Belly. During my years of teen vanity, I formed the habit of holding my belly in. I like to think the habit has served me well over the years. Watch what happens if I relax a bit and rest a hand on my belly.
Now I can’t decide whether it’s harder to believe that we’re already halfway into this pregnancy, or that I’m going to get bigger for another 20 weeks. Maybe I’ll have triplets.
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Oh dear you make me laugh so much, you are just adorable!!!!
And you look so tiny with holding belly in!!! I’m 16 weeks with baby #3 and I look like the second pictures (and it I would let it all loose well I would look way bigger then that LOL) I’ve been ask so many time if we were carrying twins (does run in the family) But 4 pregnancies in 3 years (2 beautiful girls and a baby that went to meet his Maker at 10 weeks) I think as to be taken in consideration for the big bump!
Well gain 5 pounds I’m envious, I loss about 12 lbs since getting pregnant with this baby (that puts me at 5 lbs lighter then Baby #2 pre-pregnancy weight. So I’m about 145 lbs now) and haven’t gain a pound yet! But obviously baby is growing well, big bump is the proof of that LOL, and baby is been moving well since about 10 weeks (flutters) and strong kicks about 2 weeks ago!
I want to cheat and weight myself in the evening so I could feel like I’ve gain some weight LOL
How are you feeling? Morning sickness seams to be better for you! How is your energy level? are you able to take naps with other little ones at home?
If you want to visit my blog I have a picture taken of my belly at 15.3 weeks so we could compare LOL
Have a blessed day!
Wow! I was surprised to see how much you are hiding under there!
Glad you are doing well.
You know better than to worry about your weight now that you are pregnant. (But I did too! ) ;P
Funny about the little old lady.
I always hated when ppl came up to me and touched my belly. We lived in Las Cruces, NM for my first 4, in a different culture somewhat, and I just didn’t like strangers rubbing my belly. Go figure!
You look great!
May you continue to be blessed!
I am SO excited for you! And if you were carrying that extra 5 when I saw you last summer, I say keep it. You looked great!
I’ve been following fairly quietly for a while now (since someone else mentioned your beans solution), didn’t realize how close our babies are due. I’m due with my 6th on May 22, so I just hit 20 weeks two days ago! I haven’t blogged about it at all, yet.
Congrats on the cute bump. I’m just bulgy when I’m pregnant, so I avoid belly pics.
Healthy babies in the end, though, that’s what I keep in my goal.
Thanks for the pregnancy update,
Erin
Erin,
I don’t normally do belly pics either because with my belly held in the way I normally hold it, I think I tend to look just bulgy too for a long time. I’m happy that I’m finally getting a real belly – hence the occasion for the pics!
Also, I’m feeling just a tad guilty for my complete and total failure to take or post any Christmas pics. Trying to make up for it with a couple of belly pics. I wonder if it’s working…
I wouldn’t joke about the triplets…I have a friend who’s hubby said he only wanted 3 children when she got pregnant with #3. She got pregnant (naturally- no IVF- no drugs) with triplets. He asked for it!
Oh how darling you look!
I say don’t resign yourself to that extra 5 lbs! I’m weird, I guess. Pregnancy motivates me to exercise much more consistently than I ever do regularly. The fear of all those extra lbs, and I usually gain 35-45 gets me in the water at least 5 days a week. Then when I return to normal I am hit or miss in my exercise.
You look great. Love the skirt. Yes, I second the not worrying about the 5 pounds. If your husband loves you the way you are, don’t sweat it (get it? sweat?).
I could have written you post. LOL!!!! I will be 23 weeks on Wednesday. We’re now down to counting down weeks and will soon make the official countdown to help the little ones know baby will arrive. I also hold in my stomach (same habit as a teen). I laugh that baby is finally filling in what popped so early on in pg.
I have looked this pg since about 10 weeks. I wouldn’t worry about the extra 5 lbs. I have put on 20lb already. Between bedrest and craving hamburgers early on, I haven’t had much time to keep the lbs off. They will come off soon enough after baby. Even that extra 5 lbs left over. I am glad to hear you are doing so well. I think about you periodically even though I don’t have as much time to read your blog regularly. God Bless.
You look darling! I am 32 weeks, and I feel like there is no way I could get any bigger.
Prayers for a blessed pregnancy.
Oh Kim! You just crack me up- thanks for giving us a laugh basically at your expense. I can so relate! At 22 weeks I do the same thing with my belly- it’s fun when I’m talking to my husband to just let it go loose and then see his reaction when he notices. Cracks him up every time. I guess if you’ve got to have lax muscles, you might as well be entertained by them, right? Glad to hear you’re feeling well
Beautiful…cherish it!
ohh those pictures are precious. too bad my 5 year old son was sitting next to me as I was reading your blog and asked “is that you mommy??”. Yeah, ummm, I am not pregnant. Nor have I been for 5 plus years. I just sent him to bed…..now I feel better. I think I will go eat something now. take care!
I love second trimester bellies when they finally “pop.” I hit third trimester with Baby #2 tomorrow and I’m already missing my second trimester (tear). I had a real problem with holding in my belly during Christmas baking this year. I kept thinking I was having contractions, but realized I was subconsiously sucking it in when I was standing at the stove. I guess it was just mommy instincts keeping the baby away from the heat!
Its amazing that this is no 12 (right?) and you are so beautiful! Thanks for being an encouragement!
Erin,
Actually this is our 10th living child – our header says 12 because that’s counting me and hubby.
Too cute! I love the skirt.
You look fantastic! I like your little bubble belly!
If you’re comfortable with the 5 lbs, let it go. If Hubby doesn’t mind, don’t worry!!
Your belly is so sweet.
I love your outfit too.
Thanks for the update! Lol!
You look wonderful but WOW it’s a big difference in the two photos! But still, wonderful!
(and I really love what you’re wearing, boots and all)
Oh dear me, five pounds is NOTHING! Try five pounds with EACH of my babies…equal to the amount of, badda-bing, 40 POUNDS! Ick. I was underweight before children so I am now shooting to loose 20 pounds and be happily normal weight(135 for me). Be very thankful that your weight has done so well as it has. All this time pregnancy made me hungry, nursing made me hungry and that’s been constant for many years until now. Now it’s a race for time to get this weight off! I think that you look fabulous!
I was thinking you werent showing at all in the first picture…LOL.
I’m at the end of the journey….waiting any minute to go into labor…and begging God to let it be now. or is that just me?
Beautiful!
Well, don’t worry about the 5 pounds NOW.
I love the skirt…
love the second picture.the difference between the two pictures is pretty amazing.
congratulations!!
That’s neat!
I am 9 and my mom
is 7 months into having
a baby inside her.I am the
big sister out of five including baby!
4 girls & 1 boy!we hope this one is a boy!
You look wonderful!! I think you should keep the 5 pounds and not worry about it. Makes those of us who have more than 5 feel a little better. LOL
I love your blog!
And the games are fun!
you look beautiful
and…it is so hard to be pregnant over the holidays!
You look great, thanks for the update!
yup. there’s a baby in there.
*knowing look*
*sappy smile*
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww…you look soooooooooooooooo cute…
Okay….I am getting sappy too!
You look GREAT!!!!!!! It has gone by so fast! But I am sure much more so for you!
Take care of that baby!
I hope you have triplets!
You are wonderful parents!
You looked adorable and I love your skirt!
You look so gorgeous I can’t believe you’ve had that many kids!!! I don’t look that good and #4 is three months old – my three-months-after-baby belly is bigger than your “halfway there”belly!
Yep… there’s a baby in there! So cute!
My sister has a link to your blog and today I clicked on it. You have my complete sympathy as I’ve had the stomach flu twice in ten days and am now pretty sure that I’d be a wimp if I felt like that for nine months.
Congratulations!
Your Bethany is just a few weeks older than my youngest daughter. I’m about 15 weeks pregnant right now. We just told everyone at Christmas, where I got a lot of “I thought so…but I didn’t want to say anything in case you had just gained weight!”
Too funny! You look adorable. I’m still at the stage where I’m not quite round enough to look definitively pregnant. I can’t to really start showing in the next few weeks.
I love to hear your pregnancy updates! I’m right behind you at almost three month along. As for the five pounds, it sounds like you are a healthy weight, but it is really up to you and your husband. Ask him how he feels about the extra weight. If he doesn’t mind and you are happy with your body then I wouldn’t worry about it.
Kim,
You look adorable! I love your skirt. Been trying to make the switch over to nothing but long skirts and so hard to find many…
I just want to say thank you so much for posting about your beans! I’m pregnant with #1 and have found them to be such a life-saver as they are really beating back the acid that I’ve been experiencing. Thank you so much and God bless your family!