Baby Wheeler # 2: Weeks 17 & 18

I've been slacking on my posts again since traveling. (Travel blog coming next!) Here is the update for the little nugget for the last 2 weeks. 

How far along? 18 weeks 4 days today  

How big is the baby? Sweet potato 5.5 inches 5 ounces 

Total weight gain/loss? About 5-6 pounds I think. I was at like no gain until our vacations started...coincidence? I don't know. Yikes...trust me, trying not to gain fast! Shockingly,  I'm still under my starting weight with Gideon. I have much less muscle now, so I know that's probably it. But hey, it makes me feel skinnier ;-)

Maternity clothes? A few. I don't have many things besides warmer weather clothes so that's hard to use bc it's so darn cold here! 

Sleep? Sleeping good at night. I love our tempur pedic mattress. The rest just don't compare. 

Best moment this week? All the baby movements. It's feeling more real 

Symptoms? Emotional as always but doing better to stay in control ;-) 

Baby movements

My other pelvic issues are another story. I've been in a lot more pain with them again. Maybe the baby growing is starting to cause more problems now. Things are definitely getting worse in this regard. Pelvic pressure is through the roof most of the time. I have to pee every five minutes (bladder prolapse related). And I get burning pain a lot. And there's more, but that's the PG version. I am terrified of growing bigger and putting more pressure on it though. Not too mention if I have to push this kid out (another story. We'll figure the plan for this vs c section soon) Normal people complain about pelvic pressure in pregnancy so this is 10x worse. Oh, please pray for me. 

Food cravings?  No real cravings I guess, but when I want something, I want it. We ate some yummy food in London. And as usual, I drink too much coffee. I'm a little worried this baby is gonna be a caffeine addict. 

Food aversions? Nothing except when I think about September and all the food I tried to eat then sounds sick. I think it's just the thought of feeling so yucky again that makes me sick. 

Gender? Less than 2 weeks to go to find out!! I cannot wait!! I really think it could be my little girl (whose name most people know bc we've had it picked since dating but I'll wait to reveal it when/if it's official)! I really have prepared my heart for this, and I wish I hadn't because I don't want to be disappointed. I know I'll be so happy with another little boy, but I just feel like along with Gideon, I'm meant to have a little girl that I've been dreaming of with Daniel for some time now and this is my last pregnancy (unless I get a miracle!) so I just hope...but God knows best, I always remind myself. He certainly brought me the perfect son with Gideon. I stinking love that kid... Great, now I'm going to tear up. (Freaking hormones!!! ;-) ) 

Daniel is back to second guessing his prediction. He is adamant that his predictions for all our friends are right and that he is waiting to make this one official. He says maybe boy because he thinks I'm not that big. (I told him I'm HUGE! Haha and reminded him of my raging hormones that were so not like this with Gideon)

Suspense.is.killing.me !!! 

Labor signs? I've had a few times when I get nervous I'm going to have this baby too early with the stress other issues. I don't know why I can't shake the feeling that I could have this baby too early. In Jesus' name, I will deliver (whether natural or c section not sure yet ) a healthy baby on its perfect time!! 

Belly button in or out? In but it's suspiciously looking like it might pop out. Lol 

What I miss? I should just delete this one. 

What I'm looking forward to? Finding out the gender on Dec. 14th!! Did I tell you I was excited about that already?

Milestones? More baby movements and almost halfway there!!! 

Bump? Yep yep, no denying it now.

17 weeks after our thanksgiving dinner at church

18 weeks in London this past Sunday 

And of course, a Gideon pic. He loves to drum on his belly, so I copied him. Haha we were opening up his first book for our "25 days of books" activity in the Wheeler house this year :) 

**Random funny bonus story: This week,  as Gideon and I were using his signing picture cards to practice words and signs, he stopped to pull up my shirt and touch my belly.( I've been showing him my belly and telling him to "say hi to baby" in hopes he'll start to make a connection.) Well, after he touched my stomach, he reached down and picked up a picture card for pig and showed me... Touché, kid. A clever coincidence? ;-) I died laughing.