18 Weeks!

I'm into my 18th week of pregnancy and I'm feeling strong. I have a lot more energy now than I've had this entire pregnancy and aside from the occasional mood swings, I feel almost normal again. I've taken my mid-wife's advice and made sure to do some sort of exercise everyday and it really makes a difference in how I feel. I started a pre-natal water aerobics class and I absolutely love it! I have been swimming on my own, but joining a class has made my water workouts more interesting and fun and I'm meeting new people. Now I have Aqua Aerobics on Mondays & Wednesday's and Yoga on Thursday's & Sundays. So on Tues, Wed, and Saturday I mix it up by either going to the gym or snow shoeing if it's above 15 degrees outside! I have to make the workouts fun or I won't stick with them, but I'm pretty happy with this schedule and I've really noticed a change in my energy and muscle tone these last few weeks. Everyone I've talked with who has a baby has told me the more active you are the easier the labor and recovery will be so I'm planning to stay active for as long as I can.

Today I signed Kevin and I up for childbirth & parenting classes, which begin in May and occur weekly through June. Two hours a week for 6 weeks seems excessive to me but I suppose we must have a lot to learn! We're also going to take an Infant and Child CPR class as well as a preparation class for breastfeeding. I'm not exactly sure what Kevin's going to take home from that breastfeeding prep, but I'm dragging him along for moral support! He may get to see some boobies as well, so he's excited.
Only 6 days until we find out the sex of Baby Duggan! I am so anxious to know, and I can't wait to shop for baby clothes.

We are gearing up for another winter storm that's expected to start tonight at 7 p.m. and snow 12 inches before it passes tomorrow evening. Another foot of snow oh joy! Not to mention that it was -7 degrees when we woke up this morning. When it's this cold I have to think about our amazing honeymoon to Hawaii and sailing around the Nepali coast... Ahhh, I wish I was back there! The only other thing that keeps me sane when I wake up in -7 degree temps is knowing I will have 3+ months off work when the baby comes, and those months July, August, September and October, are the nicest months to be in Vermont. Maternity leave during the summer=a happy pregnant woman!!

Here's the 18 week update, enjoy!

Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper), and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.