Halfway There

{Pictures taken at exactly 20 weeks on Thanksgiving Day in Idaho}

I can not believe I am into the second half of this pregnancy. It feels as though I found out YESTERDAY that this baby was coming. I remember exactly what I said and did when I told Cody. And I remember excatly what he said and did when I told him. And here we are, in the 22nd week. This little boy will be here in four months. FOUR MONTHS! And then...this chapter in my life will close forever and a new one will open.

I have to admit I have very mixed feelings about being done having children. I feel very content with our five kiddo family. Ethan will barely be seven years old when the caboose gets here, and it's crazy to think of having five kids ages seven and under. I look at our kids and how they have grown and developed and I am left in awe at the speed in which our lives are passing us by. So for now, I am doing my best to savor every bit of this pregnancy. As tired as I am and as clingy as Devin has been lately (which for sure makes this pregnancy a tad more difficult), this time will be over before I know it and I'll be left a little sad when I think that I can never have this time back.

This guy is about ten inches long now and weighs almost a pound. I am feeling his nudges quite a bit lately, especially late at night when I am at the computer. As I type this, he's keeping me company by reminding me with his tiny arms and legs that he is here. A week ago Cody and I were lying in bed and I was on my back and this kid was doing all kinds of martial arts in there. I grabbed Cody's hand and pressed it to my belly and I was just SURE he was feeling it all. But, nope, he didn't feel anything. I was a little disappointed, but I know there is plenty of time for him to feel some REAL movement.

I am already swelling like crazy in my legs and feet. I seem to swell earlier and earlier each time, and I am already to the "Play Dough" stage. You know, if I press my finger tips into my shin I can leave an indention. It is quite attractive! Heart burn is a constant, and now nightly leg cramps have started. I am feeling like I skipped right over the second trimester and landed in about week 30. My belly is even big for this stage, but not so big considering it has grown a full term baby four times previously. It knows what to do and is already so pushed out that I am feeling it in my center of gravity.

All I know is this is going to be a long 18 weeks. But at the same time it is going to fly, and in many ways I am in no hurry. I will never have the chance to do this again and I kind of don't want it to end. Of course I want to meet this guy and all that, but the thought of never assisting God in such a miracle ever again.....okay I have to stop talking about this before I cry.

Pregnancy is good. Pregnancy is incredible, even the bad parts.