Twenty weeks marks the halfway point of the pregnancy (if I deliver right on my due date). Twenty weeks also marks the anatomy scan, an ultrasound that checks on baby’s anatomy – including the genitals.

I may have spent longer than anticipated coming up with a simple gender announcement that I loved. I have always loved all things baby related; they make me go “awww” and it’s obnoxious. Until now. The pink and blue and glitter and baby animals is just too much – it actually makes me angry sometimes. I never thought I would be the person searching for baby items that are a little more simple instead of covered in adorable decorations and primary colors. I still go aw over many things baby related, just not so much the cutesy stuff at this point in my hormonal journey. While there are thousands of gender announcement ideas all over the internet, I wanted something that was ours. Without further adieu…

That’s right, it’s a boy. We could not be happier.

He is one very active little dude. I felt my first movement at 16 weeks, and it has continued to be stronger and more frequent. At this point I’m feeling strong movement multiple times a day. Technically some of this can be felt from the outside. However, we have a trickster. The second Casey’s hand is on my stomach the movement stops. He did manage to catch one kick thanks to a big bowl of salted caramel truffle ice cream. (Side Note: You should all buy salted caramel truffle ice cream, I don’t know how I’ve made it this far in life without it.) With all the action happening in there I’m sure other people will be able to feel plenty soon. For now, it’s mostly just me.

Along with being active he is big. The ultrasound measurements showed him a full 9 days ahead of schedule (which is a lot considering how fast a fetus grows!). This is fairly evident in the size of my bump, and other indication of growth like rib pain. Fuck rib pain, it’s terrible. I’m working on a pregnancy progression post to show the expansion of me and the bump. For now, here’s Halloween (I was a last minute snow man).

Now, how about a peek of the little man?

We have a thumb sucker!!

Further proof of thumb sucking, from the top. Look at those fingers!!!

Upper extremities means arms (but of course you knew that).

The fact my baby has a spine isn’t particularly special, but I find looking at it awesome. Seriously. Technology is incredible.

Basically, we’re both growing like crazy. I have some aches and pains associated with that, but mostly nothing too terrible. Expect the rib pain on some days, it gets bad. I have some stretches that are supposed to help, but the only real relief is standing in the hot shower.

I’m definitely friendly with food again. I haven’t had any cravings that are super specific, but do want plenty of dessert and baked goods. My oven has been busy. I also have this phenomenon of knowing I want to eat something specific, but not knowing what. This results in a huge sense of disappointment over what I’m eating.

Other symptoms include peeing more often, some minor congestion, headaches, leg cramps (only while I’m sleeping apparently), and some mood swings.

While I am not a fan of some of the symptoms, I love being pregnant. Watching myself grow and feeling him doing his thing are both beyond what I ever could have wished for. My main symptom? An often overwhelming state of happiness. I’m in a good place folks.