Halfway There!

Tomorrow marks 20 weeks, the halfway point in the pregnancy journey. Wow! I had my check-up appointment today and it went really well. My weight is great, my blood pressure is great and my growth is right on. My uterus is already about a finger above my belly button. My midwife was wonderful she said in the next couple of weeks I will probably have a growth spurt. She said one morning I will just wake up and say, wow, I am really pregnant!

This week is a big milestone because I am definitely feeling Butterball. For the last few days I have felt some funny tickles and sort of like popping bubbles in my lower abdomen. I was really unsure if this could be Butterball, but I was becoming more and more confident and my midwife confirmed today that that is exactly what it is. She said it will only get stronger from here on out and probably in the next few weeks Sean will feel it from the outside. What a trip this whole thing is!

Of course, I got to hear the heartbeat again today, which is my absolute favorite. I will never get tired of that. It was also fun because once my midwife would find it, she would lose it because Butterball was moving about. When she finally found it, it was strong and above 140. So then she says, "well a very active baby and a high heart beat, must be a girl!" Of course this is a big Old Wives Tale. If the baby's heartrate is above 140 then it is a girl, below 140 then it is a boy. This got me thinking that we should explore all the Old Wives Tales out there before we get the more objective assessment at the big ultrasound a week from Monday.

Now, as a scientist with a pretty good handle I meiosis, I must remind that there really is just a 50/50 chance either way. But, as a girl who reads my horoscope daily, I say enjoy. These are all I could find. If anyone else has any good ones, let me know.

No morning sickness = Boy; Morning sickness = Girl
I didn’t have it as bad as I have heard it can be, but I definitely had nausea and some unpleasant trips to the ladies room, this one goes to GIRL

Carrying extra weight out front = Boy; Carrying weight in hips and rear = Girl
Hmm, no one is willing to honestly comment on my backside, but think the extra weight is just belly at this point, this one goes to BOY

Belly looks like a basketball = Boy; Belly looks like a watermelon = Girl
I think this is really more for when one is further along, but if I had to say I am thinking more watermelon, this one goes to GIRL

Carrying baby low = Boy: Carrying baby high = Girl
At my last two appointments the midwives have said my uterus is a bit higher than usual for how far along I am, thus we will say this one goes to GIRL

Craving salty or sour foods = Boy; Craving sweets = Girl
Definitely sweets. I am not normally much for sweets, typically going for savory foods, but even Sean has noticed my increased need for sweets, this one definitely goes to GIRL

Craving meats and proteins = Boy, Craving fruits = Girl
I fear this one is a tie. I have had an insatiable appetite for watermelon, but also have been wanting some meat and lots of cheese. Can’t say for sure.

Pillow faces North = Boy; Pillow faces South = Girl
Ah, they face east….50/50 on this one too.

Pregnancy has you looking better than ever = Boy; Pregnancy has stolen your beauty = Girl
Seriously, you will all have to make up your own mind for this one, but definitely DON’T tell me if you think this one is decidedly GIRL

Your nose is spreading = Boy
What? NO! This one goes to GIRL.

Dad-to-be is gaining weight right along with you = Boy
He is remaining slim and trim. This one goes to GIRL

Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy = Boy
I don’t put much stock into this one as it is summer and crazy hot, but I guess I can say that, no, they are not colder. Tentative GIRL.

The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy = Boy
Remaining about the same, guess this one goes to GIRL.

Your hands are very dry = Boy
Yes, they are. This one goes to BOY.

You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves in circles = Boy; If it moves side to side = Girl
This one is very scientific! We found it went in circles. This one is BOY

You are having headaches = Boy
Nope, this one goes to GIRL

You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived, if the sum is an even number = Boy; Odd number = Girl
Age = 29, Month = January (1), 30 = even number. This goes to BOY

You are moodier than usual during pregnancy = Girl
WTF?!? Just kidding! I don’t think I am. We will go BOY on this one

Your face breaks out more than usual = Girl
Unfortunately, yes! This one goes to GIRL.

You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread = Girl
Mmmm, bread! No I am not picky. This one goes to BOY.

Well, it looks like GIRL is slightly ahead. Will Butterball prove these tales wrong? T-minus 9 days to know.

Sean and Lily and I are packing up and heading back to NH tomorrow. We have more house hunting to do and Sean is a groomsman in his good friend's wedding in a week. There is a big bachelor party in NYC on Saturday. No blogging until we return, but I promise lots of news when we get back.

Happy Father's Day to everyone this Sunday!