16 weeks - Already uncomfy

Well, we've hit another bench mark. 16 weeks - Woohoo! As I mentioned in the last post, the appetite is starting to re-emerge, albeit slowly. I only lost two pounds between the first appointment at 8 weeks and our most recent at 14 weeks. Of course it's not healthy to lose weight at all during pregnancy; a two pound loss is pretty small compared to the amount I lost the first time around.

Body-wise, I'm pretty uncomfortable already. Feeling the pushing and pulling of my lower abdomen as it readies itself for baby growth, is a strange feeling. I get a lot of twinges/cramps as my skin stretches and as my uterus expands. I've also intermittently had leg cramps, itchy feet and tingling arms and hands - all normal happenings.

Alongside all of the changes, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. I've been really emotional (also normal) about everything, but especially about Scarlett. It seems that everything she does that makes her seem grown-up has been making me teary-eyed. I almost lost it at parent-teacher conferences because the teacher said that she was sensitive, I cried a lot yesterday when she was sick with a fever and watching her suddenly learn to blow bubbles made my heart hurt! She's going to be a fabulous big sister and we're extremely lucky to have her.

I've also been thinking about some family members that lost their little baby a few months ago. The sadness that I feel for them is overwhelming, although I'm incredibly happy that they had a chance to meet their precious little boy. The strength that they have shown in dealing with such an unfortunate situation has been inspiring. I think about them often.

Lastly, I've been thinking a lot about friendships. It occurred to me that I have an entirely different set of friends during this pregnancy than I did during Scarlett's. The reasons are many and too complicated to delve into, but I really do miss some of my older friends. I don't think I've entirely healed from the heartache of losing a couple of very closer friends due to circumstances that I don't feel are my fault. But, just like Scarlett, I'm super sensitive (and even more so now), so I may be making a mountain out of a mole-hill. I'm extremely lucky to have very supportive friends, some that I've just made in the last few years, that I have reciprocal relationships with. I realize that I have everything I need to make me happy - a loving, supportive husband, a beautiful daughter, supportive friends and family and Lexapro! (Just kidding on the last one - I haven't taken that since learning of my pregnancy!)

As I approach a weekend full of friends and family activities, I'll be thinking of all that I'm thankful for, including this little peanut growing inside of me.