Week 20 Update: Happy New Year!

20 weeks

It's January 1, 2012 and we're 20 weeks today. 

We're very much looking forward to all that 2012 has in store for us! 

2011 was a mixed bag:

We got married, got pregnant, lost a number of family members, had friends and family move away (and one very important one move back), made some new friends, lost touch with a few friends, were reunited with some family members, dealt with illness, had friends welcome new babies, saw friends lose jobs...it was a roller-coaster sort of year.

I was not at all sad to see 2011 come to a close since it was such a whirlwind.  I am imagining, however, that 2012 will be nearly as chaotic, though infinitely more happy, with this baby on the way.

Our holiday was really wonderful, despite the fact that I felt pretty rotten when we started our travels to Maine. I was still struggling with the cold and feeling totally exhausted. The exhaustion only increased, but I was able to enjoy all of the celebrating and visiting despite it. We were able to spend lots of quality time with our five-year-old niece, my Mom, and my step dad. It was the first that I saw my Mom since finding out that I was pregnant. I was not really "showing" still when we arrived at my Moms, but Peanut decided to make its presence known while I was visiting. I think it was nice for my mom to be included in that since she is so far away. She was the first to notice how much I had "popped". She said, "How in the world did you grow so much in three days?!". I think it might have had something to do with the nausea and vomiting finally abating and all of the eating the occurs at Christmas.

Me and Punky on Christmas Eve

My Mom & Step dad gave me maternity clothes...so now I don't have to go and buy them

We were able to visit with my step dad's wonderful family, most of whom I hadn't seen in years. It was so nice to spend time with all of them and get to see how much they enjoy spending time with my niece. I am sure Peanut will enjoy the same amount of love that she does. We also had a nice time visiting with my other stepfather, who took us out for a nice dinner with our niece. We would have liked to do more visiting and see more family, but I was just too tired and felt that it was most important that I spend whatever time I could afford to with my niece. Brian and I are extremely close with her and it has been hard being so far away from her. I have also been struggling with the changes that I know are coming once Peanut arrives. Next Christmas, I will have an infant to care for and won't be able to give her much undivided attention.

Me and my niece on Chrismas Day

The Peanut has become quite the wiggly worm!  I feel lots of movement these days, which is so nice.  Brian hasn't been able to feel it yet, though our niece swore she did.  It doesn't really matter if she did or not; thinking she did was enough to make her feel special and included.  Peanut definitely can hear pretty well.  When our niece had two rough nights with very loud tantrums, the baby went NUTS.  I think Peanut must have enjoyed all of the bedtime stories that we read together.

The clothesline was so cute!

We made a stop in Connecticut on the way home to attend my cousin's baby shower.  We were able to squeeze a visit in with my Dad, who lives in Virginia but had work in Connecticut while we were there.  I hadn't seen my Dad since we found out, either, and it was great to spend what time were we able to with him. I was able to see some of my Dad's family at my cousin's shower.  My Aunt even had a gift there for us.  She crocheted the cutest little hats and two blankets for Peanut.  We stayed for a little while, but then pushed on home so that I could sleep in my own bed.  We had hoped to do more visiting in Connecticut, but, after all of the travelling and visiting, I had had it.

Peanut's hat & blankies

I slept for nine straight hours that first night home!  It was so nice to sleep through the night for a change.  Brian and I had a very low key New Years Eve.  We spent the day and night together at home, cuddling on the couch, watching TV, and resting.  It was lovely. 

We have one more Christmas left to celebrate tomorrow with Brian's family.  We are looking forward to seeing them.

We hope that you all enjoy a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year filled with love.