Growing Pains: Week 17 Recap

Monday, June 30, 2014

A couple of shots from our phone camera's over the weekend. 
Walking along the Milwaukee River, boating in Chicago. 


Last week was all over the board. It started with a trip to the midwife on Monday to asses some major cramping and stabbing jabs that really freaked me out at first. Turns out that round ligament pain was to blame and, man, was it bothersome. Common during this stage in the second trimester, it's just the body stretching and making room for the little life in there, but I pinned it on karma for turning my nose up when I read that baby is the size of an onion this week. (An onion? Something so sour and bitter for something so sweet??) The pain was pretty constant until around Friday and all of a sudden, voila!, a bump! (Ok, it wasn't technically overnight, but definitely a major growth spurt!) The growing pains were legit and I think it's safe to say I've "popped".




It was extremely foggy all week (see above), a little chilly, and rainy, so we jumped at the chance to escape for a bit and drove up to Milwaukee on Friday to see Atmosphere at Summerfest, who coincidentally happens to be the artist who sings a song we've had on repeat since we found out, which includes the lyrics, "She want a baby so I gave her one of those." We were joking that it was appropriate for the babes first concert, and just before we arrived I felt flutters of the baby moving on the left side. They were so faint, and I almost missed them had it not happened a few more times that night and since. Some people describe them as butterfly wings but mine feel more like bubbles, and that reminds me of a champagne celebration happening in my belly, which makes me insanely happy.


On the way back to Chicago on Saturday we stopped for a little outlet shopping and when a sales associate noticed the belly she got teary and admitted she'd just found out she was four weeks along. I was the only person she'd told besides her husband and doctor and it felt nice to have that moment with a complete stranger. It was my second experience of feeling like part of this exclusive club of support and understanding. It's a nod, a smile, or a comment that just means, I get it. From what I've seen and heard motherhood and parenting can be an open door for judgement ("You're doing it wrong!") so I'm really enjoying these tiny moments of camaraderie and openness.




On Sunday we spent the day on the lake with friends, and it was one of the first times most had seen the bump so baby got lots of love. I'm truly overwhelmed when I think of how many people are caring about us; asking questions, making sure we're comfortable. It's just so kind.

So what started out as rocky week, ended in a really happy weekend. Every day, sometimes hour, can feel different. I'm not sure if I'll do a recap each week, but it's nice to document a few things I want to remember and appreciate. I hope you don't mind following along!



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