monday miscellany- 18 weeks

1) I'm 18 weeks pregnant today. This will be a big week because our ultrasound is on Thursday, and hopefully Number Two will reveal whether he or she is a boy, or a girl! Chris and I both think it's a boy, but we really have nothing to base that on... There's also that little worry in the back of your mind that something could be wrong with the baby, so having the ultrasound and getting everything checked out will be good for our peace of mind too. In the past several days I've started feeling movement every day, which I love. Ask me again in a few months when I have little feet visibly protruding from my abdomen :D. Having a tiny little person in your belly is just the coolest thing ever.

2) It's also a big week because we will close on our new house on Friday! I can only guess that I won't be blogging much as we get settled and get internet service in place. I'll definitely bring my camera over there for some "before" pictures as soon as we close.

3) Once we know the baby's sex, I'm sure I'll want to start planning and organizing baby stuff. And that means we need to get settled in the house asap so baby thoughts can take over :).

4) Chris has started storytelling with Celia. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever. He has a few characters that he's made up (one is a boy named Chester, and another is a girl named Zucchini), and he and Celia will sit together and he will just tell her story after story about them. She loves this. I'm pretty sure she would sit for hours listening, and she always gets upset when story time is over. They're just little stories about everyday activities and events that happen to kids her age, but to her they're just fascinating.

5) He's such a good daddy. He's especially good with little babies. I can't wait to see him with Number Two.

6) I've had a little sinus infection, I think. The other day I blew my nose (which is kind of loud and scary sounding), and Celia laughed and said "Mommy, you like an elephant! You like a funny elephant, Mommy!" Haha.

7) Due to said sinus infection and the fact that I don't want to take any medications during pregnancy, I decided to try a neti pot. It really works. Can I honestly say I fully recommend pouring water in your nose and letting it drip out the other nostril while you stand over the sink drooling out of one corner of your mouth? Um, no. However, it works well enough that I've found it worth the unpleasantness. That will have to be endorsement enough for you.

8) I may be behind the times with this, but have you guys been on Foodgawker? How did I never visit this treasure trove of recipes and beautiful food pictures until now? It's addicting. I searched for "vegan" and it has completely renewed my desire to quit the non-vegan foods and get my healthy diet back on track for the rest of this pregnancy. So many delicious looking things! If you haven't been there, go now!

9) The other morning, Pita took off her pajamas and came swimming up to me in her diaper, saying "I'm a sea otter!" Where she gets some things, I just don't know.

I've titled this picture "Sea otter with chunky elephant legs".

 10) Outfit of the week. Oh yes, this is a good one. We know by now how much Celia likes wearing pretty much anything she can. Well, the other day she was bumping around the kitchen wearing a paper bag over her head (with no pants on, of course) so I cut a face hole for her. Great outfit.