Hello 2nd Trimester! Nice to meet you.

It's begun.  I've finally entered my second trimester!  It's a huge milestone for us and the baby.  I wasn’t sure which week marks the beginning of the second trimester because every website and doctor says something different.  My doc said it starts after 13 weeks 3 days and others say 12 weeks.  Today I'm 13 weeks 4 days, so it's official!  We've made it completely problem free...and it feels great!

My tummy feels good this week.  It seems to be getting bigger every day.   I've had occasional round ligament pain, which is not very pleasant.  The round ligament runs like a band under my belly, so as my belly grows it has to stretch to help support the weight of the baby/belly.   Sometimes the sharp pain doubles me over, but I don't mind.   It's a wonderful reminder that my body is working the way it's suppose to.  Morning sickness came on strong in week 11 and 12, but week 13 is easing up.  Other than those few things, I've been feeling really good.  I'm so grateful to be getting my energy back. No more nodding off at random times of the day!

I've been using the doppler on a regular basis.  We listen to the baby first thing in the morning and right before bed.  The heart rate is usually between 145-160.  I sometimes have to press hard on my belly to find the heartbeat.   When I do this the baby moves around and I can hear it on the monitor.  It's sounds like quibbles and scratchy sounds.  Sometimes I don't have to press at all.  It seems we have a very active baby!

We spent this past weekend in Pittsburgh visiting family.    It was a lovely and mellow visit.  Saturday we arrived, picked up Grammie and Logan and went to the Pgh Zoo.  Jackson and Logan get along so well and had a grand time together.  After the Zoo, we had dinner at my mom's then just relaxed for the evening.  Sunday was a shopping day.  We filled the trunk with lots of new baby stuff!   Julie and the girls came to mom's after shopping and the kids ran around outside until they were all sweaty messes.  Brian manned the grill and the ladies chatted in the kitchen as we always do.   Fun was had by all!

Brian and I are starting work on the nursery tonight!  He already began some light construction. Yay!  Let the fun begin!

A big GOOD LUCK goes out to my brother Jason as he studies for the bar exam next week.  After finishing in the top of his class at Duquesne Law School and passing the BARBRI exams in the top 1% in the country, I know he will crush the bar!  Lots of love and luck, Jay!