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20 Weeks: Checking in on Denise’s pregnancy at the halfway mark

MOLINE, Illinois – Every week, an app on my phone tells me how big the baby is getting, from a poppy seed to a pumpkin. At 20 weeks, my sweet baby is now ...
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MOLINE, Illinois – Every week, an app on my phone tells me how big the baby is getting, from a poppy seed to a pumpkin. At 20 weeks, my sweet baby is now a banana. But much like meteorologists use the ‘real feel’ temperature to tell you it feels like 104 on an 85 degree day, I think baby apps need to do the same thing. Baby may be a banana, but my ‘real feel’ is a 20 ounce steak, baked potato and half a chocolate cake. Suffice it to say, I’m feeling pleasantly plump. But at the halfway mark in my pregnancy, that feels really darn good.

20 Weeks: Checking in on Denise’s pregnancy at the halfway mark

Baby Banana!

So here we are at the halfway point… That’s right, I’m a ‘we’. We is also my husband Turner, who as been such a champ over the past four months. He lets me sleep in, eat chocolate and puts up with a little extra moodiness on any given day.  We had the option of learning our baby’s gender this week, but we are opting to stay “Team Green” until baby is born. The ultrasound tech laughed as we both closed our eyes during the most recent appointment, remarking that there always seems to be one spouse sneaking a peek. But the surprise is important to us both. That also means are committed to coming up with at least 2 names and decorating a nursery that could be home to either a mini-D or a mini-T. Turner wants baby’s room decorated with the same art that was on his walls as a child, so stay tuned for our “fairy tale dragon” unisex nursery. I’m so excited to see it come together. For now, Mackey is just confused about the mess in the previously empty room.

20 Weeks: Checking in on Denise’s pregnancy at the halfway mark

Where are my toys?

I am so happy to say that I am feeling fabulous. Everyone says the second trimester is the best, because you’re over the morning sickness of the first three months but aren’t big enough yet to be uncomfortable like you are in the third trimester. I was lucky enough to have virtually no morning sickness and only very few uncomfortable days. The toughest part for me is getting dressed for work. I’m no longer trying to hide the fact that I’m pregnant. (A lot of you wondered what was up with the baggy blouses… ) Now I’m just trying to fit into clothes in general. I feel best in real clothes, not maternity wear, that’s one size bigger. This a-line Ann Taylor midi-dress is long, flowy and super comfortable, so I feel like a queen, or at least someone who maybe knows a queen.

20 Weeks: Checking in on Denise’s pregnancy at the halfway mark

I also found a favorite pair of maternity jeans. They’re from J. Crew, so a little pricey, but I think worth it for the quality and the fit. They’re called “toothpick jeans”, which I find particularly hilarious considering no toothpick has ever required an elastic waist. Overall, buying some new clothes is one of the fun decisions. The less fun ones are still to come… like thinking about birth plans, day cares and other scary mommy things.

As I think ahead to all the things my little one will need, I want to share a little plug for a local project that keeps newborn babies safe and swaddled.

From Trinity Health Foundation:

For only nine dollars, donors can give a newborn at Trinity Birthplace’s Bettendorf or Moline campuses a Halo Sleep Sack for use at home.  The wearable blankets swaddles babies in cotton that stays put while they sleep in order to help keep them from wiggling.  When used properly the sleep sacks help reduce the chance of babies becoming entangled in sheets and other covers that could obstruct their breathing. Halo Sleep Sacks are endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Donations may be made online at www.unitypoint.org/quadcities/donate-a-sleep-sack.aspx.  Gifts can also be given in honor of a loved one, and a donor card will accompany each sleep sack. For more information, contact the Trinity Health Foundation at (309) 764-7610.

Thanks to all who have been checking in and sending positive thoughts!

20 Weeks: Checking in on Denise’s pregnancy at the halfway mark

Feeling GREAT!

Read more:

http://wqad.com/2016/04/11/how-donnie-wahlberg-spilled-the-beans-on-denises-pregnancy/

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