5 months

Half way there! Actually, over half way there. I'm 21 weeks currently and if I get my way of another early induction I should only have 17 weeks left. I'm still hoping for a January 11 delivery date. Last week we had our ultrasound. We had decided that we would NOT peek at our baby's gender this time... Except, on the drive there Jared admitted he was having second thoughts, he said he doesn't like surprises. So, we made up our minds that we would ask for them to put the gender on a piece of paper and stash it in an envelope so that we could store it in our safe until a later date when we both agreed to peek or destroy it if we decided not to know. But, when got to the appointment we realized our power-tripping technician would take matters into her own hands with her crock of policies on who, how and when she would let parents find out the sex of their baby.
First, she told us that she would not write it on a piece of paper because she only did it for couples who had dinner plans or a big event later that week to make the announcement. Then, she said that if I didn't want to know the sex, but Jared did (which would have been fine with me) that she would defer to the mother and not allow the father his right to know. She said we both had to agree to know or not to know and we had to make up our minds that moment because we couldn't store it for a long period of time in our safe at home because, "it may end up in the wrong hands." Whatever! So, our sweet moment of seeing our baby left us with a slightly bitter taste in our mouths after her tirade of stipulations in which she controlled our decision to know, or not to know... oblivious to our rights as parents to know on our own timeline, not hers.
Here is what our baby would look like if we had the technology to see in 3D color.

And here is what our baby actually looks like in 2D. For the record, my gut tells me this is yet another baby boy. But only the delivery can tell me for sure.

As for signs & symptoms of this pregancy I've been feeling a lot of movement! So much that even Jared & Hunter can see and feel the baby moving around in there. That's the best part I think, when Jared can feel the baby. I think it would be hard for the father to bond with the baby as much as the mother does when it's in her womb. But, feeling the baby kick against the palm of his hand or respond to his voice has got to help!! I've also been having more Braxton-Hicks like contractions. That's also a good sign, it means my body is gearing up for the inevitable and I want it to be ready! I'm starting to show more and more, clothes are rotating through the closet weekly it seems. I have a lot of energy as compared to the first trimester but my legs are acting up. It's hard to stay off my feet because I want to be efficient and get the house cleaned and organized and to bake yummy foods with our fresh fruits & vegetables; but I also want to elevate my legs and it's hard to do both at the same time, let me tell you!
I'm looking forward to the cooling down of the weather as we ease into fall. My body temperature seems to be on the rise as of late so that is perfect timing! I love seeing the colors change in the trees and thinking about the impending holidays always makes me happy. Halloween, Logan's 1st birthday, Thanksgiving & Christmas in our new home! I can't wait!