Danielle's pregnancy: 5th month Update
The part of the update in which Danielle gets a semi-makeover
The belly is finally getting big enough to kind of see with clothes on. My husband and I think my belly looks big but people at work still think I look small. On June 1, I will be 22 weeks.
The occasion for the gussied-up-ness was my friend’s 30th party. The opportunities I have to get dressed up are few and far between so I took advantage of it. The skirt I am wearing here is non-maternity but it has an elastic waist that I wore low down on my hips. The top is maternity because my non-maternity shirts are just too short.
We had a pretty good time at the party. People kept saying I looked really good. Some people were also surprised that I was pregnant- that I didn’t look pregnant. I guess that’s a good sign that I haven’t gained too much weight.
People keep asking if we know what we’re having (I like to say "a baby" but that gets old)- actually they’ve been asking before we could even possibly know- like when we first starting announcing at 11 weeks! We will finally be able to let everyone know because we’ll be finding out ourselves on June 6th when we go for the anatomy scan ultrasound. There is a good possibility the baby will be facing the wrong way or have his or her legs closed but hopefully, that won’t happen.
The part of the update in which Josh and Danielle decide to move
We are currently living in a very lovely one bedroom but we are going to be moving to what’s known as a "junior 4" which means it’s a one bedroom with a dining room, but in the case of this apartment and this family, the dining room has been used as the kids’ room because it has four walls and doors making it totally private. We are very excited because the baby will get his/her own room and I get to have a rocking chair.
The part of the update about how Danielle has been feeling
In general, I have been feeling pretty good. The nausea is totally gone (although I did throw up after taking the pre-natal vitamins, even on a full stomach) as is the complete and utter exhaustion. I get tired much more easily, but that’s to be expected. Every other week I experience some achy feelings in my lower belly- I read that it’s probably round ligament stretching which is quite normal. My bursitis in my right thigh was acting up with the damp weather but it went away now that it dried up. Also, my plantar fascitis (foot tendon pain) kicks in after walking around just a little but so I have to not walk too much. Oh, and I have to pee constantly.
Yet, in spite of all of this, I really do feel good! After the 3 months of constant queasiness and nausea, believe me- I am taking it all in stride so this is feeling GREAT. I know that in a few months I will be getting huge and the baby will start squishing my innards so I am keeping it all in perspective and really trying to enjoy this time.
I can feel the baby kicking on a regular basis. It definitely happens when I am sitting or lying down and especially if I have had something sweet to drink or eat. I think I have been able to identify which are kicks, punches and headbutts by the location of impact but the strength varies. It is now happening just below my belly button which is more padded so I feel it less intensely than I did at first when it was in my lower belly which has little fat. Josh has been able to feel the movement which he says is subtle and sometimes feels like rolling to him as opposed to kicks. In any case, I know that the movement will get stronger and at some point, we will be able to see the movement.
The part of the update that has nothing to do with the baby
I’m feeling pretty good about turning 30 on June 19th. I know turning 30 can be a big deal to some people but I am actually looking forward to it. Part of me can’t believe it’s here, of course, but the other part is quite happy about it, especially since this year is bringing with it so many wonderful things.
Josh and I will also be celebrating our third anniversary on June 16th. It seems like only yesterday we were planning our trip to Italy- oh wait- it was only yesterday since we are going back to Italy on June 24th with the Josh’s parents and sister’s family. We are going to Santa Margherita on the Italian Riviera, then to Maremma, in Tuscany, and then a few days in Rome before heading back home.
The part of the update in which Danielle gives some baby-related shout-outs
First, congratulations to our cousins Debbie and Andrew who are expecting their second baby about a month or two after us.
The second shout-out goes to our friends Cathy & Sal who are counting down the weeks till their little girl decides to make her grand entrance into the world.
The final shout-out goes to my friend Mike and his wife Meredith who just welcomed their first child, a beautiful little boy they have named Jack Charles, on May 20th.
I can’t wait until DF can feel it! 
Take care, whatever you’ve been doing, keep it up: You look wonderful!
