And the winner is....

....Baby Girl Rinker! The amniocentesis results are in, (we went back for another one last Tuesday) and everything is peachy! The baby is definitely going to be a girl, and she's got all the right bits, bobs, and chromosomes. That's definitely a load off the mind, though we weren't really worried. Let the wild rumpus start!

Another milestone was that yesterday marked the first day of my 20th week. I am officially half way through the estimated length of pregnancy. Woo hoo! We made it this far, only another 4.5 months to go.. we can do it.. right? Right?? (I know.. I sound a little bit like I'm convincing myself.. well.. that's because I am.)

I'm definitely feeling a lot more pregnant. The belly is finally turning from ample midsection into actual baby bump, which is gratifying. I'm having to sit farther away from tables and think about where my body is so that I don't run into things. My lap is getting shorter and shorter, too. The cat has mainly noticed that one. :)

I also have been having some funny pains and aches, all of which I'm sure are normal. My massage therapist is pretty sure I have acute achilles tendonitis in my left heel, which is very painful and really stinks. Especially because he's not allowed to do any work in that area because there are neural connections to the reproductive organs that can cause premature labor. Bah. I'm sure, though, that it will be temporary and hopefully resolve once the baby's born.

I continue to have more energy than before, but the gagging has gotten worse. Thankfully it usually doesn't go anywhere, but when it does I'm sooo miserable. This whole process is not for the faint of heart, I tell ya. But then again, it's a cakewalk compared to actual parenting, which will be on us soon enough.

Speaking of parenting, it's extremely refreshing to feel like Eric and I are so much on the same page. We have had several discussions and roleplaying scenarios, and we are very well matched in terms of what we are envisioning for the little one. Who knows what will happen when the theory gets put into practice, but it's nice to come from the same starting point.

Time for this mama-to-be to rest.. there's a lot going on inside my tummy! I promise to post sooner this time. There's plenty to say.. I'm just lazy!