Garrett Diaries: MY PREGNANCY FAVORITES

iPhone pics: ^^Splash Pad (18 weeks)--6am Morning of Girls Camp (19 weeks)--Ultrasound pic. (20 weeks)

So much has happened. So much goodness.

In spite of other, very difficult things occurring, this baby has been a light for us and our families...a constant source of light, happiness, and so much love!

Some of My Favorite Things:

*Fruit. My entire pregnancy, fruit has ALWAYS been my constant go-to. It rocks!

*Growing! It has been so miraculous for C + I to watch my belly grow as our sweet babe gets bigger. It's the neatest thing to witness. Given our history, I get nervous...and then I have to remind myself to have faith. Needless to say, I have never been happier to only fit in two pairs of maternity pants I own. I faithfully follow an app that describes the growth each day--making size comparisons...today your baby is size of an avocado or the length of a banana. >>Today our baby is the size of a spaghetti squash (22 weeks)!

*Outside Comments--between coaching teenagers or going to the grocery store, I get some of the funniest comments. The other day, while checking out of the grocery store, a little girl looked up at me and said, "WOAH, there's a baby growing in there!" It reminds me that this is really happening!

*Splash Pad with my sisters. It's pathetic, I know. It just gets me so excited to take our little one. (18 week splash pad pic.^^) Being an identical twin offers a unique perspective on the beautiful capabilities of the human body--how many people get a real-time before and after? So cool.

*Wardrobe Staples: Dresses, t-shirts, anything flowly and loose. C teases me for wearing the same go-to outfits daily. It's the summer...comfort if what I am going for!

*Exercise: With coaching, I started the summer running, lifting w/ the XC team--now I bike to keep pace :) Also, prenatal yoga is a two-thumbs up!!!

***At about 16 weeks: Gender Reveal: We are having a BOY! Ultrasounds are heavenly. Truly. I feel so close to our little one. I always get a bit teary as I watch him reach upward, interlock his fingers, scrunch his legs, or rub his eyes. He is ours.

They even gave us a flower that turned blue as we left the office. It was such a beautiful experience.

***At 20 weeks, Full Anatomy Ultrasound. Through a 30-45 minute ultrasound, we were able to check how he was progressing physically. From the brain's hemisphere, the chambers of the heart, to a cleft lip or club foot--the technology allowed us to see our baby in full! No problems were reported. (Although, ultrasounds are unable to see any genetic problems, I continue to have faith that our sweet babe is functioning + growing properly.) The ultrasound technician kept repeating, "He is perfect." I couldn't agree more!

*Feeling Him! It started out, feeling like little bubbles and then the feelings gradually become more distinct. By 21 weeks, right before I go to bed or when I sit still, I feel his little body move or a distinct movement. Last night, we went to The Little Mermaid at the Hale Theater. Every time a fun, upbeat song came on Baby Garrett was dancing around like you wouldn't believe. He loved it! It was the first time Carson felt him kick. It is blasted fantastic.

*When Carson talks to him. Ah! I die.

**His darling profile. I have it framed by my bedside. We are already obsessed with you, little guy!