22 Weeks Pregnant

Weeks 21-22 pregnancy update: Baby B is the size of an eggplant—about a foot long (head to toe) and a little over a pound! My belly feels like it’s growing and stretching more everyday, much more quickly than it did during my first pregnancy. I keep thinking about how big brother Ellis helped to shape this space in my body for his little brother.

I’m doing a lot of work to cultivate presence and trying to enjoy all the daily moments of this pregnancy, especially during this unique (to say the least) time when Hunter and I are both working from home. He’s been with me nearly every day of this pregnancy and will very likely continue to be once the baby is born.

But honestly, if I could push a button and fast forward to the baby’s birth, I would. Part of me wishes I could skip past the third trimester, mainly because I’m scared of the 32nd week.

My OB told me yesterday that I will only be allowed one guest at the hospital for the birth, which of course will be Hunter. Though I know it will be such a special time for the two of us, I’m also grieving the reality that our family won’t be able to be with us.

We’re having to rethink a lot of traditions of pregnancy and birth because of the pandemic. Pregnancy after loss already had me questioning how/if we want to have a baby shower and now, coupled with our socially distanced life, these questions are even more skewed. We’re gaining the confidence to make decisions that feel right for us, which I know will also be a helpful skill during parenthood!