I can't believe I am already sharing the half-way pregnancy update with our rainbow baby! It feels like yesterday I was sharing the news that we were expecting after our miscarriage this past summer! Not to mention, it truly feels like it was yesterday when found out we were having a boy at Christmas time! How are we already in two months into the new year!?

This pregnancy has been a blessing and I'm so very thankful, but wow has it flown by! I have heard your subsequent pregnancies after your first go quickly, and I can attest this is very true! Being busy with one (or more) kids at home makes it hard to stop and realize the little things you took in with your first baby, although I can say that I remain thankful each and every day! I find it hard to remember to take pictures of the weekly bump growth and share all of the little details, so I wanted to do so at the half way mark. Here are a few details about this pregnancy so far!

How Are You Feeling?

Ever since week 14 I have been feeling pretty good! This pregnancy is very similar to Maddies so far, which means I am thankful to be past the rough first trimester, and have my energy and appetite back! I am also thankful to be in the second trimester where my belly is still small enough to easily get around, and I don't feel any of the fatigue that comes with the end of pregnancy yet!

How are You Feeling Emotionally?

This pregnancy is different in one aspect which is that I don't find that I am as emotional as I was with Maddie's. Perhaps it is because I am handling my emotions better, or maybe I am too busy dealing with the emotions of a four year old little girl! ;) Either way, I am thankful and I am sure Sean is as well! I feel God's grace upon this pregnancy, and feel steady in my emotions overall.

How Do You Feel about the Changes in Your Body?

Much like my previous pregnancies, I see it as a gift. Sure, pregnancy comes with some ups and downs, and many changes along the way; But I will never take for granted the miracle that my body is performing by carrying these babies! On the days that I look in the mirror and feel the stretching (literally and figuratively) that my body is going through, I remember how much I wanted and prayed for this, and thank God and my body for what it is doing!

What Do Your Workouts Look Like these Days?

When I was trying to get pregnant I cut back on most of the high intensity workouts I was doing and just stuck to walking and weight training. I find this is what my body likes best when I'm trying to conceive. Once I got pregnant and started feeling tired and nauseous, I had to slow down my workouts and listen to my body. I still worked out 4 days a week, but I cut out most of my walks and swapped them with rest, and took it easier at the gym. Since entering my second trimester I have felt back to myself at the gym and have pretty much been able to keep up with my sister (who is not pregnant), which is a good indicator that my strength is back to normal in this trimester. Overall I work hard but I listen to my body, make sure I can keep up a conversation, and now that I'm 20 weeks I don't lay flat on my back.

Do You Have any Food Cravings/Aversions?

My aversions have pretty much all gone away with the first trimester; But boy did I have a lot of them! I couldn't stand coffee (rough), raw chicken or beef, most veggies, and even fruit was too sweet. I struggled to find what tasted good to me, and it would vary moment-to-moment. I ate a lot of bread and white stuff, but I knew from my first pregnancy that those food aversions would pass and my love for healthy foods would return, which it did!

As far as cravings go, I haven't had many, although I have eaten a huge bowl of strawberries, or have had strawberries in some form such as in smoothies or mixed into other recipes. I was the same way with Maddie, and ate them everyday! She loves strawberries, so it will be interesting to see if this baby does as well!

Most Exciting Moments of Your Pregnancy so Far?

The most exciting moments of this pregnancy in the first trimester was sharing the news that I was pregnant with family, friends, and you guys, and our gender reveal!

Since I've been in my second trimester I have had a lot of "little" moments that have been exciting such as when my bump started to show, feeling the baby move for the first time around week 16, and recently the anatomy scan!

What Are You Looking Forward To the Most in This Pregnancy?

I am most looking forward to the day when Maddie is able to feel the baby move! She loves to kiss and hug my belly and talk to the baby, and it will be so fun for her to feel and see the baby from the outside! I am also looking forward to planning out the nursery and soaking in all of the adventures as a family of three before the baby arrives.

What Are You Looking Forward To the Most When the Baby Arrives?

I am most looking forward to watching Maddie become a big sister and for Sean and I to experience the gift of another life in our family! I will admit that it seems strange to imagine loving and caring for another little one the same as I do for Maddie, but I have heard from every momma that this is totally normal! I know that once our baby is in our arms, my heart will expand bigger than I ever imagined possible, and I so look forward to that day!

Any Questions for Me?

Overall, if I could describe how I feel about this pregnancy the word would be thankful. Our Heavenly Father continues to amaze me with this redemption pregnancy! He is so very faithful, and He restores every moment of sorrow with joy! Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments, as I'd be so happy to share anything and everything in my journey so far! xo Katie