15 weeks (and 1 day)

15 weeks. Not quite round-bellied, but getting there. Maybe more pudge-bellied. Maybe something like "she's eaten a few too many brownies" bellied. I don't care, I love it just the same. I rub it and talk to it and when we went hiking by the river on Sunday, I lifted my shirt so it could hear the water, too.

I even pulled up my shirt to check on it at work, and then remembered myself. This belly is getting to be a habit.

I'm feeling good, so much better than the first trimester, which besides the exhaustion and nausea, gifted me a heavy dose of depression and anxiety. But that's lifted now. Now is for dreaming and prenatal yoga and long walks, ice cream and listing names. Thinking about ways to make my house more homey and snuggly. Clearing away the junk in corners and closets, giving way to air and light. For cooking at home. And did someone mention brownies awhile back? A time for brownies, definitely that.

I always admired 15 weeks. The for real second trimester nature of it. And now I'm here, finally relaxing into this pregnancy, and loving it.