My belly moved! It was like a ripple or small wave right below my belly button. Amazing!

I have been feeling some flutters that felt more real recently. Today after dinner I was sitting in bed when I felt a more pronounced movement. I looked down and thought I saw a small bump. I lifted my shirt and sure enough there was a small something moving in and out. It probably only lasted a few seconds, but it was incredible.

I know it’s only the beginning and I’ll be seeing it all the time. Eventually I’ll be irritated by being kicked in the ribs or whatever they’ll end up doing, but I’m never going to forget seeing this first alien like protrusion 🙂

Today has been a day full of pregnancy symptoms. I had heartburn for the majority of the day (at least that’s what I think it is) and now my feet and ankles look like sausages. I’m sitting here on my bed, feet propped up, hoping they look semi normal soon. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, so why not week 21.

It’s not like I haven’t been feeling anything else. I noticed that I started waddling a couple of weeks ago. Not necessarily in the morning, but by the end of the day as I leave work, it’s a definite slow waddle. Walking up the stairs is a much slower process that leaves me out of breath. And the main pregnancy issue I’ve been having…PREGNANCY BRAIN! I can’t remember anything. From forgetting what I got up to do (which also happened sometimes before) to leaving my laptop at home one day to forgetting a complete conversation I had with my mom, it’s bad. All you moms tell me it gets worse. I can’t even imagine.

But I have to tell you that aside from all of these things, I’m loving being pregnant. I can’t stop rubbing my belly almost to the point where I get embarrassed when people point it out. I love imaging what these babies are going to be like. I was able to see the two of them last week in my anatomy scan and it was the most amazing thing. Hearing their heartbeats never gets old.

I’ll take the swollen feet, waddling, forgetfulness and all the other things that come with it because at the end of this I get the best reward. I’m so in love with them already.

Crazy hormones and resulting mood swings were something I was worried about before getting pregnant. I think my brothers joked about how they should all steer clear of me. My worry came from everything you hear about the ups and downs, sometimes irrational anger and emotion.

Not pregnant, I am a fairly emotional person. I am one of those that cries during commercials. I cry when any one wins something or accomplishes something great, even though I don’t even know them. Bar mitzvah or wedding speeches kill me. I also can get irritated quickly and my patience can run thin especially at work. I have been known to raise my voice at times. I’m not proud of it, but it is what it is.

So I was worried that being pregnant would make it even worse. The strange thing is that I think the opposite has happened. I actually think the pregnancy has leveled off my hormones. I have been strangely calm…no mood swings. Things that I thought would set off the tears, have not. It’s weird. I know there is still a ways to go, but so far, so good.

This past week has been particularly stressful at work as well as with potentially buying a new home. Besides being visibly exhausted (definite bags under the eyes), I’ve maintained my cool. I think the only time I got visibly pissed off is when I was somewhere for dinner and there was hardly anything I can eat. Lack of food options is the only thing that can set me off!

So as long as you guys all keep me fed then you have nothing to worry about 🙂

Some people have been asking for a belly pic, so here’s one from this past week at 18 weeks 3 days.