18 weeks

Another week gone in a flash. It's scary how fast this is going. I really am feeling a bit disconnected from the pregnancy. I don't feel particularly pregnant, even though I'm starting to look it!

Taken at 17 weeks 3 days

Still, I don't want to go this whole pregnancy in a daze of disbelief. I want to be able to find some time, every now and then, to be in the moment and appreciate what is happening here. I find it hard to do at home with the kids around. I'm always go, go, go and thinking about what needs to be done next. And then, by evening when the kids are in bed, I'm that tired that all I want to do is crash and watch mindless television. As it is, I've been heading to bed around 9-9.30pm these days anyway.

So, finding time to be in the moment doesn't happen very often. I am hoping that pregnancy yoga helps... from what I have heard from my friend who also did it, it has a lot of meditation to do with connecting to and bonding with your baby, so it should be good. Now that we have money again after a very tight month last month, I have finally signed up for pregnancy yoga (I think it's actually called Sacred Birth yoga). The class is every Sunday afternoon at 4pm and goes for an hour and a half. I went to my first class yesterday, and it was really lovely. Lots of gentle stretching and breathing, a lovely lie down at the end haha! The usual teacher didn't take it, as she was sick, so there wasn't as much visualisation and guided meditation as I was hoping for, but maybe next week.

I have had a few more potential movements felt this week, but again, nothing I can be sure of and nothing very strong or consistent. Movements can't be too far off though. I can't wait!

I am slowly (very slowly) attempting to reclaim my healthier lifestyle. I was very slack last week with exercise - I only went walking once. I have now actually booked in at the gym to have a program done up though - so I go in on Tuesday evening for that. And yoga will be helpful. And I aim to go walking more often. I think I'll aim for every second day.
The eating side of things I struggle with a bit more... I know I should be eating better, but I guess I have an underlying feeling of having a 'free pass' in pregnancy. I mean, I haven't been going silly eating  junk all the time, but I haven't been eating that healthily either. I did the grocery shopping last night, and I had to laugh... there was fruit and veg, greek style yogurt, chia pods (basically chia pudding), raw food bars... and then there were also pringles, ice creams and chocolate. Even my grocery shop reflects how torn I am! I know what I need to do and be eating... but I also have all these things I want to be eating! Anyway, at least I'm trying... and I feel like I will get there.

And... in other exciting news, my scan is all booked in! It's in a week! I will be 19 weeks at the time of the scan. It's not till the afternoon, so it's going to be a long day! I might have to make sure I have something planned, so I don't spend the whole day waiting for it. I am still undecided about finding out the gender. I need to just make a decision and stick with it! Anyway, hubby and I have a week to decide.

Lastly, my belly photo for the week: