28 weeks pregnant
I can hardly believe the second trimester has already come to an end. I haven’t shared as many updates over the past few months because, thankfully, things have been uneventful and smooth. When people ask how I’m feeling I usually say, “Great — so great I sometimes forget I’m pregnant, until he starts kicking or I pass a mirror.”
I truly loved the second trimester. Morning sickness was gone, friends and family were excited for us, I felt the first gentle kicks, watched the baby roll, and enjoyed watching my belly grow.
20 weeks pregnant
The most thrilling moment was learning we’re having a BOY.
Even before pregnancy I had this intuition that our first child would be a boy. I pictured him: a little blonde guy with Shawn’s blue eyes and my wavy hair. I often referred to the baby as “him.” At our 16-week ultrasound I hoped they’d tell us, but the technician couldn’t be sure. I started doubting myself — what if it was a girl? We would have been overjoyed either way, but the boy feeling wouldn’t leave me.
At the gender reveal ultrasound I thought I might have seen something that indicated a boy, but I didn’t want to assume. I asked the technician to write the result on a scrap of paper and hand it to Shawn so he could tell me in the room. He opened it, smiled big, and said, “It’s a boy, Nat!” My heart exploded with happiness as he kissed me and squeezed my hand. Then the technician pointed it out on the screen — unmistakable.
That Friday we hosted a gender reveal BBQ for family, aunts, uncles and cousins. Since this is the first grandchild on both sides, everyone was particularly excited. Our backyard had just been landscaped, the garden was growing, and guests loved meeting our chickens and seeing the house.
I decorated a large cardboard box and filled it with blue balloons. Shawn taped it shut so no one could peek. We set up a guessing chart and, right before dinner, opened the box to reveal the news.
We were surrounded by the most joyful family. Watching everyone cheer for our baby boy was one of the best nights. He is already deeply loved.
Our home sits among trees, barns and hills with no neighbors close by. In the video you can see our front yard and the garden Shawn and I built in the spring — our tomato plants are on the top tier. I love picturing our little family in this peaceful setting.
Overall, the second trimester was smooth, though we had a particularly scary week at 18 weeks. A coworker came in with a rash that turned out to be shingles. Since shingles can be dangerous during pregnancy, especially for the baby, I panicked. I rushed home, took an exhaustive shower, and reached out to my doctor. For three agonizing days I watched for any signs of a rash and checked my body constantly. Thankfully, I did not catch it and both the baby and I were fine. The experience was a stark reminder of how quickly worry can set in and how fiercely I already care for this child.
My mom offered comforting perspective: this worry is only the beginning, and it’s a sign I’ll be a devoted mother. That was a balm to my anxious heart.
Later that week I had a routine check and my blood pressure was slightly elevated, which prompted a 24-hour urine test to rule out preeclampsia. The result was just over the lab’s normal range, but after talking with family in healthcare and then hearing from my doctor the next morning, everything was confirmed normal. The relief in Shawn’s voice when I called him was priceless. Since that visit my blood pressure has stayed normal — likely the result of stress from the shingles scare.
Those weeks taught Shawn and me how much attitude matters and how grateful we are for our health. The 20-week anatomy scan is intense — they examine every organ and zoom in on tiny heart valves — and we were incredibly relieved to learn he is healthy. We have so much to be thankful for.
Feeling his first kick was another milestone. Many friends felt movement earlier, but I didn’t notice anything until 21 weeks. The first sensation was a tiny bump that felt like a small fish tapping the side of a bag — unexpected and thrilling. I told Shawn and he eagerly placed his hand on my belly, waiting to feel it too. A few weeks later he felt the baby roll over and was moved to whisper, “Hey little guy, it’s your daddy. I can feel you in there.” Those quiet, tender moments make my heart melt.
Now he moves constantly. Morning is my favorite: the roosters crow, we wake slowly, and the baby starts to stir and kick as we lie in bed. Throughout the day he often settles when I move and then becomes active when I sit, reminding me of the small life growing inside me and strengthening our bond.
Physically, I’m fortunate to feel mostly like myself, aside from a growing belly and more frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom. I have had occasional pubic bone pain known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), which my doctor explained is common as joints loosen for birth. It flares after long days on my feet — understandable after a 10-hour wedding shoot — and then eases with rest.
Emotionally, pregnancy has amplified my compassion and sensitivity. Little things can move me deeply — from seeing injured wildlife to watching an intense movie alone — and I find I crave positivity and proximity to loving, supportive people. I’m more comfortable saying no to things that drain me and choosing work and relationships that nourish our growing family. This clarity feels liberating.
Our schedule has been packed with work and weddings through the end of summer and into fall. Our last wedding is November 14, when I’ll be around 8.5 months pregnant — a hectic stretch considering we haven’t started the nursery yet. Shawn wants to build custom pieces, which I love, so we’ll carve out a weekend soon to get started. We’re looking forward to things slowing down in December so we can savor the final weeks as a family of two before welcoming our son and becoming a family of three.