Let’s get off the topic of politics for a moment and focus on something happy! 
The belly at 16 weeks.
I hit 16 weeks yesterday, a milestone for sure. Between now and 20 weeks, Kit will do some real growing, and I’ll do some major sleeping or eating — or both! — as a result. And smack in the middle of that, we find out Kit’s sex!
The great thing is, we’re going to find out with our families around us. As we haven’t seen my parents (aside from Skype) since June at the earliest, and we’ve only seen Matt’s mom a handful of times, we thought it’d be nice to get an elective ultrasound at Oh Baby Ultrasound Studio while down in Florida for Thanksgiving so we could all see Kit (in all his/her glory, haha). Shortly after that, we’ll be going to the Center for Maternal and Fetal Medicine here in Maryland to get our anatomy scan, so we’ll be able to see Kit twice in one week!
I’m excited for this afternoon, too: I’ll be picking up a fetal doppler from someone in the area who’s selling theirs. (Shh… don’t tell Matt yet, lol.) I’m SO thrilled for the chance to hear Kit whenever we want to! The most terrifying thing about this whole thing is not knowing what’s going on in there, and while there’s no window to the uterus (which would admittedly be weird, anyway), modern technology sure is great, with its dopplers and ultrasounds and 3D/4D sonograms. It really is.
Kit at about 12.5 weeks. Can't wait to see at 18!
Things are otherwise going well! I’ve been feeling some movement lately, which has been nothing short of amazing. Turns out, Kit really loves chocolate, which works splendidly as I do, too! 
The feelings are a combination of flicking your palm with your fingers, a rolling wave, or butterfly wings, depending on the type of movement, I guess. I feel a little seasick when the waves start (currently, that’s the worst of my nausea!). Totally weird. And yesterday I felt a kick or punch in each the top of my uterus and, ah… in the lady bits! Can’t wait until THOSE get stronger.
I also have pregnancy rhinitis, which… ahem, blows. My nose is runny during the day and stuffy at night, and I constantly sneeze like I have hay fever or something. I sometimes get headaches and sinus pressure, too. It’s really not all that fun, though I’m happy to know I’m not alone: An estimated 20-30% of women end up with the condition, which is only cured by childbirth!
Looking an awful lot like a baby.
Even considering that, I feel fantastic. What everyone says about the second trimester is true: More energy, starting to show (rather than feeling bloated or fat), feeling movement, and really feeling like all this is real!
My baby is having a baby!!!!
Love you so much.
XOXOXOXO
I remember that.
Also, you have a cute little belly going on there. By 16 weeks, I felt ginormous! I’m so jealous! Enjoy every little glimpse you can get. Growing a human being is an amazing experience. 
I’m also jealous of your not feeling sick/sleepy/etc. anymore, now that you’re in your second trimester. I was still sick as a dog at that point. I’m so happy that you’re feeling so awesome!
Oh man, I am SO happy for you and Matt!!! Congrats x 1000!
I CANT WAIT TO SEE KIT!!! I hope I can react differently than before. LOL. I cant wait to meet him/her!! Beyond excited.
To me you are an angel in disguise.
Full of intuition, intelligent, and wise.
Always giving and helping through
Good times and bad.
You are the best friend I’ve ever had.
If I had one wish it would surely be
To give you as much as you’ve given to me.
Though I’ve put our relationship through some cloudy days,
You’ve been my sunshine in so many ways.
Through trials and tests, right by me
You stood,
And gave me your hand whenever you could.
Thank you so much my sister, my friend
My gratitude for you has no end.
in months to come your having a baby
i just cant wait to find out what KIT will be.