Baby Kicks and Cravings

I haven't really posted much about my pregnancy lately, so thought I would take some time to share a few things.  I officially started feeling the baby last week.  It is still pretty subtle and I know in a few weeks it will be full on punches and blows, so I'm really enjoying these small little nudges.  I forgot how awesome it is to feel your baby for the first time.  You go from having this bump with no association, to really realizing that your child is growing inside of you and the feeling is beyond anything I can describe.  Most recently I feel the little kicks after I eat a meal and I look forward to it every time...just can't get enough.  We are 17 weeks and some change today, so only 3 more weeks and we will know whether this little being kicking me is a boy or a girl.  So excited!

In other baby news, I've noticed some things that are just flat out different this time around:

• Cravings.  I never really had a specific one with Liam.  I mean, I'll always have the chick-fil-a and fries craving, but thats more of a "i can't wait to have that" craving, than a "I HAVE to have that" craving.  This time around has been different. I absolutely have to have, can't live without.....OLIVES.  I've never ordered olives at a restaurant and I've never gone to whole foods and gotten a container of olives, and in the past 2 weeks I have done both.  Twice.  

• So.Much.More.Tired - at the end of the day, after I put Liam to bed, it is all I can do to eat my dinner before I fall asleep.  I definitely feel better in the 2nd trimester, but I'm still flat out exhausted at the end of each day and I know it's because this time around I have a crazy toddler who is into EVERYTHING vs. coming home from work and relaxing on the couch.  Funny to think I thought I had it rough last time around...ha.  I guess its all relative!

• Time is flying - I remember feeling like I was counting the hours (not just weeks) with Liam.  And no matter what, everything felt like it was moving so slow.  This time I around I can't even keep up.  One week I'm 11 weeks and the next I'm 17.  I swear it is in fast forward this time.  What's funny is, I'm in no rush on this one.  We need Liam to be a little older and a little more mature once baby comes, so I'm more than happy for it to take its sweet time in the oven :)

• Not as much pain (yet) - In general, I haven't had as much body aches and pains as the first time. Hardly any round ligament pain, not a lot of cramping, no pain behind my belly button, etc.  Maybe its because my body has already stretched to the limits, so its easily going back to where it once was?  Not sure, but whatever it is, I'll take it.