How far along: 21 weeks. Wow.
How Am I Feeling?: Blessed. Incredibly lucky.
Mood: I had some random bouts of "I don't know why I'm crying right now" earlier this week, but I seem to be feeling better.
Clothes: I feel like I wear the same thing over and over. Hopefully we can stop at the Motherhood outlet store on our way up to Columbus in two weeks.
Sleep: like a rock.
Cravings: none that I can think of right now... but some of that chocolate peanut butter pie from Friday's that I had on Tuesday sounds pretty good.
Gender Predictions: I know! I know, I know! :D
Movements: Daily. Ben was pushing on my belly the other night and the baby responded with a big kick to his hand! That was the first time the baby has responded to something on the outside.
Belly Button: still an innie, but getting shallower....
Best Moment This Week: Uh, duh. I got to see my baby on the ultrasound and we found out the gender!
What I Miss: Nothing. I almost forget what it's like to not be pregnant.
What I am Looking Forward To: Our gender reveal party. I want to share our news with everyone and I don't want to worry about accidentally slipping up and telling someone!
Milestones This Week: The 20 week ultrasound and the baby responding to outside stimuli.
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of a banana. B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
Your Baby - 21 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is still pretty active and continues to move all over in the amniotic fluid. However, towards the end of this trimester the baby will begin to settle, usually in a head down position. Your baby is beginning to show evidence of eyebrows and eyelashes and the hair on his scalp is much more visible. He wakes and sleeps in regular intervals, similar to what a newborn would do. This may be apparent to you by his movement patterns. He regularly ingests and absorbs large quantities of the amniotic fluid and excretes urine. Your baby is approximately 27-30 cm (11 inches) and weighs about three quarters of a pound.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Doctor's Appointment 4.0
We went to the doctor yesterday for our 4th appointment. First, we had our 20 week ultrasound. The tech looked at the baby for about 35 minutes and showed us everything! She was really good and very friendly, so I was pleased. Every time she was looking at a different part of the baby, she would point out exactly what she was looking at and tell us that everything looked good. The baby has ten fingers and ten toes, four chambers in the heart, three vessels to and from the umbilical cord, two perfect kidneys.... and a partridge in a pear tree, right? She also said that the placenta looks really good and is in the right place and there is plenty of amniotic fluid. She looked at the baby's brain, spine, and tummy (it's so tiny!). She measured the length of the femur and she was able to tell us that we are having a ..... perfect baby. I'm pretty sure I was crying throughout the entire appointment.
Next, I went to see the NP. I peed in a cup like I do every visit. (I'm getting so awesome at it too!) They also weighed me. I was VERY surprised to learn that I have not gained a single pound since my last appointment 3 weeks ago. I have only gained 5 pounds during my pregnancy. I don't think people will actually believe that when they see me though.
They took my blood pressure (looks good!) and the NP came in to listen to the baby's heart. Once again, the actual doctor appointment was very quick.
We left to go celebrate our healthy baby at Friday's. Very good day.
Next, I went to see the NP. I peed in a cup like I do every visit. (I'm getting so awesome at it too!) They also weighed me. I was VERY surprised to learn that I have not gained a single pound since my last appointment 3 weeks ago. I have only gained 5 pounds during my pregnancy. I don't think people will actually believe that when they see me though.
They took my blood pressure (looks good!) and the NP came in to listen to the baby's heart. Once again, the actual doctor appointment was very quick.
We left to go celebrate our healthy baby at Friday's. Very good day.
letters to baby: i saw you
hi baby.
i saw you yesterday. i cried when i saw you. we had our ultrasound and you were moving all over the place. i drank a little orange juice before we went because they say it makes babies more active. the ultrasound tech told us that you were a stubborn little thing because you kept hiding behind my belly button! i guess my belly button actually creates a lot of shadows and it makes it harder to see you.
you are perfect. everything about you is perfect. the tech showed us your heart, lungs, brains, kidneys, and they all look perfect. i absolutely can't wait to hold you.
i saw you yesterday and you are perfect. you are just the perfect little .......
love,
mommy
i saw you yesterday. i cried when i saw you. we had our ultrasound and you were moving all over the place. i drank a little orange juice before we went because they say it makes babies more active. the ultrasound tech told us that you were a stubborn little thing because you kept hiding behind my belly button! i guess my belly button actually creates a lot of shadows and it makes it harder to see you.
you are perfect. everything about you is perfect. the tech showed us your heart, lungs, brains, kidneys, and they all look perfect. i absolutely can't wait to hold you.
i saw you yesterday and you are perfect. you are just the perfect little .......
love,
mommy
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Strangers
So the other day I had my first "stranger" rub my tummy. She's not really a stranger because I work with her, so I do know her. I say "stranger" because she is the first person that is not a family member or close friend that has rubbed my tummy.
Yesterday, I had my first stranger ask me if I was pregnant. She is also a co-worker, but I have literally NEVER talked to her before. I was making my lunch in the break room and she came up and asked if I had a little baby in there. I guess I really do look pregnant.
So, in honor of strangers touching me and asking me if I'm pregnant.... here's a belly pic. It's actually from Easter so it's a little old, but I wanted to share it anyway. Maybe I'll have my mom take a recent one tonight.
Enjoy! .....and Happy Friday!! :D
Yesterday, I had my first stranger ask me if I was pregnant. She is also a co-worker, but I have literally NEVER talked to her before. I was making my lunch in the break room and she came up and asked if I had a little baby in there. I guess I really do look pregnant.
So, in honor of strangers touching me and asking me if I'm pregnant.... here's a belly pic. It's actually from Easter so it's a little old, but I wanted to share it anyway. Maybe I'll have my mom take a recent one tonight.
Enjoy! .....and Happy Friday!! :D
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Weekly Update: 20 Weeks
How far along: 20 weeks.
Hold up.
***record scratch***
20 weeks? As in halfway there? Holy Moley.
**hyperventilates. breathes in paper bag**
Okay. We're calm again. Continuing...
How Am I Feeling?: Good. Great. Wonderful. (besides the bouts of hyperventilating when I realize how close I am getting)
Mood: Absolutely blissful. On cloud nine.
Clothes: Uh yeah. It's all maternity now. (Unless I don't do laundry and have to resort to a pair of pants that I can't actually zip)
Sleep: I wasn't sleeping very well earlier this week, but it seems to be getting better.
Appetite: It seems almost normal lately.
Cravings: I've suddenly really wanted Coke all week. Which really stinks because I can't drink too much.
Gender Predictions: We'll find out on Tuesday! What's your guess??
Movements: They are pretty consistent now. The baby moves a lot when I am sitting (probably because I am squishing him/her a bit more than when I stand). Last night I went to see my brother in The Music Man (which was totally awesome!) and the baby loved it! Seriously he/she was moving all over the place!
Belly Button: I've added belly button updates starting this week. I've always had a pretty deep innie which I've always liked. Some people's belly buttons poke out by the end of pregnancy but not everyone's will. I always kinda thought that mine would stay an innie or if it did pop out, it wouldn't be until the very end.
**side note***--Belly buttons actually freak me out a little. I don't like anyone (including myself) touching mine at all. I know this isn't usually common practice for people to stick their fingers in other people's belly buttons, but it still freaks me out. I **think** it has something to do with the fact that I think there must be less skin to go through in the belly button area since it is already a few centimeters deeper than my tummy so if I poke too hard, I might poke all the way through. I really don't want to poke through my belly button. (Plus, I've always hated that scene in The Matrix where they have to get the bug out through his belly button. Absolutely freaks. me. out.)
So.... where was I? Oh right, my belly button is getting shallower. And it's making me very nervous. I really didn't want my belly button to poke out at all but it looks like it's probably going to...
Best Moment This Week: I have two best moments. One baby related and one NBR.
NBR: I saw my little brother in The Music Man last night and I absolutely loved it. It was SO good! I was super impressed with him as Harold Hill (the lead!). I'm going back on Friday and Sunday to see it again!
BR: Ben felt the baby. On Sunday, Ben had to work. I had just been relaxing all day, watching TV. I had my hand on my stomach and suddenly I felt a little kick on my hand! This was the first time I had felt it on the outside. I kept feeling it all day. So when Ben got home and we were watching TV together, I took his hand and put it on my tummy so he could feel too. and he did! I looked at him and he says "Was that it?" and I nodded. He thought it was cool. I thought it was cool too.
What I Miss: Not a single thing.
What I am Looking Forward To: Is it Tuesday yet? Not only am I looking forward to finding out if we're having a little boy or girl, I'm really looking forward to just seeing our baby again. I think I'm going to be amazed by how big he/she has gotten. They say that the ultrasound usually lasts around 45 minutes. Seeing my baby move around for 45 minutes?? Score!
Milestones This Week: Daddy felt baby too. I can't wait until baby responds to his touch or the sound of his voice. I think that will be so cool.
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of a cantaloupe. (That just sounds so super big in my mind...)
Your Baby - 20 Weeks Pregnant
Over the last four weeks, your baby has grown an incredible amount, and has just about quadrupled his weight. He's big enough that you should be feeling fluttering or quickening quite regularly now. In fact, from his movements you may be able to tell if your baby is awake or asleep. Your baby is anywhere from 25 - 28 cm or 10 inches long and weighs 285-300 grams or 10-11 ounces.
Your baby has started to practice breathing motions, even though his lungs are not yet mature enough to breathe enough air to allow him to survive outside your body. Lanugo (the fine hair) covers your baby's whole body, and hair on his scalp is beginning to grow. Your baby's ears are fully functional now and he enjoys the sound of uterine noise. All the organs and structures of your baby's body are formed and your baby is now entering a period of simple growth. And you may be getting ready to be a grandma already: if your baby is a girl, her uterus is beginning to develop!
Hold up.
***record scratch***
20 weeks? As in halfway there? Holy Moley.
**hyperventilates. breathes in paper bag**
Okay. We're calm again. Continuing...
How Am I Feeling?: Good. Great. Wonderful. (besides the bouts of hyperventilating when I realize how close I am getting)
Mood: Absolutely blissful. On cloud nine.
Clothes: Uh yeah. It's all maternity now. (Unless I don't do laundry and have to resort to a pair of pants that I can't actually zip)
Sleep: I wasn't sleeping very well earlier this week, but it seems to be getting better.
Appetite: It seems almost normal lately.
Cravings: I've suddenly really wanted Coke all week. Which really stinks because I can't drink too much.
Gender Predictions: We'll find out on Tuesday! What's your guess??
Movements: They are pretty consistent now. The baby moves a lot when I am sitting (probably because I am squishing him/her a bit more than when I stand). Last night I went to see my brother in The Music Man (which was totally awesome!) and the baby loved it! Seriously he/she was moving all over the place!
Belly Button: I've added belly button updates starting this week. I've always had a pretty deep innie which I've always liked. Some people's belly buttons poke out by the end of pregnancy but not everyone's will. I always kinda thought that mine would stay an innie or if it did pop out, it wouldn't be until the very end.
**side note***--Belly buttons actually freak me out a little. I don't like anyone (including myself) touching mine at all. I know this isn't usually common practice for people to stick their fingers in other people's belly buttons, but it still freaks me out. I **think** it has something to do with the fact that I think there must be less skin to go through in the belly button area since it is already a few centimeters deeper than my tummy so if I poke too hard, I might poke all the way through. I really don't want to poke through my belly button. (Plus, I've always hated that scene in The Matrix where they have to get the bug out through his belly button. Absolutely freaks. me. out.)
So.... where was I? Oh right, my belly button is getting shallower. And it's making me very nervous. I really didn't want my belly button to poke out at all but it looks like it's probably going to...
Best Moment This Week: I have two best moments. One baby related and one NBR.
NBR: I saw my little brother in The Music Man last night and I absolutely loved it. It was SO good! I was super impressed with him as Harold Hill (the lead!). I'm going back on Friday and Sunday to see it again!
BR: Ben felt the baby. On Sunday, Ben had to work. I had just been relaxing all day, watching TV. I had my hand on my stomach and suddenly I felt a little kick on my hand! This was the first time I had felt it on the outside. I kept feeling it all day. So when Ben got home and we were watching TV together, I took his hand and put it on my tummy so he could feel too. and he did! I looked at him and he says "Was that it?" and I nodded. He thought it was cool. I thought it was cool too.
What I Miss: Not a single thing.
What I am Looking Forward To: Is it Tuesday yet? Not only am I looking forward to finding out if we're having a little boy or girl, I'm really looking forward to just seeing our baby again. I think I'm going to be amazed by how big he/she has gotten. They say that the ultrasound usually lasts around 45 minutes. Seeing my baby move around for 45 minutes?? Score!
Milestones This Week: Daddy felt baby too. I can't wait until baby responds to his touch or the sound of his voice. I think that will be so cool.
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of a cantaloupe. (That just sounds so super big in my mind...)
Your Baby - 20 Weeks Pregnant
Over the last four weeks, your baby has grown an incredible amount, and has just about quadrupled his weight. He's big enough that you should be feeling fluttering or quickening quite regularly now. In fact, from his movements you may be able to tell if your baby is awake or asleep. Your baby is anywhere from 25 - 28 cm or 10 inches long and weighs 285-300 grams or 10-11 ounces.
Your baby has started to practice breathing motions, even though his lungs are not yet mature enough to breathe enough air to allow him to survive outside your body. Lanugo (the fine hair) covers your baby's whole body, and hair on his scalp is beginning to grow. Your baby's ears are fully functional now and he enjoys the sound of uterine noise. All the organs and structures of your baby's body are formed and your baby is now entering a period of simple growth. And you may be getting ready to be a grandma already: if your baby is a girl, her uterus is beginning to develop!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Weekly Update: 19 Weeks
How far along: 19 weeks. Wait.... seriously? I'm almost halfway there? Wow.
How Am I Feeling?: Sick this week. I stayed home yesterday and I just haven't been feeling well all week.
Mood: Tired. Hmm, I don't think tired is a mood. Is it?
Clothes: I pretty much only wear my maternity pants. A couple of days a week I wear my work pants that don't button but zip up most of the way. Yesterday, I sorted all of my shirts into "can wear" and "cannot wear" during pregnancy. Luckily, some of my pre-pregnancy shirts are styled so that I can comfortably wear them during pregnancy too. The only problem with them is that they are shorter, so I may not be able to wear them the whole time. Don't make fun of me when I'm wearing the same shirt over and over.
Yesterday, I put on a pre-pregnancy shirt that I could still wear. I put on a cami underneath it. The cami only went halfway down my tummy. It made me laugh.
Sleep: Not so good. :(
Appetite: Yeah, still hungry. Always. It takes me so long to eat too! I always feel ridiculous because I am still eating hours after everyone else has finished.
Cravings: Strawberries. We've been buying a lot of strawberries lately. I could eat a whole container of them in one sitting. Unfortunately, Ben likes strawberries too so I usually have to save him some.
Gender Predictions: Looking at the way I am growing, I'm going to guess boy this week. I feel like my tummy is really round and more basketball looking than watermelon looking. They say that basketball means boy. We'll see though.
Movements: Last night, I was just about to fall asleep and I could feel the baby moving around. Well I guess baby did not like the position in which I was sleeping because suddenly, I felt this super strong kick right to my side. I'm pretty sure baby was saying "Mom! You're squishing me!!" It was so strong it actually made me jump! I can definitely tell the baby is getting stronger. Baby has been moving like crazy today!
Best Moment This Week: Even though I was sick and didn't feel well, it was nice having a day off in the middle of the week. It was even more nice that my hubs was off too!
What I Miss: nothing right now. Even being sick, I am loving this!
What I am Looking Forward To: Uh, duh. less than 2 weeks!! :D
Milestones This Week: I felt a big baby kick!
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of a mango. Six inches!
Your Baby - 19 Weeks Pregnant
This is an impressive week for growth! Your baby weighs approximately 250 grams (8-9 ounces) and is about 22 cm or 6 inches long.
If you are having a girl, her ovaries now contain primitive egg cells. Lanugo (a covering of fine soft hair) appears all over the baby's body. This fine hair will remain until birth draws nearer. Sometimes you can still see some on the baby's face and ears after birth. Also apparent is vernix, a milky white covering that protects your baby's skin from its aquatic environment. Can you imagine how wrinkled you'd get if you were in water for nine months? The placenta continues to grow and offer nourishment for your baby while the permanent teeth buds are forming behind the already formed milk teeth buds. Growth becomes rapid now and your baby begins to store iron for the production of red blood cells. Your baby can even dream (REM sleep)!
How Am I Feeling?: Sick this week. I stayed home yesterday and I just haven't been feeling well all week.
Mood: Tired. Hmm, I don't think tired is a mood. Is it?
Clothes: I pretty much only wear my maternity pants. A couple of days a week I wear my work pants that don't button but zip up most of the way. Yesterday, I sorted all of my shirts into "can wear" and "cannot wear" during pregnancy. Luckily, some of my pre-pregnancy shirts are styled so that I can comfortably wear them during pregnancy too. The only problem with them is that they are shorter, so I may not be able to wear them the whole time. Don't make fun of me when I'm wearing the same shirt over and over.
Yesterday, I put on a pre-pregnancy shirt that I could still wear. I put on a cami underneath it. The cami only went halfway down my tummy. It made me laugh.
Sleep: Not so good. :(
Appetite: Yeah, still hungry. Always. It takes me so long to eat too! I always feel ridiculous because I am still eating hours after everyone else has finished.
Cravings: Strawberries. We've been buying a lot of strawberries lately. I could eat a whole container of them in one sitting. Unfortunately, Ben likes strawberries too so I usually have to save him some.
Gender Predictions: Looking at the way I am growing, I'm going to guess boy this week. I feel like my tummy is really round and more basketball looking than watermelon looking. They say that basketball means boy. We'll see though.
Movements: Last night, I was just about to fall asleep and I could feel the baby moving around. Well I guess baby did not like the position in which I was sleeping because suddenly, I felt this super strong kick right to my side. I'm pretty sure baby was saying "Mom! You're squishing me!!" It was so strong it actually made me jump! I can definitely tell the baby is getting stronger. Baby has been moving like crazy today!
Best Moment This Week: Even though I was sick and didn't feel well, it was nice having a day off in the middle of the week. It was even more nice that my hubs was off too!
What I Miss: nothing right now. Even being sick, I am loving this!
What I am Looking Forward To: Uh, duh. less than 2 weeks!! :D
Milestones This Week: I felt a big baby kick!
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of a mango. Six inches!
Your Baby - 19 Weeks Pregnant
This is an impressive week for growth! Your baby weighs approximately 250 grams (8-9 ounces) and is about 22 cm or 6 inches long.
If you are having a girl, her ovaries now contain primitive egg cells. Lanugo (a covering of fine soft hair) appears all over the baby's body. This fine hair will remain until birth draws nearer. Sometimes you can still see some on the baby's face and ears after birth. Also apparent is vernix, a milky white covering that protects your baby's skin from its aquatic environment. Can you imagine how wrinkled you'd get if you were in water for nine months? The placenta continues to grow and offer nourishment for your baby while the permanent teeth buds are forming behind the already formed milk teeth buds. Growth becomes rapid now and your baby begins to store iron for the production of red blood cells. Your baby can even dream (REM sleep)!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Belly Pics!
Here are a couple belly pics taken on Sunday. I am 18 weeks 3 days in them.
Only 2 more weeks until we find out!
Only 2 more weeks until we find out!
Friday, April 9, 2010
I Love My Belly.
I am really starting to love my belly. It's more pregnant and less ate too many cookies (even though both are probably true.) The other day, the hubs came home from work and remarked that it was hot in the house. I said "Well, yeah. Why do you think I'm lying here with my belly all hanging out." To which he replies "I just thought it was a normal day." And then I realized that it has become a normal day for me to be lying on the couch with my belly hanging out. And I love it. I've realized that I am most comfortable when my belly is hanging out. I've gotten angry a few times that I work in a cubicle instead of a private office because I just know I would be so much more comfortable if I could just let my belly hang out. When I wear pants with zippers and buttons, I feel so much better if I have them unbuttoned. Sometimes, I even unzip them a little when I'm sitting down to give myself more breathing room. (Baby doesn't like to be squished!) And yes, sometimes I even walk over to Brynne's desk to ask a question only to realize that I didn't actually zip/button my pants and I stand outside her cube and hurriedly button them before anyone else notices. And once I sit down, the button comes undone again. I love that my hand automatically goes right to my tummy when I am standing or walking. It's so cliche, I know, but I just can't help it.
I love my belly.
I love my belly.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Weekly Update: 18 Weeks
How far along: 18 weeks
How Am I Feeling?: Itchy. All over itchy. Everything itches. All the time.
Mood: Blissful
Clothes: On Monday, I washed all my work pants. Ben came home and put our new sheets in the washer and my pants in the dryer. On Tuesday morning, I go downstairs only to find that he hadn't actually turned the dryer on. So the dryer was full of still wet clothes that included the only pants that I fit into these days. As a result, I squeezed into a pair of pants that I haven't really been able to wear for at least a month. I was looking really classy with my pants fastened by a rubber band and a paper clip. Let's just say that Tuesday turned into a very uncomfortable day. I also went to the doctor on Tuesday. When I got home from work, I obviously wanted to change my very uncomfortable pants. I went to put on my most comfortable pair of jeans, only to find that my wonderful husband had just thrown them in the washer. I had to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy jeans for my appointment. My doctor even commented when she was trying to find the heartbeat that I might want to go buy some pants with a nice elastic waist. Awesome. At least all my pants are clean now...
Sleep: Last night I took a nap after work and then went to bed early. I'm not sure if it's the weather or the baby, but I have been so ridiculously tired this week.
Appetite: Eating every day has become a chore for me. I am hungry all the time. Today I had breakfast twice. Every night, I feel like I would rather not eat dinner than eat what we have in the fridge/pantry. And every morning, I grumble as I grab some ramen noodles or spaghetti-o's for lunch and secretly hope that maybe my parents will come down and take me out to lunch so I don't actually have to eat ramen noodles for the third day in a row. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!!!) I guess I just need some new ideas. Open to suggestions....
(P.S. for my siblings... I had some cheese peanut butter crackers for a snack the other day and I couldn't get over how orange the crackers are. How did we eat such orange crackers?? Seriously, go look at them again and wonder what made you ever want to put something so bright in your mouth.)
Cravings: I want steak and mashed potatoes every day. Of course, that's not so different from pre-pregnancy.
Gender Predictions: My nurse practitioner guessed that it would be a girl. Since she is a professional, she has me thinking that it must be a girl. Now I'm excited because I've been reading this woman's blog and she dresses her little girl in the absolute cutest clothes ever. I suddenly want a girl so I can dress her in all the outfits I wish I could wear.
Best Moment This Week: When my mommy and daddy surprised me for lunch on Tuesday and I didn't have to eat ramen noodles for the third day in a row.
Oh, and scheduling our ultrasound for just 3 weeks away! 19 days now... :D
What I Miss: nothing. I am really happy and it's finally starting to sink in that wow, my tummy really is getting bigger!
What I am Looking Forward To: 19 Days!!!!!!
Milestones This Week: I feel like I really popped this week. I woke up and suddenly felt huge. It definitely feels more real when I look in the mirror and see my belly sticking out and knowing that there is a baby in there. Seriously, I feel huge. I'll post some pictures to prove it.
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of an sweet potato. Ben loves sweet potatoes!
Your Baby - 18 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is growing rapidly. His bones are continuing to harden and the pads of his fingers and toes are formed. He even has his own set of fingerprints developing as well. Your baby is approximately 5.5 inches and weighs about 200 grams (7.5 ounces).
Your baby can kick, swallow, and sleep. He also is developing his stomach, intestine and colon and the intestines collect meconium (the initial stool a baby will pass after birth). If the baby is a boy, the prostate will begin to develop this week as well. The skin is still a bit pink and transparent and his ears still stick out from his head. The four-chambered heart begins to build up muscle cells and is pumping between 25 and 30 quarts of blood per day.
How Am I Feeling?: Itchy. All over itchy. Everything itches. All the time.
Mood: Blissful
Clothes: On Monday, I washed all my work pants. Ben came home and put our new sheets in the washer and my pants in the dryer. On Tuesday morning, I go downstairs only to find that he hadn't actually turned the dryer on. So the dryer was full of still wet clothes that included the only pants that I fit into these days. As a result, I squeezed into a pair of pants that I haven't really been able to wear for at least a month. I was looking really classy with my pants fastened by a rubber band and a paper clip. Let's just say that Tuesday turned into a very uncomfortable day. I also went to the doctor on Tuesday. When I got home from work, I obviously wanted to change my very uncomfortable pants. I went to put on my most comfortable pair of jeans, only to find that my wonderful husband had just thrown them in the washer. I had to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy jeans for my appointment. My doctor even commented when she was trying to find the heartbeat that I might want to go buy some pants with a nice elastic waist. Awesome. At least all my pants are clean now...
Sleep: Last night I took a nap after work and then went to bed early. I'm not sure if it's the weather or the baby, but I have been so ridiculously tired this week.
Appetite: Eating every day has become a chore for me. I am hungry all the time. Today I had breakfast twice. Every night, I feel like I would rather not eat dinner than eat what we have in the fridge/pantry. And every morning, I grumble as I grab some ramen noodles or spaghetti-o's for lunch and secretly hope that maybe my parents will come down and take me out to lunch so I don't actually have to eat ramen noodles for the third day in a row. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!!!) I guess I just need some new ideas. Open to suggestions....
(P.S. for my siblings... I had some cheese peanut butter crackers for a snack the other day and I couldn't get over how orange the crackers are. How did we eat such orange crackers?? Seriously, go look at them again and wonder what made you ever want to put something so bright in your mouth.)
Cravings: I want steak and mashed potatoes every day. Of course, that's not so different from pre-pregnancy.
Gender Predictions: My nurse practitioner guessed that it would be a girl. Since she is a professional, she has me thinking that it must be a girl. Now I'm excited because I've been reading this woman's blog and she dresses her little girl in the absolute cutest clothes ever. I suddenly want a girl so I can dress her in all the outfits I wish I could wear.
Best Moment This Week: When my mommy and daddy surprised me for lunch on Tuesday and I didn't have to eat ramen noodles for the third day in a row.
Oh, and scheduling our ultrasound for just 3 weeks away! 19 days now... :D
What I Miss: nothing. I am really happy and it's finally starting to sink in that wow, my tummy really is getting bigger!
What I am Looking Forward To: 19 Days!!!!!!
Milestones This Week: I feel like I really popped this week. I woke up and suddenly felt huge. It definitely feels more real when I look in the mirror and see my belly sticking out and knowing that there is a baby in there. Seriously, I feel huge. I'll post some pictures to prove it.
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of an sweet potato. Ben loves sweet potatoes!
Your Baby - 18 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is growing rapidly. His bones are continuing to harden and the pads of his fingers and toes are formed. He even has his own set of fingerprints developing as well. Your baby is approximately 5.5 inches and weighs about 200 grams (7.5 ounces).
Your baby can kick, swallow, and sleep. He also is developing his stomach, intestine and colon and the intestines collect meconium (the initial stool a baby will pass after birth). If the baby is a boy, the prostate will begin to develop this week as well. The skin is still a bit pink and transparent and his ears still stick out from his head. The four-chambered heart begins to build up muscle cells and is pumping between 25 and 30 quarts of blood per day.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Doctor's Appointment 3.0
We had our third doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything went well. I have gained 3 pounds since my last visit. That means I've gained 5 pounds this pregnancy. That's such a relief since every time I step on that scale, I get so nervous that it will suddenly jump up 20 pounds. I feel like I've gained 20 pounds. I look like I've gained 20 pounds. The NP says I'm growing very well. Well, I'm definitely growing.
We listened to the baby's heartbeat again. I just love hearing it! The NP (of course) found it right away but then baby moved and she had to find it again. She said the baby was moving all over the place! (Of course I already know this because I can feel baby moving. :D) The heart rate was right around 150. According to old wives' tales, a heart rate greater than 150 means girl and less than 150 means boy. I guess baby just doesn't want to give anything away until he or she is absolutely ready. Based on the heart rate, our NP guessed that we were having a girl.
Speaking of the baby's gender.... we scheduled our appointment for our "big" ultrasound. It is in three weeks, April 27. So we're going to find out and then call everyone we know and tell them the gender right away, right? Wrong. We've decided to have a little "Gender Reveal" party for our immediate families. Due to scheduling conflicts with certain family members, we can't have the party until May 8th. So that means only mommy, daddy, and doctor will know the gender for 11 days! Then we will tell our families and after the party, we will call friends. Sounds like a plan, right? Well it's a good plan for me because I get to find out in less than 3 weeks!!!!!!
We listened to the baby's heartbeat again. I just love hearing it! The NP (of course) found it right away but then baby moved and she had to find it again. She said the baby was moving all over the place! (Of course I already know this because I can feel baby moving. :D) The heart rate was right around 150. According to old wives' tales, a heart rate greater than 150 means girl and less than 150 means boy. I guess baby just doesn't want to give anything away until he or she is absolutely ready. Based on the heart rate, our NP guessed that we were having a girl.
Speaking of the baby's gender.... we scheduled our appointment for our "big" ultrasound. It is in three weeks, April 27. So we're going to find out and then call everyone we know and tell them the gender right away, right? Wrong. We've decided to have a little "Gender Reveal" party for our immediate families. Due to scheduling conflicts with certain family members, we can't have the party until May 8th. So that means only mommy, daddy, and doctor will know the gender for 11 days! Then we will tell our families and after the party, we will call friends. Sounds like a plan, right? Well it's a good plan for me because I get to find out in less than 3 weeks!!!!!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
letters to baby: flutterings
hi baby.
i have started to feel you. you haven't definitively kicked yet, but oh how i can feel you. little flutterings in the very bottom of my tummy. and every time, e.v.e.r.y. t.i.m.e. i feel you flutter, i smile. i feel so wonderfully, blissfully happy. you have been fluttering like crazy today. you flutter so much that you have caught me off guard quite a few times. i will never tire of feeling you. even if you keep me up at night, your movements will make me happy. i hope you kick hard enough for daddy to feel you soon. i love you.
love,
mommy
**an excerpt from the journal i am writing to baby
i have started to feel you. you haven't definitively kicked yet, but oh how i can feel you. little flutterings in the very bottom of my tummy. and every time, e.v.e.r.y. t.i.m.e. i feel you flutter, i smile. i feel so wonderfully, blissfully happy. you have been fluttering like crazy today. you flutter so much that you have caught me off guard quite a few times. i will never tire of feeling you. even if you keep me up at night, your movements will make me happy. i hope you kick hard enough for daddy to feel you soon. i love you.
love,
mommy
**an excerpt from the journal i am writing to baby
Friday, April 2, 2010
Weekly Update: 17 Weeks
How far along: 17 weeks (and one day)! Oops.... :)
How Am I Feeling?: Happy.
Mood: Happy, Excited. I'm going out with my friends tonight since Amanda will be in town and Sunday is Easter! I love holidays. Especially when they fall on my daddy's birthday! (Yes, my daddy this time...)
Clothes: I am wearing a pair of my pre-pregnancy dress pants today. These were my last glimmer of hope that I would still fit into non maternity clothes. Today, they are super tight. And super uncomfortable. :( Oh well. I guess it's time to go shopping!!! Right, honey??? :)
Sleep: I am sleeping really well at night, but I am really tired all day. On Monday, I was sick and stayed home from work. I slept until noon. I only got out of bed at noon because I figured Alex would want to be let outside. I had no problem falling asleep on the couch later that evening either.
Appetite: So hungry! This baby loves its food (and mommy's food too...)
Cravings: None that I can think of right now...
Gender Predictions: Boy. No, girl. No, boy. Yes, definitely boy. Or maybe not. (*shrugs*) Dunno....
Best Moment This Week: I definitely feel moving! It has to be moving. There is really no other way to explain it. Little baby does flip flops all day long. I LOVE IT! I keep trying to poke my belly in the hopes that baby will poke back at me, but that hasn't happened yet. I try to remember what makes baby flip around (the way I am sitting, what I am eating/drinking etc) and then duplicate it so I can feel more. It seems as though baby is unpredictable though and just likes to surprise Mommy.
What I Miss: nothing. :)
What I am Looking Forward To: I can't wait unti Daddy can feel the baby moving too. Oh, and obviously I can't wait to find out if baby is a little boy or a little girl.
Milestones This Week: Totally NBR (Not Baby Related) but today is my 3rd anniversary at Great American. Woo hoo. Too bad I don't get cake.
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of an onion.
Your Baby - 16 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby will begin to form fat this week. The fat begins to deposit under his skin and is important in heat production and metabolism. At delivery, fat will account for 2-6 percent of your baby's total body weight. This will help him maintain his body temperature when he is born. Your baby is approximately 5 inches long and weighs in at about 140-145 grams (5 ounces). This means that the baby now weighs more than the placenta.
If you were to get an abdominal x-ray (which isn't recommended and could be dangerous), your baby's skeleton would be visible. His movements are becoming stronger and more frequent now. Reflex movements are fully functional as your baby will regularly suck and swallow and loud noises outside the uterus may actually cause the baby to startle.
How Am I Feeling?: Happy.
Mood: Happy, Excited. I'm going out with my friends tonight since Amanda will be in town and Sunday is Easter! I love holidays. Especially when they fall on my daddy's birthday! (Yes, my daddy this time...)
Clothes: I am wearing a pair of my pre-pregnancy dress pants today. These were my last glimmer of hope that I would still fit into non maternity clothes. Today, they are super tight. And super uncomfortable. :( Oh well. I guess it's time to go shopping!!! Right, honey??? :)
Sleep: I am sleeping really well at night, but I am really tired all day. On Monday, I was sick and stayed home from work. I slept until noon. I only got out of bed at noon because I figured Alex would want to be let outside. I had no problem falling asleep on the couch later that evening either.
Appetite: So hungry! This baby loves its food (and mommy's food too...)
Cravings: None that I can think of right now...
Gender Predictions: Boy. No, girl. No, boy. Yes, definitely boy. Or maybe not. (*shrugs*) Dunno....
Best Moment This Week: I definitely feel moving! It has to be moving. There is really no other way to explain it. Little baby does flip flops all day long. I LOVE IT! I keep trying to poke my belly in the hopes that baby will poke back at me, but that hasn't happened yet. I try to remember what makes baby flip around (the way I am sitting, what I am eating/drinking etc) and then duplicate it so I can feel more. It seems as though baby is unpredictable though and just likes to surprise Mommy.
What I Miss: nothing. :)
What I am Looking Forward To: I can't wait unti Daddy can feel the baby moving too. Oh, and obviously I can't wait to find out if baby is a little boy or a little girl.
Milestones This Week: Totally NBR (Not Baby Related) but today is my 3rd anniversary at Great American. Woo hoo. Too bad I don't get cake.
How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is the size of an onion.
Your Baby - 16 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby will begin to form fat this week. The fat begins to deposit under his skin and is important in heat production and metabolism. At delivery, fat will account for 2-6 percent of your baby's total body weight. This will help him maintain his body temperature when he is born. Your baby is approximately 5 inches long and weighs in at about 140-145 grams (5 ounces). This means that the baby now weighs more than the placenta.
If you were to get an abdominal x-ray (which isn't recommended and could be dangerous), your baby's skeleton would be visible. His movements are becoming stronger and more frequent now. Reflex movements are fully functional as your baby will regularly suck and swallow and loud noises outside the uterus may actually cause the baby to startle.
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