Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Dear Cookie,

If you keep giving me all these "false labor" alarms please don't make it hurt so badly!!!!!

Oh, and please decide to come meet everyone soon. I promise it will be worth it!

Love,
Mommy

Monday, May 24, 2010

38 Weeks

How far along? 38 Weeks. I was hoping I wouldn't make it here.

Total weight gain/loss: The same.

How Big is Baby?: A growing watermelon.

Maternity clothes? I can still fit in a couple non maternity things.

Stretch marks? Of course.

Sleep: I'm lucky if I can get a solid 4 hours a couple 2 hour stints.

Best moment this week: Aimee and Charle's Wedding and our baby shower!

Movement: Praying baby's on the move out!

Food cravings: Not many.

Gender: Still convinced it's a boy!

Labor Signs: I'm 3cm and just waiting. I was up with contractions last night for 3 hours again I just wish my water would break. Then I would know this is definitely it.

Belly Button in or out? Still hanging in.

What I am looking forward to: Finally getting to hold my baby and feel my feet again. I am so done with being pregnant. I'm getting to the point where I'm dieing to know if it's a boy or a girl, who he/she looks like, etc.

Weekly Wisdom: Patience is a virtue.

Milestones: The last bits of vernix caseosa (the white goo keeping baby's skin moist) and lanugo (downy hair) are slowly shedding into your amniotic fluid. Baby's head is about the same circumference as her abdomen, and her head could be covered in an inch or so of hair.


here is what is HOPEFULLY my final belly pic!!!
This was taken May 22 at 37 weeks 5 days


We're pretty much ready for this baby. Hospital bags are packed, IPod is loaded with music, snacks for the hospial are bought, now we just need consistant contractions or my water to break and we're ready.

Baby gear wise we're ready. There are a few things that still are "semi-ready". I wanted a 2nd diaper bag because mine doesn't clip onto the stroller and it has a flat bar so it will be hard to hang. But I have time to buy one. And of course I fell in love with one that I can't reason with myself to afford.

http://www.skiphop.com/product/21500.html
I just can't justify that price tag with all the other expenses of having a baby.

We certainly don't have enough clothes but we didnt' want to overload ourselves with neutral clothes so they will wait till Cookie decides to make his or her appearance (HINT HINT anytime now would be good baby!).

Almost all of the baby stuff is washed, obviously only blankets, newborn clothes and towels. The only thing I haven't gotten around to is hemming the curtains which isn't a huge deal. We could use more cloth diapers but I think we're prepared for the newborn stage.

Now is the hardest part of pregnancy, waiting. I feel horrible, my stomach hurts like I did 1000's of situps, I am so swollen and hot, and I'm tired. I'm just ready now.

Monday, May 17, 2010

37 Weeks.

Today is considered full-term. At this point the baby is done developing and is just packing on the pounds!

How far along? 37 Weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: Total has been 32 lbs and I'm not eating much anymore

How Big is Baby?: Finally a watermelon.

Maternity clothes? I can still fit in a couple non maternity things.

Stretch marks? Of course.

Sleep: I'm lucky if I can get a solid 4 hours a couple 2 hour stints.

Best moment this week: My parents visiting. Filling the freezer for after baby.

Movement: Good movement...

Food cravings: Not many.

Gender: Still convinced it's a boy!

Labor Signs: Well I'm 2cm dilated and 80% effaced. Who knows how long I'll make it. I've got some strong contractions!

Belly Button in or out? Still hanging in.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting Baby H!

Weekly Wisdom: Put your feet up!

Milestones: Your full-term (yay!) baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!).

Monday, May 10, 2010

36 Weeks...

How far along? 36 Weeks. I seriously feel like I need to stop breathing to get time to slow down.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm only gaining fluid weight now.

How Big is Baby?: Honeydew!

Maternity clothes? haha regular shirts don't cover my tummy.

Stretch marks? Of course.

Sleep: Ugh, between bathroom breaks every 1-3 hours, carpal tunnel making my hands fall asleep and hurt, and the fluid making my feet hurt and swell I'm barely sleeping.

Best moment this week: Getting our nursery closer to finished. Just 2 more shelves and we can put the monitor up.

Movement: Lots of pressure and rolling.

Food cravings: Not many.

Gender: 4 weeks. As of last night I'm convinced it's a boy. Weird.

Labor Signs: I may be having Braxton Hicks.

Belly Button in or out? Still hanging in.

What I am looking forward to: Taking Deena to the vet tonight to see if her mouth is any better, and our ultrasound on Thursday.

Weekly Wisdom: Slow down.

Milestones: Baby's skin is getting smooth and soft, her gums are rigid, her liver and kidneys are in working order, and her circulation and immune system are basically good to go. Her lungs are the only organs that still need to fully mature, but every day she gets a little closer to breathing on her own.

I went to the doctor for my 35 weeks appointment last week (it was supposed to be 34 weeks but I got off schedule with my baby shower). Baby's heartrate was 152 bpm and my blood pressure was slightly elevated again, 120/81. Probably from the fluid. The swelling is bad and painful. The doctor said if it gets real bad they may induce me a week early but lets see how big this baby is thursday or if s/he is head down. I am getting to the uncomfortable point.

Monday, May 3, 2010

35/35!!!

How far along? 35/35. 35 weeks along with 35 days left.

Total weight gain/loss: Seems I stopped gaining, although I have baby butt (presumably s/he is head down) in my stomach so I have no room.

How Big is Baby?: Honeydew!

Maternity clothes? my belly doesn't fit in most non maternity things. I found that out the other day.

Stretch marks? Yes, but isn't that like the mark of motherhood?

Sleep: Nope. 3 hours last night.

Best moment this week: Saturday and having my laundry room done. It's amazing how much people are willing to help.

Movement: I think someone is running out of room in there. According to the internet by now the baby should be about 5 lbs.

Food cravings: Fruit.

Gender: 5....count that, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 weeks!

Labor Signs: NONE. No braxton hicks, no contractions whatsoever.

Belly Button in or out? Still hanging in.

What I am looking forward to: Hopefully getting to schedule our growth ultrasound.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Put your feet up. Get over it, you're really pregnant.

Milestones: From now on, baby's growth is mostly in the plumping up department -- though he won't get much longer, he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. (He's about 15 percent right now and will be about 30 percent by full-term.) His hearing is totally developed (tip: baby responds best to higher pitches), and if he really is a "he," his testes have probably completed their descent.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Much anticipated pictures

of the nursery!

View of the closet (filled with stuff and there are barely any clothes, those are all we have from newborn to 12 months)


View of the dresser (this is on the wall to the left when you walk in) the swing will not be staying there (that is the Graco Hamilton plug in swing and the dresser is a mess) The monitor needs to be put up too.


The crib! The yellow blanket is the one Dana knitted for me. And the quilt is from the bedding set. The color behind the crib seems to be most true to the yellow.


The quilt is going to get hung on the wall with these cute little quilt clips I found online





the quilt is going to hang between these 2 windows


The corner where our glider is going to go. I just have the stroller there for now and that car seat base is Sharon's. It didn't fit our car seat so it's waiting to be returned.


these are the red curtains that will be hanging from the windows. Hopefully we'll get that finished this weekend. They're red microfiber from Walmart and see pretty thick.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

And lastly our toy and book bins. Our toy bin is practically overflowing while our book bin could use some help.


We'll add the baby's name above the crib and some gender specific artwork once the baby is here.

34 weeks 4 days



I think baby has grown a little!

Monday, April 26, 2010

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: None

How Big is Baby?:A honeydew!

Maternity clothes? All the time.

Stretch marks? Yup.

Sleep: I'm in the bathroom every 2-3 hour stage. It's getting old

Best moment this week: Baptism yesterday!

Movement: Strange. Feels like the baby is trying to crawl out through my ribs.

Food cravings: Fruit still

Gender: 6 weeks...panic....

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

What I am looking forward to: Hitting 37 w.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't overdo it. You're 34 weeks pregnant.

Milestones: Baby can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies! In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: She now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!

Today was nice and eventful. I went to the doctors because I've been having serious stomach pain (not contractions just stomach pain) since last night. My blood pressure was strangely elevated at 123/90 (which could have been because I was in pain). Then I showed her my feet. My left side is completely normal while my right ankle and foot are so swollen. Which apparently is not good. So I had blood drawn to run labs to check for Preeclampsia and a doppler study done to check for blood clots. The tech and the radiologist said they didn't see anything so hopefully it's just a strange symptom that maybe my bone tumors have a part in.

Monday, April 19, 2010

33 Weeks....

How far along? 33 Weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: Probably not much more.

How Big is Baby?: Finally a honeydew!

Maternity clothes? All the time.

Stretch marks? Yup.

Sleep: Comes and goes. some days I have crazy insomnia some nights I sleep like a rock.

Best moment this week: Our first prenatal clas.s

Movement: Constant. and it's really changing, lots of stretching and pushing. And some painful kicks.

Food cravings: Fruit.

Gender: 7 Weeks. gasp.

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

What I am looking forward to: Baptism this coming sunday and just getting to meet the baby in the near future.

Weekly Wisdom: sleeping and put your feet up to help the sweeling.

Milestones: Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake

Monday, April 12, 2010

32 Weeks...

How far along? 32 Weeks. Not sure when this happened.

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, I haven't looked.

How Big is Baby?: Still a squash.

Maternity clothes? I can barely squeeze my belly into some of my nonmaternity sweatpants.

Stretch marks? Yup.

Sleep: I'm on a 3hr bathroom schedule so it's getting difficult.

Best moment this week: Going back to church!

Movement: All up in my ribs. I can't wait for this baby to drop. I'm hoping it happens soon because they say it usually happens 4-6 weeks before labor.

Food cravings: Fruit.

Gender: 8 Weeks to go. My oh my.

Labor Signs: The BH have stopped for a little while now.

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting the baby!

Weekly Wisdom: Back to the sleeping and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!

Milestones: Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. She's probably in the head-down position by now, with her bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for her body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make her eventual exit (only a few months away now!) much easier. (If she's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)

Monday, April 5, 2010

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 Weeks. When did this happen? seriously 9 more weeks??!!

Total weight gain/loss: About 2 more pounds.

How Big is Baby?: Still a squash

Maternity clothes? I had to pull out some non maternity capris and shorts (all drawsting) and they're working well in this surprising heat

Stretch marks? Yup my belly is getting quite large.

Sleep: Comes and goes.

Best moment this week: Finishing the nursery. It's all painted, furniture assembled, bed made (but I have to wash the sheet), I have to hem the curtains, the swing is in, stroller assembled. It was exhausting but very rewarding.

Movement: Lots mostly stretching and pushing less hard kicks and punches.

Food cravings: Fruit. Today was carrot cake.

Gender: 9 Weeks to go. Beyond freaking out!

Labor Signs: Still BH, hopefully no labor for 6 more weeks.

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

What I am looking forward to: This heat breaking. My feet have swelled yesterday and today!

Weekly Wisdom: I've got a new one!!! Sit with your feet up!

Milestones: Baby's going through major brain and nerve development these days. His irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. (He won't pick up anything from his nose until after birth, though -- smell is transferred through air, not amniotic fluid.)

Monday, March 29, 2010

30 Weeks!

How far along? 30 weeks...OH BOY!

Total weight gain/loss: I have no idea because I'm not at home.

How Big is Baby?: Still a squash

Maternity clothes? outside of some yoga pants thats all I wear

Stretch marks? Yup my belly is getting quite large.

Sleep: Sleep is good in the beginning of the night but I'm starting to get uncomfortable.

Best moment this week: My baby shower.

Movement: Lots. I'm guessing it was the cold that slowed it down because baby is a gymnast in there now.

Food cravings: Fruit.

Gender: 10 weeks. Okay offically starting to freak out.

Labor Signs: Still BH, hopefully no labor for 7 more weeks.

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

What I am looking forward to: Going home!!! Setting up the nursery furniture, organizing the closet and all the awesome gifts I received and putting the baby stuff together (bouncer, swing, etc)

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. I think it's been the hardest part of the pregnaancy for me.

Milestones: As baby's skin smoothes out, her brain just keeps getting more wrinkled. All those grooves and indentations increase surface area, meaning more room for that oh-so-essential brain tissue. She's also adding some brawn -- her grip is now strong enough to grasp a finger.

Monday, March 22, 2010

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 Weeks..time is flying by!

Total weight gain/loss: At my 28 weeks appointment I had lost 2 lbs.

How Big is Baby?: Finally a squash!

Maternity clothes? loving them.

Stretch marks? Yup, I swear I woke up Sunday morning and it was like my belly doubled in size and now i have the stretchmarks around my belly button.

Sleep: I think I'm getting into the 3rd tri sleep and it is really hard to come by even with medication.

Best moment this week: Passing my GTT test.

Movement: Still kicking. baby loves the middle of the night. I woke up at 3am on Saturday night and cookie kicked for like 30 minutes straight! Baby has been up in my ribs lately, however it seems to be mostly the left side thankfully.

Food cravings: Fruit.

Gender: 11...whoa.

Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks. lets home no real labor for at least 8 weeks!

Belly Button in or out? Still hanging in.

What I am looking forward to: getting the nursery finished. we painted (I need time for the color to grow on me) and now the trim needs to get put up and then we can assemble the furniture!

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. (yes still the same)

Milestones: Baby's energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath his skin. And since he's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for you: Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Good News!

Yesterday I had my 28 week appointment and it consisted of the usual weight, bp, finding the baby's heartrate (145) and then the dreaded 1 hour glucose tolerance test. This is the preliminary test for gestational diabetes. If you fail you have to do the 3 hour test. I had to drink this awful Glucola that tasted like those ice pops in the bags (Flav-a-ice) only melted.

And the good news is I passed!!! I have no evidence of Gestational Diabetes or Anemia.

Monday, March 15, 2010

28 Weeks!

How far along? 28 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About the same

How Big is Baby?: Still an eggplant.

Maternity clothes? All the time.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Now I have an earach. sleep is still hard to come by.

Best moment this week: Getting our glider.

Movement: A little slower now, maybe the baby is just running out of room.

Food cravings: Still fruit. Banana milkshake at steak and shake yesterday....yumm!

Gender: 12 more weeks, I think once this number hits 10 I will officially freak out.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? Still hanging in.

What I am looking forward to: finally getting over this cold and getting my GD test over with tomorrow.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: Baby's lungs are mature enough that, if born right now, she has a pretty good chance of surviving (with help from medical technology). Her skin is still pretty wrinkly (one byproduct of living in amniotic fluid) but will smoothen as fat continues to deposit.

Monday, March 8, 2010

3rd Trimester is finally here!

How far along? 27 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About the same

How Big is Baby?: Still an eggplant.

Maternity clothes? All the time.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: If it wasn't for this stupid cold maybe I would be sleeping.

Best moment this week: Hmm...getting carpet!

Movement: Pretty consistently.

Food cravings: Fruity sweets. I bought margarita jello last night.

Gender: 13 more weeks. that's getting really close!

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? Still in thankfully

What I am looking forward to: getting well.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: Baby's lungs are going through some major developments these days, which (combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils) means he's now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. The lack of air in your womb means every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid, but hey -- it's progress.

Monday, March 1, 2010

26 Weeks!

How far along? 26 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About the same

How Big is Baby?: Still an eggplant.

Maternity clothes? All the time.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Back and forth.

Best moment this week: Playing with Alan and Ryan

Movement: Lots and getting super high.

Food cravings: Fruity sweets...I love jello right now.

Gender: 14 more weeks...scary.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I am looking forward to: Saturday's trip.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: Baby's soaking up your antibodies, getting her immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and she'll soon be practicing the blink...perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

25 Weeks!

How far along? 25 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About the same

How Big is Baby?: An eggplant...

Maternity clothes? Loving them. I can still fit in a bunch of regular shirts and my regular sweatpants too.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Back and forth.

Best moment this week: Seeing Cookie kick!

Movement: Cookie has been kicking hard enough to see for a while, but always picks the most inconvenient times when I'm unable to look and finally started kicking when I was watching the other night.

Food cravings: Still fruity sweets. I can't buy fruit snacks.

Gender: 15 more weeks. Some days I feel boy, some days girl.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? Super shallow. The thought of it popping out freaks me out.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing the boys and my parents tomorrow.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: That oh-so-handy sense of equilibrium is kicking in, and baby's learning to distinguish right side up from upside down.

Friday, February 19, 2010

24 Weeks and 4 Days

I can't deny there is a baby in there anymore. I finally took a belly picture and have no idea where it came from.



I'm carrying all in the front, one of the only Old Wives Tales that signal I'm having a boy. Everything else points to girl.

Monday, February 15, 2010

24 Weeks!

How far along? 24 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About the same

How Big is Baby?: A papaya.

Maternity clothes? Every day. Love them!

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Solved. I will sleep well with the aid of painkillers and muscle relaxers. The expanding ribs isn't going so well.

Best moment this week: The nursery being finished, J moving the attic stairs, etc. And today...VIABILITY DAY!

Movement: all the time. And it's getting so high, it's almost 2 in above my belly button now.

Food cravings: Still fruity sweets.

Gender: 16 weeks...whoa.

Labor Signs: No way and let's keep it that way.

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but I can't believe how shallow it is...

What I am looking forward to: Finishing the nursery and setting all the furniture up. I can't wait to see how it looks.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: Baby's skin is becoming more opaque as the fat starts to pack on. And, thanks to the formation of small capillaries, her newly thick skin is taking on a fresh pink glow.

Monday, February 8, 2010

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About the same

How Big is Baby?: A small baby doll, about 8 in long

Maternity clothes? I think I am done. I have my baby shower shirt. I need leggings for this though. I went on a small shopping binge at motherhood and got some layering tanks and a few more sale shirts. I also got a pile of shirts from Sharon.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Back and forth.

Best moment this week: Visiting Sharon and the boys!

Movement: Crazy! it's really noticeable now, I can't wait for J to feel it.

Food cravings: Sweets especially fruity ones.

Gender: 17 more weeks. This sounds really close!

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? In but getting very shallow.

What I am looking forward to: J feeling the baby kick.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: Weighing in at a pound, and at eight inches long, your baby is starting to really look like a baby! You can compare her size to a box of sugar or a bag of coffee beans. Her skin is filling out as the first layers of fat are deposited and her muscles grow. During the next month, her weight may almost double.

Monday, February 1, 2010

22 Weeks

How far along? 22 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About 12 lbs

How Big is Baby?: A papaya.

Maternity clothes? I have 2 pairs of pants from Old Navy and I'm loving them! I also got some sweaters and a blouse. Now I just need some layering shirts and I'll be set till the weather turns.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Back and forth.

Best moment this week: Feeling the kicks get harder.

Movement: They're getting harder!

Food cravings: Few.

Gender: 18 weeks! This number is officially less than how far along we are. I fit most of the OWT for having a girl, but we all know this is a bunch of hooey.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing the boys on Weds!

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when

Monday, January 25, 2010

21 Weeks!

We are now in the last week of the 5th month of pregnancy. I can't believe how fast this is going. We got the window in the nursery this weekend and hopefully the bathroom will be painted tonight.

How far along? 21 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: About 12 lbs

How Big is Baby?: A banana!

Maternity clothes? I think I have to go buy a new pair of jeans soon.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Dependent. My body is not handling this well.

Best moment this week: Definitely our ultrasound.

Movement: Daily! I'm feeling all the kicks and rolls. Can't wait for J to feel it.

Food cravings: Few.

Gender: 19 weeks! This number is officially less than how far along we are.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I am looking forward to: Finishing the bathroom and nursery.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Milestones: Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

20 Weeks 1 Day Ultrasound

Pictures from yesterday's Ultrasound







I have a few more but they're on paper and our scanner is no hooked up so those will have to wait. It was really exciting.

The baby's heartbeat was 149 and I've been feeling the baby kick every day. It's not super strong but it's amazing.

After the ultrasound we went to Babies R Us to pick up our crib and dresser because they were in and we only had 7 days to get them (tuesday was day 6). While we were there we decided to register because it's a 40 minute drive and we weren't sure when we would go back. So now we just have to finish the nursery so we have somewhere to put the furniture!

Monday, January 18, 2010

20 WEEKS!

We are officially halfway today!

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: =( about 12 lbs

How Big is Baby?: A cantaloupe

Maternity clothes? I think yesterday was the last day of trying to fit in my regular jeans.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: It goes back and forth.

Best moment this week: Hmm...feeling the baby.

Movement: I'm pretty sure I felt the baby Monday night just in time for 19 weeks.

Food cravings: More aversions. But fruit.

Gender: 20 more weeks.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I am looking forward to: Our ultrasound tomorrow and picking up our crib!

Weekly Wisdom: Eat.

Milestones: Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe!
Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Monday, January 11, 2010

19 Weeks

How far along? 19 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: =( I've been avoiding the scale.

How Big is Baby?: A mango.

Maternity clothes? The best feeling when you're pregnant is when you're halfway through and you still don't fill out your fat pants.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Not so bad last night.

Best moment this week: Seeing our nursery start to come together.

Movement: Waiting...

Food cravings: Not many. I've wanted ice cream but I can't call it a craving. Eating gluten made me feel horrible and curbed the cravings.

Gender: 21 weeks.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I am looking forward to: 20 week ultrasound and nursery progress and a laundry room.

Weekly Wisdom: Eat.

Milestones: Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

Monday, January 4, 2010

18 Weeks!

How far along? 18 weeks and unfortunately sick with a stomach virus today.

Total weight gain/loss: I am terrified of the scale. The baby must have had a growth spurt.

How Big is Baby?: A sweet potato.

Maternity clothes? I can still just barely fit in my jeans.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Not so much. I usually sleep 9:30-2:30 and then 6-10 at most.

Best moment this week: Hmm...Not sure we're kind of in between right now.

Movement: Still waiting...I don't think I'm going to feel the baby until I get seriously thumped. I have so many aches and pains, twinges and pinches normally that I have to ignore and tune out that I really don't think I would notice the "flutter" or the sensation of "a goldfish swimming in your uterus" (as others describe) The doctor says it can take up to 20 weeks and I'm just trying to not focus on it.

Food cravings: Gluten. Grr. I caved. I gave myself 1 week to eat the things I crave most and in moderation (I had sweet rolls at Mapleside farms, sugar cookies today and biscuits and apple butter yesterday) As of Weds night NO MORE GLUTEN. Like I said, it's in moderation, pretty much 1 treat a day and only the things I'm really craving to try and get it out of my system. I'm not feeling great, but thanks to the immunosuppression of pregnancy it's nowhere near as bad as it was before. But hopefully this will deter me from gluten for the rest of the pregnancy.

Gender: 22 more weeks...This number is getting very close to 20 at which point we will be halfway! Also it will be when we get our next ultrasound at which point they can tell the gender. I keep praying Cookie has his/her legs crossed because I'm so scared of accidentally finding out.

Labor Signs: No way.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I am looking forward to: Getting rid of this stomach virus, finishing the bathroom and starting in on the nursery.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep when you can. This trimester has been much harder than the 1st. I'm going to talk to the doctor about it, it just seems like I have even less energy and am feeling worse. Scared I'm anemic.

Milestones: Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.