18 weeks

How Far Along? 18 weeks and 1 day

Baby Size: Okay, I think we are either a sweet potato or a mango. I cannot remember which.

Total Weight Gain: Haven't weighed myself this week... I should be adding on a pound a week by now though.

Maternity Clothes: I refuse to wear anything but maternity pants or dresses in public. I did try on a pair of my old jeans yesterday - they zipped and buttoned - but Ben said (in a loving way) that they did not fit and to change immediately.  

Stretch Marks: None yet. But I've doubled up on the creams. I've got the bio-oil that I put on morning and night. I've added in the Palmers Coco Butter morning and night too. I also have a tube that I take to work with me and leave in the ladies room. The itchy belly is no joke! The only thing that makes it feel better is some lotion. It stops the itching and cools my belly off.

Sleep: Not too bad. Having occasional bad dreams though - which is not cool whatsoever!

Best moment this week: Playing with my little babe-a-loo! (Explanation under movement.)

Miss Anything? Not really.

Movement: Yes! Friday was a little hectic. I think my little baby knew I needed a pick-me-up. Baby was moving and grooving all through lunch - but when I got back to work I received some definite little kicks. So I poked back... and baby kicked back! We kept it up - going back and forth - for a little over thirty minutes! It was so much fun and made me so happy! Feeling baby move really does make all of the stinky parts of pregnancy so worth it!

Food Cravings: I still kinda want rutabagas... gross. Still with the sweets and cold food... The other day I thought I was full at lunch - until I saw Ben's salad... and I had to go back in the kitchen and make myself a salad too.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Started to show yet? I think so... Though I'm not sure if my belly had completely "popped" yet...

Gender: I can't wait to find out...

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding Rings on or off? On!

Weird Pregnancy Stuff? Okay, occasionally my belly feels "heavy." Kinda like it's just going to fall off of my body. (I can't really explain that one... weird, I know.)
I've been getting hot a lot lately. (From what I read, this has to do with increased blood volume.) Ben's enjoying this part. I haven't fussed at him for keeping it cold in here for two weeks!
I HAVE to eat and drink something about every two hours.
My heart rate is up... and sometimes I feel like I cannot catch my breath. It doesn't happen all of the time - but when it does happen I've found out it's best to take a break and chill out for about 15 minutes.  Example: The other night my heart was beating so fast and hard that Ben could feel it on his side of the bed. (I hear this has to do with increased blood volume too. Granted, it kinda freaks you out a little too - which can make both things worse. In which case, it is REALLY nice having a nice husband that helps talk you through what looks like an impending panic attack.)

At night, I have to sleep with a bottle of water by the bed - this is not going to make any sense and it's totally gross... but here goes: My mouth feels really dry... and kinda like it's full of snot. Gross? Yeah. Believe me, I know and agree.

I get REALLY cranky if I am not home and preparing for bed by 8pm. Which may or may not lead to crying at your husband because you put your toothpaste on his toothbrush... and he kindly reminds you before you start brushing your teeth that it's not your toothbrush... so you get mad and cry because it's all his fault... you have no logical idea why - but it's completely and totally his fault. 

Looking forward to: Feeling more little kicks and rolls. Finding out if Baby C is a he or a she. :) (Also, maybe a clean house this week?)

17 weeks

 

How Far Along? 17 weeks and 1 day!

Baby Size: Okay, I don't remember what the crown to rump size was... but head to toe we're looking at a carrot... a chunky, yet boney, little carrot. (I saw my little monster's tiny skeleton hands on the ultrasound! - In just four weeks, baby has becoming much more boney. - Kinda freaky at first, but I know those will be the tiny, fat little fingers I'll love to kiss and want to gobble-up in just a few short months!)

Total Weight Gain: 5lbs according to the doctors scale!

Maternity Clothes: We're still mixing and matching.

Stretch Marks: Not yet... we're going to town on some Bio-Oil though.

Sleep: Enjoying it. Lots of crazy dreams though.

Best moment this week: Feeling my little monster move!! (Sorry I keep referring to baby as a "Monster" I feel that it's slightly humorous and  Halloween-appropriate. Plus, pumpkin has been over-used.

Miss Anything? Not sure? I'm sure if I thought long enough I could come up with something.

Movement: Yes! I felt my first movement after the doctors appointment on Wednesday! But it took me until Friday to really realize what was happening. I have discovered that every woman describes it differently. For me, the first stuff felt like a giant roly-poly rolling across my belly kind of slowly. It was kind of like a slow rolling pressure? (I always start to imagine that it's baby's butt moving around while it's doing "turd-rolls." Note: do not blame me from the term "turd-rolls" that's just what my dad calls those flips you do when you tuck in your head and legs and just roll on your head. Thus, I have no idea what the correct terminology would be here.)  Now, we have little thumps added into the mix. It's kind of like when you take your thumb and forefinger and thump someone on the arm. (In a friendly, I-don't-mean-to-hurt-you kind of way.) We went to the movies last night (Iron Man 3) and baby had it's first movie theater experience. I don't know if all of the wiggling was because of the noise or the fact that I would tense up on some of the more action-packed scenes. When we got home I had Ben rub my belly and he felt the moves too!! (So, I know I'm not crazy!)

Food Cravings: Anything cold! Ice is awesome! The thought of hot food kind of turns my stomach at first. Anyone have any suggestions of some pregnancy-friendly cold foods? I seem to only be able to think up things that I'm not allowed to have. :(

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not really.

Started to show yet? Yep!

Gender: Do not have an answer for this... and our next doctors appointment isn't until 21 weeks! It's going to be a wait and a half...

Belly Button in or out? In. BUT for the first time EVER - I can see the bottom of my belly button.

Wedding Rings on or off?  On, but this morning they had to come off for an hour or so. I don't remember eating anything salty yesterday, but this morning my hands were swollen and my toes currently look like sausages. Even Ben said that my feet looked swollen.

Weird Pregnancy Stuff? Eh, the random swelling. Uber clumsy-ness. (I've ran into no less than three doors/walls this week.) The strange heat that seems to be radiating from within. (I'm guessing that's why I'm loving the cold food/drink thing right now. But I'm not fussing at Ben for keeping the house cold enough for us to own an Arctic zoo, anymore.) Weird dreams. My hair and nails may not be the dream that everyone says that they would become - but my leg hair seems to have slowed the whole growing-like-a-weed-thing WAY down. (There's a bright side to everything.)

Looking forward to: More wiggles and a doctors appointment that seems FOREVER away.

A doctors appointment update

Okay, so today was supposed to be short and sweet... Then it turned I into my longest appointment to date! 

Ben didnt even go with me to this appointment because it was just supposed to be a quick check in - about 10 minutes in and I knew that I should have had him there. I was a little nervous because I always get nervous before doctors appointments - and I always worry about my baby right before! Once they took me back, I was weighed and blood pressure was checked. (Blood pressure okay and I gained five pounds since last checkup.) I talked to another pregnant lady. (she was at the end of her pregnancy with baby # 4!) we talked about feeling baby move and she said not to worry - with one of her girls she didn't feel any movement until 19 weeks. She said that she thinks it has to do with personality because that little girl is her calm child. She said one of her other girls she felt move early and a lot - and she's much more rambunctious than the other. This made me feel good about the fact that I haven't felt baby yet.

Then I waited and waited in one of the rooms. I forgot how boring that was without someone to talk with. It was also hot as all get out - but I think that might be a me thing since I'm hot a lot now. I got to talk to a new doctor today. She was super nice. She asked if I had any questions - believe it or not I only had one! And I gave her just a quick little update on some things that have happened since the last appointment. (Nose and gums bleeding some. Some stomach pains/cramps.) I had heard all were normal, and she agreed but she wanted to double check some things just in case. Meaning: I was getting an unplanned ultrasound. Also she wanted us to look into a blood test, especially since Ben had spina bifida. I asked if I could call my husband because as small as any of this might be, it's bigger than standing on a scale and peeing in a cup - and Ben doesn't want to miss anything. Within five minutes it was decided and Ben was on his way. (And he wont be missing any more appointments.) I talked with the nurses and I insurance company and got all of the little details hammered out. Once Ben got there, we had a quick peek at our baby (no we don't know what baby is - still waiting on that 20 week scan) and a look at my cervix from the ultrasound. (Tmi?) then were sent back to the room. The doctor let us know that everything is good. That they measure your cervix length and anything between 3 and 5 is good. Mine was a 3.2 - which is good, but its more on the "eh" side of good than the "fabulous" side of good. But it's not really anything I can do about it. They drew some more blood and I was cleared for take-off. By this time I was starving, hot, and tired. I went back to work for 45 minutes and since I've gotten home I haven't done squat. Is it bad to go to bed at 6:50???

16 weeks

(Happy Mother's Day to all of the sweet Mothers and Mothers-to-be out there!)

 

How Far Along? 16 weeks and 1 day.

Baby Size: Oh stinky, I hope I get this right... an avocado? My little pregnancy app has already rolled over to the next fruit!

Total Weight Gain: I've decided to go on strike for stepping on the scale for a little while. I think totally I'm only supposed to gain 25-35 pounds... but only a pound a week. Not more than 6 pounds a month. but not less than such-and-such... if I end up not weighing enough, my baby could have complications and be born pre-term. If I gain too much, I could be at risk for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and have an over weight baby - which also could have problems. Also, gaining too much too soon will put pressure on your body, skin, etc. Thus, stepping on a scale freaks me out a little right now. I'm scared of gaining too much, and that makes it hard to eat. I'm worried about not eating and starving my baby. I think I might just try to eat the best that I can and keep up with the weighing in at the doctor's office.

Maternity Clothes: Yes and no. We haven't made the complete switch over yet. But I really do love my maternity pants.

Stretch Marks: Not yet...

Sleep: Is badly needed. At least I'm not as tired any more! I have energy and that is more wonderful than I can explain. It's fantastic not feeling like a zombie!

Best moment this week: Finding that 10 minute pregnancy work-out video on Thursday. I was so proud of myself - I kept up and completed the entire 10 minutes! (I really want to exercise because they say that it helps bring your energy levels up, makes labor and delivery easier, and recovery easier and quicker... also keeps gestational diabetes and preeclampsia at bay.) Unfortunately, I haven't worked out seriously in at least 4 months, so... the last couple of days I have felt like I've been waddling more like I'm 8 months along instead of 4. I also got some flowers for my front porch - and some pumpkin seeds! (I know that's not baby related, but hey - it makes me feel better.... and my pumpkins will be ready to pick right about the time that I'm ready to pop!)

Miss Anything? Right now I'm doing pretty good. Not really missing anything in particular today.

Movement: I don't think so? I'll be honest, I was really hoping I would feel something today on Mother's Day... because that would be awesome... and sweet... and I would cry... but if I did, it wasn't anything that I could be sure was baby. I thought I might have felt something when I was talking to baby while I was shaving my legs in the tub this morning... but I'm not sure at the same time. The wait continues! 

Food Cravings: Pineapple.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I forgot to eat breakfast this morning. I remembered on the way to church - and it was too late to stop and grab something. Lesson #1,576,842: ALWAYS EAT BREAKFAST. DO NOT SKIP MEALS. This causes nausea, irritability, sleepiness, motion sickness, and inability to think or create coherent sentences.  

Started to show yet? I do believe so. :) To be honest, all of the men staring at my belly can be kind of awkward and funny, but I really don't mind all of these belly rubs from other ladies and the hubby. I'm usually a pretty big advocate of personal space, but I'm an accidental belly-rubber too! I never think of pregnant bellies as bellies - I think of them as babies! Plus, I was able to feel my nephew move a couple months back - and that was the coolest thing! I can't wait to be able to share my baby's little kicks, rolls, and punches!  (That, and I'm worse than a dog now. I do love some belly rubs now-a-days.)

Gender: Not sure but still leaning towards a girl? I do believe that Hubby has definitely developed a preference though. He will love baby either way, but he's become such a push-over when it comes to little girls. He keeps talking about how "Little girls sure do love their Daddies..."

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding Rings on or off? On.

Weird Pregnancy Stuff? My legs feel disjointed at the hips?? Well, maybe not disjointed... I just don't know how to explain this one. I'm extra uncoordinated and wobbly now. Plus, the belly is getting a little larger now so it's a little harder to get up off of chairs and in and out of Ben's truck.

Looking forward to: Feeling baby move! Also, got a doctors appointment on Wednesday... so getting to hear baby's heartbeat always makes me happy. :)

15 weeks

(Excuse the hair and worn off make-up!)

 

How Far Along? 15 weeks and 2 days! (Sorry we're a little late - we went to visit my parents and watch the bestie graduate.)

Baby Size: A Large Russet Potato! (I found a really cool pregnancy app. It actually ranks in my top two currently. What to Expect and WebMD Pregnancy)

Total Weight Gain: Who knows? It seems to change throughout the day.

Maternity Clothes: I have these AWESOME pair of maternity pants from Burlington Coat Factory! I've worn them like 4 days in a row. (Yes, I'm wearing them in the above picture.)

Stretch Marks: Not yet...

Sleep: We have a love/hate relationship right now. I would love some more - but I sure hate laying in the bed... occasionally it hurts.

Best moment this week: hmm... getting a little energy back? Also, the moment of realization that everyone and everything has an opinion on what you can and cannot do and eat during pregnancy -- and that you don't have to listen to all of it.

Miss Anything? Yeah, but we've only got 24 weeks to go!

Movement: Nope. But don't think I'm not over analyzing every gas pain and belly rumble.

Food Cravings: A little bit of everything. Pretty much, if I think about any kind of food too long I will start to want it. Like, begin to salivate like a rabid dog want it. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Started to show yet? Depends on who you ask.

Gender: Don't know. Kinda still thinking it's a girl? We were talking today and have decided not to get the early gender scan. We're going to wait till the 20 week scan to find out. :) 

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding Rings on or off? On. (though, the other day I woke up swollen and bloated like road kill on a hot day. Okay, maybe that was a bad example... anyways, I had to take the rings off for an hour or so.

Weird Pregnancy Stuff? I have a lot of backaches. (But I guess that's not really weird.) Also, no one tells you just how hard you pray every time you go to sneeze. Oh, and what's up with the random weird belly itching??

Looking forward to: Feeling baby move!