Thursday, December 30, 2010

17 weeks

How far along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: 5.1 in; 5.9 oz - the size of an onion.

The baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

Maternity Clothes: I actually wore a pair of maternity pants a few days ago out of the house for the first time. I did wear a belt with them, but other than feeling a little big, I was so comfortable. I'm not going 100% in maternity clothes yet, but it nice to know that if I'm feeling uncomfortable I have more than yoga pants to wear now.

Weight Gain: I went to our 16w appt on Monday and I was up a total of 7lbs (6 of them gained in 4 weeks)!!! Our midwife said it's the holidays ... and she was right. I went down a bit and now am up a total of 4.5 - 5 lbs. I'm more comfortable with that.

Belly: 17 weeks. Notice my kick-ass maternity pants with my belt. I am starting to love elastic waist bands. I promise myself that I will get better photos on here. I have an expensive camera - I should be using it.


Stretch Marks: None so far. I am pretty good about my regiment - baby oil after showering, lotion before dressing and pregnancy oil before bed. Not sure it's going to help, but I'm super soft!

Sleep: I'm super sick this week, so I'm miserable sleeping. C got me a body pillow for Xmas and I have been hugging that, but now that I can't breathe out of my nose, I'm forced to sleep in a sort of upright position.

Best Moment of the Week: Setting up the gender ultrasound.

Movement: I am definitely sure that I felt the baby that first time, but now I'm not really sure. Sometimes I think I feel it, sometimes I think it's just gas.

Symptoms: Here are two interesting (or TMI) symptoms I have noticed.
1. For a few weeks, when I sneeze I have been peeing a little bit. Wonderful! Now that I am sick, I sneeze all the time - I had to change my underwear twice yesterday. Lesson learned: Do Kegels!
2. I swore I had been battling a yeast infection for like six weeks. I did OTC stuff, but was still not feeling better. Come to find out, I don't and didn't have a yeast infection, but pregnancy makes the PH balance off down there and can cause a little itching. Ways to treat - take a bathing soda or oatmeal bath or apparently sperm can balance out the PH. So another lesson learned: Have more sex.

Food cravings: No more consistent cravings.

Gender: We find out in two weeks!!! YAY!

What I Miss: This week - I especially miss feeling NOT sick.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Getting more of a roundness in the belly and did I mention, finding out if there is a little boy or girl rolling around in there? :)

Weekly Wisdom: See symptoms for lessons learned.

Milestones: Wearing maternity pants.

Emotions: Still weepy watching movies. And kind of depressed this week, but that's mainly because I've been stuck in my house for DAYS. I'm feeling a little better today. I'm hoping to venture outside.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

16w5d - Sick and Set!

Christmas came and went and it was good. Family came over on Xmas Eve for my annual Xmas Eve Open House. I usually love throwing this event, but I was exhausted from all the running around - and I'm only pregnant. Makes me think twice about hosting it next year with an infant.

Anyhow, the joy of Christmas itself has been diluted by the fact that I'm sick. Boo. Being sick sucks. Being sick while pregnant so you can't take any symptom masking medicine - BLOWS. Plus on top of being sick we had a major snow storm here in good 'ole Jersey and C and my brother J are stuck in the house with me. Let me just say that I may not be the only miserable one here. And I feel a little angst towards J because he was the one who got me sick. Although he is feeling better, I'm sure the hole I've been burning into the back of his head with fiery stink eyes will start to hurt soon. (I hate being sick.)

But on an upside, I had my 16w midwife appointment yesterday. We got to hear the heartbeat again and C videotaped it so we have it on "record". It took the nurse a bit to find the heartbeat and C admitted to me in the car afterwards that for a second he was getting nervous that they weren't going to find it. But all was fine. The heartbeat was in the high 150s. The midwife then came in and she said all is going well - my uterus is growing "wonderfully" and although I'm concerned about my weight gain (I've gained 6 lbs in 4.5 weeks) she said, "it's the holidays. Don't worry about it. Keep eating good and keep exercising." So that made me feel better. I was suppose to get the second blood draw for the triple screen yesterday since it needs to be done between 16 and 19 weeks, but the lab person didn't make it yesterday (due to the snow). So instead of coming back for my next appointment in four weeks - which would make me 20w4d - my next appt is in 2.5weeks - 19w exactly. So you know what that means ... that means that I get to find out if there is a little boy or little girl in there on January 14th!!! I'm sooo excited! It's so exciting to actually have the gender ultrasound set. It's going to go by so fast. So ladies, get your guesses in ...

Thursday, December 23, 2010

16 weeks

OK - I have been really shitty about blogging anything other than my weekly updates. I'm hoping once the holidays have passed that I have a little more free time - physically and mentally - to share. Again, like a few weeks ago, I have several posts started about other topics, but haven't had a chance to complete them. This will be my New Year's resolution. Mainly because when the baby is born, I want to print out each post and add it to the baby book. So baby will know what I was doing and thinking while it was growing.

How Far Along:
16 weeks

Size of baby: 4.6 in, 3.5 oz - the size of an Avocado.


I better watch what I say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up my voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.

Maternity Clothes: I got the stuff from O.ld Navy and everything was way too big. I need to return them all. :( The jeans were OK, but ended up returning them in the store and getting a size smaller than my regular jeans size. They fit good and are super comfy. Some pants still fit and others need the belly band. I did buy one pair of work pants from M.otherhood Maternity and they are so comfortable. I'm probably not 100% ready for them, but I'm sure I'll grow into them.

Weight Gain: Oh - this is starting to get me nervous. I spent the whole first trimester with no weight gain, maybe 1 lb. But now, I feel like it's coming on fast! As of this morning, I am up a total of 5 lbs.

Belly: C and I are terrible at this. I will get one up soon!

Stretch Marks: None so far. Linea nigra is getting darker and I've noticed that I'm starting to get a little peach fuzz on my belly.

Sleep: I'm still sleeping on my stomach, but am starting to feel a little discomfort in doing so. So to the left side it is.

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling the baby move! Yup - it happened. See below.

Movement: I was sitting in the car Friday night coming back from NYC and all of a sudden I felt two little "pop-pop"s. It felt like bubbles bursting. I said to C "Either I have gas in my vagina or I just felt the baby move." I'm going with the latter. :)

Symptoms: Headaches are still there, but not as much. Other than that, I'm feeling good.

Food cravings: No more consistent cravings.

Gender: OMG - this is getting too hard to wait! Only a few more weeks and then we can find out!

What I Miss: Nothing in particular.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Looking a little more pregnant than just fat. Feeling the baby move MORE!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't weight yourself everyday. I have been doing that and freaking out. I completely understand that I will be gaining weight, but I guess as someone who had struggled with weight her whole life, it's difficult to see the scale go up. So my advice to you - and ME - don't get on that scale. Just get weighed at your appts.

Milestones: The baby moving. Nothing better than that at this point.

Emotions: I'm good these days. I find that my emotions go from one extreme to another.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

15 weeks

How Far Along: 15 weeks

Size of baby: 4 inches, 2.5 oz - the size of a Naval Orange. (that's big!) :)


Baby is busy moving amniotic fluid through its nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in its lungs begin to develop. The baby's legs are growing longer than the arms now, and can move all of its joints and limbs. Although its eyelids are still fused shut, they can sense light.

Maternity Clothes: I bought some work pants from O.ld Navy and a pair of jeans. Still waiting for them to come in the mail. My work pants fit today, but may not fit tomorrow. I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable though. I think I'm in the "in-between" stage.

Weight Gain: As of Tuesday, I'm up 4 lbs.

Belly: Here is where I will be posting belly shots. I still have to take one for 15 weeks.

Stretch Marks: None so far. Linea nigra is getting darker and I've noticed that I'm starting to get a little peach fuzz on my belly.

Sleep: I'm still sleeping on my stomach, but am starting to feel a little discomfort in doing so. So to the left side it is.

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing the heartbeat at the OB on Monday. Even though I've been hearing it at home, this is the first time I've heard it at the office. It was in the 160s.

Movement: Nope. I can't wait!

Symptoms: Headaches and a little round ligament pulling. Man does that hurt!

Food cravings: No more consistent cravings, but when I hear about something someone ate, I want it and want it then. A few days ago I wanted nachos like nobody's business. :)

Gender: The closer it gets, the more I want to know. I still have about a month before we can find out.

What I Miss: Nothing in particular.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Looking a little more pregnant than just fat. Feeling the baby move!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Drink water, water, water. It helps with headaches, constipation and overall function. (This is not from me, but from C. He is on my case about making sure I drink enough water.)

Milestones: 15 weeks - it's a milestone. Really, every week is a milestone!

Emotions: I am still weepy. But really only watching movies or commercials. But it comes on FAST!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

14 weeks

How Far Along: 14 weeks

Size of baby: 3.4 inches, 1.5 oz - the size of a lemon.



Baby is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but about 50% of my pants need to be unbuttoned or I need to use the Bella Band. Although it doesn't work that great because I'm not THAT big, so it keeps falling down in the back.

Weight Gain: Jumped on the scale yesterday morning and even after a vacation eating frenzy, I'm only up 2 lbs.

Stretch Marks: None so far. Linea nigra is getting darker and I've noticed that I'm starting to get a little peach fuzz on my belly.

Sleep: I'm up about once a night to pee, but sleep has gotten a little better. I can still sleep on my stomach.

Best Moment of the Week: Being alone with C and enjoying our last "baby-free" vacation.

Movement: I'm wishful thinking here, but last night I felt a little "something". I'm sure it was gas or a cramp, but since it's getting close I'm more aware of any feeling I have in that area.

Symptoms: Symptoms are dwindling down. Not as tired, bbs don't hurt anymore. Pregnancy brain is in full effect though. :) Oh, headaches - they are still going strong.

Food cravings: I haven't had many cravings lately. I don't want a burger like I did a few weeks ago. I still love salads though.

Gender: The closer it gets, the more I want to know. I still have about a month and a half before we can find out.

What I Miss: Mostly nothing. But I can say after this vacation, I do miss the occasional drink.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Looking a little more pregnant than just fat. Feeling the baby move!!!

Weekly Wisdom: If you travel while pregnant, you can deny the full body scan. Although I've read that it's not harmful to the baby, I don't think it's been around long enough to come up with accurate data. Why risk it? Get hand searched - not fun, but at least the baby will be safe.

Milestones: I hear the heart beat whenever I use my doppler. No more searching. :)

Emotions: I am WE-EPY all the time. While we were at Key West, there was triathlon that finished at our hotel. As the runners were finishing, I started crying. It was really ridiculous. Thank god I had my sunglasses on. :)


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

13 weeks

How Far Along: 13 weeks. (minus a few hours, but I'm hopping on a plane first thing tomorrow morning, so I figured I do this tonight)

Size of baby: Almost 3 inches and about .8 oz - the size of a fuzzy, beautiful peach.


Baby is forming teeth and vocal cords. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body

Maternity Clothes: No. But I am thinking about breaking out the Bella Band soon.

Weight Gain: According to my last midwife appt - 1 lb.

Stretch Marks: None so far.

Sleep: I'm up about once a night to pee, but sleep has gotten a little better.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing the baby on Monday and it looking like a baby. And seeing it fling its legs and arms around. So cute. And coming in at a close second, knowing that I'll be in warm weather on vacation in 12 hours.

Movement: No. In a few weeks I will start to lay very still for a few minutes a day to see if there is anything. I have a feeling that it's going to be about another to months before this happens, but I can't wait.

Symptoms: Tired on and off - but a lot more energy than before. Boobs still a little sore. TMI - lots of gas ;)

Food cravings: Actually my meat craving isn't as strong as before. I'm very thirsty all the time. I still want orange soda though. :)

Gender: Chinese gender chart says boy. My goddaughter and her sister both say boy (they are 3 and 4) and a friend's child who has correctly guessed 8 genders said boy. After looking at the u/s and seeing how longgg the legs are I'm starting to think boy ... but we will see in 6 weeks.

What I Miss: Having the energy to work out. I really want to, but just don't have the motivation.

What I'm Looking Forward To: VACATION TOMORROW... oh you mean baby wise ... my bump growing. I really can't wait.

Weekly Wisdom: If you post your pregnancy on FB, expect stupid comments from people. Let them roll off your back and don't let it bring you down from your baby-high. ;)

Milestones: I am officially in my second trimester!!! YAY! AND I'm 1/3 of the way to meeting my little one!!!

Emotions: Patience is running thin. I still tear up at a lot of things. I'm feeling a little less concerned about this pregnancy lasting and a little more concerned about the well-being of the baby now. I guess I better get use to this feeling - I'll be worrying for the rest of my life now about the baby.