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.