18 weeks today...

I'm 18 weeks today.  That seems like a significant number to me.  I'm not sure why -- maybe it's because in just a couple of weeks I will be HALFWAY through this pregnancy!  Incredible...

We had quite the exciting week this week, finding out I'm carrying a sweet baby boy.  And while we've had our excitement, our little guy has been having his own little excitement, growing and developing more and more.  Here's how babycenter.com describes his progress:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

At the ultrasound on Thursday, they did tell us that he weighs about 7-8 oz so he's right on target according to this description.  Our u/s tech told us you could fit him in the palm of your hand right now.  I saw Jeff look down at his hand when she said that.  Awww.

I haven't felt any movements yet -- not that I know of, anyway.  I've heard & read how lots of people describe the feelings of movement so I'm on the lookout for those, understanding that my body is still doing its natural functions, just like always.  Hopefully, I'll be able to recognize when it's our little guy soon.  :)

 

As a side note, now that we know it's a boy, we'll hopefully be able to start looking seriously at the things we'll need and be able to get registered soon.  I have been looking at crib bedding for both up to now.  Having this new information, Jeff and I are working to narrow down our choices.  It's kind of frustrating at times since we don't always agree, but exciting and fun, nonetheless, to be planning our baby's nursery!

 

Here's my 18 week photo:

 

frogs & snails & puppy dog's tails...

...that's what little BOYs are made of.

We had our ultrasound today to check measurement and growth of the baby but because I'm 17.5 weeks along they were able to check to see what the sex of the baby was, too.  So many people, family and friends alike, have told us they thought we were having a boy.  We have both been hoping for a boy so to have that confirmed today at our appt was just the most exciting thing!

The u/s tech, Georgia, told us our little guy has all his parts and everything looks really great.  I'm measuring exactly right for how far along I am, give or take a day.  She gave us lots of pictures of our little guy, this one being my fave:

You can see his head/face on the left there with his little body to the right of it, and his left arm is slung up over his head -- do you see that?  Jeff sleeps just like that.  :)  It was just precious to be able to take home a snapshot like this.  I think he even looks like he has a slight smile/smirk on his face.

After the appt, we went to Target because Jeff had to buy me some more flip-flops after stepping on the back of one of mine at the doctor's office and busting a strap (true story!), but mostly to snap the photo above (with the cute-as-pie bib).  Wasn't that perfect?

Then we went to lunch and to Lewis Strawberry Farms for some homeade strawberry ice cream!  So yummy!

Then back to work.  *sigh*  Yeah, I gotta save my sick/vacation time for other doc appts and for when the baby comes.  But it was a beautiful day and so nice to spend a lot of it with my baby's daddy.  :)

One more piece of information:

Since Jeff and I have been hoping for a boy we've been working on boy names more diligently than girl names.  We had one picked out going into this appt...

Our sweet boy will be called Deacon Josiah Wenzel.  :)

doctor's appt #3...

Monday I went for my 3rd official OB doctor's appt.  It was just a routine 4 week checkup.  Everything went well with the exception of my blood pressure.  Again.  I've mentioned before that my BP has been elevated at each appt I've been to.  I'm not a big fan of the whole doctor's office/hospital/things-of-a-medical-nature in general so I think that has a little to do with it.  Also, Dr. Hill changed my BP meds after my first OB appt so I've been trying to get used to taking two pills a day instead of one.  *sigh*

I saw a different doctor this time, Dr. Joseph, and he was really nice.  He wasn't overly concerned with my BP but did say he would prefer it to be a little bit lower.  I told him that I'd been taking it at home periodically with a machine very similar to the one they use in the doctor's office and it's been right where it needs to be.  So.  It must be the appt itself.  And the fact that I KNOW they're gonna take my BP.  And give me a fit about it if it's higher than it should be.

Anyway, I got to hear the heartbeat again.  :)  It didn't take him quite as long this time to find it and he said it sounded very strong and healthy.  Yay!

That was pretty much the extent of my appt.  I did find out that my blood type is O.  Glad to know that now.  I also picked up a copy of my records to take on our trip next week -- we're going up to see Jeff's family.  His cousin, Laurie, is getting married next Saturday so we're looking forward to spending some time with his family while we're there.  Also?  I think they're throwing us a couple showers while we're up there.  :)  Thankfully, they've told everyone to do gift cards cuz we won't have the space to fly back with any loot.  So thoughtful!

On a COMPLETELY unrelated note (unrelated to my doc appt, but still related to my pregnancy :), I found a place in town, thanks to my friend Genia, called the Clothes Mentor.  It's a consignment shop and Genia told me they had a precent decent maternity section.  I was finally in that part of town yesterday so I stopped in.  And came out with 3 pairs of jeans and a pair of black dress pants!  For a LOT less than I would've paid at another department store.  Woo-hoo!  I was totally stoked.

Let's see, anything else coming up?  Hmmm...lemme think...  Oh, that's right!  We're finding out tomorrow if we're going to be parents to a son or daughter!  Can't hardly wait!

And neither can our family and friends.

I think it was a mistake to share the time of our appt.  We may have to turn our phones OFF just to be able to enjoy the moment, just us two.  :)  THEN, of course, we'll share our big news with everyone.  Stay tuned!

17 weeks today...

17 weeks today -- good gracious!

There have been big things going on for our little one this past week.  This is what babycenter.com says:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

I'm not too keen on the idea of my baby being compared to a turnip -- I'm not a big fan.  But it is what it is.

This is how whattoexpect.com describes the progress:

 

How big is your baby at 17 weeks pregnant? About five inches long and more than three and a half ounces — the size of your open hand.  Body fat (baby's, that is) is beginning to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of your pregnancy. By the time your baby is born, body fat will make up about two-thirds of his or her weight (and will make all those chubby parts especially yummy).

Your baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises — the dog barking, the doorbell ringing — will actually startle your baby (and also get him or her used to such noises; for instance, fetuses who regularly hear a dog barking will become babies who sleep right through Fido's outbursts). Your baby's eyes (which have fortunately finished their migration to the front of his or her head) are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. And since practice makes perfect, your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first (and second…and third) suckle at your breast or bottle. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that your baby will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.

 

Amazing to think that all that has been going on this past week...

 

This is an off week for me to post a photo (I've been posting them on the even weeks) but we went to a wedding over the weekend and it's the first time I look pregnant in a regular photo so I thought I'd share it.  A lot of people have been waiting for that baby bump to make an appearance...

uh, your uterus is showing...

I bought my first pairs of maternity pants/capris this week.

I'm not so much concerned about the top situation -- my mom sent me a maternity top almost as soon as she found out I was pregnant, bless her heart.  Said she couldn't help herself.  :)  I also got a few tops from my friend, Allison, to use.  And I, myself, have picked up a top that isn't maternity per se, but is that "baby doll"/empire waist style that everyone is wearing.  That'll work.

But the bottoms situation?  TOAHtully different.  I'm to the point now where not really ANY of my pants/capris are comfortable anymore.  Oh, they're fine for awhile.  Until I have to sit down.  :)  Which is what I do for MOST of the day at work.  So I'm a little worried about that part of my clothing situation.

Tuesday night, I found myself at our mall and decided to check out JC Penney's maternity department.  I usually have pretty good luck there with general clothing needs; hadn't ever looked for a maternity department.  Well, I almost missed it!  Which seems to be a pattern -- the maternity department in any regular department store like that is really tiny.

So I was excited when I found a few racks of khakis, capris and jeans.  Tops, too, but I'm not worried about those right now, as I said.  I tried on about 7-8 pairs of jeans with no luck.  Ugh.  Well, that hasn't changed with the pregnancy.  I had a terrible time finding jeans when I WASN'T pregnant -- guess that will still be the case.  So no jeans.  But I'll keep looking.

I did get a pair of khakis and a pair of capris.  I figure those will have to do for awhile.  I'll just change it up with different tops.  And accessories.  :)

I did go into the Motherhood Maternity store at the mall but didn't really find anything.  I was mainly looking for a pair of jeans since I didn't find any at JCP but didn't have any luck there.

I know that I just posted a photo for 16 weeks and there really wasn't much of a bump there, but trust me when I tell you, there is now!  I guess it's just like everyone says -- it seems to happen overnight.  Everyone still says I don't look pregnant, that I don't look like I've gained anything, that they can't see a bump but it's there, people.  I did NOT have "this" before I got pregnant, so what else could "this" be??

It's a baby, that's what.  A baby bump.  :)

16 weeks today...

I'm 16 weeks today.  That's hard to believe! 

It seems like this past week I started to show a tiny bit, though you still can't really tell when I have normal clothes on.  I felt like I was poking out a little bit on Thursday when I got dressed to go work out, and then someone said on Friday that they thought I was showing a little bit.  I think it depends on what I'm wearing at this point.  Not sure how I feel about "showing" yet -- some days I want to start showing, and other days I'm okay with not showing.  Guess that's part of being pregnant.  :)

No matter what's going on with the outside of me, there's LOTS going on with the inside of me!  Here's how babycenter.com describes it:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

I actually tried avocado tonight.  I've had it in things but never by itself.  It was okay -- not much flavor but I've heard it's really good for you.  Interesting that that's how big our baby is right now...

 

 

And here's how big I am right now...
 

15 weeks today...

I'm 15 weeks today.  Moving right along in this pregnancy!

According to babycenter.com, here is what our little one has been busy doing this week:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

In this post, I included a video of the baby's development from weeks 1-9.  Today I want to include a video of the baby's development from weeks 10-14; a visual of what our little one has been up to the last 5 weeks.

Today IS Mother's day and I'd like to wish my 2 moms (mine & Jeff's) a very happy one, along with all my friends who are mommies.  And a heartfelt thank you to those who've wished ME a happy one, though I'm not quite a mom yet.  :)

what not to wear...

I got this email from whattoexpect.com last week and it made me smile/laugh so I thought I'd share it here.  The wording is just, um, well...candid.  :)  See for yourself:

Right about now you're probably most comfy at 14 weeks pregnant in a pair of cozy sweats, worn loose and low. Unfortunately, your boss might not appreciate that look around the office. Plus, as much as you'd like to, you can't show up for that big meeting looking like you're headed for bed to watch Desperate Housewives. On the job, expectant moms should dress for success and comfort; so skip anything too revealing (like that plunging neckline that shows off your larger than life set), and give your high heels the vacation they deserve (think two-inch and wide). Invest in a few tailored shirts in pretty colors, some tummy-hugging sweater sets, and a couple of slim dark maternity skirts and pants.  You're as good to go as the CEO.

See what I mean?  There were a few parts in there that probably had a few of you chuckling.

Now, this article really was seemingly written more for those who are in a professional line of work, like accountants or lawyers, so most of it really doesn't apply to me -- I don't "dress for success" in my line of work (not that I'm not successFUL); just casual & comfy.  And there's room for leniency where I am.  :)

On a personal note, I really haven't gotten to a point where my clothes aren't fitting anymore, but I do have a couple of pairs of pants that are getting more snug than I prefer.  I think pants/shorts/capris will most likely be the most problematic.  Tops and dresses/skirts may have a little more play in them for me as I grow (outward).  Most people who know me know that I don't wear dresses/skirts.  I just prefer pants/shorts/capris.  But I'm figuring out -- and resigning myself to the fact -- that dresses are just going to be more comfortable at a certain point.  And they have more flexibility as far as expansion goes.  And that translates into saving some bucks.  I'm all for that.

So I HAVE picked up a couple of dresses myself with that in mind (not maternity, but with room to "grow"), and GOD BLESS my friend, Amy!  She brought over about 13 dresses for me recently, 8 of which I kept!  It's a good thing cuz we still have THREE weddings to attend this summer.

I didn't really want to have to wear the same dress to all 3.  That would be a no-no in the fashion world.  :)

14 weeks today...

So I'm starting my 2nd trimester today!  I'm now 14 weeks and through my 1st trimester of pregnancy.  That's crazy to me.  :)

Here's what's going on with our little one, according to babycenter.com:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Here's what I look like at 14 weeks -- not much change from this photo, if you ask me.