Thankful Thursdays!

I haven't done one of these in a while.

Today is dragging by at work so I thought "why not".

Today I am thankful for:

• Space heaters - we are not allowed to have them in our building but everyone does. If I didn't have one today I would be wearing 2 sweaters.
• My Hubs - We have started reading out loud before bed on the days we go to bed together, so about 3 times a week. We're actually reading the House of Night series (teen vampire) which makes me giggle.
• A healthy pregnancy!
• Naps- I'm in my second trimester but that second wind has not come around yet. I', looking forward to going to bed early tonight.
• New puppies - Erin got her puppy finally. I'm glad it's hers and not mine. I wouldn't want to be going through what she is going through right now.
• Potlucks - I didn't have to buy lunch!
• Dinners with friends
• Upcoming visitors - I love getting to plan some fun things to do with out of town guests. We're looking forward to Amy and Ethel's visit the second week of Nov.

What are you thankful for?

15 weeks - Maternity update

Maybe on day I'll learn to stand up straight in pictures. :) Hello Neala, nice of you to join the picture too.

How far along: 15 weeks

Total weight gain: -1 lbs, I feel like I have put on weight this time, I'm sure the doctor will tell me I'm up some at my appointment on the 8th.

Maternity clothes: I officially bought a pair of maternity jeans. They were wonderful all weekend, so much so that I cried a little inside when I had to put on regular work pants.

Sleep: Sleep is great still. No big issues.

Best moment of the week: Finding out that one of my best friends is pregnant and only 4 days behind me. We've been missing each other at the OBG's by days. I'm soooooooo excited.

Movement: Maybe once a week ago but I haven't felt anything since, so I can't confirm.

Gender: Still feeling girl. Brad and I did the ring on a hair test and when I held the string it indicated girl, when Brad held it it showed boy.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Not wondering if something is going to fit or not. Some things do and some don't so it's always a question.

What I'm looking forward to: A belly that isn't questionable

Weekly wisdom: Hmmm ........ nothing.

Milestones: No big milestones this week.

What's happening with the baby: Baby is now about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). Baby is busy moving amniotic fluid through their nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Legs are growing longer then arms and all of his or her joints and limbs can move voluntarily. Baby can sense light through his or her fused eyelids and if you shine a flashlight on your belly baby will even move away from its beam. This week if you were to do an ultrasound you could finally find out what gender that little guy or girl is.

What's happening with you: You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but may be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. Stuffy nose is at the top of that list. It's so common that there is even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy". Some women suffer from nose bleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose. Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. This is also the most wonderful trimester for most women. Physical discomforts wane and energy is on the rise.

How are you feeling: On Sunday I had the first shortness of breath sensation while singing at church. It was strange to feel like I couldn't breath just from singing. Other then that this week has been good. On Friday I had a GREAT day because spilled the prego beans. I had kind of had a feeling that she was pregnant and just not saying anything (she is the BEST secret keeper) and she IS!!! We are 4 days apart in our pregnancy and hearing about what it's been like for her this time, I'm glad I'm having my pregnancy and not hers. I was really tired this week but I didn't have my down time on Wednesday that I usually have. It made Thursday and Friday really tough. I wasn't too emotional this week, which is good. Overall, good but sleepy week.

Maternity Update Day - 14 weeks

I started this update as Maternity Monday. It worked for...one time. Then I decided that if I'm updating on the 3rd day of that week then your not really getting a good idea of what that week was like for me. Also I'm not really going to get an accurate record of whats happening in my pregnancy. So I'm trying to post the week before update around mid week of the next week. Ex: I was 14 weeks on Oct 16th, my post won't be visible until probably the 27th-ish.

How far along: 14 weeks

Total weight gain: -1lb

Maternity clothes: Not yet but my goal this weekend is to pick up two pair of maternity work pants

Sleep: Actually, like a rock. I'm not waking up much to go to the bathroom and I'm not noticing Brad when he comes to bed, no matter what time. I usually wake up around 3 for the first time and then shortly before my alarm goes off at 6.

Best Moment of the Week: It was a pretty normal week, nothing exciting really happened.

Movement: No feelings yet, but it should be anytime in the next few weeks. I suspect sooner rather then later.

Gender: Still feeling girl. Still need to do the wedding ring test.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: My flat belly. :(

What I'm looking forward to: The Pumpkin Show this weekend. It's a bit of a drive but it's worth it. Plus Katy and her man are coming with us.

Weekly wisdom: Keep trying to embrace your changing body. All those changes are for a good reason. At least this is what I have to keep telling myself.

Milestones: Second Trimester!!!!!! Miscarriage rate drops again!

What's happening with the baby: Baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee and maybe even suck it's thumb. Your baby is stretching out. From bottom to head, baby is about 3 1/2 inches (about the size of a lemon) and weighs 1 1/2 ounces. It's body is growing faster than his head, which now sits on a more distinct neck. By the end of the week, his or her arms will have grown to a length that is in proportion to the rest of it's body. Lanugo (ultra fine, downy hair) is starting to grow all over it's body. The liver is doing it's job and the spleen starts helping in production of red blood cells. Their little hands an feet are more flexible and active, though you probably can't feel those tiny kicks and punches yet.

What's happening with you:Your energy is likely returning, your breast may be feeling less tender and you queasiness may have completely abated by now. The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

How are you feeling: This week has actually been a sleepy week for me. I have wanted to nap most days after work and Thursday spent a good bit sleeping in the evening. I am finally starting to show a little bit. I can still fit in most of my pants but I'm thinking about grabbing a pair or two of maternity pants this weekend. My nausea is almost all gone. I have a tiny bit but just every once in a while. The pregnancy emotions though are awful. I'm much more weepy then I used to be. I need a lot more attention from Brad then I used to also, which is tough for him because I"m not great at letting him know until I'm already sad about it. I'm looking forward to starting to research baby things. We have started picking up things, just little things like onesies and little one piece jammies. I can't wait to feel those little flutters of movement. Overall, doing well.

Girl Talk

Do you remember when you were 14 and all you wanted to do was gossip with your girlfriends on the phone all evening long? Eventually your mom or dad would boot you off, but if you had your way you would stay on there all evening. It didn't even really matter what you were talking about. The topics could range from boys, girls, pets, clothes, school, after school stuff, the fact that your fingernail polish was chipping. Nothing was off limits or taboo. As I grew up the topics became a bit more racy, a bit more all encompassing. I'm still one of those people that feels no topic is off limits.

My girlfriends and I know sooooooo much about each other, it's actually pretty crazy to think about. Sometimes we get in a pattern where every time we get together it's this kind of bonding. One or the other of us needs it, to get something off our chest or be reassured that were not wrong or strange in our expecations in life. Sometimes it will be months until this kind of a session rolls around again. It had been a while for me and, let me tell you what!!! There is nothing like a good gab session with a girlfriend. It's just something that can't be fulfilled by your significant other.

Get your girl talk on!

weekly update - 13 weeks

Picture Fail. We have one for 14 weeks though.

How far along: 13 Weeks!



Total weight gain: My scale is officially broken. I was down one before so we'll see in 2 weeks when i see the doc.



Maternity clothes: Not yet. Some pants are getting tight though.



Sleep: pretty good still. Getting up about twice a night for potty breaks.



Best moment of the week: JJ kissing my baby belly goodnight.



Movement: None yet, but could be anytime.



Gender: Still feeling girl this week.



Labor signs: None yet.



Belly button in or out: In



What I miss: Not questioning everything that goes in my body or wondering if I've had too much caffeine for the day.



What I'm looking forward to: Second Trimester! Come on Saturday!



Weekly wisdom: Enjoy this time. Don't set your expectations too high on what you can handle and what you can't. Just do what you can.



Milestones: My dad buying an outfit for the baby. He is quietly excited but hadn't picked anything up yet. Last night I came home to a little jammie onsie that he had picked out at Little Darlings. It says Happy Camper on it. I hope our little bug will live up to that.



What's happening with the baby: Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips and their body is starting to catch up with their head, which makes up just one third of the body size now. Your baby is almost three inches long and weights nearly an ounce.



What's happening with you: This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women as morning sickness and fatigue subside. You may even notice a distinct libido lift around this time. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already begun to produce colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk comes in.



How are you feeling: This week has been a tired week. I've been trying to eat more because of the pound I lost between my last two appointments. I'm enjoying the weather and starting to think about maternity clothes for the fall. My belly is rounding out a bit but I don't consider myself showing at all yet. I do need to get a pregnancy pillow and have been looking at the Snoogle as an option. I used to be a anyway I could sleeper. Sleeping on my tummy is beginning to feel different and not as comfortable. I also am noticing that my hands and feet are more dry then they used to be. I wonder if that is pregnancy or weather related. Looking forward to the second trimester and the comfort that comes with making it that far, even though I don't feel like there is even a chance of this baby going anywhere.

Maternity Update - 12 weeks

How far along: 12 weeks

Total weight gain: -1 lb

Maternity clothes: Not yet. OBG said it would probably be another month before I need new pants.

Sleep: Ok. I've been sleeping more soundly. I added a body pillow to our bed this week. It's nice but not necessary yet, I don't think.

Best moment of the week: Seeing the baby jumping bean around at our ultrasound on Monday and hearing the heartbeat twice in one week.

Movement: Not yet. Should be in the next few weeks.

Gender: I have been feeling girl the last week. I still refer to the baby as a boy though. Weird.

Labor signs: None yet.

Belly button in or out: In. I asked a girl at church when her turkey timer popped. She had an outie to begin with. Felt a little silly after I asked but it's one of the thing I've been wondering about. :)

What I miss: Evenings that aren't so jam packed full. I feel really busy right now.

What I'm looking forward to: The second Trimester!

Weekly wisdom: I'm not feeling very wise this week. Just emotional. :)

Milestones: I think the only big milestone is that baby is pretty developed. All the big things are there.

What's happening with the baby: This week the baby is developing it's reflexes. It's fingers will soon begin opening and closing, toes will curl, eye muscles will clench, and it's mouth will make sucking movements. Actually, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, not that you'll be able to feel it yet. It's intestines have grown so fast that they had to hang out in baby's umbilical cord, but now they will start moving into it's abdomen. Baby is now looking unquestionably human; it's eyes have moved from the sides of it's head to the front and it's ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a plum) and weighs a half an ounce.

What's happening with you: Your uterus has grown to the point where your OBG can now feel the top of it low in your abdomen, just above your pubic bone. If your still fairly small and not yet ready for maternity clothes, you've no doubt noticed your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing. You may feel heartburn more often due to progesterone relaxing the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. For many women this doesn't begin until later in pregnancy when your uterus is pressing up on your stomach.

How are you feeling: This week was a great week. We had an appointment on Monday and got to see our wiggle worm. Then Thursday was our normal monthly check up. I got to hear the heartbeat for more then three seconds because the baby must not have been jumping around as much or something. We found out that we will have the anatomy scan on December 2nd. I have been feeling pretty good. Nausea still comes and goes. I have also been having a little bit of round ligament pain, or at least that's what my OB says it is. It should be here for a little while now and then go away until closer to the end. I still don't really feel pregnant, but am beginning to worry about what my body is going to look like as this pregnancy progresses. My belly is still pretty flat in the morning and expands as the day goes on. It's also almost time to invest in some new bras. I'm kind of putting it off though, because they are just going to keep growing.

Cloth Diapers

One of the things that Brad and I are very seriously considering doing as parents is cloth diapering our little one. With that in mind, I search and research cloth diapering sites. I recently came across this website clothdiaperblog.com that is doing a give away. So in order to get the ability to enter more then once I am posting about it on our blog. Here's the link if you would like to check it out.


http://clothdiaperblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/medium_connect.jpg