Weekly update - 23 weeks

How far along: 23 Weeks

Total weight gain: Last check +9 lbs

Maternity clothes: Bottoms defiantly, tops not always

Sleep: Pretty decent still, it's been hard to fall asleep but once I'm out I tend to only get up once a night to pee.

Best moment of the week:Christmas in general. It was great to have everyone together. Lots of baby talk, lots of good food, lots of company!

Movement: UM YES. Tons. This week was the first week I felt pressure in my rib cage. Not a great feeling and I can only attribute it to someone thinking they need more room.

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: IN

What I miss: Being able to have a glass of wine once in a while. It's nice to have the option even though I mostly pass it up.

What I'm looking forward to: Our dr's appointment on the 3rd. It's my glucose screen, but also, hopefully, they will tell me I don't have to be on pelvic rest anymore.

Weekly wisdom: I don't really have any words of wisdom this week.

Milestones: No big ones this week.

What's happening with the baby: Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more then 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now - such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner - probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

What's happening with you: You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs - coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause water retention- may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting - or standing- in one place for long periods of time.

How are you feeling:Feeling good all around. It was a short work week which always makes it drag but it was nice to only be three days of working. I got sick Thursday. Just a cold but it's lingering on. Nothing big this week. Still feeling lots of movement and love actually watching my belly move around. She responds when I play her seahorse toy for her. That is really cool, I think. I get winded if I have to take 2 flights of stairs instead of just one. Brad is quick to grab the heavy things that I try to carry. Which I don't really do much. I am starting to get tired more often during the day, but staying up later at night is easy for some reason. My winter coat is still fitting at 23 weeks. This belly is starting to actually hold my pregnancy pants up. My belly button is still in but pretty shallow. All those little folds that never see the light of day are actually really soft. JJ thinks its the microphone to talk to the baby and will only talk right into my belly button. Sooo cute.

Oh quick story, So we (JJ, Mom and I) were trying to find the baby's heartbeat with a stethoscope on Friday. She was being really active and moving away from the stethoscope, so mom would hear one beat and then she would scoot. JJ wanted to hear whatever it was that Grandma was listening to so mom handed it over. JJ put the things in his ears and the other end where he had seen Mom put it on my belly. He was listening very intently and as he listened, Brad walked up the hall to our room whistling. JJ's head shot up with his eyes as wide as could be and he sucked in his breath. I said "What JJ, what did you hear?". He proceeded to hum the tune that was whistled in the hall back to me. CUTEST THING EVER! I told him the baby was singing for him. One day I'll tell him that story and he'll laugh but it was just tooo cute. Mom and I got a little giggle out of it.

Weekly update -22 weeks

How far along: 22 Weeks

Total weight gain: Last check +9lbs

Maternity clothes: Still same as before, all maternity bottoms, still able to rock some regular tops.

Sleep: Decent, up once a night. Love my snoogle!

Best moment of the week: Dressing up and hanging out with Brad at JD and Nicki's wedding. It was a happy night and I always love dancing with my husband. Did you know he sings through every single slow dance we have ever dance to? The only exception so far has been our first dance at our wedding, but that was because he had to think about the dance. :)

Movement: Yes, lots. She seems to be able to kick me almost anywhere in my abdomen now. She kicks down low on my sides and I've even seen her kick up high by my ribs. Not in the ribs yet though, thanks.

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Not worrying about how to get comfortable while I'm trying to go to sleep.

What I'm looking forward to: Christmas!!!!

Weekly wisdom: If you have to go potty in the middle of the night, just get up and do it when you first wake up. If you don't, you'll just lie in bed pretending to ignore it but never being able to fall back asleep until your get up.

Milestones: No big milestones this week.

What's happening with the baby: At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, she is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises still lack pigment. Lanugo (fine hair) covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Her pancreas is developing steadily.

What's happening with you: You may find your belly is becoming a hand magnet. You may also start to notice stretch marks on you abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. They can also appear on your butt, thighs, hips and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent them, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.

How are you feeling: TMI alert! This week I had some bleeding after B and I had some play time. It wasn't a huge thing and I figured it was just my cervix getting irritated. It freaked B out though. I called the OB and she said pelvic rest until my next appointment, which is Jan 3rd. She wouldn't normally have a problem with it but due to the little bit of placenta previa she wants to check my cervix. B is ok with this due to the fact that this little episode freaked him out.

TMI over. This week has been a "Crystal is very tired" week. We didn't have all of our shopping for the out of town family done and I think the stress of it was making my exhausted instead of the normal antsy and driven. We did however pick up our yearly ornament. It's a little snowman holding a cat. Brad liked it because he says Neala is practically raising our child. Neala is my buddy and naps with me for a while every night before bed. She spends that time draped across some part of my tummy purring her heart out. Squishe will probably be more familiar with the sound of Neala purring then most sounds out of utero. Squishe also has decided that she can kick all over. I'm feeling lots of movement and kicks that I'm not seeing all of. She must be beating up on some of my internal organs. Her kicks are defiantly able to be seen from the outside, even through my thin clothes. With thicker sweaters it's not noticeable yet. It's fun to feel her moving all around and doing her kung fu. I hope I remember this feeling forever.

Weekly Update - 21 weeks

How far along: 21 weeks

Total weight gain: +9 lbs, good job baby girl

Maternity clothes: yes, still some pre-preg shirts but loving the full panel pants.

Sleep: Sleeping has been a bit of an issue this week. When I wake up to make a potty trip, I have a hard time falling back asleep due to movement or whatever. I'm going to have to break out my lavender oil.

Best moment of the week: Seeing squishe in our ultrasound. Mom and I went to my appointment and we got to see her little self and watch her bounce all around.

Movement: Lots, most everyone has felt her wiggling or kicking.

Gender: another confirmation of Girl by our OB.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: IN

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly. If I lay on my belly even for just a minute she kicks away. Mom said I've given her a complex and she won't want to be swaddled because I squish her too much. :)

What I'm looking forward to: Finishing up decorating our tree. A weekend with no big plans.

Weekly wisdom: Don't ask your OB questions that you know the answer to unless your willing to hear the answer you know you don't want to hear.

Milestones: Squishe can hear things outside of just my body and my voice.

What's happening with the baby: Baby now weights about three-quarters of a pound and is 10 1/2 inches long (length of a carrot). You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better, Eyebrows and eyelids are present now and her vagina has begun to form as well.

What's happening with you: You're probably feeling pretty comfortable. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts of early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. Relax and enjoy it while you can - the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints. Minor possible complaints now may include: an increase in oil production contributing to acne. Also varicose and spider veins. Varicose veins tend to be worse if other family members have them. Prop your feet and legs up whenever possible and sleep on your left side. Spider veins are just a tiny group of blood vessels near the surface of your skin and usually disappear after delivery.

How are you feeling: Heartburn is a little bit of an issue. Usually a Tums will take care of it, so at least that's not too bad. Sleeping has been not great for a few nights this week. I get up about twice a night now. My belly skin feels like its starting to stretch for real, especially when laying on my side. Squishe likes to tap dance on my side at night. My belly kind of looks like a water bed when she kicks, which she is doing a lot. I have noticed also that when I bend over to pick something up or whatever I feel like I have to cough when I stand back up. She must be starting to take up the area that my diaphragm likes to be in. Putting shoes on by pulling my foot up on the bed or chair is getting hard. Guess I'll have to figure some other way out before too long. Overall, still pretty comfortable and not feeling too huge yet.

Weekly Update- 20 weeks

Oh how the belly grows in the evening. This picture was taken later in the evening when my belly is the biggest it seems.

How far along: 20 weeks!

Total weight gain: I thought I was going to find out but my appointment was rescheduled for next Tuesday due to my OB attending a delivery.

Maternity clothes: Exclusively maternity pants or comfy pants at home, still mostly in pre-preg tops.

Sleep: pretty good, still loving that pillow

Best moment of the week: finding out that Brook who is due on April 20th is having a baby girl and I was the only one who guessed correctly. :)

Movement: Not as noticeable as it was a week or two ago, at night, but I get kicks randomly throughout the day, usually a while after eating.

Gender: Girl, we'll have the OB double check again on Tuesday

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Being able to predict what size clothes I wear. I have to take two or three of everything into the dressing room now.

What I'm looking forward to: Trip to Michigan this weekend and appointment on Tuesday.

Weekly wisdom: Carry a water bottle with you everywhere and actually drink out of it. You may avoid getting yelled at to drink more water.

Milestones: HALFWAY!!!!!

What's happening with the baby: She's about 10 1/2 ounces and 10 inches from head to toe (banana). She's swallowing more which is good practice for his digestive system. Meconium is being produced and accumulating in her bowels. We'll get to see it in her first dirty diaper.

What's happening with you: Your uterus is about level with your belly button and you've likely gained around 10 lbs. Expect to gain a pound or so a week from now on. Make sure your getting enough iron. Your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your baby and the growing placenta. Time to start signing up for classes. Childbirth education is important, especially if you're a first timer.

How are you feeling: This week has been a good week. I'm feeling tired but nothing out of normal for this time of year for me. My body seems to be changing at a crazy pace lately. I noticed, for the first time, on Wednesday night that when I lay on my side my belly drops to that side. I also am starting to stand a bit differently, more sway backed. I'm trying to make a conscious effort not to let my belly muscles stop working. I haven't worn regular pants to work all week. My appointment that was supposted to happen on Thursday had to be rescheduled. I'm excited to see the baby again. I'm feeling the stretching sensation more often mostly when I change positions. Bending over to get things off the floor when sitting or standing is getting to be not as easy as it used to be. We are still working on baby names and we have really started to read Hypnobirthing. The beliefs of this method are right on with our feelings about childbirth. Overall, feeling good but a little more tired. Trying hard to drink more water and relax.

Christmas Traditions

Do you have any traditions that you do year after year to prepare and/or help you get in the mood for Christmas?

Lots of people start out their Christmas season with some Black Friday shopping. I'm not a big fan of Black Friday. I would rather spend some time lounging in bed on one of the days I get off of work. This may change next year, with a little one to get up with but for now I really enjoy sleeping in, though not as much as my husband. Being a night owl makes him sleep in later then I would prefer but......

One of my traditions is to put the Christmas tree up Thanksgiving day weekend. I love having the tree up and decorated so that I can enjoy it all month. It also doesn't come down until after my little sisters birthday in early January. The only year this hasn't happened is the first year Brad and I were married. We had a real tree so we put it up later and took it down sooner.

Another tradition that has been a part of my life for it feels like forever, is that the first or second weekend of December my family packs into one car, or two now, and head up to Michigan for a dinner concert. My parents started this tradition 25 years ago. Mom was pregnant with my brother, Devin. They have been going almost every year since then and us kids have begun attending with them as we became "old enough". This weekend is the weekend. Everyone is going except the one who was in utero for that first one. Mom and Dad went up this afternoon and Brad, Erin, Jake and I will be leaving right after work to head that way. The five hour drive may be interesting. I haven't made a drive that long since I've been pregnant and before pregnancy I would take Dramamine for a drive of that length. Hopefully it will all be ok.

I'm looking forward to starting new traditions with my new little family. Maybe we can even begin some that will carry on until my baby is ready to begin making her own traditions, maybe even ones that she will carry on herself. Until then, I'm excited about a weekend away with my family and friends. :)

Merry Christmas!

Friends rock my world!

This is Brook and I. We have been friends since High School. We went to college together and even worked together for a while as students. Brook graduated first and got a job. Shortly after I graduated Brook decided it was time to change jobs. When her position became available I applied and got it. It's been fun to work in an area that knows one of my friends so well. We were in each others weddings and have been there for each other through all of the big events in life. Brook is one of those people that we can not see each other for a while and when we do it's just like falling back into each other. One of those friends that pass the test of time. You just plop yourselves back into each others lives. We both know the other is busy and that we love each other and that's good enough for me. I take my Brook time whenever we can both fit it in.


Two years ago Brook's life got even more busy. This little precious bundle of love became a part of her life. Brook gave birth to Corinne late at night and I was there to see Brook and meet this beautiful baby girl as soon as I possibly could. Birthday parties and dinners with that family have changed quite a bit. Our relationship hasn't changed but what we talk about certainly has. :)

A few months ago I let Brook and a few friends and family know in person that Brad and I were expecting our first baby. I had this feeling that Brook was hiding a little something. About 2 months ago, I think, Brook met me for lunch and pulled out some awesome ultrasounds. She is pregnant too!!!!! Her baby's due date is 4 days after my baby's due date. It has been sooo cool to have someone who I'm so close with share in this pregnancy with me.

Yesterday Brook had her ultrasound to find out the gender and, ya know, check out the baby. After she got back she posted on Facebook that the baby was not shy and who wanted to guess if Corinne would have a little sister or brother. The responses started rolling in. EVERY single person guessed Boy, but not me. I just have had this feeling that it was a little girl. Shortly after dinner I got a phone call. Brook let me know that I was the ONLY one! The Only one to guess correctly!

We're having babies together. Baby girls! Oh the play dates to come. The next fun thing will be to see our bellies grow and then to see which baby decides that they will be the first to leave the comfort of their mommy's belly. I can't wait and I love sharing this journey with Brook. It's really soo much fun for me.