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 - 19 weeks

How far along: 19 weeks

Total weight gain: unknown, I go to the OB on the 2nd so we'll see then.

Maternity clothes: I'm giving up regular pants. I had to wear pre-prego jeans two days this week and used my Be-Band one day. I think I'm done with that.

Sleep: Um, I got this awesome pillow called a Snoogle. I LOVE it! So comfy!

Best moment of the week: Getting a great prego pillow. Seeing my family for Thanksgiving.

Movement: Yes, especially when I am squishing her. Like when I'm laying on my tummy or have my knees pulled up in front of me.

Gender: Baby Girl

Labor signs: None yet

Belly button in or out: In but more shallow then ever.

What I miss: This week was the first week I have missed wine. A glass of wine with Thanksgiving dinner would have been nice.

What I'm looking forward to: Putting up the Christmas tree and the holiday season. Christmas music! Monthly appt with the OB.

Weekly wisdom: Have fun maternity clothes shopping. Stuff a sweater up your tank, put the belly on, enjoy it.

Milestones: Baby will start to taste what I taste. Time to start varying my diet.

What's happening with the baby: Her sensory development if exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. Your baby weighs in at about 8.5 ounces and measures 6 inches from head to bum (about the size of a large heirloom tomato). Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. Vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

What's happening with you: Think your big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness or brief stabbing pain in your lower abdomen - especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. Nothing to be alarmed about. Your skin may be changing, too. Red palms are due to a rise in estrogen. Chloasma or "the mask of pregnancy", a darkening of the skin around your cheeks, forehead and upper lip, is due to an increase in pigment. This can affect other parts of your body including the line running from your belly button to your pubic bone, called the linea nigra. These darkened spots will fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes.

How are you feeling: This week has been a fun week. We went to see Harry Potter 7 and I only had to run to the restroom once during the 2.5 hour movie. I say that's a success. I spent lots of time with peoples hands on my belly. Thanksgiving and a visit from a friend, everyone wants to feel her kick. She wiggles and squirms, but when I want her to just kick she sooo doesn't cooperate. My appetite is coming on for real now, so I may not have to worry about weight gain anymore. Thanksgiving helped, having all that food around. Black Friday was about getting maternity pants for cheap, so that was great. She really doesn't like me laying on my tummy and puts up a bit of a fight. I get little kicks and things if she is feeling smushed. My skin has felt very dry lately, hands and feet for sure. Good thing I have lots of lotion.

Weekly update - 18 weeks

First shot in comfy clothes, I'm sure there will be others.

How far along: 18 weeks

Total weight gain: Not sure but I think I'm gaining now.

Maternity clothes: Still pretty good. Not fully in maternity clothes, However Saturday I took a trip to get some bras so we are officially in maternity bras. Not to mention going up two cup sizes.

Sleep: Still really good compared to what I thought it would be by now.

Best moment of the week: The 3D ultrasound and visit from Brads sister and Mom.

Movement: Yes, mostly a while after I eat or lay down.

Gender: GIRL!!!! 3D/4D Ultrasound was amazing. So much fun to have everyone there to find out.

Labor signs: None

Belly button is or out: In

What I miss: Not having to try on everything to know if it's going to fit before I buy or wear it.

What I'm looking forward to: Yummy Thanksgiving and a weekend without craziness.

Weekly wisdom: Have friends and family have kids before you. It helps a lot in planning what you have to buy or be given. :)

Milestones: Gender scan and developing bones.

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

What's happening with you: Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead on empty calories. Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardio vascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester you blood pressure will probably be lower then usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you lie down, it's best to lie on your side - or at least partly tilted to one side. Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't had a second- trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and the umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies your carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking her thumb.

How are you feeling: I'm feeling really good. I feel like the end of this week I just started to really begin to look pregnant. Everything is up high enough that I can still wear some of my regular pants. Bra shopping was crazy. I went on purpose to some place that would fit me and have the best knowledge of how my body would continue to change. It worked out and was less expensive then I thought. Other then that we are just absorbing that we are having a baby girl. A little bit of stretching and stuff in my abdomen but still very comfortable in my body.

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.

Maternity Monday - 8 weeks

written 9-7-10



How far along: 8 weeks

Total weight gain: I was down 2lbs when I checked. But not really sure

Maternity clothes: Not yet

Sleep: Decent, Falling asleep well, getting up once a night for a bathroom trip. Napping is becoming my friend.

Best moment of the week: First pre-natal appointment. Seeing the little squish on the ultrasound machine. Brad not knowing where to stand so he doesn't get to see "it all" in a new way.

Movement: none

Gender: Not having any strong feelings. Probably feeling boy more then girl. Not sure.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Eating anything I want. Like all the yummy cheeses.

What I'm looking forward to: Starting to show a little. I'm trying to love the stage I'm in though.

Weekly wisdom: Enjoy feeling good when you do. It could be fleeting.

Milestones: 1st Ultrasound. Saw the heartbeat!

What's happening with the baby: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from it's little hands and feet. Our little smush has eyelids that practically cover it's eyes, breathing tubes extend from it's throat to the branches of it's little developing lungs. That little tail is just about gone. In it's brain, nerve cells are connecting to one another, forming primitive neural pathways. He or she is about the size of a kidney bean and is constantly moving and shifting, even though I can't feel it yet.

What's happening with me: You may notice that your bra is getting more snug. Soon you'll likely need a bigger size with better support. Don't be surprised if you go up a cup or two, especially if it's your first baby. Fatigue caused by hormonal changes may be contributing to your sluggishness. Nausea and vomiting can certainly cost you enery. And you may be having trouble getting a good night's sleep at this point, especially if you're uncomfortable or find you need to get up to pee.

How am I feeling: I'm still feeling really good. I'm more able to nap during the day but don't find myself needing one every day or anything. Nausea is still not a very big concern. My boobs are getting bigger and some of my pants just aren't as comfortable as they used to be. I'm not feeling as bloated as I was, but I do feel like I'm floating most of the time due to all this stinking water I have to drink. Good all around.

Thankful Thursdays!

IT'S THURSDAY! Friday junior according to one of the girls in my office. Thank you for it being almost Friday Lord. I'm having a bit of a rough week with pregnancy related stuff.

Anyhow, this week I'm thankful for.......

• This little baby that is growing inside of me. It's now officially a fetus. Keep hanging in there little olive to plum sized baby!

• Deep breathing- Nausea is being a b**** this week. I'm not really having it bad compared to the "normal" pregnancy, but it's still no fun.
• Sweaters - It's getting to be the season for sweaters and I love it.
• New windows - my parents had new windows installed yesterday. They are very nice, it was strange to not hear the storm last night though.
• JJ - I love him. He is sweet and crazy and all boy. We spent some time reading stories last night. Heaven forbid he get under the bed covers to snuggle with his clothes on. :)
• That children don't come out 4 years old. I think Brad and I both need to grow into the parents of a four year old. If they came out with that much energy and spunk, we would be in sad shape.

I'm not feeling super great, so that's my list for today. I hope your day is leaving you feeling better then mine is. Enjoy it. What are you thankful for?

Maternity Mondays- 7 weeks

written 8-30-10

Ahh, not so bloated this week.

How far along: 7 weeks

Total weight gain: I didn't get on the scale today, maybe I'll update it later this week.

Maternity clothes: No but I did find a pair of jeans that I can no longer wear without using the hair band trick.

Sleep: Good for now. Still sleeping which ever way I want to. If I do wake up in the middle of the night I have to go to the restroom, but I don't think I wake up because I have to go.

Best moment of the week: The office figuring it out. I got called out for having a pickle that I didn't even eat. Brad and I had discussed that I wouldn't lie to the office if they called me out on it, but I was going to wait until at least after our first appointment. They were VERY excited for me though and it was fun to let them know.

Movement: none

Gender: This week I have been calling it a girl.

Labor signs: none

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Not having to worry about nausea.

What I'm looking forward to: Our first appointment on the 9th.

Weekly wisdom: Enjoy still mostly having your "normal body". It will go away soon enough.

Milestones: No big ones this week. Baby is about the size of a blueberry.

What's happening with the baby: Hands and feet are emerging from the developing arms and legs. Baby is still considered an embryo because it still has a small tail, which is an extension of the tailbone. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry. Your baby is getting eyelids to cover those eyes, which already have some color.

What's happening with you: Your uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks, and eating may feel like a chore - or worse - thanks to morning sickness. You may need to pee more then usual, to, thanks to your increasing blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through your kidneys. (You have about 10 percent more blood now then you did before you were pregnant.)

How are you feeling: I'm feeling pretty good still. Naps are wonderful, but not always needed. Eating is a bit of a pain. Getting to full is a really bad idea. It makes for some really miserable time after eating. Nausea comes and goes but breast tenderness seems to be here to stay. Over all though, still feeling pretty good.

Maternity Monday - 6 weeks

written: 8-23-10

I think this pic was taken after I had eaten, so I'm more bloated then normal.

How far along: 6 weeks

Total weight gain: +0 so far according to our scale at home.

Maternity clothes: No bump or anything so no need for maternity clothes yet.

Sleep: I seem to be more fussy at night when I'm getting ready to sleep. I'm not falling asleep as easily as I used to. I can still sleep any way I want to.

Best moment of the week: Not baby related at all, but my sister getting a car.

Movement: Not yet. Gas doesn't count.

Gender: I have been feeling boy since we found out.

Labor signs: nope

Belly button in or out: In. It's pretty deep so I wonder if it will pop or not.

What I miss: Not having to worry about if I'm eating something that is on the no-no list

What I'm looking forward to: Our 1st appointment in 2 weeks and being able to let the cat out of the bag.

Weekly wisdom: Don't push yourself too much. You'll regret it later.

Milestones: We should have a heartbeat this week.

What is happening with the baby: Baby is now the size of a sweet pea! Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Those little hands and feet -- still webbed like paddles -- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as your!), and blood is starting to circulate.

What is happening with you: You've probably stumbled on the truth by now: Thanks to your surging hormones, morning sickness can (and does) occur morning , noon, and night. As you feel yourself turning yet another shade of green, just try to remember it's for an amazing cause -- that rapidly growing baby inside your upset belly!

How are you feeling: It seems that the symptoms that I do have tend to come and go. I'm not having a problem with fatigue. I suspect that this will change soon. I get nauseous during the work week, no actual puking yet though. When I can go at my own pace on the weekends, I don't seem to have many issues with it. Breast tenderness comes and goes too. Although, I am noticing that they have a bit more movement then they used to.

Us + 1 = 3!

Written 8-13-10

That's right! B and I are having a baby. We are very excited.



On Tuesday, I was officially two days late. I was having some minor symptoms. No real, YOUR PREGNANT, signs but I just had a feeling. I told B that if I hadn't started my period by 2:30 then he was running to get a Home Pregnancy Test. I said I was going to wait until Wednesday morning to test. In reality I knew I wouldn't though.



I got home and the tests were on the bed, so I popped into the restroom and toke the test. They tell you that you have to wait 3 minutes for the results. Let me tell you, it only took about 7 seconds to show that we were in fact PREGNANT. B was walking down the stairs to get water and I called him to come back up. He expected it to take a minute or so. He came jogging back up the stairs and I showed him the test. We were both a bit stunned but excited. We've been trying for a while so it was crazy to think that it finally worked.



After a little bit of hugging and excitement I continued to get ready for dance class. Brad kept trying to tell me that I should take it easy tonight. He was talking about it with mom in the room so we decided to tell her then. I grabbed the HPT and handed it to her. She had no idea what it was. She thought it was a thermometer. :) Once she figured it out she was being happy with us. Dad wasn't home so we had to wait to tell him.



Mom and I discussed babyness on the way to class and I danced like normal. I already did the Irish Fest as a prego and the books say that you can continue your exercise routines in moderation. So, on the way home we talked about how to tell Dad. He has offered in the past to make a crib so we decided that I should take a little onesie in and ask him when he was going to start on the crib.



When we got home I did what we had talked about and he hesitantly took the balled up onesie from me and opened it. I saw that happiness grow from his eyes. "Is it time to start the crib?" was his answer. "Yes, sir". Laughter and immediate web searching commenced.



We haven't told anyone else yet and it's been kind of fun to have this little secret between us. Our first doctors appointment is scheduled for Sept 9th. The estimated due date is mid April 2011.



Hurray for expanding our family!!!

Is there or isn't there?

written: 8-10-10



When your trying to conceive, you get to that two week wait after you've ovulated and you start to question and analyze every little weirdness in your body. Is that an implantation cramp? Are your headaches related to babyness? Do you have heartburn cuz you ate something that would have normally caused heartburn or because you have a little squish in your belly?





We haven't been hiding that we have been trying to conceive since August 2009. We weren't trying really hard, like temping and making sure to baby dance on certain days, in the beginning. No luck so we/I started temping and charting. Still no luck. At my last OB/GYN appointment we decided that I would talk to her about it. So, I discussed with my Dr. what we should do. She suggested using an Ovulation Predictor Kit for two cycles and seeing what happened. Well, we did that for one cycle and I was bad at it. The next cycle (this one) I was much better at it, but when the "Hot Week" came B and I decided that this isn't the most opportune time to get prego. He doesn't have a job yet and we aren't doing great financially. Anyhow, we made the decision to skip "Hot Week" and therefore skip trying this cycle.





Fast forward to two weeks after that decision was made. That would be two days ago! My normal luteal phase is 12 days. Today is day 14. No sign of that monthly friend as of yet. Brad has been sent to pick up a test. If my friend doesn't stop by I will be testing tomorrow morning.





Who ever said that God doesn't have his hand in all things?

Babies!

I feel like this picture represents the number of people I know who are pregnant or have babies under two years old. It's funny how as you grow up, you and everyone around you go through stages.
A few years ago everyone I knew was graduating from college and moving into their own place. Getting new "real" jobs and growing up.

Then everyone was getting engaged, planning weddings, getting married and growing up.

Now everyone I know seems to be trying to get pregnant, getting pregnant, growing babies in their bellies, having newborns and learning how to be parents in real life. Oh and growing up.

Will I always feel like when we reach that next life stage, that we're growing up? Or do you reach a point where you feel like a grown up? Will everyone I know continue to reach the same stages of life around the same time? I love life and how you grow and change with it. I also love the predictability and unpredictability of it.

Is this a hint?

While we were opening stockings Christmas morning in Missouri I pulled out this cute little treat.
And there are directions, of course, for how to use them. :)

You don't think the hubs family is trying to tell me something, do you? I laughed again when Brad pulled these out of his stocking.

Thankful Thursdays!

It hadn't really registered that it was Thursday in my head until I saw Erin's Thursday post.

• For new life- Brad's cousin had her little baby girl. I'm not exactly sure when she was born but she's here and adorable. It's so exciting to have new members of the family. How is it that she looks so good, even in a hospital gown?!?


• Other people's kids - Seeing the patients children and other peoples kids keeps me in check. The cute ones make me want my own and the cranky ones make me want to get my tubes tied. But at least at any given moment I usually know what my preference would be right then. :)


• Fall smells - the air is so clean smelling. You just want to smell apple Cinnamon and vanilla spice. It's so funny that as the seasons change so does your opinion of what candles should smell like.


• Honeycrisp Apples - YUMMMM!!!!!


• Farmville on Facebook - I hate these little applications that come with Facebook, but this one is so much fun. Geesh, just what I need, another thing to distract me.

This past weekend.

It's funny. Before I was married I always said that I wanted to get pregnant on my honeymoon. After I got married, I decided that it was fun to just have a husband and that I didn't want us to try yet. Mr. would have been happy to have had a kid by now. He's older then me by 4 years and his older sister recently had her second. His clock is a-ticking! He has been wanting to be trying for about 5 months now. However, with the amount of time that he has to commit to school now that he's in Law school, I see him about 5 mins a day and 1 night a week for a couple hours, if his work load isn't tooo bad. Since this won't change anytime in the next 3 years I'm not super excited about trying to get pregnant anytime soon. 5 mins a day and one night a week isn't a whole lot of help when your trying to raise a baby/kid. We will be moving in with my mom and dad in a few short months to save money and so that I won't be home alone so much of the time. I would like to be able to help them get their home in order and redecorated to show that they are a couple without kids in the house anymore. I would love for their home to reflect them a little bit more.

Anyhow, this weekend I was asked, on short notice, to babysit a 6 month old little girl who's mommy I know through the bible study I am doing with a group of girls. This is her.



She was just about the sweetest baby I've ever met. I kept wanting to call her Corinne cuz she's that adorable! Anyhow, she kinda.... maybe.... made me want to have a baby. Maybe. And that's all I'm going to say about it.