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.

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.

Weekly Update - 11 weeks

Going to a ballet. Good timing Erin, my eyes are shut.

How far along: 11 weeks

Total weight gain: Don't know yet. Two doctors appointments next week, so I will know then.

Maternity clothes: Nothing yet. I did pick up a Be Band for when I can't button my jeans. But I haven't really gotten to any real stage of showing.

Sleep: This week I have been sleeping like a rock but waking up tired. This week two nights I haven't even woken up to go to the restroom throughout the night. I probably need to be drinking more water.

Best moment of the week: Seeing Requiem with Erin. It's been a while since I've had down time with her and it was really nice to spend time with her that wasn't driving to and from work.

Movement: None yet. The baby is supposedly kicking away but I can't feel it yet.

Gender: I had some pretty strong boy feelings at the beginning of the week but they have settled down to just a boy simmer.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Sweets. I'm not having aversions to sweets they just don't sound tasty.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing the baby at our Monday appointment and then hearing the baby again on Thursday with my mom.

Weekly wisdom: Take a minute every day or every other to check out your body. Notice what is changing and what isn't yet. It's amazing that our bodies can do this. Love it!

Milestones: We started cleaning out the study, in order to move stuff from the office into that room and get the office cleared out for a nursery. We also went into Babies-R-Us for the first time as parents-to-be (shopping for a baby shower). It's a little overwhelming, how many different kinds of pacifiers can really exist.

What's happening with the baby: Your baby is just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig. They are also almost fully formed. It's hands will soon open and close into fists and some of the bones are beginning to harden. They are already kicking away more frequently . You won't feel it for another couple of months. Also, the diaphragm is forming and hiccuping is becoming a regular thing.

What's happening with you: If your like most women, you may be starting to feel more energetic now and your nausea may be starting to wane. Unfortunately, you may be suffering from constipation and heartburn. It's all for a good cause, right? Your appetite will likely return soon, and you'll start to gain about a pound a week.

How are you feeling: This week has been a tired week for me. I don't feel like I'm getting enough sleep or exercise. My nephew comes over almost every day and wants to play and play and play and I just want to sleep. I play though and then fall into bed. Salty stuff was the craving of the week. That seems to have tapered off a bit but salty still sounds good. Nausea is mild but I picked up some prego drops to see if that would help or not. I'm trying to be better about drinking my water, I slacked off a bit for a few days. I also noticed the blue veins that they mentioned in the What to Expect book a few weeks ago. Kinda weird to see. Towards the end of the day I have been getting comments about my belly from people that know me really well and know my body, I keep saying it's just gas and they laugh at me.

Maternity Update - 10 weeks

How far along: 10 Weeks!

Total weight gain: I think I'm only going to update this after appointments, If I want to do it more often I have to buy a scale.

Maternity clothes: I bought a maternity shirt but I'm not close to wearing it yet. No bump equals no maternity clothes.

Sleep: Sleep is pretty normal still I'm getting up an average of 3 times a night to pee. It's not bad though.

Best moment of the week: Being told I was "one of them" at book club and knowing that that means that I will have great care while I'm in the hospital.

Movement: None yet that isn't gas.

Gender: Strong feelings of boy. Craving lots of salty and spicy.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Not getting random pains in my growing uterus area. I thought I was done with growing pains in my teens.

What I'm looking forward to: Date night with Brad to see Inception. Might invite some others along and make it a double date.

Weekly wisdom: Gas-ex works miracles!!!! Invest!

Milestones: We did the finger prick test to get ready for the Ultra-screen (test that screens for Downs and Trisomy 13 and 18, I believe). I made Brad be my doctor. He had to clean and stab my finger, clean it after we got the 5 drops of blood we needed and put the band-aid on. It was actually a lot more fun doing it that way then if Brad would have just watched me do it.

What's happening with the baby: Baby is a little over an inch or so long and weighs less then a quarter of an ounce, about the size of a kumquat. Baby has also completed the most critical portion of it's development. The fetal period is a time when the tissues and organs rapidly grow and mature. It's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm! Baby has tiny nails forming on separate toes and fingers (no more webbing) and peach fuzz hair is growing on it's tender skin. Baby's limbs can bend now too!

What's happening with you: At the next prenatal appointment, you should be able to hear the heartbeat with the help of a Doppler. Before pregnancy, your uterus was the size of a small pear. By this week it's as big as a grapefruit. You may or may not be ready for maternity clothes. If not, your clothes may be becoming uncomfortably tight and your blossoming are straining the seams of your bra. The thickening in your midsection is most likely due to slight weight gain and bloating.

How are you feeling: Feeling better this week. The nausea has faded for the most part. Gas is still a daily thing but I think that's around to stay, or at least that's what I've heard. I'm more moody then I have been. My mood fluctuates a lot. Feeling like I'm looking chubby and not prego. My mom keeps saying that I've got two in there, I think I'm just gassy. :) The first ultrasound only showed one and I hope we stick with that. The last thing I want to do when I get home is laundry, so can I tell you how low I am on work pants! Other then that I'm doing pretty good. I spent a lot of time this week reading for book club and almost finished the book. Not something I would have read had it not been the book that was chosen, but it gave me excuses to be more lazy. We really need to get back in the habit of walking in the evenings, we have defiantly slacked on that.

Last year, about this time......

Last year, about this time........

We had the apartment all decorated for Christmas. Everything was looking all cozy and pulled together. We were preparing to leave for Michigan to go to the annual Madrigal Dinner Concert, one of our Christmas traditions.

Our kittens still looked like they were teens. Erin and Jake were just about to get engaged. Erin and Jake are married now.

Our apartment is, in the words of Katy, "Frat-tastic", which is so true. The green couch has gone to Erin and Jake. There are boxes everywhere as I get ready to start packing for our move. We currently have a horribly uncomfortable futon as our seating in our living room. The apartment is just in shambles. It's crazy to live in!

Sorry for the horrible picture quality. I took them with my phone. Here's another.

But.....Remember that hole in our ceiling? The one that formed last September? It's finally been fixed. About two weeks ago the painting guy came and smacked some Spackle in there, sanded it down (got dust EVERYWHERE), and then added the texture. Our ceiling is not prefect still, heaven forbid they fix it correctly, but at least there isn't a hole. Picture to come for that.

So much can change in a year. What has changed in your life in a year? I know most of my friends have had MAJOR life changes.

Tickets bought!

The tickets have been bought. I/we are officially now going to be spending my very first Christmas away from my family. This is one part of growing up and being married that I'm not entirely pleased about. Now don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see my new family and reconnect but I have never spent a Christmas without my family. Last year, our first Christmas as husband and wife, we spent Christmas morning together and then headed to my parents house around noon. Every year before that, as tradition, I spent Christmas Eve night sleeping in the same bed as my sister and Christmas Day with my whole family around me at my parents house. It will just be a change for me this year. Not all changes are bad, and this one isn't, but it is a little difficult.