22 Weeks!!!!!

March 29th-April 4th

22 Weeks-Papaya baby! 

How Far Along: 22 weeks-Baby boy will be here in 15-20 weeks <3. 

Size of baby:  Your baby has stretched to the size of a spaghetti squash and weighs almost a pound. (Length: nearly 11 inches.)

My baby this week:   At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.  If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Best Moment of the Week: Scoring so many awesome baby deals! 

Sleep: I have been sleeping better with my Snoogle pillow, as it relieves some of the pain and pressure from my pelvis. I am still getting up twice in the mornings to pee and usually once before I fall asleep.

Movement: Yes: I've been feeling him move multiple times a day, everyday. 

Food cravings: Still no real cravings. I'm probally not eating as much as I should be, but I just have no appetite and nothing sounds good. 

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

What I Miss: I miss being able to wear my cute spring clothes! I need to go shopping for some more maternity clothes. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Making it to 24 weeks-the age of viability!

Milestones: Feeling baby's big movements every day! 

Emotions: I think I've been pretty good this week. 

Symptoms:  Nausea, vomiting, acne, heartburn, pelvic pain, round-ligament pain. 

Bassinet

March/28/2013

21 weeks 6 days

So I love bargain shopping and I have been able to buy most of the baby stuff from Craigslist, Value Village, discount stores, and local thrift shops. 

Second-hand shopping just seems like the best option because everything I buy is a small fraction of the normal price and is either brand-new or in great condition. Plus, I know that my son will only wear or use his clothes and toys for such a small amount of time that it seems so silly to spend thousands of dollars on stuff like that. 

I am going to shop around for deals and save my money for other important things that my baby boy will need. 

This week I was at Walmart and I saw a really nice bassinet on sale from $75 down to $50. I strongly considered buying it but I ended up going to Value Village instead. As I was checking out (I bought shoes and a vest), I saw the same bassinet that I saw in Walmart that someone had just donated! I got the manager to price it for me and I was lucky enough to get it for only $30 and in excellent condition!

All it needs is a wash and a wipe down and it is good to go! 

The one in the pic has owls on it, but the one that I bought has little sheep! 

 

This Week's Exciting Baby Purchases

March/24/13

So I finally broke down and bought a pregnancy pillow and I am glad that I did. 

I did some research and the Snoogle total body pillow by Leachco was fairly highly rated so I decided to get that one. I purchased it at Babies R Us for $70. 

"The Snoogle is a full-body pillow that is uniquely designed to follow the natural contours of your whole body. The horseshoe shaped upper section of the pillow supports your head and can be curved in or out to adjust to the desired pillow height. The long midsection of the Snoogle supports your back and tummy. The slightly curved end tucks snugly between your knees to help keep you cool and comfortable all night long. After baby arrives, use your Snoogle to cushion your baby as you breast feed, too. Removable/washable cover for ease of use (Sold Separately)" • Provides the back and tummy support you need during pregnancy• Elevates baby to the proper height when breastfeeding

I also found a great deal on an Ergo baby carrier. My sister in law suggested that I get an Ergo because it evenly distributes the weight of the baby and it is better for your back. I can't wait to use it! 

21 Weeks!!!!!

March 22th-March 28th

21 Weeks-Spaghetti Squash baby! 

How Far Along: 21 weeks! Even if I go to 42 weeks, I am still half way finished! 

Size of baby:  Your baby now weighs about 3/4ths of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot.

My baby this week:   You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

Best Moment of the Week: Shopping for more baby stuff! I got an Ergo baby carrier and a bunch of clothes! 

Sleep: Sleep is still the same-I get up around 7ish and then 11ish to pee. I have a hard time falling asleep and often lay in bed for an hour or two. I finally got a pregnancy pillow-a Snoogle and that has helped me feel more comfortable and has alleviated some of the pain off my pelvis. 

Movement: Yes-I have been feeling baby move every day and now it feels like I have a fish flopping around inside my stomach! He is really low down-laying on top of my pelvis, so that is where I feel the movement. 

Food cravings: I really want a spicy salmon sushi roll! Can't wait until I can have one! 

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

What I Miss: Being able to move easily. Because baby is on my pelvis, it's painful to walk/move at times. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Buying more baby stuff!!!

Milestones: Feeling more defined movements. 

Emotions: Same as always. 

Symptoms:  Nausea, vomiting, no appetite, pelvic pain and pressure, acne, exhaustion. 

Fourth Midwife Appointment!

March/20/2013

20 weeks 5 days

Today I had my fourth midwife appointment. 

At my appointment, my midwife gave me some ideas on how to relieve some of the round ligament pain I've been feeling. They told me I should look into alternative therapies, such as going to a chiropractor, an osteopath, an acupuncturist, or a message therapist. 

At my appointment, they also took my blood pressure, which was great. And they measured my uterus, which was measuring at 21 weeks. We got to hear the heart beat, which has slowed down to 140 BPM, but still going strong. I also weighed myself and I am so happy to say that I haven't gained a single pound yet! 

Most of my appointment was spent by my midwives trying to console me, as I kept crying over the fact that I feel so awful. Thankfully, they were very helpful and understanding and I left the appointment feeling a little better. 

Prenatal Blood Screening Pt. 2

March/18/2013

20 weeks 3 days

Today I went in to do my second blood draw. Thankfully they only had to take one vial, not six! 

I'm waiting for the results to confirm that the baby is healthy and does not suffer from any chromosomal  abnormalities or trisomies. 

I will update with results as soon as I get them! 

Detailed Anatomy Ultrasound

March/15/2013

20 Weeks

Detailed Anatomy Scan!!!!!

Today my husband and I went for our detailed anatomy scan. This is the ultrasound half way through pregnancy where the technician measures the baby in detail in hopes of determining if the baby is healthy. 

This ultrasound was certainly not as exciting as any of the previous ones. I had to go in the room alone and lay down looking at the wall while the technician measured the baby. I had to lay there for awhile because my little boy wouldn't stop moving! 

Finally, my husband got to come in the room and the technician turned the screen so we could see the baby. We got to see the little guy squirming around in there and we could see his heart beating away! Unfortunately, we got really crappy quality photos and the technician would not even confirm the gender or let us hear the heartbeat! 

At my midwife appointment, we were told that our baby looked perfectly healthy, although the technician said he could not measure the hands, which is not really a big deal. They said that they would compare the ultrasound results along with the blood work results to confirm any presence of risk factors. We did find out that the baby's head, while proportionate to the body, is in the 90th percentile! Yikes! 

20 Weeks!!!!!

March 15th-March 21st

20 Weeks-Banana baby

 Size of baby:  Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

My baby this week:   He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).
Sleep: Getting harder and harder to get a good night's sleep now that baby is growing so much. I feel a lot of pain and pressure when I lay down and it is hard to find a position that is comfortable. I'm still getting up once or twice a night to pee. 

Best Moment of the Week: Not baby related-but going to a party with my friends!

Movement: Yes-baby's movements feel bigger and are not just little flutters. Some days he moved more than others. Excited for when other people can feel him move too! 

Food cravings: Can't say I've really been having any cravings this week. 

Gender: BOY!

What I Miss:  The occasional beer or glass of wine. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Doing my baby registry. 

Milestones: Feeling baby's bigger movements. 

Emotions: It's been a rough week. I have a sinus infection and I've been extremely uncomfortable. I'm really not enjoying pregnancy much. 

Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, bleeding gums, exhaustion, heart burn. 

19 Weeks!!!!

March/7/2013-March/14/2013

19 Weeks-Heirloom Tomato Baby!!!!!

Size of baby:  Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato.

My baby this week: Your baby's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to him, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.  His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
Maternity Clothes: Yes, still holding on to those few non-maternity clothes that still fit.

Sleep: Every night I toss and turn for a while trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in, which is getting harder and harder. Still getting up twice to pee and I have been so tired that I can't seem to get enough sleep. 

Best Moment of the Week: Finding out we are having a son!!!!!!!!

Movement: Yes-I feel him moving every day, sometimes a lot and sometimes barely at all. Can't wait until I can feel his little hands and feet. 

Food cravings: Pink lemonade...can't get enough. 

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

What I Miss:  Being able to go out with friends to the bar or to go dancing. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: The detailed anatomy scan on Friday. 

Milestones: Finding out the gender!

Emotions: Less patient than usual...my poor husband. 

Symptoms:  Nausea, vomiting, acne, round-ligament pains, heartburn. 

2D and 3D Gender Scan!

March/2/2013

Gender Ultrasound!!!!!!!!!

Today is the day that I had been waiting for and dreaming about for months! 

My husband and I went to Bellingham along with the baby's godparents and went to First Impressions 3D Prenatal Ultrasound. We arrived thirty minutes early and we were able to be seen immediately. The clinic was beautiful-so nicely furnished and the ultrasound room had a big screen TV that we could see the baby on! The whole office was spotless and comfortable and very welcoming. 

So my scan was supposed to only be 10-15 minutes, but we ended up being there for at least an hour because the baby would not cooperate and was not moving enough to show off the goods. I ended up having to lay on each side and even then the baby would not move much! The ultrasound tech got a little peek of what she thought was boy parts but she wasn't sure. So the ultrasound tech went upstairs and brought me a snack bar and a bottle of cold water. After walking around, eating, and drinking, the baby finally cooperated enough for the technician to confirm that we are having a baby BOY!!!! At that point, we brought the godparents into the room and they got to see the baby in action and then the technician showed them our son in all his glory. At that point, our son was spread eagle showing himself quite clearly! 

We were lucky enough to leave with a DVD of the whole session, as well as a CD with 26 3D and 2D images and 3 3D and 3 2D pics! 

I am still in a state of shock. I would not believe that it was a boy until she had 100% confirmed that all his boy bits are there. It still has not set in that I am having a boy. When I first got pregnant, my husband and I thought that we were having a boy but then my feelings started to change and I was sure that I was having a girl. Also, most old wives tales and almost all my family and friends said we were having a girl. Now I have to keep saying him and calling him by name to remind myself that I am having a little boy and not a little girl. 

After our scan, we went out for Mexican food for lunch, which is my favorite!!!!! Then we went shopping at Ross, Carters, OshKosh, Coach, and a little store that sells cookware. We bought our son lots of clothes and then I got a new Coach purse and hubby got a new frying pan, so we all left happy! 

After shopping, we went to a trendy burger bar for dinner and then we were on our way home! It was a long day, but a great one! 

Baby's heart rate is a perfect 150 BPM!

3D pic of our baby all curled up!

2D pic side profile!

Our announcement pic! 

I pained my nails pink and green to get ready for my ultrasound! Ironically, there are more green than pink nails! 

The clothes we bought for our son! 

18 Weeks!!!!!

March/1/2013-March/6/2013

18 Weeks-Mango Baby!!!!!

Size of baby:  Head to rump, my baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and the baby weighs almost 7 ounces.

My baby this week: 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.

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I can still fit into some pre-pregnancy clothes. 
Sleep: The same as usual-I sleep between 8-10 hours a day but I get up once or twice to pee. 

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling the baby move! 

Movement: Finally felt the baby move a few days ago! It felt like the baby pressed their little hand on the inside of my tummy and I've been feeling flutters. 

Food cravings: I haven't had many cravings this week. 

Gender: We find out tomorrow!!!! 

What I Miss: Being able to go out with my friends. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: The 3D gender scan tomorrow!!!!!!!!

Milestones: Feeling the baby move. 

Emotions: Had a tough week at work...I feel like my patience is weaning. 

Symptoms:  Skin seems to be clearing up now and I'm less nauseous. I'm still throwing up most mornings though and getting a lot of round ligament pains.