Sunday, May 25, 2014

20 Weeks!

Definitely starting to show more! :)
10 weeks versus 20 weeks :) Wow - You can sure see a big change!
5 v. 10 v. 15 v. 20 :)
How far along:  20 weeks
How big is the baby: Junior is the size of a banana! 
Total weight gain/loss: I am about ½ a pound under my pre-pregnancy weight.  I think this means I gained about ½ a pound this week.  I expected to at least be at my pre-pregnancy weight this week.  I’ve been weighing myself pretty much daily for quite a while.  This week I started getting upset at how high the numbers were getting (and how quickly they were climbing).  So, I made a conscious choice (with Pete’s encouragement) to not obsess as much.  I didn’t weigh myself every day.  I didn’t count calories.  I tried to be aware of what I was eating and to not over-indulge, but to let myself have a snack when I got hungry, etc.  This is a big adjustment from the last year, when I was really focused on losing weight.  It’s obviously a good and needed change, while I’m growing this baby.  It’s just different for me!  Anyways, based on the weights I was seeing at the beginning of the week, I was so surprised to weigh in today and see that I’m not yet to my pre-pregnancy weight.  That’s pretty good for 20 weeks! Haha :) (Earlier this week, the scale was telling me that I was 1 or 2 pounds over my pre-preg. weight, which is why I was so surprised at the end of the week.) 
Maternity clothes: As my stomach has popped out a little more, I’ve been more inclined to wear maternity tops or regular tops that look like maternity tops.  My hope is that people will recognize a baby belly and not an “I eat too much pizza and ice cream” belly :)
Stretch marks: Nope!
Sleep: I’m struggling to sleep through the night already – I didn’t expect this so soon!  I find myself waking up often because I need to go to the bathroom or to change my position haha :)
Exercise: I went to the Y with my mom a couple of times this week.  Our schedules didn’t line up as well as they normally do.  I also have been fighting off some significant headaches this week :(
Best moment last week: See below!!!!
Movement: Junior moves around all the time still.  Sometimes it just feels normal now, which is crazy to me.  On Wednesday night, when we were going to bed, Pete felt him move for the first time!!!!! It was such a special moment <3  I loved seeing the big grin spread across Pete’s face as he connected with our son :)  (That’s so cool to say – “our son”)  He only kicked/moved once, but Pete definitely felt it!  I look forward to him feeling it more :)  I also, again, noticed the correlation between “real” pants (with a button/zipper) and Junior’s activity.  He really doesn’t seem to like how they feel!
Food cravings/aversions: I had my tuna melt! Haha :) I tend to get nausea with headaches; so, some days this week, I felt like I was back to the first trimester – dealing with not wanting to eat anything or only certain things, running to the bathroom, etc.  Last night I was struggling to get to sleep because of a headache.  I then found myself suddenly very hungry!  So, I got up at 1am and had a bowl of cereal! Haha :)
Other symptoms: Typical back pain, nausea, dizziness, and hunger…  An update on the cramping: I have definitely noticed that I feel better on the days that I drink more.  After feeling better, it’s hard for me to remember to drink, though! Haha – it’s a catch-22 :) And then I’ve been dealing with headaches!  :(  If you know the experience I had in 2012-2013 (I’m sure you do if you’re reading this!), then you understand my particular frustration and discouragement with this.  I’d really appreciate your prayers!!
Gender: IT’S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!! And my suspicions were right :) <3 I have found myself perusing the boy clothing section on more than one occasion, just daydreaming :)
Labor signs:  Nada
Belly button: Still in!
Weddings rings: On!  
What I miss: Being able to comfortably lay on my belly.  I had been able to until this week.  I wouldn’t do it for long because Junior would start kicking me…  But, suddenly this week, it just hurts to lay on my stomach for more than a couple minutes.  Oh well, at least I don’t have trouble laying on my side! Haha :)
What I am looking forward to: Registering and picking out fun things for our sweet little guy <3  And giving Junior a name! :) We have names we’ve discussed, but haven’t settled on anything yet.  And, yes, we’ll be keeping the name a secret until he’s born! :)

Weekly Wisdom: When people say, “You’ll know when to stop laying on your stomach because it will get uncomfortable,” they’re right.  I kept thinking I wouldn’t know because I was still able to do it, even though I was growing, etc.  However, I laid on my stomach in bed for 20 minutes on Wednesday night and could not believe how uncomfortable it was!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

19 Weeks!

Finally back on track with making a poster, getting a picture taken, and getting a blog up on time! haha :)
Blue for my son <3
How far along:  19 weeks
How big is the baby: Junior is the size of an heirloom tomato! 
Total weight gain/loss: I’m getting closer to my pre-pregnancy weight – about 1 pound under it now, I think! So, I gained 1-1.5 pounds this week.  This rate of weight gain is shocking for me to see because I’m comparing it to like before pregnancy… But I also think Junior is starting to grow more – I’m definitely showing more :)
Maternity clothes: As my stomach has popped out a little more, I’ve been more inclined to wear maternity tops.  I’m still able to wear most of the bottoms I own. 
Stretch marks: Nope!
Sleep: I’m struggling to sleep through the night already – I didn’t expect this so soon!  I find myself waking up often because I need to go to the bathroom or to change my position haha :)
Exercise: I went to the Y with my mom a couple of times this week.  I was dealing with some cramping (probably due to dehydration & round ligament pain), so I didn’t go quite as often as normal.
Best moment last week: Finding out that we have A SON!!! Celebrating my first Mother’s Day and sharing the news of our son with our families (and then with friends).
Movement: Junior moves around all the time… I feel him pretty much every morning; I’m starting to feel his movement with my hand on the outside of my stomach, but Pete hasn’t gotten to feel it yet.  Hopefully soon!  I also feel him anytime I eat sweets… They must make him hyper in there :) I’ve noticed that he tends to kick at the button/zipper of pants, so he’ll probably like it when I switch to maternity pants haha :)  His movement actually woke me up on Mother’s Day <3 I had accidentally rolled onto my stomach and he was moving around like crazy!
Food cravings/aversions: I don’t think anything specific?  Not that I can remember… I do really want a tuna melt; so I’ll probably have one soon
Other symptoms: Typical back pain, nausea, dizziness, and hunger… But I had the added cramping this week.  It was concerning at first, but I went to my midwife just to be checked out.  She told me that I was dehydrated and that was causing my uterus to cramp up.  So, I’ve been upping my water intake, and it seems to be helping!
Gender: IT’S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!! And my suspicions were right :) <3

Labor signs:  Nada
Belly button: Still in!
Weddings rings: On!
What I miss: Being able to go hours without going to the bathroom haha!
What I am looking forward to: Registering and picking out fun things for our sweet little guy <3
Weekly Wisdom: It’s okay to call your midwife/doctor with questions.  They won’t think you’re stupid.  It’s better to be safe and check it out if you’re concerned! :) And drink MORE than you’re drinking haha

18 Weeks!

My Mother's Day outfit! 
(This picture was actually taken at 18 weeks 6 days, instead of 18 weeks 2 days which would be the norm... Oops!)

How far along:  18 weeks
How big is the baby: Junior is the size of a bell pepper!
Total weight gain/loss: I’m not too sure where my weight is right now.  I think I’m about 2-2.5 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight, which would mean I gained 2.5-3 pounds while on vacation.  Not surprising haha! :)
Maternity clothes: My size smaller pants are starting to get too tight/uncomfortable to wear.  My pre-pregnancy pants can still button, but are more comfortable with a hair tie.  While we were on vacation, I wore some maternity clothes.  They were SO comfortable!  Seriously… haha :)
Stretch marks: Nope!
Sleep: I’m pretty sure I napped every day of vacation.  I’m generally getting up once over night to go to the bathroom, but otherwise sleeping well.
Exercise: We walked everywhere on vacation! And then I went to the Y on Thursday with my mom.
Best moment last week: I loved getting to be on vacation and relax with my husband <3
Movement: I have felt SO MUCH movement this week!  I was really surprised at first, but man it’s definitely the baby and happening more often!
Food cravings/aversions: Not much… I want ice cream/milkshakes, but that’s just because the ice cream in Mexico was really different from what we have here :)
Other symptoms: Just the usual – some back pain, some nausea, some dizziness, lots of hunger :)
Gender: No idea! I have my suspicions, but I have no real reason to think one over the other :) We will be finding out TODAY!!! :)
Labor signs:  Nada
Belly button: As innie as can be!
Weddings rings: On!
What I miss: I don’t feel like I miss much right now…
What I am looking forward to: Finding out if our baby is a “he” or a “she” and my first Mother’s Day! :)
Weekly Wisdom: Um… Enjoy relaxing times when you can!

17 Weeks!


17 Weeks in Mexico!! :)

How far along:  17 weeks
How big is the baby: Junior is the size of a turnip!
Total weight gain/loss: I’ve lost around 5.5 pounds, so I’ve gained about a pound since last week.  So, over the whole pregnancy I’ve lost about 7 pounds and gained back about 1.5 pounds.  I expect this to really go up this coming week because we’re going on vacation :)
Maternity clothes: I am still doing hair ties/bella bands on my smaller pants – I’m able to button and zip the pants I was wearing before I was pregnant.  That’s crazy!  I did try on some maternity bottoms this week and realized how much more comfortable they are :)  However, most of the ones I own are too big on me right now.  I have a few that fit that I’m wearing while on vacation this week, though :)
Stretch marks: Nope!
Sleep: Still feeling tired pretty often, but not napping anymore (except maybe on the weekends! Haha)
Exercise: I’ve been very busy this week! I went to the Y with my mom on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday :) I plan to walk the beach a couple of times a day while on vacation!
Best moment last week: Hearing Junior’s heartbeat again <3 And scheduling our ultrasound!!
Movement: I’ve felt a little bit more of what I think is movement.  My midwife told me it’s a little bit early to be feeling movement, but in a few weeks I’ll know for sure if what I’ve been feeling since 15 weeks is indeed the baby :) Yesterday morning I felt what I think was very distinct movement – at first I thought I was having muscle twitches in my abdomen.  As it continued, it felt more and more like little kicks.  It happen several times over a few minutes :) Such a nice surprise!
Food cravings/aversions: Just fruit and sweets… I did finally buy some Sour Patch Kids and Twizzlers to take on vacation – I’ve been wanting those for a few weeks haha :)
Other symptoms: Just more of the same – some soreness, some random nausea, but nothing bad
Gender: No idea! I have my suspicions, but I have no real reason to think one over the other :) We will be finding out next Friday at 18 weeks!!!!!!! :) :) Eeeeek!!!
Labor signs:  Nada
Belly button: As innie as can be!
Weddings rings: On!
What I miss: I don’t feel like I miss much right now…
What I am looking forward to: OUR VACATION!!!!!!!!!! We leave “today,” when I’m exactly 17 weeks (which is why this blog hasn't actually been posted until now, 19 weeks haha)
Weekly Wisdom: Ask your midwife/OBGYN questions – mine was so great about explaining the cause of my back pain, weak ankles, etc… and about giving me ideas to help while I’m traveling because that’s a lot of sitting in one position, etc.