17 Weeks

So I'm 17 weeks along today!  Matt and I always enjoy the email I get each Monday from babycenter.com because it says how big the baby is now compared to beans, fruits or vegetables.  Some days it is more informative than others.  Today would be one of those days that it is not helpful at all as they compared the baby to a turnip.  If you would like to see a turnip compared to a quarter, you can just click that link.  I liked thebump.com's comparison better this week.  They said that the baby is about the size of an onion:

(Photo Courtesy of thebump.com)

I suppose the actual measurements are actually the part that is most helpful since the fruits and vegetables they tend to choose come in all different shapes and sizes.  Anyway, the baby is about the size of a turnip, or an onion - or about 5oz and 5" long.

There are a few big things going on in the baby's development this week.  One is that the skeleton is hardening changing from cartilage to bone.  I blame my ice cream cravings on this fact.  I believe that the baby must be asking mommy for some calcium for his or her bones to grow strong.  Who am I to deprive the baby of the abundance of calcium that is in ice cream?  Another thing that is going on is that umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger - bringing all that calcium to the baby.  The baby also has his/her own unique fingerprints now!  Pretty cool huh?

I think I MAY be feeling the baby move a little bit.  It's hard to tell if it is my uterus stretching or if it is little taps, but I suppose I will know for sure within the next couple weeks.  Matt likes to rile up the baby from time to time and this morning when he did it, I started feeling a little poking feeling in one particular spot in my abdomen.  So I guess I still don't know what exactly I'm feeling.  This being my first pregnancy, everything is new to me.  It will get more apparent though as time goes on so I will keep you updated.

I'm still feeling well and it's a good thing because we had a very busy weekend!  We went to Matt's work party on Friday night.  It was a lot of fun and Matt was finally able to tell his co-workers about the baby!  Everyone was really happy for us.  We ended up staying out until about 12:30 which is pretty late for me these days. 

I'm in what I can only describe as the "awkward stage of pregnancy."  To people who know I am pregnant, I have a cute little bump.  To people who don't know I'm pregnant, I just look a little chubby.  I'm really glad Matt told people at his work that I am pregnant because otherwise I may have gotten a few looks as I scarfed down two plates of food.  Anyway, here are this week's belly shots.  I still don't notice much of a difference between these and the first week I took pictures, but I suppose that will change soon.  Here they are:

So here we are at 17 weeks!  We see Dr. Bale again on Thursday.  I will update more then.



16 Weeks!

I am 16 weeks today!  According to the email I get from BabyCenter.com, the baby is now about the size of an avocado. 

(Photo Courtesy of thebump.com)

From babycenter.com, "The baby's legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop." (don't read into the his/her in these posts . . . they alternate them each week).

So that's exciting news!  Our little baby is getting big!  Speaking of the baby getting big, so is my belly.  I really don't notice too much of a difference from last week, but since I said I would try to post pictures of the bump each week, here we are at 15 weeks, 5 days:

Somehow I can still fit into my regular clothes, so I usually wear those as opposed to maternity clothes right now.  I am VERY tempted to just start wearing maternity clothes however since I actually look pregnant in them.  When I wear regular clothes, I just look a little chubby.  I'm sure I'll make the switch soon.  I know I may regret saying this in a few weeks, but I kinda can't wait until I don't really have the choice anymore.  

I am feeling well.  I have been feeling a lot of stretching in my abdomin which is both exciting and a bit annoying.  I haven't felt the baby move yet, but according to everything I have read, I should be able to feel him or her within the next 2-4 weeks.  I can't wait!  I always thought it would be very annoying having a baby moving around inside me, but I have NEVER heard anyone say that was the case.  So I am excited!

Matt and I are doing well.  We have been keeping busy with life and are quickly realizing that we are going to have to put aside some time to start preparing for the baby's arrival.  We have been looking at cribs online and have picked out a few little things for the nursery, but we are really going to have to start getting down to business soon.  

Anyway, that's about it for now.  I'm feeling well and getting more excited by the day!

 

Boy or Girl? 15 Weeks . . .

As you may or may not know, Matt and I plan to wait until the baby is born to find out the sex.  However, that will not stop us from comparing what I'm experiencing with the old wives tales!  This is something I plan to do several times during my pregnancy.  We'll see if things change as we go.  Keep in mind, THIS IS JUST FOR FUN!  Some people take this very seriously, but we do not.  We just thought this would add to the fun of waiting to find out the gender!

(I found all these Old Wives' Tales on http://www.parents.com/)
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Old Wives' Tale #1:  Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? Your pregnant with a girl.

My Answer to #1:  Although I find myself rolling to both sides during the night, I tend to prefer falling asleep on my right side.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #1:  Girl

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Old Wives' Tale #2:  Little girls aren't always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.

My Answer to #2:  I have had little to no nausea during this pregnancy

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #2:  Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #3: If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.

My Answer to #3: This one is tough because in the winter time my hands are ALWAYS dry!  I mean extremely dry.  So yes, they are dry, but in my opinion, they are not as dry as they usually are in the winter time.  Although you may disagree with me on this one, I'm going to go with soft.  We may have to wait till the weather warms up for a difinitive answer on this one.  But for now . . .

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #3: Girl

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Old Wives' Tale #4: Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.

My Answer to #4: I have not had any citrus cravings.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #4: Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #5:  If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.

My Answer to #5:  I have been breaking out on my chin.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #5:  Girl

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Old Wives' Tale #6:  If you feel as though you're gliding through they day, you'll have a girl. Stumbling? It's a boy.

My Answer to #6: I am FAR from graceful!

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #6:  Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #7:  If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl.

My Answer to #7:  Nothing has changed with my face.  This may change as I actually gain weight!

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #7:  Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #8:  Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet? Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you're having a girl.

My Answer to #8: This one is really tough.  I crave both at different times.  One of my biggest cravings has been Auntie Anne's Pretzels - salty.  Then I have also had cravings for ice cream and gummy bears - sweet.  It really just depends on the day - sometimes the time of day.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #8: Inconclusive

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Old Wives' Tale #9:  If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.

My Answer to #9: Mood swings have been the biggest pregnancy symptom I have had so far.  So it is very safe to say that this one is a yes.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #9: Girl

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Old Wives' Tale #10: If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it's high, you're having a girl.

My Answer to #10: I think it's too early to tell.  What do you think?

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #10:  Inconclusive

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Old Wives Tale #11:  If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle? It's a girl.

My Answer to #11:  Again, I think it's too early to tell.  What do you think?

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #11:  Inconclusive

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Old Wives' Tale #12: Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.

My Answer to #12: The charm moved back and forth.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #12:  Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #13:  "Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.

My Answer to #13:  I had my palms up.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale # 13:  Girl

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Old Wives' Tale #14:  Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy.

My Answer to #14: We will have to wait till I get a bit more of a belly for this one.  But we have my nephew, Will and my Godson, Drew all lined up to test this one!

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #14: Inconclusive

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Old Wives' Tale #15: Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it's a boy. If there's no scent it's a little girl.

My Answer to #15:  Guess who's making some sort of Garlic Dish tonight!

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #15: Inconclusive

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Old Wives' Tale #16: If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.

My Answer to #16: I picked it up by the rounded end.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #16: Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #17: If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.

My Answer to #17:  My age at the time of conception - 29.  The year - 2010.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #17: Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #18: If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy.

My Answer to #18:  On the ultrasound at 10 weeks, the heart rate was 180 beats per minute.  At my appointment at 13 weeks, it was 160.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #18: Girl

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Old Wives' Tale #19:  A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.

My Answer to #19:  Considering there was liquor involved in the conception of this baby, I don't think either of us was very stressed at the time of conception.  However in general, I tend to be a bit more stressed in general - especially since I had been just been through all my breast cancer treatments a few months before.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #19:  Boy

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Old Wives' Tale #20:  If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.

My Answer to #20:  Although I have dreamt of having both, the majority of my dreams have been of me having a girl.

Verdict to Old Wives' Tale #20: Boy

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So there you have it.  As of now it looks like we have Boy: 9 Girl: 6 Inconclusive: 5.  As I said, I will re-do this list in a few weeks to see if anything changes and also to see if we can change any of those inconclusive results.

In the mean time, do you know of any other Old Wives' Tales I can put to the test?  Also, what do YOU think I'm going to have?  (This can be based on the answers above or just a 'feeling' you may have).  Post an answer even if it's just that you are still trying to decide!

Bump, Bump Bump it Up*

Okay, so apparently I am showing now.  I was thinking that it was just bloating, but at Matt's 30th birthday party everyone was telling me how cute my bump is.  I kept telling them that it's not a bump, I'm just fat.  Since everyone disagreed with me, I decided to go ahead and put on some maternity clothes and have Matt take some pictures.  Low and behold, I DO look pregnant!  How about that?  Anyway, here are some pictures of my bump at 14 weeks, 5 days.

I think it looks bigger in clothes, maybe that is why I couldn't tell as much.  Anyway, here's the bare belly:

So here we go!  I'm hoping to get weekly pictures, but we will see how that goes!  I'll be 15 weeks tomorrow!  Lucky for me, this pregnancy is moving fast so far.  I hope that continues!

* Matt came up with the title of this post . . . but you already knew that, right?

Heartbeat!!!!

We went to see Dr. Bale again today!  The first thing they did is weigh me in.  Shockingly I LOST 4 pounds since my last visit!  I think this is the first time ever that I have actually lost weight over the holidays!  Matt said that we need to write a book and call it "The Baby Diet."  Of course Dr. Bale asked if I had been nauseous and throwing up, but luckily for me I have not.  I think it has more to do with the fact that I never did lose the weight I gained when I broke my foot.  And now that I'm pregnant, I try to eat more fruits and vegetables.  Anyway, I know this whole "baby diet" will not last for long and soon enough I will be embarrassed to say on here how much weight I have gained.

People have been asking me if I have started showing yet and many have been requesting belly shots.  Well since I have only lost weight, there is not much to show right now.  I AM a little bit bloated, but I know for sure it is just bloat and not baby.  So I WILL take some belly shots as soon as I'm showing, but right now my belly looks pretty uneventful.

Anyway, after I was weighed, Dr. Bale came in the room and brought in the dopplar to hear the heart beat.  He moved the wand all over my abdomin but we couldn't hear anything.  Then he told me he was going to move my uterus forward so that we could have a better chance of hearig it.  The whole time he was pushing around inside of me I was cringing because it was uncomfortable.  I just kept thinking, "Seriously!  Please just get your hand out of there!"  Then we heard it . . . and suddenly I was completely unaware that he even had his hand up there.  It was amazing!  I looked up at Matt and he was smiling big - proud daddy!  It was so cool!  Dr. Bale told us the heart was beating 160 beats per minute which is right in the middle of normal.

After the exam, we went to his office and he talked to us about researching a pediatrician and registering for birthing classes.  We will have the big 20 week ultrasound in early March.  Right now everything looks good.  We are SOOOO excited!