Movements... 26 Weeks

Well here we are at 26 weeks!  Wow, can't believe it's almost the third trimester... wow. Well some of the changes and milestones that have happened in the past few weeks are increased energy :), better mood, bigger appetite, heartburn (no big deal, I carry Tums with me), back pain (not fun), and the best by far... the movement.  Little Parker is a mover!  He moves the most when I am laying flat on my back (I know I shouldn't, but it's most comfortable!) I have found that almost everyday for the last 2 weeks, I come home from work pull up my shirt and push down the maternity bottoms and watch my belly.  My hands have always been on my stomach since pretty much I found out I was pregnant, a few people at work even said that it was my hand always on my stomach that made them think I was pregnant. Now because I get to feel him kicking, rolling, and punching I do it 10 times more often.  It really is the most amazing thing to feel.  It still surprises and shocks me, like "wow, the thing inside there has a mind of it's own and does what it wants... and I feel those movements!"

I go to bed about 30 minutes before the Hubs now and I will read Parker Good Night Moon, then put my hands on my belly and just feel Parker move around.  I can't help but smile when I catch a glimpse of a foot skimming the top of my belly, or quickly punching out the side of my belly. Probably just being the braggy Mom, but I truly hope everyone is able to experience that one day.

I know that the Hubs is jealous when we are sitting watching TV and I start talking to Parker and asking him to not kick so hard on my bladder.  He feels him every time he puts his hand on my belly now and sometimes will talk to him at night about his day.   I think it's harder for him to "talk" to Parker, even though he feels him moving it's not as real to him as it is for me.  I understand this and think a lot of men feel the same way. They don't feel 24 hours a day that their life is different. To him the difference is happening in 3 months (AHHH!!). But in the mean time he is being amazing when it comes to the prep work.  So far for the nursery he has set the crib and finished the pallet wall.  We just went to Ikea this weekend (YEEEAA!) and bought a cubby book shelf for the closet and the Hubs is going to install that this weekend and put up new lower closet poles. We still have (he still has lol) quite a bit that needs to be done before Parker's arrival.  We need to finish the closet, make the bedding and curtains, get a new ceiling light/fan, get a new door, a new window, put up decor on the walls, and then rest! Seems like a lot, but we can do it :) I will leave you all with some updated pics of the little guy and his nursery.

22 Weeks!!

Well I made it to 5 1/2 months!!! WHoo Hooo!!  Since my last blog entry a lot has happened.  I got some disturbing news from work, (which I won't go into because its's not even worth it) and I think the stress from that just filled my stress bowl and anything else that was added caused an anxiety attack.  The week before we were flying off to Ohio I started having them anytime I thought about the flight. I was terrified about feeling sick on the plane and not being able to get off or of anything going wrong and making the plane land on a count of me (I know dramatic).  But I talked to my Dr. who gave me Zofran for any nausea that may appear and that seemed to ease my mind a little.  The night before our flight I don't know what happened but I just got over it.  I all of a sudden had a very overwhelming feeling that it was going to be fine, and there was no more anxiety.  So we flew to Ohio for a wedding, had no issues other than discomfort of the flight.  But it was a 10 hour day for a pregnant lady so yea it was uncomfortable. We finally made it and I found out some amazing news!!! My cousin is pregnant too!! She hasn't had her first appt yet but she thinks she is 8-9 weeks.  I'm so excited our kids will have cousins near there age... not physically near them but near their age.  The wedding was fun, the Hubs does like he always does and owned the dance floor the entire night.  Then before we knew it, it was time to get on the plane to go home :( It was not fun. When we got off my feet were so swollen and stayed swollen the rest of the night, Hubs couldn't stop laughing at my sausage toes.  So that is a summary of our trip :)

How far Along: 22 weeks!

Size of Baby: This week baby is a Papaya.

(no picture)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: So far since the day I found out I was pregnant, I am up 12 lbs.  

Maternity Clothes: oh yes, lots of dresses!! 

Gender: A big BOY!  Parker Jean :)

Belly Button In/Out: Definitely becoming more shallow, but still considered an "iney"

Stretch Marks: So far so good, none yet :)

Labor Signs: Ummm No 

Movement: I still don't think I have felt any "kicks" but as soon as I first wake up I feel a lot of movement, and if I wake up in the middle of the night for some reason I will start to feel him moving. I can feel and see them from the outside, but the Hubs is too impatient, he will put his hand on my belly wait 30 seconds and then give up.    

Sleep: Starting this last week I have been getting up again in the middle of the night to pee :( I think this will be a constant for the rest of my pregnancy now.  

Cravings/Aversions: I don't feel like any of my cravings are weird cravings, I feel like I always had these cravings, I'm just acting on them now guiltlessly :)

Symptoms: My heartburn/acid reflux is still very present, and I have certain days where I have lots of energy and others where I have none.  In the last couple of days I can not get enough food! I feel like a bottomless pit. Usually one to two days a week I have have horrible gas pains that have me doubled over in pain.  That's always enjoyable.  

Feeling: Ever since I conquered flying to Ohio and being on vacation outside of my protective bubble, I have been feeling really good.   

Best Moment this Week: Still just feeling any movement :)

What I Miss: My clothes :(  

What I am Looking Forward To: This little guy being here.  I'm ready now. 

Milestones: I found an adorable pair of newborn chuck taylor shoes, they are so cute.  That's really the only big thing that has happened this week 

Next Appointment: Tomorrow for a follow up to my last ultrasound where someone was being stubborn and didn't want to show the technician his spine.     

19 Weeks

How far Along: 19 weeks!

Size of Baby: This week baby is a Mango.

(no picture)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: So far since the day I found out I was pregnant, I am up 8 lbs.  

Maternity Clothes: Since it has been so hot lately, I have been able to get away with dresses or a couple pairs of maternity shorts.  But I am noticing that the first set of maternity shorts I bought were not meant to take me from 3 months to 5 or 6 months... I will be getting a new pair soon.  I am getting sadder and sadder every time I go to put on a regular top and it DOES NOT FIT!! I knew this day would come, but I didn't think this soon :(

Gender: A big BOY!  Parker Jean :)

Belly Button In/Out: Definitely becoming more shallow, but still considered an "iney"

Stretch Marks: So far so good, none yet :)

Labor Signs: Ummm No 

Movement: I have been feeling it for the last few weeks... probably since week 14/15... but this week was a quiet week and then this weekend... was not so quiet.  I always have my hand on my tummy just waiting to be able to feel something from the outside but nothing yet. No real kicks just, still just feels like "swooshes" like there is a fish swimming in my tummy.  

Sleep: Sleep was pretty good this week... once I got to sleep.  Heartburn has been keeping me from falling asleep, but just pop a couple tums and I'm good.   

Cravings/Aversions: Still no weird cravings, just when something sounds good I want it.  Much like before I was pregnant, the nice thing is that now... I indulge in the craving :)  I have been on a one fruit a day kick, and when I don't eat that one fruit a day I feel sluggish.  

Symptoms: Last week I did have one day where I felt nauseous all day... it was horrible, I am so glad to be out of that stage!  But no more since then.. I am still really sleepy, I think I am iron deficient :( Heartburn is the biggest thing right now, today it feels like after every meal I have it :(  

Feeling: Today especially I am feeling great!  Everytime I feel a little something in my tummy a smile just appears on my face, and I did not think I would be one of those pregnant girls who just sits and puts her hand on her tummy and waits for the next little thump, but I am :)  

Best Moment this Week: Being interrupted at work by so much movement that I couldn't concentrate, LOVE IT!

What I Miss: A cold beer on a hot, terrible, awful, no good, very bad day (Lol for anyone who gets this Alexander reference)

What I am Looking Forward To: My next ultrasound, and visiting family in a week.

Milestones: I finished registering yesterday!  What a task that was

Next Appointment: Monday the 23rd for the anatomy scan ultrasound.   

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone!! Sorry I haven't been keeping up with my blogging, but growing this little guy is TIRING and the only thing I have energy for is to work and hang out on the couch.  As of today I am 17w 2d, I don't weight myself on a regular basis anymore (which I LOVE) so I don't know how much I have gained.  I am feeling so much better without being constantly nauseated, it makes me look back at the last 4 months and wonder how in the hell did I make it this far still alive?!? My new pregnancy symptoms are heart burn, acid reflux, and sleep insomnia.  But they aren't nearly as bad as the nausea was.  As far as movement, I have been feeling it for about a week and a half, like a fish is swimming around under my belly button.  It's funny too, since the first time I heard the baby's heart beat on our doppler machine, he has ALWAYS been on my left side.  That was around week 10, and he is still favoring that side!  When we went in for our ultrasounds, he is always on the left and any movement that I feel is on the left.  It's cute that he already has preferences :)  

Here is a picture of my from last weekend at a wedding, you can see our little guy was definitely in attendance :)

These are just some adorable clothes that we have picked up recently, haven't bought much for the baby but we did get these :)

  

14 weeks?

We had our appt for our NT scan Friday, where they look for specific genetic markers that would let us know if there is a risk for specific genetic disorders.  This test has to be done within weeks 11 and 14 due to the baby's development and location of the neck.  I scheduled my appt for Friday, which according to my DR would be 13 weeks, according to my ultrasound at 7 weeks, would put baby at 13w 5d due to growth.  Well we got a little surprise that day....


BABY IS HUGE! Baby is now measuring at 15 weeks!  So we could not do the measurements for the NT scan, but we did get a lot of great pictures of the kid... including the infamous between the legs shot!

How far Along: 14 or 15 weeks..... 

Size of Baby: This week baby is an orange.



Total Weight Gain/Loss: +1/5 (1 this week out of 5 total)

Maternity Clothes: Wearing only maternity bottoms or dresses, I can still pull of a couple non-maternity tops, they are just tight.  

Gender: We have ourselves a big BOY!!! We are still going to do the elective ultrasound in a couple weeks just to be sure, but the tech sounded pretty confident that it was a boy :)

Belly Button In/Out: Still in there :)

Stretch Marks: Still none 

Labor Signs: Ummm No 

Movement: Nope, very excited for this to happen, but no not yet.  

Sleep: This week was a little better, but that's probably because the Hubs was off a couple days this week so he stayed up much later than I did, and to not wake me when he came to bed he stayed on the couch. (Our couch is the most comfortable couch and some nights we fight over who gets to sleep there!)  So a few nights I sleep AMAZINGLY with my legs and arms sprawled out all across the bed :) 

Cravings/Aversions: Still just junk food... I know I should be eating healthier, and maybe this week... but so far just junk food for me.

Symptoms: This week has been such a relief, I had almost no nausea, and what little I did have I could totally handle.  The fatigue is still there, but mostly during the week after work.  I have been having  pains in my knees, and tingly legs after work, but I have had this before so I know that I just have to get up and walk a little and I'll be fine. Still all of this together is SOOO MUCH BETTER than the last couple months!   

Feeling: Feeling pretty good, and looking forward to continue feeling good :)

Best Moment this Week: Seeing our big boy jumping around and waving hi and dancing for us.  And seeing the Hubs tear up as he watched the baby move <3 :)

What I Miss: Our neighbors are big boat people, and last year we went out to a local lake with them for the first time over labor day weekend and had one of the funnest times I've had in a long time.  This year we are going with them for the 4th of July, but it won't be as fun for me!  Watching everyone else being drunk bafoons... and being the sober responsible one... sometimes that sucks, and this year I will be that person.  So I am missing being able to go out and have a good intoxicated time.  I rarely drink, and even when I do I only drink a little, but still the knowing that I can't have any... makes me want it more.    

What I am Looking Forward To: Seeing the baby again at our 3D ultrasound. 

Milestones: Getting past the icky phase of pregnancy (I hope). 

Next Appointment: Wednesday I have a pre-natal appt where we will discuss moving my due date up since the baby is growing so quickly and the Ultrasound Dr doesn't seem to think I will make it to my original due date of Dec. 14th. 

13 Weeks!

So this blog is going to act like my pregnancy journal.  Things may get a little personal... but you have been warned! Read on if you'd like!


How far Along: 13 weeks!

Size of Baby: This week baby is a peach.



Total Weight Gain/Loss: So far since the day I found out I was pregnant, I am up 4 lbs.  

Maternity Clothes: My Mom bought me lots of maternity pants and shorts when I was about 6 weeks pregnant, and I started wearing them right away because my pants were just a little tight, and the bella band worked but I didn't like it.  Also with the morning sickness I had having pressure on my tummy was out of the question! 

Gender: We have or NT scan Friday morning... and I will be 13 1/2 weeks then so I am hoping we get a prediction of the gender.  I have heard of people getting predictions as early as 12 weeks, so even if it's a guess I would love to hear it.  On the 25th we go for the elective ultrasound to find out for sure!

Belly Button In/Out: Still in there :)

Stretch Marks: Nope! 

Labor Signs: Ummm No 

Movement: I thought I felt something last week... but it turned out to be gas! 

Sleep: I toss and turn throughout the night and when I do that I feel some stomach pains (probably gas), but my up all night to use the restroom has stopped! 

Cravings/Aversions: I don't really have any cravings... I just want everything and anything junk food... particularly sweets. As for aversions, I haven't been able to eat ranch dressing since I found out I was pregnant... weird...

Symptoms: So far this week my nausea has been almost completely gone ( I almost didn't type this so I wouldn't jinx myself!) and the stomach pains are what is really standing out.  I am getting some energy back... but not all of it yet!  The past few weeks I have been able to start picking up more around the house and do more what I used to do before those hellish 6 weeks hit me.  It feels good to start to get back to normal.  

Feeling: I am starting to feel like myself again :) I am still wearing my sea bands.. mostly for my sanity, and I am still snacking on bread before I get out of bed, but I would rather keep doing those thing longer than I need than feel like crap again for a few days if I stop too early.  

Best Moment this Week: Each and every time I hear that little heart beat... which is 2-3 times a week thanks to my doppler, best baby purchase yet!

What I Miss: While I wouldn't trade this for anything... I do miss my old eating habits.  I miss not having to plan my meals every 2 hours and make sure I have bread by my bedside every night and plenty of snacks throughout the day.  I miss that when this doesn't happen.. my life falls apart!  

What I am Looking Forward To: Finding out the sex!

Milestones: I made it to the second trimester!! I didn't think this day would ever come.  I remember watching TV and seeing the ads for the MTV movie awards and thinking... I'll bet my nausea will be gone by then... Well I made it to that day and while it's still there a little bit... it's nothing like what it was. 

Next Appointment: This Friday we will get LOTS of new pictures of the baby, checking the head size, spine, fingers, toes, maybe sex?????  

11 Weeks (really???)

Well I am at week 11 of my pregnancy... and I can't believe it.  After going through what seemed like pregnancy hell from weeks 6-9, the last two weeks have gone by rather quickly.  I have been horrible at blogging, and especially at noting things about my pregnancy.  I know I will regret not documenting more later, but I am doing what I can now.

So today I am 11 weeks... and feeling better than ok.  I did have some nausea Monday and Tuesday evenings... but nothing unbearable.  I took naps a few days this week again too... something I hadn't done in a few weeks.  But I am attributed that to allergies KICKING MY ASS! Almost 2 weeks ago my asthma landed me in the ER at 2 am because my emergency inhaler wasn't doing it's job. But after getting a breathing treatment and another prescription for my inhaler I am doing much better.  Still using it 3-4 times a day, but it's getting better.  I hadn't taken any allergy meds at all this season... which is unheard of for me since I am a 5 different prescriptions during spring time kinda gal.  But something in me (probably the Mom) didn't want to take any extra medication.  I know it's perfectly safe, and would probably do me good with my asthma, but I still didn't want any.  Well yesterday I caved.  After going through 1/2 a box of tissue in under an hour, walking around the house with a headache and kleenex stuffed up both nostrils and breathing through my mouth, I took a zyrtec.  And it worked wonderfully.  I didn't take one today... mostly because I forgot and it's one that should be taken in the morning, so I may take it tomorrow, I may not who knows!

Other symptoms that have come up this past week... nothing hugely different.  I keep seeing that my boobs are getting larger and larger... and coming from a girl who grew up with... we'll call them "less than average size tatas"... I am loving this! I had to go out yesterday (leave the house by myself and do something!) and buy new clothes because mine have decided they aren't fitting anymore... at all!  I bought a few maxi dresses and long larger shirts that I could wear to work.  I haven't embraced the look of the baby bump yet... probably because I still know it's a lot of bloat and pizza... But I think these new outfits will help.  I saw a picture that was taken of me on Mother's Day and I started crying to my husband and yelling at him for letting me walk out of the house looking the way I did!  I'm not going to post that picture... because it was AWFUL!

Another thing that has happened in the last week or so... is that once the nausea went away... the food stayed.  I feel like I am CONSTANTLY eating.  If I'm at home... I'm snacking... not even full meals... just crap junk food ALL THE TIME! I don't love it.  I wish the fruit here was better so I can start eating that... but it is all horrible right now... maybe in a couple weeks it will get better.  I did start drinking V8 Fusion to compensate for my lack of fruits and veggies.  I still haven't started cooking again... my husband is quite excited for me to get back

Well that's it for my update as of today... hopefully I will get better at doing these  again :)

~Ashley