Wednesday, February 29, 2012

19 weeks

I had the most vivid dream the other night of playing and running errands with our baby boy. That's the second time it's sooo clear (again with a boy) and I can picture exactly what he looks like. He's really smiley in my dreams too! I'm not saying I know the sex - I don't and we're not planning to find out. Just sharing!


I don't feel like I look this big in real life... but I kept trying to suck in and I kept looking just as belly-licious. So I'm thinking it must be true. Not that I mind at all. I love it!

Size of baby: A little mango!
Sleep: I'm happy to report that it's pretty good. I have to get up to pee at least 3 times before morning, but I guess I'm getting used to that. Also getting used to sleeping on my side. So I'm happy in the sleep department.

Movement: I've had several very faint, very infrequent little nudges. I'd say every 2-3 days I can feel baby, but it's still at the point where it's hard to notice and know exactly what it is.

Feeling: Great! I've had some really sharp round ligament pain and headaches when I don't eat enough. But good.

What I miss: Pinot grigio.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing baby at our ultrasound on Friday (Though I'm not looking forward to the obligatory full bladder for the whole hour-long exam. I don't do well with that these days)!

I have a regular prenatal appointment on Monday too, and after that we're buying the crib and bookshelf. Pretty excited to get that set up, even though it's early. I just want to see them in the nursery and start to organize the baby stuff I've been slowly accumulating! I went kinda crazy at a thrift store last week and bought a good 2 dozen childrens books :)

Best moment this week: Several good things happened this week:
  • We attended a going away party for a friend of ours who is joining the military. I made this cheesecake. It's de-lish.
  • We bought a new (California King size) bed for our room, so that our old queen bed can go in the guest room.
  • I started volunteering again in the Parent Education Program at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. I'd been doing it in October and November, but then it closed during December and January to move to a new, nicer location. I'm back and I enjoy it a lot - I'm thinking I'll keep volunteering weekly until June, then I'll need to stop for a while.
Worst moment this week: Hmmm, I can't think of anything. I guess it wasn't fun to pay all that moolah for a new bed, but it was a necessary evil.

Milestones: Baby is working on her five senses. Nerve cells for her sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in her brain. Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding her from the amniotic fluid.

Cravings: The only things that sound really good are sushi and sausage potato burritos (turkey sausage, roasted potatoes and barbecue sauce in a tortilla).

Food aversions: Nothing. Yay!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Old wives tales

I think most of us can agree that these are not based on science and probably have a 50% chance of being correct, but I still thought it would be fun to share my results! I wanted to get this posted now in case we end up finding out the sex of baby on Friday :)

1. If you have morning sickness you're having a girl. No morning sickness means a boy.

Well I've had plenty of nausea but only threw up a handful of times. I think a lot of people have it worse than me so I lean toward this OWT saying I'm having a...

BOY!

2. If your belly is big and round it's a girl. If it sticks straight out it's a boy.

I feel like it's too early to tell with this one! As of now I feel more round. Definitely don't have a case of torpedo belly. So this would indicate that I'm carrying a...

GIRL!

3. Ring test. Tie your wedding ring from a string and hang it over your belly. If it turns in a circle it's a boy, if it swings in a line it's a girl.

This test says I'm having a...

BOY!

4. Heart beat rate. If your baby has a fast heart rate (near 170 BPM) it's a girl. Closer to 150 BPM means it's a boy.

We've heard baby's heartbeat twice, but the first time the midwife didn't tell us the number. At my 13/14 week appointment, it was 145. So that would mean one vote for...

BOY!

5. If the pregnant mom's face gets wide and round during pregnancy, it's a girl. Long and narrow means boy.

I've always had a round face, never narrow! It may be a little more plump now... hard to say. It's certainly not long and narrow so this one gives one vote for....

GIRL!

6. A lady where I was volunteering did this test on me. She said "What's that on your hand?" and I looked at the back of my hand. According to her, if you look at the back of your hand it's a boy, and if I had looked at my palm it's a girl.

If this is true, I'm having a...

BOY!

7. The Mayan Gender Test. Take the mother's age at conception and the year of conception and add them together. If it's an even number you're having a  girl, if it's odd you're having a boy.

25 + 2011 = 2036, so if this is true, I'm having a...

GIRL!

8. The Chinese Gender Test.

If I'm reading this website correctly (using Chinese age and Chinese lunar month), the chart says I'm carrying a...

GIRL!

9. Increased acne during pregnancy means girl, nice clear skin means boy.

I've been lucky to have pretty clear skin so far, so this would mean I'm having a...

BOY!

10. If mom craves sweets while pregnant she's having a little girl, while cravings for salty items mean it's a little boy.

I'm definitely not a fan of salty stuff right now (it all tastes way too salty), while anything sweet (not just desserts but cereal, yogurt, granola bars) are about all that actually sounds good to me. So this would indicate that I'm having a...

GIRL!

So that's 5 votes for BOY, and 5 votes for GIRL. Too funny! I totally thought there would be a winner here. I didn't add them up until I was done.

For anyone who's been pregnant before, did these tests hold up for you?

OWTs compiled from here

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

18 weeks

I left my camera at my sister's house so I'll have to use my cell phone for pictures until I see her again - which will probably be a month or two at least. I'm pleasantly surprised at the quality of this picture from my crappy, old cell though! I tried to use my webcam for the first time and the quality there was horrid.

I like this new maternity shirt from JC Penney. It has lots of room to grow!
Dare I say I'm starting to look pregnant rather than just chubby or in-between?! It's really hard for me to tell since I check out my belly every single day.

Size of baby: The size of a sweet potato
Sleep: Not too bad. I stayed the weekend at Rose's house in San Francisco and slept soooo soundly there! I think because I was completely exhausted from our activities all day.

Movement: Just once, Saturday night around midnight for a good 5 minutes. It felt like butterfly flutters like everyone says. I hope baby doesn't only move in the middle of the night when I'm normally sleeping!

Feeling: My neck and head have been hurting since Monday. This might be a good excuse for a prenatal massage! But other than that I feel pretty good. Sooo tired if I do anything other than sit around the house.

What I miss: Having more energy.

What I'm looking forward to: Buying baby's crib and bookshelf - this will probably happen in the next several weekends and will be the last of the nursery furniture. Then we need a mattress, window shades, and so much more. This little one is expensive!

Best moment this week: 3-day weekend in San Francisco. We went on a sailboat ride through the bay (Groupon deal), had a picnic and people watched in the park, went to Chinatown (Bought some paper lanterns for the baby's room - 3 for only $5!), and got lots and lots of exercise walking on those hills! 

Worst moment this week: This 3-day (so far) headache, which never happens to me. So of course when it does it seems really bad!

Milestones: Baby is in there yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing, as well as constantly rolling, kicking and moving around! Wish I could feel it more!

My wedding ring is also getting pretty tight - I think my days of wearing it are numbered. When I walk or otherwise work a little harder, my fingers puff up and then it's way tight.

Cravings: Meh, nothing sounds good. Ever.

Food aversions: Nothing really grosses me out lately. Maybe hard boiled eggs. I usually like them but I made a batch and left them a little too undercooked in the middle, and since then can't bring myself to eat them.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

17 weeks

We're officially signed up for a Bradley Method birthing class that starts in 2 months. And I felt baby move!! More on that below :)


Gender: I'm really excited that we won't be finding out until baby's in my arms! I think I'll take this question out now... it's getting redundant.

Size of baby: An onion
Sleep: Kind of uncomfortable. I sleep on my side and have to switch several times a night... in order to roll over with the snoogle I have to wake up and totally rearrange everything.

Movement: I felt it I felt it I felt it! Woo hoo! Sunday, February 12 (16 weeks, 3 days. Must remember for the baby book). We were driving home from buying a glider for baby's room (Craigslist find. Cute huh?).


I felt baby karate kick me. It was like a little twitch. So precious! I think I felt it again later at bedtime too, but not sure. Nothing since then though.

Feeling: We're almost half way to having an outside baby and it doesn't seem real enough! There's sooo much to do and learn!

Physically I feel fairly fantastic. I just get pretty tired by the end of the day, and my walk yesterday had me feeling crazy winded after like a block. I just couldn't hang but still got in 40 (pretty slow) minutes.

James had a really bad cold that I managed to avoid. I'm actually thinking it was the flu and I was protected by the flu shot that I got before I was pregnant (my first ever and I got it specifically because I was hoping to get knocked up). Sorry Mom, I know you don't like that term but I think it's funny :) Anywho, hubby has been convinced to get the flu shot next year, and I think I will from now on too.

What I miss: Sleeping soundly through the whole night. Better get used to that.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing baby at our anatomy scan in 2 weeks, and spending this weekend with my sister.

Best moment this week: Feeling baby move! Also, on Saturday I went to lunch with my parents, aunt, uncle and grandma and then hung out at our house. Fun!

Worst moment this week: A bit of the queasies.

Milestones: Feeling movement obvs. Baby's rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone, and she's putting on some fat. Her umbilical cord is also growing stronger and thicker.

Cravings: Nothing really.

Food aversions: Nothing really.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

16 weeks

I'm starting to realize that people are soooo nice to you when you're pregnant! Not that I was mistreated before, but pretty much everyone I know is all, "How are you feeling? Can I get you a snack? You look great! Don't lift that, I'll do it. How are you feeling??" You all really know how to make a girl feel loved!! I could get used to this. Haha.


Gender: Some friends said girl this weekend. They said James would be a good girl dad - they're totally right!

Size of baby: An avocado.
Sleep: Pretty uncomfortable, and I have to pee at least 3 times during the night.


Movement: Hopefully soon!

Feeling: I can tell that the belly is growing because my abs are sore (it's not painful at all, just noticeable... and pretty cool). Overall I'm feeling fab. Out of breath when walking and I get tired quickly.

What I miss: Maybe champagne. But not too much.

What I'm looking forward to: Decorating baby's room! We bought a new dresser for ourselves last weekend and put the old one in the nursery (I don't see a need to buy a nice one since children don't tend to treat anything gently). Now that there's furniture in that room, I feel the itch to add more! First steps will be window treatments, a crib and bookshelf.

Best moment this week: Seeing our friends at the annual oyster party at a local winery. It's crazy how tired I can get but it was so much fun.

Worst moment this week: Looks like we're going to have to pay taxes this year. Lame! I did a quick Turbo Tax run-through... I'm hoping hoping hoping that huge number is an error!

Milestones: Baby can start to hear my voice, which he'll recognize when he's in the outside world! ♥ ♥ ♥ Hair, lashes and eyebrows are forming, as well as taste buds.

This was a first - my (slightly intoxicated) friends bending down and talking to my belly: "Hi baby! Are you a boy or a girl?!" Love you girls!

Cravings: Nothing in particular.

Food aversions: Not craving meat in the slightest... but it doesn't gross me out quite as much!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

It's a...

We have 26 days until our anatomy scan, a.k.a. the appointment where, among other important things, we can find out if baby K is a he or a she! I've never been sure if I wanted to find out in advance... and I'm still not. As of today, we are leaning toward not finding out. Hubby initially wanted to, but is leaving the decision up to me ultimately. He's even agreed to keeping it a surprise and would be happy to do so.

Image source
If we DON'T find out, we'll get that special moment when baby's born and I just think it will be so much more exciting! We'll get to tell people once he or she is here and it sounds fun to share that news with a newborn already in your arms. We have the rest of our lives to know the sex of our child... but only these few months to wonder. I even think it's a positive in terms of baby clothes because I'm a big fan of gender neutral everything. I really dislike gender stereotypes and the fact that they're pushed on people before they're even born.

If we DO find out, I think the biggest positive is that we can call the baby by name and imagine what he or she will grow up to be like. Some people say it helps them bond with the baby having that piece of info. We can narrow down names and not have to have one (or two or three) names for each gender ready (because it's really hard!).

I've been thinking about this for months and it's tough! I totally see both sides. And in the end, whatever we decide to do won't make a difference. It will be special and exciting and all that stuff no matter what. As of today, I'm leaning toward not finding out but that can absolutely change!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

15 weeks

I'm feeling so much better, pretty much every day now! Very little nausea :)


Gender: Seriously no idea.

Size of baby: A navel orange

Sleep: Not as bad as it has been, but definitely uncomfortable.

Movement: Really looking forward to feeling him or her move around!

Feeling: Pretty good! Not a ton of energy, but if I don't feel like barfing I'd say it's a good day.

What I miss: Nothing!

What I'm looking forward to: Friend time at a winery party on Saturday (this year will certainly be different from last!).

Best moment this week: Getting my appetite back woo hoo!! For the first time literally in months I made a meal plan, grocery list and plan to actually make healthy, well rounded meals. Gotta keep it up!

Worst moment this week: I've been super tired walking... hubs and I walked for almost 2 hours on Sunday and I was kind of sore and felt like it had been all day by the end!

Milestones: I don't want to seem crazy, but I think I might have had Braxton Hicks contractions a few times in the evenings. I've been reading about what it feels like, and I'm not sure if that's what it is or just crampiness. Or maybe just an upset stomach, I really don't know! Apparently most people get them in their 3rd trimester, but some as early as the 2nd month. So it's possible!

Baby's joints and limbs can all move now, and apparently he's moving a lot and maybe even hiccuping! But I can't feel anything  yet...

Cravings: Nothing specific but I'm happy that the list of items that sound yummy is growing.

Food aversions: Still not feeling chicken and most meat. I'm going to give ground turkey burgers a try and hope that it works out.