Week 20

HALF WAY THERE!!

It's a banana! Today we will actually get to see the banana (well, length of) that is inside of me. Our ultrasound appointment is at 3:00. We are supposed to be there at 2:30 . . . it won't come fast enough! I will blog again with pictures (they send us home with a disk) later today.

The baby weighs about 10.5 oz and is around 10 inches from head to heel. It's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. It's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and we'll see it in the first soiled diaper (I saw Cole's).

Changes in me . . . The top of my uterus is supposed to be to my belly button now. I think mine has been there for over a week. It also says I should have gained about 10 pounds. I think I have gained more like 14. It will be interesting to see if they change my due date after today's appointment.

Check back later for a gender update! YIPPEE!

My first letter.

My cousin used to write her daughter a letter on her blog once a month when she was a baby. It was always touching and I looked so forward to it. I would like to try to do the same. But I am going to start now!

Dear Kumquat -

My first letter to you! I promise to never call you kumquat again once we decide on a name for you. Tomorrow is our sonogram to find out if you are a boy or a girl, so maybe a name is in your near future. SO . . . a boy or a girl!? I can't believe we are actually finding out tomorrow. I really don't care either way and your Daddy says he doesn't either. I think it is only natural for me to picture myself with a girl . . . buying adorable outfits, tying bows in your hair, filling the house with pink and then there will be boy problems, prom dresses and wedding plans. And I am sure your Daddy pictures himself with a little boy . . . trucks and baseball caps from day one, throwing the ball in the yard, cheering on the Packers, a buddy for the driving range. But then we both agree that there is nothing better than a daddy's-girl or a momma's-boy! The love between a mother and her son - I can't imagine! And I know a lot about the love between a father and his daughter - I live that!! So, what I am getting at is we really don't care if you are a boy or a girl. We just want you to have 10 fingers and 10 toes, a cute little nose (even if you have your Daddy's nose it's still OK) and lips for me to kiss!

I feel you moving around in there! It is starting to get where I feel you every day. I love it! I feel it, stop what I am doing and pay perfect attention so that I can enjoy it again. Only nothing happens for awhile and then I forget to pay attention again. But I am sure that it's not gas anymore!

I am 20 weeks pregnant tomorrow. That means we are half way there. So far you have been a perfect baby! I appreciate you not making me sick or too out of my mind.

Until tomorrow . . .

Mommy

Myth Busters!

Do you think you can actually lose your naturally curly hair during pregnancy? I am having the WORST time with my hair. It will not play nicely. It doesn't want to curl with mousse and the diffuser but it still needs a blow dryer and flat iron to be straight. Both ways are taking way too long. Do you believe that your hair really changes during pregnancy. AND more importantly, does it go back. I just can't imagine blow drying my hair and straightening each piece while a little person is screaming for my attention. I am already stressed out. Maybe this is why you just cut it short when you become a Mom!?

19 Weeks!

Wow. The weeks are FLYING now! Yay. Today we are 19 weeks pregnant and the website says the baby is the size of an heirloom tomato. The baby should weigh about 8.5 oz and measure 6 inches from head to toe. So I'm going to say it is the size of a Subway 6 in. Turkey! Yum-o. The hair on its scalp is sprouting (is it a boy with red curls!?). This is a crucial time for sensory development: the baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that it may be able to hear our voices now, so I'll be sure to sing sweet lullabiess so it can get used to my angelic voice! Ha.

Let's see . . . what else?! I feel better than before (and that wasn't bad!). I am getting less headaches - what a relief! I guess the biggest thing is our sonogram to determine the sex is ONE WEEK from today. I can't even explain how excited I am to know! I want to buy little gender specific onesies and talk about decor for the room. Let the fun begin!

18 weeks!

Oh no! I hate bell peppers, but I love you! This week the baby is about 5.5 inches long - about the size of a bell pepper - and weighs almost 7 ounces. It's busy flexing its arms and legs — movements that I can't wait to start noticing very soon. The blood vessels are visible through the thin skin, and the ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from the head a bit. If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. Better show us your junk in 2 weeks! That's right . . . our sonogram is two weeks from today. It's like waiting for Christmas when you are 7 (times 100!). Is it just me, or are the weeks just flying by now!?

Still nothing to report from me. I feel great. Less headaches the last couple of weeks! Still wearing Mom's trusty black pants and a few other things are hanging in there. Am starting to wear a lot of the loaned clothes - thanks everybody! I haven't weighed myself since last week. I decided I don't have to know everyday! I am pretty sure we are at a 10 pound weight gain. That on top of the 10 pounds since the wedding puts me at just about . . . big!

I wore a bikini twice this weekend! (that was pretty) Just with Brian and my parents. It was my birthday on Saturday and Brian and I went to the beach. It was so nice! We ended up getting dinner outside, on the water, at Down the Hatch in Ponce Inlet. A band was playing and the weather was perfect. It was such a nice day! On Sunday, we went over to Mom and Dad's and sat by the pool. Then mom made an amazing dinner that I "ordered" . . . Spinach Chicken Lasagna - YUM! We had Banana Dream cake from TooJays - it was so good. So as you can see, the theme of my birthday this year was sun and food - two of my favorite things!!

One year ago today . . .

. . . we brought Miso home from the cat rescue. I don't think we saved his life - he would have been adopted in a second. Just look at him! Oh, he was so cute. What a great decision we made. We both love dogs and would love to have had one, but decided that a cat would be much easier. Besides some cat hair, that we vacuum often, he is a piece of cake! He's never made a mess. He does wake me up at 5:00 a.m. but I kinda enjoy it. He acts like a dog most of the time. He fetches, plays chase, has to be in the same room as you . . . he was and still is the perfect addition to our family! Our first baby!

Week 17 - Bump

We took this picture quickly this morning. We are still figuring out the best way to do these, because we want to link them all together at the end and see the progression in one "video."

And we have a mystery vegetable . . . or is it a fruit?

17 weeks . . . Is it weird that I don't know what a turnip is? Turnip pie? Turnip soup? What do you use it for?Mom said the web site that she reads compared the size of the baby to a baked potato. I guess I should mention that, but it is still funnier to talk about the mystery ones that the one I read compares to . . . and is that a standard baking potato or a bake potato fully loaded? I know, enough already! I didn't get much sleep last night and am a little slap happy!

The baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. The baby should weigh about 5 ounces (you know, about as much as a turnip) and is around 5 inches long. It can move its joints and sweat glands are starting to develop.

I learned a lesson this weekend . . . I can't sit in the sun and only eat a hot dog! We went to a baseball game on Sunday with a big group of friends for Ulen's birthday. I was so excited to see everyone, get out, do something like we used to do, and enjoy the warm weather. Well, it was really warm! I had a hot dog at the game and got so hot. I ended up with a headache and later that night got to experience my hot dog again - if you know what I mean (sorry!). I learned that I really do need to eat, healthy treats throughout the day. And this summer is not going to be my friend!

The gig is up!

The bagger at Publix asked me when I am due. I was so tempted to say "huh? due?" But I smiled and said "August." Then he said "nothin' prettier than a pregnant woman." He was cute. About 100 years old, but still cute!!

16 week appointment

Everything is A-OK!! My pee is good. My blood pressure is good. My uterus is good. The heart beat is strong. The nurse heard a lot of movement and said we have an active baby. (which should be fun later) I think that's it. No news is great news. Oh, and we are going to make the appointment for the ultrasound that detects boy or girl on March 30. I can't wait!! Sugar and spice or frogs and snails?

It's never too early!!

After years and years of visiting her blog, admiring her pictures, referring her to pregnant friends . . . I just made my own newborn photo session appointment with Amy Smith!! She likes to come about one week after the baby is born (and she fills up fast!). Our apointment is August 25 at 10:00 a.m. Can you believe it!? Seems silly, but so fun!

I wasn't sure if this was something that I should be spending money on, but how could you miss out on the only opportunity you will have to get this picture . . . (donations accepted - haha).

I love avocado!

Wow! 16 weeks today. 4 months. That seems crazy. The baby is about the size of an avocado - 4 1/2 in long and weighing in at 3 1/2 oz. The legs are much more developed, the head is more erect than it has been, and the eyes have moved closer to the front of the head. The ears are close to their final position, too. A big growth spurt is about to happen . . . the baby is supposed to double in size in the next couple of weeks. Will I!? Another exciting thing is that I will begin to feel the baby move in the next week or so . . . I can't wait for that!

I still feel great. If it wasn't for the headache that I have just about everyday, I would have no complaints. I am eating a lot less - get full much fast. I will be interested to see what my weight gain is on Thursday. We have a doctors appointment on Thursday so I will blog more after that. And I still promise a belly shot, but need Brian to hook the camera cord up for me to download.

Brian went out of town this weekend for a bachelor party and I got SO much done. I started working on the closets so that we can get all clothes and other things out of what will be the baby's room. I ordered a dresser and a chest of drawers from Zgallerie for our bedroom. I think this will solve all problems - with a little closet redo. They are supposed to be delivered in two weeks. I can't wait! I also got a couple more maternity clothes. They have the cutest stuff at the Gap! I have a lot of stuff now - if it would just warm up a little I could wear it! Any day now I am going to wake up and not be able to wear anything, but elastic waists.

Our friends, Shanna and Luke, had a baby boy on Friday. Cole Lucas. I went to see him at the hospital on Saturday. He is beautiful! Shanna delivered at Winter Park too, so it is always fun to go there and picture us there in a few months. I really like it there. Shanna wouldn't share any details of the "hard labor" with me. She just kept shaking her head. As bad as it was . . . I could see that it was worth every second of it - the bond they already have is such an amazing thing. I'm so excited!