Oooh Nice!

Here are some pictures I stole from a really great blog http://www.pregnantchicken.com.

Survey Sunday!

Whew! It's been a fun but long week! Here are two surveys and then I'll be officially caught up and will only post one a week.

How far along? 18 Weeks

Baby is the size of? Sweet potato. Average size: 5.6 inches, 6.7 oz.

Maternity clothes? I’m wearing some maternity clothes. There are clothes that I won’t wear anymore.      
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: It’s been a good week for sleep.  The only days I don’t get 9-10 hours of sleep are days when I have to get up for the 7 am shift.     
Best moment this week: Ben noticing how big I’m getting and he was feeling the stomach.        
Miss Anything? Motivation!      
Movement: I *think* I’m feeling movement as I’m writing this. But…. I’m still unfamiliar with what this is supposed to be like.  Time will tell!
Food cravings:  Icees and anything else that others are craving! Or whatever smells good.    
Anything making you queasy or sick: Keep almonds away from me. I don’t think I’ll eat another almond this whole pregnancy.      
Gender: Unknown. Less than 1 month until we find out!
This week’s fetal heart rate: 152

Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Bloody nose, itchiness, and I’ve recently become uncoordinated. I almost fell almost (on flat ground), and strained my back to keep myself upright. 
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, with small spurts of emotion. 

Looking forward to: Ben’s brother’s wedding.   

How far along? 19 Weeks

Baby is the size of? Mango (sounds yummy!). Average size: 6.0 inches, 8.5 oz.

Maternity clothes? I’ve worn a few. I probably wouldn’t have to but they are so comfortable.  My jeans are from before but on a few of them, I have to use a hair tie to keep the button closed.

Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Typically 10 hours a night     
Best moment this week: Ben’s brother Daniel marrying my new sister-in-law Amber!
Miss Anything? I was missing spending time with Ben but then he had a ton of time off for his brother’s wedding, so I am very content this week.        
Movement: Baby has moved a little to the left. So I get pokes in the same area but to the left a little. 
Food cravings:  None this week.      
Anything making you queasy or sick: I haven’t thought about eating almonds so it hasn’t made me queasy. No sickness or aversions this week!
Gender: Unknown. 20 days until we find out!
This week’s fetal heart rate: 155

Labor Signs: None.
Symptoms: A little crampy.  My feet have been super sore and swollen from helping with the wedding. And I had acid reflux in my throat the other day. It felt like I could breathe fire!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On, though with this heat the rings are getting tight. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: This was a great week!          
Looking forward to: Crystal’s bachelorette party on Wednesday and wedding on Saturday! 

Double Whammy

I'm almost caught up! Here are two more surveys!

How far along? 16 Weeks

Baby is the size of? An avocado.

Maternity clothes? I’ve been wearing leggings and had to open the button on my jeans, but maternity is still not necessary.
Stretch marks? Nope! 

Sleep: It’s starting to get a little uncomfortable. I feel like my whole stomach is being pulled down by gravity.  

Best moment this week: Talking with other moms.  Going to my hometown for my best friend’s wedding events.   

Miss Anything? Energy, feeling “normal”      

Movement: I don’t think so.      

Food cravings:  Still loving Icees.  I’ve been eating a lot of fruit roll-ups and gushers.  I just eat all the time.           

Anything making you queasy or sick: I have an aversion to nuts still.  

Gender: Unknown

Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: Congestion, itchiness, fatigue    

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and content.      

Looking forward to: The weekend, for no reason in particular!

How far along? 17 Weeks

Baby is the size of? An onion, but is much, much sweeter ;).

Maternity clothes? The top buttons of some of my pants have to remain open. I can still fit into most of my tops. 
Stretch marks? Not yet.
Sleep: I have my uncomfortable nights and then there’s nights when I sleep like a rock. 
Best moment this week: Making the gender appointment.   
Miss Anything? Energy and motivation.     
Movement: Possibly but I’m not completely sure.     
Food cravings:  Any fruity drinks. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: I still prefer not to eat almonds.    
Gender: Unknown
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Congestion, scalp is so itchy, belly uncomfortable or this heavy/crampy feeling.      
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: It’s been a roller coaster week.      
Looking forward to: Hitting 18 weeks.  

This was taken a little before 16 weeks.

Amazon Baby/Health update

At about 15 weeks, I was able to have another appointment with my doctor.  Ben was unfortunately at his Annual Training so I was alone at this appointment.  Dr. Waring was very positive and helpful. I really love her. Her bubbly personality reminds me of my cousin Steph!

Steph (isn't she gorgeous?!) and I (Blonde!!!)

Dr. Waring

At the end of the appointment, I mentioned to my doctor that I was unable to do the ultra screen test.  This test is done between 11-14 weeks to detect abnormalities and downs syndrome. By this appointment, I was 13 weeks and 3 (maybe 4?) days.  Baby was measuring too big to do the screen.  In other words, baby was measuring at over 14 weeks.  

My doctor and I are confident in my estimated due date so as I mention the screen to Dr. Waring, her eyes lit up a bit and she had a big grin on her face.  I asked "Am I going to have a huge baby?!" She answered, "It's a little too late to be worrying about that."  We had a nice little laugh about that. I realized after the appointment that she never responded to my question! So it should be fun to see how big this baby will be when baby is born!

New update Monday: Nan, my nurse, called and asked me to come in to get the heart rate of baby checked.  I assumed they forgot to record it at the last appointment, but Nan informed me that my doctors would like to get the heart rate once a week from now until I deliver.  As I have mentioned, I am a little high risk.  One of the risk factors is congenital heart defects in baby.  To stay one step ahead, the doctor will now check the heart rate often.  

This doesn't worry me or scare me. I know the risk factors are low. And as an upside, I get to hear baby once a week!  To keep you all updated, I have added a question on my weekly survey so you can know the heart rate also.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I will!

Week 14 survey, Week 17 purchases

How far along? 14 Weeks

Baby is the size of? A lemon

Maternity clothes? I’ve worn a couple, though they are not necessary yet.    

Stretch marks? Nope! 

Sleep: I always want to nap but then I don’t sleep well at night. I have started using pillows to support my little growing and support my back and knees.  

Best moment this week: My husband’s birthday party where we finally officially announced the pregnancy.     

Miss Anything? A “normal” appetite.    

Movement: Nope    

Food cravings:  I’ve been loving Icee’s and bubble gum.         

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still not liking almonds.  

Gender: Unknown

Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: Everything is still itchy.    

Belly Button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: This was a fun week!    

Looking forward to: My best friend’s wedding. 

Since I don't have my camera, here are some pictures I found online of the diaper bags I bought and received this week!

Baya bag: I like this bag because it has a zipped bottom that is separate from the rest of the bag.  So if there are some dirty clothes or rags, it doesn't touch everything else.  It came with a changing pad, an insulated bottle holder, and a wallet (which I won't use, haha), and what I think is a wipe holder. This retails for $70-$90 and I got it for $25.   

Skip Hop Duo Deluxe: I love this bag and it will probably be my main bag.  It has clips to snap on to the stroller.  Instead of zipping shut, it uses magnets.  This bag is super roomy and has a cell phone pocket, and came with a changing pad. Another great part: I got this for 10% off!

Weeks 12 & 13 Surveys.

I'm trying to catch up to the current date, so I will post two surveys! Woop!

How far along? 12 Weeks

Baby is the size of? A plum

Maternity clothes? I wore a shirt just because I felt like it, but it wasn’t necessary.  I also bought some larger sweat pants because I knew I would want them.  

Stretch marks? Nada 

Sleep: I’m not as fatigued as I was.  Most of the time I’m getting about 8-9 hours a night though every once in awhile I just don’t feel comfortable in bed.       

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat! 170 BPM (beats per minute)! 

Miss Anything? Feeling decent.  I just feel like my whole self is off so far.     

Movement: None    

Food cravings: Little twinges of cravings but nothing overwhelming.     

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still no real appetite for nuts. Nothing really bothered me too much this week. 

Gender: Unknown

Labor Signs: None 

Symptoms: Is getting a bigger belly a symptom? My skin has been very itchy too.    

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: This week was a good week for happy.  

Looking forward to: Cleaning out the baby’s room a little more and getting things ready for a garage sale.   

  

How far along? 13 Weeks

Baby is the size of? A medium shrimp

Maternity clothes? Still not necessary.  

Stretch marks? None to know knowledge. 

Sleep: It fluctuates.   I’m starting to feel a little uncomfortable at night.       

Best moment this week: Has nothing to do with the pregnancy, but seeing my best friend graduate from college.   

Miss Anything? With all of the graduation celebration going on, I missed being able to “go out”.  But after I saw how they were feeling the next day, I was ok to have not participated J    

Movement: None (I don’t think)    

Food cravings: They aren’t super overwhelming. Last night I saw a commercial for Dairy Queen and bought a confetti cake blizzard.  I only ate half of it.       

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really food anymore. Though I can’t stand watching those shows where people get hurt.  That makes my stomach turn.  

Gender: Unknown

Labor Signs: None. 

Symptoms: So so so itchy. Especially at night. My scalp itches, my chest, my back, my legs. And I get dizzy if I stand for too long in a warm room.  

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: This was a good week. I was very happy.    

Looking forward to: Having hubby’s birthday party on Tuesday and officially announcing the pregnancy!! 

Pictures from Colton's graduation

Week 11 Survey and Appointment

I made the appointment to find out the gender! Stay tuned on July 6th (a day before my parents' anniversary!) I know a few people who were able to find out at 18 weeks but unfortunately, my doctor will do this ultrasound no earlier than 21 weeks.  So at this appointment I will be 21 1/2 weeks and hopefully we'll get a really clear view!

Now on to the survey!

How far along? 11 Weeks

Baby is the size of? A lime

Maternity clothes? I have tried on my maternity clothes.  I could probably wear them but they’d look big.   

Stretch marks? None though my skin is starting to be a little itchy from the stretching.  

Sleep: Just slept about 11 hours last night.  I’m pretty exhausted by about 7pm.       

Best moment this week: Talking to the first non-family mom about pregnancy. 

Miss Anything? Nothing this week.   

Movement: None    

Food cravings: None this week, just always hungry.   

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing’s really making me queasy, I just don’t want to eat red meat or nuts.  

Gender: Unknown

Labor Signs: None. 

Symptoms: Hungry Hungry Hungry, frequent trips to the restroom, occasionally dizziness especially if I stand up too fast.  

Belly Button in or out? In. 

Wedding rings on or off? On.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy mixed with moody this week.  

Looking forward to: First appointment with my other doctor on Tuesday!