Belly Progress

So, I haven't been great about taking pictures of myself b/c honestly, there just hasn't been much of a difference until just recently. So here are the 3 pictures I have taken:

So here I am at 6, 12, and 18 weeks. I'm really glad that I took the picture at 6 weeks b/c I can't remember what I looked like before getting so thick around the middle.

Now, about that 12 week picture. Don't let that fool you folks, that right there is about 95% bloat and 5% expanding uterus.

And finally we have the 18 week picture. I would not say that I have yet "popped" (i.e. nice round pregnant belly), but there is definitely a baby in there. Unfortunately, I think that I'm still at that stage that if you didn't know I was pregnant you might just think I'm fat in my midsection. Oh well, we'll get there!

This, My Friends, is a Sweet Potato!

I've added a title b/c Angie says she didn't know what the picture was!

Our baby has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to me), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that I should be able to feel those movements soon!

How far along? 18 weeks!


Weight Loss/Gain? Back down 6 pounds below start weight. I don't know what happened between this week and last week.

Maternity Clothes? I CAN still fit in my jeans and even button the button! (though that is not a good idea)HA!


Stretch Marks? Humpf!


Sleep? Sleeping fine, but definitely still getting up to pee!


Best moment this week? I used my doppler last night and found the heartbeat immediately! That wasn't the best part though. The best part was how strong and loud it was!


Food cravings? Still milk.


Gender: It will remain boy until I find out anything different.


Labor signs? Thankfully, no.


Belly button, in or out? In (ew, about thinking about it being out)


What I miss? Not feeling tired.


What am I looking forward to? TUESDAY TUESDAY TUESDAY TUESDAY TUESDAY!!!!


Weekly wisdom? Kill 'em with kindness.

Little did I know...

When I used to think about being pregnant and what it would be like, I used to think about puking. I mean, isn't that what all the movies, TV shows, and books highlight as the misery of being pregnant? Are there very many that don't have that iconic image of puking over a toilet bowl during the 1st trimester stuck in their heads?

Well, I can say that I was very lucky dodging that bullet. While I did have nausea, I only threw up a little one time in an idiotic attempt at brushing the back of my tongue (I'm not sure what I was thinking there).

Forget throwing up! What they should be focusing on and stressing is how freaking tired you are all. the. time. And it isn't just a tad sleepy, but sheer exhaustion. I can honestly say that I didn't even know the meaning of fatigue or exhaustion before being pregnant. It is pure torture trying to teach 3rd graders all day when all I can think about is taking my coat, curling up in the corner and sleeping. I nap on my breaks and I nap at lunch, but they are just short enough to not be satisfying. Then when I get home I take a 3 hour nap, wake up for 2 or 3 hours and then go to bed for the night.

Sleep has become my heroin and I never feel quite satisfied. And what makes me really angry is when people say that they didn't think the fatigue was "that bad" when they were pregnant (or some variation of that). Well, talk to me about your stupid morning sickness and I can tell you that I didn't think that that was "that bad!"

Sooooooo they say that the 2nd trimester is the honeymoon phase of pregnancy. It is when all of your energy returns and you feel fantastic. I'm almost convinced that this is a myth. I'm well into my 2nd trimester and I haven't gotten back ANY of my energy!

My biggest fear is that it never will return and I'm forgetting to remember what it feels like to not feel tired.

The Only Onion I've Ever Loved

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints!

How far along? 17 weeks!


Weight Loss/Gain? I'm back to my starting weight. Hey! how'd that happen?

Maternity Clothes? I might not fit in my jeans anymore, I haven't tried them since last week. (I'm frightened)


Stretch Marks? It is official. The tips of some of my old friends have begun to turn pink. No new ones of course, but seriously? How fair is it to get such crappy skin?


Sleep? I'm now back to getting up in the middle of the night at least once. However, I think it is b/c I get so thirsty at night!


Best moment this week? I think just getting through the week was the best part.


Food cravings? Still milk. Hmmm this could explain the weight gain...


Gender: It will remain boy until I find out anything different.


Labor signs? Thankfully, no.


Belly button, in or out? In (ew, about thinking about it being out)


What I miss? I've really been wanting some red wine.


What am I looking forward to? All I can think about is our big ultrasound on Feb. 2nd!!!


Weekly wisdom? Forget being patient! I want to know NOW!

It's a Guacamol!

I must say that, I think of an orange as being bigger than an avocado, but whatevs man!

Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

How far along? 16 weeks!


Weight Loss/Gain? The same

Maternity Clothes? I'll probably need to start wearing my maternity jeans, but some of the dresses look funny b/c I don't have a bump to fill them.


Stretch Marks? The old ones are still pretty suspicious characters and I'm now more than convinced the tips of them are turning pink. Bastards!


Sleep? I'm STILL SO TIRED! I haven't had to get up to pee in the middle of the night as much, but I do wake up with an aching bladder.


Best moment this week? Birthday celebrations!


Food cravings? I ACHE for milk. It's crazy. I drank half of a gallon today. Oops!


Gender: It will remain boy until I find out anything different.


Labor signs? Thankfully, no.


Belly button, in or out? In (ew, about thinking about it being out)


What I miss? Nothing this week.


What am I looking forward to? All I can think about is our big ultrasound on Feb. 2nd!!!


Weekly wisdom? One step at a time.

Orange you happy to see me!?

Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out measure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Our little one is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb.


How far along? 15 weeks!


Weight Loss/Gain? I didn't weigh myself today but at my Dr. appt. it was about the same.


Maternity Clothes? Still wearing my own jeans, but they are getting tougher to zip!


Stretch Marks? The old ones are still pretty suspicious characters.


Sleep? I'm STILL SO TIRED! I thought this was supposed to get better!


Best moment this week? Grant bringing me lunch at work on my birthday.


Food cravings? Milk. I want milk all of the time. I think it's b/c the baby is stealing my calcium.


Gender: It will remain boy until I find out anything different.


Labor signs? Thankfully, no.


Belly button, in or out? In (ew, about thinking about it being out)


What I miss? Large amounts of caffeine


What am I looking forward to? All I can think about is our big ultrasound on Feb. 2nd!!!


Weekly wisdom? People can take their unsolicited advice and shove it!

The baby is the size of a lemon! It's crazy to think that not too long ago we just had a little poppy seed and blueberry. I can't believe how much the baby has grown!

Our adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.


How far along? 14 weeks!


Weight Loss/Gain? I'm too lazy to get up to weigh myself, but yesterday I was sill down 5 pounds from my starting weight. I'm surprised the holidays didn't change that.


Maternity Clothes? Here and there


Stretch Marks? I could swear that some of my old faded ones are looking a smidgen pinker, but I could just be staring at them too long.


Sleep? I've been sleeping a crazy amount of time during this break.


Best moment this week? Ringing in the New Year with my favorite people and realizing that this is the year that our little one is going to be born!


Food cravings? I don't feel like I'm really craving anything, except maybe blue Gatorade.


Gender: I'm back to thinking boy.


Labor signs? Thankfully, no.


Belly button, in or out? In (ew, about thinking about it being out)


What I miss? I'm really missing energy drinks b/c I'm scared about going to work in the sleepy state I seemed to be in at all times.


What am I looking forward to? I have an appointment on Friday, I'm excited to get to hear the babies heartbeat and I'll know for sure if February 2nd is the day of our next ultrasound.


Weekly wisdom? Patience is a virtue!


Milestones: I made my first baby purchase, though it might be useless if we are having a boy.