Hiccups!

   I felt hiccups for the first time today!! Rory had them non-stop, but I've only felt them once with this little one so far.

31 Weeks!

Only 64 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!



How Far Along: 31 Weeks
Size of Baby: The size of 4 naval oranges, 16 inches, 3.3lbs
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +21lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yes. I also found my absolute most favoritist, most comfortable pair of maternity jeans that I wore with Rory. They are a little big, but I have still been wearing them!
Movement: All the time! I feel most of the kicks up high and on my sides, so I am hoping that B2 is in head down position.
Sleep: okay. Still constantly rolling over from side to side.
What I miss: Washing the dished without my stomach touching the sink and leaving my shirt soaking wet.
Cravings: No craving
Belly Button: still in. At 26 weeks I guess that it would flatten out around 32 weeks... thats next week, so we shall see.
Symptoms: Off and on achy back, braxton hicks contractions a couple of times a day, frequent urination, strong kicks, no swelling, no headaches, no cramping, no stretch marks. The "line" is getting darker. My boobs are getting heavier and I love the way my boobs fill up my bras right now. Heartburn isn't so constant...in fact, I can go a day or two without any at all. Maybe the baby is sitting lower now?
Highlights from this week: Getting all my Christmas shopping done in record time...3 days before Christmas. I'm usually a Christmas Eve shopper
Here are some maternity pictures from our shoot this past weekend...

30 Weeks...2 1/2 Months Left! Ah!

How Far Along: 30 Weeks
Size of Baby: head of cabbage, 15.7inches, almost 3lbs
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +21lbs
Movement: Constant!!
Sleep: Blah! I'm waking up to pee more often and I am constantly rolling over from side to side.

 Little man was dying to get in the picture so I let him take part

What I miss: The ease of shaving my legs
Cravings: Raisin, Date, & Pecan Oatmeal mixed with Peaches & Cream Oatmeal with strawberries on top! Yum! I've had this combo for breakfast and lunch many days this week!
Symptoms: Heatburn after I take my prenantal vitamin, frequent bathroom stops, pain in my upper stomach (I assume from stretching). No cramping, no swelling, no headaches. I still feel wonderful and have lots of energy!
Highlights from this week: Getting to enjoy baby's movements. I'm not sure if it was due to my busy schedule or the switch to decaf coffee recently, but this kid never stops moving! I mean never! I thought it was moving a good bit before at certain times, like when I'd rest or after a meal. But boy have I been missing out on some action! I just want to sit down or lay on the couch all day to feel the kicks!

30 Weeks Dr.'s Visit

   I met with Dr. Helton toady and everything is moving right along perfectly. I measured exact and baby's heartbeat was 149-155...once again kicking like crazy! He mentioned counting the baby's kicks daily to make sure there were at least 8-9 kicks daily. Caput! I would be worried if thats all there were. Try 108-109 daily. So, its safe to say that B2 is doing just fine!

**Next appointment in two weeks...Dec. 30th**

Great News!

   I finally go a response from the Dean about my "maternity leave" next semester and...it was approved!!!!  This is huge! As nursing students, we are allowed 0 time off, and I mean zero! So I proposed to her that I make up my clinical time in January and a week or two in February before the baby comes. She met with my instructors and my plan has worked! I will double up clinical time and be able to take 4 weeks maternity leave at the end of February!!! Amazing!! I am even more excited now that this weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Ah!! I'm ecstatic.

   Other great news, I passed my Gestational Diabetes test. the results came back normal. Yahoo! What a great weeks so far!

29 Weeks Down!

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

Size of Baby: a butternut squash, 2.5lbs, 15 inches

Total Weight Gained/Lost: +20lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yes. I've outgrown quite a few already :(
Movement: Yes, mostly when I am resting or laying down.
Sleep: Good. I only wake up once to use the bathroom but I constantly roll over from side to side. B2 has also been sleeping well. I haven't been woken up by any kicks or jabs in quite a few nights.
What I miss: Nothing! I bought some Decaf coffee and drink a glass everyday, so that missing link has been filled.
Cravings: Chocolate
Symptoms: Less movement, lots of kicks to the bladder, dark line is getting darker. I did notice one morning this week that I woke up with a swollen face. It was hideous. Heartburn, pressure in lower abdomen, heaviness.  
Highlights from this week: I'm done with my semester and I have 4 weeks to do nothing!! Absolutely Nothing!!!

28 Weeks...Only 3 Months to Go!!!!

Our baby can now hear our voices and can blink its eyes!

   My appointment got moved up for today instead of Monday. I measured exactly 28 weeks and baby's heartbeat was in the 120's. We are both healthy and growing rather quickly!

  Once again, this child of mine let its personality shine...each time Dr. Huff would place the doppler, baby would kick and move to a different spot. It took a few trys to get a clear sound of the heartbeat this time, but it was fun trying!

How Far Along: 28 Weeks
Size of Baby: a Chinese Cabbage, 2.25lbs, 14.5 inches
Total Weight Gained/Lost: 19
Maternity Clothes: Yes
Movement: Yes! I'm pretty sure that B2 is doing some damage in there.
Sleep: Good
What I miss: Not being gawked at!! I know people, I'm huge! No, I'm not expecting twins... and No! They did not miscalculate my due date! I'm short and my stomach is ginormous! I get it. I completely understand that this looks abnormal, but should every pregnant person look the same? I don't think so...
Cravings: Nothing
Symptoms: Lots of energy still, peeing a little more often but its not bothersome yet, no headaches, no cramping, no swelling. I still get out of breath easily. Heartburn is the devil. I have pain in my upper abdomen on the left side and I can't figure out why. Could be related to my growing uterus squishing my insides, but its very uncomfortble.
Highlights from this week: Finishing up clinicals! I'm done with clinical until January and only have one more week of testing until I'm out for the holidays! I can't wait! There is so much to be done!

27 Weeks and the Holidays have Arrived!

How Far Along: 27 Weeks
Size of Baby: a head of cauliflower, 2 lbs, 14.5 inches long
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +18lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yes... and lots of Don's t-shirts
Belly Button: In
Movement: All the time, even throughout the night now
Sleep: Good. I've gone without a nap the past couple of days and I still feel great. Lots of energy.
What I miss: my slimmer face!
Cravings: Oatmeal and strawberries!
Symptoms: Just lots of kicking and heartburn. 
Highlights from this week: Thanksgiving break! We got to spend lots of time with family and each other. We also put up Christmas decorations. For the first year ever, Don helped me string lights on the tree and Rory could not get enough of decorating the tree. He walks by the tree and knocks ornaments off just so he can put them back on the tree. Ha!!

 

Last Monthly Dr.'s Appointment...

   Today, 26 weeks 3 days, was my last monthly Dr.'s appointment! It went well and I will now go back every 2 weeks!! To me this is very exciting. Time goes by so quickly when I have a Dr.'s appointment to look forward to. Baby's heartbeat was in the upper 140's-150's. Everytime Dr. Helton would place the doppler probe on my belly, baby would kick it. It was awesome! They checked my iron and in the next week or so I will have my gestational diabetes screening done. Yum!

   Other great news is I can go back to clinical just 2 weeks after having the baby! This has been a concern for my instructors/dean. They recommended that I take 6 weeks off. What tha?!?  I only have 10 weeks after delivery until graduation. So basically, they were wanting me to postpone graduating until Decemeber. I have been EXTREMELY stressed since my intructor told me this. I mean STRESSED. Anxiety, mood swings, depressed... any of the symptoms associated with freaking out... I had. But haha! Dr. Helton said that if everything goes as planned and I have a normal vaginal delivery then I can get right back to work in 2 weeks. Boo ya! I have a meeting with the Dean on Dec. 6th to discuss "the plan" and hopefully get it approved. Now I pray that I get the go ahead from her and that I have a smooth delivery with no complications!

** Next appointment on Dec. 5th**

26 Weeks and Counting

   26 Weeks and it is almost Thanksgiving! Time is flying by at jet speed! I have only 3 weeks left of class then Christmas break! Yay!! I get almost a month off and I can not wait! Time to spend with my babies...all 3 of them ;)

   Right now I truly love being pregnant! The bigger I get the more I love it. Ha! Crazy, I know. I don't like to weigh myself or watch my face get more round, but I do love to watch my belly grow!! Rory loves my growing belly too! He is obsessed. He will randomly come up and rub on my belly or hug it or kiss it or just raise my shirt up and look at it. It is very heartwarming. My little baby isn't so little anymore...I'm about to have another little baby! Ahh!!

 How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Size of Baby: an English hothouse cucumber? 1.75lbs, 14 inches.

Total Weight Gained/Lost: +16-17lbs
Maternity Clothes: yes. I sometimes wear the same jeans 2 days in a row. Sue me...

Movement: Yup 

Sleep: Blah. I don't sleep good but I don't wake up tired either so I guess I shouldn't really complain. I've been rolling onto my back every single night lately and I am constantly waking up to roll back onto my side. Why do I do this?!?

What I miss: Can I use beer again?? I asked Don to get some non-alcoholic beer at his next liquor store visit and I am sad to so there is no such thing as completely alcohol free beer. Not in Carrollton anyways. O'Doul's is "non-alcoholic" but still has 0.5% alcohol content so I can't wont drink it. Tear

Cravings: It varies, nothing in particular. I don't crave salt anymore which is good. I notice that when I eat it my face is a little more filled out... a little swole if you will. So I have tried to lay off the salt. For now.

Symptoms: My nipples are really sensitive again, but not sore. I feel great! Heartburn is bothersome but I've become accustom to it. My appetite is back to normal. I don't have to eat everything in sight. Occasional pain in my lower left side and my back/hip aches if I sit or walk too long. My belly button is only about 1/2 an inch deep now. I give it 6 weeks to flatten out. It never stuck out with Rory, just evened out with my stomach. The dark line has not developed yet either but I can barely barely see it in the light. No headaches, no cramps, no stretch marks, no constipation, no urinary frequency. Life is good!

Highlights from this week: Finished my first 5K since being pregnant! It was super cold outside but it was lots of fun! I completed the race with my mother and sister. All 3 of us placed in our age categories. It felt great!

Caught off guard. Look at that baby...

25 Weeks, Eek!

                                                                                                               (25w3d)

How Far Along: 25 Weeks

Size of Baby: 13.5 inches, 1.5lbs+

Total Weight Gained/Lost: 16lbs. Holy cow! Thats a lot of weight gained since last week. Tear

I have been craving eating lots of ice cream and cheesecake lately. I have also been told numerous times this week that my belly has grown this week. I had a lady at Rory's school ask me when I was due...I told her February...her response... "oh!" and that was that. Good thing I'm not one of those emotional psychotic pregnant women. And good thing I don't get my feelings hurt easily.

Maternity Clothes: Of course

Movement: Yes
Sleep: Great
What I miss: Running :(
Cravings: Milky Ways
 Symptoms: Nothing to complain about. Same as usual. No headaches, no cramps, no discomfort. My back and hip hasn't hurt in a few weeks, yay! I pee like a non-pregnant person vs. someone with incontinence. I am still going to the bathroom without the use of laxative, woo hoo! I occasionally get short of breath from putting my pajamas on and crawling in bed
Highlights from this week: making it to 25 weeks! Ah! 15 weeks to go.

24 Weeks Down, 16 To Go!

* This week alone our baby has gained 4-6 ounces!



Whats going on inside: 24 Weeks



How Far Along: 24 Weeks

Size of Baby: an ear of corn. 1.5lbs, 12 inches.Total Weight Gained/Lost: +13

Maternity Clothes: Yes and will be buying some more soon.

Movement: All the time! If the kicks are comparative to this baby's size...its going to be one huge baby!

Sleep: Great!

What I miss: The sauna. I only used it every now and then after a really tough workout, but now that I can't use it, I can hear it calling my name every single time I'm at the gym.

Cravings: cocoa almonds

Symptoms: Same ole same. I'm not crampy, not peeing all the time, sleeping great. I can't really complain. I do have pressure on my bladder occasionally that makes me uncomfortable for a few seconds, but thats it. 

Highlights from this week: Attending my arobics class that I was religious about pre-pregnancy. I have missed the heck out of some step intervals so this week I talked to my intructor and started back!! It went great! I had decided to lower my step bench to decrease my risk of tripping or falling, but other than that I was able to do just about every exercise with very little modification!! It was wonderful! I'm looking so forward to going back next week. I knew I missed it, but I had no idea that I missed it this much!

23 Weeks and I Feel Great!!

How Far Along: 23 Weeks
Size of Baby: a large mango. 11inches, 1lb+
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +12 lbs, ah! I'm dying!
Maternity Clothes: yes
Movement: All the time, usually around the same time each day

 And yes, my stomach/back/hips/whatever is still as crooked as ever! 

Sleep: great!
What I miss: Lots and lots of coffee. I drink a cup here and there and it goes down like water. I wish I could drink it all the time, especially with all the delicious holiday flavors!
Cravings: Sweets, chocolate. I'm hoping this craving will go away soon
Symptoms: Nothing new this week. I feel great 
Highlights from this week: Welcoming our new cousin, Aspen, into the world this weekend! She was born on the 22nd and is oh so beautiful! Her and B2 will be best of friends! She is also an angel which I hope will rub off on our little one!

HALFWAY!!! 22 Weeks!!!

   Yippee do dah!! I'm 22 weeks pregnant today and absolutely cannot believe I only have 18 weeks left to go! These first 18 have gone by so incredibly fast. I better start finish my projects sooner than later! Time to quit procrastinating!


   I have felt so good this week. Other than my growing belly and kicks and flips I feel constantly, I don't even feel pregnant. This was the time with Rory when I really started to LOVE being pregnant, and I can feel that sensation coming back. As much as I hate to watch the number rise on the scale, I love to watch my belly grow and to think about the amazing things that are going on inside of me! I have always said that I want lots of kids, so hopefully after this baby gets here I will still feel the same way. I love being pregnant (once the "baby bump" finally arrives) and I love being a mother! Everything about both is so exciting and so rewarding.


   This weekend a best friend of mine, Laurie Kaye, got married. She was hands down the most beautiful bride that I have ever seen. She looked like a bride out of a 1960's vintage wedding magazine! I was a bridesmaid in the wedding and it always feels so good to watch someone else tie the knot and unite as one. Marrying Don was one of the happiest days of my life, even though we were only in front of a judge at the courthouse instead of 200+ people. My life has not been the same since and it keeps getting better!

 How Far Along: 22 weeks, halfway, 124 days to go

Size of Baby: a spaghetti squash, 1pound, 11 inches. Baby is starting to look like a minature newborn

Total Weight Gained/Lost: +10

 Maternity Clothes: yep

 Movement: all the time. Baby has gotten on a schedule and I always feel some major kicks right before bedtime. Its so nice to fall asleep to.

Look at this little cutie who tried to sneek into the picture...

Sleep: Good. I wake up once or twice to go to the bathroom or to a big kick to the stomach, but sleep is good.

What I miss: My pre-preggo body

 Cravings: sweets; chocolate, coffee, corn flake candy

Symptoms: I'm still exhausted most days. I could eat 24-7. Headaches have been absent for a week or so. Heartburn has also been on vacay. I don't constantly have to go the bathroom anymore which has ben nice (unless I drink lots of water)

Highlights from this week: hearing B2's heartbeat again.

Monthly Dr. Appointment

I went to the Dr. today for my 22 week appointment. Everything looks great. Heartbeat was in the 140's and was heard very clearly.

* Next appointment will be in 4 weeks, on Nov. 18th

21 Weeks Today!

   Today I am 21 weeks pregnant, almost halfway with just 131 days to go! This week has been more than great. My stress level has decreased tremendously now that school has slowed down. I have felt great and for the first time just sat back and enjoyed my pregnancy for more than 5 minutes! Baby is kicking with steel-toe boots I swear! I jump sometimes because the kicks are so intense. I can see the kicks and punches from the outside and I watch them all the time. It never gets old. After I eat, my stomach gets incredibly tight and almost feels like it is contracting!

   
   Speaking of contracting, I occasionally feel braxton hicks contractions. So crazy. I never noticed them with Rory and even when they were super intense around 38-39 weeks, I just assumed it was him stretching out in there. Now that I have experienced what they feel like, I can pick them up already. I had no idea they began this early on!

    For some reason this week I have started calling the baby a him. Don brought this to my attention. I'm not sure if it just comes natural or if its a sign. I have a hunch that its a boy, but I'm not 100% positive. Not even 75% positive. Just 50% ;) I don't want to get my mind set on either gender because I couldn't care less if baby has a wee-wee or a va-jay-jay, so I'm trying to dismiss these thoughts as soon as they arise.

   I am going to clean out some more of the "nursery" today and the rest of this weekend. I want to get the closet completely cleaned out as well as all the small furniture moved out. I mentioned painting the ceiling to Don and his response... "It's time to give Steve a call" <--- Thats our painter. So, my cheap, tight wad, penny pinching husband will not splurge on *ANYTHING, but he will pay for someone to come paint one little ceiling that he could easily paint himself!?! What the heck? I have no doubt that if I would offer to paint it myself he would totally let me. ha! That's not right.

*I exaggerate with his frugalness only because money burns a whole in my pocket. He's not as bad as I make him sound:)

How Far Along: 21 Weeks

Size of Baby: a bottle of root beer! 10.5 inches, and 12+ ounces

 Total Weight Gained/Lost: +9

 Maternity Clothes: Yes, plus the few winter shirts I found that still fit
Movement: holy, baby kicks! Beginning just yesterday, B2's kicks have quadrupled in intensity and frequency. Baby's got some muscle I tell ya'!

Sleep: Blah. I've been going to bed super early and getting more sleep than in the past few weeks, but I'm having anxiety. I've woken up just about every night this week after a crazy dream and been unable to go back to sleep for an hour or two. I will think about every single thing that isn't done or needs to be done before I fall back asleep. Its driving me nutzo!

What I miss: Sleeping on my back, It feels so good to roll onto my back for a minute or two

Cravings: Pasta with vinagarette again! I ran out of vinagarette the other night and it brought tears to my eyes!

Symptoms: heartburn, ligament pain, anxiety, frequent peeing

Highlights from this week: Feeling baby kick harder and more often! I have been able to sit down and watch and feel the movements this week and it amkes my heart warm!

   Check out these two pics! When I say that my belly changes constantly, I mean it. These pics were taken just minutes seconds apart. The one on the right was taken first, I thought my torso looked extremely short so I folded my shirt and jeans one more time and wha-la! Crazy what a difference just seconds make.

So this post is really long. I know. But I must tell you about my new finds!! If you know my name then you know that I LOVE yard sales!! I always find something that I am totally proud off. It does take some motivation to get me out of bed at 6:30am on Saturday mornings, but I do love them (I just wish they started at like 9:00). I have found quite a few things for the baby's room and it makes me so proud! Take a look... a changing table, crub skirt, bumber pad, and some onesies. I got all these for $25.25! Thats not a deal, thats a steal! Anyone up for tagging along next weekend? I've got a truck,..

Nursery Breaks Ground for Baby #2!

   Hallelujah! Today I decided to suck it up and attack the extra bedroom a.k.a soon to be nursery. Whoo! I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Don lent a hand as well and cleaned out his closet and made way for my stuff to move in. He got rid of tons of stuff that we were able to consign and donate to goodwill! But on to the extra bedroom...the poor extra bedroom. The armoire, the shelves, the nightstand, and everything in between were full and covered with books and notebooks! The dust was an inch thick I swear. I should have taken a picture before I got started to show just how similar it looked to an old library. An old ghetto library.

   I got all the books put into a bin for later use and cleaned out all my notebooks with previous notes from Microbiology, Psychology, and Anatomy classes. I thought for sure I would reference them during my nursing student career, but I have yet to so far so I chunked them---well, recycled them. I also had tons of charts and documents from the hospital that had to be shredded. I hate shredding stuff!! I had 8 empty notebooks after the emptying and donated them to Don's students. So, finally, the shelves and anything that could possibly hold books or papers or anything of the sort has been cleared out!! Hooray!!! All the furniture is empty and ready to be moved. It took about 4 hours to complete the task, but that part is done. Its a start. I now feel a small bit of relief and feel as though we may actually get the nursery done before the baby gets here. Next task...cleaning out the closet and painting the ceiling.. AHH!!! Who knows when we will start that.

**I'll make sure to take pictures of the ceiling before I paint it just so everyone can have a chance to see how hideous it truly is. Heck, I'll post pictures as we go from this point on just so I can see the before and after. It will be an Extreme Makeover for sure.

20 Weeks... Halfway, but not really!

    20 Weeks...whoo. I remember thinking when I was only 6 or 7 weeks about how nice it would be to be in the double digits (10+ weeks). Now that I am 20 weeks, I almost wish time would slow down. Of course I'm ready to see our baby and hold it and all that good stuff, but I'm not ready for this pregnancy to be over. I don't feel like I've really gotten to enjoy it yet.

   Most people consider 20 weeks halfway; however, I do not. I found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks (a day or two before actually). I've  only known I was pregnant for 16 weeks, but I still have 20 left to go!? So you see, I'm not quite halfway. At 22 weeks I will have been pregnant for 18 weeks and at that point only have 18 more weeks to go! AhHH!

How Far Along: 20 Weeks
Size of Baby: A banana! Textbook says...10 inches, 10.5 ounces but this healthy baby is already 12+ ounces!
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +9, 1lb shy of what my start weight was with Rory.
Maternity Clothes: Yep
Movement: All the time, but more intensely in the evenings
Sleep: Great! Rory had fall break and one of my clinical days was cancelled, so I got to sleep in a few days this week and catch up on some much needed ZZzzs. Its been great!
What I miss: Running again :( The weather has cooled off and it sure would be nice to lace up my shoes and run out the front door.
Cravings: Chocolate and jelly (peach or strawberry)
Symptoms: Nothing new at all. I pee all the time. My headaches come and go. Heartburn hasn't been so bad this week, but it does drop in occasionally after dinner. My belly is getting even more firm and round. It doesn't flatten when I lay down anymore :( My cheeks are also filling in. Chubby chipmunk cheeks are here!
Highlights from this week: Seeing our sweet baby on the u/s. I can't stop looking at the pictures they gave us!

20 Week Ultrasound!

   Today's ultrasound went wonderfully! B2 is growing so incredibly fast and was almost too large to capture from head-to-toe in one picture. Heartbeat was excellent at 138 as baby was yawning. It was so sweet! I measured to the exact date that I should, 19w5d.
   
  The U/S tech asked immediately if I wanted to know the sex. The answer was still no. We also opted out of the 4D u/s. Not only would that most likely reveal the sex, it would also show us what the baby looks like. We want that to be a surprise as well :) The sonographer showed me everything that she could, then had me look away while she captured the "private" shots. I still got to see baby's legs and belly and all that good stuff, so I didn't miss out on anything by opting out of the gender confirmation. She assured me that she was the only one who would know the sex and that she would probably forget by the end of the day. The sex is not documented so no one else knows which is great!! I was a little paranoid about the Dr. slipping up during one of our routine visits. Eek! That would be devastating!

    I am even more excited now thinking about birth day so I can find out what this little nugget is! Hurry up February! Oh... the biggest surprise... baby weighs 12 ounces now!! Wow!

The super excited Big Brother!

Next appointment is Oct. 20th

19 Weeks and E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D!!

Baby's kidneys are fully functioning and producing urine this week! Time to start buying diapers!

How Far Along: 19 Weeks
Size of Baby: a large heirloom tomato. 8.5 ounces, 6 inches! Baby has gained some weight since last week.
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +7 but it feels more like 50!! I feel like a swollen fat log lately. Blah...
Maternity Clothes: Yes Yes. I've also been wearing some old jeans with rubber band/button trick. Works quite well and gives me a few more options to wear
Movement: Yes. I can tell that baby is gaining muscle mass due to the intense kicking thats been going on. I also felt baby move from one side of my stomach to the other this week... a flip maybe?Felt like the foot was pointed and drug across the inside of my stomach.
Once again, no belly picture this week. I haven't had time to think about it honestly. I'll get back on track soon-- although the belly is getting pretty huge and not so cute without my shirt to cover it up. I'm going to start posting a picture in my outfit and a picture with the bare belly starting next week. It makes such a difference. I'm much larger than this picture shows!

Sleep: I sleep extremely well, but don't get to sleep very much anymore ;( I've been unable to nap this week and have woken up between 4-5am every morning this week for school or clinical. That- I do not like!
What I miss: Octoberfest beer!! It is my absolute most favoritist thing this time I year and I would give anything for just one little sip.

Okay, you caught me.

 You know I've already had a sip :) What I really want is the whole bottle!
Cravings: Chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!
Symptoms: Heartburn has arrived!! I've already eaten a few tums before bedtime and I'm sure I will be tipping the bottle very soon. (I had it really bad with Rory too, but I don't remember it beginning so early). My headaches have also eased beck into the picture--I blame it on the lack of sleep!! Each day it gets worse until I get a good nights rest and then it goes away. I am peeing all the time!! This symptom took a backseat for a few weeks but now is back. Its been a really hard week to say the least!
Highlights from this week: To be honest, this week was horrible so I can't recall any new highlights. Of course, its always nice to feel baby kicking! 
*By the end of this week, B2 will officially have eyebrows.

18 Weeks!

I forgot to get a belly picture this week but managed to take some sort of photo. This is Rory and I at "Touch a Truck"--they let kids come and touch tractors, fire trucks, abulances, motorcycles, etc. It doesn't show the belly to much, but you can kinda sorta see the pooch

How Far Along: 18 Weeks
Size of Baby: a bell pepper! 5.5 inches, 7 ounces
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +6 Eeek!
Maternity Clothes: Yes. I can fit into one or two pair of pants with the beband, but they are no longer comfortable. I have officially made the switch to all maternity clothes!
Movement: All the time!
Sleep: Great! I have had zero time to nap lately so I have been sleeping so wonderfully during the night!
What I miss: Exercising hard core :( I miss going to my classes at the gym. I seriously get teary eyed thinking about how much I miss them. For 1. They do movements that I cannot or should not do anymore and 2. They get my heartrate up to high (so I feel). Sure is sad. the eliptical and treadmill just don't cut it for me.
Cravings: Nutella! 
Symptoms: Hip pain!! I can't take it anymore! I mean seriously!! My body has done this before, so why is it acting as though this is its first time?!? My hips did not go back to their pre-pregnancy shape after Rory; therefore, they should be pre-set for this one, right?
Highlights from this week: Hearing the heartbeat! That has been the one and only highlight of this week!

Dr.'s Appointment--18 Weeks

   I was extremely disappointed today when I went to the Dr. and waited 45 minutes only for them to listen to B2's heartbeat with the dang doppler!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, I was more than disappointed. I was MAD! For some reason they did not do an ultrasound today and I go back in two weeks to see this sweet baby of mine on screen! 2 weeks feels like a long time. It has already been 8 weeks since I saw it last, so 10 weeks is a bit ridiculous I think.

   The Dr.'s appointment went great. Baby is measuring right on track (two fingerbreaths below the umbilicus to be exact--- a little medical terminolgy I've learned during clinical this quarter). Ha! The heartbeat sounded strong in the 140's and baby has moved up a bit since my last visit and is located closer to my belly button than my waisteline. Wahoo! Baby's growin' like a weed!

   Next appointment is on Oct. 5th for the unltrasound and then I will go for my normal check 2 weeks following that on Oct. 20th. I'm disappointed that I didn't get the u/s at this visit; however, having two appointments to look forward to over the next month is very exciting!

17 Weeks!

   17 weeks is here and I can't believe it. Looking back, its hard to believe it has already been 13+ weeks since I took the pregnancy test. It feels like maybe a month ago at most. Wowzers.

   This weeks has been busy busy. School has picked up the pace and I can't seem to get ahead. I'm starting to get anxiety--seriously. I am really getting worried about the baby's room getting done it time because well... I haven't even started. Right now, the future nursery serves as an extra bedroom with grey walls, black furniture, clouds painted on the ceiling, and a closet stuffed full of my clothes. Most of my anxiety is thinking about what I am going to do with all that stuff, not necessarily finding new stuff to put in there.

   First and foremost, the clouds MUST go. They were also on the ceiling in Rory's room and I painted over them as many times as I could. Yuck! When I was 5, I may have thought they were pretty cool but not anymore. Good riddens blue clouds!! Next is to apply beadboarding on all 4 walls. This is something that Don wants no part in so, as usual, I will do it  myself. I did Rory's room without any help, so I can do this one too I suppose. But when?? I am SOOOO incredibly busy and stressed!! My week days are filled with class, lab, clincals, etc. and my weekends are spent studying and making up time with Rory. Whoo... I need to breath for just a minute but there is no time.

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Size of Baby: a turnip! 5 inches, 5 ounces  <---finally, baby has grown enough to maybe give me an excuse for this rather large bump I'm sportin' around

Total Weight Gained/Lost: +5
Maternity Clothes: Mainly just pants, but starting to wear my maternity shirt more often.

Movement: Oh yeh and its great.

Sleep: Really good. Not to jinx myself, but I've only been waking up once every night to go pee

What I miss: My period!!

Ha! Thats a joke. My period would normally start around this time, but in your face Kotex!-- I have 5 more months before I have anything coming out down there! Boo ya!

Cravings: Syrup. The salt craving has diminished and I'm moving back over to the sweet side.

Aversions: None. If I don't develop something to put in this slot soon, I'm going to delete this dang question.

Symptoms: Exhaustion, irritability, mood swings (stay away from me), hungry every second of every day, mild cramping every now and again, mild headaches

Highlights from this week: Working out again. I went a week or two without doing too much so this week I finally paid a visit to the gym and it felt great to be back!

At Nicki's Baby Shower



Baby Got Back!

   So B2 has returned and is kicking more often and stronger than ever. I went the past week not feeling kicks too often or not being able to distinguish them from gas or indigestion, but today...baby got back! B2 is in a position where I feel the flips and kicks all the time. I even felt them in class today which made those excruciating 4 hours much more enjoyable :)

Dr. Helton rescheduled my appointment for next week, so now it is one day sooner! AHH! Sept. 22 is now the date. They will confirm the sex on this date, but it will not be disclosed!! This is exciting to us, but seems to irk everyone else's tater!

I already know what everyone has to say... Thats stupid....You're not going to be able to plan...What about the baby's room?... What if its a girl?...yadda yadda blah blah! We have made up our minds, so these comments and questions are not necessary!


 It would be nice to know the sex, of course. But I'm not a planner, never have been. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. I like to just wing things. Instead of getting exciting about finding out the sex 5 months before we actually meet the baby and planning for its arrival, I am way more excited thinking about how amazing and wonderful its going to be when we get to see our beautiful baby, whatever it may be, on birth day!! 

  Don wants to find out the sex but he knows that he will let it slip or  buy something for baby so he has agreed to hold off until birth day too! Yay! I'm so proud of him. This is a huge step for him. He is such a planner--- borderline OCD!!! I know he's dying inside to find out so he can get things together, but I thinks its good to go against the grain every now and then. For once, he can't plan for something. He is so nervous not knowing! It almost makes me laugh (but not out loud of course) There is a 50% chance that its a girl, and according to him he needs months to prepare for that!! However, I think he will do just fine :) Only 5+ months left...

16 Weeks, Yay!!

How Far Along: 16 Weeks
Size of Baby: an avocado. 41/2 inches (crown to rump) and 31/2 ounces
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +4 lbs. Holy crap! Thats 3 lbs in 2 weeks! I probably need to slow my roll. I haven't been eating that much, but I've been eating WAY more sweets than normal. I've also been putting my exercise regimen on the back burner. Now that its getting cooler outside, I plan on starting back up!
 Maternity Clothes: Maternity pants
I did not put on lipstick for this picture, I have extremely chapped lips

Movement: Every now and then. I think that baby may have changed postitions on me because I only feel movements occasionally. Some days I don't feel baby at all.
Sleep: Really good. I've been rolling onto my back during the night a lot lately which is not good. I think I'm going to invest in another body pillow for my backside. I seriously just need a king size bed all to myself!
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach 
Cravings: Salt!! Lots of salt!! I know its terrible for me, but I do not care. This craving will be short lived so I am covering everything I eat with salt. I may start to swell soon...
Lunch...with a side of salt

Aversions: None
Symptoms: exhaustion, achy-breaky back pain, nasal congestion, cramping, ligament pain
Highlights from this week: Nothing stands out right now. This week went so fast I can hardly even remember what days I did what.

15 Weeks!

I totally look like trailor park in this picture, but I just got out of the shower and it dawned on me that we hadn't taken a picture this week. So, this is what you get....
(15w3d)

How Far Along: 15 weeks
Size of Baby: an apple! Approx. 4 inches, 2.5 ounces
Total Weight Gained/Lost: I'm on strike! I am not getting on the scale until next week! I have been eating like a fat cow this week and I do not even want to know where that has gotten me. I feel like I've put on a few lbs, but to see it on the scale will be devastating. I'll post next week after I detox from all the chocolate pie and pudding I've been eating this week.
Maternity Clothes: Yessir! Mainly just maternity pants. My shorts and tees still fit, so thats what I wear most days.
Movement: Yes and I love it!
Sleep: Eh... it could be better. If I could wear a catheter every night it would be great!!
What I miss: ?
Cravings: Trail Mix. I ate at least half a bag (the big bag) of mix yesterday in one sitting. Unless I want my kid to have an allergy to nuts or possibly asthma, I probably need to lay off the nuts...
 Aversions: None
Symptoms: Exhaustion has struck again, frequent urination, headaches, back/hip aches, muffin-top, movement
Highlights from this week: Clinical! Weird, I know. This has nothing to do with my pregnancy, but it is baby-related.

I am currently in my Parent-Child rotation, so I will be spending 150 clinical hours between the L&D, Nursery, and Post-Partum units at Tanner. That just tickles me silly!!
This was my first week and I was placed in the Nursery. Oh my lordy! I will probably need a double-dose of botox to rid the creases on my face! I could not stop smiling! I got to assess the newborns, listen for abnormal heart sounds, give baths, shots, feedings, and just stare at those beautiful creatures all day long. It was not just the highlight of my week, but of my life!! I could literally see where my future lies! Right there in that nursery! It warmed my heart and gave me anxiety all at the same time! After that, I am so ready for my little canoodle to be here!! Is it February yet?