20 Weeks - It's a.......

 Week 20 Complete

How far along? 20 Weeks and 1 day

Baby is the size of: A banana, around 10 inches long, and last Monday weighed in at 11 oz!

What did the baby develop: Under the vernix caseosa (a protective, waxy coating), squishy's skin is thickening and developing layers. Hair and nail growth continue. Squishy is producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in the bowels, and we'll see it in the first soiled diaper!

Gender: Announce below! Also, Thomas and I did not have a preference or a clue.

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. Although in some clothes, way more then other clothes.

Maternity clothes: I have some, but 90% are still my old clothes.

Stretch marks: Nope.

Sleep: Still going strong! The rental condo was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.

Movement: YEP! I was sitting at work at 9:16 on Tuesday May 17th. How is that for exact? :) And then I promptly had to go to the bathroom. Kiddo was hanging out on my bladder. I have felt squishy move multiple times a day now that I know it isn't just gas. For those of you who said it feels like gas in the wrong place and also a flutter, you win. That is how it feels for me.

Best moment this week: Finding out the sex! Everyone's reactions. My sister Stevi's wedding. And seeing all my family! So many good things this week.

Miss anything: We are officially half way there!
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic. And this week I need to up my salt, and add in Calcium/Magnesium for leg cramps as well as electrolytes as my blood starts to double in the next weeks.
Emotionally Feeling: Good

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Nope. Totally back to normal.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Sweet in the morning.

Symptoms/Side effects: Linea Negra, I have to sit up straight because my abs and uterus are now vying for the same spot. Leg cramps.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: All of your reactions when you hear the sex!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: I got nothing this week.

We had the follow up appointment from our ultrasound last week. Nothing more then what I share below. I do have to start eating more protein daily. So either some almond butter on my apples or a protein shake daily. She did actually say I could have a bowl of ice cream per night instead, but sadly that will be very uncomfortable for me. So almond butter and a shake it is!

20 Weeks! Exactly half way there! I really need to wear clothing that actually shows off my bump for these pics.

 Anatomy Ultrasound Appointment

What an awesome appointment! After getting my vitals taken by the nurse, she had me go to the ultrasound room where Kayla the ultrasound tech did the full anatomy ultrasound. I asked her if I could ask tons of questions because I was so curious about everything, and she said she can tell me where things are, but not if things are wrong. She is not a Dr, she can not diagnose. :) Like I haven't heard that before!

After she started measuring the heart and all that includes, I remembered that I wanted to tell her that we did want to know the gender! A few moments later after she finished measuring and capturing the heart, she found the anatomy and told us. I kept asking her questions through out the whole scan and wrote down measurements. Finally she finished up and then Dr Olson who is a Neonatal OB came in to share the results. She did a quick ultrasound to see a few things for herself and then we chatted.

This wee one's anatomy is 100%. Everything looks amazing and the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid are also perfect. Of course I can't do anything normal, so I have a placenta that is a wee bit different. It is called a circumvallate placenta. Basically it means that y placenta plateau's instead of being a gentle sloped mountain.

This happens in 1% of pregnancies (remember all the other 1% odds I have had?) The Neaonatal OB told me that rarely do people leave without a second appointment from the Maternal Fetal Medicine office, but because she is so not concerned about it, we do not need a second appointment. The 2 things it could affect are a higher incidence of placental abruption and an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (the baby not growing at the normal rate). I talked to my midwife after the appointment and her comment was, normally they don't know people have a circumvallate placenta until birth. So any of the above happening is SO SO rare. And none of us are worrying about it.

The second thing she found was little lakes on the placenta. She said there was no blood flow to them and basically they were just there. And again no reason to worry. I asked if my subchorionic hemorrhage earlier in the pregnancy had anything to do with either of those things. She said no, but she did see debris in the amniotic fluid that was most likely from that.

And... my placenta is in the front (anterior)! Which explains why it has taken me so long to feel this wee one move. And it is no where near the cervix, which was a concern at my 12 week appointment, so I have no worry about having placenta previa, which is when the placenta covers the cervix and you have to have a cesarean because the placenta is literally blocking the cervical opening for the baby to come out. And did you know that the placenta only moves up in pregnancy?  

We chatted a bit more and then left! I saw my midwife right after that, and she was so excited that they did not want to monitor me more. She was sure they were going to micromanage the rest of my pregnancy, and she was just thrilled that they gave me such a clean bill of health that they were trusting me to her care. YAY!! Home free!

The most important measurements that were recorded were:
Heart Rate - 147
Head Circumference - 16.52
Weight - 11 oz
Percentile - 69%, perfect range!!

All that to say,  

It's a boy! Meet Adler James Kucera.

Sweet baby boy of ours.

You can see his little leg sticking up on top!

All 10 toes!

And his little skeleton face.

When Thomas and I heard that and saw the scan, we just looked at each other and grinned. Since neither of us were hard core about one or the other, I think we were just excited to know who this little one was. And the fact that we had 1 boys name, but 3 girls names to choose from, I think we were both just relieved that we didn't have to make a quick decision between the 3. We have both wanted to tell people the sex of the baby and the name right away, so this just made it very easy.

The Reveals

We actually had this ultrasound on Monday May 16th, but since we were seeing all of our family last weekend for my sister's wedding, we thought it would be so fun to share it in person since we have not been able to share anything else in person. It was so much fun to tell everyone, because they were all thinking that they would have to wait until the following week to find out too.

 

 

I baked these cookies and Thomas just handed them to his mom in front of his whole family. She had no idea. She opened the box and read the name. When she still didn't fully understand, Thomas told her to open the box all the way up. When she read the top, she squealed so loud! 

Nephew Kai stomped the eggs and niece Kara got in on the aftermath.

We then revealed it to my family too, with my nephew stomping on eggs that were filled with colored sand. We tried to prep him ahead of time and he finally said it was a boy, but he was having too much fun stomping on all the eggs initially!

I also had a few people who weren't at the other 2 reveals, crack open an egg that said, "It's a..." and then on the inside it was a blue piece of paper that said, "boy! And his name is Adler James!". 

His Name Meaning

We really wanted a first name that was unique, but not weird. And for the middle name, we wanted something that was in the family. 

Thomas found his first name, Adler when he was looking through some vintage posters from the 30's and 40's. He loved the name and when he shared it with me, so did I. It was the name of a bicycle company in the 30's-40's.

Adler is literally the german word for Eagle. 

This was one of their posters! Definitely going up in his room.

James was a name that originally I found because it was my maternal grandfathers name. As I started looking into our family trees though, it is also connected to cousins and uncles on both Thomas and the biological families sides! 

I cannot tell you how much I love that this sweet boy has a name that spans all 3 families. 

Mine, Thomas', and his biological family. 

Just beautiful. 

And EEKKK!!!! We are having a boy!!!

19 Weeks

 Week 19 Complete

How far along? 19 Weeks, 2 day

Baby is the size of: A zucchini, a game boy, or a hedgehog!! Measuring 6" long and 8.5 oz.

What did the baby develop: Developing the vernix, waxy coating to protect squishy's skin from the amniotic fluid and birthing canal. Also the areas of the brain controlling the senses and coordination of muscles are growing and Squishy is growing little hairs.

Gender: You all can guess from the predictions below! One last guess for us all!

How many: 1 little squishy

Showing a bump: I can see it yes. And Thomas can see it too. Other people can at the end of the day after I have had 3 full meals in me.

Maternity clothes: I just bought my first shirt and pair of capri's! But I am still wearing half my normal clothes too.

Stretch marks: Nope.

Sleep: Just switched out my pillows for my side sleeping. Hopefully it will help!

Movement: I have laid on my stomach 4 times over the last week and I swear I feel a little something. For those of you who said it felt like gas in the wrong place. I totally agree with that assessment! High 5 to those of us that are that gassy all the time.

Best moment this week: Having another friends baby shower where I get to celebrate another beautiful baby being made!

Miss anything: I have realized that when you are pregnant, people no longer ask you how you are. They start asking you how you are feeling. Observation of the week.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic
Emotionally Feeling: Happy as a clam.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Nope. Not lately.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Gagging when brushing my teeth still.

Symptoms/Side effects: I have been waking up with headaches. I think I can connect them to not enough water the day before. Working on it! Also, my knees have hurt from the relaxin, but the pillow while sleeping helps and so does walking a few times a week. My back started hurting some, but the biggest thing I keep forgetting to mention is that I have noticed my face doesnt like being hot. Whether it is from walking in hot weather or hot water when I am in the shower, not a fan.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Always happy.

Looking forward to: My sister, Stevi's wedding this weekend!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: I honestly thought that one my belly started growing that it would grow at a much more rapid pace.

19 Weeks!

Here are some fun gender wives tale predictions to lead up to the reveal next week! Any last minute thoughts?!

18 Weeks

 Week 18 Complete

How far along? 18 weeks and 2 days (in the photo and for all this info)

Baby is the size of: A sweet potato, a slingshot, or a croissant. About 5.5 inches long and weighing in about 7 oz.

What did the baby develop: The nervous system and facial features are being fine tuned, and squishy is kicking, rolling, and moving all over the place! Wee one can also yawn, hiccup, and swallow now. The myelin coating on the nerves is developing, which protects and facilitates the brain's communication with the rest of the nervous system.

Gender: Unknown to us.

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: I think so some days and not others. Sweet baby likes to play hide and seek.

Maternity clothes: Nope

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Still sleeping really well with my pillow between my knees.

Movement: I think it may be possible that I felt the little one move Monday night. But I am not 100% sure and I haven't felt anything since then.

Best moment this week: Had my "first" mothers day. It still didn't feel real because I didn't look pregnant on Sunday. But I got a few cards, the perfect gift, a few flowers in church, and then had Indian food. So thankful for the momma who gave me these embryos so I could be a momma.

Miss anything: Missing my large selection of things to wear. My dwindling wardrobe is getting harder and harder to choose from.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic
Emotionally Feeling: Totally normal

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Always loving fruit.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really, no.

Symptoms/Side effects: Random stretching feeling in my abdomen. But pretty much can eat anything now.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Always happy

Looking forward to: Feeling this little one move! I has to happen sooner or later. 
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: They don't tell you that you can be 4 months in, not feel the baby kick, not look pregnant, not feel any symptoms, and still be pregnant. And for most people it is not a big deal, but when you have experienced loss and the loss comes in the form of heart beats stopping almost 2 weeks before you miscarry... it is so very very weird. But is also gives me the grace to simply trust that this little one is perfect, and God has a plan. I have complete peace that this little one is fine and come Oct 10th, give or take a few days or weeks, we will hold in our arms our sweet child. It is a beautiful place to be. Entrusting my kiddos to God, even through this stage. And I realize that most women don't have the thought of loss in their hearts when they are at this stage, but for those of us who do, it is a perfect place to just nestle in His arms, trusting in His beauty. Even if these thoughts just jump in my mind every once in a while, I love that I get the reminders just as often to choose trust.

18 Weeks!

So I have asked you before when you first felt movement, but now I am curious about when other people see or feel movement? Like when did your hubby and families put their hands on your belly to feel your wee one move? I can't wait to share it with Thomas almost as much as I can't wait to experience it myself!

17 Weeks

Week 17 Complete

How far along? 17 weeks and 2 days

Baby is the size of: A game controller, pomegranate, sweet potato, at about 5.5" long, 5 oz.

What did the baby develop: Can hear sounds through the amniotic fluid, similar to how things sound to you underwater. The art of the yawn has been mastered by squishy! Squishy's nervous system is maturing rapidly. Squishy's skeleton is currently made up of cartilage, but it is turning to bone.

Gender: Unknown to us. We will know after 20 weeks!

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It just won't go away now even when I suck in my stomach! The only time is when I am laying on my back.

Maternity clothes: Not yet.

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Still doing well, but also have been using a pillow between my knees and sleeping on my side for months now. And i dont like using a pregnancy pillow yet or a body pillow. Just using 2 normal pillows. We will see how long that lasts!

Movement: Haven't detected the feeling yet.

Best moment this week: The massive amount of stuff Thomas and I completed this weekend. Our deck is finished minus the railing (pics to come soon), our garden is planted with all the sprinklers set up automatically, and I minimized the kitchen! I have always had a nesting problem, now I just get to claim it. :)

Miss anything: Oh yeah! I am now having a war between my upper abs and my uterus when I sit. There is a wall that has become uncomfortable to me. I never would have expected that to be an issue. I just kinda thought my uterus pushed everything out of the way!
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic
Emotionally Feeling: Just fine!

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Not really. Although cold watermelon has been amazing on these hot Tacoma days.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Sweets in the morning are still no good, but I am fine in the evenings now.

Symptoms/Side effects: I am definitely feeling the jelly like feeling in my hips, elbows, and knees.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!!

Looking forward to: Another friends baby shower and more house stuff being done this weekend!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That people get crazy and think you can't do anything that you used to be able to do! I am still careful because I had the bleeding early on, but I am completely cleared and can do 99% of things that I was able to do pre-pregnancy! And honestly, I need to be strong to give birth. So I am going to keep doing what I am doing and prep for this crazy thing called labor. That is work people. Time to train for it.

17 weeks complete!

So tell me what your absolute favorite gender reveal announcements have been! I know it hasn't always been a thing to make a big deal of announcing it, but I do think they are fun!

16 Weeks

Week 16 Complete

How far along? 16 weeks and 2 days.

Baby is the size of: The size of a pickle or an action figure, 4 ½ inches long and weighing 4 ounces

What did the baby develop: The ears that have been moving to the sides of the head (where they belong) over the last few weeks are developed enough that Squishy can probably hear all the sounds that you do. And even though Squishy's eyelids are still sealed, they have matured and developed enough that can detect light through your belly. I might feel the kick or “quickening” for the first time soon. And it was so fun hearing what you all thought it felt like!

Gender: Unknown to us.

How many: 1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Just barely! Although some moments I don't feel like I am still.

Maternity clothes: Not yet. I went shopping for some though, but still don't need them.

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Like a log. I think I need a new pillow when I start sleeping on my side full time though.

Movement: Still haven't felt it although I should any time now!

Best moment this week: My appointment today to hear the heartbeat! Followed closely by my in-law's coming this weekend and the lovely baby shower for my sweet friend Danielle and her little guy Zeke!

Miss anything: Dairy :(  I got so used to it the last month. Body says no again.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic
Emotionally Feeling: Great!

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Nope. Anti sugar though. I had a little bit and still makes me feel yucky.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Sugar. And gagging in the morning. And waiting too long to eat, that made me feel bad a whole day this last weekend.

Symptoms/Side effects: I can definitely feel the results of the relaxin in my knees a lot more lately. And the stretching in my abdomen of my ligaments.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Maybe feeling movement this week.
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That your body can change back just as quickly as it changed in the first place. For example. I was lactose intolerant before pregnancy. I found out in pregnancy that I could eat dairy. And then this weekend that changed. And now I can't any more. I am going to say that Squishy's bones are formed and doesn't need the extra calcium now. And I blame it on the ice cream on sat night combined with the lobster ravioli in cream sauce. Good thing I went out with a bang eating the most delicious food!

16 week baby bump.

On another note, we had our now monthly visit with our midwife. I seriously just love her! We get to chatting and it is just wonderful. Anyway,  all is going well and on track. Baby's heart beat is strong between 150 and 160 beats per minute and just swimming away in there! My uterus has grown and drops off right about where my belly button is. We talked about the C. diff scare at work and what I would need to do if it affected me. And then we talked through maybe adding in a baby asprin because of studies about baby asprin helping out with being at risk for preeclampsia. The only reason I am a higher risk for preeclampsia is because we used IVF. But we will watch that carefully and when I go to the maternal fetal medicine doctor for the ultrasound at the end of the month we will chat through some things with them too. And she was thrilled that I had gained back the 4 lbs I had lost in the first trimester from my bed rest days. Back on track!

All good things! So my question this week is about names. We would love to hear your favorite super unique names (without being objects like Apple) with beautiful meanings. Ready go.

15 Weeks

 Week 15 Complete

How far along? 15 weeks, 2 days

Baby is the size of: A lemon or avocado, about 4 inches long, about 2.5 oz

What did the baby develop: Squishy is practicing how to breath with the amniotic fluid, and can hold up the head in the womb, eyes are moving to the front of the head and ears to the sides, Squishy's legs are finally longer then the arms, and the heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood per day. Squishy can also bend the knees and elbows, and might even be starting to grow hair.

Gender: Unknown to us.

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: I think I am officially showing. It may not be a big bump, but I can no longer suck that little buddy in! I still don't think I have "popped" as they say, but I am showing. 15 weeks was the magic week for me.

Maternity clothes: Not yet, but I have tried on a few different friends pants to get the hang of it, and I have transitioned out of most of my pants. So far I am hanging in there with skirts, 3 pairs of work pants and a pair of jeans. I think the shirt transition will be made soon though, so I don't stretch out all my regular shirts.

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Waking up on average 3 times a night to go to the bathroom which is a lot for me. And I think I found a new pillow formation last night. Hopefully that will help to keep me on my side. I really need to transition away from sleeping on my stomach.

Movement: Not yet.

Best moment this week: Going to San Diego for my sister's Stevi's bridal shower and surprising her! I don't think I have ever surprised anyone like that before and her reaction was the best!! It was also my first and second flight and everything went perfectly smooth.

Miss anything: A full uninterrupted nights sleep. And yes, I know what is coming and I don't want to talk about it.
Medical Help: Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic
Emotionally Feeling: Just fine! Although I did cry on Sunday. That might be the first time for months.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Same 'ol - fruit, but I have also been loving cottage cheese as a snack. And I have been able to eat organic dairy without issues while being pregnant! And I finally got my San Diego breakfast burrito this weekend! 2 of them in fact. Life is good.

Anything making you queasy or sick: The thought of sweets in the morning.

Symptoms/Side effects: I have realized a few weeks ago that I don't like my face being hot or it makes me feel yucky. Gag reflex is WAY better, but still not gone. Linea Nigria. Headaches with sugar.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: My appointment next week! I haven't had an ultrasound or Doppler in 3 weeks and it will be so good to hear little Squishy going strong again!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That you would wake up during the night during the second trimester because you have to pee so often. I thought it ended after the 1st trimester and the sleep went away in the 3rd trimester when you were uncomfortable. Oh learning the unique ways your body responds to this things called pregnancy.

 Baby belly! And our little had been frozen 7 years ago last Monday. Blows my mind.

 My mom, sister Stevi, sister Alyssa and my niece Kara at Stevi's bridal shower.

 Our gorgeous view at the shower!

 Quality time with 2 of my roomies from college and all their kiddos.

OK, question of the week:
For you ladies who have been pregnant, what did it feel like to you when you first felt your baby move? And how far along were you? I am now in the window (14-20 weeks) where people feel their wee one move! And I love hearing everyone's different descriptions of what they thought the movement felt like early on.

14 Weeks

 Week 14 Complete

How far along? 14 weeks and 1 day

Baby is the size of: A beet or a , about 3.5 inches long and has doubled in weight since last week.

What did the baby develop: Hair, the skin is see through to see the blood vessels, immune system is kicking in with the white blood cells being produced, the ability to squint and frown, squishy's liver, kidney's, and spleen are continuing to develop,

Gender: Unknown to us.

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: I see one, but I also see a stomach with a full meal in it.

Maternity clothes: No, but out of my clothes that are tight on my stomach.

Stretch marks: Not yet.

Sleep: I realized that if I nap now, I don't sleep well at night. And my Progessence Plus and lavender lotion I put on my stomach makes me sleep really well at night!

Movement: Not that I can feel yet.

Best moment this week: I got to stop all meds! Now for upping the supplements suggested to me.

Miss anything: I kinda miss my weekly doctors appointments where I got to see squishy move! I don't miss the weekly commitments though.
Medical Help: No meds, but yes taking supplements.
Emotionally Feeling: Still feeling pretty darn good.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Fruit and avoiding sweets.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I discovered this last week that when I don't get enough sleep, I feel yucky all day long.

Symptoms/Side effects: Still have a strong gag reflex in the morning, random pains in the hips, linea nigria, thick hair and not losing much hair.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: A
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: They don't tell you that the move from regular people clothes to maternity clothes doesn't just happen! There is the move from your regular clothes, to only your regular stretchy clothes. And then I am assuming it is what come next, but then you go from the stretchy clothes to maternity clothes? Am I missing something here? And then there is the belly band, the maternity pants with a 2 inch waist and the maternity pants that fully go over your belly. And how do I know what size maternity clothes to by? I mean, I want them to fit, but I also want to grow into them! Gah! SO MANY CHOICES. Clearly I am really struggling with this.

Any of you tall people have favorite places to buy maternity clothes?

First of all, I think this is the cutest thing ever. The estimation of the size of squishy's hand.

One of these days I will pop!

I had a dentist appointment yesterday. Did you know that your insurance usually covers for you to get cleanings every 3 months during pregnancy? One of the reasons is because your gum tissue is often more swollen and likely to bleed because of all  the extra hormones in your body. Another reason is because you might not be able to brush as well because of throwing up or gagging, and your heart burn could be adding more stomach acid to your mouth. Things I didn't know pre pregnancy.

And I finally found a friend that is due only 4 days before me! I finally have a birth month buddy!

By the way, after last weeks survey the results are:
Girl team - 16
Boy team - 14

Almost 50% across the board!