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!

13 Weeks

 Week 13 Complete

How far along? 13 weeks 2 days.

Baby is the size of: Matchbox car, clown fish, the length of a pea pod. About 3 inches long.

What did the baby develop: Bones are growing, nose and lips are completely formed, wee one is starting to practice both breathing and peeing, intestines are going into their permanent home inside the wee one's body, vocal cords are developing, there are little finger prints there now! Also, covering squishy's skin is a fine, soft hair called lanugo.

Gender: Unknown to us. If its a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries.

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Some days I feel yes, and other days I just feel bloated, then days like today I don't think I am showing at all!

Maternity clothes: Nope.

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Still sleeping well and only took 1 nap at work this week to have my boss laugh at me.

Movement: Not that I can feel yet!

Best moment this week: The first day I didn't have to get the progesterone shot!

Miss anything: I got to walk and really exercise a few days this week! Love starting to feel strong again!
Medical Help: Weened down to every other day shot and estrogen tablet for the remainder of this week then DONE!
Emotionally Feeling: Totally fine.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Not really. Still loving the fruit.

Anything making you queasy or sick: People cooking things at work in the microwaves in the morning and at lunch. Brutal.

Symptoms/Side effects: Sadly lost my breakfast at work for the first time this last week. And I have been gagging more, but the standing on 1 foot while brushing my teeth has really helped! Oh and I do a plie when rinsing after I brush. That helps a ton! Being that it is only the second time I have thrown up this pregnancy, I am counting my blessings so far.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Getting out in the sunshine more! It is supposed to be a beautiful week and I am looking forward to walking all over Tacoma as this wee one continues to grow!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: The weird phase between having a flat stomach, feeling bloated, and feeling pregnant, but going back and forth between them all for WEEKS! Also colostrum starts to form at this point.

I had my first official Midwife appointment this week. From here on out I will only have appointments once a month and because last week was my last Gyft Clinic appointment, no more ultrasounds! I will say that it was fun to use the doppler and the stomach ultrasound. Come to find out, this wee one is hanging out on the right side behind my pelvis, making the ultrasound on the stomach and the doppler very hard to hear the heart beat! But we heard it. And it was so sweet. She also assigned me additional vitamins to take, but said I could ween onto them while I ween off of my estrogen so I am not taking a million and a half pills.

Oh and I had to go get my blood drawn for Hep B, gestational diabetes, vitamin D, Rh sensitized, among a few other things I am sure. I hadn't had my blood drawn since my pregnancy test. I feel like 2 months of no blood work in this journey has been huge! Thankful for where I am at now.

Also, I went to my acupuncturist this last week. She has told me what her guess is for gender, because apparently it made it's self apparent for the first time this last week through my pulse. So I am officially taking guesses. I am keeping track. So I want to know....

Who you are
What gender you think
Why you think (even if just gut feeling)

Because it is fun. :) And yes it will be published in a post one of these days, so choose wisely!!!
Have a great week you all!