23 Weeks

 Week 23 Complete

How far along? 23 weeks 3 days

Baby is the size of: A bunch of grapes or a barbie doll, although lets call him a ken doll since we know he is a boy. A bit over a foot tall and 1.25 lbs

What did the baby develop: Adler is gaining baby fat to keep warm and his lungs are still developing. He is also still transparent and a bit red because of his developing veins and arteries. His face is fully formed though! He can also hear really well now and can kick in response to things outside of the womb! Lanugo, the fur like hair he has now, generally sloughs off deeper into pregnancy as Skishy gains more of an ability to control his body temperature, with a more highly functioning nervous system, and increased accumulation of fat beneath his super-soft skin. Nearly all lanugo will be shed by three or four months after birth. And a disgusting fun fact: babies eat the lanugo that they shed while in the womb, and it builds up within them to form the substance that makes up their first poop, known as meconium. After Skishy sheds and eats his lanugo, he will develop vellus hair on the same areas that the lanugo coated previously. The vellus hair will continue to help Skishy regulate temperature as he transitions into the outside world until his beautiful adult (terminal) hair grows in.

Gender: Sweet baby boy

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It is here to stay.

Maternity clothes: Still mostly no, simply because I don't have many yet! Getting creative with my own wardrobe, but starting to feel that everything is frumpy and ill fitting!

Stretch marks: Nope! Starting my oils regiment pretty strictly now to try and prevent them!

Sleep: Still going strong!

Movement: Non stop during the day. Not so much at night yet though.

Best moment this week: Meeting with my friend Mary who gave me tons of maternity clothes! Once I get them all washed, I will be a whole new woman with that new wardrobe! She is also going to be our doula, so it was great to just talk about what each of our perceptions of her role was going to be! Thankful we have very similar visions. I think it is going to be a great match!

Miss anything: Thomas and I were able to see my stomach move when he started his gymnastics routine in there! Thomas has been able to feel him often which is just about the neatest thing ever!
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Cal/Mag and electrolytes
Emotionally Feeling: Awesome! Life is great.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Just loving good food.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Symptoms/Side effects: Working on the water consumption, linea nigra, funny skin things are magnified, and lots of cherries make me (and Thomas) gassy!

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: The yard sale this weekend, so we can get all the stuff out of his room and start rearranging!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That early on, you don't want to even touch your stomach at all, but then once you start showing and don't feel sick, I finally realize why women always have their hands on their stomachs! It is just kinda to say "hi sweet boy!".

My first and only purchased maternity shirt.

Starting to show straight on too!

This beauty was outside our kitchen window!

This is in the bathroom of my midwife's office. Love the break down of where the weight comes from!

 I have had a few of you look over my registry and all of your wisdom is AWESOME! So the newest wisdom is really from my cloth diaper momma's!! Tell me all your tricks of the trade! I know everyone does it different, but I am trying to learn and other then trial by fire in 4 months, I am trying to tuck away any bits of wisdom I can!

22 Weeks

 Week 22 Complete

How far along? 22 weeks and 1 day, exactly 5 months today!!

Baby is the size of: Corn on the cob or a water bottle, he is about a pound and a foot long!

What did the baby develop: Skishy is sleeping 12-14 hours a day, he is trying to touch anything he can including his face, body, or umbilical cord, he is working on his physical abilities and motor skills by practicing movement, and getting a feel for things. His inner ear is also developed to the point where he has a sense of balance. And his pancreas is already busy creating its own hormones, which helps alleviate my hormonal burden. His eyes are still developing, but he doesn't have eye color yet. Adler's organs are pretty much developed and now he just has to pack on the fat! He is developing his taste buds more this week though and his nerve endings are forming so he can actually experience the sense of touch.

Gender: Sweet baby boy

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It is here to stay.

Maternity clothes: A little, but mainly my normal clothes still.

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Doing fine other then when it is hot. But that is normal for me.

Movement: Non stop during the day except when I am really active and it is hot. But that could also be that I am not paying attention to him when I am hot. Not so much at night yet though.

Best moment this week: Thomas being able to feel him a few times. And the grin on Thomas' face every time I walk around the corner and he sees my bump.

Miss anything: It was Thomas' birthday and that day he ran a relay with 5 other people from Mt Rainier to Ruston Way. A total of 52 miles combined.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic and Magnesium/Calcium
Emotionally Feeling: Awesome.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Nope.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. Back to normal other then 4 am teeth brushing. Later in the day I seem fine, but not that early in the morning.

Symptoms/Side effects: Skin stuff. The addition of skin tags, red bumps and the like that I already had are definitely becoming more pronounced. 

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Cleaning out the house so I can have a yard sale the following week and then start thinking about making his room exactly that.... His room!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: I always knew that people touch your stomach a lot, I didn't think about people seeing you and then automatically looking at your stomach to see how much it has grown.

22 weeks complete! And most definitely showing.

It amazes me how big his little hand is!

Thomas during his birthday relay. Patiently waiting for his first leg to start.

High fived Marg and then Emily.

Waiting for his second leg. Do you see Mt Rainier in the background? The group had already run 40 miles to get to this point!

Hand off with Marg who had just ran over 2 miles in the sand and then to Emily who finished off the last leg and brought us home!

It was so fun spending a whole day of Thomas' birthday with friends even in the heat, with all of them running. Maybe it helped that I didn't actually have to run anything.

Since I already made Thomas uncomfortable talking about the My Brest Friend pillow last week, I thought I would continue on that route this week with the best breast pump. My insurance covers both the Ameda and the Medela. Thoughts on those 2? Or is there a different one that is your favorite?

21 Weeks

 Week 21 Complete

How far along? 21 weeks, 2 days

Baby is the size of: Baby bok choy, brioche, baseball hat, 10.5" long, 12.7 oz

What did the baby develop: He is beginning to swallow amniotic fluid and absorb small amounts of sugar, but most nutrients still come from the placenta. Developing more nerves and his sense of touch. He has wrinkly skin to give room for filling out and getting his baby fat. He needs this fat to feed his brain and to help regulate his temperature on the outside of my womb. And he is still starting to produce meconium, the black tarry substance of his first poo. And Adler looks like a miniature person at this point!

Gender: Sweet baby boy

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It is here to stay.

Maternity clothes: Mostly no. I have just been creative.

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Still going strong.

Movement: All day! He is kicking and flipping around for sure! The last doppler, he kicked at the monitor 3 times. Also, Thomas felt him move for the first time yesterday June 1st! His hand was on my stomach and he felt him 3 different times! The look of wonder was awesome.

Best moment this week:Telling all of you Adler's gender and name. I loved how you all were so darn excited and supportive of us!

Miss anything: I got a cold for the first time this pregnancy. It always happens when I combine travel, not enough sleep, getting really cold (like a snow storm during a wedding rehearsal, and not being consistent with using my essential oils.) But I am almost over it!
We also went camping for the first time this summer. It was so much fun even pregnant. In fact, it really didn't seem all that different then non pregnant camping.We still rode bikes, ate amazing food, and flew kites!
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, and Probiotic
Emotionally Feeling: Just grand

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Nope. Still loving fruit and especially watermelon because of all the extra liquid it gives me.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this last week.

Symptoms/Side effects: I gagged a few times, but also had a few headaches from lack of water. Just making sure I am paying way better attention to that.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Thomas' birthday this weekend and his crazy relay race.
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: People's responses to the name you have chose. "That is such a strong name", "I love that name", "That is the perfect combination of unique and yet not weird", "I am just not sure about that name. I will have to get used to it", and finally "Will you call him AJ?"

Thomas has strictly stated that if we wanted him to be called AJ, we would have named him AJ. So there you go. That is his feeling on that. You should see his face when people ask. It is pretty darn close to pure disgust.

I am getting so much bigger for sure! I really need to take a pic not in my jeans so that you see the pure belly. Also, lets not talk about the hair in this pic. New hair dryer cause mine broke. All I can say about that.

And so is he!

Adler's first camping/trip to the beach experience. Also, Thomas has been trying to do a picture like this for ages. Don't know why I don't like them, I just don't. So here is one with our rain jackets on, so you can't really even see the bellies. :)

"Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height...." Anyone?

Question of the week: Which did you love most and why? Boppi, my brest friend, or just use a pillow? Keep in mind I have a VERY long torso, so nothing probably will get uncomfortable after a while.

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!