Week 21 - A Banana!

About ME:

Looks like the belly is finally bigger than the "girls" now...and growing leaps and bounds each week. 

I'm happy to say, that is really the only thing growing right now.  I still have a huge appetite for fresh fruits and veggies, but also had some need for ice cream this week.  The ice cream craving is totally out of character for me, as I'm not a "sweets" person and would typically (before pregnancy) pick salty over sweet any day.  Another fun thing this week was the GAS!  When I say GAS, I mean, out of my way, clear the room, worse than a sewer, gas.  How come no one told me about this...but when I tell anyone who is pregnant or recently had a child, they laugh and say "Yes, it's is awful".  Well, YES IT IS and it's not just bad for me, poor Rich wants to sleep in a different room and I don't blame him.

About MONSTER:

This week, Monster is the length of a banana (7 inches) and weighs about 12 ounces (3 sticks of butter) and is in the 50% percentile (based on the ultrasound measurements).  We had our 20 week (a little late) ultrasound on Thursday and got to see our little Monster moving and shaking.

Check MONSTER out in action (don't worry, it won't give away if it is a HE or a SHE).  Even if Mom and Dad are 99% sure that it is a Little Mr. Meyer...but that is why we are making sure we have great MISS names too.  Parents are always wrong, right?  hahah!

The video shows our little Monster moving and shaking, goes down the vertebrae, and even shows the heart in action (the blue flashes).  It's pretty neat to see how active this little one is!

Monster is also swallowing several ounces of amniotic fluid each day - not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting skills needed when he/she arrives.  Funny thing is, the amniotic fluid tastes differ day to day based on what I eat...so it looks like Monster will love Ooba's as much as Mama, and hopefully, fruits and vegetables too!  Another fun fact is that Monster sleeps 12 to 14 hours per day, similar to what will happen (hopefully) once on the outside.


Planning for MONSTER:

We braved Babies R Us for the first time in search of a crib and changing table.  This trip proved that we are absolutely clueless as to what we want/need and are so thankful to have friends that will be helping us when it comes to finding the perfect things for Monster.  We have agreed on white furniture and a grey car seat...but besides that, we have time to figure the rest out, right?!?!

This week, we are heading to an Infant Safety and CPR class, plus also have a meet and greet with a potential pediatrician.  Each week, it gets a little more real that Monster will be with us in a few short months!

The Diaper Dude!

Yes, I did it!  For Rich's 1st (Almost) Father's Day...I got him the Diaper Dude.  Now, he is ready to take MONSTER out all by himself (right?!?). 

Not a Peep!!!

The Land of Nod (http://www.landofnod.com/) is the first place we have decided to register because they have the PERFECT bedding for Monster's little NURSERY!

It's Grey!

 It's Yellow!

 It's Chicks!

Are you kidding me, we couldn't have designed something more perfect if we had all the options in the world. Now, to get on the big things...Car Seat, Crib, Stroller...the stuff that really freaks me out!  One thing down, MANY, MANY, MANY more to go!

Week 20 - a Cantaloupe!

 

Can you see the cantaloupe?  I sure can!!!

About ME:

This was a BIG week...and by BIG, I mean I grew 1.5 inches around and gained 1.4 pounds putting the running total at 3.5 inches and 4.2 pounds.  I'm still feeling great and have learned how to keep my hormones in line.  On the bodily function side...number 1 happens too much and number 2 not enough!  A friend recommended some probiotics that work for her, so I started them yesterday and am hoping they will get things moving.  I started a book this week "Does this pregnancy make me look fat" and I'm really enjoying the commentary and understanding a little more about how this is changing my body. Sometimes all the focus seems to be on Monster, but Mama has to figure out how to cope with all this change too!  During the 2nd trimester, I go to acupuncture only 1 time per month, so I'm back in tomorrow. 


About MONSTER:

Monster is MOVING and shaking.  Rich likes to gently pat on my belly and say "Wake Up Monster" and it seems to work.  Monster gives Rich a high-five and then passes back out...I'm pretty sure this will still happen when Monster is on the outside.  It's just the kind of relationship they are going to have...and I think it is too cute for words!  The special little bonding between father and child is so amazing...and even cooler that it is happening around Father's Day!

Going on inside, Monster's skin is covered with a waxy-like substance called vernix which is protecting him/her skin from becoming chapped!  Also starting is the production of meconium, which will accumulate in the bowels and eventually pass during delivery or the first diaper.  (A joy to look forward to....um, I think not)!

Planning for MONSTER: 

This week we had our 20 week appointment with our OB and all is good!  It was a quick visit, but we got to hear the heart rate and also Monster flipping around.  Active little bugger!!! 

We also started to think about the nursery and getting a plan together for how we are going to decorate.  This coming week we have our LONG ultrasound where we will get to see all of Monster's organs and see how everything is developing.  Also coming up is the need to start looking into a registry, or at least picking out a few things to purchase for the nursery.  Monster is coming whether we are ready or not!

Week 19 - Large Heirloom Tomato

About ME:

Week 19 already...almost half way there.  I have to say, this is really starting to fly by!  A little look at the bump. 

Seems to have stopped growing from the side...but when I look down from the top, I have a little bit of a hard time seeing around it. I feel like I have gotten my groove back and am starting to feel more and more like my pre-pregnancy self. I think that Rich is just as happy as I am about this...as there have been a lot less hormonal meltdowns of late! Still feeling great, however, I am starting to get a lot of movement and discomfort when Monster is moving around.  My tailbone has also acted up a little this week giving me some severe pain, luckily it is pretty intermitent and bearable.  Rich thinks he felt Monster last night too, so that was pretty monumental (however, I think it was just a little gas). We know that PAPA will get to feel the movement soon...so maybe Monster is waiting to make the BIG appearance next weekend for Father's Day!  This week, we also bit the bullet and purchased some maternity clothes for me...shirts, jeans, dresses!  It was time!!!

About MONSTER:

Growing bigger and stronger everyday!  The brain is continuing to develop and becoming more specialized this week as areas are being designated for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch.  Also, more motor nuerons are developing allowing Monster to have more controlled and conscious movement!

Planning for MONSTER:

We talked A LOT this week about how things are going to change after Monster is here...and how we are going to do our best to keep our lives as normal as possible.  Also, we have figured out a little more about our work schedules and how we can limit day care to potentially 1-2 days per week.  OUR GOAL from day one has been to raise our own little Monsters, so now we are just trying to figure out how this will best work. 

Another couple who is expecting gave us a great idea this week...to purchase one big thing for Monster each month.  I definitely think that this is a great idea...Crib one month, Car Seat the next, then a Stroller, and so forth.  We only have 5 more months to go...so we better get on this. 

This Friday we have our next appointment with our OB and get to hear (confirm) how Monster is progressing...then next week we have the BIG Ultrasound.  This one would tell us if Monster is a Girl or a Boy, however, we are waiting for the BIG reveal in the delivery room!

Discussions on names have also been floating around like saucers around here...and we have a few favorites for either sex.  Can't believe how real this is all becoming...and after next week, we will be on the downward side of this pregnancy timeline...and with all things downhill, we are sure it will start moving FASTER and Faster!

Until next week...

Week 18 - a Bell Pepper!

About ME:

This week definitely had it's ups and downs....on the up side was the scale where I really had my first weight gain of about 2 pounds since this whole thing started.  One of the downs was that I will refer to week 18 of pregnancy as angry, irritable and off week....it was just a hormonal week.  And for the big UP, drum roll please, I FELT MONSTER MOVE FIRST TIME!  Wow, it was amazing.  People explained it to me as butterflies in my stomach...so I pictured the 'love' type where you are giddy and feel a flutter...this actually felt like I had a dozen or so butterflies flying around inside me.  WOW, it was amazing.  I have to say I'm excited to share this with Rich when he can feel from the outside...but it's pretty awesome that Monster and I get a little of our own time too!  This journey is so amazing, but sometimes I just wish that Rich got to experience some of the "crazy" things with pregnancy. 


About MONSTER:

This week, Monster is really growing... about 5.5 inches long and weighing about 5 ounces (compared to a chicken breast).  Plus, this week Monster has learned how to yawn (can we maybe look forward to seeing that in our next ultrasound?) All the other senses are continuing to develop...better hearing, more nervous system development, and just plan growth.

Planning for MONSTER:

Another week went by (and they are definitely coming faster and faster) and the only thing I know that is being planned for Monster is a baby shower in September by a couple of my great friends (thanks Michaela and Jenn).  I'm guessing that the whole "nesting" instinct will come to me shortly...but for now, I'm enjoying just being pregnant and knowing that we still have about 50% of the time left...so lots of time to plan!