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!

Week 17 - an Onion!

About ME:

Hmm, I didn't write anything down this week, so it must mean that everything was AWESOME...or that pregnancy brain is in full effect and all I remember is nothing.  Guess I better take better notes next week.  There was quite a lot of growing and cramping...but the scale has not been moving.  Maybe Rich is resetting it each week?!?!  Who knows!

About MONSTER: 

Growing, growing, growing.  About 5+ inches long and more than 3.5 ounces (an Onion for those keeping track)...however, I've never seen a 5 inch onion.  Guess I need to make a trip to Walla Walla?  Baby is listening to everything now, from Chukar barking, to the doorbell ringing, to the dance session I have in the morning while getting ready...guess this is preparation for the noises that will be part of Monster's life in about 5 months! Monster is also blinking, sucking and swallowing...it's just amazing!

Planning for MONSTER:

We made some plans (finally)!!!  We signed up for an Infant CPR class and also our 5 week birthing class...the CPR class is in June, but the other class doesn't start until late August (but was already filling up).

Week 16 - An Avocado!

About ME:

A picture is worth a thousand words, so this is the BUMP.....

I definitely feel like I've passed the "I had too much to eat at the buffet" and look a little more like "Maybe she's pregnant"?!?!  Of course, there are good and bad things with that...work pants no longer fit without the Bella Band and I'm sure it's only a few more weeks until I can't even get away with that.  A shopping I will go...

Physically feeling great and mentally adjusting to BEING pregnant.  I think that the more I look pregnant, the more I feel pregnant.  If that even makes any sense....plus, Rich still has a daily epiphany of "You're Pregnant"...yes dear, I am!

About MONSTER:

Monster is approximately 4.6" long (and measuring Week 16 per the OB).  This week, the tiny bones in Monster's ears are in place, making it likely that baby can hear our voices when we are speaking.  (Guess it's time to watch my language, right?) Also, the back bone is getting stronger and Monster is working on straightening his/her neck.

Planning for MONSTER:

This week we met with Dr. Van Kessel, our OB, and she was awesome.  We again were able to listen to the heartbeat and also see the LITTLE MONSTER in an ultrasound.  As active as ever, he/she was flipping and rolling and moving all about.  Pretty neat to see...and pretty soon I will start to feel the "flutters" of the little one.  No movement yet, but it should be ANY minute!

Week 15 - a Naval Orange!

About ME:  I have to say, this pregnancy thing and I really get along...minus the bad skin and random mood swings...pregnancy is pretty great!  Of course, those things happened before Monster was in my womb...just not as often.

We had a little scare this week and found out that their was some "abnormality" with our most recent ultrasound...a fun little thing called:

Subchorionic Hemorrhage

a.k.a. scariest thing you can tell a pregnant mom 

You might be asking what the heck is that...well, so were we! In simplistic terms, I have some bleeding between my placenta and my uterus.  UBER-scary...but everything should be good.  I have a great team around me who will be monitoring it and making sure that Monster is doing good.  

With the news of "scariest thing we've ever heard"...my week turned a little more low-key than normal. No more lifting things over 30 lbs (including Chukar)...No hike for me with Rich and Chukar on Sunday...Just more cautious with everything I do! 

About MONSTER: Now the size of a NAVEL ORANGE (HUGE) and growing everyday! Monster is now growing a head of hair and is super active.  Breathing, sucking and swallowing...can you believe all of that already?!?! Plus, there is even some kicking, curling toes, and moving of "it's" little Monster arms and legs!

Planning for MONSTER:  This week, Rich and I will be meeting with our OB who will be delivering (or at least scheduled to deliver) Monster.  We chose a doctor on a referral at Overlake OB and are very excited to meet with her for the first time.  We have been so blessed to be under the great care our our ARNP Lori up to this point and will continue to get to have the best of both worlds for Monster going forward.  

Seems like each week it gets a little more real...and this week was no exception...however, we could both do without the "scary stuff" going forward.  I guess that is what prepares us for all of the next steps in our journey to parenthood!

Today, Mother's Day...I was spoiled by so many wonderful people in my life.  Thank you for making my 1st (almost) Mother's Day so amazing and special!

Week 14 - a Lemon!

About ME: Officially part of the 2nd TRIMESTER club and feeling awesome!  Appetite is back! Energy is back! Life seems to be BACK TO NORMAL!  Well, as normal as possible when  you know that you have a little person growing inside you and your belly is swelling to sizes you have never seen before.  The weight is still holding steady...but after our appointment with the doctor thiw week, it sounds like the pounds will start coming soon.  I'd love to stay in the 20-25 pound range, so I better continue, ok start, to work out again. 

About MONSTER:  You saw the picture...growing, growing, growing.  This week Monster is the size of a Lemon and is moving and shaking.  Also, is starting to grow hair not only on his/her head, but also getting some eyebrows. 

Planning for Monster:  This week...we planned more by recharging our souls and heading out of town for the weekend.  We are pretty sure that Monster had a great time, as Chukar sure did!