20 Weeks

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

Vote!

So I know we've already had an ultrasound that pointed in the direction of boy, but how many of you believe that it was correct? I've added a poll over to the right for you to voice your opinion:) We'll see how the results turn out on Monday!

Decisions, Decisions

I know we have just began our journey into parenthood, but there are already so many decisions to be made. Overall, Tony and are pretty good at navigating them all and actually come to terms pretty quickly--guess that means were are a pretty good match and know each other well:) I think I am the one who keeps being wishy-washy about things or am the one who is making the small ones seem like a bigger deal--oh well, can we blame it on hormones:)

The biggest decision having to be made is the name. If this baby ends up being a girl, we are good to go! We decided on a name almost as soon as we found out that we were pregnant. When it comes to a boy name, I seem to be the one who can't make a decision! Tony has named several, with one being on his top list and I was all for it, now it seems like one day I am good with it and then the next I'm not. I can't figure it out! Tony is getting irritated with me over it, because he wants to know what to call the baby when we find out for sure what kind of parts are brewing down there. I keep saying that we have 5 months before the baby is here--but he isn't hearing it:)

The next decision I am all about lately is the nursery. For some reason this is one decision I think needs to be made right now--Tony keeps reminding me that we aren't for sure that it is even a boy yet:) I went through all of the sites and picked out the top boy bedding sets that I liked and then Tony rated them. I don't know why I think it needs to be made right now, but I am having a hard time deciding on an overall winner in that department. Then to make matters worse, last night I was looking online at the furniture we had decided on and there were buyer comments below it--NO ONE liked it! Great, so looks like back to the drawing board on that one! That was one decision I thought was done and made and now it looks like we might have to revisit it!

One other decision I am dealing with is whether or not to go to the chiropractor. My back has been sore since having to sit in a conference for 2 days at the beginning of the month in terrible chairs. Now, I've always gone to the chiro with no 2nd thoughts about it, but now it is just a little nerve-wracking:) Many people have reassured me that all will be fine if I go, so I think I might call today and make an appt. Especially since I have to go back to that same place for another 2 day conference next week! Not sure I (or my back) could handle it again! I think I might make Tony go with me--just a little moral support, plus he knows the chiro pretty well and won't be worried to ask any questions that I might not think of:)

So, these are just a few of the decisions that we/I am dealing with right now. I know to some it probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but right now they are on my mind:)

Bigger Nudges

So, I just posted a few days ago that I had been feeling the little nudges from the baby on a more consistent basis. Well I swear it was only in the next day or two that the nudges became a little bigger, so big that they can be felt on the outside of the belly now:)

It happened on Thursday morning. It was my first day off from work and I was laying in bed thinking strongly about getting up:) I was getting hungry!! So I was laying on my back--yes I know I shouldn't be doing that, but it was only for a few minutes--and the baby started kicking. I joked that it was hungry too! So I decided just for the heck of it to see if I could feel it on the outside. Well, I pressed pretty hard on the spot I had been feeling it and sure enough I could feel the little nudges on my hand. I got very excited because I knew this meant Tony was going to be able to feel it--but I knew he would be upset that he wasn't there the first time! I felt it a few more times--we had a little chat together--and then I decided that I would get up and call Tony. As expected, he was excited but very upset and sad that he hadn't been there for the first time! I told him that we would try that night:)

So that night we went to a Peoria Chiefs game with some friends and I felt it kicking at dinner, but wasn't going to make a scene with everyone around, so I didn't say anything. That night when we got home we were laying in bed and Tony was talking but I wasn't saying much back to him. I finally told him that I was trying to be quiet to see if the baby would start moving again. Well it only took a few minutes and sure enough the little nudges were coming again. I took Tony's hand and put it on my belly. After a minute or so he said he could only feel the heartbeat in his fingers:) I told him that I couldn't make the baby move on command that he just had to be patient. So we waited a few more minutes and there was a definite nudge right where his hand was. He got very excited and yelled when it happened--I told him that now he had scared the baby and that he wouldn't be moving anymore! He apologized to the baby and said sorry for scaring him but that it was very exciting getting to feel him for the very first time:)

So now the little nudges are becoming bigger nudges so Daddy can be a part of the action as well:) Now each morning and night I lay quietly on my back for a few minutes to see if the little nudges will return....so far we have had a pretty good track record:)

19 Weeks

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Little Nudges

So a couple of weeks ago, as I was laying in bed after one of my nightly trips to the bathroom, I felt some little nudges rumbling around in my belly. I thought that it might be the baby, but I wasn't really sure. I felt these same little nudges every now and then, but it was never really anything consistent. Well, over the past couple of days, those nudges have become more and more apparent and are much more consistent, so I'm guessing that it was/is the baby:) I'm very excited to be feeling it more and more, especially on a more consistent basis. Dad is feeling a little left out, but I keep telling him that it won't be too long before he is able to feel it too:)

We also got some other good news today. I'm not sure if I mentioned it or not, but at my last OB appt. I went ahead and had blood drawn for the Quad Marker Test. This test is a screening that checks for the problems in the development of the brain, spinal cord or other neural tube defects, as well as some genetic disorders. So I hadn't heard anything back (they don't call if everything is ok), so I called Aunt Jill last night and she checked for me this morning. She called to let me know that the results had come in yesterday and everything was within the normal range. So needless to say we were very happy with those results!

Other than that, things are going well. I have another intralipid infusion tomorrow afternoon, so it will be nice to see everyone in the SIRM office. It is also the last day of ESY....it is time for a break:)

18 Week Belly Picture

So my mom mentioned yesterday that it had been a while since I had a belly picture taken. It had been 4 weeks, so I thought I would update everyone on how I look. Tony snapped this picture before we went out to eat last night--I was wearing some of my new, very comfortable maternity jeans:)

18 Weeks

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Nothing Much

I know there has been a big delay in between posts again, but to be honest there just isn't much to say:) Which I guess is a good thing looking back at some of the past months of this blog! Things have been plugging along nicely.

Extended School Year is almost over-we are done on Wednesday. This past week (until today) a few of my co-workers and I put on an Autism Training that had us working into the afternoon. It is crazy to be to think that it has already been 5 weeks that we have been working. It will be nice to have some time off before going back to work in the fall. I plan on continuing to clean out the house and get rid of things that we are no longer in need of before the baby comes.

It is hard to believe that I will be 18 weeks tomorrow! Tony feels like time is going by slowly--he can't wait for it to be December so we can get through all of this waiting! I keep telling him that it will be here before we know it, but he isn't agreeing with that statement just yet:) We'll see how he feels in November when we are still trying to get things together before it's too late!

More Shopping

So I spent most of the day with my mom doing some shopping. Tony is out of town again (a bachelor party) so I spent last night and this morning ......cleaning the house of course! I love doing it when he is gone. I am also to the point where I am trying to clean out closets and drawers of things that we don't really need anymore. Maybe it is the beginning of the nesting phase, but I want to have the house really clean before I get too big to want to do anything:) Don't want to feel pressured later on in the pregnancy.

Today is also my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! It was nice to spend the day with her and do some shopping for her and myself (my dad too, but he wasn't with us!!) I started my shopping at Motherhood Maternity in the mall. When we walked in the lady asked if I needed help finding anything--I laughed and said everything! She pointed out how the store was set up and my mom and I got to work looking through the racks. I started pulling things that looked cute--the ladies came and took about 3 loads from us to put in a room. Then it was time to get to trying on. Unfortunately I am in-between sizes, so in some clothes I wore a small and in others I wore a medium. Thankfully my mom was there and was able to switch things out for me. When all was said and done I got a pair of jeans, 2 pairs of capris, and 5-6 shirts. It all added up--believe me, but I really needed some clothes! My pants are becoming much more tight and not very comfortable. We got a little more shopping done for my mom's birthday and then headed to Kohl's. I got 2 more pairs of pants, 1 pair of capris, and another shirt there. So all in all the shopping trip was pretty successful. Now I just need to clear my closet out so that there is room to put the things I CAN wear:)

We ended the evening by meeting my dad for dinner at Bernardi's in Dunlap for my mom's birthday. We even had tiramisu for dessert--my favorite!

17 Weeks

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Pretty short one this week:)

OB Appt.

So I had my OB appt today. My mom went with me-Tony was at a job in Wyoming (the town in IL, not the state!!) and he knew that he wouldn't be able to get back for it, so I asked my mom if she wanted to go. She happily obliged and met me at the office:)

I had told Tony that if I had the same nurse as the last couple of times that I would call him so he could hear the heartbeat when they got it on the Doppler. I had a different nurse, but luckily she knows us pretty good as well (her husband built our house!!) so she was fine with me calling him so he could listen. She found the heartbeat right away, but every time she tried to get the rate, the baby would move away. It was quite comical, it would be very loud and then as she looked at her watch, you could hear it fade away:) She commented that the baby was definitely Tony's child:)--told you she knew us!!

We only waited a few minutes for the doctor and she came in. We talked a little, asked if I had any questions, then she wanted me to lie down so she could look at my belly. She poked around a little--started at the top and worked her way down. When she got down around my belly button (where the top of my uterus is right now) she stopped and said, "yep, plenty big." Wasn't sure how to take that!!:) But she said that everything was looking good and that at our next appt we would have another Sono with the tech and then see her.

So, our next appt is on Aug 3rd--can't wait, but I'm sure that it will be here before we know it (I'm sure that Tony will dispute that last statement!).

Shopping

So our trip to Chicago went well overall. The actual 4th stunk--rained and the Cubs lost--I also had my first hormone induced cry! Our dinner plans that night didn't turn out as we had planned and by the time we found a place to eat, I was tired of walking and was wet. I sat down in the restaurant and just began to cry! It was kind of embarrassing, but Tony was very nice about the whole thing and he felt terrible overall anyways. Otherwise, the weekend was great--sans the actual 4th!

So, we have done a little shopping over these past few weeks--actually bought some things and are preparing to buy some others. One of the things we bought was a baby name book. If this baby does end up being a boy, we were having a little trouble agreeing on a name, so we thought we could use a little help. We had pretty much agreed on a girls name, but the boys was harder. I have such a hard time with names anyways since I work in education--some names just have bad connotations. But, I think that we have come to a conclusion as of today.....but you will have to wait until birth to find it out what it is:)

Another thing we have been shopping for is furniture and bedding. We won't officially buy the bedding until the sex is confirmed, but sometimes it can take some time to receive the furniture after ordering, so we thought we better start looking. We got a couple of catalogs and then have been looking online as well. I think we found some furniture that we both like and we will be ordering soon. We have a few options for bedding that we have in mind--but so far we have pretty much agreed on most things. It is amazing how expensive some of that stuff adds up to be!

We also bought a few baby items while we were in Chicago. Nothing too big, but we have both refrained as of yet to begin buying things. I think the "no buying" started a little out of fear, but now we are embracing the fact that we will have a baby in a little over 5 months! We bought a bib from Harry Caray's and a pair of Cubs socks:) That was all, but it was a start for us:) It has been fun to be looking and dreaming about how things will look--we've been waiting a long time!

Tony has been working his tail off downstairs these past few weeks-which has meant more shopping for building materials. He has all of the walls up and is ready to start the electrical soon. Then it will be time to drywall! He is feeling the pressure to get it done so we can move the things out of the "nursery to be" and get started in that room. I keep telling him that he is doing fine and even if it's not finished that we can still move on with the nursery, there just might be more "stuff" piled up downstairs.

Overall we have been pretty busy with things. We are getting pretty excited about things--in fact Tony thinks that time is moving slowly:) I will probably be doing some more shopping this weekend for some maternity items--all of my old pants are definitely not fitting--and I'm down to only a few shirts that I feel comfortable in. Pretty soon I think I'll be ready to wear more form fitting stuff, but I still feel like I just look bloated:)....anyways, I have another dr. appt tomorrow afternoon, so I will update afterwards.

16 weeks-part 2

Sorry it's a little late~
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

16 Weeks

Well, Tony and I are getting ready to leave for Chicago for the weekend and there is no email and picture to post yet, but I promise I will do it when we get back on Sunday--didn't want to leave you hanging:)

How Do You Feel?

So if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me this question, this baby would probably have a huge college fund started! Don't get me wrong, it is nice that everyone is so interested in what is going on, but I guess I never realized how often I would get asked. I'm sure that I have asked this question to all the pregnant people I have known as well--I mean what else are you supposed to ask about:) I've noticed lately that I have been having a hard time answering the question. Tony told me the other day that I am a walking contradiction--I wanted to be pregnant for so long and now it seems like I don't want anyone to know--when he first said that-I kinda got mad, but in a way I guess he might have been right. So I have been mulling it over for a few days trying to decide why I am having such a hard time with it......

I finally had a little bit of a breakthrough at work last week. We had a training about behavior and reinforcement after school one day and as a part of the training they had us fill out a "reinforcement forced choice menu." Basically the point was that as teachers we think that we automatically know what our students would want to work for as reinforcement, so this little tool paired two items together (you have to choose one or the other-there were like 30 pairs). The things on the "menu" were from a few different categories--adult attention, peer attention, independent rewards, consumable items, etc. After I filled out my "menu" I totaled up my answers and most of what I saw as rewarding were independent rewards and consumable items. Now those of you that know me well wouldn't probably see this as a surprise, but I guess that I had never thought about it. I am a very independent person (and I like to eat candy!!) so getting attention from a lot of different people is something that I guess I may not like as much as others, in fact it is a little difficult for me to deal with-especially with people that I am not very close with. So this is probably why I have a hard time answering the "how do you feel" question. Since I have had my "breakthrough" I have been trying to be a little better when people ask me, but some days I am better at it than others. (those of you that know me should also not see this as a surprise!! I don't "fake it" well!!)

So to anyone that I may have come off short to when they asked - I sincerely apologize. I am trying to be better with this situation, so please do not feel bad or think that you can't ask! I promise that I will do better:)