Baby size: A loaf of bread! ...Over 13 inches and 2 pounds! Sleep:Sleep is going relatively well. It's not bad, but it's not the most amazing sleep I've ever gotten in my life.
Movement: I watch my stomach move daily. I have an app on my phone that allows me to count kicks (you're supposed to get 10 in at least 2 hours). This morning, this baby moved 10 times in 47 seconds. This is pretty much how it is all of the time. I think he's supposed to sleep sometime, but I don't know? I wonder if this means anything about how he'll be as a little boy... Food cravings/aversions: I haven't had many cravings. I am super happy that Starbucks has reintroduced the Peppermint Mocha, though. Don't tell my midwife that I have had three this week. Pregnancy Symptoms: I cried the other day sending one of my best friends a sweet, sappy message on Facebook the other day. Like, cried. And it was embarrassing. What was worse, somehow, the message never got sent. So my emotional efforts were not super effective. Like many other things I do these days. I was talking to my mom about the shower at the birthing center, you know, that it has a seat. And it came out like this: "In the shower, mom, there's a hotel. It's awesome." What I miss: My brain. I like the usual clarity. What I'm looking forward to: The holidays! I'm so excited to have our little man inside of me for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Milestones: I keep nesting. I don't think that's a milestone, but I fully understand now. And I hope I don't take it too the extreme, which shouldn't be a problem, because I'm never extreme with anything. Best moment this week: Taking the time to fix my hair. It's something small, but it made me feel relaxed and put together.
Moments with Billy: Baby Liam adores his dad. If he stops kicking for any amount of time, and Billy starts talking or touching my stomach, the baby gets incredibly excited. I love that Billy has this influence already.
My brain is at complete overload.
I've accidentally put dirty dishes in the refrigerator, overbooked my poor husband and myself for different things on the same night, and said some pretty funny things, especially when I'm tired.
Seriously, if you could see me typing this, you would giggle at how many times I'm backspacing and correcting things.
Maybe it's God's way of humbling me.
Maybe it's my body's way of telling me to stop thinking so much.
Or maybe I'm going absolutely insane, and my poor baby will have a mom who can't finish sentences.
How is it that I feel completely out of it, yet simply blissful all at the same time? I am loving the fall weather, accessorizing with scarves and a large, round belly, and I even relish being able to experience every odd ache because I know a little baby comes along with it.
I hope he looks like Billy.
See? I'm rambling. I'll stop. Just tell me I'm not crazy, please.
PS - This is our life sometimes lately. Poor, poor, poor Billy:
Come back later this week for a very cool giveaway. At least, I think it's cool.
Baby size:About 11 inches from head to toe & over a full pound! Sleep:Sleep was getting better. I was almost getting through the night without getting up. But the past week or so, I have found myself getting up again with an urgent need to use the restroom. Last night I told Billy (who sadly awoke because of my getting out of bed) that I feel like Baby Liam is clapping his hands around my bladder. Lovely, right?
Movement: This child moves ALL of the time. My uterus is higher on my waist than it would normally be at this point because I'm so very short waisted. The midwife said this along with, "This baby's going to have nowhere to go but out!" This means that I'm feeling movement well up past my belly button and farther into my sides than I even thought possible. Not that I'm complaining. No matter how early or how late he is active, I'm loving it. Food cravings/aversions: I craved chili the other night, so I made it. And cheese... my goodness. I want lots and lots of cheddar cheese. Pregnancy Symptoms: I get breathless when I try to read out loud. My hips are pretty sore, and I think I can literally feel my bones spreading. Oh, and I have this odd thing around my waist that keeps growing... What I miss: The ability to be a bit more active. We were moving things around in our house the other night (thanks to the nesting instinct of yours truly), and I couldn't do as much as I wanted. And when I did try to do something, I found that I was off-center and off-balance. What I'm looking forward to: Everything! Though I am uncomfortable already, I am really enjoying this time of pregnancy. I finally look pregnant, and I only get nauseated in the mornings or when I am starving. I feel very blessed. Milestones: I'm over halfway pregnant now! That feels like a huge hurdle! Best moment this week:Waking up to Liam moving. This happens often, but it always makes me smile.
Moments with Billy:Yesterday was our 2 year anniversary, and Billy was incredible (as always). We got to spend the entire day together, which was such a blessing. He even wrote and recorded a song for me (swoon)! I have the best husband in the whole world. He is incredibly understanding about every pregnancy symptom, even the weird ones. I can't wait to see him with our son!
I have had the most bizarre pregnancy symptom. I may now call it a symptom because I have googled it, and everyone knows that Google has the answer to everything. Also, I asked my mom, and she's even smarter than Google.
Prepare yourself... it's really weird. And frustrating.
For the past couple of months (I'm almost 20 weeks pregnant), I sometimes will start talking and out of nowhere, I start to get really hot. And then I feel it... a blush starts to creep up my neck and into my face (and on my hands, and my feet... at least, that's how it feels). I mean, in general, I blush every once in a while. I'm pretty pale, and I just can't help it.
But this is not the cute, regular flush-cheeked bashfulness. And it's definitely not what you would label the "pregnancy glow." It's all-out-call-the-fire-department burning under my skin. It reaches my scalp.
And it's a vicious, vicious cycle. Usually, when I start blushing now, I'm not embarrassed at all. It just starts happening. But when whoever I'm talking to looks at me oddly, I start to get a little embarrassed. I want to start wearing a sign that says:
I know I'm blushing.
I'm not embarrassed.
I'm pregnant.
It's the extra blood flow.
I know because I googled it.
Maybe you'll tell me that this has nothing to do with pregnancy. Well, me and a bunch of my new-found friends on random bulletin boards online (sounds secure, right?) are here to tell you that IT DOES! And if it doesn't, at least we're all crazy together. And that we can blame on pregnancy.
...Will I ever relish this little boy kicking his mommy not just once but multiple times. I am pretty sure he will get in trouble from birth on out for either punching or kicking me.
...Will I let people touch an otherwise uninteresting part of my abdomen.
...Will I cry over wanting wings at 11:45pm because I feel absolutely insane but can't help sobbing (goodness... I do hope this stops after the baby comes).
...Will people smile sympathetically when I tell them that I cried at 11:45pm over wings.
...Will I memorize every square inch of my bathroom because I visit it so often, due to those kicks directed at my bladder and the earlier nausea/vomiting.
...Will I be so happy and blessed to feel so weird, off-kilter, and a little bit (or a lot) crazy.
We couldn't be more thrilled! Remember this naming post? Well, we stuck with William Judah, but we are going to call him Liam! I love it, and I'm already used to thinking of him as a little growing boy now! I can't wait to share some nursery ideas with you all. We can't wait!
By the way, the poll actually said girl! But it was close in the end... those of you who chose correctly, you win smiles and hugs and fun stuff!
Eeek! It's fun and crazy to think this growth is normal!
How far along: 16 weeks
Baby size: Avocado
Total weight gain/loss: Um, I'm a little freaked out by the rapid weight gain... I don't even want to talk about it.
Sleep: One of my best friends let me borrow her boppy body pillow, and sleep is much better. I am still getting up a couple of times a night, but falling back asleep is much easier.
Ah-maz-ing.
Movement: I'm almost 100% sure I'm feeling some movement now. It only really happens when I'm sitting or lying down later in the evening. And it's not very consistent, but it is very different than gas. I can't wait until it is even more common!
Food cravings/aversions: I've craved sushi this week, but that's pretty much it. I don't have any definite aversions that are new, but I need to mix up my snack routine. I've eaten way too many mini-bags of almonds and pretzels and pita chips.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Almost the exact same as last week, except I've added some sharper pains across my middle. I tried to do this pregnancy fitness video this week, and every time I tried to stretch out my abdomen, I felt like my muscles were being pulled... so I stopped in the middle of the workout. I'll stick to the elliptical and some yoga.
What I miss: I went shopping yesterday and got a little discouraged. Here in Charleston we have some outlet stores, and none of them carried anything maternity. I just kept thinking that even if the cute things I saw might fit right now, they probably wouldn't in the next couple of weeks. So, I guess I miss knowing my body. Right now, I'm a little cloudy as to what to expect.
What I'm looking forward to: This Saturday, we are getting a 3D ultrasound, and if Baby decides to show us, we'll find out the gender! Also, though figuring out my changing shape is somewhat of a challenge, I do look forward to continual growth. I do love my growing belly, despite the awkwardness.
Milestones: Not being nauseated or throwing up for a whole week. I know I have Zofran to thank for that partly, but I also really do think things are slowly improving. Also, I woke up one morning this week not feeling tired, and that was incredible. I'm hoping that becomes more common very soon.
Best moment this week: Thinking I had gained a ton of weight and then stepping on the scale the next day to realize I'd dropped back down to where I should be. I forgot that weight could fluxuate within a couple of days, and I thought I'd been doing well. I had, but that one day really threw me off.
Moments with Billy: He's been amazing! Lately, he's been talking to the baby, which makes me laugh. I want so badly for him to feel involved and connected. Also, I caught him looking at baby clothes, which was absolutely adorable!
Sleep: I usually wake up an average of 3 times a night. Also, I get anxious if I feel like I won't get enough sleep that night. On the flip side, since I'm still really tired, I sleep like a rock when I am sleeping!
Movement: I think I may have felt one movement yesterday, but I wasn't one hundred percent sure. I guess when I feel them more regularly, I will know whether or not it was one. I am usually over-aware of what is going on with my body, so I hope I'm not wrong.
Food cravings/aversions: I have craved green-bean casserole, and finally got up the nerve to make it. The smell of cold cream of mushroom soup makes me gag, so I held a rag soaked in lemon juice up to my nose, and that did the trick. As far as aversions go, I have recently thrown up frosted mini-wheats on more than one occasion, so I guess we could say that one is an aversion.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Achy sides and lower abdomen, as well as some random tightening across my belly. I am pretty forgetful, as in last week I tried to put a dirty dish in the fridge. I'm also intensely emotional, which has it's ups and downs. I love being in touch with how I'm feeling, well, when it's a good day...
What I miss: Feeling like myself, period. I feel like something has taken me over, and I don't know quite who I am.
What I'm looking forward to: Some more movement, and our next appointment in one week. Also, we're finding out the gender pretty soon. I found your comments to be helpful, and I can't wait to share what we find out!
Milestones: Well, when I looked at the picture Billy took for me this week, I thought I looked huge-ish, which is a milestone I'm pretty happy about (so, maybe I shouldn't use the word huge, but I don't know what other word to use)...
Best moment this week: I got to run up to the birthing center and hear the baby's heartbeat again last Monday, and that will never fail to make me feel incredibly blessed.
Moments with Billy: Sunday, I got sick and had to miss church (yes, even into the second trimester...). Right after Billy finished leading worship he came home to sit with me until he had to go back. Just his presence and touch made me want to cry. Though it doesn't take much to push me to tears these days, I was super grateful.
Has it really been two whole weeks since I've last blogged? I can't believe it! I have been pretty forgetful and a little out of it lately, and time has just flown by. I have missed blogging, but I think because I was so sick and exhausted, I was nervous that every post was going to sound like a venting session.
Did you get that? "Was" sick! I am not one hundred percent yet, but I'm getting closer! I'm still completely tired all of the time, but that is so doable in comparison to around-the-clock nausea! Now, it just comes over me once or twice a day, so I'm assuming that within the week, things will be even better!
On Monday, I will be 13 weeks pregnant, and you can expect an update! I saw a friend yesterday, and he said, "Oh, it looks like you're showing some!" ...So, I guess I'm showing a bit more! I think I'm excited about that, but it's something different to wrap your mind around!
Speaking of pregnancy and such, I have a question, and I want your opinion. At the Birthing Center we are going to, they only offer one ultrasound at 20 weeks. However, here in town we have a place that does 3D ultrasounds, and they say that they can determine the gender at 16 weeks. The 20 week one is covered by our insurance, and the 16 week one is not. I am going back and forth about what we should do!! I so desperately want to see our little one, but I don't want to be too impatient! Have any of you run into anything like this? Is it worth the money to find out a whole month earlier?!
I love reading my friend Cait's blog, and I've loved her pregnancy updates that I've decided that they are copy-worthy!
I used to think that ten weeks would be way to early for a bump picture, but lo and behold, I have a mini one already. I have vacillated between sharing it and keeping it, just because I already feel a little bit huge-ish. I didn't expect to have anything showing yet, so it's taking me a little while to get used to the idea, but here is the picture, followed by a little preggo update:
Eeek! Seeing it again makes me feel a little crazy!!
How far along: 10 weeks
Babe size: Kumquat (google it)
Total weight gain/loss: I'd lost a little with being sick, but I'm back to my normal weight now.
Sleep: Sleep is and has been odd. I'm exhausted all day, but when I lie down, it takes a good fifteen to thirty minutes to fall asleep. And I sleep more lightly than ever... any move or groan Billy makes wakes me up. I'm not sure if this is my ever pressing need to relieve myself or just incredibly weird raging hormones.
Movement: No movement yet. The only neat thing I feel is pressure when I lay on my belly (obviously only for a moment). It's like someone blew up a little balloon in my lower abdomen.
Food cravings/aversions: I have such food aversions I'm afraid that typing them out will make me remember the smell and look and I will start to gag. I am praying/sleeping my way through the next couple of weeks and hoping the sickness decides to end then! I haven't had many cravings, except that when something sounds good, I want to eat it right away because hardly anything consistently sounds appetizing.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Lots of nausea and achy-ness. For a moment yesterday, I was resting and I felt really good, which started to worry me because these symptoms have been so incredibly consistent. Well, no need for concern, because the moment I got up and started to move around, they all returned. I'm thankful for the reminders that things are going as they should.
Also, I have crazy vivid dreams that I hope are completely meaningless and disconnected from my mind. I wake up thinking, "Seriously?!" I don't know where these ideas come from.
What I miss: Having the energy to run my normally full schedule. I feel like a hermit.
What I'm looking forward to: Our next appointment on August 2. We recently decided to go with a local birthing center instead of a regular OB, and I'm excited to see how the appointment is different than our first few.
Milestones: My little bump is actually hard now instead of being a puffy gas-baby. That was disgusting as well as discouraging. At least now, it feels picture worthy.
Best moment this week: We went walking on the beach with some friends for our friend Anna's birthday. Though I was pretty worn out, the fresh air and coolness of the evening were a glorious combination. It felt like a glimpse into the energy and excitement of the second trimester. Though I don't want to rush any part of this pregnancy, I am itching for the nausea to come to a close.
Moments with Billy: I have felt much more connected with my husband, which I never would have thought possible (we are hopelessly in love!). Primarily, I have been ever so thankful for all of his help. I was stressing the other day because of my inability to keep our house clean. The next day, I was out for a couple of hours, and when I got home, he had vacuumed the house and cleaned the kitchen, and I just about broke down. I am so blessed.
