18 Weeks

How far along? 18 Weeks 3 days

Baby Length:  approximately 5 1/2 inches

Baby Weight:  almost 7 ounces

Baby is the size of a:  Bell Pepper  

Weight gain/loss: Up of 9.4 lbs since pre-pregnancy (130 lbs to 139.4 lbs).  I'm getting really durn close to 140 lbs.  I hadn't gained any weight until 2 1/2 weeks ago and now I'm almost up 10 lbs.  I guess I've been hungry and the baby is growing....
Maternity clothes?  Living in maxi dresses!  I like to cover my legs because they are chubbier and covered in mosquito bites.  We went to the beach last weekend and while packing I tried on all of my old shorts.  All of them were too tight in the butt and I couldn't button a single pair.  So, I'll keep wearing dresses.
Stretch marks? Nope.  Mustela Double action stretch mark cream and Palmer's Cocoa butter have been my best friends!
Sleeping? I wake up early and have a hard time falling back asleep.  I'm still using the body pillow and flip flopping from side to side every hour.
Best moment this week: The appraisal on our house we're selling was today and seemingly went well.  The appraiser said we should have no problem appraising at purchase price!  One less thing to worry about...check.
Miss anything? Missing my pre-baby body a bit.  It is really hard to watch the weight pile on when you've spent your life trying to stay fit and thin.  The lumpy bumpy additions and surplus of cellulite on my butt and legs doesn't really work wonders for the self esteem.  But we are so excited about this baby that I know it's all for a good cause.
Feel any movement? Maybe?!  I have felt a "twitch" in that area a few times when I am laying in bed trying to go to sleep.  I am most likely to feel it when I am laying on my back (which they tell you not to do when pregnant since it cuts off blood supply to uterus) - and I haven't felt anything that I could clearly describe as movement.  But I have had some weird flutters that don't seem like gas bubbles.
Food cravings: Everything and anything?  I feel like I am hungry and in the mood for any food that may be around.  I made cookies at 11 pm last night, after eating a bowl of ice cream.  Not so good for the booty.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling pretty good.
Gender: Not sure.
Labor Signs: Nope.
Symptoms: Bloated, breakouts, tired, and sore armpits.  I went to the doctor because I thought I found a lump in my armpit that was a bit questionable.  It took him all of 2 minutes to feel me up and declare that it was just my boobs growing in my armpits.  Nice!  I guess it is very common for axillary breast tissue to grow in the armpits in pregnancy and it feels very similar to growing boobs in puberty - lumpy and sore.  So, I am thrilled to report that even my armpits are getting fatter!!
Belly Button? In
Wedding rings? Tight every day now.  I definitely need to drink more water.
Happy or Moody? Happy and stressed.  We have so many big things going on right now - selling a house, buying a house, moving, baby, job stress....
Looking forward to: The weekend.  Friday at 5 pm can't get here soon enough!


Picture coming tonight when Jake comes home from work!


And here is 18 1/2 weeks shot:  These maxi dresses don't really do the bump justice!

17 Weeks

Today is my birthday and the start of a long holiday weekend that I am pretty excited about!  We are headed to Saint Simons Island, Georgia to spend the weekend with family.  It should be a great time!  Here is one of my favorite SSI pics.

We also are buying and selling a house, and got some good news on both fronts yesterday.  We finally came to an agreement and got a signed contract from our buyer, and the house we are buying had a satisfactory appraisal so everything should be all good with the financing.  Here is the house:

How far along? 17 Weeks 4 days

Baby Length:  approximately 5 inches

Baby Weight:  almost 5 ounces

Baby is the size of a:  Turnip  
Weight gain/loss: Up of 7.2 lbs since pre-pregnancy (130 lbs to 137.2 lbs).  I'm really not sure I like this trend...If I gain 2 lbs a week for the rest of pregnancy I will gain over 50 lbs.  I need to eat healthier...bye bye cheese addiction.
Maternity clothes?  I've been living in my normal dresses.  I can't stand the feel of anything tight around my waist.  The maxi dresses are still fitting comfortably, but anything with structure is tight and uncomfortable.  But I'm holding out on maternity clothes until I'm at least halfway.  This is my first baby...I'm not supposed to be this big already!
Stretch marks? Still none that I can see.  I feel like I found some that I already had on my butt/hip area (probably the remains of my freshman 20) so I've decided to slather those up as well and see if they fade.
Sleeping? Sleep is still tough this week.  I wake up frequent and flip from left side to right side and back about 15 times a night.  The body pillow is nice though.
Best moment this week: Today!  Its my birthday and we're heading to the beach for the long weekend!  So excited.
Miss anything? Missing my summer white wine.  Jake opened a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay that's been sitting in our fridge for a while after a long day and I had a few sips.  It tasted so good and was so refreshing.
Feel any movement? Nada :(
Food cravings: No real cravings this week.  I feel full all the time.  Even when I am hungry I still feel full and bloated.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No nausea here!
Gender: Not sure.
Labor Signs: Nope.
Symptoms: Bloated, tired, easily irritated and full all the time.  Also some weird breakouts under my arms.
Belly Button? In
Wedding rings? On - but tighter.  I need to drink more water so I don't retain so much.
Happy or Moody? Happy!  Its a holiday weekend.  Yippee!
Looking forward to: Baby Nash movement and my 20 week Anatomy scan.  Still waiting for both...

My recent necessities

Here are a few of the items I find myself turning to on a daily basis:

  

               

       

 

Just a few Nursery Ideas

I've started to contemplate the baby's nursery in the new house.  We are talking about turning this huge room on the first floor into a master suite with big master bath and walk-in closet...the only drawback to doing so is that would mean I am downstairs when the nursery is upstairs.  The current master upstairs is pretty small though, and has a boring bathroom and tiny closet, so we're still debating what to do.

As far as nursery ideas go, I love a gender neutral palette.  Soft grey, beige, cream colors are my favorite.  I like the striped wall idea - with grey and white or beige and cream.  I also love a chandelier in a baby room.  Maybe silly and extravagant, but I think it's fun.

Here are a few of the favorites I've found so far:

16 Wk OB Appt

I forgot to update on my latest, greatest appointment with Dr. Marcus on Tuesday, May 15th.  There wasn't really too much to the appt.  They check my blood pressure and weight (ugh!), and then collect a urine sample to check for whatever they check every time with that.  They checked my iron since I mentioned I was feeling really tired.  It came back the first time at 10 - which is really low since they want it above 12.  But then she had me pull down my eyelids (weird) and said I didn't look like a 10.  So she rechecked it and I was a 13 which she was fine with.  She didnt' see the need to put me on an iron supplement anymore.

Judi and I went into an exam room where she listened to the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler - I think it was running around 140 bpm.  Then Dr. Marcus came into the room and basically felt my stomach.  That's it.  And said he was excited about my pregnancy and scurried me out of there.

They were in such a rush they happened to forget the 2nd trimester blood test for spinal cord abnormalities like spina bifida, as well as I forgot to ask about the prescription prenatals I wanted, the Strivectin cream I like to use on my face, and the weird lump thing in my armpit.  Kind of annoying.  So I had to go back on Friday for the blood test, they called in the prescription for the prenatals - I'm going to try CitriNatal DHA, and they scheduled me an appt for next Thursday to come in and have Dr. Marcus look at the armpit thing.  Its probably nothing - or an ingrown hair - but Judi said it was better safe than sorry.

I go back for follow-up with Dr. Marcus on Monday, June 11th for my 20 week OB appt, and then I will head over to Northside Hospital for my Anatomy scan with Dr. Mann on Thursday, June 14th.  I can't wait to see the baby again!  And hopefully I will be able to maintain the willpower to not find out the gender!!!

16 Weeks

How far along? 16 Weeks 4 days

Baby Length:  approximately 4 1/2 inches

Baby Weight:  almost 3 1/2 ounces

Baby is the size of an:  Avocado

Weight gain/loss: Gain of 5.2 lbs since pre-pregnancy (130 lbs to 135.2 lbs).  In 2 weeks I have gone from 128 to 135. That is pretty impressive and takes some effort!  I do need to be careful and monitor my weight gain a bit because I have been eating everything in sight and have a new weakness for sweets that I never had before.  Its going to be really hard to deal with hitting 150 lbs.  Sigh....
Maternity clothes?  Since my boobs are bigger and somehow my hips and shoulders seem to have widened, I definitely think I am getting closer to pulling the maternity clothes donations out of the attic.  I thought for sure since it was my first I wouldn't need them until after 20 weeks.  Another Sigh...
Stretch marks? Not yet.  Applying lotion all the time gets a little old, but I'm trying to keep up with it.  Since its been hot lately I feel a bit greasy all the time.  Its really fun to stick to the bed sheets. ;)
Sleeping? Sleeping a little bit better in between my every 2 hour pee breaks.  I can't wait until baby pops forward and stops putting so much pressure on my bladder!  I scrapped the pregnancy pillows and am using the good old fashioned body pillow from Bed, Bath & Beyond. It's been a lifesaver!
Best moment this week: Telling more of my coworkers the good news in Knoxville at a dinner program.  Everyone was really excited for me :)  And they served carrot cake slices the size of my head so that was a good moment too.
Miss anything? We went out to Taqueria del Sol with some friends on Monday night and it was really hard watching them enjoy all those salty margaritas on the rocks.  I don't think I'm supposed to eat Mexican cheese dip either, but I was week and gave in to my temptations.  I ate about half a bowl.  Oops.
Feel any movement? Nope.  I can hear the baby moving like crazy on the Doppler though so hopefully we are getting close!  
Food cravings: Still craving red meat.  My iron was low at my 16 week OB check with Dr. Marcus this week so maybe there is some science to pregnancy cravings.  I'm so excited that Jake and I have a date night at Kevin Rathbun Steak tomorrow night - since we tried date night last week and went to the wrong one.  We made a reservation and everything, but since they are down the road from one another on the same street, we ended up at Rathbun's Steakhouse - which was okay...weird menu with lots of uncooked meats and shellfish/seafood as well as lots of unpasteurized cheeses.  Was a pain to order there.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling pretty good this week.  Just really tired all of the time.
Gender: ? Found out Jake's cousin and his wife are having a boy today!  Yay Brady and Dan!  I think we are sticking to team green if I can make it.  I like the idea of the surprise
Labor Signs: No - thank god.
Symptoms: Bloated, tired, grumpy.  And a bad case of fat butt syndrome.
Belly Button? In
Wedding rings? On - although a little tight this morning.  I had pizza for dinner so I'm probably retaining water.  I need to watch the sodium intake.
Happy or Moody? Happy but stressed.  We are dealing with the buyers from hell trying to get a contract in place for selling our house!  Its a young, single girl who's buying it, but daddy is a lawyer and he is a pain in my ass!!!  I'll be glad when June is over!
Looking forward to: Baby Nash movement.  Maybe next week???

My First Mother's Day!

This week I got great news that the Harmony Blood test came back as "Very Low Risk" for Down Syndrome or Trisomy 13 or 18!  There is a very low error rate for this test and the nurse who called me with the results correlated it to an Amniocentesis.  I head in to Dr. Marcus' office on Tuesday for my 16 week OB follow-up, and I can ask him then about the second trimester screening that's available.  I think it involves more poking with needles :(  I have been checking the baby's heartbeat every few days with the Doppler and its been running about 150 bpm.

This weekend also marks my first pseudo Mother's Day!  My sweet sisters Whitney and Kelly sent me some beautiful flowers to celebrate!  Thanks girls!

Also, my sister-in-law Becky sent me this cute little picture frame from Amazon.com that says "Love at first sight" and then you put in your early ultrasound images to remember when you first met your little one.  A unique and very thoughtful gift!

15 Weeks

How far along? 15 Weeks 5 days

Baby Length:  approximately 4 inches

Baby Weight:  almost 2 1/2 ounces

Baby is the size of an:  Apple

Weight gain/loss: up 2.5 lbs since pre-pregnancy (130 lbs to 132.5 lbs).  Somehow I've managed to put on 4 or 5 lbs in the past week and a half.  I don't feel like much is baby though - I'm mostly pregnant in my butt and thighs.
Maternity clothes? I received another donation from my friend Brie, so my maternity inventory keeps growing.  Not wearing any of them yet...but I do feel like I'm getting closer to that point.  I was in Boston for work this week working a conference and all of my suit pants are so tight and uncomfortable!
Stretch marks? Not yet.  Still lathering up with lotion nonstop.  Using a mix of Mustela and Palmer's Cocoa Butter.
Sleeping? Still not sleeping great.  I wake up about 3 times a night to pee, and then I spend the rest of the time tossing and turning.  I bought a big body pillow which seems to provide some relief - I tried the Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow I got from Brie and I must not be big enough yet because its not really comfortable.  I also order the Crane Drop humidifier and tried it one night.  I feel like I woke up more congested and coughing after using it.
Best moment this week: Telling my boss and coworkers that I was pregnant!  It was a huge relief to feel like people can know and support me now.  I found out one of my coworkers is due exactly 2 weeks before I am!
Miss anything? I miss having a glass of wine (or 2!) at the end of the day.  Happy hour was something that Jake and I really enjoyed together to unwind at the end of the day.  I also miss sushi (tuna/avocado rolls) and soft cheeses.
Feel any movement? Nope.
Food cravings: No new food cravings this week, although I did eat steak 2 times.  Which is more than I had eaten steak in the previous 15 years before pregnancy!  I'm not sure what changes when pregnant, but meat sounds and tastes so good!
Anything making you queasy or sick: A  bit dizzy but not really nausea at all this week.
Gender: ? Still not sure if we will find out or not.  I'm really leaning toward waiting for the surprise at birth.
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Some cramping this week, fatigue, bloated and constipated all the time.  Fun, huh?
Belly Button? In
Wedding rings? On
Happy or Moody? Being on my feet working at a conference all week with very little sleep has made me a bit bitchy this week.  And on top of that the fire alarm went off at the hotel at 2 am one of the nights and then I couldn't go back to sleep after so that night was basically a waste.
Looking forward to: Selling our house and moving into a new house.  And never dealing with a realtor again.  Ever.