17.5 weeks

I'm a horrible blogger!

Krew is now 4 calendar months (but 17.5 weeks). Yeah, the discrepancy between a calendar month and a lunar month is super annoying.

I took Krew in to the clinic for his 4ish month checkup. As of last Wednesday (July 27) he weighed 16 pounds 2 oz (birth weight 8 lbs 5 oz) and was 25 inches long (birth length 21 inches). So that means that he has nearly doubled his birth weight and that he has grown 4 inches in 4 months! He is still wearing a size 6 month sleeper, but some of the smaller ones are nearly too small for his big feet and long torso.

The physiotherapist (Jaclyn) has been super awesome with him. She has been showing me neck stretches and exercises to help him strengthen his left neck muscle. And best of it, it has been working! He now moves his head to the left side more easily and he also sits more centered instead of to the right. We still need to work on keeping his left ear away from his left shoulder, as well as helping him roll to his left side. Since working with Jaclyn, Krew has stopped rolling over, but considering the fact that he was only rolling over because he was so lopsided during tummy time this is a good thing. He kicks with his legs more often and he nearly "swims" on his tummy. That boy wants to motor!

So, remember the cute cooing noises Krew would make (posted on my last entry)? Well, he still makes a version of that noise. Except now the noise is much higher pitched and resembles that of a shriek:

He's a pretty funny kid too, and I think he knows it. He recognizes words like "bottle" and "bath" and maybe even "walk" and gets super excited. He starts kicking his legs and his eyes open really wide.

I think he might be teething. His fist chewing and drooling would indicate a yes, but looking in his mouth I don't see inflamed gums. In the below picture he actually looks like he has teeth visible through his gums though, so maybe? (Click picture below to enlarge.)

Mmm. Fist.

He loves the feel of a fleece blanket, so he always pulls it up to (and sometimes over) his face when he is in his crib, car seat, or chair. Mix the soggy fist with a fleece blanket and he always has lint between his fingers and clutched in his little hands. He also loves to chew/suck on his bibs, but I think sometimes the bib just happened to be between his fist and his mouth at the time.

He's just a happy kid, just look at this face!

He's also super strong. When he is lying down I grab his fists and he will stiffen his shoulders and neck so he can be pulled into the sitting position. Unfortunately, we used to play a game with him where he would push back with his feet and he would fall back onto a pillow, so now he keeps doing that and won't stay sitting upright, lol. He also likes to sit in a sprawl, just like most males, and prefers to be reclining versus sitting upright. Jaclyn lent us a Bumbo chair to help him improve his sitting and keeping his body in midline, but he just sits back (instead of forward) and leans to one side.

His sleeping habits are both better and worse than they were. When he goes to sleep in the evening (usually between 7:30 and 9) he is out for the night. But! There are times now where I have to get up in the middle of the night because he is crying for his soother. And by crying, I mean shrieking. So, getting up for the soother is easier than getting up to feed him, but it still isn't sleeping all the way through the night. He still wakes up at either 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. for feeding, but he will go back to sleep again after, so that's good. There are times when he seems to sleep all day and other times when he just will not sleep at all. We use a music and motion soother (below) that plays music, both with or without lights and motion to help put him to sleep. If that doesn't work, we use a mobile. For some reason the mobile will calm him down better, but maybe that's because we don't use it all the time?

Best investment ever.

Krew is still easygoing, he still goes with the flow, but he does seem to be getting a little leery of new faces. He warms up to the new person fairly quickly, but will still look for me or Kevin to make sure we're around. He smiles easily and has a laugh that sounds more like a wheeze, but it's hilarious. Unfortunately I can't seem to make him laugh when I have my camera out!

Oh, I also gave him a hair cut a couple days ago.

Loooong hair.

Side view.

After.

Much shorter now!

Week #35

My Opinion:
I still need to:

1. Wash K's stuff.
2. Clean/organize his room (even more so).
3. Pack a bag for K, myself, and Kevin.
4. Make sure the car seat fits.
5. Pre-register at hospital.
6. Other stuff that I haven't thought of yet.

Next week I hit Week #36 - also known as Month #9 - and I imagine that's when the real waiting game begins.

I'm still working on my coursework. Although I've fallen a little behind on my personal timeline, I'm still a couple months ahead of the scheduled timeline, so I'm ok. I also just found out that I am (for sure) getting maternity leave, so now I can take it easy if I have/need to.

I think the nesting part finally kicked in. Or at least the part where I feel like I have to keep busy (like laundry at 8 pm on a Sunday night) and rearrange everything (the cupboard under my kitchen sink). Speaking of reorganization, my sister-in-law was lovely enough to give me a bunch of baby clothes, and, as a result, I realized that I needed more space. So, to compensate for all of the extra items, Kevin and I picked up 2 more fabric drawers for the 9 cubicle storage unit, and a 6 shelf garment organizer for the closet. We also picked up a pop-up hamper for dirty laundry, and I imagine that it is going to be used a great many times.

 

Garment organizer (left), Hamper (right)

My sleep patterns have been erratic lately: Tuesday and Wednesday nights involved me waking every 2 hours (on the dot), which left me extremely tired but unable to nap later in the day. Thursday night, however, I changed my sleeping position after waking once or twice, and then I slept solid for the rest of the night. Sleeping on my side would cause me to wake regularly, whereas sleeping on my back allowed me to sleep soundly.

Speaking of sleeping on my side: I was lying in bed last night and the kid totally stretched and I ended up with an elbow on my down-facing side and a foot on my up-facing side. He moved before Kevin could feel it, but it was like I had a pyramid-shaped implant sticking out my side! Actually, if you feel the tip of your elbow (with your arm bent), that's about the right size, and that's how hard it was too! The side that I was lying on just made it feel like I was laying on something hard, like a golf ball.

My feet aren't as swollen, again, but I think now it is actually exercise related. If I sit all the time, my feet swell. But, if I get out at least a little bit to do something that involves more than just walking from my computer room to kitchen then the swelling isn't as bad. My feet still are a little swollen, but not as badly (or as comically).

Development:
By now the baby should weigh around 2.383 kg (5.25 lbs) and be around 46.2 cm (or 18.19 inches) long. For those of you following along closely, it seems like the baby's length jumped a LOT (like 5 inches) this past week. The truth is that I didn't double-check the cm to inch conversions on the website and it turns out that they were wrong. So, the inches this week is correct and he really is that long. And I don't feel like going back and finding where the numbers went wrong, so I'll just leave it as is, lol.

Since the baby hasn't dropped yet, my uterus should sit about 15 cm above my belly button and about 35 cm above my pubic symphysis. My weight gain at this point should be around 23.8-28.6 lbs, but I definitely blew that and weigh in around 33 lbs.

This week his fatty deposits continue to develop and his arms and legs will start getting chubbier. If he were born this week, he would lose weight faster than a full term baby since his digestive tract wouldn't be fully developed enough to be self-sufficient.

Week #33, Doctor Appointment #10 & Hospital Tour

Hospital Tour:
We (finally) did the hospital tour on Wednesday. I figured that if we put it off much longer that we would run the risk of not knowing where to go when it was time for the baby to be born. There is a virtual tour available for the UHNBC for those curious-minded individuals, and for those interested in checking it out in person, the tour is every first and third Wednesday of the month from 1 pm to 2 pm.

The tour group was small (2 other couples, plus they brought one child each) so we weren't having to peer over shoulders to see what was going on. We weren't able to see any of the Assessment Rooms (they were full!) but we got a quick glimpse into one of the postpartum rooms. Most of the tour was conducted inside the Labour & Delivery Room, which was huge and equipped with extra supplies, labour accessories (exercise ball and labour bar), plus a private ensuite. There was an extra bed, a fetal heart rate monitor, baby bassinet, baby warmer, an IV pole, plus a personal supply of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Apparently IVs are only necessary when the mother arrives on the dehydrated side, so I'm going to make sure I stay hydrated to avoid one.

It was definitely reassuring to know where to go when I eventually go into labour, and all of the different options available for labouring. Some of the info will be filed away for later use and some discarded entirely, but options are options and it is nice to know I have some.

Doctor Appointment:
I went into my doctor's appointment on Thursday feeling a little anxious. On Wednesday night I noticed that I had been spotting; however, since the baby is super active I wasn't terribly worried. But I did get a little excited thinking that maybe it was my mucus plug; but if that was the case I'd probably have to be a little more careful since that is what keeps bacteria, etc out of the uterus. Turns out I have a bladder infection (which is where the blood came from), so I'm on antibiotics for a week. The upside is that now my bladder won't be sensitive to touch anymore. There really is no downside, actually. A quick dipstick test of my urine sample tested positive for blood and bacteria, and my cervix was swabbed (just in case), so my next doctor's appointment is next week (with Dr. Cosio) to discuss my lab results, as well as do another checkup. My antibiotics are also only for a week, so if needed I could have my prescription refilled at that time. (Amoxicillin 500 mg t.i.d. x7 days - haha!)

Also, the baby's head is down! Or at least it was when the doctor checked him out. His heart rate was about 142 bpm, which is lower than it has been in the past, but the older the baby gets, the slower the heart rate becomes. My heartrate, on the other hand, was at 95. NINETY-FIVE. My normal resting heartrate used to be around 72 bpm and so I'm over 20 bpm higher than I was before I got pregnant. Insane!

My Opinion:
The maternity shots were postponed last weekend due to snow; we hope to do them soon.

There's been a lot of kicking of my right ribs lately and a lot of movement in my lower abdomen. It feels weird - sort of ticklish but like digestion at the same time. I think my belly is getting wider too - before it was sort of egg-shaped (narrow end sticking out) but now it seems to be filling in more. I've been having some trouble walking due to the hip pain, but this probably has a lot to do with the fact that I sit for hours on end working on my program. Although my feet and lower back would ache if I spent more time standing, so I'm really at that stage where I can't win either way.

Development:
This week the kid weighs in at 1.918 kg (or 4.23 lbs) and is around 43.7 cm (or 17.20 inches) long - although my kid is probably way taller than that by now, lol. My uterus is now around 13 cm above my belly button and 33 cm above my pubic symphysis, with my weight gain between 22 and 28 lbs (I'm at 30 lbs -- oops!).

He's also going to be putting that thumb to good use as he practices his sucking, and he will continue to put on weight to fill out those fat deposits. Also, his skin should be changing colour now from red to pink as a result of the aforementioned fat deposits.

Misc:
My mom was in town last week and bought some things for my baby: a crib pad, a crib sheet, a nasal aspirator (never would have thought of that one on my own), and a little outfit.

Kevin and I keep talking about how we need to get that bag packed, but haven't been able to pull it off quite yet. I want to pick up some travel-sized toiletries and then I don't need to worry about forgetting mine at home when the time comes. We also need to pick out a coming home outfit, especially since most of his clothes right now are around the 3 month old range, and maybe some brand new newborn diapers. We have size 1's, but then she showed us the ones in the hospital...and they're way smaller. Maybe just a small pack, just in case he does end up bigger.

I should probably also start washing some of his things, like receiving blankets, so that those are ready to go when he's born too. The other things, like larger clothes, can even wait if I don't get around to them before he's born.

Week #31 & Doctor Appointment #9

My Opinion:
I am so ready for this to be over now. I'm uncomfortable more often than not, and I feel like an invalid. While it is nice to have Kevin fetch things for me from the basement or to carry 98% of the groceries in from the car, I do feel a little silly when he asks if I need help getting into and out of the car. Although, to be honest, I will probably need the help soon.

My feet are still incredibly swollen and my back (in between my shoulder blades and a little lower) has started to ache. My ribs have joined in as well, either out of sympathy or group protest. When I walk I sway like I'm in a canoe and when I sit I have to lean to the left since the kid has decided he likes the right side. On a good note, he doesn't kick as much as he used to; however, when he does move it is more painful. Why have I never heard about how it hurts when the baby kicks? For some reason I naively believed that I would be insulated from his movements. Wrong.

I recently added another pillow to my side of the bed (bringing me up to 4) so I can sleep higher at night. I have also discovered that if I stop eating a couple hours before bed then I don't get heartburn as badly. Score! Despite the fact that I've been sleeping well (read: not getting up at night to pee), I've still been tired during the day.

By the way, you must check out this link! It illustrates the internal changes while a woman pregnant, and, if you're curious like me, it shows where her organs go (hint: it's up) while the baby is cohabiting.

Doctor's Appointment:
I went to see Dr. Brenckmann today, and found out that I'm NEGATIVE for gestational diabetes! Woo! My numbers were on the high end of the normal range, but still below the cutoff mark, so I'm good. The kid also decided to cooperate with the doctor and allow her to measure his heart rate, although she isn't sure whether he's head down yet. I have another appointment in 2 weeks...at which point I'll only have 7 weeks left. Meaning less than 2 months. Eeep!

Development:
The kid is now around 1.502 kg (or 3.3 lbs) and is around 41.1 cm (16.2 inches) in length. My uterus is now 11 cm above my belly button and 31 cm above my pubic symphysis with my weight gain between 21 and 27 lbs (I'm at 26 lbs).

If I went into labour today, my baby would be able to breathe (very important), listen, see, remember and learn. His weight gain will slow down this week too, as his little body will start to put more energy into developing his internal organs. Also his skeleton is starting to harden like crazy, so calcium is very important right now (I'm all over that).

Misc.:
As you can see, I've changed the format of my Q&A section. I figured since my mood, cravings, and nursery never really changed that I would stop writing about them, unless something interesting happened. In which case it'll get added somewhere.

I did, however, receive the Nestle baby diaper bag package today! It's a one-shouldered diaper bag that includes the following: change mat, 150 mL Nuk Orthodontic (BPA-free) bottle, 340 g Nestle Good Start Iron-Fortified Formula, Baby's First Formula Feeding Kit (which includes 8x89 mL Nestle Good Start Omega 3 & 6 Ready-to-Feed bottles and bonus nipple), as well as a pamphlet on breastfeeding. It also included a pack of single-serving instant coffee, but I don't drink coffee, so it doesn't count.

PS - Blogger photo uploader is being an ass, so I wasn't able to include a picture of the package or of my sexy feet. Maybe later.

Week #27

Welcome to the 3rd Trimester! (Also known as the most uncomfortable phase of your entire pregnancy.)

Lately I've been feeling nauseous at night and so, in an attempt to make myself more comfortable, I have been propping myself up with pillows. It seems to be working so far. Even lying on my side makes me feel sick, so I am assuming that getting my head up higher than the rest of my body is the way to alleviate the nausea.  The kid's kicks/turns/happy hour are getting harder - but not as hard as I had originally assumed they would be. Soon he'll run out of space to wind up and his kicks will either become less frequent or less hard. Either one works for me.

I've decided that it's a lot harder to ignore the baby while he's kicking than I had originally thought. Especially while sitting. Just last night I was forced to get up and walk around a little just to ease the kicking - and it probably put the kid to sleep. Since I've been working for hours on end with my course, it means that I've been sitting for long periods of time as well. I don't know if he gets bored or cramped or what since he's taken to kicking me to the point where I have to get up. And he always stops when Kevin tries to feel him move. Crazy, hey? I swear he knows the difference between my hand and his dad's. Kevin put his ear to my belly last night and said that it sounded like running water - so, it may have been the heart beat or the amniotic fluid he heard.

Baby K now weighs in at a whopping 875 grams (just under 2 lbs) and measures 36.6 cm from head to heel (about 14.41 inches). My uterus is now about 7 cm above my belly button and 27 cm above my pubic bone.

It is around 27 or 28 weeks that the baby's eyelids unfuse and he will start to develop his sense of sight. His brain is still developing and his week special attention is paid to his forebrain, as well as the parts of the brain that deals with auditory and visual information.

If I end up developing gestational diabetes (I still haven't done that test yet...), it is right about now that I'll start to rapidly gain weight.

How am I feeling? Tired. Since I felt really sick a couple nights in a row, it really messed with my sleep; however, I think I may have that figured out now so it should (hopefully) improve. I know that today I definitely feel better than I did yesterday.

What am I craving this week? Pizza and Cadbury Creme eggs. Not necessarily at the same time though. I guess I'm craving just junk food in general.

Mood swings? I have no idea. I have been getting a workout lately (from shovelling) and I really do think exercise improves my mood, so I think I've been ok. You should see my arms now: they're excellent!

Any baby purchases? Nope.

What about the nursery? Still the same, although Isis has taken to sleeping on the bed every day. I think the baby is going to have a roommate!

I really haven't been feeling motivated to do much of anything lately, except work on my program. My cross-stitch has progressed a little, but I feel like I really can't be bothered to do anything else. Including fixing my computer or using Kevin's computer to upload pictures. One of these days, maybe. Apparently my "nesting" is supposed to kick in next week or so for the following month, so hopefully I'll manage to find the motivation to get things done.

Week #25

Mystery solved: my doctor's appointment was apparently scheduled on the 29th instead of the 28th (although my appointment card said otherwise), so it has now been rescheduled for this afternoon.

I never thought I'd say this, but I think I'm finally starting to enjoy this whole pregnancy thing.  I mean, getting up once or twice a night does suck, but I'm definitely in the honeymoon stage right now.  I'm sure that'll change once I get into the third trimester (which, incidentally, is in about 2 weeks) when I start getting to be too big to do anything and have to get up multiple times during the night every night.  And when I can't see my toes. 

I've been feeling really good about myself in terms of my body image as well.  I've seen several friends recently who I haven't seen in a while and they all think I look great.  One even said that I looked like I had just finished a huge dinner and then promptly compared her belly to mine (she isn't pregnant).  I had never spent much time around pregnant women, so I really didn't know what the belly felt like, but, despite its appearance, it is firm to the touch.  More like rock-hard abs, only much, much rounder.

The kid kicks all the time now and has (finally) stopped kicking my bladder.  I even felt movement one time on the upper right side, then a harder movement on the lower left - so I think I was punched and then kicked.  It was a weird sensation.  It still feels like a muscle spasm, only now you can definitely feel it from the outside.  After I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I can feel him moving a lot more when I lay down, so I think I've woken him up at that point.  I think Kevin has actually transitioned into the daddy mind-state sooner than I've switched to mommy-mode; I asked him if he thought it was weird that he was going to be a dad in only a few months and he said no.  I know that I am still adjusting!

This week my boy weighs in at 660 grams (1.5 lbs) and is 34.6 cm (13.6 inches) long.  My uterus is 25 cm from the pubic syphysis to the top and is roughly the size of a small soccer ball.  Really?  Blood vessels are starting to form under his skin and his skin is turning pinkish. 

Some common ailments during pregnancy in this stage are itchy skin and swelling/bloating. The itchy skin is caused by the stretching of the uterus and stomach and can be alleviated through lotions and creams.  The swelling and bloating (and subsequent "cankles") can be helped by staying hydrated, eating foods that act as natural diuretics and by putting your feet up (and begging for a foot rub).  I've started getting paranoid that my ankles are being slowly swallowed by my calves and actually asked Kevin for his opinion the other night - he said they look fine.

How am I feeling?  I'm getting used to being larger and even rolling out of bed, so it isn't as big of an adjustment anymore.  I sleep on my side 80% of the night now (with a pillow tucked under my belly) because when I lie on my back the kid takes that as a cue to move.  Or maybe I just feel it more.  Plus, when I sleep on my side with the pillow it takes me back to when I was a teenager (or younger) and used to sleep curled up with my pillow squished into the wall.  I go back and forth between feeling exhausted or energized each day, but I think I'm even getting used to that aspect.

What am I craving this week?  I eat waffles every morning (no, I don't make them from scratch...), but I've found that during the past couple weeks I want more, immediately after finishing them.  For some reason they just taste extra amazing now.  I still love my mandarin oranges too.

Mood swings?  Not really.  I say that because, while I don't necessarily feel like I'm being pissy, I recognize that my comments sound like I am.  In some ways I almost feel a little uninhibited when I talk - especially with Kevin - but I don't know if he thinks I'm being bitchy or not.  I should ask.  I still find that when I find something funny, I think it's funny for a long time after.

Any baby purchases?  Not yet - still need to order the play yard for the kid though.

What about the nursery?  I feel like the nursery is starting to take on a nautical theme - which I'm totally ok with.  But not with motorized boats - more like the sailing ships of old.  For example, Kevin has this fantastic model boat that we have in the nursery and I'm working on a birth announcement cross-stitch piece.  And, now that I have the pictures side-by-side, I realize they're practically identical.  That's fantastic!!  I think the stars we have in place will suit the new theme just fine (for navigational purposes, of course) and I still want the motorized solar system and Twilight Turtle, but I think the combined theme will add more fun to the room.

Week #24 - 6 Months

I was supposed to have a checkup this week, but due to the office being locked (and, I'm assuming, closed for the holidays) I was unable to see a doctor.  Weird.  I guess I'll have to call them after the holidays and reschedule.

Only 4 months left!!

My excitement level has been increasing with each passing week - and each kick.  The little guy has been having a jolly time just cruising around in my belly and has been making his presence felt more each day.  He still won't kick on demand, but his repetitive motions (while I'm lying down) has enabled Kevin to interact with him a little more.  And he loves Glee music!  I wasn't sure initially because on Christmas Eve I was singing along with a Karaoke CD with my niece and he started kicking up a storm.  Then after returning home, I bought some albums on iTunes and he kicks whenever I listen to it.  How fun is that?!

I've been feeling great this week!  I even went for a crazy long walk with a friend on Tuesday night; granted, by the end of it I was nearly limping, but otherwise it was fantastic to get out and do something!  I also had an amazing lunch date with two of my favourite ladies; everyone has been so crazy-busy with work and Christmas, so it was lovely to catch up.  And by the way, I'm incredibly jealous that everyone seems to be joining a gym, but it would be useless for me to even bother (except for walking on the treadmill).  Due to the fact that I need gym buddies to bother going, this would have been perfect for me!  I'm looking on the bright side: after baby is born, if everyone is still going, they'll be in a routine which will make it even easier for me to go regularly. Yay!

I also think that I'm going to start posting pictures of my growing belly every week.  If I remember.

Baby K now measures 30 cm (11.81 inches) in length - the length of a standard ruler - and weighs in at 600 grams (or 1.32 lbs).  He is also considered "viable" at this stage; meaning, he would survive - with help - if he were to be born now.  My uterus now sits 5.1 cm (or 2 inches) above my belly button.  My baby's face and body are starting to fatten, so that now he looks like a newborn - albeit a tiny one - with most of his weight gain being in his muscles, developing organs and bone mass.

Due to changing hormones, the blood vessels in the nasal passages can swell causing more frequent nasal stuffiness or even nosebleeds.  Luckily, I've only been stuck with a slightly runny nose; however, it is winter, so I don't really notice.  But, if I were suffering more, a good way to cope would be to have a humidifier in the bedroom or to use nasal decongestants.

How am I feeling?  Great!  My lower back does get sore when I'm sitting for too long, but I almost think I'm getting used to it now.  I've been sleeping better this week too (and getting up less at night) so I'm just peachy!  Except for last night; last night I was up almost every 2-3 hours.

What am I craving this week?  Peaches!  Not all the time, but enough that I went and opened (and then consumed half of) a can of peaches.  I still eat my mandarin oranges and I still like my spicier foods.  Oh, but when we were buying ice cream, I wanted something with strawberries in it, not just a strawberry flavour, so that was a picky choice.  It's a good thing Kevin is such a good sport about my pickiness, lol.

Mood swings?  YES.  I had a mini-meltdown over Christmas, which, in hindsight, wouldn't have been that dramatic if I wasn't pregnant.  I still would've been super pissed off, but I wouldn't have broken down like I had.  On the flip side, when I find something funny it's a full on laugh that doesn't stop.  Maybe it wouldn't have been that funny if I wasn't pregnant, but if I have to be super emotional at least I get the perks of a really good laugh.  It was totally at Kevin's expense, but I think he was just so pleased that I was laughing so hard that he went along with it.  He was probably laughing at me laughing so hard.

Any baby purchases?  No, but we received a Diaper Genie from Kevin's brother (and his family), so that was super awesome!  We also received a couple other smaller items from my mom, and some cash from my brother (and family) for the baby.  With the cash and some gift certificates, we plan on buying a play yard that has an included bassinet (not pictured) and change table.

I think this play yard is fantastic!  It has everything we were looking for, plus the colours look like they would match either the nursery or stroller combo.  And! If you look closely, the mobile has a moon and stars!  Just perfect!  We plan on setting this up in the nursery and I'm going to stay in there until he's outgrown the crib and hopefully has a more established sleeping pattern.  Initially I wanted him in our room, but I don't want to disturb Kevin since he'll have to work and need his sleep.  On the other hand, I didn't want Kevin's alarm clock to wake the baby if I had just put him down! 

What about the nursery?  We still haven't put up the curtains/blinds yet, but that will be a quick job so we aren't feeling rushed about it.  Now that the painting/set up is finished, it is such a huge relief and the incoming baby is becoming more real.  I still get giddy when we walk past his room and I've starting imagining what he'll look like and who he'll take after in personality.  Having spent Christmas with 3 of my nieces and then Boxing Day with the other 2, all of who have such different personalities, it is really exciting to think about.

Oh, so I have this theory about pregnancy.  I believe that forgetting things (all the time) is a side affect of not sleeping enough, but I do truly believe that being pregnant makes you "stupid".  Combined with the kicking and "momnesia", all you can think about is your growing baby.  On top of that is an increased dependence on your partner (if you are fortunate enough to have one) as the growing belly makes it more difficult to perform easy tasks, such as tying your shoes.  When you think about it, there is no evolutionary advantage to a pregnant woman being so vulnerable; nor for the newborn to be so helpless.  All other creatures lack this aspect during gestation, and most newborns are capable of moving independently within hours of being born.  Therefore, it is my belief that the woman's dependency draws her and her partner together during pregnancy to create a stronger family unit leading up to the baby's birth.  The baby's vulnerability then leads the mother and father to take care of the baby which forges a close bond between all involved. 

What do you think?  Yea/Nay?

Week #23

Due to the fact that I can no longer sit straight up from a lying position, I have been forced to roll out of bed the past couple weeks.  Roll.  Ditto that for going to bed too.  And if I happen to be sitting on the floor, I have to maneuver myself onto my knees to stand up.  I feel like a damn turtle.  I've also been forced out of my favourite t-shirts: the bottom keeps riding up exposing my underbelly, so I've been wearing longer ones.  I'm still hoping to avoid the maternity shirts for a while longer.

The kid has been kicking up a storm lately - and Kevin was finally able to feel him!  It's my understanding that this kicking is going to become more frequent and much, much stronger until he no longer has enough room to pull back so far to wallop my insides.  So far he spends most of his time kicking my lower abdomen (the underside of my belly) on the right side, which makes me wonder how he's positioned in there: is he lying on his back or tummy?  Is he vertical or horizontal?  Curled in a ball or arms and legs splayed?  I've never given it much thought until this week.

This week my little guy is around 28 cm (11.4 inches) long and weighs in at 501 grams (or 1.1 lbs), with my uterus sitting about 3 cm above my bellybutton and 23 cm above my pubic symphysis.  My total weight gain should be about 12-15 lbs, and I ring in at around 10 lbs (compared to my pre-pregnancy weight).

The boy's body will start getting plumper and more wrinkled now, with his lanugo hair (if any) will start to darken.  His eyelids and eyebrows have finished forming and he will double in weight over the next month.  With the hardening of his inner ear bones (anvil, hammer and stirrup) his hearing is now functional; however, that doesn't mean he will be able to understand (or interpret) what he hears, since his brain may be too immature at this point.  His organs that develop hormones are developing nicely, particularly insulin production from his pancreas.

Some pains that I may be experiencing right now are round ligament pain (which has decreased dramatically recently) or sciatic nerve pain.  Protein is really important during the second and third trimesters, so I should aim to get about 75 grams of protein per day.  I should also watch my sodium levels to prevent water retention; foods to avoid include pickles, chips and salted nuts.  I'm so screwed.

How am I feeling?  I've been hard pressed to find a comfortable sleeping position at night, despite a pillow under my belly.  Also, the baby's kicks have been making it harder to sleep, as well as the multi-night visits to the bathroom.  Surprisingly, I still feel rather chipper during the day.

What am I craving this week?  Still mandarin oranges.  In fact, Kevin and I plan on bringing a box of them to my in-laws this weekends so I can snack without feeling guilty about eating all their food!

Mood swings?  No, but I've been sososooo excited about the nursery being finished!

Any baby purchases?  No, but that is mainly because I have no idea what I still need.

What about the nursery?  DONE!  Or at least I'm finished setting up what I already have (except for the drapes).  However, the astronomy theme sort of flopped.  I still plan on getting the Twilight Turtle and the Solar System mobile thingie, but I'm not sure if pictures of space anomalies will make their way on his walls - unless I find some already done up.  Kevin & I have donated some of our things to the nursery, so it definitely isn't strictly astronomy anymore - but it is oh so cute. 


(Left: nursery from hall; right: crib, complete with trundle storage drawer)



(Nine cubicle storage unit that currently holds his odds and ends)

(Left: nursery as seen from the left side of the room; right: close up of sign hanging beside crib)

(Left: close up of stars on closet door; right: my old twin bed that will come in handy when I have to pull all-nighters!)

   

(Left: twin bed with storage cubicle at foot and glow-in-the-dark stars; right: close up of stars)

(Play mat that sits in front of crib)

Finally, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! <3

Week #22

I'm feeling heaps better this week, mainly due to the progress I've made in the nursery (read below for details!) and since the weather cooperated by being warm, I was able to do some painting with an open window.  I've been trying to eat better this past week (and succeeding most of the time); considering how active the kid is, I try to keep in mind that I don't need to make him MORE hyper by feeding him so much sugar.  It is difficult to keep him in mind when I eat, but I think I'm making some progress.  It's also hard to ignore something that kicks so often.

My little guy is now 27.8 cm (or 11 inches) in length from crown to heel and weighs about 430 grams (15.17 oz) - so he's roughly the size of a Barbie.

My uterus is now 2 cm above my waist line and about 22 cm above my pubic symphysis (pubic bone) this week.  Although, to be honest, I don't really know if that's where mine is at the moment.

My baby's brain is rapidly developing this week and that will continue until he's 5 years old.  It is now possible to wake him up via external stimuli (like loud noises or my movement) while he sleeps, and even though his eyes are still fused shut, he'll still make blinking motions.  Since we know that he's male, his testes will hopefully descend all the way into his scrotum.  His other internal organs are becoming more specialized now: for example, his liver.  Bilirubin is produced when blood cells are broken down; in an adult liver, the liver functions to help break down bilirubin.  However, since blood cells have a shorter lifespan in a fetus, their liver actually helps to produce bilirubin.  His bilirubin will then be passed to me, via the placenta, which will then be broken down by my liver.  If he were to be born with a high bilirubin count, he would have a yellowish tinge to his skin - jaundice - and would be treated with phototherapy.

Although dizziness is not uncommon during pregnancy, due to the strain placed on the body, if it happens frequently, a doctor should be notified.  Increased fluid intake is extremely important - and not just to replace the amniotic fluid.  Fluids help to process nutrients, develop new cells, maintain blood volume and to regulate the internal body temperature.  Since calorie needs increase, it stands to reason that fluid volumes would need to increase too.  Drinking water also helps to relieve headaches, uterine cramping and bladder infections.  FYI.

How am I feeling?  Great!  I've managed to get some things done in the nursery so I feel better about that part.  I find that I'm tired, since I get up once or twice a night to use the bathroom; however, I find it hard to fall back asleep when I am awake.  It can be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position at times too.  The Little Stinker's kicks are stronger and a little more frequent, but not enough for Kevin to feel them - I think I just happen to be in the right place at the right time.  I also think he's been camping out under my ribs on the right side.  You know that feeling when you sit crooked (as in, lean to one side for too long) and it feels like you've been leaning on your ribs?  I've been feeling that a lot lately.

Any weird cravings?  I should just change this to "what am I craving this week?" since that is more appropriate to me.  This week I've been addicted to mandarin oranges; I loved the because they are sweet and juicy at the same time, and they make a perfect mid-day/late-evening snack. 

Mood swings?  Just the usual sensitivity.  Kevin & I have been getting along really well lately, and I find that when things are peachy between us, I'm in the best mood.  We've been talking more and depite our desks being back-to-back, I feel like we are still hanging out, not just hanging in the same room together.  I've been doing more to keep me busy, like working on the nursery or getting outside a little more often, and I think that's been helping my mood immensely.

Any baby purchases?  I found the coolest night light at Home Depot for $6 (pictured below)!  Isn't that adorable?!  It fits with the astronomy theme and is also ECO Options Certified.  I also finally bought the paint for the nursery.

What about the nursery?  On the weekend, Kevin & I finally cracked down and moved our office into our spare room.  Moving the office was an ordeal, since the new office wasn't wired for telephone or internet, so that had to be done first, followed by moving all the furniture out of the new office to make room for our office furniture.  After discovering that the nursery would be big enough to hold my twin bed (for me on late nights), it is currently waiting to be placed in the room after it has been painted.  The nursery itself has painted walls - to be followed by trim and doors. 

Before ---------------------------------> After

 

We have some black-out panel drapes (from Sears), which, coupled with the curtain rod we have chosen, should look super cute.  The design on the curtain rod was initially what set my heart on a fantasy themed nursery for a girl; however, I think this design should also go nicely with our astronomy theme. 

       

In case you haven't noticed, I am loving the fact that I can just paste pictures from websites into my blog!  Sooo much easier than taking pictures myself, plus there's an artistic quality that I just can't quite capture in my own photos.

I'd like to take a moment to say "thanks" to my lovely tenants for the Christmas gifts for the baby.  We received a beautiful bear dressed up like Indiana Jones (sans hat), an adorable black toque with the word "Dude" stitched on it, some white socks, tablets that turn into wipes when added to water (!!), as well as some Rockin' Green laundry detergent for the baby's stuff.  The gifts are awesome and so are you!

Week #20

Bon Jovi said it best when he sang:

"We've got to hold on, to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got eachother and that's a lot
For love - we'll give it a shot

Woahh, we're half way there
Woahh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Woahh, livin' on a prayer!"

The past couple weeks have been really eventful: we've been preparing for the arrival of Baby K, who, incidentally, is a boy, and I had my 20 week doctor's appointment.  We cleared space in the closet of our future nursery, our stroller/car seat combo is assembled and we've been talking about clearing out our spare room so we can move our office in there.  After that is finished, we can paint the nursery and set everything up for our little guy.

He's also been cruising around a lot more lately - last night I felt a jolt in my lower abdomen that could only have come from him.  I had assumed, incorrectly, that I wasn't feeling much movement because he was more laid back; apparently, he just wasn't using both feet simultaneously when he was kicking.

This week, Baby K's crown to rump measurements are 16 cm (~6.5 inches) and he weighs about 300 grams (10.6 oz).  My uterus should be in line with my belly button this week and will grow about 1 cm per week!  If this size increase doesn't happen, there is a possibility of intrauterine-growth restrictions, which could be caused by: smoking & drinking, low weight gain, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure), infections, anemia and/or a history of previous growth-restricted babies.  Diagnosing this problem is difficult since the baby's growth is only measured during the doctor's visit; however, treatment may include bed rest, eating properly, stopping smoking/drinking and induced birth (if the baby is far enough along to survive outside the womb).

Baby K's skin is now growing in two layers: the epidermis and the dermis, and vernix is still being produced (vernix is a slimy layer to protect the skin and provide insulation).  Actually, the vernix may even been seen at birth!  As his bones continue to ossify, his movements will become stronger and more noticeable.

Fun fact: this week the placenta weighs more than the baby!

How am I feeling?  Less tired, but my back still gets really sore.  I've been feeling really good when I dance (but I can't do body rolls anymore!) and since it's warmed up, I've even been walking more.  I gained another 3 lbs, bringing my total weight gain (from week 12) up to 10 lbs. 

Any weird cravings?  I noticed the other day that salty foods (like chips) don't appeal to me.  There have been times too when the smell of something didn't appeal all that much, but eating the food was fine.  I was out walking the other day with a friend and started craving Cadbury Creme Eggs.  So, when I was out shopping yesterday at Shoppers, I figured that I'd finally be able to indulge that craving; however, I nearly had a panic attack/melt down when I couldn't find them right away!  I had searched the first till area then the rest of the snacky aisles before deciding that maybe I couldn't have them after all, only to find them at the next till station.  Whew!  Disaster averted!

Mood swings?  I think I've been ok this week - but I've also gotten out more often. 

Any baby purchases?  No, but I returned an outfit since it was meant for a girl and got a boy one instead.

What about the nursery?  Our crib is due to arrive anytime now, so when we got the call from Sears that a gift parcel had arrived, we thought it was the crib.  Imagine our surprise when the clerk returned with a small plastic bag!  Joan had thoughtfully arranged to have crib sheets sent along with the crib, so now we have 2 of them!  On the plus side, Kevin is all over the Twilight Turtle idea (as shown at the bottom of this post) and we're going to get a motorized solar system for the ceiling of the nursery (seen below)!

How cool is that?!  And yeah, it is meant for older kids, but he just won't get the remote till he's older, lol.  The remote causes the planets to rotate around the sun, so it will act as a mobile.  I really like the idea of this toy since it is something that he can grow into, and it includes a guided tour CD, so it is an educational toy as well.  Plus, Kevin and I both enjoy astronomy, so it is something that will encourage questions as Baby K grows up.  We've also finally decided on a feel for the kid's nursery: I want it to be either like sitting under the stars or like walking in space.  To achieve this, we are going to download and print pictures off of the NASA website of either constellations, planets, nebulae or other space wonders.  We want to keep it consistent and we aren't too interested in the cutesy aspect of an outer space theme like aliens, astronauts or rocket ships.  Essentially, not this:

I'm hoping that a rich wall colour combined with the jewel-toned bedding and vibrant space photos will create a beautiful contrast with the white furniture and black curtains.  I scanned the colour card since taking a picture of it didn't bring out the colour properly:

The colour is called "Taking the Plunge" and it is the second colour from the top on the C-I-L Clean & Playful card.  If you've ever seen my living room, you know that I love colour with depth, so it took a lot of talking on Kevin's part to convince me to not go as dark.  Originally I had a much deeper colour in mind, but the room that we've chosen for our baby doesn't get as much light, so the room would always seem really dark.  While a dark room is perfect for sleeping, it won't go over as well for playtime, so I chose a colour that would seem bright in the sunshine, but still dark enough to allow for a darker sleep area in the middle of summer.

Week #19

I've been noticing that the baby moves most when I'm just relaxing, whether it's in bed or on the couch.  I was asked the other day in jazz whether or not the baby moves during dance and the answer is no.  Feeling Baby K move is less of a fluttery sensation and more of a full-stomach-gurgle feeling...under my ribs.  One morning I felt an irregular spastic motion in my side and had Kevin feel it - we're not sure whether it was the baby or not, and that, so far, has been the only time we could feel it from the outside.  However, it was nice to share that moment with him. 

Baby K is around 15 cm (~6 inches) and weighs 240 grams (8.5 oz).  The baby will gain weight 15 times from now till birth.  If Baby K is female, she will already be forming egg cells in her ovaries!  Over the next few days, a creamy protective layer of cells made up of dead skin cells, oils and lanugo will form, called vernix caseosa.  This layer will protect the baby's developing glands and sensory cells.  Fat deposits will form around the baby's neck, chest and crotch to act as insulation to keep my baby warm.

Apparently the baby is sleeping as much now as a newborn, which is AWESOME since it seems like the baby is always asleep!  Even a favourite sleeping position (chin tucked in or head back) has been established.  Other new developments are formation of the eyebrows, fine scalp hair and, if Baby K is female, the rest of her uterus will develop.

And on to me!  My uterus will be about a 1/2 inch below my belly button (but seems higher) and my weight gain will be between 8-14 lbs (I'm at 6 lbs since week 12).  However, only 7 oz of this is the baby!  Apparently, most of my weight gain will be over the next 3 months, averaging about 1 lb per week (so 12 lbs over the next 3 months).  They go on to say that some weeks will be a higher weight gain that will even out a lower weight gain - which explains my inconsistent weight gain.  Exercise will have to be a little lighter now, since the baby's demands are putting pressure on my heart, lungs and kidneys.  While feeling dizzy is common (due to hypotension - low blood pressure) it is still important to tell the doctor about it.

How am I feeling?  Sore.  I danced last night, plus shovelled the driveway during the day, then proceeded to lie on my side on a futon that has no give to it.  So, after 2 hours of that, I couldn't walk.  Seriously.  I hobbled with Kevin providing some support (the rest of the support came from walls and door jams).  After moving around a little, I was able to put weight on my right side again without falling over.  My back gets sore easily, but dancing warms up and loosens my muscles so I feel pretty good until I sit down for a while. 

Any weird food cravings?  No, but we bought Honey Nut Cheerios and I've been eating that almost every night since we bought it.  It probably isn't that healthy but better than chips!  Plus I end up drinking milk, which is good for the calcium.

Moodswings?  I'm ok as long as I feel heard and appreciated.  I get upset if I'm asked to do something when I feel sore and it isn't understood that I'm really not up to it; like in an "I can barely walk" sore.  I think he's becoming more understanding (I hope!).

Any baby purchases?  Nope. 

What about the nursery?  We moved the stuff from the closet of the future nursery (currently acting as a pantry and recycle area) into the closet of the current spare room.  We added shelves and just reorganized everything.  The closet in the spare room is also much bigger, so it was easier to make it work.  I then moved the baby's stuff into the other closet which cleared up the spare room (which is where it was stored).  At some point in the near future we'll have to move the bed and boxes out of the spare room and move the items from the future office into the spare room.  Then we'll be good to paint the nursery!  When we moved in, we just placed items in a convenient spot, and never moved it, so it'll be nice to reorganize everything.

Ultrasound on Tuesday!!! <3

Week #18

There is definitely some movement going on!  Before I could only feel movement if I were lying on my back, but now I feel it while I'm sitting up as well.  Occasionally, it will even feel like my stomach is (lightly) flicked from the inside!  I'm finding that my belly is getting in the way now.  It's still small enough that I just reposition myself to do what I need to do (like tie my shoes) but I find that I have to rethink how I do it.  I'm having a really hard time accepting my body growing and I have to continually remind myself that I'm supposed to get larger.  I started keeping a log of my weight gain at 12.5 weeks and this week I'm exactly 4 lbs heavier (and 1 lb lighter than last week); since I was nowhere near petite when I found out I was pregnant, I really only need to gain 15-25 lbs (instead of 20-30 for average sized women).

This week Baby K measures in at 14.2 cm (5.6 inches) and 190 grams (6.7 oz).  The baby's finger- and toeprints are starting to form, signalling my baby's individuality.  Meconium (early fecal matter) is starting to accumulate in the baby's bowels, and it is made up from dead cells, digestive secretions, amniotic fluid and all that jazz.  In the middle of this week the baby's eyes will (finally) be facing forward and the ears will be in their final position as well. 

At this point, my uterus is about the size of a cantaloupe, with the top being just below my belly button.  My website has figured that by now I've gained about 10-13 lbs, but like I said, I'm at 4 lbs.  And by the end of the week, my heart will start working 40% harder than before!  Oh, back pain is mentioned: I just figured it was due to my being lazy (which probably doesn't help!), so it's nice to know that I should expect more of it.  Some tips to keep back pain at a minimum are to watch your weight gain (check), exercise regularly (check), sleep on your left side (...), use heat pads on sore spots (nope), and talk to doctor about pain medication (nope).  Due to the energy demands placed on my body, these last 2 trimesters are going to require me eating a bunch of carbs, which is awesome since that's what I eat!

How am I feeling?  I have a sore/achy back, which feels like I slept wrong - which is entirely possible - but it could be normal, judging by what I just read on sore backs during pregnancy.  I'm uncomfortable sitting and a little grotesque since the bottom of my belly can rest of my thighs when I am sitting up straight (or leaning forward).  I went to 3 out of 4 dance classes and made sure to take it easy stretching in jazz, so my inner adductor (muscle possibly identified by Judy!) isn't as sore as it was last week.  I was also told by my ballet teacher to stop doing crunches!!  Apparently, as the belly gets in the way, the abdominal muscles (?) will actually split in the center to create a shorter path along the sides of the abdomen.  Once the belly is gone, a chasm is left and it can take a while to re-knit itself.  Instead, she suggested some breathing exercises to work the core and will actually help during labour!  Unfortunately, I suck at describing thing, but it is essentially deep breaths and while exhaling you tighten your abs at the same time.  Make sense??  I've also been getting acid reflux, and there have been times when I've felt nauseous, so at night I make sure to prop myself up higher by adding an extra pillow under my shoulders.

Any weird food cravings?  No, but I was craving cherries the other day and unfortunately they're out of season now. :(

Mood swings?  I still get teary seeing emotional things on tv and totally lost it watching The Doctors the other day!  But, it was an episode on babies born to drug-addicted moms, so I probably would've cried (just not as much) even if I weren't pregnant.  I'm still emotional when Kevin's being a dick, but that is legitimate, not just hormones.

Any baby purchases?  No, seems like we've slowed down.  However, once we find out the baby's sex (1.5 weeks!) we'll probably pick out more stuff that is suited to gender.

What about the nursery?  We bought some glow-in-the-dark star stickers while at West Edmonton Mall, but that's it.

Week #17

I am nearly 100% sure that I can feel the baby move, but it usually only happens at night when I'm trying to get comfortable to sleep.  It feels like my heart is racing when it happens, so I don't know if the baby's movements are speeding my heart (is that possible?!) or if my racing heart is making me think that I'm feeling the baby move.  Another good visual is a muscle spasm: you know that twitch when a muscle is spasming out of control?  It's like that, but on the inside.  Kevin isn't able to feel it yet, but I googled time frames and it is usually between 20-30 weeks that someone else can feel movement.  Some have felt it as early as 17-19 weeks, so I'm hoping he'll be able to feel it sooner rather than later. 

We don't really have a nickname for our baby (e.g., spud, peanut, viper, etc) but whether our baby is a boy or a girl, the name is going to start with "K" so I may just start referring to it as Baby K instead of just baby or it.

This week Baby K is 13 cm from crown to rump and about 140 grams (nearly 5 oz), which is double what it was 2 weeks ago.  My uterus is about 2 inches below my belly button and is definitely visible.  I'm still not in maternity clothes, but my jeans are snugger and it's just more comfortable to wear stretchy pants.  I did try on a maternity shirt on Sunday, but it made me look twice as big as I am, so I'm going to put that away until my belly is bigger.  Plus, air was blowing up my shirt and making my belly cold (which it usually is, btw).  I haven't gained the 5-10 lbs that my website has hypothesized, but I've definitely gained at least 3 lbs (I weighed myself a couple days ago - and I've been tracking my weight and measurements out of curiousity).

Baby K keeps looking more and more human and its weight will increase 6 fold over the next several month.  Fat deposits (AKA adipose tissue) will become more evident, which is great since fat tissue helps aid metabolism and heat production.

One of the major symptoms of this stage in my pregnancy is fatigue - but it should improve over the next few weeks.  Thank goodness.  Moderate exercise should help, but due to sore joints I've missed my classes this week and will probably only do drop-in dance, starting December.  That's going to suck, but it'll be cheaper since I'm usually missing one class per week anyway.

How am I feeling?  Mainly tired, but this past week I've also been feeling sore.  My right hip socket (along the bikini line) has been feeling tender, so I googled it and it is most likely round ligament pain.  And my lower abdomen has been a little sore too, but that's normal as well.  Between the two ailments I feel uncomfortable sitting for too long and walking can be painful.  Twisting side-to-side is definitely out of the question.  All in all, I feel like an invalid and am so thankful that I'm not working right now. 

Any weird food cravings?  No, but I wouldn't mind going to Than Vu or out for butter chicken. :-)

Mood swings?  If I had written this last night, I could've said "no".  But, I think the problem is that I'm home all day and don't get out as much as I used to.  Plus, I didn't dance at all this week, so I didn't get my talking fix in then, which led to me feeling super isolated and alone.  And fighting with Kevin about it.  So, to solve this problem, I need to get out more or at least do more at home (not just watching tv!).

Any baby purchases?  ... no?  But we're going to West Edmonton mall tomorrow so that may change.

What about the nursery?  No change.  My mother-in-law offered to buy us a crib with an attached change table (instead of the one posted last week) but we declined.  We weren't going to buy a change table anyway and most people just use their floor (with a change mat, of course) out of fear of the baby falling off.  One of these days we'll have to get that nursery started though - preferably before I'm 8 months along.

Week #16

This week the baby is 11.6 cm (4.5 inches) and weighs in at 100 grams (3.53 oz)!  That was a 30 gram weight increase!  I think I felt the baby move!  But I've been so psyched up for it that it might be my overeager imagination.  I was telling Kevin that I thought it would be hilarious if someone blew a raspberry on a pregnant woman's belly and got kicked in the mouth for it.  He didn't think it was so funny.  Maybe my sense of humour has changed?

By now the baby's head is covered with lanugo, and has fully formed fingernails.  So now it's catch up time for the toenails!  And from now on the body is growing faster, so that the head will start to look more proportionate to the rest of its body.  The head and neck muscles are growing stronger now so the head is now held more erect.

The website then goes on to talk about Alpha protein being measured.  However, unless this is a specially ordered test or only done in the States, I have no idea where I'm at in terms of this protein.  Since I know the monthly urinalysis looks at proteins, it is possible that my checkup yesterday would involve this test.  The Alpha protein test is done between 16 and 18 weeks and an accurate test involves knowing the exact gestational age and weight.  Elevated levels of Alpha protein could mean that there's something wrong with the baby: spinabifida, anecephaly or Down's Syndrome.  If high levels of protein are found, a careful ultrasound will look for signs of the abnormalities.

This week my uterus weighs in at 3.73 kg (8.75 oz) and is 3 inches below my belly button.  One of the perks is supposed to be less pressure on my bladder, which may be why I haven't woken up at 4:30 am the past couple nights.  Oh, something to look forward to: leaking.  This is not colostrum, but rather a buildup of fluids.  This pregnancy thing just keeps getting better and better!  Another perk: nasal congestion.  Last week they mentioned a perpetually runny nose and this week it's congestion.  They did mention headaches as a symptom, and I had a hell of a time with headaches last week, so maybe that's why?? 

And finally, if I were an older mother (35 years or older) I would be scheduled for an amniocentosis any week now.  For this, they suck out amniotic fluid and examine it for signs of genetic abnormalities (such as chromosomal problems, fetal sex complications, skeletal diseases, fetal infections, hematologic diseases, and inborn metabolism complications).

How am I feeling?  Tired, more often than not.

Any weird food cravings?  Not really.  Maybe going back to spicy food!

Mood swings?  Still yes!  But I like to think that I'm getting a little better and more open about why I'm upset so then my husband can understand.  Poor guy.

Any baby purchases?  I think we managed to restrain ourselves this week, but my mom called the other day and said she bought tons and tons of stuff!  I'd feel guilty, but there are so many pregnant women right now (my sister-in-law is due a week or 2 after me) so it isn't like my mom is spending all of her hard-earned money on just my baby.

What about the nursery?  My mother-in-law just offered to buy us a transitional crib the other night!  I was not expecting that at all and I feel a little overwhelmed by her generosity.  The crib is pictured below and we were thinking of getting it in white.  It is a 4-in-one, so it changes from a crib into a toddler bed, then a day bed and finally into a double.  Crazy, hey?!

Oh and PS, I'm going to post another belly picture, but under the "Belly Pictures" tab.  I would have uploaded one already, but my camera battery was dead, so definitely later!  Originally I was only going to do one picture a month, but already my belly has gotten larger (noticeably, to me at least) and so maybe I'll update every 2 weeks.  :)

** Update: 16 week photo is now up **

Week #15

There are times when I'm really glad I started this blog.  Like now, for instance.  I would have already lost count of how far along I was were it not for my weekly updates.  So, 15 weeks down, 25 more to go!  It feels like I'm already so close to half-way...until I realize that those extra 5 weeks are equivalent to one month and one week.  And then I start to wonder how I'll ever make it to the end.  I've never been the most patient person, and being pregnant truly does affect everything I do.  I always assumed that it was something that I could toss into the back of my mind until I was further along, but this kid really doesn't let me!  First, it was nausea; now my stomach is gradually expanding and making it uncomfortable to sleep at night or to even sit upright.  And finally, it'll be the monstrous belly with the kicking to keep me occupied.

My baby has grown another 1.4 cm to top it off at 10.1 cm long and it now weighs in around 70 grams and is approximately the size of a softball.

I keep commenting on how fast the baby is growing, and the highest rates of growth will occur over the next few weeks; more specifically, weeks 20 and 25.  As my uterus starts to thin, I'll be able to feel the baby flutter about!  Actually, it should happen any day now, but most first-time moms aren't able to distinguish the difference between baby movements and stomach rumbles until it happens more frequently.

My baby's skin is thin and is covered with lanugo, which is fine hair, and, interestingly enough, the baby's hair development pattern will be determined this week.  After birth, the baby's hair will grow at a rate of 13 mm (1/2 inch) per month.  The eyes are still moving, and though the ears are already placed, they will start to grow externally now and nearly look normal.  The bones are getting harder and harder and would even be visible if I had an x-ray.

My uterus is about 3-4 inches below my belly button and sleep is going to only become more difficult from now on.  A pillow is recommended for between my knees (and I use it to prop up my belly too since all of the weight slides when I'm on my side) to alleviate round ligament pain.  Sleeping on the left side is preferred since the weight of the baby and uterus can put pressure on the inferior vena caver, which takes blood from the lower body to the heart.  And I guess I need to start eating an extra 300 calories a day, which shouldn't be too hard since we have tons of Halloween candy left, lol. ;)

How am I feeling?  Still exhausted.  Weekends are usually better, but I find that I usually wake up when my husband gets up for work and have a difficult time falling back asleep.  However, since I'm still super tired, I try anyway and wake up really late.  And still feel tired.  One day over the weekend I started putting the pillow under my belly and slept really well that night, so at least I'm a little more comfortable now. 

Any weird food cravings?  Hmmm.  I haven't satisfied this one yet, but lately I've been wanting chocolate covered almonds.

Mood swings?  Yes.  And I imagine I'll have them for the rest of the pregnancy.  I find that little things irritate me and if not dealt with quickly, it gets bottled up and I have a meltdown.  I also find that things are bothering me that shouldn't and it really freaks me out that I'm mis-interpreting what people are saying.  I've always thought of myself as having a lower estrogen count (this is my theory, it may be wrong) and so I've never really had PMS.  I'd get more irritable during the leadup to my period, but the rest of the time I was usually laid back.  Now, my estrogen and progesterone levels are high due to pregnancy (and, if I'm carrying a girl, I imagine they're higher still) so it's really messing with my head.  I'm trying to not let things bother me, and if they do bother me, to say something or to find out if what I interpreted is right.  It's really stressful for me.

Any baby purchases?  We went to this super awesome toy store and found an inflatable booster seat that will definitely be well used when we visit or go on trips.  This handy gadget is compact and straps to any chair so it's perfect for situations where we can't bring our home high chair (or whatever we use).  The only thing is that it doesn't have a tray, but considering how small it is compared to the rest of them, it's ok.  Maybe we'll just bring our own placemat to prevent too much spillage to the host's table.

What about the nursery?  My mom had a used cradle at her house that she kindly gave to us.  We plan on leaving this in the living room for naps.

It really hit me the other day that I'm going to be a mom.  And not in a glowy kind of way.  In a this-is-for-the-rest-of-your-life commitment kind of way.  And it terrified me that I'll be losing some of my freedom.  I also found a hot topic that can be just as controversial as talking about religion!  And it really set me off that I'm already facing this kind of pressure when I'm not even 4 months along.  It's a personal decision and no one else's business.  My husband finally relented but not after a huge fight and some tears (mine).  He still disagrees, but has finally ceded to "we'll see what happens when the baby is born."  And it isn't as though I disagree wholly with his side, I just refuse to be trapped by it, especially if there are uncontrollable situations.  Plus, as a science major, I don't understand how it is such a miracle cure-for-all and how it can prevent adult health problems.  So, with the suggestion of my husband, I'm going to research it.