21 and 22 weeks!

I missed last weeks update since we were on the road.  We took a nice trip up north with my SIL, BIL, and nephews for a long weekend.  We captured a lot of video and took pictures of the boys and all the food we ate...J's working on an imovie!  I can't wait to see the finished product and for J to share it with the family.  I had a scare during the trip...thankfully, not a pregnancy scare, but another type of scare.  I lost my 5 year wedding anniversary gift...diamond earrings!  I left the earrings in a plastic cup...bad idea...and the cup was thrown out in the trash.  We had checked out in the morning and by the afternoon I had realized that they weren't in my ear lobes.  I was so upset and held back tears because I didn't want the boys to see me sad.  Before we split up for a bit, I borrowed my SIL's phone to call the front desk.  I explained what had happened to Sophie, manager, and she'd check.  J and I went for a little walk and he was so comforting, while I felt badly for not being more careful.  J encouraged me to calm down for the sake of the baby and tried to make me feel better.  We got some ice-cream and I let it go after many tears and saying a prayer.  Sophie left me a message and I called her back.  To my relief, she found them!  At that point, we were an hour away, and we went back to pick them up.  I asked Sophie how she found them and her reply was, "piece by piece"...I couldn't believe it!  By the time I had called, the trash wasn't thrown into the dumpster at that point.  If it had, then she would've called another company to dig through it.  I gave her a big hug and sent her a gift when we got back.   I'm glad everything worked out and for honest and helpful people like Sophie. 

Total Weight Loss/Gain:  I gained 20 lbs so far. 

Sleep:  J got sick after our trip and the AC wasn't cranked up as it normally is so I couldn't sleep.  I did some yoga to help me relax, but got up a few times last night.  J's feeling better now and the AC temp is up again! :)

Medicine:  In my last post I thought I may have been overdosing on my thyroid medicine, but the jittery feeling and change in bowel movement are symptoms of pregnancy.  My OB said I should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and it should help.  I may have been dehydrated the week I started to feel some changes and it most likely wasn't my med.  I saw my new endocrinologist before my trip and I like him.  Tomorrow, I find out if my dosage will change or remain the same depending on my recent blood work in comparison to the baseline testing done at my RE's.  

Movement:  I felt our baby girl during week 21 on Tuesday, June 19! :)  I was trying to fall asleep on my left side I felt 3 flutters.  It was amazing!  At 22 weeks, her movement feels more like gas bubbles.  Poor J feels left out...he can't wait to feel her kick in a few weeks. 

Cravings/Aversions:  I've been craving salty things like spicy pickles and chips...doesn't help the bloating. :P

Symptoms:  Bloated feet and ankles as the day wears on.  Had another charlie horse attack after vacation...that's 3!  I'm eating a banana everyday and it seems to help.  During the long car ride, my ankles and feet swelled up like I've never seen before.  Elevation totally helps!

Nesting:  I cleaned our hallway closet to make room for some things that were in the baby's room.  It took me all afternoon to do a little job, but it's getting done! 

What I look forward to: I'm looking forward to seeing the baby again at my next ultrasound on July 2.  I hope my placenta previa condition corrected itself as the baby grew.  For the month of July, I'm also excited to have a friend of mine from church join me at prenatal yoga class.  

Milestones @ 22 weeks: According to babycenter.com, our baby measures 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, our baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.  If I could see inside my womb, I'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Milestones @ 21 weeks:  Our baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot.  I may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. I may also discover a pattern to her activity as I get to know her better. In other developments, my baby's eyebrows and lids are present now and her vagina has begun to form as well.

20 weeks!

Total Weight Loss/Gain:  I forgot again!

Sleep:  It's been ok.  I'm having vivid and random dreams, but it leaves me soon after I take my morning medicine.

Medicine:  I'm taking 75 mg of Synthroid and I think I'm overdosing because I feel jittery and my bowel movements have changed.  I have hypo thyroid and my symptoms seems to be more like hyper thyroid issues.  I had a 50 mg dose left over, decided to take it this morning and I felt so much better today.  My new endocrinologist appointment is in 1.5 weeks because my OB office called to help me get the soonest appointment possible otherwise I would have to wait until the end of July.  Thankfully, my mom is seeing her endocrinologist tomorrow and I'm tagging along to ask some questions.   

Movement:  It'll happen any day now.  :)

Cravings/Aversions:  I've been wanting more chocolate/sweets lately...oreo's without the cream and chocolate covered peanuts.  Tonight, I'm craving a green smoothie and will start up again tomorrow morning!

Symptoms:  Bloated feet and ankles as the day wears on.  Had my second charlie horse two nights ago and it was painful!  Eating banana's again!

Nesting:  We have a strategy!  Clean/organize the basement, empty the baby room's closet and move items to the basement or donate.  I hope we can get the process started on Saturday.  A friend scored a new bread maker that was sitting in our closet for 6 years.  It was the only wedding gift I never opened and I'm glad it'll be of good to another family who likes fresh bread. 

What I look forward to:  I had my first prenatal yoga class tonight and it was super relaxing.  The instructor does a good job of explaining the benefits of certain movements for me and/or the baby. Studies have suggested that prenatal yoga can:

• Improve sleep
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth
• Decrease lower back pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and shortness of breath
• Decrease the risk of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction — a condition that slows a baby's growth

I took a yoga class in undergrad and forgot how it helps you feel more in tune with your body.  I focused on my posture, balance, breathing, and baby while putting my hands over my belly.  Learning a variety of lower back stretches I could do with a chair, a wall, or a partner was super helpful!  I'm so glad I signed up for this class :)  Meeting other pregnant ladies is fun, too!  Two ladies are farther along than me and one is a week behind me.  I was comparing belly sizes and looking at feet to see how bloated they were.  One girl looked like she was about to pop...it's surreal to think that'll be me in a few months.   
 
Milestones: According to babycenter.com, our baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now.  She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)  She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and I'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

19 weeks!

                                               We're having...

                                                      A GIRL!!!!

                                           Profile shot @18wks4days
                                                   160 beats/minute
                                                          10 ounces

Ultrasound:  On Monday morning, J and I went to the hospital for an 8am appt.  I tried to drink 32 oz. of water an hour prior to the appointment, but I was drinking water up until 7:30.  The sonographer quickly did the anatomy scan and everything was accounted for.  The baby is developing normally and she is right on track.  I teared up during the scan as we saw her face, heart, kidneys, limbs, and her cute little feet!   The sonographer finished measuring everything and said I could relieve myself.  She discussed the results with the doctor and I have placenta previa so another ultrasound is scheduled in July.  Doc said it's normal and it should correct itself as the baby grows.  I'm glad I'll be able to see my baby again and hope all will be ok.  While the sonographer was out of the room, I gave permission for a student to practice on me, which took a while.  When she returned, I asked about the baby's gender and she forgot to check.   The baby's legs were crossed for a few seconds, then she let us peek.  I was so happy because I had a feeling we were having a girl.  She'll be daddy's little girl and J's happy too!

Cake:  Soon after we found out the gender, I placed an order for a raspberry filled cake my in-laws would cut.  My parents were away on vacation and I avoided their calls all day because I have my reasons for wanting my in-laws to know the gender first.  After eating dinner, J got the cake ready.  Just before my in-laws were about to cut into the cake, my dad called their house to find out.   My MIL said she didn't know yet, was about to cut into the cake, and she'd call him back right away so to keep his phone nearby.  LOL!  They quickly cut into the cake and everyone was happy, but the grandfathers were hoping for a boy.  It's cultural.  Anyways, it was a fun way for them to find out they're having a granddaughter.  :)

On Tuesday  night, we brought pizza and cupcakes to my SIL's place to reveal the gender to our nephews.  We did the same thing with cupcakes and it was fun!  C isn't convinced that he's having a girl cousin and thinks we're having a boy.  J's prediction of a girl was correct and he seems excited to have a girl in the family.  C said he didn't know how to play with girl toys, but we reassured him that he can teach her how to play with his toys. 

Total Weight Loss/Gain: Ignorance is bliss!

Sleep: Waking up with pillows everywhere.

Movement:  Still waiting :)  During the ultrasound, baby girl was moving around a lot, but I couldn't feel it.  My tech said I would most likely feel something in 2 weeks. 

Cravings/Aversions:  No particular cravings.  No aversions :)

Symptoms:  I feel great and have energy!  Feeling bloated and swollen, esp. on hot days.  Some veins are protruding out around my wrist. 

Nesting:  We're finally able to get the nursery in order!  The room is painted a light lavender color with hand painted murals of flowers, ladybugs, and butterflies from the previous owner.  In our 5 years of TTC, we never painted over it and should have.  But, the room haunts me no longer because we're finally able to use it!  During my 3 day bed rest after the transfer, we decided to sleep in the nursery and soon our little girl will enjoy it.  

What I look forward to:  I looked forward to my prenatal yoga class tonight, but I locked myself out of the house!  Thankfully, my neighbor friend was home and we spent the afternoon chatting until my brother could pick me up after work so I could get the spare key.  So, I look forward to prenatal yoga next week! 

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, our baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear my voice now.  My baby measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

18 weeks! At the half way point!

The long Memorial weekend was hot, but fun!  We went to Hershey Park with friends and I enjoyed cooling off in the lazy river multiple times.   The summer heat was full force so we spent most of the day at the water park.  I'm glad I bought a maternity suit from Target and plan on wearing it as much as possible this summer.  We left the park to get some dinner and planned on returning to see the park lit up at night, but it started to pour while we were getting candy from the Hershey store.  Thankfully, we didn't get drenched inside the park and it all worked out for the best.  Hope you had a good holiday!

Total Weight Loss/Gain: I forgot to weight myself this morning.

Sleep: Waking up with pillows everywhere.

Movement:  I should be feeling something very soon! :)

Cravings/Aversions:  WATERMELON is so refreshing!  Apples with peanut butter.  No aversions :)

Symptoms:  I feel great and have energy!  My feet and ankles are getting slightly swollen, especially as the day goes on.  Will I need to buy wider shoes or can I get by with the shoes I have? 

Nesting:  I took a break this week, but J has the nesting bug!  He looked into different furniture placement ideas for the nursery and wants to move things around to get the room ready.  We have a crib from friends, a 2 drawer dresser drawer that's coming from our room, and a glider that J bought during his bachelor days not knowing it's true function. 

What I look forward to:  I'm looking forward to our perinatal ultrasound in 4 days!  It's a high risk u/s and we should be able to find out the baby's gender if he or she cooperates.  Prenatal yoga class starts next Thursday and I'm looking forward to meeting more people. 

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, our baby's head to rump is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that I'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If it's a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from us during the ultrasound.  I hope the baby cooperates because we're anxious to find out!  I'll have some juice or iced tea with me just in case I need to help the baby along.