Pregnancy Journal - Twenty-two Weeks

How far along: 22 weeks

Weight gain, body changes: Maybe I should invest in a scale? Definitely feel like I'm getting bigger...or at least my belly is.

Maternity clothes: My sister, Emily, sent a bag with my mom at Thanksgiving with her maternity coat and more clothes. I've already worn a couple of the tops with rave reviews! (she also is letting us borrow her infant car seat/stroller combo...it was a team effort as my mom and her hubby gate checked it on their flight to bring it to us). OH, and I've been able to wear a belt for a few hours during the day. So, I can finally look like I'm at least trying to be a cute pregnant lady :).

Stretch marks: Nothing new--crossing my fingers. Though my skin is definitely stretching and has gotten itchy.  I'm still liking the vitamin E/coconut oil/grapeseed oil concoction, but I think I need to find something thicker for these dry winter days and nights.

Movement: He is a squirmy one. The Captain has been able to feel his little kicks, which is really fun. He, the baby, did keep me up one night pretty much the whole night with his acrobatics. I didn't think that was supposed to happen until later?? I've found myself rocking like a crazy person when I'm trying to fall asleep at night just to get him to settle down. Is this a foreshadowing of bedtimes to come?

Sleep: Same as my last post, some night I sleep pretty well, usually getting up for bathroom breaks every hour until about 1:30am, then sleeping for a good solid stretch until about 5 or 6am. I'm counting myself lucky.

Best moment this week: Thanksgiving was pretty great! Spending time with family was much needed, as was a break from the city. We could hear birds and no horns honking. Nashville was a blissful break.  We also had our good friends, Ashley (photographer) and Blair Willis (assistant) take some pics for our Christmas cards and that Saturday was the best I have felt yet! 20 weeks was definitely a turning point for the better! (more on this in a bit.)

What made you cry: I have been crying less. I was sad to come back to New York after Thanksgiving. But I've also been able to enjoy being pregnant more. For a while I couldn't sing to the baby, it would make me cry, but I've gotten better about that. Trying to toughen up so I'm not so sappy, sentimental all the time.

Food cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary, just hungry all the time! And so grateful to be able to eat real food again! We've had a couple of amazing meals lately, one at a Cuban place in Williamsburg (the best braised kale you'll ever eat) and one at an Irish pub/Moroccan hybrid that used to be the Purple Plum, now P.D O'Hundley's on the upper west side (my first steak in months!).

Something you miss: Still missing exercise. I just can't seem to get moving more than my walks to and from the subway or corner market. The Captain and I have done a pre-natal yoga video that's on Hulu a  few times and that has felt really good. Bending over is getting harder!

Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm still pretty regular on the Zofran. Man, I never thought I'd be the pill-popping-preggo type, but it really is saving me and my job. I would surely have had to quit or go on disability without it.

How's your mood: Pretty good most of the time! Finally!

Any surprises? Actually feeling better. I really thought I'd be sick the whole time. But there's a least a little bit of light in this tunnel. 

And in case you were wondering, I worked from home today and this was the best I could do...but the other pics are technically 20 weeks...here's your 22 week shot!

Pregnancy Journal - Twenty Weeks

How far along: 20 weeks

Weight gain, body changes: 6 lbs since my last appointment, 5 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. I guess that means I've caught up! I definitely look pregnant now with 3 more inches around my middle.

Maternity clothes: I've grown out of most of my regular tops and only fit into pants that have a super low rise--though I would only wear them for a couple hours and not when I have to sit for an extended period of time.

Stretch marks: Nothing new. I've opted for a "smell-free" combination of grapeseed oil, coconut oil and vitamin E. I'm liking that.

Movement: All the time, it's just a question of how intense. He even kicked hard enough that I could see his little foot push my stomach out. At my 20 week appointment today, his head was down. I think he's doing handstands and scissor kicks.

Sleep: I can still sleep on my back some nights, but most nights it's uncomfortable. Getting up more during the night.

Best moment this week: I had a lot of good moments. A highlight was a couple weeks ago when it snowed. For the first time, I got really excited to be having a boy and all the adventurousness that will come with him.

What made you cry: The primary song, "I hope they call me on a mission" came on my ipod randomly and I cried--already a proud mama. I cried when people spontaneously gave up their seats for me on the subway (interestingly, most were women). I cried Saturday when I realized that I wasn't going to stop throwing up. I couldn't keep anything--even water down. The Captain was out of town and my visiting teacher called out of the blue to check in on me. A merciful miracle. She took me to the hospital and waited with me while they gave me a rehydration IV and some anti-nausea meds. I slept so hard that night. I don't think I moved until morning.

Food cravings: Fried chicken. I can finally eat meat again and am really excited about it. I don't love that it has to be well done, but I think I got sick last weekend from something I ate, so I'll be more careful.

Something you miss: Exercise. Crazy me. My midwife told me today that I just need to be grateful that I'm gaining weight and to take the pregnancy I was given. Great advice!

Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm still a little sensitive to smells.

How's your mood: So much better.

Any surprises? How much I missed the Captain while he was gone. It's really good to have him around.  

Pregnancy Journal - Seventeen Weeks

I wasn't intending to do one of these every week, but this week was monumental.

IT'S A BOY!!!

I just showed my friend, Veronica, who said they call these the glass coffee table shot ;).

How far along: 17 weeks
Weight gain, body changes: I haven't weighed or measured myself this week.
Maternity clothes: One of my co-workers just told me that "we need to get you some cute maternity clothes" (see photo below). While I realize I have not been the most stylish pregnant lady, not even close, I am making due with what I've got. Someday when I get that miraculous "2nd trimester surge of energy" that people keep telling me about (blah, blah, blah) I have a list of items I'd like to make, including a couple maternity skirts and sewing a panel onto these bad boys so they stay up a little bit better...

Stretch marks: Nothing new, but they are threatening to appear on my ever-growing baby feeders.
Movement: Nothing I could feel this week, though we watched him wiggle during the sonogram.
Sleep: Yeah. I should probably mention that I have been, but forgot to take the last couple nights, a couple friends to bed with me called Unisom and B6. My sister swears that these friends are the only thing that allowed her to function for the first six months of her first pregnancy. I'm starting to wonder if not taking them is what led to the last two days of my puke-a-thon. Hmmm....
Best moment this week: By far seeing the Captain get emotional as the reality of having a son set in, getting to "pass on the family name", and all sorts of other fun father & son things to come!
What made you cry: It was another emotional one. Mostly just feeling sick makes me cry.
Food cravings: Nothing. Fresh salsa and chips still seems to be about the only thing I can handle at night, and lately lunch and breakfast isn't sitting so well either. Right now I'm spooning out some Haagen Dazs raspberry sorbet--very slowly--to see if it will be enough to get me home in about a half an hour.
Something you miss: I still miss food and yoga.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Life, haha! I'm still nauseated all the time. Trying without Zofran today though and I feel the same as I usually do. I'd love to get off the meds.

How's your mood: I'm going to skip this one, but I think I'm doing a pretty darn good job at keeping a smile on my face and focusing on the postive!
Any surprises? We're having a BOY!! We were both sure it was a girl. I even know her name whenever she does come. I feel a little bad that we've been using "her" and "she", but luckily he's just now able to hear, or so they tell me. The Captain has even changed the way he talks to the baby. He used to speak French and coo to my stomach. I had to remind him to keep up the French. He didn't even realize.

NO face today. No way. Here's a cuter face...

Pregnancy Journal - Sixteen Weeks

I had a whole entry typed up and ready to post. Then I read it again and decided that maybe I should just keep it in my journal. The Captain jokingly asked me the other day if there is such a thing as pre-partum depression. As my pregnancy has progressed, so had my "first trimester morning sickness" all day, every day and even sometimes waking me up at night. And while it is hard to be excited and happy and glowing when you're hugging the porcelain, I have realized that no one likes a Debbie Downer less than I do, so why should I be one?

I had a very sweet dream the other night--amidst stressful ones where I am running into problems at work or have to figure out a powerpoint issue in order to save my own life (not fun)--about this baby and caring for said baby when said baby is in my arms rather than my insides. I know in my heart of hearts that all of this will be worth it, that I'll gladly forget the low points and plateaus of pregnancy and want to do it all over again just for the chance of holding another little one in my arms and smelling that sweet, baby skin.

So instead of pouring out my heart in these things, I'll go with a more traditional method. I found this "questionnaire" online...Maybe this will help keep my ramblings in check. And yes, I snap these photos in the bathroom at work. That's where I spend most of my time these days ;).

How far along: 16 weeks

Weight gain, body changes: 2 lbs since my last appointment, 1 lb over my pre-pregnancy weight and about 4 inches around my middle. I've got quite the bump now.

Maternity clothes: Pretty much since day 1. I can't stand anything pressing on my belly.

Stretch marks: Nothing new. I've had the Mama Mio stretch mark butter and oil my whole pregnancy and have used it randomly. I just can't stand the smell of it right now.

Movement: I think I feel flutters. Every ultrasound I've had shows a very active baby, so it will be interesting once it's big enough for me to actually feel the movement.

Sleep: I have been trying to go to bed between 8 and 9pm (doesn't always happen since the Captain gets home some nights at 8:30). Not getting enough sleep stresses me out. I need a new pillow (venturing out to find one today), my neck has been hurting lately so I've been sleeping without one under my head, but a big one under or between my knees. Sleeping on my back is sometimes the most comfortable, but I do move around a lot, averaging 2-3 trips to the bathroom.

Best moment this week: Seeing the baby wave its little arm at me.

What made you cry: I did a lot of crying this week, extra emotional. Most notably, I cried after I was tempted to hug a grandmotherly looking stranger on the street. I think I just needed some maternal comfort.


Food cravings: Since I'm the most sick in the afternoon and evening, it seems like I've been throwing up either right before I leave the office, somewhere enroute home or right after I get home. After that, all I can think about eating is homemade salsa with salty corn chips. Late last week I had an intense craving for a salad wrap from the Cougar Eat at BYU with some BYU Creamery ranch.

Something you miss: Food. I miss eating good food and keeping it down. I miss the way food used to taste...and water. And yoga. My queasy stomach barely lets me make the walk to and from the subway for work.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Life, haha! I'm still nauseated all the time. Trying without Zofran today though and I feel the same as I usually do. I'd love to get off the meds.

How's your mood: Somber a lot of the time with brief moments of excitement, peace and/or comfort.

Any surprises? Getting sicker. I didn't know that was possible.  

Pregnancy Journal - Thirteen Weeks

Thirteen doesn't sound like very much when compared to forty. However, in retrospect, at seven I never thought I'd get here.

*Disclaimer: I'm not going to paint a pretty pregnancy picture here. Please discontinue reading if you don't want to read about it.

The day we found out I was pregnant was pretty surreal. I was about four days "late" and decided that it was time for a HPT. For those who have been TTC, the HPT can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I think it was good for me that the Captain's theory is that I am my own HPT and if I just wait long enough, I'll know soon enough if it's going to be negative, so this was only the second stick I have ever stuck under the stream, if you know what I mean. He wouldn't let me get obsessive about those darn tests. I'm sure you can imagine the scene in our apartment that morning.

This is me staring at that stick on my bathroom counter waiting for the minutes to tick by.
Not a very attractive shot, but there you have it. 

Once it had cured and I saw that blue plus sign, with one line significantly lighter than the other, but there none-the-less, I tip toed to the bedroom where my sleeping hubs lay in the dark. He heard me coming, propped himself up and turned on his lamp with squinty eyes. He looked at it, "what's it supposed to say?" I grabbed the instructions and came back to show him. "Well, there's definitely two lines...but one's so faint. Are you sure that's okay?" We decided since the darker line was the indicator line, it must be positive. We just kind of smiled and then I went back to getting ready while he studied the instructions. I'll be honest, it still didn't seem real. We tried to not get too excited. I mean, the chance of miscarriage of a first pregnancy is high, right? At least, that's what I've heard. Isn't that why we don't tell anyone the good news until we're "out of the woods" and well into the second trimester?

Those first few days were like a dream!