Monday, August 24, 2009

HALF WAY!

Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe! Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

How far along? 20 Weeks (Mom, that is 5 months.)
Total Weight Gain? 5 pounds
Baby's Heartbeat: 140 bpm (at 16 1/2 weeks)
Maternity clothes? I did buy several new tops, but none of them were maternity. Just one size larger with room for tummy to grow.
Movement: YES! And Matthew felt baby too for the first time!
Food cravings: Nope ...
Gender: People are in the guessing stage now. I have no idea ...
Labor Signs: Negative
Belly Button in or out?
Stay IN!
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach
What I am looking forward to: Being a mommy and Matthew being a daddy!
Weekly Wisdom: Still too soon to watch birthing videos
Milestones: We have our big ultrasound on Friday! Yiiipppeee. We are not finding out the gender, but it will be fun to see baby again!
Daddy to-be thoughts/comments: I am not sure when the whole nesting business is supposed to start for me, but ... for Matthew - it already has. He is a super yard boy these days! Crabgrass ... be gone! (you're doing a great job babe!)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

19 Weeks ... already!

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

How far along? 19 weeks
Total Weight Gain? 5 pounds
Baby's Heartbeat: 140 bpm (at 16 1/2 weeks)
Maternity clothes? Um ... yes ... kinda. They are just regular pants but they have a somewhat stretchy waistband.
Movement: Still waiting to see a foot!
Food cravings: And still making them up. Amber mentioned Cinnamon Toast Crunch the other day ... I decided I was craving that too. YUM!
Gender: Not sure ...
Labor Signs: Negative
Belly Button in or out? Stay IN!
What I miss: Having an alcoholic beverage at weddings!
What I am looking forward to: Being a mommy and Matthew being a daddy!
Weekly Wisdom: Do not watch birthing videos this early in the game!
Milestones: Ordered my first bridesmaid dress that is 3 sizes too big. Not sure what this belly will look like in 2 months! So, Candace has me and baby in her wedding!
Daddy to-be thoughts/comments: The more baby stuff we get, the more real it becomes. We have a bassinet from my parents next to our bed. (just to see what it looks like) Matthew couldn't believe it! He just stood there smiling with chills thinking about a little one in our room. We can't wait! Thanks mom and dad for the bassinet!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Baby stuff ...

I meant to post these last week, or the week before ... can't remember. We have been planning and saving for a while for the following items. :) Mattie is a budget/financial/spreadsheet genius!!! Thanks babe!



New car for baby! (and mommy!) It's a Chevy Traverse and it's AMAZING!

A little overwhelmed at first ... but we totally dominated that furniture!!!

The hutch and glider! And the crib ... with no mattress (still haven't done that research).


We had a great time putting together all of Baby's furniture and just trying to imagine a little person in there. Crazy!

Sweet Potato ... 18 Weeks

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel fetal movements soon.

How far along? 18 weeks
Total Weight Gain? 4 pounds
Baby's Heartbeat: 140 bpm (at 16 1/2 weeks)
Maternity clothes? Nope. But, I only have 2 skirts and 2 pants that fit (unbuttoned) and a few shirts. Shopping spree this weekend!
Movement: I still think so ... still not positive. Waiting to see a foot!
Food cravings: And still making them up
Gender: Not sure ...
Labor Signs: Negative
Belly Button in or out? Stay IN!
What I miss: I still miss an ice cold beer and a glass of wine! My first wedding as a pregnant lady is coming up this weekend.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing baby's foot jab out of my tummy so I will KNOW that was baby moving in there!
Weekly Wisdom: You can't do all the things you want to do when you want to do them. Baby doesn't like to work that hard ... so lots of breaks in between projects is a must!
Milestones: We bought a new entertainment/toy storage thing for our living room. It is way cool! And we took out the coffee table so now baby has plenty of playing room ... and mommy can sprawl out on the floor!
Daddy to-be thoughts/comments: He is patiently waiting to feel baby move. I update him on my neighbors status (Sarah ... she is 22 weeks) and several weeks ago her husband could feel the baby. Exciting stuff!


This weekend we will be in Austin for a wedding with the Hartfiel bunch! Looking forward to it! Since Jill lives there she is planning our little weekend get-a-way! FUN! Friday morning we are heading up to the San Marcos Outlets. (Mattie's idea ... what a great husband!) We are super excited about it! I still go to the racks of clothes that at one time fit and think ... how cute is that! Only to remember that ... oh wait, cute but won't fit. I feel lost now when I shop, maybe that's why I haven't really been. Hmmm. This will be interesting.

Monday, August 3, 2009

17 weeks ...

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

How far along? 17 weeks
Weight Gain? 3 pounds (not this week, but total) :)
Baby's Heartbeat: 140 bpm (at 16 1/2 weeks)
Maternity clothes?
Movement: I think so ... maybe. If it is, it's really cool!
Food cravings: Still making them up.
Gender: Not sure ...
Labor Signs: Heck no.
Belly Button in or out? Stay IN!
What I miss: An ice cold beer by the pool on a hot summer day. Hmmmm.....
What I am looking forward to: Everything!
Weekly Wisdom: Didn't feel so wise this week.
Milestones: Our neighbors bought Peanut his/her first golf club set. It is SUPER cute and it says "Peanut" on it!
Daddy to-be thoughts/comments: I think he is already nesting ... kind of. He has really embraced yard work - maybe he wants the grass to be perfect for baby to run around.

This is actually week 16 picture. My waist has currently expanded 4 inches!!! That is why my pants don't fit and have to be unbuttoned. Thank you Jill for the headband! I love it!!!!