Am I feeling better?

Week 15

Last Monday, I had my 14 week appointment. This was my third visit and the first one in which I did not have an ultrasound. I was very excited when they still used the Doppler on my stomach and I could hear your heartbeat. It was 157 this time and it was 185 during the 10 week appointment. Some people make gender predictions based on this heart rate. We will find out if you are a boy or girl at our next appointment on May 21^st.  I can’t wait! It is always good to confirm that you are doing well and hearing your heartbeat is magical. We are talking to you more and I am so curious about you. My belly is definitely getting bigger and it is so funny to see it at the end of the day. I think it doubles in size. The stretching is immense and my tummy feels so hard, like it could not stretch any further.

This was a busy week with STAAR testing at school. I was a little worried about not eating or having a restroom break for four hours. It worked out just fine. The week really flew by.  : ) On Saturday, something wonderful happened, I did not feel very sick. I had energy. I actually enjoyed dinner! Chris and I went to Main Street in Grapevine and had dinner on the patio of Farinas. It reminded me of sitting in a piazza in Italy. It was so enjoyable to spend time with my husband and feel normal again. I am so thankful. I am still having a few episodes, but overall I am feeling much better and have energy to get things done. My brain is working a little better too! It is time to catch up on all the things that I have not done yet. I can’t believe how many people have already asked me if I have registered. Ha! There are 21 days of school left. Looking forward to summer… : )

Baby Size- Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). 

Developments- legs are growing longer than the arms now, and they can move all of their joints and limbs. Although eyelids are still shut,  they can sense light. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but he/she is forming taste buds.

Cravings- Still playing it safe and not eating meat. Chris asked if he could grill chicken one night and I had to laugh. We have not had chicken at home in over three months and it used to be a staple. He grilled two breasts. I enjoyed an egg sandwich again and still like Italian more than any other kind of food.

Symptoms- Still nauseated, but have not had any “productive” sessions this week. I do feel like I am a balloon that might explode after I eat dinner at night. It is amazing how eating can hurt so badly. I know now why they say to eat smaller portions all day and not a big meal at once. Overall, I have a lot more energy and I am feeling more like myself. 

Second Trimester Begins

Weeks 13 and 14

The second trimester has begun!! The last couple of weeks have been a little better. I have only really gotten sick once each week. Once, it was triggered from blow drying my hair. The next time, I was brushing my teeth and all of a sudden, I was hugging the toilet. We had our neighborhood garage sale on Saturday, April 21^st and we were able to get rid of several things. We are making room for all of the things we will need for the baby room. Chris has been great about cleaning out his office and getting it ready for you. These last two weeks have been a little tough. It has been hard to have energy at work and my brain seems to have slowed down significantly. It seems as if time is really starting to fly though.We also celebrated two of our friend's birthdays this weekend. We went to Ryan and Diana's house and had a double celebration for Kristin and Diana. We have our 14 week appointment on April 23rd!

Week 13 Baby Size- Our baby is almost 3 inches long and weighs nearly an ounce.

 Week 14 Baby Size- Baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, measures 3 1/2 inches, is about the size of a lemon, and  weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

Week 13 Developments- Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, veins and organs are clearly visible through still-thin skin, and the body is starting to catch up with the head — which makes up just a third of the baby’s body size now.

 Week 14 Developments- This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck their thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, facial muscles are getting a workout as the tiny features form one expression after another. The kidneys are producing urine, which releases into the amniotic fluid around the baby.

Cravings-carbs and cheese please!

Symptoms- Short of breath, chest pain after eating, and the nausea continues. 

Happy Easter!

Week 12

Early in the week, we were able to see our friends, Brent and Kristin, and their new baby girl, Katherine. She is less than a month old and is a beautiful, precious girl. Our friends warned us about how tough the two weeks after birth are and told us that we would want all the help we could get. We were laughing inside, thinking about what they did not know. Chris and Brent grew up together and were just a few months apart in age. We were able to share our news by letting them know that Katherine would have a little friend in a few months too! Kristin let me give Katherine a bottle and I enjoyed hearing a few tips. Again, it was so nice to see our friends and share our news.

We were also able to tell Chris’ grandmother and his extended family in Cedar Hill. We ended up staying for a cookout and were able to see Linda, Greg, Jay, Amy, and the kids.  Kay, your grandmother, also came over to spend time together.

We were out of school on Good Friday and our friends, Tres and Christy, were having a housewarming party at their new home in Grand Prairie. We broke the news to them and our other friends, Ryan and Diana. Christy is expecting in August and Diana’s son will be a year next September. It is fun to think of how many friends you will have. Chris grew up with Tres and Ryan and it meant a lot to be able to tell the majority of our closest friends. 

The announcement was also made at school this week during a staff meeting. My belly is popping out and people were starting to stare. I actually had a few come and ask me if I was pregnant. I think it was time! I told my class and the kids were very excited. They even offered their names for me to use!I think I may have to pass... ; )

Baby Size- From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long, about the size of a lime, and weighs half an ounce.

Developments- The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Cravings- Can I crave sleep? I seriously think about how hard it will be to drive home from work each day. Thank goodness for four day weeks!

Symptoms- Acne, All Day Sickness, Pain after eating (maybe this is heartburn?) 

April Fool's...

Week 11

On Thursday nights, we attend a Bible study and are very close to our friends that we spend this time with.   We were able to share our big news with some of our closest friends and everyone was very excited for us. It was a very special time for us. On Sunday, we called our friends Dave and Libby and asked if we could stop by and check out some of the updating they had recently done on their home. Dave hit the rejection button and said that the house was a mess. ; ) We ended up telling him the news over the phone. His wife, Libby, was at the grocery store and we interrupted her shopping to tell her our news. She was very excited for us, but called us back to make sure it was not an April Fool’s prank. Two days later, we already had a card in our mailbox from our dear friends. Libby has even offered to throw me a shower at their home and we feel so fortunate to have Dave and Libby in our lives and to be able to celebrate with them.

Baby Size- The baby is just over 1 1/2 inches long, about the size of a fig, and is now almost fully formed.

Developments- Baby’s hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of the bones are beginning to harden. Baby G is already busy kicking and stretching, and the tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as the body grows and becomes more developed and functional.

Cravings- I am still not buying into the whole cravings thing. I am having the same food adversions as before.

Symptoms- Same symptoms as before. I might need to add burping like a teenage boy to the list.