Weeks 20 & 21

(AHHH!  Huge!!  What happened?!)

How big is baby? The size of a pomegranate.

Appointment Updates: Haven’t had any.

Best Moment of the week: ? So hard to remember. Lots of good moments, some bad. We had some great spring weather, then some dreary. J’s been having a harder time behaving lately—some sort of touchpoint I think. Some frustrating crap at work. But, every day people ask when I am due, which I just love. It means that I don’t just look fat I look pregnant!!! And I get to talk about all things pregnancy which is fun. Also I now know or know of 8 people in Shoreham who are pregnant which is a HUGE baby boom for our little town!

Sleep: Sleeping well.

Food aversions: Nope. I am back to my normal love of food.

Food cravings: I love all food ;-) I am working hard to up my water intake as well.ehhh

Symptoms:  Tummy getting big! Some round ligament pain just before its time to wake up. Bacne. But all in all doing pretty well!

Maternity clothes: Love ‘em.

Weight: Up 12 pounds. I am being more careful though and seem to have slowed my gain a bit, which makes me happy. It is hard and annoying though to have to be worrying about my weight. I don’t think there is any way I am going to stay under 20 pounds as the new doctor advised. However, I do think I am going to be way under the 60 I gained last time! Of course this time I started out about 15 pounds heavier. Boo. Oh well.

Mommy movement: I have really been putting more of emphasis on getting some exercise this time. I feel like this will be of great benefit to me during pregnancy, labor, and recovery. But it is still so hard to fit in! Especially with my ever changing work schedule. I mostly go for walks, sometimes to a prenatal workout video, and aim for 4 times a week. Plus my work is semi-active so that is good, though I can already tell I don’t move as fast or run around as much as I did before.

Baby movement: I feel SO MUCH movement. If I stop and pay attention I almost always feel the baby. It’s kicking away right now.  You can also now feel the baby from the outside. I love knowing that it is getting stronger and bigger!

Gender: Big ?

What I miss: The same—not worrying about everything.

What I am looking forward to: Healthy baby!

Next appointment: End of April.

Weeks 15-20 (getting close to caught up!)

Weeks 15-18 update: 3/7/13  (I seem to have lost one of these entries, or maybe never did it.  Oh well!)

How big is baby? The size of an avocado.

Appointment Updates: I had what is probably my last appointment with the midwife group I had hoped to use. It went pretty well. I really like that they have so much time, as reflected by the fact that they spent lots of time discussing nutrition with me. I kept a food diary for a couple days and then we went over it. Going into it I was thinking eating healthy meant lots of fruits of vegetables and not too many sweets or junk. I’ve been doing pretty well on the produce; not so well on avoiding sweets. I was surprised when the midwife really focused on iron, calcium, and protein and wasn’t much concerned about the Girl Scout cookies and coffee cake. So the session did what it was supposed to and I have new things to on which to work. I even started drinking milk, something I have never done, not even when I was a kid!

Best Moment of the week: I’m kind of behind on this, so not really sure. We had a great weekend with family during winter break.

Sleep: Sleeping fine! Yay!

Food aversions: Mostly all gone. I can eat meat now. Chicken still seems kind of disgusting to me though.

Food cravings: My appetite is definitely back! Just like when I was pregnant with Joseph I am very into citrus—clementines and grapefruit being me favorite. I also LOVE canned fruit and granola!!!!!!

Symptoms: Getting bigger…

Maternity clothes: Mostly wearing maternity clothes. I am so grateful that this time around I am getting hand-me-downs from friends! Also found that our local children’s second hand store has a great maternity section. I already have tons more than I ever had last time.

Weight: Weight gain is picking up. Err. I didn’t gain anything throughout the first trimester—since food didn’t really sound that good. But now I am hungry! And willing to indulge a bit more than I probably should. So far about 6 pounds up, but looks like a lot more. Oh well. Still aiming for 10 pounds by 20 weeks.

Gender: No idea and don’t care!

What I miss: Hmmm. Not worrying about everything being alright with baby.

What I am looking forward to: I am sooo much looking forward to my detailed ultrasound next Friday. I am having a very, very, veryyyyyyyyyy hard time waiting!!!!!!!

Next appointment: Next Friday.

Weeks 19&20 update: 4/1/13

How big is baby? The size of a banana.

Appointment Updates: I had my detailed ultrasound which went well and my first appointment with the doctor I think I am going to use. It was pretty routine, but she took the time to answer my questions.

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm . . . super fun Easter holiday weekend!

Sleep: Sleeping well.

Food aversions: None.

Food cravings: Getting very hungry! I have been eating tons of eggs, because they are so easy and healthy. I love my fruit and my junk food. Trying to limit the junk food, but having a hard time, especially with all the holiday fun!

Symptoms: Twitchy limbs,

Maternity clothes: Yup.

Weight: Errr. Gaining quickly. My goal was 10 pounds by 20 weeks, but was up about 11. The new doctor suggested a total weight gain of 20 pounds for me. Don’t think that will be happening.

Gender: ???? Either boy or girl ;-)

What I miss: Coffee, crystal light, lunch meats, not having to worry about all this stuff.

What I am looking forward to: A healthy baby!

Next appointment: End of April.

Finishing up February Pics

We enjoyed a couple of hockey games at Middlebury College.  Fun times (especially when Joseph’s second cousins show up).  This was also part of my plan to convince Joseph that hockey is cooler than wrestling.  It worked and he is planning on playing hockey next year.  Hopefully I did the right thing!

Playing in one of his many “houses.”

Right around where the new house will be.

Soccer on ice

Snowboarding down the driveway.  At first I told him we could only do it on a small hill on the top, but he convinced me to let him go down the big hills.  And did way better then I would have expected.  He even busted one of the bindings pretty quick but still kept at it.  I found this one on the side of the road (hence the cheapness).  Hope I can find another!

So cute.

Sledding in Bristol by grandfather Bob’s house.

Working on Valentines.

Some scenic Ripton and Lincoln pictures I took driving from skiing lessons at Snowbowl to great-grandma’s house in Lincoln.  It was amazingly beautiful—a different world.

Movie night with cousins.

Getting ready for sugaring season!

Checkers with cousin Jacob.

Weeks 12, 13, & 14

Week 12 update-2/4/13

How big is baby? The size of a plum.

Appointment Updates: None.

Best Moment of the week: Hmm—we had a nice meal out at Mr. Ups on Friday and a wonderful walk all around the land where we will be building a new house on Saturday.

Sleep: Sleeping fine most of the time. No more round ligament pain. Sometimes I do have trouble falling back to sleep when I wake up, which is pretty unusual for me.

Food aversions: Bluck. Still don’t really have any interest in most things healthy.  Brad is doing a lot of the cooking, usually meat, beans, rice, and other vegetables. I like the idea that he is cooking healthy, but I do not like the smell of it! Yuck!

Food cravings: The only things that really seem good are carb type. Oh and I did buy some sherbert! YUM!

Symptoms: Tired and emotional. One day I was super nauseas again, but usually that isn’t so much of an issue anymore.

Maternity clothes: A friend gave me a bunch of maternity clothes and I tried some on for the first time this weekend—and all of a sudden I feel like there is a little bump!

Gender: ?

What I miss: Not having to worry.

What I am looking forward to: Baby developing and growing!

Next appointment: Late Feb.

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Week 13 update-2/10/13

How big is baby? The size of a peach.

Appointment Updates: One of the midwives acknowledged my nervousness last appointment and told me I could come in anytime and hear the heart beat. This Wednesday I took her up on the offer. I called at 11 and they said to come right in. It did make me feel good to hear the heartbeat again. It was strong and she found it quickly. However she couldn’t ever get it for a long time because baby was moving all over the place! There was a lot of “wooshing” and the midwife said that was baby moving. She commented a number of times on how active baby was ;-)

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm… hearing the heartbeat was great. Playing in the snow with J was fun, especially when he tried snowboarding and it actually worked. Plus, I am pretty positive I can feel baby and I just love that!! I swear baby to reacts to my touch and moves all around!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well. Sometimes wake up and have trouble going back to sleep, but not too often.

Food aversions: Getting less and less pronounced. Lots of things still don’t sound good, but they don’t gross me out as much.

Food cravings: Canned fruit.

Symptoms: Moody.

Maternity clothes: Yup! I can still wear normal cloths, but the maternity clothes my friend gave me are much more comfortable and cute! I guess I need to tell work soon though…

Weight: Up about a pound, though it fluctuates.

Gender: ?

What I miss: Not having to worry as much. I am a worrier to begin with, and growing a brand new tiny, tiny life is pretty stressful for me!

What I am looking forward to: Same as always; a healthy baby growing and developing! Can’t wait to be “more” pregnant!

Next appointment: This Friday. I am meeting with the OBGYN group that will probably deliver me, since the midwives I am seeing are not yet certified to attend deliveries of women who have had c-sections. The situation is annoying, since I am really enjoying the midwives and would prefer to stay with them, but I am trying to keep cool about it, and just deal with the hand I am dealt.

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Week 14 update-2/18/13

How big is baby? The size of a peach.

Appointment Updates: I had my first appointment with the Dr. practice that I will probably end of having to go to since the midwives I have been seeing are not yet certified to attend women who have had a previous c-section. I am still a little disappointed, but fortunately my first appointment with the Dr.’s went pretty well.

Best Moment of the week: A coworker had a huge surprise 30^th birthday and it was so much fun to have night out dancing!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well.

Food aversions: This has gotten so much better. I got my first decaf coffee in months (not because I am opposed to it, but because the idea of coffee made me feel sick), but finally coffee sounded good and I very much enjoyed my small cup! I still don’t really like chicken, but I can eat it.

Food cravings: Sweets. And I indulged a bit with Valentine’s day and the big party…

Symptoms: Symptoms are pretty under control lately. I am definitely in a good part of pregnancy. I have more energy and less nausea. I feel so much more like myself.

Maternity clothes: I have been wearing the clothes a friend loaned my most of the time. I enjoy being comfortable and I think they kind of help me look more pregnant, which I enjoy.

Weight: Up about 3 pounds. The midwives told me I should gain 10 by twenty weeks so I think I am on pretty good track, though I can see that the weight gain is picking up.

Gender: Don’t know and not finding out! I don’t even really spend time trying to figure it out.

What I miss: ?

What I am looking forward to: Showing more, talking about all things baby since now most people know…

Next appointment: Next week with the midwives. I am keeping this appointment since I love having appointments, but may decide soon it is time to end my time with the midwives . . . Boo. Oh and my big 20 week anatomy scan ultrasound is now scheduled for mid March and I am SOOO EXCITED for this!

More looking back: Weeks 9, 10, &11

(Sorry, I don’t have any pictures from this time period.)

Week 9 update-1/8/13

How big is baby? The size of a green olive.

Appointment Updates: Ultrasound on Wed. went pretty well—it was amazing to see that the fetus already looks like a baby! A little like a gummy bear, but much more baby like then I expected. They did also find a cyst on my ovary, but didn’t seem to concerned. Also, baby was a little big, so they moved my due date up four days to 8/12/13—which I was not surprised about at all. I have known for so long I figured I was a little ahead.

Best Moment of the week: Telling Joseph! I was really wondering how this would go, but it was amazing! He asked lots of great questions, came up with all sorts of plans, and talks to baby all the time. It is amazingly adorable.

Sleep: More comfortable. And I like a lot of it!

Food aversions: Much better. I can eat pretty normally again now. The idea of raw chicken still really, really bothers me though.

Food cravings: Hmmmm . . . I indulged myself with a bagel this week, which was super yummy, but made me really miss my favorite bagel combo with lox and cream cheese. I miss it sooo much. More than alcohol and coffee. I think I will get some ASAP after giving birth!

Symptoms: The worst this week was a really bad headache—exacerbated by a horrible day at work. I went to bed when I got home. Still super vivid dreams as well, which is pretty fun!

Maternity clothes:  Still thinking about it . . .

Gender: No idea! Though lots of the time we (Brad, Joseph, and I) tend to refer to it as “he” or “brother” ;-) We do know there is just one though now.

What I miss: Same.

What I am looking forward to: Continuing to make progress . . . I am still having a hard time dealing with being so early—it is very strange. We are starting to tell people know, but it makes me extremely nervous. I will be 10 weeks tomorrow, but it still seems so early and like anything could happen. Last time (due to very strange circumstances) I found out at 16 weeks and told people at 19, so by then things were MUCH more established. Oh well. It’s all part of the process.

Next appointment:  Two weeks for my 12 week checkup!

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Week 10 update-1/19/13

How big is baby? The size of a prune

Appointment Updates: None

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm . . . pretty typical week. I love that Joseph is having so many new adventures at school. Ha—and he just looked over and read this ;-)

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well and still sleeping as much as possible.

Food aversions: I am wondering if I will ever be a chicken fan again? I also have trouble with Brad’s healthy foods: beans and the protein shakes he is into now really bug me. Yuck.

Food cravings: Still really loving soups. Tried some new recipes this week, such as a kale, sausage, ravioli soup and cream of tomato soup. My appetite definitely came back and I am glad to be able/willing to cook again. Last night I made a big yummy meal—stuffed shells, squash, and apple crisp. It was awesome! Also, anything I am not allowed to have sounds super awesome, especially pepperoni and smoked salmon.

Symptoms: Mild nausea. Tired.

Maternity clothes:  Not yet . . .

Gender:  ??

What I miss: I guess I am starting to get used to this idea of being pregnant!

What I am looking forward to: Just making progress and telling more people.

Next appointment:  Next Wed. for 12 weeks!!!

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Week 11 update-1/26/13

How big is baby? The size of a lime.

Appointment Updates: Had a pretty good appointment this past week. It was my first time meeting another one of the midwives and I really liked her. Since I tend to worry about this a lot her very laidback, calm attitude was such a comfort for me!

Best Moment of the week: I saw lots of friends which was fun, found out one is expecting as well! Also, I thought I felt baby move, but now I am skeptical. At the time I was totally convinced though.

Sleep: Still pretty tired. Sometimes

Food aversions: Still not a fan of meat and cooked vegetables—you know the healthy things.

Food cravings: Cheese! String cheese is like my crack. Oh and I still really, really miss crystal light—well actually sometimes I indulge. I also had a dream about crystal light: I went to some restaurant and was so happy to see that they had Crystal Light smoothies—oh it looked so good in my dream!

Symptoms: Tired.

Maternity clothes: Not yet, but thinking about it. I did buy a pair of yoga pants though. I was wearing them one morning and Joseph asked me not to walk him into school with my pajama pants on! 

Gender:  Who knows?

What I miss: All the foods I’m not allowed to eat.

What I am looking forward to: Baby growing! Feeling baby move!

Next appointment: Late Feb.

Halfway day (20 weeks!)

Looking back—Weeks 7&8

I have been writing little reflections, inspired by lifeontheterrace and other such blogs.

(Sorry, I was really concentrating on taking the pic.  I cannot figure out how to get good pictures.)

Week 8 update-1/8/13

How big is baby? The size of a raspberry

Appointment Updates:  Ultrasound tomorrow!

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm . . . it’s been a bit mundane and I still don’t feel to chipper. I did have fun having a girl date to see Les Miserables on Sunday. We also had a fun family outing to Whirlie’s World (local arcade type place) this weekend .

Sleep: Already uncomfortable. My hips hurt for some reason in the morning. Maybe ligaments stretching because of changing hormones?

Food aversions: A lot less powerful then last week. Now I can eat most normal things. Except chicken, I really don’t like chicken anymore. Also, I was so worried about not drinking coffee, but turns out I don’t think I could if I wanted to!

Food cravings: Nothing healthy. Sorbet mostly. Bland foods like potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, and cheese are my favorites right now. Oh and soup. If I do cook it is usually a soup.

Symptoms:  Restless legs, some nausea and fatigue—but much improved!, bloated, very vivid dreams!

Maternity clothes:  Thinking about it . . .

Gender: No idea! And I don’t really like other people’s comments on this matter for the most part. Sometimes I think some people are wishing for a girl, which makes me uncomfortable because it certainly could be either! We have no control over this, so why waste time on it? To be honest my dream would be one of each. Crazy I know!

What I miss: Same as last week. It is a bit challenging trying to stick to and remember all the diet restrictions.

What I am looking forward to:  Tomorrow’s appointment (also very nervous about it). Telling people; though this also makes me nervous. We are planning on telling Joseph if all is well at my appointment tomorrow, then our families this weekend. So then it won’t be a “secret” anymore (though I don’t know how everyone hasn’t figured it out yet; if you know me at all you know there is no other reason I would quit coffee, diet coke, and alcohol!). I really don’t know about when to tell people at work, and others in general . . . I might actually be keeping it a secret longer, but Brad thinks it is time to tell!

Next appointment:  Tomorrow’s ultrasound.

(Another horrible picture—sorry!)

Week 7 update-1/1/13

How big is baby? The size of a blueberry.

Appointment Updates:  I had my first appointment a couple weeks ago. Nothing much, no ultrasound or anything to confirm this pregnancy like I was hoping. Mostly talked about my medical history. I was very discouraged at my options for a VBAC . . .

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm, lots! It was a great holiday. Spent lots of time with friends and family!

Sleep: Already uncomfortable.

Food aversions: At various times lots of stuff seems unappealing.

Food cravings:  Hmmm, grapefruit and crystal light. I am really trying not to drink crystal light, but it is almost the only thing that makes me feel un-nauseous for a minute. Err.

Symptoms:  Bloated, nauseous most of the time, twitchy legs, and very emotional. Fun!

Maternity clothes:  Not yet, but I am seriously considering it.

Gender: No idea!

What I miss: Being able to eat and drink without worrying all the time! Geeze. I miss soft-cheese, coffee, diet coke, caffeine in general, smoked salmon, salami, lunch meats, Caesar salad, alcohol, and so much more . . . Also, being honest. It is so weird not talking to people about what is going on with me. But probably a good lesson in trying to be more private.

What I am looking forward to:  Ultrasound next Wednesday and being able to tell people!

Next appointment:  Dating ultrasound!!!

January 2013 photos

Snow day fun at the school

More fun in the snow

Some mini-golf

Fun times at Granpa Bernie’s.  We have a lot of fun with puzzles, the WII, and lots of games.  Here we were enjoying Joseph first game of Monopoly—definitely a milestone.  He loved it!

Cross country skiing with his school.

Ooops--first picture I took of the first missing tooth—about two weeks later.  The big one was already half-way in!

Pond skating with the Mentzers.

Fun times, though not too many pictures.  I am always pictured out in January!

Big things . . .

I’ve alluded to a lot going on around here.

We have two BIGGGGG new projects in store for this summer:

1)

House plans!   We are building a new house!

2)

A new baby!  In my tummy!!!!!!!!

(Sorry about the horrible picture quality—more details to come.)

Monday journal page

This is the journal page Joseph wrote last week.  Every Monday all the kids in Joseph’s class write and draw a little something about their weekend.  I always enjoy seeing what they share and how much they are learning!  The have do it all on their own.   I was blown away when he produced this last week and snuck a picture of it this Monday.  I really look forward to this journal as an amazing keepsake!!