20 Weeks!

I am hungry, so 

hungry... 

all of the time now. 

Apparently this side effect of the second trimester is only going to get increasingly worse. I am chomping down on celery and salsa as I type. Well. It's official. I am at the end of my 20th week! That means I am looking forward to a cold but baby kicking fifth month. Matt and I are heading to Montana in about one week and as far as I am concerned, I have nothing to wear. This belly of mine is getting rounder by the minute. Today I pulled together a few of my bigger sweaters and dug in to Matt's oversized ones as well. 

The in-laws have not gotten the chance to see or rub the baby bump (baby mound) yet and I can hardly wait for them to see it! I am telling you, this has been an out of body experience the whole time. I still look in the mirror and laugh at my kangaroo pouch that is blowing up rapidly. 

Finally, my running is starting to kick ass again. Hubby and I have been rocking the trails lately. He says it looks funny to see a pregnant woman still clipping along on runs. I'm telling you, my times have not been too shabby. This week I completed three consecutive days of five miles at 32:30... which is around 6:30 per mile. Just to think, during my first trimester I was so tired a 9 minute mile felt like I was flying. We'll see how I feel in the days to come. It is hard to imagine how much bigger I am still going to get. Maybe my body will slowly adjust to the baby weight to where I won't even notice it! Ha. 

Let me think.

As I have said, I've been really fortunate with this pregnancy so far. Being my first one, I really had no idea of what to expect and I will say... this has been better than I expected. Luckily I did not have any morning sickness (totally thought I would). I have not had terrible round ligament pain and no swelling in my feet, ankles, hands or face. And the cravings have not been crazy gross. My sleeping really has not suffered, except for the late night pees and I am able to do most everything I could do before I was pregnant. Minus the indulgence of alcoholic beverages, coffee, and soft cheeses.... damn. 

I am not trying to speak too soon, I know I sill have 20 more weeks. All I am saying is that I am very blessed and very thankful for how things have gone so far, especially since Matt was gone the entire first trimester. I just hope to God the next months aren't too hard. That's all.

Anyways... okay.

20 WEEKS.

Hello from BabyCenter! You're at the halfway mark — congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He'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. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (although some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).>> Read more about this week

Your baby at 20 weeks Your baby is practicing swallowing.

   Week 20

Your Baby:

• Is as big as (depending on which measurements from which pregnancy book you use and of course, Your Produce May Vary) a butternut squash, or as long as a banana, or possibly a carrot. I am getting the sense these comparisons are not really an exact science.
• Will be measured head-to-toe from this point on, instead of the head-to-rump measurements we’ve used so far. I remember choking on a bagel at 21 weeks last time because HOLY CRAP, MY CHILD JUST GREW FIVE INCHES IN A WEEK.
• Has a heartbeat that can be heard with just a regular old stethoscope now and not just the fancy doppler.
• Is swallowing and practicing other digestive skills, and can now produce meconium, which is essentially prenatal poop that sits in the bowels during pregnancy. You’ll see this awesome goopy stuff in person during your baby’s very first diaper change, or possibly even during labor like I did, as some babies like to take their first crap in the womb. Meconium in the fluid in considered a delivery complication, but it’s very common and not terribly dangerous — your doctor will just need to suction your baby’s nose and mouth immediately after delivery to prevent any meconium going into your baby’s lungs with their first breath.

You:

• Are HALFWAY THERE HALFWAY THERE HALFWAY THERE!
• Seriously. You are halfway through this pregnancy, which may bring to mind such deep thoughts like: “Yay!” or “Uh-oh” or “Whoa” or “Must. Organize. Kitchen. Cabinets.”

You can probably tell, Matt took these pictures.

How far along?: 20 Weeks; 6 Days

Total weight gain/loss: +16 Lbs.

Maternity clothes?: NOPE! Stretchy pants! Leggings! 
Hubby's pj pants.

Stretch marks?: No... I'm on Matt's lotion regime.

Sleep: Like a baby.

Best moment this week: Reaching the 5 month mark!

Miss Anything?: Enjoying wine or beer when Matt and 
I go out to dinner.

Movement: Oh yeah!

Food cravings: Cheese. Pasta. Mashed Potatoes. 
French Fries. Chips. Ranch. (Real healthy, huh)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Fish... gag me.

Have you started to show yet: You bet!

Gender: A stinky little Matt Jr.

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out?: In-ish.

Wedding rings on or off?: On and loose.

Happy or Moody most of the time: ECSTATIC! 
Although, sometimes I cry for really stupid reasons, 
like thinking about how much I love my family, dogs, Nola moms.

Looking forward to: Our One Year Anniversary! 
A White Christmas! No work for 2 weeks!

Again, I can not wait to meet our sweet, fat, little satin skin baby.

I am already obsessed with how small his hands and feet are going to be the first time I meet him.

Until Next Time,

LP

If This is Motherhood, I'll Take It.

Found by my friend, @Tessaeden.
So Perfect.

19 Weeks!

Last night...
I dreamt I was a middle school teacher and was getting fired because I drank a beer during a parent teacher conference. Any dream interpreters out there? I am thinking 2 things. 
1) I am dreading the day Baby P is a middle schooler.
2) I miss beer.
Yikes!

I have been so busy this week! Since Thanksgiving, Matt and I have not slowed down for one minute! My life at work has been consumed with a giant gingerbread house (which I will post about in our family blog after Tuesday... when it's finished). If fact, forgive me if I am all over the place with this blog post... I feel like my brain has turned into gingerbread, candy land mush.  

So let's see, let's see... Baby stuff.

Baby's first stuffed animal. $8 Ikea treasure, "Rosie."

We have been baby crazy lately... from stroller and car seat reviews to nursery decor, baby is slowly taking over our life... and our sanity. I am so glad to have Matt home during this holiday season and for the mere fact that I am beginning to need a foot rub at the end of each work day. Tonight, I came home to his famous "Sauce" (Spaghetti) and we had a wonderful dinner together, in the quietness of our amazing home. Ahh.. it's good to be loved; it's good to have someone take care of you.

We had another appointment this week on Wednesday! You know, the normal routine... nothing crazy. Baby is safe, healthy, and MOVING AROUND!!! Yep. Absolutely being a jitter bug. I am also healthy, the running is still going well (thankfully) andddd... I gained four pounds in one week. Thanks Turkey Day leftovers, four days in a row. Our midwife, Jane, tells us this is normal and that we should keep doing everything we have been doing for the past 19 weeks. I am getting to the awkward point where it is a little inconvenient to bend down and pick up stuff out of arms reach. This belly is getting big. 

Not to mention, one of the nurses at the appointment the other day gave me some advice. She said if I wanted to feel the baby, I should eat dinner and lay down 20-30 minutes later. It TOTALLY worked! He is still kind of hard to feel, but I can feel his lumpy little body moving from side to side in there. Also, Matt got to feel movement from the outside! So AMAZING! Now, it's my favorite part of every night. 

Okay... Baby Progress.

Hello from BabyCenter! Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.>> Read more about this week Quick Clicks • Cheeses to avoid during pregnancy • When are cramps a sign of danger? • Track your pregnancy weight gain Overheard in your birth club "My husband loves my growing belly. Being open and honest about how we are feeling has brought us closer together, which has made me feel at ease." – Melissa >> See what others are saying at 19 weeks Your baby at 19 weeks Your baby may be able to hear you now. >> See the big picture: 19 weeks

Your Baby:

• Is about 5 1/2 to six inches long and weighs around 7 ounces.
• Although your baby will weigh more than 15 times its current weight by the time it is born, the rapid-fire growth portion of pregnancy is over. Thus, I have nothing else interesting to say up here. Baby is fully assembled; just needs some fattening up and lengthening out.

You:

• May be able to feel your baby’s kicks from the outside of your belly, if you’re lucky. Jason felt his first kick last night, and it was pretty cool and rocking and all that. He only remembered the later, third-trimester wallops from last time — this was the first time we were able to catch one of the gentle, early kicks.
• How are your moods doing? I’m not about to tell anyone what’s “normal” at this point, except to say that whatever you’re feeling? Whether it be fear or worry or impatience or rage or weepiness or ecstatic joy or maybe a combination of all of the above in the span of 10 minutes? Yep. It’s probably normal.
• The moods are normal because things are probably becoming a whole lot more “real” right about now. The belly is undeniable, the movements are steady, perhaps you know whether it’s a boy or a girl and are deciding on names and picking out room decor. So maybe you ran out of the room crying during a movie where something bad happened to a small child. Or to an adult! Because THEY WERE SOMEONE’S BABY ONCE TOO! Congratulations! You’re officially bonding.

How far along?: 19 Weeks; 6 Days

Total weight gain/loss: +16 Lbs. = W.O.A.H.

Maternity clothes?: NOPE! Still in denial.

Stretch marks?: No...I'm on Matt's lotion regime.

Sleep: Completely weird dreams lately.

Best moment this week: We felt baby dancing away!

Miss Anything?: BEER! Bloody Marys! Red Wine.

Movement: Yes! Yes! Yes!

Food cravings: Cheese. ;)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Apparently 
the smell of molasses? Which sucks due to the fact 
that I am making 1,000 gingerbread people.

Have you started to show yet: Yeah... 16 LBS ago.

Gender: A Rotten Little Boy!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out?: In-ish.

Wedding rings on or off?: On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 
How could I not be?! I have an amazing life.

Looking forward to: Christmas in Montana!!!!!!!!! 

16 Days!

So, what else am I stoked about?
Well. I have wanted to be a mom since I was about 20 years old.
But, lately, since it is close to Christmas,
I can't wait to do fun stuff like this!

"Elf Donuts" = Cheerios! Wow. So stinkin cute.  

I CAN NOT WAIT to use this! Wow, I am so excited. 

If you don't know about the "Elf on the Shelf" I will tell you....

This is a tool to keep your little ones behaved during the holidays!

Basically, the elf watches the kiddos all day long and reports "good/bad behavior to 

Santa" at night! When the babes wake up, the elf is in a pesky, unusual 

spot that the kids have to find!  

Anyways.

Have I mentioned that I can't wait until baby is here? 

Christina and Jack make me want that even more!

Until Next Time,

LP

18 Weeks!

Hello There!

If you haven't heard, Sweet P is a little boy! I still can not believe it and frequently say to Matt, "Can you believe we are having a boy?" "Yes." Is always his response to my neurotic rambling. For whatever reason, I just could not imagine having a little boy in the mix, especially being raised with all girls and having all nieces. I can tell you one thing; every day is going to be an adventure. 

I kind of rushed through the exciting noise and didn't do my normal week-to-week post, so I will catch you up on growth and new happenings now. 

This week has been great. And by great, I mean awesome. As you know, I have been counting down the day when Matt would return home and Baby P would be revealed. Well, this was the week! Matt (as I always say) is the best husband and surprised me by coming home early! He got home Monday morning and slept all day after driving 48 hours straight. I worked while he rested and then Tuesday came along and the opportunity presented itself for us to be able to learn baby's gender one day early! Of course, we took it. 

So, I'll give you my best representation of how excited we were to find out he is a he. I told you about the OJ and how I chugged a bottle of it before we went in for the ultrasound. We sat through the routine checkup. Weight. Blood Pressure. Bla bla bla. And then the ultrasound technician (Laurie) told us that everything was moving in the right direction (obviously out for me, but also in a healthy direction for baby). Yay. This was of course all good news, however I could hardly concentrate (and I think Matt was feeling the same) because what we were waiting for was Girl or Boy?! Laurie finally paused the ultrasound in a position that a trained professional could examine baby's gender. She asked, "Okay! Do you have any guesses?" Do we have guesses? What do you mean? How are we suppose to tell when we of course want to yell what we think, but looking at the screen we wouldn't know if we were looking at a baby or a tunnel of shadows? We sat there in silence as she placed an arrow at baby's parts and then began to type 

"It's A B...o...y!"

You can probably imagine my surprise! I screamed at the top of my lungs and then started hysterically crying. Matt and I sat there, surrounded by laugher and tears, in disbelief that we could possibly be having a little man. A little nugget who will wear cowboy boots, watch football with dad, and tell mom that she's beautiful. One that will get in trouble, dig in the dirt, and love to listen to dad's band. A boy who will give me a run for my money, make Matt and me laugh, and give us the satisfaction that we are living life as we have always wanted, as a family with children. 

I am beyond thankful, I am beyond excited, and I am beyond speechless. What am I counting down to now? Well, I want to feel little guy move. I want to dress him in the footed pjs that my mom, sisters and Kirsten gave us this weekend, and I want to walk in to his room in the morning and see his smiling face and messy bed head hair. We are so blessed. I can not imagine how I will feel when he is actually here, in our arms! 

As we sat there, Laurie says, "Are these tears of joy?" We exclaimed, "YES!" and she said, "good because I have NO DOUBT that he is a little boy. He is not hiding anything!"

This is no surprise. If you know Matt... he is not shy.

If you look close, in both pictures he has his legs spread wide... 

showing us exactly who he is!

SO FUNNY!

Hello from BabyCenter! Head to rump, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long(about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.>> Read more about this week Quick Clicks • Are you feeling the baby kick yet? • When is it too late to travel by airplane? • What's the safe way to wear a seat belt now? • Inspired baby names Overheard in your birth club "I just found out that I'm having a girl — finally, after two miscarriages. I think I felt her move today. I had my ultrasound and everything was fine, at last!" — Nicky >> See what others are saying at 18 weeks Your baby at 18 weeks Your baby's ears now stand out from his head.

Your Baby:

• Is about the size of a baked potato — five-and-a-half inches long.
• Has actual cute little ears and working ear bones and can hear sounds through the amniotic fluid — similar to how things sound to you underwater.
• Is moving, moving, moving. The baby is still small enough that you may not feel every kick and punch yet, but the movements will start getting less “bubble-like” and more “holy crap, that was totally a foot” pretty soon, if they aren’t already.

You:

• May notice some dizziness from time to time, especially if you stand up too quickly or go too many hours without a good snack. Try to stay hydrated and remember to eat every few hours — good stuff like yogurt, nuts, fruits, veggies and cheese. Empty calories like chips and junk food will just make the dizziness worse, not better.
• Might be getting a little uncomfortable at night. The best sleeping position for pregnancy is on your side (when you lie on your back you compress the blood flow to your uterus), but as your pelvis changes and your abdomen gets heavier this can get awfully hard on your hips and legs. Try sleeping with a small pillow between your knees or lower thighs — I finally grabbed a small decorative pillow from our bed and found it made all the difference in the world without taking up too much room or making me feel too hot at night like regular pillows or those full-body maternity pillows did last time. (While very comfortable, trying to roll over with one of those big things was just a giant exercise in AWK-WARD.)
• Oh, and let’s discuss our bladders too. You might soon find yourself at that lovely stage when you just can’t seem to fully empty your bladder in a single bathroom run. I don’t know whether there’s just something baby-related blocking the exit or what, but I pee and then stand up and realize that I STILL have to pee. I remember hitting this point last time and using a trick Heather Armstrong described at Dooce — lean allllll the way forward while peeing, with your torso as parallel to the floor as you can manage. It really works, and now every time I pee I wonder how any woman ever managed to make it through pregnancy without the Internet.

Excuse the wet hair. We were rushing to leave Tallahassee for Thanksgiving.

How far along?: 18 Weeks; 6 Days

Total weight gain/loss: +12 Lbs. (LOL)

Maternity clothes?: NO! Not yet. I am trying to 
avoid them like the plague. I wear a lot of leggings 
and baggy sweaters, belted. 

Stretch marks?: No... Matt is so sweet. He is 
my "put your lotion on your belly" reminder, every 
night.

Sleep: Awesome! Hubby is back so I am not 
sleeping alone and the pee awakenings have subsided.

Best moment this week: Matt and I found out our 
Sweet P is a BOY!

Miss Anything?: BEER! Bloody Marys! Red Wine. 
Especially since this is holiday time!

Movement: Who knows?! Gas bubbles? Baby 
Dancing? I don't know. I am waiting for the punch!

Food cravings: They have definitely relaxed a 

little. Cheese is still up there.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)

Have you started to show yet: Yes, absolutely... 

from the front only though. 

Gender: A PROUD LITTLE BOY!

Labor Signs: No

Wedding rings on or off?: On, hands are getting 

a little smaller?

Belly Button in or out?: In... but not for much 

longer. It is definitely flattening. Haha.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! So Happy. 
We are blessed; we all (3) are healthy!

Looking forward to: Feeling that little guy kick! 
Shopping.. shopping.. shopping!

Until Next Time,

LP