Wrapping Up Week 18

Well, it's near the end of week 18 for me and I've been feeling okay. No morning sickness or anything. There are a whole lot of changes going on in my belly, though! Supposedly, Jellybean is about the size of a really large pickle right now. I don't know about that, cause it looks more like I swallowed a huge cantaloupe. How funny-lookin' pregnant ladies are! This morning, as I was getting dressed, I was standing in front of a mirror just laughing at my huge belly. I can't even believe that I'm only just about halfway there. I can't imagine myself bigger!

Some of the weird things I've been experiencing are really cracking me up! I figured I'd better document a few of them so I don't forget about the craziness this child is putting me through. My favorite of the bizarre pregnancy symptoms is what I like to call "the sporadic cold patch." I get this "patch" at the top of my belly and it feels like I just dripped something on myself. And I can see that happening, because my belly sticks out kinda far already. It can also be compared to feeling like I'm sweaty right there too (which sounds gross - sorry...)! But I'll touch the skin there and it is completely dry. Bizarre. Is it my skin stretching? Is that what I'm feeling? I don't know.

I'm also really moody. I can laugh and cry at the same time. Freaky. I try not to do that in front of people because that can get a bit uncomfortable.

The sucky symptoms are the things like sharp random pains and being sweaty. I can get really sweaty really quickly - especially if I'm nervous. I had a meeting with someone that I think is pretty important two weeks ago and I was afraid to raise my arms. I was wearing a dark brown shirt and I just KNEW that there were darker brown circles under my arms. Not cool. Also, whenever I sneeze or cough, if I am not prepared for it, it hurts like crap! I get something like a stitch in my side. And worst of all, I have been having the hardest time sleeping. I guess that final symptom is natures way of preparing you body for future crying-baby-sleepless nights. That doesn't make it fun though.

Well, so that is what is going on with me lately. I can't believe that in two weeks, I'll probably know if Jellybean is a he or she. Anybody got any guesses?

17 Weeks

"Your baby is approximately 5 inches long (crown to rump) and weighs just less than 5 ounces. He or she should weigh more than the placenta from this point on. Since your baby's hearing has become more finely tuned, he or she may respond to loud noises and you may feel movement at the sound of large trucks passing or a slamming door. Epidermal (skin) and fatty tissue are developing all over your baby's body to protect it after it is born and a substance called vernix is beginning to form on the skin tissue to protect it from the long exposure to amniotic fluid."

Well, this will be a special week for Jellybean. We're gonna go visit our Texas family! Tim and I are flying down Thursday and flying home Tuesday. I'm all prepared to have my belly poked and patted - it's what family does. And I can't wait for Tim's momma to spoil me rotten with her yummy cooking... It will just be so nice to be with family right now. The only family I've been able to see so far has been baby brother Andy and Tim's pops. A girl need to be with her family when she's pregnant!

16 Week Check-up

So, I went in for my check-up today and everything is going well according to my doc. The "Nuchal Translucency" test went over fine and Jellybean seems to be very healthy. Jellybean's heartbeat was 155 beats today and I've gained another 5 pounds. (Yeah, that part kinda sucks to find out... but my doc says that is perfect and I'm right on target. She knew what I needed to hear.) Anyway, here is what is going on inside me:

Weighing in at all of 3 ounces, your little one is now 12 centimeters long. He's holding his head high and moving his limbs with purpose -- maybe even sucking his teeny little thumb (okay, it's just a reflex, but it's still cool). The eyes have moved closer together so that they face forward, and the baby now begins to blink. He or she might even be winking at you: "Hey Mom, I'm chilling out in here! You should relax, too!"

Okay, I hear ya baby. I'm relaxing. My next check-up will be May 7th. And hopefully, if Jellybean cooperates, we'll find out if it's a girl or boy! Crazy.

16 Weeks, Baby!

Just for the record, one of these is actual and one of these is posed with a try-on preggie pillow. Which one is which?!? (The one with the pillow really freaked out my husband.)

Good-Buy for Baby!

Hey! I am so stoked. I just got back from a SUPER baby/toddler sale and got some great loot, all for $100 bucks. We raided our "change" jar where we've saved all our extra quarters and dimes and whatnots. Anyway, our big purchase was a Fisher Price "Nature's Touch" Baby Papasan Swing. (This is the exact same swing I researched and planned on getting for my big sis last year when she had Emma, but she needed a pack-n-play instead.) This is such a great swing! It retails for $140 bucks, but we paid $65 for it and even got to speak to the former owner about it. She told us how it basically saved her sanity because her daughter would ONLY sleep while she was in the swing. And to top it off, it even matches our new green rocker that Uncle Andy bought for us.

We got some other great purchases, too. I bought tons of multi-colored onesies to doll up when we find out Jellybean's gender, another really nice black "Skip Hop" diaper bag (same brand as the other, to keep in the car or something), a plain boppy pillow (I can just order or make a slipcover for it), a couple of good board books, two maternity summer shirts, and (my sister is gonna love this...) a pretty black and silver Maya wrap sling. I did pretty well, eh? I will definitely be going back for the next sale in October!!! Lucky little Jellybean and savvy shopper Sue!

Sweet Uncle Andy

Isn't this a sweet picture? Heehee... It wouldn't be as sweet if I could have posted the audio to this. Mr. Pan, the kitty, was pissed!

Anyway, Uncle Andy is testing out our brand new rocker for the nursery! He came over on Monday night to take me baby shopping and had me pick out a super comfy rocker for the nursery. It has pretty celery-colored corduroy slipcover on it. Is he not the best uncle ever, Jellybean?!? You are such a lucky baby to have him in your life! He is already looking out for you and making sure that you have everything you need. He has big plans for you that include Mets games and movie/pizza nights, maybe ever a bit of "Guitar Hero" if you play your cards right. We're so thankful for him and can't wait for you to meet him, little Jellybean! (You better not let him down by being a Yankee fan!)

15 Weeks

I'm a big fat 15 weeker now! And I feel HUGE. (I hear all of you... You're all saying "Just wait a few more months!" But look - I need you to be supportive, okay?) But what still sucks is that my pregnancy is more reflective in my hips and booty instead of my belly. I was working out at Curves today and I could see disapproving eyes saying without words something like "she's too young to be so chunky." Well, I kept thinking of funny shirts I should design. Here is the winner... I'm going on Cafe Press! Oh snap. Take that, you mean old ladies at Curves.



So, want to know what is going on inside?!? Of course, right? Well, my "heart has grown in size and is working overtime to pump all that extra blood through my body and baby. Its output has increased 20 percent from normal and, by the time I'm ready to deliver, it will be pumping 50 percent more than normal!" Crazy. Also, my "baby weighs about 2.5 ounces and is approximately 4 inches in length (crown to rump). His or her heart is growing strong and, even though it is little, it is pumping between 20 and 25 quarts of blood every 24 hours! By the time I'm ready to deliver, my baby's heart will be circulating up to 300 quarts of blood every 24 hours. Many fetuses develop their future hairline this week, although it can take quite a bit longer for others." There is a lot going on in my belly!