21 weeks

I ended up telling our infertility story over on my other blog this past week as well as announcing my pregnancy. I was unsure at first sharing our story over there but am glad I finally did. It's like a huge weight has been lifted & I can finally share my excitement on the other blog regarding this pregnancy!

With that said, I am so very sad to say that I think it is time to be moving on from this blog. For the past two & a half years, this blog has been a huge outlet of support, release & mental therapy for me. Through the infertility forums, other infertility blogs & friends who started following me by word of mouth from a mutual friend, I have met the most amazing women & have become friends with these girls for what I hope is many years to come. I am hoping that all 70+ people who follow this blog will come join me for this pregnancy journey over at A Day in the Life of HT!

Can't believe I am even saying this but this will be my very last update & post over here. As much as I've loved pouring out my heart & soul here, I am really glad to be moving on - with an amazing outcome :)

So without further ado, here is my last weekly update here:

How far along? 21 weeks (baby is 10.5 inches long, weighs 14 oz & is the length of a large carrot)

Symptoms: Heartburn is better this past week. I am also finding myself getting winded if I do too much at once.

Weight gain/loss: + 0 lbs thank goodness. Made up for it last week! (total of 10 lbs total gained so far)

Maternity clothes? yes - all the time now for shirts

Sleep: sleeping pretty much through the night now

Food cravings/aversions: been craving cheese & pasta this week like crazy - this is NOT helping with my weight gain :)

Movement? yes, Baby T is kicking & rolling around all the time now. Sometimes I feel like there is a little martial arts going on in my belly :)

What I miss? hmmm - have I mentioned cold turkey sandwiches??

Best moment(s) this week: seeing Baby T on the ultrasound, finding out we are having a boy & Shane getting to feel the baby kick & move for the first time this week!

What I'm looking forward to: going to Florida with my sister & her family & spending 5 days at Disney in 2 weeks

Next Appointment: October 8th with my OB

Milestones: Initial fluttering movements have now turned into full-fledged kicks & nudges. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has begun & indicates that he is now capable of dreaming - of what I don't know since it is dark in there?! I am discovering a pattern to baby's activity - very active after I eat candy & when I lay down for bed. Baby's eyebrows & lids are now present also.

It's a...

BOY!!!!

Let the shopping begin :)

We had our Level II ultrasound this morning & it went great! We had a different Perinatologist this time & he was awesome. He took time explaining everything he was seeing & measuring which made us feel so much better about this appointment than the last time we were there. 

Baby T was super active this morning rolling around all over & the Dr found it difficult to get the measurements he needed but eventually he got them all. Everything measured right on track, all the organs were in the right place, baby was estimated to weigh 14 oz & I was measuring 5 days ahead of schedule. He said everything looks perfectly healthy & that I didn't need to see them again unless I started to have problems.

We both walked out of that appointment so thankful & relieved that Baby T is healthy & both agreed that it is about to get "real" now! I think it's time I can start relaxing a bit & start enjoying this pregnancy :)

20 weeks - "Half-Baked"

Wow - hard to believe I have made it to the half-way point. I never thought I would ever get to this point in this pregnancy & am just so very thankful! Hoping the next 20 weeks are just as uneventful as the first 20 weeks has been!? 

 

How far along? 20 weeks (baby is 6 1/2 inches long from head to rump & the length of a banana)

Symptoms: Still having the heartburn - especially when I lay down at night to go to sleep. RLP seems to be better this week.

Weight gain/loss: + 3 lbs (10 lbs total gained)

Maternity clothes? not 100% wearing them yet since I am still able to wear my knit skirts & dresses

Sleep: same story - different week. Still no trouble falling asleep, getting up once a night to pee & have been able to fall back asleep lately which has been nice!

Food cravings/aversions: had Mexican for the first time last week & it didn't make me gag. I think my love for chips, salsa & tacos is slowly making a comeback!

Movement? feeling Baby T quite often now rolling around & little "thumps" but only on the inside...nothing from the outside yet

What I miss? sleeping all the way through the night

Best moment(s) this week: getting to the "half-baked" mark - only 20 more weeks left to go

What I'm looking forward to: our Level II Ultrasound on Friday where we find 
out if we are Team Blue or Pink - then let the shopping begin :)

Next Appointment: Perinatologist on Sept. 21st

Milestones: Baby T weighs about 10.5 ounces & after this week will begin to be measured from head - toe rather than head - rump. He/she is swallowing much more these days, which is good practice for the digestive system & is also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion that will be secreted in baby's first bowel movement.

HB @ 19w5d

One week from today we will have our Level II ultrasound & will finally be able to see if we are Team Pink or Blue. I am getting so very excited to see Baby T again & see how much he/she has grown since our 12 week ultrasound.

Unfortunately, I can honestly say that I am still very "guarded" about this whole pregnancy. When I start feeling anxious, one thing that always calms me when I am having doubts that Baby T is ok is to listen to the heartbeat with our doppler. It is such an amazing sound:



The heartbeat usually runs around 130-140's & the crackling sound is baby moving around - which he/she is doing all the time now :) It is such a cool feeling.

I am hoping that once we see that Baby T is growing normal & all looks good maybe I can start to relax & begin enjoying the rest of this pregnancy. I'm looking forward to start thinking about names, picking out nursery colors/bedding & registering for all the things we will be needing once Baby T gets here.

The last 20 weeks have gone by SO fast & I have a feeling that the next 20 weeks are going to fly by - especially with the holidays & my baby showers coming up :)

19 weeks

Had an appointment with my OB last Thursday & all went well. My weight is holding steady at 7 lbs total gained, my blood pressure was normal at 110/60, there was no sugar or protein in my urine & got to listen to Baby T's heartbeat again which was 145 bpm. My OB is pleased with my progress thus far & am crossing my fingers the remainder of my pregnancy stays this way. 

How far along? 19 weeks (baby is 6 inches long from head to rump & the size of a large heirloom tomato)

Symptoms: Still having a lot of heartburn & feeling a lot of achiness in my lower abdomen along with a lot of round ligament pain.

Weight gain/loss: holding steady at 7 lbs total gained

Maternity clothes? not 100% wearing them yet since I am still able to wear my knit skirts & dresses

Sleep: still no trouble falling asleep. Only getting up once a night to pee & have been able to fall back asleep lately which has been nice!

Food cravings/aversions: been craving a good ol' cold turkey sandwich like crazy this week

Movement? yes, feeling the little "flutters" all the time now

What I miss? like I said above, turkey sandwiches

Best moment(s) this week: seeing my favorite OB & getting a good report from her regarding my pregnancy

What I'm looking forward to: reaching the "half-baked" point next week when I am 20 weeks

Next Appointment: anatomy scan with the Perinatologist on Sept. 21st

Milestones: Baby T's arms, legs & facial features are in the right proportions to each other & the rest of the body now. The kidneys continue to make urine & the hair on the scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on the skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

18 weeks

How far along? 18 weeks (baby is 5 1/2 inches long & the size of a bell pepper)

Symptoms: Heartburn all the time - ugh! Tums are my new best friend.

Weight gain/loss: total of 7 lbs gained. Will weigh-in at my Dr's appt this Thursday.

Maternity clothes? wearing a few. Bought a couple of cute maternity capri pants this week & they are SO comfy - love them!

Sleep: same old story....no problems falling asleep but still struggle to fall back asleep after the 4am bathroom call.

Food cravings/aversions: been craving pasta this week

Movement? yes, feeling more & more of the little "flutters" - especially while laying on my back

What I miss? sleeping all the way through the night

Best moment(s) this week: a dear friend of mine who has struggled with IF also had her 8 week ultrasound this week & everything looks great. I am SO very happy for her! Hearing her news made my week :)

What I'm looking forward to: seeing Baby T again at our 20 week ultrasound on Sept 21st

Next Appointment: Thursday, Sept 6th - 18 week appointment with my OB

Milestones: Baby T is busy flexing his/her arms & legs, blood vessels are visible through the thin skin, ears are now in their final position & a protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around the nerves. If baby is a girl, the uterus & fallopian tubes are formed & in place. If baby is a boy, the genitals are now noticeable.

17 weeks

How far along? 17 weeks (baby is 5 inches long & the size of a turnip)

Symptoms: not too many that are bothersome. The heartburn is better, the nausea is still gone & I still love to take my afternoon naps!

Weight gain/loss: +1 lb for a total of 7 lbs gained - ugh, creeping up the scale!!

Maternity clothes? a few - the shirt in the pic above is a maternity top & is SO comfy. It is one that I ordered from Motherhood Maternity last week & I am thinking I might have to order another one in a different color!

Sleep: no problems falling asleep but still struggle to fall back asleep after the 4am bathroom call.

Food cravings/aversions: still eating a lot of salads & loving the carbs

Movement? yes, feeling more & more of the little "flutters" - especially while laying on my back

What I miss? sleeping all the way through the night

Best moment(s) this week: spending the weekend with my mom

What I'm looking forward to: seeing Baby T again at our 20 week ultrasound on Sept 21st

Next Appointment: Thursday, Sept 6th - 18 week appointment with my OB

Milestones: Baby T's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, the umbilical cord is growing stronger & thicker, baby can move his/her joints & the sweat glands are starting to develop.

16 weeks

 

How far along? 16 weeks (baby is 4 1/2 inches long & the size of an avocado)

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good. Experiencing more frequent heartburn but that is really it as far as symptoms go.

Weight gain/loss: +1 lb (total of 6 lbs gained)

Maternity clothes? not yet. Got my package from Motherhood Maternity this past week & love the 3 things I ordered. Can't wait to wear them this fall :)

Sleep: the middle of the night "pee-fests" have decreased greatly which I am thankful for. Received my Snoogle in the mail this past week & not sure if I love it or not. Still trying to figure that thing out. However, I have busted my hubby a few times curled up with it so I'm thinking he may like it more than me - lol :)

Food cravings/aversions: been craving salads this past week for some reason!?

Movement? still feeling little "flutters" while laying on my back at night so I think this just might be baby moving around

What I miss? ice cold beer/wine - especially during my birthday celebrations this past week

Best moment(s) this week: celebrating my 40th birthday with all my close friends.

What I'm looking forward to: seeing my mom at the end of the week. She is visiting us from South Dakota for the weekend. Lots of fun stuff planned!

Next Appointment: August 23rd- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) blood draw to see if the baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Milestones: Baby T's legs are much more developed, the head is more erect than it has been & the eyes have moved closer to the front of the head. The ears are close to their final position & the toenails have started to grow. Also, Baby T's heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day & this amount will continue to increase as baby continues to develop.

15 weeks

How far along? 15 weeks (baby is 4 inches long & the size of an apple)

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good. Experiencing more frequent heartburn but that is really it as far as symptoms go.

Weight gain/loss: 0 lbs (still a total of 5 lbs gained)

Maternity clothes? not yet. Just using what I already have in my closest which seems to be working out so far. I did order a few things for fall that were on sale at Motherhood Maternity yesterday so looking forward to getting those in the mail.

Sleep: still sleeping pretty good. I ordered a Snoogle mini body pillow to help me not roll onto my back (which I do all the time) so that should arrive early this week. Hoping it works!

Food cravings/aversions: not really "craving" anything. Still steering clear from coffee & Mexican food & still have a weakness for potatoes - especially mashed!

Movement? This week I noticed that when I am laying on my back at night, I think I can feel Baby T moving. I can sometimes feel little flutters above my pubic bone so I am thinking this is baby? Or maybe it is gas...who knows??

What I miss? an ice cold beer & reading on the patio. It has been way too hot here to enjoy doing anything outside.

Best moment(s) this week: pre-birthday celebratory dinner with my girlfriends & a surprise appearance by my bestie Deanna who lives in Austin, TX :)

What I'm looking forward to: celebrating my 40th birthday this week - all kinds of social gatherings planned for the week :)

Next Appointment: August 23rd- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) blood draw to see if the baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Milestones: Baby T is busy moving amniotic fluid through the nose & upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. The legs are growing longer than the arms now, & baby can move all of his/her joints & limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, baby can sense light & the taste buds are being formed. If I were to have an ultrasound this week, we would be able to find out whether the baby's a boy or a girl! Unfortunately, that US isn't for another 5 weeks :(

Results

The nurse called today from the Perinatologist's office with my lab results from the MaterniT21 test. Unfortunately, I was away from my phone so she left a message. I was SO nervous listening to that message that I had to play it twice just to make sure I heard the information correctly!

NEGATIVE!!!

For Down's AND Trisomy 13/18!

Thank you God - I couldn't feel more blessed. One more hurdle crossed...

14 weeks

Goodbye 1st trimester....HELLO 2nd trimester :)

I went to see my OB this afternoon for my 14 week checkup. She did the usual - checked my urine for glucose which there was none & my blood pressure which was low so all checked out ok. She said my weight was right where it should be so that is good. I got to hear the heartbeat also which was ticking away at 148 bpm. I will never get tired of that sound!! She also gave me the "go-ahead" to resume "intimate relations" with the hubby so I know he will be one happy camper when hears this :)

So, all in all things are going really well & I have no complaints. And without further ado, here is the update I know a few of you have been anxiously awaiting...

*I didn't have time to take my usual pic this week but this is from Saturday evening which shows my "baby bump" pretty good. I went with my friend Jilly to the J-Lo/Enrique concert & it was a fabulous time!

How far along? 14 weeks (baby is 3 1/2 inches long & the size of a lemon)

Symptoms: The nausea is gone & my energy is back! Woo hoo - glad to finally be feeling back to myself. However, I'm not really crazy about these DD's I am carrying around ;)

Weight gain/loss: +2 lbs (for a total of 5 lbs gained)

Maternity clothes? not yet. I did however buy my first maternity t-shirt at Kohl's this weekend but it is still a little too big to wear yet. My sister also sent me some maternity tops for the fall, a pair of jeans & a pair of shorts to wear which all fit pretty good. I also went through my closet & pulled out what clothes I could wear as "maternity" clothes (tunic tops, sweaters, leggings, etc) & mix/matched some outfits for the fall. I was surprised at how many outfits I actually do have in my own closet that will work!

Sleep: no problems other than still waking up to pee at 4am & not being able to fall back asleep. Will this ever end??

Food cravings/aversions: now that I am feeling better, I am trying to eat less of the "comfort" foods & add healthier items into my diet. Still can't give up my potatoes though!!

Movement? none yet

What I miss? honestly?? my "C" cup boobs - lol :)

Best moment(s) this week: seeing my girlfriend Desiree & leaving behind the 1st trimester

What I'm looking forward to: feeling the baby move

Next Appointment: August 23rd- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) blood draw to see if the baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Milestones: Baby T can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, & suck his/her thumb! Facial muscles are getting a workout as the tiny features form one expression after another. The kidneys are producing urine, which is released into the amniotic fluid around him/her. An ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, is starting to develop all over his/her body. The liver starts making bile this week & the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells.

13 weeks

This is my last week in the 1st trimester - which I find hard to believe that I have even gotten to this point! These past couple of months have been so surreal & sometimes I feel like this isn't really happening to us. I'm hoping this feeling of being pregnant will start sinking in soon & I can get to a point where I can relax a bit. Still just taking it one day at a time... 

*remind me not to where plaid - or maybe just this dress?! I think the plaid makes my "baby bump" look way bigger than it actually is!

How far along? 13 weeks (baby is almost 3 inches long & the size of a medium shrimp) 

Symptoms: I think I have gained a cup size in my boobs & am going to need to buy some bigger bras soon. They are also SO very sore. Still feel a little nauseated in the morning & when I am feeling hungry. The fatigue & exhaustion are slowly starting to fade & I am starting to feel back to "normal" once again.

Weight gain/loss: + 1 lb (back at a total of 3 lbs gained from my starting weight which is right where I should be for the end of the 1st trimester)

Maternity clothes? not yet

Sleep: still easily falling asleep & can now make it to 4:30am without having to get up to pee. Still can't fall back asleep though once I have gotten up :(

Food cravings/aversions: Still loving the tomato, basil, mozzarella panini's. Still not wanting any coffee, mexican, or my absolute favorite snack: popcorn.

Movement? can't feel any yet

What I miss? I actually miss being able to wear all my cute shorts - especially since it has been so flippin' hot here!!

Best moment this week: last week in the 1st trimester

What I'm looking forward to: starting the 2nd trimester next week

Next Appointment: 14 week visit with the OB on August, 6th 

Milestones: Baby T's fingerprints have formed on the tiny fingertips, the veins & organs are clearly visible through the very thin skin, & the body is starting to catch up with the head — which makes up just a third of the body size now.