19 Weeks (Gender Prediction)

 Today I am 19 weeks! Baby Peyton is almost half baked! I never thought I'd get here. Six months ago, I was ready to give up. I am so thankful and amazed! I am feeling back to normal, just bigger! I'm not as sick and hurting. So thankful for that! I have much more energy than before, although I still get tired early!
     I am 75% sure that I felt Baby Peyton move on Sunday night. I was watching WWE with my husband, his dad, and best friend. I am almost sure I felt something move. I'm still not completely sure. It was just in one spot and for maybe a minute. I haven't felt anything since. I wish I knew 100%.
    I figured I would do a few wives tales of gender prediction. Here they are:
Chinese Gender Prediction Chart(http://www.chinesegendercalendar.info/): boy
Morning Sickness/nausea(yes): Girl
Craving Sweets: Girl(Although I've always craved sweets, so I don't know how accurate this is.)
Baby's HeartRate(169-136 beats per minute): Boy? (Anything over 140 is suppose to be a girl, but I've been mostly under 140)
Dry Hands: Boy
Acne/Blemishes: Girl?(I've had off and on acne)
Rosy Glow: Girl
Crave Fruit(yes): Girl(I've been craving lots of fruit!)
Meat and Cheese craving(Nope): So a Girl

So, the Gender Prediction says Girl. We shall see in one week! I am so excited! I'll be thankful for either, I just want a healthy baby. I really thought I was having a girl when I first found out and first few months, but now I'm not sure. I'm second guessing. I guess we will find out in a week! So, my question to you is, what do you think? What is your prediction?

 
Stats! How far along? 19 weeks
How big is baby? A mango (6 inches and 8 1/2 ounces)
How I'm feeling? A ton better! :) I'm getting nervous about being a mom!
Weight?  207 lbs.
How I'm changing?  My bump is really starting to show! Everyone keeps telling me I have the "pregnancy" glow. I don't see it!
What I miss? Flavored coffees(Mocha)!
Symptoms? Exhaustion, dry skin, hip/back pain(It's getting better), Rosie Cheeks!
Cravings? Pears
Highlights this week: I am 75% sure I felt Baby Peyton during WWE Royal Rumble.

18 Weeks!

     18 Weeks! I'm still waiting to feel definite movement. There have been a couple times when I thought I felt something, but I wasn't sure if it was a movement or just my imagination and wishful thinking. I have become akin to holding my belly when I go to sleep, closing my eyes and concentrating to see if I can feel anything. Most of the time, I only feel my own heartbeat through my stomach!
   So, yesterday I told one of my classes that I was pregnant. I wasn't planning on it, but one of my students asked if I would go on their senior trip with them. I responded, I'll be too big to go. A couple students understood right away. The others caught on after someone asked if I was pregnant. I had one student say he thought I was pregnant, but didn't want to ask. Then he asked if "that's why I've been sooo moody." Gotta love high schoolers! I didn't plan on telling my students, until it was more evident. I guess I was going to wait until they said something or when I "popped" out. My other class doesn't know yet and I don't plan on telling them yet. (I teach two Learning Support English classes and am either in the resource room or inclusion for the rest of the day.)
      Two more weeks and we will know if we will are having a baby boy or baby girl. Then starts the planning. Planning the nursery and such! I can't wait to see my baby's face! I haven't seen Peyton since 9 weeks. I'm sure he/she doesn't look like "a lizard" as my husband put it last time we saw him/her. I still can't believe this is happening. I am kinda nervous about being a mom and handling being a mom and a full-time teacher. I plan on taking 3-4 months off(2 will be summer vacation). We haven't decided yet.
  I've droned on way too long. Here's my 18 week photo:

  
   
Stats! How far along? 18 weeks
How big is baby? A Sweet Potato
How I'm feeling? Better, still tired
Weight? 206 lbs.
How I'm changing?  My bump is still growing, but I'm starting to show(but I just look chunky.) My hips and back have been hurting!
What I miss? Nothing
Symptoms? Exhaustion, dry skin/lips, hip/back pain(It's getting better), Rosie Cheeks!
Cravings? Pears
Highlights this week: Nothing big, just chilling

17 weeks!

     I am feeling better. I'm not getting headaches as much and for the past two days, I've slept much better! Thank the Lord! Yay for feeling better! I'm so thankful that I can finally eat without feeling nauseous afterwards!
    Yesterday we had our 17 week appointment, but first I should tell you what happened on Friday! Thursday I had a tiny bit of discharge that was brown/pink tinged. I was a little concerned, but I didn't have any on Friday. But Friday, I was crampy with dull and kinda achy all day. Again, I was a little worried, but figured it wasn't anything since I wasn't doubled over in pain. I told my husband afterschool and he suggested that I called the nurse just to calm our slight nerves. So, I called and my nurse or doctor wasn't there, and the secretary talked to another nurse who told me to come in immediately. I kinda freaked! I had to go by myself and I was shaking. I had thought that they were going to tell me that I was over reacting, instead they had me come in immediately. The doctor came in checked me out and said everything looked good. Then he listened to that blessed heartbeat! <3 Love, Love, Love that sound! Everything sounded good and sent me on my way! Thank the Lord!
     Yesterday, I talked to the doctor about all my concerns and he answered all my questions and put my busy mind to rest. I am really thankful for a good doctor. We decided to do the 2nd Trimester blood test. Then again, I got to listen to that sweet sound of a heartbeat! <3 He also showed me how high the baby was. He/she is almost to my belly button, which means my chumb is part baby! I was excited to find that out, that my baby was growing right where he/she is suppose to be and that I wasn't crazy I was getting bigger! We also got to schedule our ultrasound to find out if I am having a boy or a girl! I am sooo excited! Three more weeks! So excited!
     I want to share this prayer I write today, I had a little extra time as I had a two hour delay at school. I have been writing prayers every few weeks to God. It just expresses how I feel right now!
Dear Lord,
   I thank you so much for this beautiful blessing of Peyton(our nickname for our baby). I am awestruck of how amazing this whole process is. I heard the heartbeat twice in the past week. It's so fast and so strong. She is growing and I am growing so quickly. I thank you so much for this blessing. I thank you for allowing me to become a mom. I pray that you would work on my and my husband's hearts to raise this miracle in a godly way. I want Peyton to know you and walk with you. Please prepare us to be godly and loving parents. I thank you for this amazing gift!
~Amen~  


17 Week Picture:

I still don't know what to do with my hands! arrg!
 

Stats! How far along? 17 weeks
How big is baby? An Onion
How I'm feeling? Better, still tired
Weight? 209 (According to the doctor, I've only gained 4 pounds in the past 2 months)
How I'm changing?  My bump is still growing, but I'm starting to show(but I just look chunky. My hips and back have been hurting!
What I miss? Coffee!!!
Symptoms? Exhaustion, dry skin/lips, hip/back pain
Cravings? Sweets (It never ends)
Highlights this week: Two baby appointments

4 months (16 weeks)!!!

       There is not much going on with my pregnancy. We don't go for our next appointment until next week. I am so excited to hear the baby's heartbeat again! Best part! Then I am super excited to schedule our anatomy and gender scan! I can't wait to find out if the baby is a he or a she! Then we will be busy planning the nursery and all the baby stuff! I haven't decided wholly on a nursery. I kinda like the woods/nature nursery(with owls). But knowing how much of Geeks my husband and I are, I am also leaning to a comic book themed nursery if we are having a boy.
      Praise God! My appetite has returned! I am finally hungry and have taken off eating in the past few days! I am so glad to be able to eat and enjoy food! :)
      Biggest change this week is my back/hip pain. Ugh! I strained my back in college, so it's not the best since then! :( I tried the snoogle at night, but I think it makes it worse. I will probably attempt it more when I am further along and have a belly to support. I've been using two pillows, one for my head and one between the legs, but still I'm not comfortable. I swear I was up half the night tossing and turning. I try to sleep on my side, but my hips are digging into the mattress and they hurt! Then I sleep on my back and feel guilty, because you are not suppose to sleep on your back during your pregnancy.
     Alright, I am ready to do the traditional photo. This is my first pregnancy photo. Remember that I'm not showing really yet, I just look extra chubby! My husband took this very blurry photo. Be gentle with him he has been sick for the past two days. I promise you future ones will look better! This is 16 weeks!

Stats!
How far along? 16 weeks
How big is baby? An avacado
How I'm feeling? Exhausted, in pain :(
Weight? 206
How I'm changing?  My bump is still growing, but I'm not visibly showing yet. I think my ligaments in my body is loosing up, my hips and back are killing me!
What I miss? Coffee!!! I miss having a Mocha in the winter!
Symptoms? Exhaustion, bad headaches at times, dry skin/lips, hip/back pain
Cravings? Sweets  
Highlights this week: Rest(does that count?)

15 weeks and strong! :)

  I still can't believe that I am moving right along in my pregnancy! I don't have much to blog about. Nothing has changed. I'm still worried about the baby. It's killing me that our next apt. isn't until the 15th! I don't know if I can wait that long to hear the baby's heart beat. I am still constantly worrying that the baby is safe and growing healthily. I don't feel that pregnant anymore and I don't look pregnant yet. So, I sometimes worry if I am still pregnant. Then I fall asleep at 7pm on the couch and I realize, yup I'm still pregnant.

Stats!
How far along? 15 weeks
How big is baby? A naval orange
How I'm feeling? Exhausted
Weight? 204
How I'm changing?  My bump is still growing, but I'm not visibly showing yet.
What I miss? Enjoying food!
Symptoms? Exhaustion, bad headaches
Cravings? Sweets  
Highlights this week: My husband's last birthday without kids. We had some friends over for games and tacos(his favorite meal).