23 weeks

        Seventeen more weeks to go. I am getting overwhelmed. I have so much to get done in addition to work! I've been trying to get my registry done. My husband reminded me that we need to start working on the nursery. It's starting to get real! I have so much to do in 4 months! 
        Today I turned in my letter for 6 weeks maternity leave. This plus the summer should give me about 3 months off, depending when he is born. I'm so looking forward to taking time off, although coming back will be hard. Hopefully they get me a good sub so I'm not coming back to a mess! My maternity leave just has to get approved by the school board, which I'm sure it will be. 
       I am also been really moody. I've been having moments when I'm sad. I don't really have a reason why, but I get overwhelmed and scared about this new journey. I've always wanted to be a mom, but now that it's here, I'm scared. I'm nervous. Birth scares me! There are so many things that can go wrong. Breastfeeding intimates me. I so want to do it, but it's another thing that is scary. I haven't sign up for classes, but plan to do it soon. Hopefully they will help me feel more comfortable about both. I worry about being a good mom, I've struggled so much with depression, that I've scared that will impact my child. I worry about Postpartum Depression. I worry a lot, more than I should. I realize that I need to lean on God and trust that he has prepared me for this. I need to give my fears to him.
   

Stats! How far along? 23 weeks
How big is baby? Grapefruit (12 inches and over a 1 pound)
How I'm feeling? Moody, Emotional
Weight? 216 lbs.
How I'm changing? My baby bump is getting big. I get out of breath easily.
What I miss? Not sure
Symptoms? tired, nightmares, hip/back pain, heartburn
Cravings? Anything sweet!
Highlights this week: Feeling him move a lot. Getting my letter in for my maternity leave.


**PS Don't mind the tired look on the photo. I haven't been sleeping well and I didn't get this picture taken until 7pm. I've had a long day and I'm exhausted!

22 weeks

          I can't believe how time is flying! I'm 22 weeks already! Crazy, right? This time last year, I was really struggling as March last year marked one year of trying. Here I am one year later 22 weeks pregnant! God is faithful!
     The past week has gone well. He keeps reminding me that he is there. I can feel him kick at least once or twice a day. So thankful for this blessing. So thankful for the amazing feeling of him moving and growing.
    We have started to clean out the room that will be the nursery. I have been starting a registry and didn't realize how overwhelming it can be. I worry, as a new mom, is picking the safest and the best products. There is so much to register for, even though my sister gave me a bunch of things. But it is fun to pick things out! I've picked out a bedding set. I also picked out a crib, but am not certain on it yet.

Stats! How far along? 22 weeks
How big is baby? papaya (11 inches and about 1 pound)
How I'm feeling? I'm feeling so good. Weight? 213.4 lbs.
How I'm changing? My bump is getting bigger!!! It's starting to get hard to get up from sitting. I'm also getting out of breath easily.
What I miss? Not much!
Symptoms? Tired from not getting comfortable at night, hips/back pain, Heartburn(it's on fire) Cravings? Shamrock shakes!!
Highlights this week: Starting to clean out the nursery! :) I also bought my first maternity clothes!

21 weeks and a nudge!

            I had another quick appointment. I am starting to gain some weight. I started around 209/210 and lost about 10 pounds from nausea. I was 212 at my appointment. So, Baby E is getting bigger. The doctor could hear the heartbeat easily and it was strong. We also discussed doing manipulation therapy to help my back. Unfortunately, they only have morning appointments, which are hard with school. They also think I may have a UTI. They had me send in a culture to see if I have one. We also went over my blood test results and everything came back normal. He also went over my ultrasound. He is going to have me go back at 32 weeks to get another ultrasound to see the face and brain.
         Sunday, clear as day, I felt a nudge from Baby E. I had been sitting doing all my schoolwork, when I felt a quick nudge in my belly. It was so quick I actually wondered if it really happened. But I've felt a couple more! I am so excited to feel him! :)
       In the past week, Bell(my cat) has been obsessed with me. It started out with her sleeping in my chair at night and during the day. I come home from work and she is cuddled in my chair. Then she slept with me two nights, which she hasn't done in a very LONG time. Now, she is actually cuddling up with me at least once or twice a night. She never sleeps next to us during the day. This is incredible. She must know something is changing and she just wants to be close to me. It's kind of amazing! I am soaking it in as I know this is a rare occasion. 

Bell Sleeping Next to me!

Stats! How far along? 21 weeks
How big is baby? pomegranate (10.5 inches)
How I'm feeling? I'm feeling pretty good. I have had a couple uncomfortable nights and the occasional bad nightmare, so a little tired.
Weight?  212 lbs.
How I'm changing? My bump is getting bigger!
What I miss? Nothing big!
Symptoms? Exhaustion from lack of sleep, dry skin, hip/back pain, Heartburn!!
Cravings? n/a
Highlights this week: I felt the baby move. He actually kicked/nudged me(Sunday 2/10/13).

Gender Reveal and 20 weeks!!!

          Here was everyone's guesses: 14 people said boy and 6 said girl. I guessed a girl and my husband guessed a boy! My husband was right! We are having a BOY!!!     
             Yesterday was amazing! We went to our anatomy and sex scan. My sister told me to drink some juice to wake the baby up for the scan and I did. He was soooo active. But we still got the goods! We were worried that with all his wiggling that we would not get to find out the gender, but luckily we had a very good ultrasound technician. He was wiggling and moving from front to back and all over! He is breech when we did the scan, so we did not get to see his face. He was face down the entire time!
       We got to see all of the intrinsic parts of him. I got to see all four chambers of his heart, it was strong and healthy. We took two heartbeats and one was 171 and the other 168. We looked at his brain. We couldn't see all of it because he was facedown. We looked at his spine, legs, and feet. His feet and hands were soo little. He tugged at his ear at one point. It was adorable. He also did the downward dog at one point. He also was kicking my bladder the entire time!! I had to pee so bad, I actually made the tech stop close to the end to let me pee!
     The technician could not see his face or part of his brain. She said our doctor would probably send us down in 4-6 weeks for another ultrasound. Although I want to see him again, the thought of drinking large amounts of water and holding it in is not so fun. I couldn't hold it in for an hour and kept peeing, then chugging water. This caused me to have to pee all night every hour! It was not fun!
   We also found out that my placenta is anterior. This means it is in the front, so it maybe harder for me to feel him kick and move. I think though that I have felt him move occasionally. It's so light that I second guess myself.

Here are our ultrasound pics:

 

Here I am at 20 weeks. I'm getting big!

Stats! How far along? 20 weeks (Halfway there!!)
How big is baby? A banana (6 1/5 inches and 12 ounces)
How I'm feeling? I'm feeling pretty good. I have had a couple uncomfortable nights, so a little tired.
Weight?  209 lbs.
How I'm changing? My bump is getting bigger and starting to get in the way!
What I miss? Nothing big!
Symptoms? Exhaustion, dry skin, hip/back pain(It's getting better), Heartburn
Cravings? n/a
Highlights this week: Finding out we are having a boy(2/5/13)!!!




My prayer today:
Lord,
   I thank you for our baby boy! He is growing so big and strong inside me! I am amazed at how big he has gotten in 3 months! We saw you workmanship; his heart, brain, spine, tiny hands, feet and even an ear. He is beautiful! I feel so blessed! I thank you for this incredible gift. I will take the aches and pains for this beautiful little boy. I am so thankful that he is healthy. He was so active inside of me. I am just in awe.
    Please protect him as he grows. Help him to grow properly and strong. Help me through all these changes that my body is going through and help me prepare for this little boy.
    Amen