Week 16

It is hitting me more and more these days just how much our lives are going to change once the baby arrives. Every holiday that passes, I think, "this will be the last... before baby." We are thinking of trying to do a short vacation, and it strikes me that this will be the last time for awhile that we will get to do that by ourselves-- and even once we do get to go somewhere again, we will be PARENTS, not just a couple. It's not that it's not a welcome change-- just one that will take some getting used to!

I am getting very excited about the big ultrasound next week. I am more excited about finding out the gender and praying that baby will be cooperative. I feel like I should be more anxious instead about whether the baby is healthy & well, which is the REAL purpose of the ultrasound.

I am getting more energy finally and can stay up much later now. I haven't really felt so sick at all lately (just a little gassy at times). I am officially in all maternity clothes (with the exception of a few old shirts I can still wear) and have been purchasing pieces to increase my wardrobe here & there. The store Ross has been a lifesaver and with only about $50 I think I've gotten maybe 3 entire outfits! I actually really enjoy maternity clothes, and not just because they're really comfortable, but because they make them really cute these days!

Week 14

I'm pretty sure I felt a fluttering yesterday, although it seems early still so it could have been just gas! It felt like little bubbles being blown inside my stomach. Not really like a kick, I don't think, just a fluttering. It mostly happened after I sneezed, as if the baby was being bounced around in there but then it also happened after I ate. I really felt it off and on all day.

I have started reading some books on parenting as well as breastfeeding. A couple new parents we know recommended the series called "Babywise" which states that you can get your baby to sleep through the night by the time he/she is 8 weeks old. Some critics on Amazon argued that some of the techniques are somewhat neglectful, but I don't really see it that way. Here is the basic premise, from what I've read so far: "Babywise Parent Directed Feeding concept has enough structure to bring security and order to your baby's world, yet enough flexibility to give mom freedom to respond to any need at any time. It teaches parents how to lovingly guide their baby's day rather than be guided or enslaved to the infant's unknown needs." Supposedly it is supposed to make your baby a better, more agreeable baby, as well as toddler. Brett & I may read the rest of this book together and see what we think.

Though it seems like most of my symptoms are gone, I'm still pretty tired a lot of the time and occasionally feel really full or bloated. I'm hoping now that the weather seems to be getting warmer that maybe I can find more time to go walking. And I don't know if it has anything to do with the pregnancy or not, but my allergies have been horrible this week! I sneeze and sniffle all morning. Yuck.

2nd official doctor's appointment

Today was actually more like the 4th appointment but one was just the ultrasound to confirm the due date and last week was just a financial visit/ paperwork. (They asked like a million questions about mine & Brett's health history and our families'. And gave us an estimate of the costs of the birth, which was totally not as much as we'd expected, but does have to be paid by week 24.) I did have blood work done last week as well, and found out today everything looked fine (not sure which tests they really did but found out blood type, etc.).

After a quick physical & internal exam, we got to have another ultrasound today, which I totally wasn't expecting. The baby was a whole lot bigger and more "real" looking than last time. We saw some definitive features and once he/she even looked at the camera! In another shot, he/she was holding his hands together as if he was praying. We also got to hear the heartbeat, which was just the right speed. What amazing technology and what an incredible sound! At this stage of pregnancy, when I'm still not REALLY showing and I can't feel any movement, that sound and those photos are very reassuring. I feel confident that our little one is going to turn out 100% perfect!







He/she is praying in this one!

Here he/she is looking directly
at the camera. See, the eyes
are at the top, kinda sunken in.

My belly @ 3 months.