Week 33

Heidi Hippo got married!! We went to her beautiful wedding at a u-pick blueberry farm with Mt. Si as the backdrop. We had a fabulous time - Lant got to bartend for a little bit and Bubba and I hula hooped!! There is photographic evidence, hopefully I'll come up with some.

Hubs and I spent the night at The Old Hen B&B. It was fabulous! Even though we didn't get back to the house until almost 10pm, the homeowners were up and offered to get a fire going in the pit for us. We had a great time visiting with them and roasting goodies over the fire. It started out with smores, but then the guys wanted brats. A search of the fridge and freezer left them roasting bacon over the fire. It was pretty yummy! Some ears of corn also made their way out. Bout 12:30 we called it a night (breakfast was at 9:00 and we all wanted to get some rest). Breakfast was also stellar - breadbowl quiches, banana nut bread with maple glaze, bacon (surprised there was any left!), and yummy little cups of parfait with raspberries and mint. MMM!! We'll be back.

Daddy O had a sleepover with us Sunday night on his way home from the Oukrop Family Reunion down in Oregon. We spent the afternoon down at the river - Hubs and Daddy O in kayaks and me playing ball with the ladies. It was at least 100 outside so wading in the river was pretty comfortable - Bubba and I got some good floating time in.

I'm getting very excited to meet Bubba and be able to play with him. He's getting pretty big in there and he sure likes to stretch out. I can feel his feet and slide them back and forth with the palm of my hand. Our shower is next weekend - looking forward to everyone coming to town! I did a little cleaning/organizing in his room, but not much since Hubs is tuna fishing and he wants to help. I have all the newborn and 0/3m clothes in a pile with tags cut off, ready to do my first (of many, many) loads of baby laundry. Took the diapers out of the box and stacked them on the changing table. Couple more weeks and we'll be installing the carseat bases in the cars. It's getting so close!

• She weighs about 4 1/2 pounds and might grow a full inch in length this week alone! She's grown to about 12 1/2 inches from crown to rump, or about the length of an average pumpkin.
• Your baby continues to gain weight rapidly — about a half pound a week.
• The pupils of her eyes can now adjust to bright or dim light, just like yours.
• Her lungs continue to develop.
• Your amniotic fluid has reached its maximum level now — there's simply no more room! With less fluid to cushion them, your baby's kicks might feel a bit uncomfortable.

Week 32

This past weekend we went to the Oregon Coast with the O'Malleys. They were excellent tour guides, knowing all the yummy places to eat (with the exception of the Tiger breakfast place). We played some intense bingo - didn't win squat, spent lots of time on the beach - flying our sweet stunt kites, and wandering through the shops. We stayed in Lincoln City but wandered down to Newport and hit up Rogue Brewery for a self-guided tour and lunch (yummy) and then went to the Newport Aquarium!

At the aquarium.

The four (or five!) of us, gobbled up in one bite!

Bubba n me testing out the gear.

Then on to the kites!!

Initial detangling of the lines since we HAD to get to the beach and couldn't do this in the house/out of the wind... (insert an "I told you so" here)

Finally getting it launched.

Hubs, the professional stunt kite flyer.

What happens when you let go of one of the handles...tangles!!

Lastly, our family portrait in the sand.

• Your baby weighs about 4 pounds and is almost 11 1/2 inches long from crown to rump, or the length of a small watermelon.
• Lanugo, the soft, downy hair that insulates your baby, continues to fall off this week.
• You might notice a change in your baby's movements this week, as he becomes more crowded in your uterus.
• Kicks and movements might seem less powerful.
• Be sure you monitor your baby's movements from time to time, especially if you think you've noticed a decrease in activity. The 10-Kick Count can help.
• Your baby's skin is no longer see-through. It looks more like yours.

Week 31

Bubba has some CRAZY wiggles lately! Tons of moving around. Pretty entertaining to watch my basketball of a belly dance. :) I think he may also have some sleep twitches - all will be calm and then out of nowhere I get this spasm of wiggles, then back to calm seas.

My belly also doesn't fit under the table anymore. I just noticed it earlier this week while Hubs and I were at home for lunch and I didn't get to scoot all the way up to the table. I now set my napkin on top of my belly instead of in my lap. :)

It doesn't feel like it's sticking out any further (Hubs says it looks like a torpedo), but it's definitely gotten bigger. It's bulging out more down on the lower half - the bottom half of my belly button is non-existent. The great part is that I rarely shave my legs anymore, and have a solid reason! Hubs lets me use his electric razor and has even offered to shave them for me! I'll be taking him up on that offer real soon (why not?!).

• When you're 31 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs more than 3 pounds and is 11 inches long from crown to rump, about the length of a bunch of bok choy.
• Your baby's reproductive system continues to develop. In boys, testicles are moving from the kidneys through the groin to the scrotum. In girls, her clitoris is visible, but her labia are still growing to cover it.
• Your baby's lungs are now more developed but are not completely mature.
• As trillions of brain connections develop, your baby is already using all five senses.
• You might notice that your baby has more defined periods of being awake (and active) or asleep.

Week 30

I can't believe there are only 10 weeks to go!

I know the weeks will fly by too - we have something every weekend in July (Grumpa's coming to visit, going to Linclon City with the O'Malleys, Hippo's wedding and a night in a B&B!!, and then the baby shower!!). August may move a little slower but it sounds like we'll be heading up to the San Juans with Oma and Wumps (gotta start practicing their grandparent names). I also booked us a night at Cameo Heights Mansion - a B&B 30 mins from home - Aug 21. Was thinking that would really be our last night away from home just the two of us for a while. I'll be 38 weeks when we go. But I think it will be fabulous - fancy rooms, nice bathtub, sweet pool, driving range for Hubs...

We spent Monday of 4th of July weekend on the boat with Wumps - the weather was finally nice enough! Lant says my belly looks like a torpedo because it sticks straight out. Says you can't tell from the back, and straight on it isn't as obvious, but as soon as I turn sideways - BAM!

I'm very thankful to say that I am still feeling great - no trouble breathing, still feel like I have room for my bladder, sleeping all night pretty comfortably. Just hope Bubba's as good outside as he's been inside!

Lauren, from work, had her baby girl last Friday. You better believe I went to see her and get me some fresh baby time! They both looked great - definitely not like someone who just had a baby. Kaitlyn was 7lb11oz and was the biggest a fresh baby has ever felt. Changes your perspective when you're next in line to pop one out!

Here's a photo of the pregnant clan at work (Lauren, Lindsay, Jaralyn, and me - taken June 17, our last girl lunch before Lauren popped). I'm due next, then Lindsay a couple weeks after me, and Jaralyn a couple weeks after that. Lauren, Jaralyn and I are all in the same group at work. :)

• At 30 weeks of pregnancy, your baby weighs about 3 pounds and is about 10 1/2 inches long from crown to rump, or about the length of a bunch of celery. (His legs and feet increase this measurement by many more inches.)
• From this week until week 37 of pregnancy, your baby gains an impressive half a pound a week!
• Your baby might be practicing breathing movements as he rhythmically moves his diaphragm. You even might notice a slight twitching in your abdomen when this happens.
• Your baby's brain continues to expand and develop, creating additional grooves and folds in the brain's surface. These wrinkles give your baby's brain tissue the needed room to expand as he develops and learns throughout his lifetime.
• Your baby's brain can now regulate his temperature, so he begins to lose the lanugo— fine hair that has been covering his body for warmth.

Week 29

Well, I've fallen slightly behind again so y'all get a double-whammy.

Week 29 flew by with us thinking about what to do for the 4th and not wanting to 'waste' a long weekend. Hubs is doing really well with his dieting and has nearly lost the amount of weight he wanted to lose before Bubba's born. Weather still hasn't felt like summer, people tell me I'm lucky but I'm looking forward to the summer sunshine. More days on the boat, floating in the river and such.

Bubba's movements have definitely become more pronounced - there are times, usually at work, where it looks like he's dancing a jig in there. My goal is to catch it on video one of these times...we'll see if that happens. And then I'd have to learn how to get the video off my iPhone and onto this blog.

• Your baby probably weighs almost 3 pounds. From crown to rump she is about 10 inches long, about the length of a large cucumber.
• Your baby's activity probably keeps getting more frequent and stronger during the 29th week of pregnancy. Hold on — some of your baby's jabs even might take your breath away!
• Your baby already might be within almost 3 inches of her birth length, although she still has weight to gain to fill out.
• During the next 11 weeks, she might more than double or almost triple her current weight. Much of this weight gain will happen as she gains important weight under her skin.

Week 28 - Start 3rd Trimester

Seven months and two trimesters down. Time has flown by!!

I'm still feeling great, no complications. Bubba's heart rate has been consistently in the mid 130s our last couple visits, nice and strong. We got to clearly see all 4 chambers of his heart and valves working perfectly on the ultrasound yesterday. I'm up 13 pounds and doing very well. I passed my gestational diabetes test - not that I was worried about it. More excitingly, after 28 weeks you're supposed to start going to the doc every two weeks but I negotiated with Doc L to let me go one more month before going to two weeks. That's a big deal!! I'm doing really well and am aware enough of my body and what's to be expected that I'd know if something was off. Success!

We had our 28 week ultrasound yesterday - it's the big "baby movie" one - we get to see Bubba in 3D! It was amazing to see his face, know what he looks like. He did have both a hand AND a foot in his face, but we still got some good sneak peeks. His hand is the ball on the left, covering his right eye. Check out his super-cute mouth and tiny little chin in the second one!

From the not so shy shot of his twig and berries we may have to change his nickname to Turtle. He had one leg up by his face and the other one kicked straight out so we got a great gender confirmation shot. Turtle shell is the berries, turtle head is the twig, and the rock the turtle is sitting on his his leg.

This past weekend we hung out in the foothills of the Blues with friends. The deer are so tame they come up and stare at you until you feed them. I named this one Dorito since that's what I kept feeding her. She liked the orange ones and they would turn her tongue orange. :) I'm wearing a t-shirt that our friend, Glessner, brought me back from Alaska after he summited Denali. Check out my bubba gut!!

• Your baby is about 10 inches long — roughly the length of an average zucchini. He weighs about 2 pounds.
• His brain develops and expands.
• Your baby may open his eyes in utero.
• More fat accumulates under his skin.
• He continues to take 20- to 30-minute naps with some routine.

Shower Invites

I know it's cheating to peek, but I'm too excited! Fran is ordering Bubba's shower invites today and sent me a preview!! Check your mailboxes soon! :)

Week 27

I can definitely tell Bubba is growing. Feel like I'm getting larger almost daily. He wiggles around all the time, which I enjoy feeling and playing with him, pushing back, etc. Hubs is worried that "I'm going to give him a flat spot." Told him birth will do that!

I did notice this morning that my feet look swollen. Maybe I'm paranoid since the girl sitting next to me at work (who will pop any day now) has Stay-Puff marshmallow feet... Either way, I feel that my ankles are less (not gone) visible. Could also be from me scratching all my skeeter bites, but that may be wishful thinking.

Mom has been helping us with name suggestions, since we should probably get on the ball with that one. Poor guy is gonna get Bubba on his birth certificate if we don't get moving! Not that I would post our name list on here... :)

• At 27 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds, and is about the length of a head of broccoli.
• Her lungs, liver, and immune system keep maturing.
• She may know your voice and your partner's voice.
• During the 27th week of pregnancy, your baby is as much as four times longer than she was during the 12th week of pregnancy.

Week 26

I'm slightly behind, so this will be my week to post twice and catch up. This past weekend was my first BBQ competition apart of the "No plans" BBQ team - had a great time! Only one minor glitch which resulted from nobody reading the rules. We also, of course, had some great family times hangin' out at the ranch. The photo below is just after Bubba and I nailed a skunk passing through the pasture - don't worry. We were far enough away to avoid smelling anything. It was an awesome shot!

Mom and I also had a great day in Seattle on Sunday celebrating her '42nd' birthday (even though neither of us realized it was the 13th until she got happy birthday calls). Mom's friend from forever, Mark, made us Bali food for lunch - YUM! And, on the way over, a car whizzed past us and didn't make a corner - flipped. We got to be first on scene and call the ambulance!! It was AWESOME. Guy was fine, bloody gash on his forehead and a black eye with probable orbital fracture (from the night before). He crawled, shoeless, out of the car by the time we had pulled over and run to him. Bubba loved the adrenaline rush.

• By the 26th week of pregnancy, your baby weighs 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, and is about the length of a small pineapple.
• Your baby's eyebrows and eyelashes are well formed.
• His eyes are fully developed — he will start to open and close them at around 28 weeks.
• The hair on his head grows and thickens.
• Little footprints and fingerprints form.
• He starts using his lungs to mimic breathing.
• Essential fats accumulate under his skin.

Week 25

For the first time, Bubba inhibited me. I was going to go whitewater rafting, but was informed that I need to be thinking more lazy river and less whitewater. :(

We spent the past weekend hangin' with Mama and Daddy O. Fun family times - as always! Mama O's down in GA for her summer vacation, I know she's dying to monogram whatnots but we still haven't chosen a name. Plenty of time left!

Below is a photo of Bubba's first 2010 ride on the Pidge. :)

My goal for next week: take a belly pic. I've gotten plenty of nagging and have yet to make it happen, but it's on the agenda.

• This week, your baby weighs about a pound and a half, and is about the length of a small cantaloupe.
• Reach for the stars! When you're 25 weeks pregnant, your baby's hands are fully developed. She even can make a fist.
• The nerve connections in her hands continue to develop.
• She uses her hands to explore her environment.

Week 24

Six months - feels like the due date is so close and at the same time so far away. But I feel as ready as can be. Hubs on the other hand... :) He'll be fine! Bubba is considered 'viable' - with a 36% survival rate.

This month's check went well. My BP is still 100/60, where it always is. I'm up 7 pounds. Feelin' great! Bubba's heart rate was 136. He's been movin' and dancin' all over the place in there. You can even watch and see him kicking!

I ordered his bedding, carseat, and stroller (thanks Mama and Daddy O!!) this week, and it should be arriving via UPS (aka the Brown Santa) today or tomorrow! We've also gotten some amazing bargains off CraigsList and his room is filling with treasures. I think I'm going to pause until the baby shower.

• When you're 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 8 inches long, close to the length of a banana, and weighs about 1 1/2 pounds.
• Which way is up? Your baby probably knows — now that his inner ear, which controls balance, has finished developing. He might realize whether he is upside down or right side up inside your amniotic sac.
• Your baby probably is continuing to become more active.
  • Your baby's movements show your doctor that your baby is in good health.
  • His movements right now are important for stimulating muscle growth, keeping joints flexible, and strengthening bones.
• Right now, your baby probably is gaining about 6 ounces each week.

Week 23

Got my first (and hopefully only) KILLER leg cramp last night. It was in my left soleus. Woke me up, I tried to stretch it and work it out. Had to wake up the Hubs. My calf is still sore this morning. What an ordeal. Guess I'll stop sleeping on my back, and may start eating a banana with dinner.

Other than that, everything's been great - Bubba moves around tons. I've gotten more used to it, where I almost tune it out - until he throws a big kick to make sure I'm paying attention. I like to play with him as he punches and kicks and I push back - Hubs thinks he's going to come out with flat spots. Babies are pliable, he'll be fine.

Gave myself a weigh-in (have my 6 month checkup early next week) to make sure I won't get shocked at the office. 8 pounds! After not finding weight for so long, I feel like I'm catching up. But I'm in the midst of the pound-a-week stage and still at the low end of normal weight gain. Bubba gains almost 1/2 pound a week.

• Your baby weighs slightly more than a pound now, and she's about the length of an ear of corn.
• Your baby's lungs develop rapidly this week as they prepare for birth.
  • Her lungs are producing a substance called surfactant that allows the lungs to inflate and deflate without collapsing or sticking together.
  • Blood vessels in your baby's lungs also are growing and developing in preparation for breathing.
• Your baby is making breathing-like movements for practice, moving amniotic fluid in and out of her lungs.
• Although your baby is getting all of the oxygen she needs from your placenta, this practice is important for developing her diaphragm muscles.
• By your 23rd week of pregnancy, your baby actually looks like a baby. She still has little body fat and still is trying to fill out her wrinkly skin.

Week 22

This past weekend was Blues N Brews - our Mother's Day tradition. Even without any imbibing, it was still a great time. And our buddy, Joe, from Big Sky Brewing (Moose Drool beer) gave me a comfy beer shirt that I should be able to wear all summer - it's a XXL. :)

Hubs surprised me with flowers for Almost Mother's Day! He's a keeper.

Dad also pointed out that my belly is the furthest protruding part of me - thankfully for the first time! I denied it, but after standing with my back to the wall, he was right - barely.

• When you’re 22 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 7 1/2 to 8 inches long head to rump, around the length of a head of cabbage, and weighs about 1 pound.
• Your baby's sense of touch and taste progress significantly this week.
  • Taste buds begin forming.
  • Your baby's brain and nerve endings mature enough to process the sensation of touch.
• Your baby's reproductive system continues to develop. In a boy, his testes begin to descend. In a girl, her ovaries and uterus now are in place and her vagina develops. She already has all of the eggs she'll need for her own reproductive life.
• When you're 22 weeks pregnant, the surface of your baby's brain, which has previously been smooth, begins to develop folds. This creation of hills and valleys in the brain will continue until the 34th week of pregnancy, when your baby's brain will have enough surface area for a full complement of brain cells.
• Your baby continues to hear sounds from the outside world. Although these sounds are muffled behind the amniotic fluid and the protective covering of vernix, your baby soon recognizes your voice.

Week 21

This week blew by (literally, we had a huge wind storm). I still don't feel that I've gotten any bigger, but since I've eased into elastic pants it's harder to tell. I meant to take measurements, but never got around to it so I don't have anything to compare to.

One of my new favs is watching my belly move as Bubba busts out his Dance Dance Baby moves. Hubs still thinks it feels weird when he feels Bubba's dance moves, but will still feel sometimes. I think more to please me...

• Your baby might be about 7 inches in length, roughly the length of a carrot, by 21 weeks pregnant. She weighs almost 11 ounces.
• Your baby's digestive system is put to work! By your 21st week of pregnancy, your baby has probably begun swallowing amniotic fluid and absorbing small amounts of sugar from it.
  • Sugars pass through her developed digestive system, giving these organs important practice.
  • These sugars only make up a tiny part of your baby's nourishment.
  • Most of her nutrition still is delivered through your placenta and the umbilical cord.
  • Your amniotic fluid changes day to day, based on what you've eaten. Since your baby is swallowing the fluid, she gets a "taste" of what you're eating!
• Your baby's bone marrow, rather than your baby’s liver and spleen, takes over its permanent job of making blood cells.
• By your 21st week of pregnancy, your baby's arms and legs are in proportion.
• As muscles strengthen and neurons connected to her brain continue to develop, hermovements become more coordinated.

Week 20 - HALFWAY!!

We are definitely over the halfway point. Had my 20 week check with Dr. Lorenzo. Everything is looking great. I've gained a whopping four pounds, our little man (whom I've been calling Bubba) had a heart rate of 140. He may grow up and get a shrimp boat, which would be okay I guess - so long as he doesn't have a giant lower lip.

Anyhow, Doc said I was definitely over the halfway mark and am probably a week ahead but I'm sticking with the furthest out due date. Mom was late with all three of us girls and I'd rather get him a week early than late.

This past weekend we visited Jim and Shell in Portland and I got some tax-free shopping in. Now that I've gone elastic, I'm never going back! I'll be wearing them every Thanksgiving, others will be jealous of my comfort and Mama O will be happy to see me in something other than jammies at the table.

I feel him moving around off and on throughout the day. For the most part, they're just wiggles but every now and again he'll throw and punch or kick that startles me. I try to let Hubs feel him move, but I usually wait so long making sure he's moving a lot that by the time I tell Lant he's settling down...oh well. I only offer when we're both settled down together so I don't interrupt him or make him come over and sit to feel.

• When you're 20 weeks pregnant, your babymeasures about 6 inches, about the length of an eggplant, and weighs about half a pound.
• Your baby's skin thickens and develops layers under the vernix during the 20th week of pregnancy.
• His hair and nails continue to grow.
• His limbs are well developed when you’re 20 weeks pregnant.
• Your baby is moving and you can feel it. Make a note of when you felt these movements start and let your doctor know.

Week 19

This past weekend we went up to Spokane and Mama O, Ginny, Kati and I went to Babies R Us and made a registry. Stimulus overload. Found some cute bedding! We also went to Old Navy and got some good clearance maternity clothing deals!

Our little boy has been practicing his break dancing moves. I enjoy feeling him move around in there, lets me know that he's alright. I still don't really look pregnant but figure in this next week or so I'd better take a belly pic to document.

Went and got a massage yesterday - LOVED it. Have another one scheduled already! Someone felt that it was the right time to swim laps and practice those fancy turns. Talk about distracting! Now I know why Mom would lock herself in the bathroom to read Reader's Digest...

Oh! We also woke up to a smoky kitchen on Monday morning. Couldn't figure out what it was so we called the fire dept explaining the need for assistance, emphasizing the lack of emergency. Two minutes later we have 3 trucks with lights and sirens outside the house. Real nice guys, checked everything, but turned out it was our fridge! Food's in coolers, ordered my "dream fridge" for a smokin' (ha) deal BUT won't get here for another week...

PS - Ladies found ANOTHER skunk in the back yard and the headlight went out on the car. There's three, so we're done. :)

• Your baby now measures about 6 inches, or the length of a summer squash.
• When you're 19 weeks pregnant, your baby's brain develops millions of motor neurons. Neurons are nerves that help muscles in the brain communicate. This new and ongoing development means your baby can make purposeful and involuntary movements. She can suck her thumb, move her head, or make other moves thatyou might start to feel.
• Your baby's hearing is even more developed when you're 19 weeks pregnant. She probably can hear external sounds and conversation by this time, or will very soon. Your voice is the most pronounced. She can hear you talk, hum, and sing!
• Your baby's skin is covered in a white, waxy, protective coating called vernix.
• Under the vernix, the fine hair called lanugo continues to cover her skin.
• By your 19th week of pregnancy, your baby's kidneys function. Her urine is excreted into your amniotic sac, the bag of fluid in your uterus that contains your baby and amniotic fluid. Your placenta then removes the waste.

Week 18 - It's a BOY!!

It's been an exciting week - we got to see our son today and Lant got to feel him move for the first time the other night. He's getting to be quite the little wiggle worm! His heart rate was 134bpm and he weighs 9.4oz. Perfect and right on track for a mid-Sept debut. Here are the photos from our ultrasound today - what a little stud muffin!!

The money shot (like he's sitting on a photo copier w/ booty on R and legs out to L):

Profile (check out that buddha belly!):

Here's the bottom of his foot (heel to toes, L to R):

• This week, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long, or about the length of a large tomato.
• Your baby's skeleton continues to harden during the 18th week of your pregnancy. His leg bones and inner ear bones are the first to ossify (harden).
• Your baby now can hear! He might hear your heart beat or your tummy gurgle.
• He might hear loud sounds outside the womb.

Week 17

I can't believe I'm nearly halfway done being pregnant already! I've gained one whole pound, finally. Baby weight has officially started. My weekly email thingy said that I'm scooting into the time frame where I should be finding a pound a week. Funny to look at a scale and not mind the number getting bigger...

The beach was a good family time. Storms, gale-force winds, and SNOW kept us inside most of the time. Daddy O taught us how to make kites from notebook paper - we flew them on the beach for a bit, dressed in muck boots, layers, and Gore-Tex. Power outages from the storm, fences blew down, good stuff!

Baby O, head to toe (poet, I know it :D) is about 9.5" long, 5.5" head to booty and weighs as much as a chicken breast. The baby also started accumulating poop, meconium, this week. Knew y'all wanted to know about that! Haven't felt any movements, or would dismiss it as gas if I did - but I'm sure it will all come in due time. My uterus is the size of a cantaloupe this week, crazy how much extra space I have in my abdominal cavity...

A week from today we get our big 18 week scan, including finding out the gender!

• Right now, your baby is about 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches long, or about the length of a large orange.
• Little hiccups continue and you might feel them!
• When you’re around 17 weeks pregnant, a necessary fat called brown fat developsunder your baby's skin. This will help keep her warm after birth. Later in your pregnancy, additional layers of fat develop.
• Air passages in your baby's lungs finish branching.
• By your 17th week of pregnancy, your baby's lungs prepare to take in oxygen.

Week 16

Had my 16 wk check today. All's well on the home front. Baby's heart rate was 145. Dr. L said I'm due to start putting on the lbs any day now. Along with fitting into maternity pants...

My BP was a little low, and I'm a little anemic but I haven't had any lethargy or dizziness so I get to keep chugging along.

We have our big ultrasound in two weeks - will be a head to toe check, including finding out the gender! I could've found out today, but Hubs wasn't with me and I don't want the surprise early. :) It's like at Christmas, I love how the tree looks with all the pretty presents underneath and as soon as you unwrap them you can play with your treasures but they aren't under the tree anymore.

We'll find out soon enough. Plus it feels weird to be far enough along to know the gender when I hardly, if at all, look pregnant. Still seems surreal at times.

Mama and Daddy O come to have a sleepover tonight and we're off to the beach bright and early tomorrow morning!

• Your baby is about 4 to 5 inches long — about the length of a large pear.
• Your baby's skeletal and nervous systems connect enough to allow him to coordinate movement.

• When you're 16 weeks pregnant, developed facial muscles make it possible for your baby to squint, frown, or try other facial expressions.
• As back muscles strengthen, your baby is able to straighten his posture a little.
• Your baby now has eyelashes.
• By your 16th week of pregnancy, your baby's eyes move side-to-side and even perceive some light, although his eyelids are still sealed.
• Your baby's bones build and strengthen with the help of your body's calcium!
• Your baby already might be having tiny hiccups, although when you’re 16 weeks pregnant, your baby is not large enough for you to feel them yet!

Week 15

Well, the bras that I ordered last week still aren't here. Every day I check the mail hoping for that package to arrive, alas I get junk mail (census came last week).

There are still days where I wonder if I really am pregnant. I know that I am, we've seen the baby in there and heard the heart beating but it's still hard to believe. No weight gain, don't look or feel pregnant...although popping the top button is all sorts of comfy. Will be hard to come back from that!!

Did some good closet cleaning out this weekend. Have all the baby stuff (crib, changing table, the dresser, Grandma's rocking chair, the flipper slippers (!!)) piled up in the room that will become the nursery. Crib and changing table are compliments of Craigslist - good deals! The extra bed is out of that room and into the now guest/sewing room so that Mama and Daddy O can sleep over next week on our way to the beach! Really looking forward to the ocean!!

• When you're 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 4 1/2 inches from head to rump, and weighs about 2 to 3 ounces. She’s about the length of a large apple.
• Your baby's hair might appear on her scalp and eyebrows. Hair follicles even begin to generate the pigments that give hair its color.
• By your 15th week of pregnancy, your baby's ears probably have reached their permanent position on the side of her head, and her eyes are moving to where they belong on the front of her face.
• Your baby's skin is developing, but remains extremely thin.
• Your baby's skeletal system and muscles further develop and strengthen.
• By the end of your 15th week of pregnancy, your baby might be able to wiggle fingers and toes, make a fist, or even suck her thumb!

Week 14

Mom and I went bra shopping this past weekend. It was comical. After trying multiple stores, and being not willing to get bras that are giant granny-style bras, had to order sizes online. Found Maidenform ones that'll tide me over - but I'm at the top of their sizing. After this it'll be maternity/nursing bras. Hope I make it to that point before needing to go up sizes...

Weighed in this am. Still exactly the same. 143.1 lbs. Y'all will be happy to know that my pants aren't buttoned up today. They are fresh out of the dryer and not physically possible this am. My gut is firm and brimming, threatening to make itself known. I recently invested in some Be Bands ($16.99 not on sale, couldn't find them any cheaper online) and am wearing one. Talk about comfy! Feels like sweatpants. I may never go back!

Baby update this week:

Baby O started sucking their thumb this week (we'll break that habit, but for now it's teaching him/her swallowing). The nugget also started peeing and making the motions of breathing.

• When you're 14 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the length of your clenched fist.
• In boys, the prostate gland is forming. In girls, ovaries are moving into her pelvis from her abdominal area.
• Your baby's thyroid gland now is working and making hormones.
• By your 14th week of pregnancy, your baby's palate, or the roof of his mouth, has completely formed.
• Your baby already might be or soon will begin growing body hair, called lanugo, which will temporarily keep your baby warm until his baby fat accumulates.
• His head will grow to four times its current size and increase 60 times in volume by the time of his birth.

Week 13 - Start 2nd Trimester

The first trimester is officially over. I can't believe that we are already 1/3 of the way done with the pregnancy. I'm sure time will continue to fly.

This past weekend I left Hubs at home and went to Seattle to visit Heidi. We rode horses in the sunshine on Saturday. Beautiful weather. I also was able to visit Bobby while Heidi had a family dinner. Then Sunday we headed up to the Marysville outlets and got in a little shopping.

I got a little baby treasure this weekend - Flipper Slippers! I thought they were just too stinkin' cute to pass up. Boy or girl, the nugget will be wearing them!!

Sorry Mama O and Ginny, but I still don't have a belly. (Heidi and Bobby were also let down.) We still have a good three weeks until the beach so I'm sure I'll get a little gut by then. :) The second trimester is all about growth - both me and the baby...

• This week, your baby is about the length of a plum.
• Eyes and ears are clearly defined. Your baby's eyelids are fused together to protect her still-developing eyes.
• Tissue, which will harden into bone, is developing in your baby's head, arms, and legs. Tiny ribs might be visible.
• She's already on the move! Your baby might be moving her body in jerky motions as she flexes her arms and kicks her legs, but you won't feel her move for at least several more weeks.

• Vocal chords develop.
• Your baby's circulatory system helps clear toxins from her body.
• When you're 13 weeks pregnant, your baby's headprobably is about half the size of her body.

Week 12 - First Photos!!

Today Hubs and I had our first real ultrasound. It was beautiful and exciting and wonderful!! We got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which I was able to record with my phone. I'll have to see if I can upload it on here... 160bpm - strong and perfect! The US Tech and Dr. are both happy with the scans and say the baby's looking perfect.

I still (yay) haven't gained any weight. The nurse reassured me today that I'll blow up later. :) Pants are still fitting, and I'm sure I'll regret saying this later but I'm really looking forward to getting a baby bump. Being able to look down and know that's our baby in there. Feel the nugget move around - we got to watch our little baby legs kick today!

Anyhow, here are the photos from today!

Profile shot with nose and mouth, and some feet way up there on the right:

• When you're 12 weeks pregnant, your baby is almost 3 inches long. That's about the length of a plum.
• When you’re 12 weeks pregnant, your baby's facial features continue to become more defined, particularly his nose and chin..
• Tiny fingernails and toenails arrive for your baby when you're 12 weeks pregnant.
• Your baby's heart might even speed up by a few beats per minute..
• By the 12th week of your pregnancy, your doctor might be able to hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time, using a special Doppler device. You can ask about this at your next prenatal visit..

Week 11

This past weekend was a big one - Friday night Lanson and I went to the hockey game. I went over and said hello to Merrick and her parents - her mom gets the award for being the first to talk baby at my belly!

Dad also checked me out on Sunday to see if I was starting to pop at all yet (still no).

Next week we go to the Doc; I can't wait to hear the heartbeat!

The nugget is now the size of a small plum and by next week it will be lime-sized. Guess I should have chosen fruit snack or some other fruit-related nickname...

• When you're 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 1 1/2 inches long, about the length of your thumb from the knuckle to the tip.
• From now until your halfway mark at 20 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will increase her weight by 30% and probably will triple in length.
• The blood vessels in your placenta grow larger to prepare for this time of accelerated growth in your baby.
• During the 11th week of your pregnancy, your baby's ears move to their permanent position.
• Your baby's reproductive organs are developing. But it's still a little early to find out whether it's a girl or boy - gender isn't clear on ultrasound until between the 16th and 20th weeks of pregnancy.

Week 10

The nugget is officially a fetus! Goodbye embryonic tail, hello baby. The baby (a girl at work refers to this as the Gummy Bear stage) is over an inch long (strawberry), head to butt and will be 3 inches (kiwi-sized) by the end of the first trimester - in just a couple weeks. After the first trimester, the baby's length will include limbs - for now it's just head to butt.

Crazy amount of change from this week to last. Take a look at the week 9 photo and then at this week's. Amazing. The baby already has fingerprints on individual fingers and toes! And the baby moves, not that I'll be able to feel it anytime soon. Crazy to think how small the nugget is, yet all the parts are there. This week is when the reproductive organs are becoming gender specific. (I'm rooting for a boy, although I'll take happy, healthy, and normal!) I'm so excited!! I know September is just around the corner, and it will come fast - even though it feels so far away.

• By the 10th week of pregnancy, your baby measures more than one inch, or roughly the length of a quarter. By the end of the 1st trimester, your baby will grow to be about 3 inches — around the length of a kiwi fruit. This measurement doesn't even take into account arms and legs. That's because in the 1st trimester, your baby is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the rump.
• By the beginning of the 10th week of pregnancy, all of your baby's vital organs have formed.
• His embryonic tail, located at the bottom of his spinal cord, has disappeared.
• His bones continue to develop. On an ultrasound, your baby's bones appear white.
• At 10 weeks pregnant, his ears get close to their final form.
• His teeth buds emerge and his eyelids develop further.
• His testes start producing the male hormone testosterone around the 10th week of pregnancy.
• Tiny fingers and toes are fully separated (no more webbing).
• Plus, your baby's brain growth really takes off. Every minute, 250,000 new neurons (or first brain cells) are produced.

Week 9

Well, I've officially entered the last month of the first trimester. Couple more weeks and I'll have the easy (so I'm told) third done. I've been trying to sleep on my side (I prefer back) since that's on the no list after the first trimester - squishes my vena cava if I lay on my back too long...

It's crazy to think that this little nugget is only the size of a big grape yet by the end of this week will have a tiny little 4 chambered beating heart. Amazing. Can't wait till the 12 week ultrasound!!

During the 9th week of your pregnancy, your baby grows to about one inch, or about the length of an olive.

By your 9th week of pregnancy, your baby's skeleton begins to harden. Hardening of the bones (ossification) begins with the formation of cartilage.

Her fingers, toes, knees, and elbows develop.

Nipples and hair follicles form.

Her intestinal system — pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, and anus — forms. Her intestines elongate.

Your baby's reproductive organs begin to develop internally when you're 9 weeks pregnant.

Muscles develop and your baby may start to move — you may feel her movements in several more weeks.

Weigh In

We had the 8-week check up this week. Nothing exciting - pee in a cup, get weighed, check BP, talk with the doc. All's normal, on track. This visit was in their big, fancy new office, though.

Anyhow, I have been monitoring my weight to make sure I don't blow up any sooner/more than I'm supposed to. We have a digital scale at home; I've been weighing weekly to keep track. So far, so good. At home (naked, first thing in the morning) I've been 143.6-143.9. Normal weight for me.

At the initial appointment last month I stepped on the scale at the doc's office (also digital) and weighed a whopping 151!!! I was floored! Got off, let it zero out, and got on again - STILL 151. I had on clothes, but not shoes, giant belt or rocks in my pocket! Something was wrong with the scale and I knew it, but didn't say anything.

This week, at the second appointment, I weighed 147. Much better! 3 lbs of clothing.

I believe the scale at the old office was broken - and told the tech that when she weighed me this time. She didn't comment.

Week 8

Well, we had a nice weekend. Lant went kayaking on Saturday. I slept in. Actually, looking back I got 10+ hours of sleep each night. So, out of the 48 hours of this weekend I spent ~21 of it asleep!

I've become rather top-heavy...they nearly have a mind of their own. Supposedly, they should plateau then blow up (even more - great...) at the end.

I have my next appt on Weds - my pants still fit, and I weigh the same as I did last month so it should go well. :)

It's crazy to think that the nugget is only the size of a lima bean, but still has fingers and toes!

• At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is more than a half an inch long — around the length of a lima bean.
• Your baby's tiny fingers and toes develop.
• His arms and legs grow longer.
• By the 8th week of your pregnancy, his wrists, elbows, and ankles are visible.
• His eyelids form and ears, upper lip, and nose tip become more defined.

Week 7

My flu is gone!! It was miserable. I lost 5 lbs, but the nugget is doing fine. I can eat again, and keep it in me! This bout of flu reminded me how thankful I am not to be experiencing any morning sickness *knock on wood*.

Pants are still fitting, although my pregnant girlfriends assure me I'll be popping the top button in the very near future. I'm looking forward to being able to see it on me. Hit that phase where people wonder if I'm pregnant or fat...

The nugget is starting to look like something! It's the size of a blueberry this week, double from last week. Eyes, arms, and legs - oh my!

• By the 7th week of pregnancy, she is 1/3 of an inch to half an inch long — barely the length of your pinky fingernail.
• Your baby's face becomes more defined when you're 7 weeks pregnant. Her mouth, nostrils, and ears begin to appear.
• When you're 7 weeks pregnant, the lenses in your baby's eyes begin to form and the iris color is visible.
• Her arms, shoulders, hands, legs, and feet begin to take shape by the 7th week of pregnancy, with the early formation of fingers and toes just another week away.
• Around the 7th and 8th week of your pregnancy, your baby's body elongates and her neck straightens.
• Your baby's brain becomes more complex during the 7th week of pregnancy. The skull that's growing to protect it is transparent and rounding.

Week 6

Well, aside the fact that I've got some sort of NASTY bug I've been doing really well. No morning sickness. The "Sistas" have been rather sensitive lately - definitely fall into the category of Look, Don't Touch. :)

Here's what the nugget is looking like this week:

During your 6th week of pregnancy, your baby grows at a phenomenal rate and his systems develop significantly. Here's what's happening at 6 weeks pregnant:

• Your baby, now called an embryo, is clearly visible on ultrasound. He is about 1/8 of an inch long, about the size of a grain of rice.
• When you're 6 weeks pregnant, his nervous system and all major body organs — heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs — are the first to form.
• Facial features — jaw, cheeks, chin, ear canals, nose, and eyes — begin to develop around the 6th week of pregnancy.
• You baby's heart beats about 80 times per minute and gets faster each day.

Week 5

WEEK 5

After weeks of rapid cell development, your baby takes on a more distinct form. During the fifth week of pregnancy, here's what's happening inside:

• Her heart and circulatory system take shape — a bulge indicates where your baby's heart is developing. By the end of the 5^th week of pregnancy, your baby's earliest blood vessels form.
• Around the 5^th week of pregnancy, your baby's heart begins to beat and may be visible on an ultrasound.
• The umbilical cord replaces the yolk sac. The umbilical cord works with the placenta to bring nutrition and oxygen to your baby and remove waste.
• At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is the length of the tip of a pen, about 1/17 inches, and growing rapidly every day.

Our First Doctor Appointment

We had our first appointment with Dr. Lorenzo last Thursday. We both like him. Tall, skinny, shaved head, no facial hair, and fuzzy eyebrows (see left).

He was kind enough to start the exam off with a PAP smear - I was under the impression that you got to skip those while you're pregnant. Not so much... Poor Lant was in the room, too. NOT looking. I also had to pee twice and give up 6 vials of blood.

Friday we got an ultrasound done! We were both looking forward to it, but turns out that I'm not as far along as we counted. I distinctly remember the start of my period - the Monday before Thanksgiving while we were in Valdosta. Ginny took me to a grocery store where I was the only Caucasian, first time for everything. So, the egg must have dropped later in my cycle. Anyhow, turns out I'm 5 weeks and not the 6.5 that we counted. Thus my due date has been pushed to Sept. 13 and ultrasound images didn't show much; it was just a yolk sac with a white dot in it. There will be another one soon. And I'll get copies for sure!