21 weeks

Running a little behind this week on the update! Though these pictures are from last Thursday when I did turn 21 weeks. This week the baby weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot.

21 weeks!

This week I have definitely noticed an increase in movement. Usually I can feel the baby soon after I eat. I hoping that Charlie will be able to feel the baby from the outside soon! I mentioned in last week's update that some of my nausea seemed to be returning. This has still been true for this week. It's nothing like the first trimester but it's brought on by jerky movements (like a bus or car) or really unappealing smells (such as food I don't like or the gas smell of the metro). Otherwise, I'm still feeling good- lots of energy, though I do start to peter out by 9pm and am ready for bed soon afterwards. 


I have also noticed this week that my stomach is getting the distinct pregnant look. My belly button is flattening out and when I'm just in my undies, it's become more obvious that this is a baby belly and not a food belly.

I'm really looking forward to my stint in DC being over this week. I don't know for sure, but I can guess that I've probably gained a little more over the last several weeks because there has been almost no time for exercise. Really looking forward to returning to my normal workout routine next week and feeling healthier because of it.


We still have so very much to do to the nursery. It can't even be called a nursery because it's still very much a messy office with two desk, lots of paper and other assorted crap. That is something we are being to tackle this coming weekend. Though we still have 4 months, our goal is to have the room cleaned out and painted with the crib set up before Charlie leaves for a month-long work trip in the middle of April. When he leaves, I'll be entering my 3rd trimester and from what I hear, my energy levels will once again take a bit of a dive due to my increasing size. So that's our goal! Please forgive us if you try to make weekend plans with us and we decline in the next month and a half. :)


Week 21:
Cravings: Oh the ice cream. Am trying to reign this in a bit. Do not need to have to lose "ice cream weight" on top of "baby weight". Though over the course of the weekend I think I had ice cream 3 times. Just keeping it real. 
Aversions: Not crazy about fish, though every week I tell myself I need to eat some salmon (for the omega-3s). 
Weight gained: Not sure. Guesstimate is around 14 lbs?
Items purchased for baby: not much. yet. 
Number of birth classes completed: 6. Halfway through! (we're taking Bradley classes which are a total of 12 weeks. More on that later).

20 weeks

Woohoo...halfway there! Today I'm 20 weeks pregnant. I can't believe this pregnancy is halfway over, yet at the same time I also feel like "finally!". I'm not wishing my pregnancy away but I'm excited to get to the part of where I feel more bonded to my baby. Up until this point, I have known I'm pregnant and have had many symptoms but it is more difficult to connect with someone you cannot see or feel. (this sounds like an analogy for God. Alas, this is not where I'm going with this.)

Just today I think I've been feeling more movement. I say "think" because I am 95% sure that is what I feel because there is really no other explanation but but I've never done this before so I'm still a little unsure. It doesn't feel like a kick yet, more like gurglings accompanied by some pressure. Do you see why it is often compared to gas?! :)

Each day I am still surprised by how big my tummy is. I still pull my regular shirts on and then think "woah this is tight!". And when I see myself in the mirror I am often surprised at first. I don't feel big, although I am noticing it is getting harder to get up from lying on my back and bending over while sitting is proving somewhat difficult. I had to pick up my cell phone off the floor today at work while in a chair and I had to do a couple "warm up" bends before I finally reached my phone.

Speaking of work, this was supposed to be my last week at the assignment downtown (which I do not enjoy). Unfortunately, my time has been extended by two weeks because the person taking over for me cannot start until then. However, I only have to go in for 3 days a week over the next two weeks instead of the full 5, which is better. Though I'm still counting down the days until I'm back working from home full time. I also learned this past week that I can no longer ride the bus into DC. I am fine in the morning but in the afternoon it makes me sick. I'll spare you the gory details but let's just say I had an "incident" the last two times I rode the bus and decided I will no longer be doing that. So instead I'm driving to a metro and taking the train. Oddly enough this does not bother me as much as the bus, though it is still not super pleasant (oh the smells!).

Disclaimer: this is right after dinner. :)

I feel like I can smell everything now. I know this is often noted as one of the first symptoms of pregnancy but I think my sense of smell has become more heightened during the 2nd trimester. I swear someone on the other side of the giant office space had tuna fish the other day and it made me gag. And don't even dare *think* about burn popcorn in the building. I will hunt you down. Charlie and I went out to dinner on Valentine's Day and all I could smell where hot dogs (for the record, they do not serve hot dogs at Sweetwater Tavern).

Lastly, I finally made it to the gym yesterday after a 4(?) week hiatus. Between traveling to Massachusetts, getting sick, remaining sick and working in DC, I haven't had time to exercise aside from walking Paisley. I have definitely noticed a difference not having time to exercise and at our midwife appointment on Tuesday, I was not surprised to learn I had put on a few pounds. I'm still in the normal weight gain (11 lbs total) but I can tell that the lack of exercise (combined with my lack of disciplined eating) will catch up with me. So I drug my tired butt to the gym after work yesterday (I also had an assignment from my physical therapist to run) and it felt amazing to exercise beyond walking again. I definitely missed it and cannot wait until I am able to return to my normal 3-4 days of regular exercise once this assignment is over. I'm still really looking forward to starting prenatal yoga!

Highlights from Week 20:

• Baby weighs 10 ounces and is as long as a banana! 
• In the next 10 weeks, Baby will grow from 10 ounces to 3 pounds. Holy growth spurt!
• Baby can now hear sounds both inside and outside the womb. Now I can justify some of the talking to myself that I do. Huzzah!
• Times I have gotten sick in the last week: 3 (I thought the first trimester was over?!)
• Cravings: A Dunkin Donuts chocolate heart doughnut. I am a victim of the convincing radio ads!
• Aversions: Still the bus.
• Registries started: Two
• Pairs of maternity jeans I own that are comfortable: Zero. There is shopping in my future this weekend.
• Baby Items Purchased: two cloth diapers that were on sale with good reviews on babysteals.com

Baby C's Pictoral Debut

On Wednesday we had our "big ultrasound" also known as the anatomy scan. Sometimes it's referred to as your 20 week ultrasound but our midwife practice allows it anytime between 18 and 20 weeks. The scan is performed to make sure everything is growing and developing normally, which everything is. This is also when many people decide to find out the sex of their baby. Though it was difficult (for me), we did not find out. Now we definitely have to wait until the birth-day! There is a slight possibility we may have another ultrasound a little later to check things as my placenta was anterior (on the front) and sitting a tad low. However this will be up to our midwives as it is very common for the placenta to move back as the baby grows as my uterus expands. The concern is if it does not move it could block the baby's exit, but again, this is very unlikely to occur.

The ultrasound was amazing. I've seen dozens of ultrasound pictures of friend's babies and though I believe each baby is a miracle, it really is totally different when the baby is yours. It was awesome to see our little baby moving around inside me and see his or her little features. I can't wait to kiss those little cheeks and hands! After the ultrasound, in true pregnancy fashion, we went for celebratory bagels at Panera. Breakfast of champions I tell you!

Without further ado:

Our sweet little babe! This is the profile with his/her hands to the right.

Another profile/hand shot.

These are our baby's feet. They are crossed, as if he or she is sitting "Indian style".

They took a couple of 4D pictures. Some are a little creepy but I like this one because you can see his or her arm reaching over the head. The umbilical cord is across the face that is why it isn't very clear.

Sick and Late at 18 weeks

So, I turned 18 weeks on Thursday and have been meaning to take a picture and post it along with an update. However, I've been sick since last Monday and have had almost zero free time due to my temporary work assignment in DC. I'm stayed home sick today and have been basically parked on the couch having a mini FRIENDS marathon, trying not to hack up a lung.

This past week I started a 3 week assignment in DC and to be blunt I'm not enjoying it. The commute is killer- about an hour and a half each way. I drive to a park and ride about 15 mins from our house and then take a bus to the building I'm working in. The bus is better than the metro but I've learned that I can't read on it or even stare at my phone for too long- both make me nauseous. I believe this is a side effect of pregnancy as I usually could at least look at my phone, if not read. To make this assignment worse, I've had next to no work while I've been downtown, making me feel frustrated that I have to commute all that way to sit and stare at the computer for eight hours. I know I sound like I'm complaining and that's because I am. Between being sick, pregnant and my strong distaste for commuting I cannot wait for this assignment to end which will happen February 17th.

Otherwise, highlights so far from week 18 include dealing with my 2nd cold of this pregnancy and receiving a couple comments that I've "popped" and/or am "finally showing". First, being sick is never fun but my colds seem to last longer now that I'm pregnant. Possibly because I can't take any "good" drugs for colds. I can take Robitussin, Sudafed and most homeopathic remedies and these help some. The other odd thing is that when I cough, I can feel it in my uterus. I know, that might be TMI for some of you (sorry Dad!).

I have noticed that the belly seems a bit more prominent these days. It's almost impossible to hide it now- even my larger workout t-shirts cling to my tummy a bit. Also, I wore my spring jacket on Thursday and when I went to button it, it was a bit difficult, particularly the last button over my belly. And then I saw myself in the mirror in the coat and whew, it was obviously tight. :)

I promise to have a picture for the 19 week update later this week. Some 18 week highlights:

• Baby is 5 1/2 inches long, as big as a bell pepper!
• Appointments this week: One- our big anatomy scan ultrasound on Wednesday! Though we're still not finding out the sex.
• Weight gain: About 9 lbs, I think.
• Workouts this week: A whole lotta nothing, except for walking Pais. Blaming the sickness and the commute. I'm really looking forward to starting prenatal yoga after Feb. 17th (no time before then). 
• Emotions: Weepy. I've had a few crying sessions this week, all to Charlie. Poor guy.  
• Cravings: Chocolate milk, bagels, ice cream. The usual.
• Aversions: Riding the bus. Oh, you meant food?
• Pairs of work appropriate maternity pants borrowed for new assignment: 2 (I have exactly 4 pairs of dressy maternity pants now- one for each day and then casual Friday)

Travels

This past weekend I took myself and Baby C to Massachusetts to visit Anne (and Brian, Cassie and Dex!). I love visiting them and always have a great time, plus this time, I got to meet Baby D! Is he not adorable?

Chilling and rocking

Despite the fun, this trip was a total picture fail. I did not get my camera out once and the picture above was taken by Anne’s phone and emailed to me. I have exactly 4 (3 blurry) pictures of Dex on my phone and that’s it. I didn’t even catch Cassie!

Though I didn’t come home with pictures, I did come home with a suitcase STUFFED full of maternity clothes. Not only did Anne offer to let me borrow some (and we found out that she is indeed a couple inches shorter than I am) but her awesome friend wanted to get rid of her clothes so she let me go through them and take what I wanted. SCORE!

Aside from trying on lots of free clothes, we talked, ate, cuddled babies and toddlers, walked and Anne had her first 31 gifts party (she’s a new consultant). Anne and Brian were too good to me- they took me out for lunch on Sunday and I had a fantastic lobster roll. Thinking about it is actually making me drool right now. I also really wanted ice cream on Saturday and Brian went out and got me some Ben and Jerry’s. They obviously know the way to a pregnant lady’s heart is through her stomach.

I was sad to leave, particularly b/c I’ve started a less than stellar work assignment since getting back on Monday. However, hopefully I’ll get to see them when they are down in May!