15 Weeks

How far along?  15w1d

How big is baby?  Navel orange!  2.5 ounces and 4 inches long; his proportions are becoming more normal, as his legs are now longer than his arms.  Babe is a wiggly thing, enjoying full use of his limbs and joints, and he's probably experiencing hiccups for the first time.   

Physical differences from last week?  I weighed 113.0 this morning; which is only a half pound gain from last week (yay!), and an overall gain of 3.4 pounds.  I've worn the belly band all week and even a few maternity shirts.  Belly button is shallow.  I've been buttering my belly like crazy in hopes of making my stretch marks a little less obvious.  This is the first week that I'm actually showing!  Hoorah!!!

 

How I'm feeling?  I have a lot of energy and some occasional dizziness.  My thyroid problem with Lucy left me exhausted and irritable, so this is a much appreciated change of pace.  Actually followed my diet all week AND walked every night before bed.  ::pats self on back::  Craved chocolate (which I resisted) and these stuffed mushrooms (which I literally made a special trip to the store for, and then devoured the whole batch)!  I wish all of my cravings were low carb.   

What's been on my mind?  The nursery.  Mostly when I should start painting and shopping.  Also thinking about buying a new glider, kinda like this:

 
What I'm looking forward to?  Anatomy scan TOMORROW!  Have you made your gender guess?

Best moment this week?  Finally starting to show!

Gender Guesses

In case you missed it, the ultrasound at 12 weeks indicated an 80 percent chance that Baby #2 is a little mister!  I am very excited at the thought of having a son.  BUT there is still a chance that there's a little lady in my belleh!  And I am equally as excited for that possibility.  I have an absurdly close relationship with my family.  My brother and sister aren't just my siblings, they are my best friends.  And the thought of Lucy having that kind of bond with her little brother or sister....well, that just makes me smile. 

Circa 1999

So...with the anatomy scan fast approaching (Monday!!), I thought it'd be fun to compare this pregnancy to some of the old wives tales and gender predictors. 

Extreme nausea means you are having a girl.  Nope, none at all!  Boy.
If your hands are dry, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.  Dry and cracking.  Boy.
If you're craving citrus, you're having a girl.  Craving orange juice!  Girl.
If your skin breaks out, expect a girl.  Nope, no change.  Boy.
If you feel graceful during pregnancy, you'll have a girl. Clumsy? It's a boy.  Unusually clumsy.  Boy.
If you gain weight in your face, you're having a girl.  No (not yet).  Boy.
Craving salt? Expect a boy. Something sweet? You're having a girl.  Lots of sweet cravings.  Girl.
Feeling extremely moody? Expect a girl.  Nope.  Boy.
If baby is low, expect a boy. High, it's a girl.  Pretty low, but higher than it was with Lucy.  Boy.



14w5d

 If you're carrying in front, it's a boy. Carrying in your middle?  It's a girl.  Umm...middle.  Girl.
Chinese Gender Predictor:  Girl.
If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's a girl. One even, one odd means it's a boy.  Both odd.  Girl.
If your leg hair growth is slowing down, it's a girl.  Increasing?  It's a boy.  Pretty much grows back as soon as I finish shaving.  Gross, but true.  Boy.
If the baby's heart beat is more than 150 times per minute, you'll have a girl. Less than 150, a boy.  Always over 150.  Girl.
Motherly Intuiton:  I got nothin' (didn't with Lucy either).

Boy: 8; Girl: 6

Do you think Baby #2 is a boy or a girl?
Does anyone know of any other gender predictors? 

Diaper House: Cloth Diapering Reevaluation

Don't panic, we are still cloth diapering!  Just a little differently than before.  My house has been diaper central lately.  Between selling my old stash and my new one arriving, I feel like I eat, sleep and breathe fluff!  There are diapers in my kitchen, in my bedroom, in the garage, and even in my car.  It's a little crazy.

When I was pregnant with Lu, I decided to keep things simple and bought all one kind of diaper - the easiest kind of diaper to use - the BumGenius 3.0 All-in-One.  For those not familiar, there are five different types of cloth diapers:  prefolds, fitteds, pockets, all-in-ones, and hybrids.  And there are about a million brands for each type.  I, like many, found (still find) this to be overwhelming.  Most people say buy different styles and brands, figure out what you like and then build a stash...my OCD self didn't like that idea.

Fortunately, we lucked out (since we had already committed to the BumGenius brand), and we were very happy with those diapers.  They literally went on just like a disposable!  I added to our stash as Lu got older and outgrew the small, and eventually medium dipes.  We were set.  I hadn't bought, or thought about buying, diapers in months.  Then I recently went to Zoolikins with a friend who's expecting.  I listened to the same old spiel about the various styles and brands, the pros and cons of each, and decided I was no longer content with our diapering situation.  The AIO diapers may be extremely easy to use, but because the liner is sewn in, the diaper doesn't get the same thorough cleaning as other diapers.  Obviously, they still come clean; they don't smell or look dirty.  But, I think these diapers tend to be more prone to build up as baby gets bigger and output increases.  Which means more diaper rash and more stripping.  My OCD, germophobe, (sometimes) lazy self doesn't like that either.

I decided it was time for a change.  I bought fifteen BumGenius One-Size Pocket Diapers (I'm big on brand loyalty, yo), one dozen infant size prefolds, three Flip Inserts - which I need to buy more of, and three Thirsties Duo Wrap Covers.   All snap closures and all gender neutral colors.  So here's the game plan:  pockets are for daycare and bedtime, and we'll tri-fold the rest of the time.  I have another three dozen prefolds in storage, so all I need to do is buy a few more Thirsties covers before Babe arrives.  He'll be in prefolds exclusively for the first month or two; once he's big enough, he and Lu can share the pockets.  I likey.

I likey for a few reasons. 
1)  It's cheaper. 
2)  It's cleaner. 
3)  It's a space saver.

Lu likey too.

What kind of cloth diapers does your family use?  Did you find that certain styles worked better or worse for your kiddo?

14 Weeks - Second Trimester

How far along?  14w1d

How big is baby?  Lemon!  I love lemons!!!  He is 3.4 inches long and weighs 1.5 ounces; kidneys, liver, and spleen are functioning properly, and he is growing lanugo hair all over his tiny body to keep warm. 

Physical differences from last week?  Weighed 112.6 pounds this morning; which is a TWO pound gain from last week, and an overall gain of 3 pounds....  Eff you, Skittles!  Officially in the (noticeably) awkward chubby stage.  I had to unbutton my pants for the first time on Wednesday night, and I've been wearing the belly band ever since.  No new stretch marks, but my old ones are becoming more noticeable.  Belly button is still in, but very shallow.  Maybe I'll have an outie this time! 

How I'm feeling?  Lots of round ligament pain, lower back pain and energy.  Nesting has officially kicked in, and by that I mean I stayed up until 11pm one night ironing and hemming curtains.  My appetite is suddenly out of control.  I'm now eating TWO snacks between breakfast and lunch - trying to keep it healthy.  Starting to get pretty uncomfortable after sitting for long periods of time, usually when I'm at work, so I'm trying to do a few stretches throughout the day.  Thank you prenatal yoga!

What's been on my mind?  Nursery decor.  I see a massive project every time I walk in there...painting, decorating, shopping, etc.  Pinterest is my best friend, for serious.  I've decided that I want to buy a matching crib, and convert Lucy's into a toddler bed.  Also came to the sad realization that I may have to get rid of my beloved changing table to make room for a dresser.

What I'm looking forward to?  9 days until the anatomy scan!!!  Dying to know if Babe is still a boy!   

Best moment this week?  Felt Babe kick on Friday night!  I'm fairly certain I've felt movement on two other occasions, but I'm absolutely positive about this last time.  Can't wait for those little kicks to get stronger!

Mental notes from my evening

Sprayed my feet with the diaper sprayer.  MY FEET.
Pre-made baby food is a godsend.
Found whole peas in my kid's diaper.
Make sure blankie is in her crib before putting her down, or she will have a melt down. 
Life is exponentially better with the top button of my pants undone. 
That episode of Glee, really?
I need to go to bed earlier.

11 Months

(Horribly, horribly belated!  Sorry, Lu!)

This is the last month that I can really call you my baby, Lulu.  Next month you'll be my toddler, and that hasn't quite sunk in for me yet.  A whole year cannot have passed already!  I cherish each and every minute I have with you.  My favorite part of the day is at bedtime, when I rock you before laying you in the crib.  You squeeze my arms lightly and lay your head on my shoulder.  That little hug melts my heart into a puddle of goop.

Today's picture was hard to take, you kept running away!

At 11 Months:

You've said your first real words!  We were leaving Grammy and Grampy's last night, and like always we stood in the doorway waving and saying bye-bye.  You always wave back, but this time you waved AND said Bye-Bye excitedly!  I almost fainted. 

You're babbling has increased tenfold.  Dada is still your favorite word, but you've added Mama to your repitoire (whether you're actually differentiating the two is still a mystery).    

You are proving to have Momma's temperment.  Eep.

You literally took your first crawling "steps" on Saturday.  I left a banana on the play mat and you crawled over to it and started eating!  You have a very interesting, three-legged crawl...

 

You cruise along everything: furniture, walls, people, younameit!  You are not happy unless you are moving.  (Hence, the occasional upright diaper change...)  And you absolutely love when I hold your hands and walk with you all over the place.

You've started pushing your walker around the living room. 

You stand unassisted in 30 second intervals, but you haven't taken any unassisted steps. 

You pull up on everything.  And then you very carefully lower your bum back to the floor.

You can now go from laying down to sitting up.  Each morning I'm greeted by my little beauty, who's sitting up in her crib!

You roll over at the speed of light.  You've been rolling for months, but now you're a quick little thing. 

You are doing wonderfully at daycare.  We've had some difficulty with lunchtime and your afternoon nap, but you adore your teachers and new friends.  You go three days a week; Mommy is home with you on Mondays, and Grammy/Grampy/Uncle Cole/Auntie Fallon juggle Fridays.

You've spent the last month - that's right, over 4 weeks! - battling some kind of illness.  There was the lung infection, then the stomach bug, an ear infection, and intermittent congestion the rest of the time.  I wish I could take all the germs from you, I hate seeing you sick. 

You seem to have regressed with solids.  I think it's a combination of not feeling well and the different textures.  So it's back to purees for the time being!  Also, worth noting, you despise meat.

You have SIX teeth.  Hey now!

You are sleeping through the night (other than last week); but we're in the process of moving your bedtime back.  Hoping to get you to 6:30/7:00-6:00. 

You are a (recent) tummy sleeper! 

You weigh 23 pounds. 

You are ... inches long.  (Will update later!)

You are wearing large diapers and mostly 12 month clothing, but I'm starting to add some 18 month pieces into the rotation.

You are now 100 percent formula fed.  It has been five days since you last nursed - I would say you are weaned, my sweet girl!  This was entirely your choice, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the bedtime nursing session. 

You celebrated your first Valentines Day.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you, I love you, I love you.  One thousand times I LOVE YOU.  You embody happiness.  You are the single most beautiful and sweet girl in the world.  You have taught me so much in the past 11 months, and I cannot wait to see what this next month has in store for us.  Bring on the first steps, the first birthday party and the first bite of cake!

 

13 Weeks

How far along?  13w2d

How big is baby?  Peach!  2.9 inches long and .81 ounces, he's becoming slightly more proportionate - his head is one-third the size of his body.  Baby boy is forming vocal cords and teeth, and intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to his belly. 

Physical differences from last week?  Finally a gain...weighed 110.6 this morning (damn Valentines candy!); which is a 1.6 pound gain from last week, and an overall gain of 1.0 pound.  Still wearing my regular clothes, but I'll probably need the belly band soon.  My belly button is starting to get shallow, but thankfully no new stretchmarks.  Also, my bump is weirdly firm.  Here is my weekly pic:

How I'm feeling?  Seem to have more energy, finally feeling some motivation towards my to-do list.  My Snoogle has made what little sleep I do manage absolutely heavenly.  No notable cravings this week. 

What's been on my mind?  I survived First Trimester relatively unscathed!  Hallelujah!!!  And, I really want/need to start exercising more regularly...the sporadic prenatal yoga isn't cutting it.  If only somebody could crack the whip gently remind me to walk each night...

What I'm looking forward to?  The Anatomy Scan and sequential blood screening, which has been scheduled for March 5.  This scan is usually done between 18-20 weeks, but because of the abnormal NT Scan results there will be two scans to monitor change - one at 15 weeks and another in the month following.

Best moment this week?  Being reminded of how much I, and so many others, love Babe.