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.

Nuchal Translucency Scan Results

This is hard to type without crying.  Today has been kinda rough.  Lucy has been sick all week (actually she's been sick on and off for the last month); and the last two nights she woke at 3:30 and 4:00.  I took her to the doctor today, and it turns out my sweet girl has her very first ear infection.  Then I got a phone call from the ultrasound center that performed my NT Scan... 

I completely forgot they had said to expect a call.  I knew there was a problem as soon as the doctor said, Are you able to talk for a few minutes?  I've gotten dozens of phone calls for blood work results, and they usually last less than 30 seconds.  She went on to tell me that my ultrasound measurements were perfect, but my blood work results were abnormal.  A normal result, for a woman of my age, is a 1 in 800 chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome.  My result was 1 in 110.  The doctor was quick to reassure me that this is still a less than one percent chance.  She said, I have to make 109 more phone calls, and only one out of all you ladies will have a baby with Down Syndrome.

The tears started flowing as soon as I hung up.  I tried to call Casey, but he didn't answer.  And so I turned to my three friends, Jaye, Jenn and Meg, who got me through the next hour.  They made me focus on the positive.  They offered to come to my ultrasounds.  And when Casey called, he reminded me of why we chose not to have this test with Lucy.

There will be two more blood screens and two more ultrasounds, for better indication, once I'm 15 weeks and the month following.  Then I will have the option of Amniocentesis.

I'm overwhelmed with fear.  I feel guilty.  My eyes are swollen and burning from crying so hard.  Jaye recommended that I read the birth story of Kelle Hampton's second daughter, Nella...and it has helped me tremendously.  I could feel every emotion in her story.  It reminded me of  how much I already love my baby boy, and how much more I will love him once he's here.  The outpouring of support has made all the difference.  I can never say how grateful I am for your love and prayers.    

12 Weeks

How far along?  12w1d

How big is baby?  Plum!  Approximately 2.1 inches long and .49 ounces.  All organ systems and body parts are fully formed, Babe is entering a stage of rapid growth and maturation; reflexes are being developed; he is practicing opening and closing fingers and curling toes; and, that brain is growing by the day!        

Physical differences from last week?  I weighed 109.0 this morning; which is a 0.8 pound gain from last week, but still a net loss of 0.6 pounds overall.  Still rocking my regular clothes comfortably.  I think the bump started to come in this week, just ever so slightly...here are my weekly pics:

Hello, Uterus!

How I'm feeling?  No nausea this week, thank goodness!  I had three cravings, nothing uncontrollable, but I did give in once...those darn Skittles!  Also craved orange juice and cantaloupe.  Sleep is still hit or miss; I splurged and bought the Snoogle on Friday, so worth.every.penny.  And that's all I have to say about that.

What's been on my mind?  Everything I need to do around the house!  AHHHH

What I'm looking forward to?  Baby kicks, getting my to-do list done, the anatomy scan that hasn't even been scheduled yet.

Best moment this week?  The long awaited NT Scan!!!  I got to see my sweet babe bouncing and kicking, hear that strong, beautiful heartbeat, annnnnnnd I finally, finally, FINALLY got a gender guess.  The ultrasound tech looked from three different angles, and said she was 80 percent sure IT'S A BOY!

11 Weeks

How far along?  11w1d

How big is baby?  Lime!  About 1.6 inches and .25 ounces, with a 1:1 head to body ratio.  Babe has translucent skin; fingers and toes are no longer webbed; tooth buds, nail beds and hair follicles are forming; and he/she is moving all around in my belleh.    

Physical differences from last week?  Weighed in at 108.2 this morning; which is a 0.2 pound loss from last week and 1.4 pound loss total, but I'll attribute that to the stomach flu running rampant through our house this weekend.  My regular clothes still fit, but they're starting to get a little snug in the waist; might have to break out the belly bands soon.  Also, had a few bouts of round ligament pain during the week, not a fan.  Here's my weekly pics:  

How I'm feeling?  Had some wicked nausea yesterday, but, again, all thanks to the stomach flu.  I haven't been sleeping well for weeks (recently developed insomnia), and I'm sure that will only get worse as I get bigger.  My whole body feels tired.  Might have to splurge and buy the Snoogle!  No uncontrollable cravings, really; chocolate sounds NOM, but I refuse to give in to my cravings yet.   

What's been on my mind?  Baby names!!!  I already have two names picked out for either gender.  Nursery inspiration, and other home projects that need to happen before Babe is here.  Oh, and, The Bump recommends I plan a "babymoon" for second trimester (ha).  Who wants to come with?     

What I'm looking forward to?  The NT Scan is just a few days away.  Eep!  Praying for a more cooperative kiddo this time around! 

Best moment this week?  Not having to pump at all! 

Click here to read my 11 week update from my first pregnancy!  (Please note how convinced I was that it was a boy.)

10 Weeks

How far along?  Ten weeks and two days.  Eeek!  Already into the double-digits!!!

How big is baby?  Prune!  Measuring approximately 1.2 inches and .14 ounces.  Babe has functioning arm joints, bone and cartilage is forming, vital organs are fully developed and functioning, fingernails and hair are beginning to come in, and he/she is practicing swallowing and kicking.  Can't wait to feel those baby kicks for the first time!!!  

Physical differences from last week?  I've lost 1.2 pounds so far, which I think is pretty cool.  My pre-pregnancy weight was 109.6, and I am now 108.4.  Hoping to significantly reign in the weight gain this time around, with the help of my trusty pregnancy diet - more on that in a separate post.  I've been blessed with almost no bloat or round ligament pain!  My regular clothes still fit fabulously (hoping to avoid maternity clothes for as long as possible!).  Here's my weekly pic:

How I'm feeling?  No morning sickness (thank you, Breastfeeding!), no excessive fatigue, and no sore boobs for THIS girl!  Trips to the bathroom have increased, as have "weird" dreams.  I don't think I've had any legit cravings yet; I've been trying to avoid sweets, so naturally they're all I think about.

What's been on my mind?  How drastically different this pregnancy has been from my first.  How on earth I'll decorate a nursery for TWO babes, as Lulu will be sharing with her little brother or sister.  BABY NAMES. 

What I'm looking forward to?  The Nuchal Translucency Scan on February 10.  We opted not to have this scan done with Lucy, because we felt the results wouldn't make a difference; but I've since learned to take any and all opportunities to see the babe (and guess the gender!). 

Best moment this week?  Seeing my sweet peanut on the ultrasound screen this morning, kicking his/her little feet and sucking on his/her hands, and with a very strong and fast heartbeat at 188 bpm!  Also, finally establishing an EDD (after much confusion)...August 24.  Bring on that summer heat, baby!

Aww, sucking on her hand!

Click here to read my 10 Week update from  my first pregnancy!

Pregnant (Again)!

::faints::

Can you believe it?  I still can't.  This little one was a complete surprise.

I tested on January 12 and the positive showed up almost immediately.  I.was.shocked.  As in, speechless-statue-locked-in-my-sister's-bathroom-for-fifteen-minutes shocked.  Saw my OB last Tuesday and Thursday to check my HCG levels; and she called last Friday to say my levels were increasing nicely, also estimated that I was 7-8 weeks along.  Ultrasound will be on Monday to confirm! 

The circumstances couldn't be further from ideal, but that doesn't matter, because I already feel so much love for my baby; and I'm proud of that feeling.  When I found out that I was pregnant with Lucy, I was terrified.  I was so afraid of the unknown that I never really bonded with my belly.  But this time I know what to expect.  I know how much joy and happiness this baby will bring me.  I know how much I will love being a mother to this child.

And that's not to say that I'm not scared, because I am, because ohmygah I am going to have TWO kids!  But my fears are significantly lessened by the thought of holding my squishy newborn, seeing Lucy as a big sister, and the opportunity to do things "the right way" this time.  (Sorry Lu, you had to be the crash test dummy!) 

Two.kids.  Two.freaking.kids.  TWO FREAKING KIDS UNDER TWO YEARS OLD.

::faints::

12 weeks

Baby is now the size of a:  squash ball, awww!  His crown-to-rump length is 2-2.5 inches.  His most dramatic development this week:  Reflexes.  His muscles clench, and his mouth is making sucking movements.  I read that if I poke/rub/prod my belly, Gabe will actually squirm in response.  That image is just so cute, and it reminds me of those videos I posted last week. 

How I'm feeling:  Extremely nauseated; I made the mistake of saying, "I haven't vomited once in the past twelve weeks" and I totally jinxed myself, its like my body just has to prove me wrong.  Other than that, all other symptoms seem to be slowly disappearing (except my trips to the bathroom, no, those have also increased - very embarrassing).  I'm still tired (I blame my schedule, not Gabe), but the bloat seems to have decreased.  My belly is hard as a rock now!  

Physical differences from last week:  We're not in Kansas anymore!  My uterus has officially left my pelvis, oh my!!!  That means that that bump is not just bloat anymore, its Gabe too!  Wahoooo!  Side note:  it is just embarrassing to wear fitted clothing; I look like such a chunker.  Also, my blood volume is significantly higher (it doubles throughout the duration of pregnancy), and my hips are widening (oh joy, as if they weren't wide enough before...).  Here is a pic for your viewing pleasure:

What's been on my mind:  Telling my supervisor that I'm pregnant.  Every day I walk into that office, and my pregnancy is on the tip of my tongue.  It is (was) so hard to not tell her.  Even though I've only known her for three short weeks, I really like her.  She is very sweet, and we talk a lot.  Also, there are two other pregnant ladies in the office; an underwriter and a fellow underwriting assistant.  And it is just no fun being the closet pregnant lady!  So I finally told her today, and holy God it feels good to have that off my chest.  She was very supportive and excited, she even hugged me.  Here I thought she'd be furious about losing two UA's to maternity leave a mere three weeks apart, but she promised it wouldn't be a problem and not to worry.

What I'm looking forward to:  Going to the doc.  Now that my supervisor knows, I can schedule an appointment (since I'll have to leave work early and make up the time).  Telling her also gave me a reason to get our insurance situation organized.  I'm also looking forward to finding out the sex, but I know I've got at least another month before that happens.  Boo!

Random thoughts:  I am really looking forward to next week's post about Gabe's birthday present to me, yayayay!

11 weeks - waaay late!

Good morning peeps!  I'm sorry for another late post.  I really hope I can get a hold of my time management, and make work, school, and blogging all fit into my schedule. 

Baby is now the size of a:  large lime!!!  Gabe is almost fully formed; his fingers and toes are no longer webbed, his bones are hardening, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming.  He's also becoming very active!  He is kicking and stretching like a mad man; unfortunately, I won't be able to feel all of his little somersaults and hiccups for at least another month or two.  I found these amazing videos on the baby's development, and I think you will all enjoy them, they are so interesting.  Each video is only a minute or two long, so your attention spans are not in jeopardy, I promise.  The second video focuses on his growth this week through week 14:

http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-weeks-1-to-9_10302602.bc?scid=mbtw_preg07:986&pe=2Uz0WBl

How I'm feeling:  Well lets see...I have more energy, more nausea, and my hormones are off the charts.  Only one more week until second trimester, and all this first trimester nonsense will be behind us - except for the hormones, they'll be on overdrive for a long while.  Oh, note to self - and any other pregnant ladies - avoid tear-jerker movies like the plague.  I watched Dear John last night, and I cried at least three separate times.  Not cool.

Physical differences from last week:  You tell me  ;)

What's been on my mind:  I really, REALLY want to know the sex.  Every old wives tale points to boy, and I know that really isn't the most reliable guide, but I just want to know!!!  I can't wait to start shopping for little boy or girl clothes, and start planning the nursery. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Finally telling my supervisor that I'm pregnant.  I'm more looking forward to having this secret off my chest, than actually physically telling her.  There's another underwriting assistant that is also pregnant, I think she is 3-4 weeks ahead of me, so it'll be really fun to get to know her more and go through this together. 

Random thoughts:  We bought  a fetal heart rate doppler!!!   I am so glad we did, it is just the most amazing feeling to hear your baby's heartbeat.  The first time we used it, it took us a good ten minutes to find the heartbeat, but now we're practically pros!  The heartbeat has been under 150 bpm every time, another indicator that its a little boy in my belly  :-)

10 weeks

Oy ve!  I'm a little late with this post, but my week has not left much time for blogging.  I started my new job on Tuesday, and my evenings have been consumed with classes and lots of homework.  Needless to say, TGIF!!!

So anyways....I'd like to call your attention to a fun little fact:  we have reached double-digit weeks, people!  Yayayay!  For some unknown reason, this feels very substantial to me; its not like we're clear of first tri yet, but hey, its progress. 

Baby is now the size of a:  Plum, and weighs approximately 0.2 ounces!  Awwww  :-) 

How I'm feeling:  Ummm bloated.  I haven't weighed in for 3 weeks (because I'm scared), but I know I've gained.  I know this because today was Casual Friday in my office; i.e.:  I had to wear jeans (and maternity jeans were not an option).  My jeans were verrry uncomfy.  A few pairs wouldn't even go over my butt, a few pairs buttoned but gave me a muffin top - very sexy; alas, one pair buttoned...barely...like I said, uncomfy.  

In other news, I'm still exhausted, still getting killer headaches - that I can't treat, and still having random stints of morning sickness.  Oh ya, and still not complaining  ;-)

Physical differences from last week:  Feelin thick...

What's been on my mind:  Fetal heart rate dopplers.  I really want one.  I probably won't see my OB until November (insurance reasons), and I'd just really like to be able to hear Gabe's heart beat and know that he's okay in there until then.  Those bad boys can be pretty pricey though, so we'll see if I get around to making that purchase.    

What I'm looking forward to:  Finding out the sex (I think this answer will become pretty standard until that big ultrasound). 

Random thoughts:   The Phoenix Zoo/Fisher-Price is hosting an event for expectant mommies next Saturday at 9 and 11 am.  I want to go, but I don't have anyone to go with  :-(

9 weeks

I'm 9 weeks along as of yesterday, and I'm happy to be yet another week closer to double-digit weeks.   Second trimester, here I come!


The baby is now the size of a.....large green olive. Keep growing, baby!

How I'm feeling:  Mostly bloated and exhausted, but I'm used to both of those feelings now.  I have very little nausea, mostly its my prenatal and calcium vitamins that make me sick.  Seriously, those pills are *huge*.   

Physical differences from last week:  Um nothing new here...  Still bloated like I just finished eating a Thanksgiving dinner - and let me tell ya, that feeling never gets old (insert eye roll).  

 What's been on my mind:  I get very stressed, very quickly, when I start to focus on the fact that I am pregnant.  I am reminded of how much we need to accomplish before the baby arrives, and just how little we actually know about pregnancy.  Thankfully we have some time to become prepared, and I have a book on pregnancy, and of course my great friends and family are very supportive and tolerant of my never ending questions and concerns.

What I'm looking forward to:  My next prenatal visit.  The first visit was unplanned, and completely last minute.  I had an ultrasound, but it was not considered my first official visit.  I've delayed scheduling the next visit, because I'm starting a new job and I'll have new insurance.  Additionally, Scottsdale OBs think its really clever to operate only during regular business hours.  This means that my next visit, and every visit for the rest of this pregnancy, will require that I either get to work late or leave early.  I wasn't exactly looking forward to breaking the "I'm pregnant" news to my new boss, but now I'm really dreading it.   

Random thoughts:  I really need to dye my roots.  One could say, I am "rootastic" at the moment.  But I'm really procrastinating dying my hair, because the first ten weeks of pregnancy are the most crucial to the development of the baby.  I don't want to jeopardize his health for the half inch of growth. 

8 Weeks

Well 8 weeks and 1 one day, but who's counting?   

How I'm feeling:  Huge.  Embarrassed.  Ravenous.  Exhausted.  I know I'm barely two months along, but this is not the body I'm used to.  I hate getting dressed in the morning, and pants are officially my worst enemy.  After I lost all that baby fat from high school (read:  35 pounds), I emptied my closets and drawers of all clothing over a size 2/small.  This is not ideal people.  I'm also feeling slightly embarrassed, because most women are not this bloated/bump-like at 8 weeks.  I've only seen two other baby blogs with bumps this early.  Oh ya, and I'm hungry all.the.time. and I eat constantly.  A week ago, I was rarely hungry (thank you nausea), but now I'll finish one meal or snack and my stomach is growling within minutes.  I'm still tired, but I'm used to it at this point; I've accepted that I'm dead weight after 8-8:30.  I had a three-hour Statistics class last night and that was painful. 

Physical differences from last week:  I'm seeing a bump; Casey is seeing a bump; my parents and siblings....not so much.  So you tell me, is this a bump or is this a bump:

Keep in mind, if you say its not a bump, you are essentially telling me I'm a fat, bloated lady  ::sobs::

What's been on my mind:  Too much to post about...

What I'm looking forward to:  Second trimester.  My bloat/bump will be justified, all worries will have departed, and we'll find out if this little raspberry is a little boy or little lady.  :-)

7 Weeks & Our First Prenatal Visit

We had our first prenatal visit yesterday!  Yay!  It was very exciting/relieving/nerve-wracking/AMAZING.

My family doctor recommended an OB/GYN in North Scottsdale, and I am in love!  The office is beautiful, the staff is friendly, their philosophy is completely in line with our needs and goals, and they even have a midwife on staff!  I was really nervous for this appointment, as it was very last minute due to a scare we had on Monday night, but they made my appointment same day and worked to calm our fears.  We had our first ultrasound:

They confirmed that my due date is actually April 6, and that I am 7 weeks today!  I was a little sad to not be as far along as I had thought (or further), but my sadness was quickly replaced by relief and amazement when I saw the baby's heartbeat on the screen.  His heart is very strong, 140 bpm, and he is currently the size of blueberry!

Now you may or may not have noticed my assumption that this baby is a boy....  Casey and I have this feeling that this baby is a boy and until proven otherwise, we shall continue referring to the baby as a he.  (If we're completely wrong, sorry future daughter, we'll love you just the same)! 

And now I will leave you with my first belly pic:

No bump yet, just some (unpleasant) bloat....

We're pregnant!!!

Casey and I have known about our little bundle of joy for just over two weeks now, and we are still in shock.  Even though this wasn't a planned pregnancy, we still feel very excited and blessed.

We haven't told the world yet, only our family and closest friends.   I hope this blog will help to keep our out-of-state family feeling connected, I would love nothing more than to be back home sharing this experience with you all.

The story of us finding out is, well, not my proudest moment...

I woke up Saturday morning, and I just had this inexplicable feeling.  I had had a  "Girls Night Out" the night before, and pregnancy was a hot topic of discussion; many friends are trying to get pregnant, or are currently pregnant, or already have children.  I have no idea if this is what spurred my "feeling" or if its just completely ironic.  Regardless, I took a test and at first I misread the result.  It was one of those stupid, cheapy tests with the horizontal lines (not the digital kind or the kind with positive/negative signs).  I just stared at this test puzzled, and when I finally realized two horizontal lines means pregnant, I couldn't breathe.

I stayed in the bathroom for a good ten minutes.  About a million thoughts went through my mind, I had a mini panic attack, and I even cried a little.  When I finally composed myself, I went into the kitchen and hugged Casey.  But I didn't let go, so we just sort of stood there hugging for awhile, and he asked, "Whats wrong, honey?" over and over again.  I didn't reply, but I started tearing up, which I'm sure he felt.  So he finally whispered, "Are you pregnant?" and that's when the sobbing started.


Casey didn't say much, he mostly tried to calm me while I blubbered about all the plans we had for our lives.  He said a few cute things though, "Its not like we didn't want a baby, you just sort of sped up our timing."

But, at this point, we agreed the test couldn't possibly be right.  It was an old test, it was probably expired, and it just couldn't be accurate.  I googled the chances of having a false positive, and there is a three percent chance of that happening, so we were no longer confident in that possibility...  I re-tested and re-tested, and we finally decided we had to tell our parents.  Much to our surprise, they were all very excited.  Having our parent's blessing is what really enabled me to finally be excited for this life changing experience.

We guestimate that our little baby is due April 1, 2011, which would mean I am approximately 7-8 weeks along.  I've visited our family doctor for bloodwork to confirm the pregnancy, but I have not had my first prenatal visit.  I'm looking forward to that in the next couple of weeks.  :-)