19 Weeks

How far along?  19w3d

How big is baby?  Mango!  6 inches long and 8.5 ounces (although yesterday's growth ultrasound showed Babe measuring 1 week ahead, in the 76th percentile, at 8 inches long and 11 ounces).  His little body is developing vernix caseosa, a protective coating over the skin, and the five senses.

Physical differences from last week?  I did not get a chance to weigh in this week (the scale is at my parents'), but I'm sure I'm up another pound or two - despite my dieting efforts.  No new stretch marks and the belly button is still in.  I'm wearing my regular pants with the belly band and maternity shirts.  And I'm sad to report that my boobs are starting to grow.  I'm probably the only woman that doesn't enjoy that side effect of pregnancy...

How I'm feeling?  Braxton Hicks contractions have officially started, as has sciatic nerve pain.  Two of my favorite things!  Haha.  Dizziness is still an occasional problem as well.  Lucy and I walked four times this week, and I followed my diet most of the time - pizza night and the Sweet Tomatoes brunch were so not within my carb allowance!  No specific cravings to report.  And sleep has been wonderful now that I've shifted the position of my Snoogle.

What's been on my mind?  How to arrange the furniture in the nursery. 

What I'm looking forward to?  The variety of annoying and inappropriate comments to come.  I've already gotten a few "You're huge" or "You're going to be really big again" comments; and I've gotten just as many, "You're so tiny!" comments.

Best moment this week?  Feeling outside baby kicks for the first time.

To paint, or not to paint the nursery?

I literally found, and fell in love with, this nursery just days after taking my pregnancy test:

I knew, boy or girl, this nursery would be perfect for my two kiddos.  (Because, oh yeah, they'll be sharing a room.)  I love the idea of hanging each of their names over their cribs.  And I think the trees will be a really fun and inexpensive way to decorate the walls!  I've been very happy with Lucy's crib and plan to buy a matching one for Babe; and I've also decided that we can manage without adding a dresser, so the changing table stays! 

Now for my dilemma...  Which wall color coordinates best? 
The current wall color (not adequately shown in the Nursery Reveal) is called Orange Confection:

And the new palette that I'm considering:

Lets hear your thoughts, Readers!! 

Would the green walls clash with my plans for a green glider?  Should I get a different (maybe more conservative) color glider??

The Point

I'm a fan of her newest habit.  Heh.

Our transition to cow's milk

Was pretty dang easy!  (And thank God for that - we could use a little more easy peasy in this house!)

Lu had her first taste of cow's milk five days before her first birthday, and was transitioned after just two days.  No special timing was used; we happened to be approaching the end of our present can of formula, and I didn't want to buy another.  The first swig resulted in her classic EWWW, what the eff?! face - probably due to the drastic change in temperature.  (I had started giving her room temperature formula months prior, but refrigerated milk is downright cold.)  So I played around with different formula-milk ratios over the next two days, until all the bottles were eventually just milk.

We were verrry fortunate, as Lucy has shown no sensitivity to dairy, no fussiness or tummy troubles!  Our pediatrician said to keep the milk intake between 24-32 ounces each day, which hasn't been a problem.  She seems to really like milk much more than formula.  Now if only we get over her aversion to sippy cups.........

Washing bottles is overrated

(I'm sure my Mom will thoroughly enjoy this post...)  She's been telling me since Lucy was, oh, I don't know, 6 weeks old that I needed to use Playtex Nurser Drop-In Bottles.  But being the neurotic, exclusively breastfeeding, new mom that I was, I said, NO!  She will only use Breastflow Bottles!!!  And we all remember how well that worked out.  We were content being slaves to the Medela brand (despite the collapsing nipples and cheapy bottle rings that crack if you look at them wrong).  And my Mom was content using the Playtex bottle when she had Lucy Duty.

My love of Playtex began very recently - shortly after Lu started going to daycare, and it deepened with the transition to formula.  Because there are few things that I hate more than washing a half dozen stinky bottles at 11 pm...

There's no telling how Baby #2 will tolerate the bottle, but you can bet your buns we'll  introduce it much earlier, and we'll also throw a Playtex into the rotation. 

18 Weeks

How far along?  18w1d

How big is baby?  Sweet po!  5.6" long and 6.7 ounces; he's in the middle of a growth spurt, practicing his hiccups, yawns, sucking and swallowing, and moving like a ninja!  Love feeling all those kicks, Baby Boy!!!

Physical differences from last week?  I weighed 117.6 this morning; which is a 1 pound gain from last week, and an overall gain of 8 pounds.  My belleh has become the designated crumb catcher.  Still wearing my regular pants with the belly band and maternity shirts; I bought some maternity leggings and they are super comfy!  No new stretch marks and the belly button is in, but shallow.

Try not to be too jealous of my cheetah print straightener.

How I'm feeling?  Umm...I actually fainted yesterday...in Destination Maternity.  Am thinking low blood sugar is to blame.  My legs buckled and I fell forward onto the cashier, everything went black, I couldn't speak, and I was covered in sweat.  So embarrassing.  And it's happened two more times since then...  Must call Dr. O in the morning.  It doesn't help that my allergies are acting up and I had a slight fever (100.6) yesterday afternoon.  Besides all that, though, I had tons of energy during the week.  We walked 3 nights and I followed my diet.  I craved corn dogs and fried pickles after watching Food Network...and I didn't get either.  ::sad face::  Insomnia is still a problem, but I sleep like the dead once I finally crash.  Also, having occasional painful twinges when I lift Lu out of the bath or car seat.

What's been on my mind?  There should really be some kind of disclaimer before tear-jerker scenes!

What I'm looking forward to?  Being half-baked in two weeks.

Best moment this week?  The déjà vu feeling at Lucy's party...  Right after she was born I dreamt about sporting a cute baby bump at her first birthday party. 

17 Weeks

***Extremely late***  Figured I should probably post this before my next weekly update. 

How far along?  17w5d

How big is baby?  Onion!  5.1 inches and 5.9 ounces; cartilage is turning into bone, he's finally putting a little meat on those bones, and the umbilical cord is growing larger and stronger. 

Physical differences from last week?  I weighed 116.6 pounds on Saturday morning; which is a 2.6 pound gain from last week, and an overall gain of 7 pounds.  Ugggg.  I cringe at the thought of what my weight would be if I wasn't watching carbs and exercising.  Still wearing all pre-pregnancy pants with the belly band and maternity shirts.  So very proud of my ass for still being able to fit in my pants.  No new stretch marks and my belly button is approximately the size of a Tic Tac.  Also, a totally random pregnancy symptom, the skin on my hands is so grossly dry that they're actually cracking.

How I'm feeling?  Lots of energy.  We walked four times this week, and I stayed up until 11:00-11:30 each night baking and prepping for Lucy's party.  (When I did sleep) I had tons of dreams about Babe, mostly of what he'll look like.  In my dreams I'm staring at his face and rubbing his cheeks, and then I wake up to find my shirt has crept up and I'm rubbing my belly.  Oh, and my only craving was for buttermilk waffles, specifically the ones from Sweet Tomatoes...but I did not give in!  I actually followed my diet everyday but Wednesday, when I ate two cookies.  

What's been on my mind?  I'd like to start painting the nursery after Lulu's birthday party, and I'm thinking about making DIY crib skirts. 

What I'm looking forward to?  A bigger belly and stronger, more frequent baby kicks.

Best moment this week?  Seeing my reflection with a great big belly.  Also, being told that I'm "all belly".  Hello!  Best compliment you can give a pregnant lady!!!