21 weeks!

Sticking it out!

21 weeks!

Tate wanted to get in on the photo action. He is excited for his "boy cousin". My belly looks different sizes in all three of these pictures. I think the most accurate shot is the middle. Top one I am kind of sticking it out and bottom, kind of sucking in.

How far along? 21 weeks
Total weight gain? 8 lbs+
Maternity clothes?  I decided I kind of hate the full-panel maternity jeans. I can't stand to have anything on my belly. I feel like I can't breathe and I feel like it contributes to reflux and heartburn. It doesn't feel good when I am bloated either.  Oh, well.
Sleep? Sleeping very well. I can't say enough about The Snoogle. I still wake-up a few times a night to pee because I guzzle water before I go to bed but I don't care. I gotta get my water in and bed time is crunch time!
Best moment of the week?  It's been rough around here lately. I am just happy to be generally feeling good and love it when my little man wiggles like crazy. It let's me know he is okay.
Miss anything?  I miss Michael being able to walk. I know he misses it too.  I know he is getting depressed about his lack of mobility and I am trying to cheer him up by getting him to feel this little guy but no luck with that this week. 
Movement?  Oh, man! He loves bouncing on my bladder and I just laugh every time! Michael should come to work with me at night when he is the most active. This little man loves to be awake at night which I hope to correct very soon after he is born.
Food cravings?  I haven't had a great week with food. I haven't felt quite right since Monday and I haven't had an appetite. I had Jimmy Johns this week and it didn't do anything for me. I couldn't even finish it. I'm hoping to be liking food again soon.
Anything make you queasy or sick? No, thank goodness. Besides the lack of appetite, I have been feeling great and nothing really has made me nauseous this week.
Labor signs? No, keep on cookin'!
Gender?  BOY! 
Symptoms? It's getting harder to bend over. I definitely can still do it but it feels like I am bending over a softball. Breathing is getting harder and the bloating and reflux is fun too.  Of course, I'm loving every minute of it...so dramatic! :)
Happy or Moody? Happy but feeling stressed. I hate seeing Michael so down. He really can't do much so it's a little wearing on every one. I know it's a matter of time before he will be on his feet again but it's hard. I love him.
Looking forward to...?  Our VACATION! We leave Friday for California and we are going on a short cruise. It will be an adventure with Michael's foot but we both are really looking forward to relaxing and enjoying one last hurrah before this little guy arrives. I can't wait!!
Realization of the week? 19 weeks to go! I get really antsy thinking about my non-existent belly and how far I have to go but then I look back and I can't believe I am over half-way there. The last 21 weeks have really gone by faster than I thought they would. I just need to try to enjoy these next 19 weeks and not rush it. I definitely don't want him making his debut any time soon. He still has lots of cooking to do!

20 Weeks...Halfway There!

So, I didn't get around to taking a 20 week picture (I'm 21 weeks tomorrow). Too much going on, with too little motivation to get decent for a pic. This little guy will have to do for this week!

How far along? 20 weeks exactly
Total weight gain? 8 lbs...I gained one pound since my last appointment, 4 weeks ago. I find that amazing since I feel huge but I'll take it.
Maternity clothes?  I'm wearing the jeans more and more.  It's weird how much more pregnant I look when I wear the maternity jeans vs. regular jeans. I guess it has something to do with the panel?
Sleep? Still sleeping good and the The Snoogle is keeping me safely on my back for the most part. I love sleeping!
Best moment of the week?  Just today, Michael was able to feel him kick! I knew it was going to be any day. He was so excited and his face just lit up! I was so happy! And, seeing him on ultrasound to find out he's perfect!! I can't believe how much he's grown!
Miss anything?  Nothing!  I really am loving every moment of this!
Movement?  See above! All the time! He is such a good little boy. It's like he knows when I am a little worried something is wrong, he will give me a little kick as to say, "I'm okay, Mom"!
Food cravings?  I actually haven't had Jimmy Johns this week. I am not really craving anything this week.  Just super hungry all.the.time.
Anything make you queasy or sick? Not much.  I did feel familiarly nauseous when I went to lunch with my parents. Every bite I took, I would get a wave. That hasn't happened for a while. But overall, I have been feeling great.
Labor signs? None yet, thank goodness.
Gender?  BOY! No name yet.
Symptoms? As I am sitting here writing this, I'm pretty sure I am experiencing heartburn for the first time. It kind of hurts! I took some Tums, which seem to work pretty fast. I love the drama of pregnancy!
Happy or Moody? Happy but stressed. It's been eventful in our house lately. In the last month, Michael had a colonoscopy that found two pre-cancerous polyps so we will have to watch that closely.  Then, he had to have surgery on his ankle which was no cake walk. At his 2 week follow-up, an extensive blood clot was discovered and I was scared and sad for him. It's been pretty painful for him and has affected his mobility even more than his ankle has. He is getting tired of not being able to get around easily. The day after the blood clot discovery, I had my 20 week ultrasound. Baby boy is perfect but we found out I have a complete placenta previa which officially puts me in the high risk category. Placenta previa is when the placenta covers the opening of the cervix which increases the risk of the placenta tearing away from the uterus and causing less nutrients to the baby. Best case, it moves with my growing uterus and I can have a normal delivery.  Worst, other than the placenta tearing away, I have a c-section at 37 weeks. I will not be allowed to go into labor for risk of delivering the placenta first, cutting off oxygen to the baby. If I start bleeding between now and then, I am on bed rest until it stops. Our doctor thought there was a great chance it would move and things can progress as normal. Phew! It's been quite a month. I recently also found a lump in my right breast which is kind of freaking me out. My doctor seemed pretty unconcerned about it but said we can do an ultrasound if it was bothering me. He said there are so many breast changes in pregnancy, "it could be normal". I'm not taking any chances. It's bothering me. It kind of terrifies me. I'm going to have it checked. To be continued...
Looking forward to...?  The drama being over! I am working on not worrying so much but I have some things on my mind. I'm looking forward to seeing Michael feeling better. I am also looking forward to Michael feeling the baby more. I love his reaction!
Realization of the week? I used to think that infertility was our one trial, which is stupid.  I always said I was grateful that we have our health and that our trial wasn't cancer or something worse. Neither of us has cancer but everything that has happened has made me realize that just because infertility is one of our trials doesn't mean that is all we get. We have dodged a lot of bullets lately but having this baby makes me even more concerned for our health and even more of a worrier. I am just praying we continue to stay healthy for our little man.

19 weeks...

19 weeks 2 days!

How far along? 19 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain? 7+ lbs...We will get an official number on Wednesday but I don't know if I will share.  I feel huge!
Maternity clothes?  Just the jeans that I am now irritated I bought a size too big.  I guess maternity runs big to make you feel good because these jeans are a size 6 and there is no way I am size 4 right now but that is what I need.  They just sag every where.
Sleep? OMG!  The Snoogle. AMAZING!!  Totally worth every penny.  I thought the Snoogle would help me not turn over onto my back but I still wake up on my back if I fall asleep on my left side, which freaks me out a little as I get bigger.  But, like a good little boy, he reassures me he is okay by kicking away in there!
Best moment of the week?  Feeling real movement in there!  He is an active little guy.  I laid on my bed for hours the other morning just feeling him wiggle all around.  By far the best moment yet!  I have even felt him a few times on the outside!  I have been trying to get Michael to feel him but no luck there yet. It's a matter of time, I'm sure!
Miss anything?  Nothing!  I really am loving every moment of this!
Movement?  See above!  We went to Titanic and I had to pee five times during the movie!  There was one time where I swear he kicked my bladder just right. I thought it was little too early to be dealing with that!
Food cravings?  Still loving Jimmy Johns but wouldn't really call it a craving.  I really feel grateful that I don't crave anything.  I still don't feel like anything in particular but I'm glad that I don't want McDonald's all the time.  French fries always sound good but I don't give in too much.
Anything make you queasy or sick? My gag reflex has kicked into high gear.  I threw-up at work because of something kind of unpleasant that I had to do, which I didn't even end up doing (thank you, Sharon).  I can control it if I don't have anything in my stomach but if I do...I usually don't win that battle. But overall, I have been feeling great!
Labor signs? None yet, thank goodness.
Gender?  BOY! Confirmation on Wednesday and then on to shopping!
Symptoms? Just big, sore boobs! Ha!
Happy or Moody? Happy!
Looking forward to...? Ultrasound on Wednesday!!! I can't wait to see our little man on screen again! We are praying everything measures right on schedule and everything is normal.  
Realization of the week? There is a baby inside me!!!  He is so wiggly and I love it!!  It makes it so real to finally feel him.  Michael can't wait to feel him.  He says he is super jealous.  Also, I have the best hubby ever!  Since his surgery, he hasn't been able to do much and it has made me realize how much he does around our house.  He can't wait to be up and at 'em again to get started on the nursery.  I love him!