22 Weeks!

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How your life's changing:

At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate. What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track.

You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.

Apparently Alphamom has been hacked by something malicious? No weekly prego update from Amalah, for now :(

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Me: I'm becoming rather leery of the developments in my belly button. Right now its practically leveled out, and if I look straight down on it, the top part of the curvature is stretched taut. If I push down on the skin above it, it causes the button to elevate. Weird. I fear I am destined for an 'out-ie'!

I still continue to radiate heat. Being pregnant in the south in the summer flat-out sucks. Perhaps better planning next time? It sometimes interferes with sleep, as some of the time I can't ever get cool enough. Dear Sweet Hubs has graciously surrendered his bedside fan to my side and we also have 2 more in the room. I don't even like going out to lunch during the work day, as it means walking around in that heat for 10 minutes or so. Same thing with going out in the field at work, as I just seem to absorb all those rays and end up exhausted the next day. Not fun.

Fatigue still slows me down occasionally, but they seem to correlate with a 'growth spurt'. I've noticed that I might be tiredtiredtired one day and then the next day, I suddenly seem bigger, belly-wise.

As far as the typical pregnancy symptoms like you see in the movies, the having to pee constantly and the weird food cravings; I've managed to avoid those thus far. I'm drinking water plenty, but haven't really noticed any substantial increases in trips to the Ladies. Which is a good thing, considering the 7 hour ride I have to Jacksonville on sunday. Same thing with the cravings, nothing more than Hmmm french fries sure sound good right now, but I have yet to send Hubs on a midnight pickle and ice cream run.

Right now I think my belly is still kinda cute. I hope it stays that way! (the looking cute.. I know its onward and outward from here on out!).

And a few photos for your viewing pleasure:

Nursery progress

Job-related



Fondue night last weekend. Here's the second batch in all it's creamy goodness:




And the first batch in all it's badness. The fon-don't.

21 Weeks! A Carrot!

From Babycenter

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

How your life's changing:

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.

That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.

You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.

You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.

From Alphamom:

Your Baby:

• Is about 10 1/2 inches long, head to toe.
• Passes time by sucking his or her thumb and even opening and closing his or her eyes. And you know, elbowing you in the vital organs.
• Is like, kicking for serious now, and the movements cannot only be felt from the outside, they can often be seen. Lie on your back and watch the weird ripples and dips of baby limbs. (For the full Jurassic Park effect, do this in the tub and watch the water rings vibrate out from your belly.)

You:

• Are possibly getting accosted in public with unsolicited belly rubs and unsolicited pregnancy advice. I’m not sure which is more annoying.
• Oh, so THREE of the pregnancy books I use to compile these bullet thingies mentioned that we should all be feeling downright awesome and fabulous right now. Not too big and uncomfortable, lots of energy, able to sleep through the night without peeing, etc. If that describes you, well…LA DEE FRICKING DA. HOW LOVELY THAT MUST BE FOR YOU.

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Me: O yeah, this is moi'! I took this a week ago when I was 20 weeks (half way done!). Self-portrait with the dog mode. Just ignore my ~sparkling~ clean bathroom mirror, just pretend it's movement. Not my side of the bathroom anyway! :)


More of the same as far as how I've been feeling, though just a smidge of morning queasiness has cropped back up. No biggie thus far. I will get hit with the occasional bouts of fatigue, still, where the Body commands (or maybe it's Baby Saline Cracker): (MUST OBEY. BED. NOW. HEAD ON PILLOW).

Moving from sitting to standing or turning over in bed is becoming more and more like a turtle stuck on its back. Oh yeah, those abdominal muscles served a purpose! I sure miss you, now that you have been stretched to oblivion.

The kicks and punches (well, they all feel like 'kicks') are undeniable now. You can even see them externally, if you paying attention and looking at the right exact second. I'll be cooling off after work in the bedroom, chilling with a Parents magazine from 2007 (thank yooou garage sales) and suddenly feel an obvious kick, and my eyes immediately zero in on my burgeoning belly. And then stare and stare and stare and nothing! I've been repeatedly trying to let Dear Sweet Hubs feel them as well, as I've been grabbing his hand and plastering it to my lower belly for many a night as we are parked on the couch, but still, nothing! It's like Baby Saltine Cracker is practicing his soccer kick or waltz, and then suddenly a dark cloud appears overhead and he thinks 'Oh maybe I should stop now'.

Like I mentioned before, at the last doctor's appointment (and ultrasound), Hubs had to have his blood drawn to determine his blood type. I just spoke with the nurse a little while ago, and it seems I am Go for Launch in getting those Rhogam shots: he is A positive. Which I should be getting the first one at my next appointment in a few weeks. One of the first of many, Things to Deal With, I'd imagine.

We've been discussing names, and Hubs had suggested a name in a heythisiskindacrazybutwhaddyathink kind of way, and at first I was like, Well maybe but that's taking it a little far (knee-jerk reaction), but the more I think about it, the more I like it. No it's not Bartholomew. Stay tuned till the birth for our final decision.

We were discussing 'dominant genes' yesterday as well, as in whose genes will end up being expressed in our spawn. We concluded that 'stubborn and smart' will be the overriding characteristic(s).

20 Weeks Today! A Butternut Squash!

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How your life's changing:

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.

Alphamom:

Your Baby:

• Is as big as (depending on which measurements from which pregnancy book you use and of course, Your Produce May Vary) a butternut squash, or as long as a banana, or possibly a carrot. I am getting the sense these comparisons are not really an exact science.
• Will be measured head-to-toe from this point on, instead of the head-to-rump measurements we’ve used so far. I remember choking on a bagel at 21 weeks last time because HOLY CRAP, MY CHILD JUST GREW FIVE INCHES IN A WEEK.
• Has a heartbeat that can be heard with just a regular old stethoscope now and not just the fancy doppler.
• Is swallowing and practicing other digestive skills, and can now produce meconium, which is essentially prenatal poop that sits in the bowels during pregnancy. You’ll see this awesome goopy stuff in person during your baby’s very first diaper change, or possibly even during labor like I did, as some babies like to take their first crap in the womb. Meconium in the fluid in considered a delivery complication, but it’s very common and not terribly dangerous — your doctor will just need to suction your baby’s nose and mouth immediately after delivery to prevent any meconium going into your baby’s lungs with their first breath.

You:

• Are HALFWAY THERE HALFWAY THERE HALFWAY THERE!
• Seriously. You are halfway through this pregnancy, which may bring to mind such deep thoughts like: “Yay!” or “Uh-oh” or “Whoa” or “Must. Organize. Kitchen. Cabinets.”

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Moi': It sure is nice to be eating again! Not that I'm succumbing to food cravings or even have an appetite like I did pre-pregnancy, but at least now even the thought of food is not nausea-inducing. I've gained about 10 lbs thus far, and still weigh less than what I was weighing before I lost weight before our wedding last year (wow that's alot of Ws).

Take a look at that rendering above... looks like an actual B-A-B-Y! It's still such a foreign concept that I currently have a real, live, butternut squash-sized person kickin' around in my abdomen. Someone that will have hopes, dreams, a name, a social security number, etc. Kicks are becoming slightly more apparent, but still pretty subtle. I'm looking forward to the day when I can discern between a right hook and a high kick, and when external movement can been seen and felt by Dear Sweet Hubs.

The Anatomy Ultrasound last week was fascinating, and finding out the gender does bring it all home just a tad bit more. But it's all still a foreign, theoretical concept in my brain.... when the Tech was waving the wand around on my abdomen and the images were popping up on the screen, I'm thinking "That's in my uterus? Are you sure you aren't waving that around your own belly?"

Bones and heart valves were visible, and even the outline of tiny hands and feet and a wee button nose. Everything looked good, says the Tech and Dr. Smiley. At one point, he (HE!) was kicked back, had a foot resting on a knee and had a hand thrown up behind his head. The Tech said 'Lounge while you can, dear...' His jaw was moving at one point, like chewing gum, and she said that he was practicing sucking (sqeee!).

Didn't opt for the Tri or Penta blood test, as a good Ultrasound was enough for me. But poor Dear Sweet Hubs did have to have his blood drawn to get his blood type, being that I am O Neg. If we are both Negative of any kind, then no further considerations, but if he is anything else, I will have to have the Rho-gram shot at 28 weeks and at delivery. It's all about blood proteins and immunities and I have read the explanations several times but still don't entirely understand it all. It might mean I need a few more shots: enough said.

We have been mulling over some names since we found out the gender, but nothing has stuck thus far. Honestly we both were expecting/hoping for a girl, and I had a whole girl-name list ready to go. But now that we know what we are having, it's back to the drawing board. For one thing, there are already so many boys in the family, so that removes several names for contention (just to name a few, no Paul, Kevin, Brian, Terry, Jeremy, Nicholas, Logan or Ethans). We have 4.5 months to think about it.

The nursery progress is continual and is lookin' good, thanks to DSH's handiwork. The electrical work is done and the drywall is 90% complete. Then it's onto ordering the doors, cutting the closet, shaping the wall niche and finally all the 'finish work'. I also found a great deal on 2 pieces of furniture from Craig's List: an armoire and an entertainment center (that will function as an armoire/wardrobe). They are currently residing in our garage, where they will be painted antique white and distressed, before moving into the nursery.

it's a B.O.Y!!

19 Weeks! An Heirloom Tomato!

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

From Alphamom:

Your Baby:

• Is about 5 1/2 to six inches long and weighs around 7 ounces.
• Although your baby will weigh more than 15 times its current weight by the time it is born, the rapid-fire growth portion of pregnancy is over. Thus, I have nothing else interesting to say up here. Baby is fully assembled; just needs some fattening up and lengthening out.

You:

• May be able to feel your baby’s kicks from the outside of your belly, if you’re lucky. Jason felt his first kick last night, and it was pretty cool and rocking and all that. He only remembered the later, third-trimester wallops from last time — this was the first time we were able to catch one of the gentle, early kicks.
• How are your moods doing? I’m not about to tell anyone what’s “normal” at this point, except to say that whatever you’re feeling? Whether it be fear or worry or impatience or rage or weepiness or ecstatic joy or maybe a combination of all of the above in the span of 10 minutes? Yep. It’s probably normal.
• The moods are normal because things are probably becoming a whole lot more “real” right about now. The belly is undeniable, the movements are steady, perhaps you know whether it’s a boy or a girl and are deciding on names and picking out room decor. So maybe you ran out of the room crying during a movie where something bad happened to a small child. Or to an adult! Because THEY WERE SOMEONE’S BABY ONCE TOO! Congratulations! You’re officially bonding.

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Me: Note about the above rendering: apparently I am gestating something that is nothing more than a head, a pair of hands where ears should be, and some other limbs protruding from the chest cavity. Whoa scary! Where's the rest of him??

As far as my general health, feeling much better now, thanks for asking! Can't even remember the last time I worshiped the porcelain god(dess).

But also have traded one set of symptoms for another: what I'm guessing is Pelvic Girdle Pain. Basically pain that shoots down through my lower back, my butt and upper thigh area. About every time I move. Getting up from the couch is the worst (I think slouching exacerbates it) and then suddenly lighting bolts of pain are shooting through my gluteus maximus and right leg looses all ability to support any weight (momentarily). Fun times!

Oh yeah, and suddenly I am a menopausal woman and experiencing hot flashes! Usually at night, I'm throwing off all the covers and damning the weak AC. However I am sitting here in a normally freezing air-conditioned office, and am finding myself currently steaming (and I'm not mad). I feel like a little turbo heater!

Tomorrow afternoon is our next OB appointment and we will have the Ultrasound first. So what shall it be?? Boy or Girl?? Hamburger or Hotdog? My very official FB poll is voting predominately Girl.

Grand Plans

Serious nursery progress is being made in the household, yo. Let me just say this: Dear Sweet Hubs spent some time in the attic yesterday (in the ATTIC in south alabama in AUGUST) performing structural work on some beams and later a hacksaw was pulled out to remove the column in the foyer. And the house did not collapse! Not that I was worried, but there's always the concern....

To give you an idea of what we are working with and what 'The Plan' is, here are some 'before' photo(s) of the ill-designed, poorly-utilized 'dining room'. (are those enough apostrophes for ya?)








Please excuse the angles, these photos don't really demonstrate all that clearly of our dining room situation. Just too many walls and furniture in the way to get a good shot.

Basically its this space that is off the foyer, and kind of part of the open-floor plan of the kitchen and living room. It's supposed to be where you stick your fancy dining room table inherited from Grandma Nana and where you host Thanksgiving. But we are so not fancy dining room people. It was kind of used during our housewarming/engagement/dual birthday party last year, but hasn't been used since, except as a resting place for the unused entertainment center and chaise lounge. And dust. Lots of dust.

Therefore, since the two other bedrooms (besides the master) gets regular use as the boy's room(s), sewing room, Hub's music area, etc; this space shall become another bedroom. Down the road, it may become a library or office, and when we go to re-sell, the room can easily transition back to being a dining room. An even fancier formal dining room, if you will, due to the pretty french doors we plan on installing.

Thus far, applicable flooring and ceiling drywall has been removed, framing installed, attic structure work secured and the column is no more. As far as the outside of the room, we put the corner at an angle, to make it feel less like this room 'juts out' into the living space, and on that wall will be a wall niche feature, with recessed lighting. Something like this:



Since this will be a 'multi-purpose' room (first nursery, later bedroom/office/dining room), the plan is to install nice, big french doors. Also to let in light into the kitchen, since we will be walling-off some of the light from the large picture window in the space. We looked at springing for special-order glass doors, and after dealing with one dealer and holy batman price too many, we decided we will order the basic model french door and just order some pretty window film to install ourselves. Like we have already done for our sidelights parallel to our front door.

And here's the progress thus far:



Except the column is now gone. You are looking straight-on to where the angled wall with wall niche will be. The big open space to the right will be where the french doors will be installed. And boy, did we go back and forth on pocket door vs sliding door vs simple swing (what, us to overthink something? NEver!). The entertainment center has been moved from its original location to the foyer currently, just to get it out of the way before the framing was put up. Anyone need an entertainment center?? The chaise lounge is still were it was..... I just love the stupid thing so much and will be heartbroken when we have to get rid of it (just no room).

And the inside! This is where my head has been spinning: furniture placement. And here, for your viewing pleasure, is a very crude (not to scale!) tentative floorplan of the nursery:




One other structural note: as of now, there is no closet. But there is a 'dead space' on the backside of our master bath, which we will cut into, to make the nursery closet. It will be very small, akin to the side of a linen closet. Hence the need for an armoire. Due to it's location and lack of space, we probably won't put a door on it (and don't want to cut into the wall to do a pocket door), and will simply swag a tapestry across the door frame. Something like this. (thanks YHL, for all your fabulous decorating and DIY ideas!)

**Update: Dear Sweet Hubs wanted his floor plan added that he designed in his fancy design program. To Scale! (just don't ask me which scale). Yes that is me sitting in the glider, Coyote patrolling the room and Baby Saltine Cracker in the crib.



The rocker has already been ordered and put on layaway at Babies R Us. While it is hella-expensive, I wanted the best for this particular item, in that I plan on spending a lot of time in it. And I did wait for a sale and got $100 off (score!), so I don't feel so bad about it.

I have been eyeing cribs left and right, and I think I have settled on this one. Am waiting a little bit to order it, so we will have a place to put it once the room is finished.

For the armoire, I have been leaning towards finding something used/antique from craig's list, consignment stores, etc. I have bought new armoires in the past and they can be pricey as well. It seems a lot of people on CL are anxious to unload theirs. I like this one and this one.

As far as the changing table, I am adamantly apposed to buying one of those craptastic pieces of furniture that function solely as a changing table. I think it would be much more prudent to opt for something that might have a future life as well, like a long dresser or something similar. I have been keeping an eye on White House Antiques to see what pops up in their inventory. Again, think distressed white antique.

So that is the plan, thus far. Check back in a few months for an update, to see how all this went terribly, terribly wrong and have a good laugh at our expense.

As far as the 'decoration', see: OWLS.