35/35

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant and I have 35 days left until my due date.  wow.  35 days.  The end is so close but yet still so far away.
I have a Drs. appointment this afternoon. It's at 2 and I have to be back to work by 4 so hopefully the doctor is running on time.
The baby shower this past Sunday was wonderful.  We had a lot of people come and show us support.  It was tons of fun and all the guys were such good sports!  They drank beer from baby bottles and spit pacifiers across the yard. Chase won that game- not surprising though :)
The downside to so many people coming is that I feel like I didn't really get to talk to anyone! The day was kind of a blur so I can't wait to see the pictures Kati took.  They will be posted on a flicker site- I'll post that link later.
Sprout got a lot of necessities and a some adorable blankets and clothes.   I've already gotten all the clothes and blankets washed and put away.  I have all the other items put in place and set up and everything seems ready for Sprout's arrival.

6 more weeks!

Baby Sprout should be here soon!  We've got an estimated 6 weeks left until the big day.  I'm starting to get a little impatient- seems like the next 6 weeks will be the longest 6 weeks ever.  Work is slowing down a little bit which is expected in the summer time.  We see less coughs/colds but  more routine physicals, sports physicals, and well child checks come in.
We're basically done in the nursery.  I have ONE more sewing project left I want to do and I can't seem to focus on it long enough to get it done.  I never got the crown molding I wanted but oh well.  We also need to touch up paint but I will leave the standing on the ladder to Chase.
Our baby shower is this weekend and I'm really looking forward to getting to see friends and family all together.  I love a good party!  Hopefully everyone has a lot of fun.
Sprout is moving a lot- less kicks and a lot more big movements.  My stomach gets lopsided a lot since Sprout seems to enjoy the right side a lot more than the left.  I'll get a body part sticking up and out throughout the day as well.   It's kind of fun to feel and guess if its an arm, leg, shoulder, etc.


Here's what Sprout is up to:  Your baby now weighs more than 2.2kg (4.8 lbs) and is 45cm from top to toe. She's filling out and getting rounder – she’ll need her fat layers later to regulate her body temperature once she's born. 

If you don't already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start – at 35 weeks her hearing is fully developed. Don't feel ridiculous if you're already chatting in baby talk. Some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to high-pitched tones. 

If you've been nervous about going into premature labour, you'll be happy to know that 99 per cent of babies born at week 35 can survive outside the uterus (womb) – and most have no major problems. Although your baby's central nervous system is still maturing, her lungs are nearly fully developed by now. 

slacker!

Sorry I've been MIA for the past 2 weeks.  My Dr. appointments have been on Wednesdays later in the afternoon than usual so I've missed lunch blogging.  We've also had a busy few weeks.
We had an ultrasound on the 6th.  Sprout was estimated to weigh 4lbs 6 ounces.  We did not find out the sex- nor do we want to still. We were able to get a few pictures but Sprout kept her hand in front of her face the entire time so no really good ones.  The sonography tech did switch the "wands" and we got to get a 3D look at Sprout.  Here's Sprout saying "No photos"- hand in front of the face like usual.  (For the record- I think 3D ultrasounds are creepy)

It's a picture of a picture so not excellent quality.

I've gotten a few things done in the nursery.  I made a "boppy" pillow cover.  Chase and I finished the bird mobile and we're making some Pinwheels for the crib mobile.  I also finally got my rug in I ordered ages ago.

boppy cover

Yay my rug!

We celebrated Chase's birthday. He requested a Key Lime Tart as his b-day "cake" so I made him one of those. I also surprised him by inviting a few friends to dinner. I told the waiter it was his birthday so they made him wear a napkin on his head and they sang him a song in Spanish. No one had any clue as to what they were saying but we all got a good laugh at Chase.

 And I think that's about it for now.

"Non-Stress Test" and 31 week Dr. Appt

Chase and I went to our routine checkup for 31 weeks.  I actually had questions to ask this time and felt a little like a bothersome patient but since I'm typically with the doctor for less than 5 minutes I figured one appointment with questions shouldn't be a big deal.
             My first question was about my heart rate- I'm finding that off and on I have runs of tachycardia (a heart rate over 100 beats per minute) that last for a few minutes then resolve.  The highest pulse I've seen has been about 142.  She told me it's likely nothing to worry about but to keep an eye on it.  If I start to get short of breath or dizzy then I'd have to see cardiology.  I figure I'm probably just a little dehydrated when the spells occur so I'll drink more water (though I do drink over 100 ounces a day!!!!)  Pregnancy itself can cause an increased heart rate so I really do think it's fine.
 My next question was about my "lazy fetus".  I get to see Sprout move in the evenings but rarely throughout the day.  Sprout doesn't even really perk up after meals like most people would expect.  The doctor looked at my last ultrasound and saw that the U/S tech noted that I had an anterior placenta- this basically means that due to the placement of the placenta in the uterus- I would not be able to feel Sprout as much- the placenta would absorb a lot of the smaller movements.  This is nothing to worry about and won't cause any issues.

the one on the right is an anterior placenta.  See how it's in front?

Knowing that was reassuring in and of itself but for further reassurance I was hooked up to a non-stress test.  Basically what this was was a doppler heart monitor that strapped around my belly and another monitor that looked for contractions.  I had a little clicker in my hand to click each time I felt Sprout move.  With the non-stress test they look for variability in the baby's heart rate.  They wanted to see at least 4 peaks which would indicate Sprout was moving around and doing stuff.  If the heart rate was completely stable, they'd be worried.  

Well- of course- as soon as they strapped on this monitor Sprout decided to kick at it.  I was able to feel Sprout move nearly 15 times in the 20 minutes that I had the monitor on (10 in an hour is considered normal).  Sprouts heart rate was variable and everything seemed fine.   Three- quarters of the way through I looked at Chase and told him to record Sprout's heart beat since we'd been listening to it for a good 15 minutes.  He was able to get a good 30 second recording.  I've listened to it a few times since  :)

        Because of all this- I didn't remember to ask if I was still measuring ahead but I'm assuming I probably was because I have a "growth" ultra sound scheduled for next Thursday.  We'll get to see Sprout again and know about how much Sprout weighs.  They don't typically adjust due dates based on these ultrasounds because babies grow at all different speeds.  That's about it for that appointment!  We got a lot covered that visit it seems!

         

Not the best day ever....

Memorial Day is this weekend and Chase and I got invited to go to "PK"-( that's Possum Kingdom Lake for those of you not in the know)  .  We'd spend time on a boat and relaxing at a pool.  Initially, I was all for it.  Heck yeah!  It sounded like fun!  (Although more than likely I would be the lone sober person at said event).Then- I went to Target for a bathing suit.  Now, for some reason I had it in my head that I would be all cute like Nicole Richie  -

cute pregnant lady in a bikini....

HOWEVER- reality is not exactly that nice.  I was NOT cute.  (I did not try on a bikini but a "tankini" I was somewhat realistic).  The results were somewhere between bad dream and nightmare.  I called my friend and let her know I would not be going to the lake- thankyouverymuchiwillSTAYathomeandcryinstead.  When I got home Chase asked me how my day was and I burst into tears and I think I managed to sob out "fat" and  "whale" and other lovely words while snot was dripping out of my nose and tears streaming down my face.  Poor guy didn't even know what to do.  I will instead be spending my Memorial Day in my sister's back yard away from anybody's eyes who may be "judgey".

And just as I was feeling a little foolish for crying about being "big" this morning my VERY FIRST patient looks at me and exclaims "Oh, My GOSH!  Are you "fixin" to pop today or what?"  They're very lucky I didn't "pop" them.  I just smiled nicely and said- "Not for 10 weeks".   That being said we're 75% done!  We have 70 days left (also known at 10 more weeks).   Here's what Sprout is up to:  (from mayoclinic.com) Thirty weeks into your pregnancy, or 28 weeks after conception, your baby's eyes are wide open a good part of the time. Your baby might have a good head of hair by this week. Red blood cells are now forming in your baby's bone marrow.

By now your baby might be more than 10 1/2 inches (270 millimeters) long from crown to rump and weigh nearly 3 pounds (1,300 grams).

Here's what I've "turned into"-

I'm wearing a dress I had pre-pregnancy; no wonder people though I was pregnant in it- it works great as a maternity dress.  I really should reconsider purchasing things with an empire waist- unless I am pregnant.  It would save hurt feelings!

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day!  Have a few margaritas for me!

11 weeks left & 29 weeks pregnant

Time sure does go by fast!  I'm at 29 weeks today.  Sprout upgrades from an eggplant to a squash- some websites specify a "butternut squash" others say and "acorn" squash.  Who knows- Sprouts a squash none the less.  LOL

  Sprout will still likely triple in weight before birth.  Baby is starting to store fat as well so he/she is getting stronger. From babycenter.com-   Baby's muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. 

Sprout is getting his "kick counts" in.  I'm supposed to be able to count at least 10 movements in an hour- sometimes I get 10 movements in less than 10 minutes so I'm pretty sure Sprout's fine.

I had a Drs appointment today.  I'm still measuring a week "big"- so my uterus is measuring at 30 weeks but I'm at 29.  This can mean either the due date is off or Sprout is gonna be a big baby.  The Dr. said that if we're still ahead at the next visit we'll have an ultrasound to see what's up.  

Here's me this morning- it's a bad picture because Chase was already at work.

3rd Trimester- WHOOOHOOO

Ok- Now no matter what you read- I am officially in the 3rd trimester.  YAY!.  12 more weeks (hopefully no longer) and Sprout will make her/his appearance in the world.  So excited!
 Everything is going seemingly perfect with me and baby.  I've got a Dr. appt next Wednesday but still haven't gotten word on my last blood tests but I figure no news is good news.
Sprout got an awesome present from my co-worker Jodi:

It's funny cause it's true!

Here's Sprouts update from babycenter.com  :  By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. 

Sprouts  a Chinese cabbage-  who comes up with this stuff?  What the heck is a Chinese cabbage anyway?

Chase and I are working on projects for the nursery- I've gotten 3 cribs sheets done, birds for the mobile sewn, sticks "baked" (to kill bugs) for the mobile, and last night we were working on figuring out exactly how to hang the sticks together.  The big art project is almost done- just a few more coats of paint and I should be able to post a picture of the finished project.  YAY!  There's still so much to do and it seems like time's running out. 

Ok well lunch is over and I've got 3 patients already waiting for me.  I am looking forward to a few months "off" from work so I can start to re-appreciate my job.

27 Weeks

I had my appointment today to check for gestational diabetes.  This is done in every pregnancy typically between 24 and 28 weeks.  I was given a really sugary drink (I had an choice between red and orange and chose orange) which tasted like flat Sunkist soda.  It took me 6 minutes to "down" because halfway through I thought it may come back up.  I was told to have it really cold so I left it in the freezer for about an hour (after getting it out of the refrigerator).  Cold was probably better than warm but it was still pretty gross.  I had my blood drawn one hour after finishing the drink and I will find out in a week or so if I may have gestational diabetes.  If my sugar levels are elevated I'll have to go in for a 3 hour test.  Fun.
Chase accompanied me to the doctor's visit today and helped keep my mind off my queasy belly.  
Hmm what else?  Oh yes-  I asked my OB and she told me technically NEXT week I'll be in my 3rd trimester.  So close!   She also gave me warnings about pre-term labor (signs and symptoms) and I will be going to see her every 2 weeks now instead of monthly.  Wow.  Time sure is going by fast.
We got to hear Sprout's heart beat and the doctor was able to find it without even trying.  It was nice and strong and around 145-147 beats per minute (at least that's what Chase said- he was looking over the doctor's shoulder at the doppler).
Here's me at 27 weeks.

I look a little dazed here.  I think I'm worried about drinking the "orange stuff"

Kaiser is giving me a high five for making it to 27 weeks!

Here's Sprout's update at 27 weeks:  Baby Hogan is still considered an "eggplant"
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds  and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his/ her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on.  (from babycenter.com)

26 weeks

I didn't even realize today was Thursday until I got to work this morning!  Missing work on Monday has me thrown completely off but- that means the week ends that much faster though which is good.   When we got home from Houston Monday Chase and I spent the afternoon mulching the garden in the front and back yard.  It's a lot more exhausting work while pregnant that's for sure!

So at 26 weeks- here's what Sprout is up to in development.  (from Babycenter.com)
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Basically- Sprouts nearly 2 lbs, over a foot long, getting fatter and practicing breathing.  I have no idea what an English hothouse cucumber looks like- but the Bump.com still has Sprout listed as an eggplant.  That I can visualize.  

I just realized that I'm almost in my 3rd Trimester!!!!  EEk!  Just one (or 2 depending on the source) more week(s) to go.  I also just realized that I'll be 31 years old in 5 days.  Ugh.  I'm getting old.  :(  No fun parties this year.  I think I'll spend my birthday sulking.  

Oh- and since I didn't even realize yesterday was Wednesday, I have not taken my weekly fat belly picture.  I'll do that tomorrow.  (Yes Mom I am taking better pictures with a better camera.  Uploading with my phone is just easier).

25 weeks- I forgot-

I forgot to mention on the last post that we get a new 'fruit' this week.  No more papaya.  Sprout is now the size of an eggplant.

Here's Sprout's update from Babycenter.com:  Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

I can lay on my back and watch my belly move.  Last night I could tell that Sprout was laying on my right because it was lumped up more than the left.  It's getting more and more real!  :)

I'm in the process of making my mobile and I'll be taking that with my to Houston this weekend.  I'll get some more colorful from Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart there.  Hopefully it doesn't turn out looking like poo.   Chase and I went and picked out the sticks on a long woodsy walk-but since we took the dog with us- poor Kaiser is having HORRIBLE skin allergies.  His eyes are swollen and flaky.  His chest is peeling.  He also has a mesquite thorn stuck in his foot.  Poor pup.  He loves the outdoors but the outdoors hates him.  We can't take him to Houston with us so he'll be spending the weekend at the vet.  Hopefully they "fix" him.  We have him on prednisone but it's just not working this time.

25 weeks

Not much to comment about this week.  Everything is going well.  Sprout's moving about- I was nervous one day but it seems as though perhaps I just wore her out from my busy weekend.  I didn't post any pictures last week cause I was "having twins"and all.  But I'm over it.  Chase did tell me I was a "house" this morning- that didn't do much for the self esteem but I'm sure I'm just overly sensitive.
I've started a few DIY projects.  We made a bird house night light and I painted a frame.  Chase and I are also starting on a functional art project- I'm super excited about it.  It'll take a long time to do but in the end I know it'll be worth it.  I'll keep you posted.
Oh- and This last weekend I got to see my wedding dress "get married again".  My nurse Randi used my dress and her something borrowed.  She was beautiful.  

24 weeks.  Kaiser wouldn't leave me alone!

Randi in my dress!

our bird house night light!

24 weeks and pouting

I'm a little pouty this week.  I was feeling good until Easter when a certain family member actually asked me if I was sure I wasn't having twins, cause I was HUGE.  'Cause that's what every woman wants to hear.  I don't care if I'm pregnant or not- "HUGE" is not an adjective I want used to describe me.  EVER.  So I've been moping around- eating grapes and apples for lunch and  going on walks and lifting weights in my car as I drive to work.  (Why not?  What else am I doing as I drive?  Paying attention?  LOL)  I do this as if I can become "un-huge".  My husband told me to get over it.  I'm trying.  But my HUGEness must be getting in the way of my sensibility.  (grumble grumble grumble)
Anyway-  enough feeling sorry for myself.
I did end up telling my OB that I did not want an epidural.  She was surprisingly open to it.  She said that she's had a number of patients "go natural" and do just fine.  She recommended finding some "meditative" state to get into and to keep an open mind because I have no idea what an actual contraction feels like.  Granted- I don't know what a contraction feels like, but I feel if I go in thinking that I can back out of the no epidural thing- I'll do just that.   I've decided my mind is pretty closed.  No epidural.
On a completely different subject:
I feel like I'm turning into a hippie.  We're not finding out the sex of the baby.  I'm having a "natural" birth, and I'm cloth diapering.  Next thing you know, I'll be growing my own veggies (already looking into planting a garden) to make my own baby food and using only "organic" products.  LOL.  We'll see.  I'll post more about cloth diapering because I know when I first mentioned I was doing this basically everyone though of the old school "flat" diapers with pins.  Well- things are totally different nowadays.  I've learned a lot by researching on line and I've actually taken time to educate others on cloth.  Obviously I haven't gotten to try them out yet but I'm pretty excited.
Here's something to think about:  "Disposable diapers are the 3rd largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste (9)."  Even though it may seem as if each child doesn't contribute significantly to those numbers, that is a false assumption. Each baby diapered in disposables contributes about 1 ton of garbage, assuming an avg. diaper use of 2 years (from diaperpin.com)


Sprouts update:  Sprout is about a foot long and a little over a pound.  The lungs are developing more of the branches in the respiratory system and the baby is starting to "plump" up a little.  The brain is growing pretty fast now too!  Here's a representation of what size an average 24 week old fetus looks like in the uterus.

23 weeks and....

17 left. Yes- I'm already counting down!
 I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon- the only one so far Chase hasn't been able to come to.  It'll be weird not having him there but really I spend less than 5 minutes with the Doctor at these monthly visits, so he's not missing much.
The appointments go like this:   Doctor:  "Hi!   Everything OK?"   Me:  "Yep"  Doctor:  "Great".  She'll use the doppler- find the heart beat for a few seconds- then we're done.  That's about it.  Oh yeah,  I have to pee in a cup at the beginning too.
I'm not quite sure when to tell the OB that I don't want an epidural.  I just feel like she may think I'm a little crazy- and I may be.  I might tell her today or maybe next time.  If figure now is better than waiting until I'm in labor and dropping that little surprise in her lap.  I've forced Chase to watch "Baby's First Day" on TLC>  this program only shows labor to birth and then a little blurb of family a week after.  Chase now thinks birth's with epidurals are boring and he supports my decision to labor without meds.  He told me he wants me to scream at him and yell and "have my head spin around".   LOL.
Here's what "Sprout" is up to:
Sprout is now more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango) . Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. We're getting to the point where Sprout is considered a "viable" fetus. 23 weeks is still pretty early to survive but it is possible. Wikipedia tells me 

"According to data years 2003-2005, 20 to 35 percent of babies born at 23 weeks of gestation survive, while 50 to 70 percent of babies born at 24 to 25 weeks, and more than 90 percent born at 26 to 27 weeks, survive.[24] " ] .  

Here's me this AM:

Kaiser felt left out.

22 weeks- 5 months

Well we've made it 22 weeks.  I have been pregnant for 5 months!  From here out the baby is given a new "fruit" only once a month instead of weekly according to The Bump.

This "month" we're a papaya.  Yum. I should go and get one of those......
Over the next few weeks there's quite a lot of variability in weight and length at this point because babies grow differently and at different speeds.  Here's Sprout's "mile stones" for week 22- (from baby2see.com)

• The fetus reacts to loud sounds.
• Baby starts having a regular sleeping and waking rhythm.
• The mother's movements can wake her baby.
• Taste buds are forming on your baby's tongue.

Sprout is kicking a lot more and Chase can feel the kicks most of the time he puts his hand on my belly.  I drank some OJ last night and Sprout had a dance party! Some of the kicks are actually a little painful though, especially when Sprout is using my bladder as a trampoline.  I also find myself getting a little distracted in a room with a patient when Sprout is moving and kicking and using me as a punching bag- I have to remind myself to FOCUS!
My co-workers have started a contest to see who can guess mostly closely the babies weight, birthday, sex, and baldness.  Most of them have me delivering after August 1st.  Thanks guys.  I'm thinking once the summer heat hits I'll be ready to get this over with.  I told a few of them that I'll be on my sister's trampoline come the end of July!
We also started our registry per request of a few people.  We started it at Amazon  (click for the registry) but I figure people can go there to see and then buy something from Wal-Mart or Target if they want.

Here's me at 22 weeks pregnant:  not the best picture but Chase wasn't home.

I have a confession to make...

Last night I was watching Bizarre Foods America with Andrew Zimmern.  Now typically his show goes to weird countries and he eats things like Balut eggs (which are basically a fetal chick still in an egg- beaks, feathers, and all) or fried tarantulas or blood stew; HOWEVER, last night he was in Louisiana.  I love cajun food.  Alligator and crawfish aren't "bizarre foods" to me.  Then they went to Willie Mae's Scotch House. She has the best fried chicken EVER apparently-(again not a bizarre food).  Well,  Mr. Zimmern was going on and on and on about how good that fried chicken was.  I couldn't get it out of my mind.  I wanted, no NEEDED some fried chicken!
So- at 8:00 pm Chase and I got in the car, drove to Chicken Express and picked me up a drum stick!  Chase got some fried chicken too.  It was wonderful.  Probably not as good as Willie Mae's but it was just fine by me!

21 weeks- are we there yet?

I still have no idea how to upload photo so you can click and make them bigger, sorry Jessica!  I'm looking a little rough anyways so bigger is not always better.  But here I am, this morning at 21 weeks.   I had to get Chase to take the picture this morning because I was wearing black and blended in with the couch behind me when I took the photo in the mirror.  LOL.  Aaaand because I had Chase take the picture I couldn't keep making him re-do them until I was happy -so excuse the tired look and the messy hair:

So what's going on at 21 weeks?

I'm swollen.  My legs have what's called "pitting edema"- I can push my finger in to my shin and I get a pit. I know pregnant ladies swell but I didn't think that would happen so soon. I've decided to cut out basically all salty foods (good bye Salt and Vinegar pringles) and see if that helps some. 

My boobs have a mind of their own.   I had to go to Target this morning because I needed to buy a new bra.  Chase doesn't seem to mind the increase in volume there.  LOL.  I actually had to go up 2 sizes- sheesh.  I hate to think where I'm going to end up!

My shoes are a little tight but I refuse to give up my heels.

I've got my energy back-  We had tons of company this week and we are expecting even more.  My parents came and stayed for a week and overlapped my brother and sister in law from Illinois for a few days.  My parent left Sunday and my brother left last night.    Chase's Dad, brother, sister and all the significant others will come up on Friday- so we can add another 6 guests, 2 dogs (in addition to ours), and possibly one child? to the mix.  I'm glad I can stay up past 8:30 now.  I'm also re-covering a rocker with grey corduroy and sewing a few crib sheets.  I also plan to recover the Boppy Pillow I got at the Just Between Friends Sale.  It was $7.00 and was the best deal ever considering the actual price of a Boppy.

Here's what Sprout is doing- 

We're up to nearly a pound now and the length of a banana. The fetus is steadily gaining fat to keep warm. Growth rate is slowing down but organ systems, like digestion, are continuing to mature. A waxy film, called the vernix caseosa, is being produced by your baby's oil glands and covers the skin to keep it supple in the amniotic fluid. Buds for permanent teeth are beginning to form. (from webmd) 

I read in another book that Sprout is drinking the amniotic fluid which apparently changes with what I eat.  The more varied MY diet is the more likely Sprout will be less of a picky eater.  Studies have shown that if a baby was exposed to certain foods/ flavors in utero they're more likely to like the food later.  I'm still not eating tomatoes.   

Sprout has been moving more and more.  Chase actually has felt a kick once or twice.  I think Sprout is doing leaps and kung-foo when she gets food she likes.  (as seen below!)

Halfway there

I'm 20 weeks today;  that means (considering a "full term" pregnancy is 40 weeks) I am half done cooking Sprout!  I guess I am actually looking pregnant instead of just fat because I've had a lot of people ask me when I'm due.  Though they're braver than I'd ever be and they should probably be more careful.- I have been asked that same question when I was just a little fatter than usual and NOT pregnant and boy does that hurt.  I've gained only 6 lbs from when I first found out I was pregnant but my belly definitely protrudes more, which is something I'm starting to come to terms with and something I actually kind of like.  It was hard to deal with initially - I just felt fat and since I've struggled with weight basically my entire adult life, it's a little hard to let go of those body image issues.  BUT- it's growing on me (ha ha ha).

That's a shot of me at 19 weeks.  It's not great but....

Here's Sprout's  update:

So Sprout's a cantaloupe this week.  Seems huge- and weird considering next week the fruit is a banana- to me a cantaloupe is WAAAAY bigger than a banana, but I digress.   Apparently 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.   (Which may be why he turns into a banana next week?  Who knows.)

Sprout is swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his (hers?) 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 which may indicate distress- so hopefully we don't see it til diaper time!)

Just another quick post-

2 posts in as many days- aren't y'all lucky?
Little Sprout is already spoiled rotten and she hasn't even taken a breath yet!!  My nurse Randi bought Sprout a lovely picture frame- one for the ultrasound photo and one for the "welcome to the world" photo.  She was very proud of it and wanted me to show it off.  Sprout's profile view is already in place.

Pretty cool huh?

Baby's First Photos/ 19 weeks

We had our ultrasound today and everything is going well!  We measured at 19 weeks 4 days (technically we're 19 weeks even so pretty darn close).  The ultrasound tech was wonderful.  She'd been doing u/s for 20 years and knew where to look and when to tell us to close our eyes so we wouldn't see the baby's genitals.  At the end of the appointment she said  "only God and I know the sex".  She's right.  It's weird to think that a stranger knows the sex of my baby when even I don't.  The reason she looked was to make sure everything was ok (and it was).  We bought the DVD of the ultrasound and we got some pictures.  I took a picture of the pictures so please excuse the poor quality  .But here for your viewing pleasure---- SPROUT!!

profile view

profile view- kissing knees

profile view- sucking thumb

power fist!

For the typical post-  Sprout is the size of a "mango" this week.  

From Babycenter.com - Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom.  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.  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.

Happy 18 Weeks!

18 weeks today- that means only one week until we get to see little Sprout on the U/S.  YAY!  The past few weeks have been moving so slowly.
I'm still only up 3-4 pounds depending on the day and what I'm wearing, but I've been super hungry for the the past few days so I'm sure that will be changing soon.  (I'm eating Salt and Vinegar Pringles as I write this!)  As I said in the previous post I'm starting to feel what I'm pretty sure is Sprout moving around.  I don't know what else it would be- it's little thumps here and there.
On to Sprout -
Sprout this week is another weird food-  all these cute fruits at the beginning and I'm stuck with onion and .....wait for it....
Sweet Potato?  Oh well at least it's a "sweet"potato instead of "yam" .

Here's what Sprout's up to:  He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now. (from babycenter.com)

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect set of curtains and more "decor" for the nursery.  If you find anything you think may go- let me know!