21 Weeks

How far along: 21 Weeks

How big is the baby: Now babies are measured from head to toe, so the baby is the length of banana-10.5 inches. According to my apps, it looks like a baby at this point, just tiny!

Weight gain: About 11.5 pounds. Suddenly I am packing on the pounds. Crazy holiday eating! I need to get back to my fruits and vegetables! 

Doctor/Medical Stuff: Nothing new. Just trying to remember no lifting. Before the placenta previa I was a firm believer in "(Most) Anything you could do before pregnancy you can do after". But now I am limited and I don't always remember! The back pain has been aggravating me again pretty bad the last couple days. And I'm not even sitting in little chairs since it is winter break!

Clothes: Still loving on my maternity pants. I need to take some time to rearrange my closet and make more room for all my maternity clothes! I have had some very generous friends lend me some great clothes in addition to everything I have found. Maternity clothes can be super cute!

Sleep: Been sleeping mostly well the last couple days. Just as soon as I wake up, I am up. No falling back to sleep for me. 

Movement:  Still only feeling him occasionally. I wish it was more consistent! 

Food/Aversions: None.  

What I miss: Sleeping in! 

What I am looking forward to: Feeling more movement! 

Oh! And This: I am totally addicted to pinning little boy stuff on Pinterest! I have several boards and I am looking forward to making little boy crafts like bowties and cardigan onesies!

Some of my favorite Christmas pictures:

Christmas Dinner with Amy and her family

Christmas Dinner

On FaceTime with my grandparents

My parents when they found out the gender

My lovely mama and me

 Beautiful rosary from my sister for the baby from the Vatican

It's a.....

Baby H is a boy!!!

We had a great ultrasound on Monday (more about that in my 20 Week post) and we found out our little baby is a boy! We are so excited! (Honestly, we would have been excited about either option). In my poll  46 people voted and it was 25-boy and 19-girl. Though the people who said girl were pretty SURE and a lot who said boy said it was because there are so many boys in Adam's family. Really though, yes, he is one of 5 boys. But of the nieces and nephews, 3 are boys (now 4!) and 2 are girls. 

Of course we went right out to the store to get some adorable boy clothes. But I controlled myself because I know there will be a lot more to come in the future!

I cannot wait to start working on the nursery, I have SO MANY ideas swimming through my head. Can't wait til I get to Pinterest and really start focusing my pins!

Oh....and names....that will be the interesting part! We had two girls names set to choose from. But boy? That is more difficult for us. We put off any more serious boy discussions to wait and see if it was a discussion that even needed to be had. Now that we know, we definitely need to get discussing! 

As we were driving home from the appointment yesterday I suddenly thought, "But I HATE sports!!!" (Yes, I know girls can do sports too, but that was my thought). Soccer means sitting out in the cold and rain, swimming means getting up at the butt crack of dawn, football means head injuries, baseball is 45 times a week....ahhhhh!!

Even if this means I have to wake up at the butt crack of dawn or sit out in the pouring rain, I am sure I will be thrilled to do either of those things with our little guy! I can't wait to meet him!

Family Reveal

Before telling anyone else the gender, we had to tell our families! Thanks to Pinterest I loved the idea of the balloons in a box! Right after our ultrasound on Monday we stopped at the Party Store to get balloons and a helium tank! (We were going to get them filled up there, but they only last 8-10 hours and we needed them to work longer than that!). 

We told our families that we weren't going to announce the gender until Christmas. But my sister was just dying to know, so we arranged to FaceTime with her (She is working in the Philippines this Christmas) as a surprise for my parents Christmas Eve. They were super excited! Christmas morning with Adam's family, we told his nephew Chase he should open the first present and he opened the box! Everyone cheered! Later Christmas Day, we had my grandparents in CA on FaceTime and had my cousins open the box. More excited cheers! 

It was a super fun reveal and we are super excited about our little guy!

Another funny note....

Christmas Eve into Christmas I had the worst pregnancy insomnia and was up 1:00-5:00 am. I came down and played on Pinterest looking at adorable baby boy things. But I couldn't ruin the surprise yet, so I had to make all kinds of secret boards: Baby Boy Rooms, It's a Boy, Baby Boy Crafts, etc! Now the boards are unsecret and I woke up today and started pinning away again!

20 Weeks

How far along: 20 Weeks

How big is the baby: Head to rump (how the baby is measured the first half of pregnancy) is 6.5 inches. At our ultrasound we found out the baby is 12 ounces!

Weight gain: Just about 8.5 pounds. It fluctuates so much day to day. 

Doctor/Medical Stuff: We had our 20 week ultrasound today. It was very long! The tech was very thorough doing all the measurements and explaining what she was seeing the whole time. The baby gave her a bit of a hard time while trying to get the heart pictures because he was all curled up. Silly baby! The baby is perfect! His measurements are spot on and he looks great! She did find out that I have slight placenta previa though. It just means pelvic rest for me (no running, jumping, lifting, pelvic activity) for at least the next 8 weeks. At 28 weeks they will do another ultrasound to see if the placenta has moved up higher, If not, then they will check again at 32 and 36 weeks. Worst case, I would have to have a c-section by 37 weeks at the latest so that I didn't go into labor (with placenta previa you don't want to go into labor because the bleeding could be very bad). Most situations like this, however, resolve themselves! I'm feeling good about it because the baby is perfect and that is the most important part!

Clothes: Definitely maternity. One pair of jeans still fits and buttons fine, but I don't like the pressure it puts on my belly. 

Sleep: Still waking up occasionally and not able to fall back asleep. This morning I am tired! I have been up since 6:30.

Movement:  I definitely feel the baby occasionally. It isn't consistent or anything yet. But I know it is him!

Food/Aversions: None. I just love to eat! 

What I miss: Being able to roll over in bed comfortably. And I know it is going to get  A LOT worse. But for now it is just slightly uncomfortable, but my body isn't used to it and sometimes pulls something when I roll. 

What I am looking forward to: Telling everyone the gender on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! As of when I am writing this, only we know!

Oh! And This: We totally went to Target after the ultrasound and bought cute little boy things! I cannot wait to buy little polos and hoodies because I love little boy clothes that look like big boy clothes. They are the best! And I can't wait to start pinning ALL THE BOY things. But I have to wait until people know!

He or She? What will it be?? You can vote!

When I was first pregnant I was positive it was a boy. Positive. A few people said they hoped it was a girl and I said, "Nope. It's a boy." But then over the last few months, my feeling started to change. Was it all my feelings? Was it combined with hearing tons of people say they thought it was a girl? I don't know. But now I am sure it is a girl. I keep imagining the baby being a girl. I had a dream the other day that I had my ultrasound and the baby was a girl. And more people keep telling me that they think the baby is a girl. I think I will be awfully surprised if the baby is a boy, even if I was so sure for a while that it was a boy! But now that I get closer and spend more time thinking about it...namely tonight....I am thinking it might be a boy. So I guess, I really don't know what I think? I will be THRILLED no matter what! We are just so excited to find out! And go buy some adorable baby clothes.

So...what do you think?

Does this help you (weeks 14-19 in backwards order)?

 

And the recent one again:

Vote here!


I tried out a bunch of Old Wives Tales to see what they said. I have included the explanations I found on a variety of websites. These are my results:

Heartbeat
According to legend, 140+ beats per minute indicates a girl, and below 140 a boy.
Result: Girl (between 150 and 160 all the time)

Ramzi Method/Placenta Placement
A Dr did a study (a sample of 5000) and found that 97% of girls were attached on the left and boys attached on the right. Remember when you are looking at the photo its a mirror image.
Result: Boy (I don't really *get* this, but there were some Ramzi "experts" in my Facebook group and that's what they said.

Carrying
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy
Result: Girl, I think. I think my belly is pretty round and up high.

Chinese Gender Chart
http://www.babycenter.com/chinese-gender-predictor
Result: Boy

Cabbage Test
Boil red cabbage in water, add your pee. If it changes to pink its a girl if it changes to purple you are having a boy
Result: Girl (VERY purple)

Baking Soda Test
Get a little bit of baking soda in a disposable cup, pee in the cup. If it fizzes like a pop/beer, you're having a boy, if it does nothing you are having a girl.
Result: Girl (I did it two different times on two different days. And one time after drinking two glasses of OJ!)

Drano Test
Fill one glass jar wtih 2 tablespoons of Crystal Drano, a second glass jar should contain 2-3 ounces of urine. Take test materials outside and pour urine into the glass with the Drano. If the mixture turns dark brown within 10 seconds, it’s a boy—no change, it’s a girl.
Result: I bought the Drano crystals, but I am a bit freaked out to try it, so I haven't yet. 

Ring Test
You tie a string around your wedding ring and hold it over top of your belly (or wrist). If the ring moves in circles, supposedly it's a girl. If it moves from side to side, it's a boy
Result: Boy-Definitely back and forth every time. Though when Adam did it, it went in circles.

Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.
Result: More salty, so Boy. Though that is typical for me!

Morning Sickness
Sick as a dog during the first trimester -- or still? Signs indicate you're having a girl. Little or no morning sickness points to a boy.
Result: Boy-barely anything

Beauty/Acne
If you're breaking out like crazy, blame it on your girl babe. The belief goes that girls steal their mother's beauty, hence, those annoying zits. 
Result: Boy-I'm pretty sure I look the same. I do have worse breakouts, but I am not using my regular facewash since it isn't baby safe. 

My Count
Boy: 6
Girl: 4

Other interesting information:
I am part of a May 2014 Mamas Facebook group and we made a Google Doc with all the old wives tales for everyone to fill out. So far the way people are carrying seems to be the most accurate overall.  Everything else is about 50% wrong!

We will find out for sure (as long as the baby cooperates) in just a few more days! My appointment is 12/23 and we are announcing on Christmas!
       

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 Weeks

How big is the baby: 6 inches-The length of a long bell pepper (not a regular one!). It was supposed to be a mango. It is not possible to find a 6 inch mango in December. Just in case you were wondering. 

Weight gain: Looks like just under 7 pounds. It was steady at 5 pounds and then jumped to 8 one day. I was a bit concerned about gaining 3 pounds in 2 days! But then it has been back down and steady at 7 the last 2 days. I am not concerned about gaining weight, it's obviously part of the deal! I just want to make sure I am doing it in a healthy way!

Doctor/Medical Stuff: I have Restless Leg Syndrome which is a real diagnosis with a stupid sounding name. I am very lucky to not have it anywhere near as bad as my mom has it. It mostly really impacts me when I am tired and cannot sit to watch a movie or go to a comedy club late and it makes me restless when I sleep. But in the last couple weeks of pregnancy? HOLY RESTLESS LEGS! I can barely even sit to read a story to my preschoolers. My legs are bouncing moving, stretching and all over the place just so I can stay in the chair. This is getting old! Oh! One more week until our ultrasound (GENDER?!?!) and 20 week doctor appointment. 

Clothes: All maternity all the time. Well, most of the time. A few long shirts are still fine. And sweatshirts and t-shirts are fine. But maternity pants? Most comfortable ever. And so cute too!

Sleep: Both days this weekend I woke up earlier than I needed to, after not enough sleep, and couldn't go back to sleep. Not cool. I like sleep. Right now I mostly wake up during the night DYING of thirst. But then I am awake and figure I better go to the bathroom because I am up. And then sometimes can't fall back asleep.

Movement:  I THINK I FEEL THE BABY! It is still "think" because it isn't consistent. But this weekend a few times while sitting/riding in the car I noticed something that I didn't feel before. Like something bumping into me from the inside. And again at school today while sitting at the table with my students I noticed it. I'm going with it. YAY BABY!

Food/Aversions: No aversions. Just hungry ALL THE TIME. 

What I miss: Being able to sit in a little chair at school. I have completely banned myself from the little chairs. Sometimes I sit in them out of habit and then have to remind myself to get up or I will pay for it with excruciating pain. The floor is fine. Standing is fine. Dancing is fine. Sitting in a little chair? NOT FINE! I have two big chairs in my classroom now: one at circle time and one at the tables. And where we eat snack in another room I  have a big chair too. It isn't really convenient though because the adult sized chairs don't fit at the preschool sized tables. So I have to sit sideways. And I don't really like drawing attention to myself. But....I don't care anymore.

What I am looking forward to: FINDING OUT THE GENDER! BABY! ARE YOU A BOY OR GIRL!?!

Oh! And This: Last week at work everyone kept commenting on my belly. Apparently I really LOOK very pregnant now. It is fun! "Wow! Where did that baby come from?!" "Holy cow! You really ARE pregnant!" I am loving my bump and loving being pregnant. What an exciting time! I think our bodies are amazing and I am proud of this body of mine that is working so hard to grow a little life!

Busy Weekend

I had a busy weekend this weekend with lots of fun. 

Saturday, I took my annual trip to the Walnut Room in Macy's with friends of the family that I have been going with for.....a really long time. Since Kailey was a young'un! Maybe 15 years?

Kailey, Robin, Linsey, Me in front of the tree

The beautiful tree

Baby's first trip to the Walnut Room!

Kailey and I in front of the tree outside

Friday Night Adam and I met friends for a get together and Christmas celebration. Katie and Kristin are two of my best friends from college. 

I love all 4 of these kiddos!! They are so fun to celebrate with

(And it was near impossible to get a picture. We laughed about trying to do it with a baby next year!)

My two handsome Godsons! Aren't they the sweetest?!

18 Weeks

Yup! We took this picture in the snow! We did it before it got too bad though!

How far along: 18 Weeks

How big is the baby: The length of a sweet potato-5.6 inches (I wonder what the people in Target were thinking when Adam and I were measuring sweet potatoes with a tape measure I pulled from my purse?)

Weight gain: I'm exactly 5 pounds up. (But .5 pound down from last week. Not sure why. I'm eating a lot. And all the time. I'm going to blame that on Thanksgiving.)

Doctor/Medical Stuff: Since sitting in the adult sized chair at school and with a pillow between my knees at night, my back pain has been a little better. Also, today I had to go to the bathroom 3 times between lunch and the end of the school day. Maybe baby was sitting on my bladder?

Clothes: I think I'm officially in maternity clothes if I want to look good and be comfortable. Last week I wore my regular work pants with a belly band a few days and it is just not really comfortable or flattering anymore. A few regular shirts that are really long (like in my picture here) are OK. But many are not cutting it anymore. I also learned that Target maternity tanks are the actual best ever! They are nice and super long (pictured above). Pretty sure I will keep using them after pregnancy. Oh, regular jeans still fit because they are low rise below my belly.

Sleep: Pretty uneventful this week.

Movement: BABY! I WANT TO FEEL YOU MOVE! Again, a few times I've wondered if I felt something, but sometimes I think I feel something in my leg too. And unless there is an alien living in my leg, pretty sure nothing is kicking in there. And nothing I have felt has felt like flutters. Or a goldfish swimming around. 

Food/Aversions: I've just been eating A LOT. And glad that I can eat a lot and not feel yucky! I know. I know. That will come back soon enough!

What I miss: Errr.....nothing? I am bad at this one. I am just loving being pregnant all the time and even the "bad" stuff is OK because THERE'S A BABY GROWING IN THERE!

What I am looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby in exactly 2 weeks. Our ultrasound is the 23rd at 5:00, but we aren't telling anyone until Christmas. I am seriously worried about keeping it a secret for 36 hours!

Oh! And This: I'm totally obsessed with my belly. And I know it isn't even that huge yet. I love to touch it now (something I didn't *get* until really the last week or so). I love to look at myself in the mirror with it. I love to think about it. I just think it is the coolest. OH! And we bought a DSLR camera last week and I am SO stoked! I have wanted one for years, but we decided to wait to closer to baby time so we would have something newer. There were fantastic deals for Thanksgiving week and we did it!

See!? I am obsessed with my belly!

Working Around the House

This weekend Adam was super awesome and Friday night we spent hanging things in the master bathroom and bedroom. I love when it starts looking more and more finished! The nail polish rack I am super excited about especially. It is hanging on the back of our closet door so I can pick out my nail polish colors, but they aren't in the way. 

17 Weeks

How far along: 17 Weeks

How big is the baby: The length of a large pear-5.1 inches. (This week was supposed to be an onion. Well. Target doesn't have onions over 4.5 inches so we took our tape measure to other produce! Side note: 21 weeks is supposed to be 10.5 inches and a pomegranate. Have you ever met a 10.5 inch pomegranate? That is just silly.)

Weight gain: Hard to tell because of Thanksgiving! Looks like 5.5 pounds. So 2.5 pounds this week? That seems like a lot. Let's blame Thanksgiving.

Doctor/Medical Stuff: Still dealing with the annoying eczema on my wrist. I've never had eczema before. The worst is the back pain. I've had some awful back pain this week. On Tuesday I was reading a story to my students in a little preschool sized chair and almost started crying from the pain. My teaching assistant got up and stole me a full-sized padded chair from the lounge. Hopefully if I sit on that instead of the floor or teeny chairs it will help. Standing all day on Thanksgiving to get ready and prepare was fine. But sitting at the dining room table for dinner made me back hurt. It is more my middle back though. Not the typical pregnancy lower back.

Clothes: I busted out the maternity leggings on Thanksgiving. They were the best idea ever! Comfiest clothes invented. I originally had my regular leggings on under my belly, but it just wasn't comfortable for a long day. This weekend I wore regular jeans (low rise).

Sleep: The other day I started sleeping with a pillow between my knees. According to my FitBit, I have been less restless. Hopefully that helps. I've been reading about pregnancy pillows and cannot decide if I want a Snoogle-ish one or a full horseshoe type one. I think the horseshoe one would be much better for my needs, but I don't think there would be room for Adam if I got it!

Movement: I don't think any yet. Sometimes I wonder if I feel something, but it is hard to tell. Sometimes I feel things in places the baby couldn't be anyway!

Food/Aversions: None. Thanksgiving dinner was DELICIOUS! We ate it Friday, Saturday and Sunday for dinner too! Mmmm! I'm so glad I am able to eat more than a few bites now.

What I miss: Nothing I can think of this week.

What I am looking forward to:  MOVEMENT!

Oh! And This: Adam is so awesome. He is the most supportive and sweet husband ever. He is going to be an amazing daddy. He is always jumping up to help with something and is so wiling to go along with my ideas. Like buying our Christmas tree today!

Pictures from Thanksgiving

 

Adam and his brothers and nephew playing foortball in the yard. 

 

 We had 26 people over for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone brought delicious food and helped clean up and do dishes after eating. We had so much food and it was all amazing. It was a great day with family (both mine and Adam's) and I feel so blessed. I love having people over and hosting Thanksgiving makes me feel so lucky. 

 

My awesome hubby.

 

We continued the tradition I started last year. Everyone at Thanksgiving wrote something they were thankful for on a leaf. In the scrapbook you can see I put all the pictures fro last year in. This year I had everyone do the same. Part of the tradition involves me harassing everyone to fill out their leaf before they leave!