19 Weeks - The Anticipation is Killing Me!

Here we are at week 19 and still no movement... *frustration* 

I'm dying to feel this baby move! I'm a worrier by nature and not having any control over this and having no real way of checking on my baby is really stressing me out. I think a large part of that though is that it's the first real step to joining the Mom Club, because it will be the first time I really "meet" my baby, the first time his or her little personality will start to show. I can hardly wait. 

I'm now finding that I need way more maternity clothes than I thought. For a bit I figured I would be okay in long shirts and layers, but that's just not going to happen. For one, I'm COOKING - layers are a no go. Two, I am simply uncomfortable even potentially showing my bare belly. I'm sure that in the hot summer months I won't care at all, but for now I'm not going there. 

So, it's a good thing that Mom and I are going maternity shopping again! 

I've also really started to look into names and I think I have one that I'm pretty much set on for a girl. I can't really narrow down any choices for a boy though. I like Jared's choices and we'll likely go with that if baby is a boy. 

Nothing exciting happened this past week, so it's been a relatively boring post! But sometimes boring is good; in this case it simply means smooth sailing.

How far along?: 19 weeks

Baby is the size of a: large mango
Total weight gain/loss: 15 lbs
The Bump: Definitely visible though I don't think I grew too much this week (fine by me)
Symptoms: Just the odd pull here and there, couple small cramps
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Oodles and oodles of orange juice with ice, baked potatoes, cream cheese. Aversions: Milk. Just... blech.
Sleep: Sleeping is hard again due to hip pain. I suspect a memory foam mattress topper may help?

Weddings Rings On or Off: On, not really puffy yet

Exercise: Walking mostly, though I feel as though I need to start doing a lot more
Any Names Picked Out Yet: A couple of ideas but we are not set on any until we know the sex (first week in May!)
Gender Prediction: I have no idea because I'm pretty sure I want a girl, so it's swaying my opinion. Jared still thinks it's a girl.
Movement: Sort of felt some bubbly pops in there but really could just have been me!
Maternity Clothes: Some, and they're darn comfy
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: Nothing. I'm pretty content this week.
Best Moment of the Week: Breaking in my maternity clothes!
What I’m excited about/looking forward to:  My appointment Monday - I hope baby cooperates and we can find out what we're having. 

Pregnant Rambles: 1st Edition - The Birth "Plan"

I've decided to include some pregnancy rambles as I write this blog because I think sometimes, it's just best to let it all out.

My ramble today is about childbirth - shocker. First, natural childbirth: I've been reading a lot of birth stories online and it seems like natural childbirths almost always go wrong - what's up with that? Baby decides to turn into a really awkward position or the poor mom's water has to be broken because she's been labouring for so long, etc. I'm definitely not going the natural childbirth route, however I am extremely impressed with women who do this. I, on the other hand, am a major wuss. What amazes me is that you amazing women are sacrificing so much to experience everything birth provides and to bring your babies into the world with clear heads, and it seems like the Universe takes pleasure in making things even more difficult for you! I just want my baby, healthy. I'm trying not to worry about the rest - hats off to you amazing, strong women who go natural.

Important to note: I have to prepare myself for the possibility that I won't get an epidural in time and will be forced into natural childbirth, and that's a scary thought! I know I could do it but I really, really don't want to. Really.

There are some things I would like for my own labour, especially after reading so many stories. One, I think I will definitely appreciate Popsicles in the house during early labour. It will be September, which is not super hot but I know I'll be roasting so a Popsicle will be refreshing. Two, a birthing ball to help open my usually tense hips. Three, Netflix marathons. I'm sure I'll be adding to this list.

I know there are some things I would like to bring to the hospital as well -  might leave that for another edition of Pregnant Rambles.

I'm pretty terrified of birth to be honest. I know it's going to be hard work. I know that no matter how many birth stories I read to prepare myself, no two births are exactly the same. I know it's going to be ugly at times, and I know that when push comes to shove (har har) I won't care very much. My concern is not necessarily birth, but complications in birth. What if my baby lodges him or herself in a bad position? What if they have to use forceps (which I'm pretty sure I'll be foursquare against, after reading some horrible stories about forceps) or a vacuum? What if I end up having an emergency C-section? What if I tear (likely) and I feel the agony that is involved with a tear (maybe likely)? And the biggest: What if something is wrong with my baby?

I think these questions and fears are pretty common. Sometimes, I feel so lucky just to be pregnant and to have a healthy, risk free pregnancy so far. I feel like the rug should and likely will be pulled out from under me. But thinking this way does nothing for me or my baby, does it? And after all, I'm not asking for a lot - I just want a healthy, normal birth and baby. Why shouldn't I expect that?

18 Weeks - Maybe Movement?

Week 17 has been an uneventful one, but that's good! I've been waiting patiently (I use that word loosely) for baby to make it known that he or she is moving around in there. So far it's been pretty hard to tell but I feel like stuff is happening... swooshing is really the only word that comes to mind for the sensation I've been occasionally feeling.

Mom took me maternity clothes shopping and it was frustrating. When I'm buying my regular clothes I have to go to specific stores for pants that are long enough (I'm not much more than 5'6" or 7" but have a short torso and longer legs. The typical 30" or 32" inseam does not suit my 34" leg so buying pants is a struggle.) We hit up a couple of maternity stores, some of which really didn't impress me despite their reputations. The clothing was made poorly - you could see skin through the loosely stitched seams for example. The styles were limited: I HATE skinny leg pants and some other options would have been nice! When I did find a pair that looked nice and didn't seem to be falling apart, they were, you guessed it, too short.

I've looked online and most stores do offer tall options. I'm going to hit up the outlet mall in the next month sometime and try that out. Kudos goes to Old Navy by the way - they had easily the cutest selection and I'll definitely be checking them out again.


How far along?: 18 weeks & 1 day

Baby is the size of a: bell pepper
Total weight gain/loss: 12 lbs
The Bump: Popped this week!
Symptoms: Less crampy legs and hip pain is better (hooray!)
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Oodles and oodles of orange juice with ice. No aversions as of yet!
Sleep: Getting much better - I still get up once or twice to pee though
Weddings Rings On or Off: On
Exercise: None but am starting prenatal yoga on Monday
Any Names Picked Out Yet: A couple of ideas but we are not set on any until we know the sex (first week in May!)
Gender Prediction: Starting to lean towards girl (Jared thinks Girl.) 
Movement: Swooshing?
Maternity Clothes: Some, and they're darn comfy
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: Bending down! I now have to make room for my belly.
Best Moment of the Week: Although it was frustrating, buying maternity clothes was the best because it means that it's really happening!
What I’m excited about/looking forward to:  Feeling baby move and I'm still DYING to find out the sex! 

17 Weeks - Flutters?

Yesterday I felt flutters of some kind when half asleep and also when walking up some stairs. I've never felt this kind of sensation before so I assume it must be little baby dancing up a storm in there (he or she has a lot of room!)

Or it could just be nothing!

Very, very slowly getting over this cold and since the irritation from the cold has been subsiding, my leg cramps have crept up again. No one tells you about this stuff!

People seem to be noticing my bump now, I think my colleagues are wondering if they should ask me! I'll let them figure it out on their own.

I've been reading a lot of other pregnancy blogs, particularly the birth stories, because I'm finding some comfort in knowing what other women have gone through during the birth process. I'm a huge wimp and therefore quite terrified of labour and pushing, as I've been told numerous times that it's a pain like no other. I know a few things that I really want in my birth plan, such as an epidural - preferably as late as possible so that I can have some relief right up to pushing time, and, if my hospital has one, a therapeutic tub that I can slip into when I'm in the earlier stages of labour. I'm nervous about having my husband in there with me as it's going to be quite a shock for him, however I can't imagine him NOT being there, so he'll have to tough it out.

I'm also getting a little worried about after baby comes - I have no idea how to take care of a newborn! I will likely fall back on my old pal, Research, and have a couple of books I will purchase to help ease my mind a bit.

Nothing else really going on right now, just dying to find out what we're having!

How far along?: 17 weeks

Baby is the size of a: bar of soap
Total weight gain/loss: 
The Bump: Starting to show a little bit
Symptoms: Brutal leg cramps and hip pain
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Eggs and salt & vinegar chips. No aversions still (woo!)
Sleep: Still bad. 
Weddings Rings On or Off: On
Exercise: Pretty much none so far. I am hoping to start prenatal yoga as soon as I can breathe without coughing.
Any Names Picked Out Yet: A couple of ideas but we are not set on any until we know the sex (first week in May!)
Gender Prediction: Starting to lean towards girl (Jared thinks Girl.)
Movement: Flutters, could have been baby
Maternity Clothes: None, but my jeans are on vacation now
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: Being able to consume whatever I want without having to read all the labels, consult pharmacists, or Google every little thing
Best Moment of the Week: Flutters! If it was baby. If it was nothing then I really don't know
What I’m excited about/looking forward to:  Feeling baby move and being SURE it's the baby!

16.5 Weeks - *So* Sick!

Sicker than I've ever been - and no, not from morning sickness. I rarely get colds, but when I do, they are usually over in a couple of days. THIS monster though... I've been deathly ill for a week and a half, coughing so hard I've pulled muscles in my abdomen, and sleep deprived because evidently being horizontal means that I don't get to breathe. All in all, it's been pretty darn crappy. Baby wise, no issues. My only concern has been with what is safe to take for a cold with baby. The answer? Not a whole lot.

My doctor was out of the office so I went to the walk in clinic and Dr. Apathetic told me that A) I was fine (pshhaw) and B) to get some Benylin DM & E. Sweet and kind Pharmacist Matt balked at the idea of me taking the kind with E, which contains alcohol, but said that DM was fine. Still unsure I called the healthlink, who referred me to the poison centre, who said it was probably okay in small doses. Yay!

Too bad the Benylin did nothing for me anyway. So glad I chased that phantom solution...

Hopefully next week will bring joy and baby movements and a cleared throat!

Pictures will be happening but I've been too sick to care lately. Plus, I mostly look chubby, no real bump to be excited over. Dammit.

How far along?: 16 weeks, 5 days (okay so a teeny bit more than a half.)

Baby is the size of a: small gerbil???
Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs (...honestly have had no desire to check this week.)
The Bump: I still just look irritatingly chubby.
Symptoms: Random leg cramps (normal) but hip pain has subsided a bit. 
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Eggs and bagels. No aversions still (woo!)
Sleep: Awful, terrible and bad. And other synonyms for awful, terrible and bad. 90% cough/cold related. 
Weddings Rings On or Off: On
Exercise: Coughing. 2 dog park trips (poor Luna, but she's been such a good girl.)
Any Names Picked Out Yet: A couple of ideas but we are not set on any until we know the sex (first week in May!)
Gender Prediction: Boy (Jared thinks Girl.)
Movement: None, though I thought I felt some flutters. I'm told that was likely gas... thanks.
Maternity Clothes: None yet, but stretchy pants are great!
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: Breathing. Sleeping on my back. Breathing.
Best Moment of the Week: hearing the baby's heartbeat at the doctor's :) Ah. Ma. Zing.
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Getting over the cold and feeling like a human being again! Also, the ultrasound in May. But that's a ways away.

15 Weeks - A little bump that leaves me breathless

This baby is leaving me breathless - literally! I'm noticing a major lack of air in general in my body - a simple stroll makes me feel like I am going for a jog! As the bump grows I guess that's normal, but I've been warned it will probably persist throughout the pregnancy. 

My bump really popped this week - that winter jacket is starting to fit pretty snug so I hope it warms up pretty soon! I've been sleeping a little better but definitely pulled a muscle helping Jared with snow removal yesterday, which did not help with my discomfort. Evidently my muscles and ligaments are pretty loose right now. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow (thank Goodness for Google Calendar or I would have forgotten!) and an ultrasound the first week in May, at which point I will be close to 20 weeks. I'm hoping that our baby will cooperate and show us what we're having!

No picture this week - barely a bump to show. 

How far along?: 15 weeks, 1 day
Baby is the size of a: Naval orange
Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs
The Bump: Teeny, but definitely noticeable (to me anyway)
Symptoms: Heartburn, hip pain. Pain could be Pelvic Girdle Pain - apparently you can buy a support belt for this. 
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Eggs and Twix bars (not together!) No aversions.
Sleep: Despite the pain, I'm able to sleep pretty well this week. Getting a cold though, so I wake up super thirsty.
Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Exercise: 3 dog park walks, 1 prenatal yoga session
Any Names Picked Out Yet: Waiting to find out sex (first week in May!)
Gender Prediction: Boy (Jared thinks Girl.)
Movement: None
Maternity Clothes: None. Jeans are snug.
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Red wine & my jeans

Best Moment of the Week: Ordering pizza :) Seriously.
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: My doctor's appointment tomorrow - not an ultrasound but I at least find out if my tests came back normal!