AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Well, folks - I guess there was no way to avoid them. I have been rubbing stretch mark cream all over for a while now but apparently I was destined to have stretch marks. From what I have read, it pretty much comes down to genetic predisposition for them. Unfortunately, I am one of those lucky ladies. I guess I will have to accept it now that I am resigned to a lifetime of tankinis. Oh well - it will be totally worth it!
I found this little blurb about postpartum stomachs and it makes me feel a little better. :)
"A mark for every breath you took, every blink, every sleepy yawn. One for every time you sucked your thumb, waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness. One for every time you had the hiccups. One for every dream you dreamed within me. It isn't very pretty anymore. Some may even think it ugly. That's OK. It was your home. It's where I first grew to love you, where I lay my hand as I dreamed about who you were and who you would be. It held you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it."
Kelsey
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
20 Weeks!
HOLY MOLY we have hit the halfway point! Yesterday was the official twenty week mark, putting us over halfway done with this pregnancy. In some ways, time has flown by. In other ways, December feels SO far away. Yesterday, we had our 20 week "fetal survey" ultrasound, where the ultrasound technician measured all of our baby's organs, bones, limbs, etc. I am SO happy to report that our baby is 100% healthy. We confirmed (again) that we are having a boy and we are just so relieved and glad that he is developing on schedule. I actually measured 20 weeks and 3 days, which would land him being born on Christmas Day. We are hoping he is fashionably early. :)
In other pregnancy news, I am starting to swell up. By the end of the day, my feet look and feel a little puffy. A couple of nights ago I couldn't see my ankle bones. Scary. Thankfully, my wedding ring still fits and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can wear it throughout my pregnancy. I have gained 14 pounds in these 20 weeks, which is right on target for normal, healthy pregnancy weight gain. Although it is disheartening to see the scale creep up so steadily. My goal is to not end up weighing more than my husband. :)
Our baby is now the size of a cantaloupe! He gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, I will need to think about what I would like your future child to eat as I prepare my own lunch!
And here is the 20 week bump picture:
In honor of hitting the halfway point, I also took a bare belly picture. I won't post many of these but wanted to document the changes!
We also have a bunch of pictures that I need to post from yesterday's ultrasound appointment so those are coming your way shortly.
In other pregnancy news, I am starting to swell up. By the end of the day, my feet look and feel a little puffy. A couple of nights ago I couldn't see my ankle bones. Scary. Thankfully, my wedding ring still fits and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can wear it throughout my pregnancy. I have gained 14 pounds in these 20 weeks, which is right on target for normal, healthy pregnancy weight gain. Although it is disheartening to see the scale creep up so steadily. My goal is to not end up weighing more than my husband. :)
Our baby is now the size of a cantaloupe! He gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, I will need to think about what I would like your future child to eat as I prepare my own lunch!
And here is the 20 week bump picture:
In honor of hitting the halfway point, I also took a bare belly picture. I won't post many of these but wanted to document the changes!
We also have a bunch of pictures that I need to post from yesterday's ultrasound appointment so those are coming your way shortly.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Evelynn Lorie Baker
Meet my future daughter-in-law, Evelynn Lorie Baker. :) Evelynn is the new baby of my wonderful friends, Ashley and Joel. Ashley is one of my best friends from college and was a bridesmaid in my wedding. They live in San Diego but we are going to visit in September to meet their newest addition. Evelynn was born on August 5th and weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 3 weeks early! I am hoping our little boy takes the hint that it's cool to arrive early and surprise everyone. :)
Welcome to the world baby Evelynn!
Welcome to the world baby Evelynn!
Childcare
Great news! Luke's boss has agreed to let him work from home while watching the baby on Wednesdays after I return to work. Which means we just need to find childcare for our little boy on Mondays and Tuesdays. I am looking into ALL options, including daycare centers, at home daycare centers, nannies, etc. If you have any recommendations, please send them my way!
I like the idea of having someone I know watch the baby or putting him in a daycare center where there is some accountability. I am not very comfortable hiring a nanny that I don't know until he is old enough to tell me what he does during the day. :)
Seriously, recommendations for childcare are welcome!
I like the idea of having someone I know watch the baby or putting him in a daycare center where there is some accountability. I am not very comfortable hiring a nanny that I don't know until he is old enough to tell me what he does during the day. :)
Seriously, recommendations for childcare are welcome!
Random Monday Thoughts
I wish I was shopping or decorating for the baby right now instead of working!
I need to register at the hospital by Wednesday.
I am eagerly awaiting our 20 week fetal survey appointment this week.
I can't wait for my baby showers! :)
I am SO happy Luke is home from camp. Life isn't as good without him in it.
I love feeling our baby kick.
I need to register at the hospital by Wednesday.
I am eagerly awaiting our 20 week fetal survey appointment this week.
I can't wait for my baby showers! :)
I am SO happy Luke is home from camp. Life isn't as good without him in it.
I love feeling our baby kick.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
19 Weeks!
Almost halfway! Time is feeling like it's starting to slow down again. Now that we know we are having a boy and I am feeling some movement, I just want December to be here already. I don't want to wait 4 1/2 more months! We can't wait to meet our son.
Feeling the baby move has been sporadic. I feel him most often after I eat or in the evenings. I feel more definitive thumps now, which is such a great feeling. I am excited to feel him moving more frequently and more strongly, hopefully so Luke can feel him soon too.
We have our 20 week "fetal survey" next Wednesday, which is a high resolution ultrasound to measure his development and take a look at his organs and limbs and make sure everything is functioning properly. This is the ultrasound we would have found out the sex of the baby if I hadn't done the Siemens ultrasound model thing. I am so glad I didn't have to wait this long!
I am getting excited for the fall, which will bring a bigger belly and some baby showers! I seriously can't wait. I am so excited.
Baby's now the size of a mango! I swear an onion is bigger than a mango, but oh well. The food analogies are kind of fun. Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) We might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.
Luke is out of town again this week, so I had to take another picture of myself. So, here it is, the 19 week bump picture:
Feeling the baby move has been sporadic. I feel him most often after I eat or in the evenings. I feel more definitive thumps now, which is such a great feeling. I am excited to feel him moving more frequently and more strongly, hopefully so Luke can feel him soon too.
We have our 20 week "fetal survey" next Wednesday, which is a high resolution ultrasound to measure his development and take a look at his organs and limbs and make sure everything is functioning properly. This is the ultrasound we would have found out the sex of the baby if I hadn't done the Siemens ultrasound model thing. I am so glad I didn't have to wait this long!
I am getting excited for the fall, which will bring a bigger belly and some baby showers! I seriously can't wait. I am so excited.
Baby's now the size of a mango! I swear an onion is bigger than a mango, but oh well. The food analogies are kind of fun. Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) We might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.
Luke is out of town again this week, so I had to take another picture of myself. So, here it is, the 19 week bump picture:
Monday, August 1, 2011
Movement!
Finally, we have some movement! Yesterday as I was waking up, I could definitely feel some thumps. It actually felt like a muscle spasm but I think it was little kicks. Then, after breakfast, I felt even more movement. What an incredible feeling. It put a huge smile on my face. I can't wait until Luke can feel it too. Amazing!
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