My Pregnancy Journal: Week 18

18 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

He is she is about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and keeps on growing rapidly. (That's why you're probably feeling so hungry.) Baby now may be large enough for you to feel them twisting, rolling, kicking, and punching their way around the womb. Plus, they're developing yawning and hiccuping skills (you may feel those soon, too!) and their own unique set of toe and fingerprints.

Baby's the size of a sweet potato!

My Symptoms: I'm having some trouble getting back to sleep at night after waking up. Cramping happens a little more now.

Maternity clothes?  Yes, I am rarely wearing regular clothes and if I do, it's big t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants so the maternity clothes are in full swing.

Sleep? I get at least 9 hours of sleep every night. Sometimes I get to nap and sometimes just laying down helps with the tiredness.

Best moment last week? Thanksgiving and Paul's grandmother's cooking. That italian family really goes all out for this holiday... it was delicious!! 

Movement? LOTS!!! It used to not be this much kicking but I feel baby every time I am extremely relaxed... sometimes when I'm sitting up and sometimes when I am lying down. However, I had yet to feel baby when I am standing or walking.

Weight Gain: For all I know, I am gaining a little bit each week. Last time I checked, I was 145 lbs.

Cravings: Not really. I am eating a lot of eggs and toast.

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, spicy things.

What made me cry this week: So many emotions an hormonal outbreaks... I think Paul is being extremely patient with me and I am so lucky to have him.

Medical Stuff: My next appointment is December 10th and that is hopefully when we get an ultrasound. That will be the time we find out if little baby is a little Paul or a little Mary :)

Something I am excited about: December 22nd, when Paul and I go to Colorado and cut down a Christmas tree and decorate it at my parent's house with some of my sisters and my brother :) We shall have cookies, hot cocoa, a fire in the fireplace, Christmas movies, wrapped presents, yummy home cooked meals, and more!! (etc.) SOOOO EXCITED!!!

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 17

17 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

Baby is about the size of your palm, weighs about five ounces, and is developing some body fat (join the club, baby!). Their heart is now regulated by their brain (no more random beats) to beat 140 to 150 times per minute — about twice as fast as yours! What else is up? They're practicing the survival skills they'll need at birth — like sucking and swallowing.

My Symptoms: Tired. Tired. And more tired. I have heartburn at night and I am getting some dizzy spells. Also, back pains are starting to get bad. I know this is nothing to what I'll be experiencing later so I'm trying not to complain too much ;)

Maternity clothes?  Yes, I am rarely wearing regular clothes and if I do, it's big t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants so the maternity clothes are in full swing.

Sleep? I try and sleep as much as I can. It's beginning to get difficult going back to sleep at night after waking up to use the bathroom. I find myself sleeping on my back a lot and I'm hoping I get into the habit of sleeping on my side real soon before it's a huge adjustment with the growing belly. 

Best moment last week? My brother, Tim, and one of my best friends, Kelly, came to visit for the weekend and it was a very good visit. They even cooked us dinner one night. Paul was happy to have someone to watch football with in the living room and I was thankful to have someone to watch chic-flicks with me in the other room. All in all, it was a very lovely visit and I will get to see both of them at Christmas time :)

Movement? I felt the first kick of baby this past Monday night. It felt so weird and at first I wanted it to stop because it was a little uncomfortable. Now all I want to do is feel the baby kicking.

Weight Gain: Since last doctor's visit, I'm not so sure. I did weigh myself after the turkey dinner today and I'm at 149 lbs. So I guess I've gained 4 lbs. since my last visit. Although, I weighed myself this morning and I was back to 143... so I gained 7 lbs. in the span of 6 hrs... lovely.

Cravings: No cravings... food sensitivity (smells, tastes, and textures are heightened)

Food Aversions: I found out from the dinner Kelly and Tim cooked that I despise cilantro. I felt so bad not eating the main dish (chicken marinated in a mix with lots of cilantro). They did cook cheesy potatoes and salad with avocados so that was yummy!

What made me cry this week:I have been having trouble with one of my wisdom teeth as well as my stomach so I stayed home from work Monday and Tuesday to go to the dentist and just stay in bed. I cried from the pains, but that's really all that's made me cry this week. Homesickness is another thing, but I have done everything in my power not to cry so I think I'm doing well with this :)

Medical Stuff: I am getting my wisdom teeth (all four) out on January 2nd. In the meantime, I will be on antibiotics because of an infection I got on my bottom right wisdom tooth.

 
Something I am excited about: Even though today is still Thanksgiving, I am so so so excited about Christmas!! I am excited about the music, the decorations, and the whole 'feel' of the holiday. I am still so excited about going home to Colorado and I know I'm going to hate leaving when the time comes. It's just so exciting when the whole family (and it's a big family) is there and we have such a good time :)

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 16

16 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

 

Baby is about the size of an avacado this week. He/she is about 4.6 inches long and weighs about 3.5 ounces.  The bones that are now in place in their ears means they can probably hear your voice as you talk to your partner and pals and sing in the car. While they're getting used to your voice, the tiny muscles in their body, especially the ones in their back, are gaining strength, so they can straighten out a little more. And thanks to their developing facial muscles, baby is capable of making a few expressive frowns and squints, even at this early stage. And their eyes are finally working, making small side-to-side movements and perceiving light (although the eyelids are still sealed).

My Symptoms: Tired (when will this pass?!). I get hungry again after eating less than an hour before. My back has been aching a bit but it hasn't been too uncomfortable. Growing belly (duh) and emotional outbreaks... I forget I am pregnant sometimes and begin to plan a weight loss routine in my mind because I look and feel so unlike what I'm used to.

Maternity clothes?  Yep! It may be time to go shopping for new pants. I am no longer a size 4 or 6 anymore :'(

Sleep? I sleep a LOT! Poor Paul. When he gets home from work, it's dinner time and then off to bed with me. He's so understanding with all of this, it's wonderful.

Best moment last week? Paul's mom, dad, and sister stopped by for a few hours to visit us last Sunday. They took us to CiCi's Pizza for lunch and then hung out at our apartment for half an hour or so before returning to Saint Louis. It was nice to have company over (especially since we usually don't host a lot).

Movement? Baby has been moving a lot. When the doctor felt around for the heartbeat, she would find it and then lose it again because baby was so active. I haven't felt the fluttering feeling all that much, unless I have just gotten used to it and don't notice anymore.

Weight Gain: Last Friday was the start of week 16. When I weighed in, I cam to 145 lbs. Before I was 143, so a total of 2  pounds gained.

Cravings:  No real cravings. I was having a down night one night so Paul took me to DQ and I got an oreo cookie blizzard. Other than that, no real craving... YET! :)

Food Aversions:  None really. I don't like spicy spaghetti sauce. I still don't like tomato soup.

What made me cry this week: Teeny tiny annoyances... like Paul not washing a pot or not emptying the dishwasher. Silly silly... and he totally goes along with it apologizing and comforting me (lol, goodness that sounds so stupid)

Medical Stuff:  I had an appointment last Friday and all is well. Next month's appointment will entail an ultrasound (we found out if baby is a 'he' or 'she')!!! How exciting!

Something I am excited about: Tomorrow, one of my best friends (Kelly Ann) is coming into town... with my older brother (Tim)! Paul and I are so excited!!! We will have a wonderful weekend of relaxation, movies, games, food, alcohol, and my virgin shirley temples :)

I'm counting down the days until we leave to go to Colorado for Christmas!!! We leave Saint Louis at 6am on the 22nd of December :) EXCITING!!!

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 15

15 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

Baby is about the size of an orange this week, their ears have migrated to the sides of their head, and their eyes are moving to the front of theri face. Plus, the little smarty-pants can now wiggle their fingers and toes and make breathing movements in preparation for life outside the womb.  

My Symptoms: I'm still extremely tired and find myself in bed at 8pm every night. I read for an hour or so, but I just have to have the comfort of my bed to get relaxed. 

Maternity clothes?  Loose long shirts still. The time has come when buttoning my jeans cannot be achieved. I use hairties to secure them now. My sister also sent me a band for a sort of covering and holding together of the pants, which will be very handy in the next few months. I have a white one and a beige colored one so I'm prepared!

Sleep? Even though I wake up throughout the night  to use the bathroom, I get about 9 hrs a night, which is wonderful (but I'm still tired!) 

Best moment last week? We had a much needed relaxing weekend at home. I was able to take a nap on Saturday. We went to confession and mass on Saturday night. Then all Sunday I was able to get the laundry done and folded. It was just so nice to have that.

Movement? I still feel the fluttering/ butterfly feeling, but not as much (or I've just gotten used to that feeling).  

Weight Gain: I'm not keeping track every week, so I have no clue. My next docto'rs appointment is on Friday so we shall see then. Last weigh in, I was at 143 lbs.

Cravings:  I still have a soft spot for french fries or hashbrowns. I haven't had any in a couple of weeks. I haven't been wanting dinner, but I've made myself 2 fried eggs for the past few nights and that seems to satisfy me.

Food Aversions:  Anything I make seems to not agree with my stomach or sense of smell. It seems like a good idea when I'm making it, like chicken parmesan, but then I cannot eat it. I think this whole cooking dinner thing is a turn off for my stomach. Odd.

What made me cry this week: Frustrations and worries about some upcoming events.

Medical Stuff:  My next appointment is on Friday so that update will be with my week 16 journal.

Something I am excited about: Still excited for Christmas!!!! My brother and his girlfriend are coming to visit next weekend. That's a funny story because his girlfriend happens to be one of my best friends from college and they both were in the wedding and that's how they met. Crazy but so so cool. Also, my temporary job ends in the next few weeks and I am ready to try and experience something new. Lot's of happenings! :)

My wonderful brother, Tim, and his beautiful girlfriend, Kelly Ann. She's been in a few pictures in My Little Life. They are so great! :)