21 weeks

I am now 21 weeks
and baby is about the size of a carrot! So not only will baby be putting on a few more ounces a week, over the next 10 weeks I'm supposed to gain about half of the total gain for my entire pregnancy. As you can see, my belly is expanding and people are actually noticing I'm pregnant. I feel great and seeing baby yesterday made me super excited!! :)

More photos

We are trying to be better about updating our Picasa albums on a regular basis. Follow the Our photos link under My Links to see the latest.

A peek at baby

The ultrasound today was so great! It was amazing to see baby getting so big - they said baby weighs 13 oz - and to see all its parts. The technician and doc said all looks good, the brain, the heart, all the fingers and toes. You can see the little hand by its face which baby was opening and closing for us, maybe waving a little hello :)
I happen to think baby has a cute button nose and still think its a boy. Jim has been thinking baby is a girl but after the ultrasound isn't so sure. They were able to determine the gender no problem, though we chose not to find out - apparently 90% of people do find out! The technician also said my placenta is at the top of my uterus vs. the bottom which helps explain why I may not be feeling baby as much because this is an extra layer that the little kicks/pushes need to get through. The baby is on the right side of my belly which makes sense as some of what I think were movements were on that side. And, oddly enough, I have been feeling things throughout the day on the right side. As long as things keep progressing without problems, we won't see baby again until we meet in person. Long time to wait but getting that peek today was awesome.

Half way there!

Woo hoo!! I am half way there today and at 20 weeks, baby is the size of a banana - about 6.5 inches from head to bottom or 10 inches from head to heel. Of course we'll get a more accurate picture next week at the ultrasound. I can hardly wait knowing baby is growing about an inch a week from now on and considering the last time I got a peek, s/he was only about 3 inches. I am still not feeling baby on a regular basis though every now and again I think I can feel movement. My doc said that's normal and really won't be feeling regular movement for a couple more weeks. I guess at 26 weeks they have you do something called kick counting to keep tabs on baby. My belly is getting bigger - will post more pics after the weekend - and less things are fitting. Went to put on some pants this morning but no way were they going to button up. Maybe I'll need to utilize my gift card soon :)

By the way, baby's life jacket arrived the other day and it has got to be the cutest thing ever - it's tiny!! I can't wait to see baby in it.

Happy long weekend to everyone!

Lake Time

The pups love going to the lake. Though Benny is not so keen on swimming, Foxie is a natural and spends a lot of her time either chasing sticks out in the water or chasing ducks and birds out in the water thinking she can catch them. Benny tries too but he goes into the water only as far as his chest which really doesn't help in his pursuit of either sticks or ducks. They are quite funny to watch though and provide us with endless amusement. When not chasing sticks or ducks, they both love boating too. Our pups are the best.

Benny being Benny.

Getting bigger

Baby is the size of an heirloom tomato now at 19 weeks, weighing about 8.5 oz and 6 inches in length. Had a doc appt on Wednesday and tried to get her to give me an ultrasound since I'm anxious to see baby again but unfortunately no go. We did listen to the heartbeat though (as apparently we will now at every appt and is pretty great in itself) and it was nice and strong. Crazy how much faster their little hearts beat. I have my 20 week ultrasound coming up on the 29th and I'm so excited - can't wait to see our little one again. Can't believe I'm almost half way there!

Off to Clear Lake for the weekend - gonna be a hot one!

Priorities

Jim made our first official baby purchase: a US Coast Guard rated infant life jacket. Yes, boating will be baby's favorite past time.

PS. May have felt baby move last night. Or could have been digestion. I'm paying close attention...

Mother's Day

Mother's Day turned out to be a very nice day and we spent it with both moms. I also received lovely mother-to-be cards and baby got its first sleepytime blanket (boy, the spoiling begins!). My darling husband surprised me with a very sweet card including a VERY nice gift certificate to Pea in the Pod, Mimi Maternity, or any of their other brands for when I can no longer fit into my clothes...which seems to be just right around the corner. For now, Bella Bands are getting me through!

Today is...

18 weeks! Had a dream the other night that I could feel baby move (maybe it wasn't a dream??)...can't wait to feel it for real :)

Is it...

A boy?? A girl??

Well, we won't know until October 10, but we do know I am almost 18 weeks along which means I am two weeks away from being half way there!

We are finally spreading the news, just wanted to make sure all was well.

The first 11 weeks or so were full of all day sickness and baby was making me VERY tired. But luckily, that phase has passed and I'm now onto the can't-button-up-my-pants phase. So, it's finally starting to sink in that in my belly a life is quickly forming.

We are very excited about adding baby to our lives though we know there is lots to try and learn, read up on, and prepare for before his or her arrival...I guess as much as one can be prepared never having done this before. I mean, do you know how many choices of cribs, strollers, carriers, and whatever else there are?? It's a bit overwhelming but we are looking forward to the journey. So, as my belly expands, I will do my best to keep up with regular updates.