17w3d

How Far Along: 17 weeks, 3 days

Size of Baby: The baby is the size of an onion. What a weird comparison, right?

Continuing Symptoms: No symptoms anymore! I can see why every pregnant woman thinks the second trimester is wonderful. Because it is. I have energy back, I actually "look" pregnant now, no nausea, my appetite is back. It's great. Just a tiny bit of lower back pain, but it's managable.

New Symptoms This Week: Nothing to report. Yay!

Sleep: I wake up about once a night around 4 am to use the restroom, but that's it. I have no problem getting right back to sleep.

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing crazy. I've even stopped really wanting ice cream. I always have a box of Nilla wafers and Cheezits white cheddar crackers in my desk at work, though! I still love beef jerky. Weird mix of snacks!

Movement: I have felt tiny flutters, but no kicks yet. I can't wait for those!

Gender: IT'S A BOY!!! So, so, so thrilled about that.

Maternity Clothes: I need maternity pants, but I am still getting along with just a larger shirt. I'm only 5'3", so the baby really has nowhere to grow but OUT!

What I Miss: Nothing, really!
Special Pregnancy Moments: Am I a bad mother if I say that this past week has been hectic and boring and I haven't had a chance to think about pregnancy moments lately? Besides the fact that a woman in Dunkin Donuts told me yesterday that I was HUGE, and looked 7 months pregnant, not almost 5, and that my baby will be HUGE, and I might need a C-Section because my baby will be HUGE? Sheesh. I've gained 5 pounds in 18 weeks. Give me a break. I am not huge. Plus, HOW RUDE!!!

ps - I totally forgot that at the last OB appointment last week, I got to hear the baby's heartbeat. 160 bpm, like it's been for awhile. The doctor noticed that the little guy is sitting very low, underneath my belly button, probably right on my bladder. (which makes sense, since I always have to pee, but when I go, hardly anything trickles out. Ha!) I'd heard the heartbeat before, but for some reason, hearing it right there at that moment made me really feel like this was happening. It was very surreal and wonderful.

What We Are Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to the first real kick. Come'on, baby, give me some kicks!

16w1d

How Far Along: 16 weeks, 1 day

Size of Baby: The baby is the size of an avocado! Yum :)

Continuing Symptoms: My symptoms seem to have all disappeared, which is wonderful! No nausea. I have a little lower back pain, but I think that's mainly due to the fact that I sit at a desk all day.

New Symptoms This Week: Nothing to report. Yay!

Sleep: I've been waking up more often to use to the restroom in the middle of the night, but have no problem getting right back to sleep. Thank goodness for that. I love my sleep.

 Cravings/Aversions: I have always been a sweets person. I like sour candies, and butter pecan ice cream especially. I also have a thing for beef jerky right now. Weird, I know.

Movement: Nothing concrete yet. I'm so used to feeling weird movements in my belly from my Crohn's, so I don't know if this is Crohn's or baby!!! I can't wait for a real kick, and neither can Jeremy.
Gender: IT'S A BOY!!! I knew it all along. I guess there is something to be said for mother's intuition!
Maternity Clothes: I need maternity pants, but I am still getting along with just a larger shirt. I'm only 5'3", so the baby really has nowhere to grow but OUT!

What I Miss: Nothing, really!
Special Pregnancy Moments: Seeing the smile on Jeremy's face when the ultrasound clearly showed that it was a BOY. We would have been happy with a girl, but I knew Jeremy really, really wanted a boy. He could not stop smiling. It was adorable.
What We Are Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to the first real kick. Come'on, baby, give me some kicks!

Crohn's update...

So.....the Crohn's is back. Just a mild-flare up, but a flare-up nonetheless. I am plagued with abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Lovely.

I am angry.

I've only been diagnosed with Crohn's for nearly 3 years, but I can say that I hate it. I hate Crohn's disease. I'm not one of those people who will look up at the stars and say that I'm glad I have Crohn's, because it's made me the person I am today. Well, crap. I would get rid of my Crohn's in a heartbeat. I hate this shit.

I am angry that my body just can't behave. Normal pregnancy? Nope. Sorry, you get to see the high-risk OB and the GI! Normal life? Sorry, you can't eat food like a normal person without pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue and skin problems. Awesome.

A lady at work told me that she's had the stomach flu before, so she knows how it feels. Um....unless your version of the stomach flu includes bloody diarrhea, excruciating pain and vomiting FOREVER, then don't say bologna like that. You don't know how it feels, and you never will, stupid jerk.

Sigh. This post sounds very angry. Sometimes I just have to let it out. I'm so stressed out that the Crohn's will hurt the baby, or cause me to have a late miscarriage. I know it probably will all be okay, but I hate Crohn's. I hate that it will never, ever go away. I hate that it is continuously messing up my life. Shit.

In other news....we find out in 2 days if this kidlet is a boy or girl.... :)

15w0d

I can't believe I forgot to do week 14! It was such a busy week, though. My company moved to a new office, and I was at work every morning early, and totally exhausted. I promise I won't miss anymore weeks! :)

How Far Along: 15 weeks, 0 days

Size of Baby: The baby is the size of a navel orange. The idea that the baby is the size of a navel orange makes me miss home. My parent's house has 3 navel orange trees, and I remember summers of delicious, juicy oranges in the dry, hot heat. Oranges just don't taste the same in Chicago. But I'm sure this will be one sweet navel orange :)

Continuing Symptoms: My symptoms seem to have all disappeared, which is wonderful! Every once in a while, I'll get a little nausea if I forget to eat, but that's not often.

New Symptoms This Week: I've had some lower back pain lately. I hope that goes away soon, even though I have a feeling it won't.

Sleep: My sleeping habits have seem to have gone back to normal. I no longer fall asleep at 8pm! I got to bed like a normal person nowadays.
Cravings/Aversions: Nothing, really. Strange, I know. I just eat what I want, and I don't seem to crave anything particular.

Movement: I thought I felt a little bit of a flutter the other night, but I can't be sure. Should be soon, though!
Gender: I'm still very convinced it's a boy. We'll find out on November 18th, at our early 16 week scan! :)
Maternity Clothes: I am starting to get a little bump! I've only gained 3 pounds in 15 weeks, but a lady at the grocery store congratulated me on my coming baby. That was fun.

What I Miss: Nothing, really!
Special Pregnancy Moments: Having a stranger actually realize that I'm pregnant, not just fat!
What We Are Looking Forward To: In 6 days, we'll know if this little thing is a boy or a girl. Man, is your Grandma Susan getting anxious! She wants to start shopping!! :)