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!! :)

One more view....

I couldn't resist.

This was our second "12 week" nuchal ultrasound, as the baby didn't cooperate last time.

We got an adorable profile shot this time, where the baby looks totally human. As opposed to something out of Alien vs. Predator. Am I a bad mom already for saying that?

Anyhow, here's the little bug:

Cute, right?

Announcing...

I could not for the life of me figure out how to post the pregnancy announcement on Facebook. I mean, how should I announce it?

Just say, "Hey, guys, I'm knocked up?" I am not about to post pictures of my fat belly or slap pastel baby crap all over my Facebook wall.

I wanted it to be clever, yet not too sappy.

This is what I came up with, just in time for Halloween and fall. I lugged all 3 pumpkins out to the yard next to our apartment, and used my cell phone camera. I'm cheap. But I think it turned out rather adorable. We announced it on October 20, 2012.

The caption read, "Jeremy and I are pleased to announced that we are expecting our own little pumpkin, due May 6, 2013!"

13w0d

How Far Along: 13 weeks, 0 days

Size of Baby: The baby is the size of a peach, just about 3 inches. Getting big!

Continuing Symptoms: Exhaustion, sore breasts, crazy emotions, nausea.

New Symptoms This Week: The nausea virtually gone away, which is awesome. If I go too long without eating, I feel a little sick, but it's better.

Sleep: I am a sleep machine. I have started to take naps in my car on my lunchbreak. Yes, I really do. I'm not embarassed - I need me some naps!
Cravings/Aversions: I've noticed that I would much rather have something savory, like crackers or pickles or meat, than sweets.

Movement: Still way too early for that!
Gender: I'm still convinced it's a boy. I just can't imagine it being a girl - I will be shocked if they tell us it's a girl!
Maternity Clothes: I am starting to get a little bump! I actually lost 1 pound in the first trimester, but I know I will gain enough...

What I Miss: Having a waist! :)
Special Pregnancy Moments: Getting the nuchal screening done, seeing the baby's little profile, and getting a good report from the Genetics department!
What We Are Looking Forward To: In 3 weeks, we'll know if our kiddo is a boy or girl!

12w1d

How Far Along: 12 weeks, 1 day
Size of Baby: The baby is the size of a plum. The next-door neighbor girls used to have a plum tree in their back yard - I spent my summers swimming in their pool, only getting out to run to the plum tree to grab a plum. We would get back into the pool to wash off the sticky plum juice, and I remember having more than one bellyache from eating too many plums. This is one plum I won't be eating. Ha!
Continuing Symptoms: Exhaustion, sore breasts, crazy emotions, nausea.

New Symptoms This Week: The nausea has been very mild, but lingering. It ensures that I'm never that hungry. I haven't gained any weight yet, and I'm one week away from the 2nd trimester!

Sleep: I am a sleep machine. I have started to take naps in my car on my lunchbreak. Yes, I really do. I'm not embarassed - I need me some naps!
Cravings/Aversions: No food really sounds that good, except for cereal. I love, love cereal. I could eat Frosted Mini Wheats all dang day. But if a food doesn't sound good, you better get it away from me quick. And I do mean quick.

Movement: Still way too early for that!
Gender: I'm still convinced it's a boy. I just can't imagine it being a girl - I will be shocked if they tell us it's a girl!
Maternity Clothes: I don't understand why all women don't wear maternity pants. Hello....they are so comfortable! I don't need them, but they are unbelievably comfortable. No belly yet, sadly. I'm sure I will be as big as a house soon, though.

What I Miss: I miss the days of no nausea. Ha!
Special Pregnancy Moments: Seeing the baby look like a real little human on the ultrasound last week. So amazing.
What We Are Looking Forward To: To be honest, my Crohn's is starting to be a pain, and I can't wait to get my Remicade infusion in 3 days. It will help me feel so much better. I'm also looking forward to another peek at my plum on Friday, too! :)

Hey, you!

The 11-week ultrasound was so amazing. As soon as the ultrasound girl put the wand on my belly, the baby appeared, dancing and kicking up a storm. Except the little bugger was upside down, doing a headstand! She couldn't get exact measurements because of the baby's position, and we tried to jiggle him around and get him to move, but he was dead-set on staying in his headstand position. It looks like this baby is already very stubborn :)

It was unbelievable to see how much the baby has grown since the last ultrasound at 7 weeks. From a little lumpy blob (a cute one, but still) to a real human-looking baby! With tiny feet, tiny hands and a round little head! I could not believe it, and my smile never left my face. So very surreal. I kept thinking, "Well, hello, you. You're mine. My baby."

His little heart was beating fast at 165 bpm. It was such a relief to me to see that heartbeat flashing away. I'd been so worried over the last few weeks - I have some nausea, but no real "morning sickness," and I couldn't believe there was truly a baby inside me. Every time I see him on the screen, I am blown away. It's very sci-fi; there's another human body inside my body. I can't get over it.

I will be going back next week to get another ultrasound, and hopefully the little guy will decide to cooperate this time. I'm not complaining - I love seeing the wiggly little body appear on the screen.

I'm in love.

(Has anyone else noticed that I have been referring to the baby as "he" or "him?" I can't help it. I'm so convinced it's a little boy. If you're a girl, baby, I'm sorry!)

11w1d

I know, I know...I missed week 10. In my defense, I had the Ultimate Cold, given to me by Jeremy. I was more miserable than I've been in a long time.

 

How Far Along: 11 weeks, 1 day
Size of Baby: The baby is the size of a lime. Is it bad that all week I'll probably dream of a margarita with a slice of lime?
Continuing Symptoms: Exhaustion, sore breasts, crazy emotions.

New Symptoms This Week: I have started to have really vague, all-day nausea. Nothing crazy, but it definitely ensures that I'm not too hungry.

Sleep: I sleep all.the.time. However, I haven't been able to sleep in for awhile. The latest I've slept in has been 8am on a Saturday, which is disturbing to me. I used to love sleeping in!
Cravings/Aversions: No real cravings or aversions. One thing that always sounds good is butter pecan ice cream. But I can't eat a ton of it, which is good for my waistline. I haven't gained any weight yet, but somehow, my middle seems heavier and thicker. I'm dreading the weight gain.

Movement: Still way too early for that!
Gender: I'm still convinced it's a boy. I just can't imagine it being a girl - I will be shocked if they tell us it's a girl!
Maternity Clothes: I bought myself some H&M maternity skinny jeans this weekend. I needed a new pair of jeans to tuck into boots for the fall and winter, and figured it was about time I buy some maternity ones. No weight gain or belly yet, but my belly is tender, and it's nice to have the soft, stretchy fabric on my belly instead of the chafing jeans.

What I Miss: I miss eating big plates of food without feeling sick before/during/after. I really, really wanted a big margarita this weekend, too. :)
Special Pregnancy Moments: Realizing that I have 1 more week of the first trimester left. Also, last week when someone told me that I was going to be a mom - it really hit me. I'm someone's mom. Holy cow. When did I become an adult?
What We Are Looking Forward To: The nuchal screening ultrasound is 2 days away, and I'm really excited to have a peek at the baby. Because he/she will look like a "baby" now!