Another Flutter For This Mother...

I have felt the baby move a few times here and there... just a little bit at the time. Well, last night I was laying in bed singing to the baby. When I stopped singing [songs my mother sang to me when I was a child], Baby B fluttered quite a bit more than in the past. Then Baby B stopped moving around. I wanted to feel the flutter sensation again, so I started rubbing my belly and poking around where I felt the movement. Next thing I know: Baby B started squirming around (a lot!) in response to the pressure of my touch! The baby was moving so much it felt like my muscles were a wave that constantly kept rippling through the inside of my tummy. It actually tickled! I started giggling with glee. Matt came into the bedroom wondering what I was laughing at. I told him I was laughing at how much the baby moving tickled me... because I'd never felt that much movement before. It was so incredibly amazing! What a precious gift from God! We are so thankful to have this little bundle of joy that will be coming into our lives very soon.

Almost forgot to mention: had a dream the other night that I was in labor for 24 hours! When the baby arrived it was a boy. He looked up at me and just smiled away. Love those little baby smiles in my dreams!

Guacamole

I am now in the 16th week of my pregnancy! Baby B is about the size of an avocado... 4.5 inches long and 3.5 ounces. Within the next few weeks baby is supposed to double in size! Hello growth spurt! Baby B's legs are more developed this week and his/her head sits more upright on his/her shoulders. Also, the eyes and ears are moving closer to their final positions. The patterning of the scalp has begun... wonder if baby's hair will grow clockwise or counterclockwise? Maybe it will just stick straight up like Matt's hair! Toenails growing and Baby B's little heart is already pumping 25 quarts of blood per day! This little baby has my heart! I treasure my baby. This is one avocado we will not be smashing into guacamole.

In other news: friends are starting to get a little freaked out by seeing me with a belly. I've always had a super flat tummy, so people are not used to seeing me with a little something in the front. It's cute! I love it! Even though it isn't much... it's there. And it continues to expand. I have now gained a total of 6 pounds. One of my friends poked my belly and was a little weirded out by how firm it was. He was like... "UGH! It's supposed to be squishy!" We all laughed.

Did I mention I love being pregnant? And I love this baby! I am enjoying every minute of this experience!

And... It Was Good

Good Bible Study Tonight!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably above all that we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Ephesians 3:20-21

Today...

Today I purchased Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for a fundraiser and ate half the box! Delicious! It stinks that the closest Krispy Kreme is an hour away!

Today I heard the baby's heart beat again! 160 beats per minute. I love that sound! It is my favorite part about my doc appointments! [Everything is right on track for 15 weeks.]

Today I was told the consult would be put in the system so I can schedule my 20 week ultrasound appointment. That's right, in 4.5 weeks, we will find out the sex of the baby!

Today I talked to my mom. I miss her (and the rest of my family!) dearly!

Today was a good day. Hope everyone else had a good day too.

Cravings

People keep asking what cravings I've been having. I was going to take a picture to post with this entry, but I still haven't gotten around to doing it, so enough with the waiting. I'm just going to post, photo-less.

I knew I was pregnant the moment I craved: FRENCH FRIES! Matt and I had just finished eating sushi for dinner. I had a huge meal. And immediately afterward, I had to have french fries. I wanted McDonald's french fries. I wanted them right then. And I wanted them to be hot and salty and crispy! Well, I got what I wanted. We went to McD's and those fries were perfect! I ate the whole thing in less than 5 minutes! And they were delicious! Matt told me not to read too much into that craving. He didn't want me to get my hopes up, especially after being disappointed so many times before after finding out we still were not pregnant. But I knew. A few days later, I took the home pregnancy test, and voila! Pregnant and Expecting. Check! In cherishing that memory, I wrote a (cheesy) little poem to celebrate the moment. Here it is:


ODE TO A FRENCH FRY

Golden one,
Like the sun,
You make my life complete.

As hormones rage, it makes me crave
& you are what I need.

McDonald's fries,
I only have eyes
For your crispy, salty sticks.

Thanks a bunch
For the crunch...
(I have a hunch, I'll continue to munch)
On such a delicious treat!


Lately at work I have been craving Nestle Crunch ice cream bars. Also very yummy! I haven't had any weird cravings yet. No pickles and ice cream for me, thanks.

Apple Of My Eye

Baby B, the apple of my eye, is now approximately 4 inches long (and is compared to the size of... yep, you guessed it... an apple!) and weighs approx. 2.5 ounces. Major developments this week are: primitive air sacs in lungs start to form; legs are growing longer than arms; and Baby B can sense light (eyelids still remain fused shut). Also, taste buds are starting to form as well.

Felt another little flutter of movement from Baby B (I was rocking in our recliner) and I still can't get over what an amazing feeling that is. I've started talking and singing to the baby a lot. Hopefully Baby B will be comforted by my voice. Also, I've started cleaning out the house... trying to get rid of stuff we haven't used to make room for baby. And now that I've started, I don't want to stop. I almost wish I could get rid of (almost) everything and just start all over with a clean slate. But that isn't feasible, so I'll just have to continue cleaning out one box at a time. I've been feeling a lot of stretching lately... guess my body is just adjusting to the on-going expansion. And my tummy is getting much more firm. All in preparation for baby. I love being pregnant! Just wish I was closer to my family! Really missing home now-a-days.

Well, that's all for now. Goodnight.

Thought For The Day

"IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO RELEASE THE FAMILIAR AND SEEMINGLY SECURE, TO EMBRACE THE NEW. BUT THERE IS NO REAL SECURITY IN WHAT IS NO LONGER MEANINGFUL. THERE IS MORE SECURITY IN THE ADVENTUROUS AND EXCITING, FOR IN MOVEMENT THERE IS LIFE, AND IN CHANGE THERE IS POWER."

~ Alan Cohen

Praying For The Right Path

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

I've always known that I would like to stay home and raise kids... maybe find a job that allows me to work from home so I can be with my children, and help bring in a little income on the side. With each passing day I want this more and more. I would love to have my baby knowing I would not have to go back to work in 6 weeks. To keep working or stay home with baby, that is the question. I pray that God guides me to make the right decision for my family, and that I find understanding in what He has planned.

New Ultrasound Photos

I love how you can see the spine in the second photo.

Squeezed in an ultrasound of Baby B today. These photos really aren't very clear, but I thought I would post them anyway. Baby B was sleeping in a normal position when we first started the ultrasound. Then, he/she did a backwards somersault, but stopped halfway and continued napping. The head is towards the bottom left and the torso looks more upright (except it's really upside down). And the little legs go up and back over the head towards the left. Baby B looked contorted. It also looked like the baby hiccuped a couple of times. I really wanted to see a lot of movement, but no such luck. I even jumped around a little and shook my belly too. Baby B wasn't having any of it... just kept on sleeping.

Flutterbies

Butterflies? No, Flutterbies! Today I felt Baby B move for the very first time! It was the most amazing, wonderful sensation I've ever felt in my whole life! I was sitting down in front of the computer typing a note at work this afternoon, and then I felt a fantastic little flutter! I knew right away what kind of flutter that was! So very cool! Totally stoked about being pregnant! Absolutely going to love being a mommy! Also, my belly has "bumped." Usually after eating dinner I get what I call a "puppy belly" (because when puppies eat their stomachs pooch out) and by morning it disappears. Well, this morning the "baby belly" remained "popped" out. Wahoo! Yet a few more little milestones in the wonderful world of my pregnancy!

My Main Squeeze

Another Baby Update! I am in week 14 of my pregnancy and have now entered my second trimester! Wahoo! Supposedly I am moving out of the danger zone and worst-case scenarios of losing baby percentage-wise decrease significantly. Wahoo, Wahoo!

This week Baby B is around 3.5 inches long, about the size of a lemon... my main citrus squeeze! Major developments this week: Baby B is using facial expressions, giving those cheek muscles a good workout. Kidneys are producing urine which Baby B releases into the amniotic fluid around him/her. Baby can grasp and may possibly be sucking his/her thumb. [I'm gonna have to mention to Baby B that this is a bad habit which can cause those little teeth to grow in crooked. Braces for me were inevitable. And yes, I was a thumb-sucker.] Baby B should weigh around 1.5 ounces. And head now sits on a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, our baby's arms should stretch out to be in proportion with the rest of his/her body. Also, the liver is starting to produce bile and ultra-fine hair is starting to cover the entire body. Last, but not least, the spleen is starting to help with the production of red blood cells. Lots going on this week for baby.

Another Baby Dream:
Last night I had a dream that I was playing with my baby, and to me, it was the most beautiful baby in the whole wide world. I was just giggling away. I love these happy little baby dreams. Makes me feel like I am bonding with Baby B.

On Saturday, Baby B and I received our first tummy rub from a stranger. WE were attending a bridal shower and the hostess asked to rub my belly. She said she just loved to feel babies. (Of course, since I'm only 3 months along, there wasn't much movement to be felt.) Just another little milestone. Since she asked, I didn't feel uncomfortable having her rub my tummy like I was a little Buddha. I think a random stranger walking by on the street who stops to rub my belly might freak me out a little more. At that point, I plan on reaching out and rubbing their belly as well. I'll keep you posted on what kinds of reactions I get.

Tonight, Matt and I went to Burlington Coat Factory to seriously start looking at baby stuff. We were taking strollers off of the shelves to see how they rolled. We put them back of course. Tried walking around with the carriers. Yep, that weight + weight of baby = mommy needs to start lifting more weights! My little 3-pounders aren't going to do my string bean arms any justice. Had so much fun. Just wish I knew the sex of the baby. Then we could really get into it!

Well, I guess that's all for right now. I still have belly pics from last week to post. Maybe I'll post those tomorrow. Goody! Something to look forward to...

Good Little Patient

Taking care of my hubby tonight. He's such a good little patient! Wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow; would love to be able to stay home and get him whatever he needs whenever he needs it.

Week 13

It's the last week of my first trimester (wk 13). Baby B is nearly 3 inches long and weighs almost an ounce. Fingerprints are now present on the tips of those tiny fingers, and every vein and organ can clearly be seen through the still very transparent skin. Also, Baby B's body is now starting to catch up with the size of his/her head.

Week 13 is off to a spooky start. Last night I had a nightmare. In this scary dream, I was stuck in a metal box. There were no windows or slats to peer out of and I could not stretch out my arms or legs. The box was very cramped. Then, for a brief moment I had X-ray vision. I could see into the room. There were lots of metal boxes, and each box had a person trapped inside. The box in front of me moved forward (kind of like on a conveyor belt). When the box came to a stop, there was a faceless man standing over it. The man poured some kind of liquid, either alcohol or lighter fluid, over the box and then set the box on fire. I started to panic. Next, my box moved forward and the faceless man was standing over me. I could hear him pour liquid over the box. I started screaming "my baby, my baby!" The box ignited. In my nightmare, I could actually feel the intensity of the fire/heat. I couldn't get out and kept screaming "my baby!" When I woke up, I was covered in sweat. Creepy.

Had fun this past weekend. Saturday night was game night at a friend's house. Pizza, chips, brownies (the most moist/delicious brownies I have ever eaten in my life!). Apples to Apples and Buzz Word. Thanks Zach and Kaylee for hosting a fun evening! (Too bad I forgot to bring my camera!)

That's all for now. Will try to post new belly pics soon!

The Big Two ** Eight

Celebrated the Big Two ** Eight with my husband tonight. He made me a beautiful card! Just wanted to say thanks to all of my family and friends who sent warm birthday wishes my way. I am truly blessed. Love you guys!

Disclaimer:

Images in the looking glass are not always as they appear. Today's image is distorted.

Having a bit of a rough day today. The hand-held silver frame could use a good polishing. As for the glass... I'm afraid it's the reflective strip on the inside that needs a little work. Feels like the antique mirror fell - crashing to the floor and I am down on my luck. Used to keep everything bottled up on the inside. Said to hell with it and perhaps gave the world too much honesty. Feeling misunderstood.

Tomorrow is a new day. Trying to find some balance. Thursday will be a new year [for me]... definitely something to look forward to! A new chapter. That will make you want to turn the page.

Limetastic!

Baby B's 12 week update: Our little baby is now about the size of a lime (2 inches long) and weighs half an ounce! I am still amazed at how quickly the baby is growing... I just cannot get over it! According to the Baby Center website, the most noticeable changes occurring now are that Baby B is developing reflexes! Baby is opening and closing fingers and toes, muscles are clinching and he/she is making sucking movements with his/her mouth. It is said that if we were to push around on my belly, Baby B would squirm in response. Now that I would love to see and feel! Baby B's intestines are starting to move into the abdominal cavity and the kidneys are starting to excrete urine into the bladder. Also, our baby is starting to "look more human" as eyes and ears are now in place. I would love to get another ultrasound picture, just to compare the changes in Baby B over the last two weeks. Who's arm could I twist to get another photo of my baby?