Week 22: My Pregnancy Journey

How big is baby L?
 This week baby boy has reached approximately 1 lb and is nearly 11 inches long or about the length of a spaghetti squash (pictured below).

Source: babycenter.com

He's starting to look like a miniature newborn and according to babycenter his lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. Not only that, but his eyes have formed, but the irises still lack pigment. This whole development process still amazes me. Such a tiny miracle.

How I'm changing?
Confession time. I think I keep procrastinating on my weekly updates because I don't want to talk about weight gain. While I'm super proud of my growing belly and I don't think I look bad, I'm still not totally comfortable with gaining weight. Your solution to this problem is probably to step off the scale and only look once a month at my doctors appointments, but for me I really think my weekly weigh ins keep me in check. To be realistic about everything, what needs to happen is I need to go to the grocery store and plan my meals. I literally have not been on a real weekly grocery store trip in two weeks. I don't plan my meals, which leads us to going out to eat a lot. Too much. This, I know, really affects my weight gain. I'm probably eating too much and need more nutritious foods in my life. Okay, that's enough of my sob story. I won't avoid it anymore. I've gained approx. 11-12 lbs so far. While this doesn't seem bad and I guess its not. My main concern is that I've gained about 7.5 lbs in the last month. That's an average of ~2 lbs per week and I'm not okay with this. Rant/Confession over. Here's my 22 week pic:

I include a pic of G because every week when we go to take my picture, she lays on the carpet in the exact same spot. She probably thinks I'm a wierdo and her face reads "Here we go again..."

Also, I need to learn to take my picture at the beginning of the day and not at the end. I look tired. Not many other changes this week. Still feeling good and I think there are several reasons for this:

1.) Weekly chiropractic adjustments
2.) 90 minutes of yoga once a week
3.) An amazing pregnancy pillow (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000T5PMZ4) 

What else is going on?
We have a busy Memorial weekend planned and we are very excited. My sis-in-law is graduating from college and we are attending our first baby shower. I'll have a recap next week. Other than that we've been dodging tornadoes. You know it's bad when you have a pillow and blanket stashed in the basement under the staircase and it's been used at least twice a week. We are very lucky and continue to pray for those who have been effected by the tornado outbreaks.


 

Nursery Inspiration

I've been hemming and hawing over the nursery for the last month and a half. After our ultrasound and finding out we were having a boy, I was finally able to dive right in. Here were some inspiration pics I had:

Source: sarahrichardson.com

Source: sarahrichardson.com

This was my inspiration even before we knew we were having I boy. I wanted to do light and calming colors. Sarah Richardson is one of my all time favorite designers. Her look is very clean with fun pops of color. I became obsessed with her after watching many episodes of Sarah's House on hgtv.com Here is our nursery plan:

From top left to right:

Artwork
Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/72478542/the-trio-nursery-wall-art-print

Wall color-Behr Swiss Coffee
Source: http://frugalfarmhousedesign.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

Weimaraner stuffed animal
Source: This was a gift from one of M's co-workers a long time ago. It's been tough keeping this one out of Gracie's mouth.

Waverly Chippendale Fretwork Mineral 

Source: http://www.artisticfabrics.com/waverlysunnshadechippendalefretworkmineraloutdoorfabric.aspx

Robert Allen Square Pegs Mist
Source: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2699&PRODID=zprd_02320778a&AID=10843226&PID=3872207&SID=skim1847X546955Xcc5576366ff795aaaeafa8b7401c66f4

Craigslist French Provencial Dresser painted with Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue
Source: Personal Photo

Artwork

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/70481475/taller-than-you-nursery-wall-art-print

Munire Morgan Safe Side Crib
Source: http://www.treasurerooms.com/Safe-Side-Cribs/Morgan-Safe-Side-Crib-Compliment-to-RockPort/MUN-M300/900-9002-90218/Product

I plan to make the artwork myself with fun scrapbook paper and white frames. The fabric will be used to make a crib skirt and curtains. My mother-in-law is incredible at sewing and will be making both of these for us. The crib skirt will be in the Robert Allen fabric and the curtains will be in the Waverly fabric. As the room comes together I know we will be adding more odds and ends. We plan to purchase a glider in white wood with tan fabric. We will also add a white night stand with a lamp. Other than that I would like the room to be as streamlined as possible. I know babies require a lot of stuff, but I'm hoping to keep things as uncluttered as possible.

Week 21: My Pregnancy Journal

How Big is the baby?
Hello, banana. Again... Well, different sites say different things. Last week thebump.com said baby L was as big as a cantaloupe, which I guess I was in denial about because I didn't post that picture. Honestly, that just didn't make sense to me. This week they say as long as banana and that makes more sense.Babycenter.com says this week that baby is as long as a carrot. Anyway, we all know the length of these fruits and vegetables vary so we will just go with banana again.

Courtesy of thebump.com

Baby L is now about 10.5" long and 12.7 oz. He is inching toward that 1 lb mark and should hit that in the next few weeks. Baby boy is practicing his swallowing and digesting. His taste buds are even kicking in, so I should probably stop eating so many sweets and start eating more fruits and veggies so he has a taste for good, healthy food. He's also moving a lot more and I'm beginning to feel him more and more everyday.

How I'm changing?
Still feeling good. Weight gain is about 9-10 lbs. No real symptoms lately and no real cravings. I do want some buttered popcorn and I keep talking about going to the movies just so I can get popcorn. My energy levels are high and I've been staying up past 10 most nights.

What else is going on?
I've been having a blast planning the nursery and I plan to do a post on my ideas later this week. We ordered the crib this past Saturday and the dresser is now in the guest room, which will become the nursery. I absolutely love the dresser and am so excited about the purchase and repaint job my sister and I did.

In other news, time is flying by. Every week and weekend just keeps rushing by us and I stop and wonder if this is what the rest of my life will be like with a child. Will there be times when I feel like things slow down?? This upcoming weekend is pretty low key and we only have one scheduled event so far. Memorial day weekend will be super busy, but I look forward to seeing lots of friends and family and celebrating birthdays, my sis-in-laws graduation and the baby boy.

It's a ....

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails,
That’s what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and everything nice,
That’s what little girls are made of.

What are young men made of, made of?
What are young men made of?
Sighs and leers and crocodile tears;
That’s what young men are made of.
What are young women made of, made of?
What are young women made of?
Rings and jings and other fine things;
That’s what young women are made of. 

 What Are Folks Made Of, by Robert Southey 

Wednesday we were able to see our beautiful baby BOY! He is growing strong and healthy. He is 11 oz. and 9-10" long and measuring right at 20 weeks. He was a little shy at first and was facing my back. Cuddling up with his hands by his face. I'm trying to get the pictures up here and will hopefully figure it out today.

Week 20: My Pregnancy Journey

Halfway there!!

How Big is the baby?
Our little banana:

This week baby L is about 10" in length from head to heel and weighs ~10.5 oz. Tomorrow we will know more about the baby's size and much, much more.

How I'm changing?
I continue to gain weight. I say this like it shouldn't be happening. I'm not quite sure what my total weight gain is, as the scale has been fluctuating in the last few days. I would say total weight gain at this point is between 8-9 lbs. Here is my picture halfway through:

 Oh and here is Grace's appearance for the week. Poor thing. It looks like my belly is smashing her head ;)

What else is going on?
Sunday we celebrated a wonderful mother's day at my sister's house. I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful mothers I know. Each and every one of them has taught me what it means to be a great mother.

Tomorrow is the big day. Looking forward to seeing Baby L. 

Is this insomina? I've never met you before...

If you know me, then you know that sleep is never an issue for me. M laughs at me because at the end of the day it usually takes me about three pages of my book and I fall asleep with the book open and my glasses still on. Tonight is a different story. I fell asleep around 10:15 and woke up at 12:30 and have been wide awake since. What's been on my mind:

1. Schedule for the baby (yes, veteran Moms, you are probably laughing right now). I started reading Babywise and I just finished the chapter on feeding. So that's where my brain is and it's awesome.... Nothing like having five months of being pregnant left and already worrying about a schedule. A girl can dream right.

2. Cribs. Good lord. There are so many brands and models and blah blah blah. I saw Babies R Us has 20% off of their nursery furniture until the end of May so this has put me into overdrive to make a decision. Really...sometimes I wish this decision could be simpler.

3. This should be number 1 because I'm sure this why I actually got out of bed. Most of the time when I can't sleep I just surf the Internet on my phone. I was hungry. I had a piece of peanut butter bread and a glass of milk (Sorry G.)

4.Finally, or at least hopefully I'm thinking about how tired I am going to be at work tomorrow. Hopefully, I can get to bed in the next 15 minutes so that I can get at least 3 more hours of sleep.

Alright time for bed.

Week 19: My Pregnancy Journey

Almost half way there! Unbelievable...

How Big is the Baby?

This week Baby L is the size of a mango. Weighing in at 8.5 oz and 6" in length.

Photo courtesy of thebump.com

It's hard to believe 10 weeks ago you only weighed .07 oz. Boy oh boy are you growing. Speaking of gender, next week will be your big reveal and we are looking forward to that day. We can't wait to see how you've grown from that little oval on the screen with a tiny flickering heartbeat to a more human like form.



This week your sensory development is exploding, according to babycenter.com. You may be able to hear us now. Your arms and legs are in the right proportion to the rest of your body and you're starting to sprout some hair on your scalp.




How I'm changing?
Weight gain is at 6.5 lbs. The majority of this has been gained in the last 3 weeks. I'm hoping that I can keep it steady for my appointment next week, but ultimately I have to let the concern go because I'm pretty sure for the next 21 weeks I will just continue to keep gaining. I'm hoping the gain isn't in the range of 1.5 lbs/week as it has been in the last two weeks. Here's me at 19 weeks:

19 weeks

Other than the weight gain I've been feeling good. I'll say what I do every week, but I truly have been blessed with an easy pregnancy so far. (Let's hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the butt). I've had some aches in my back, but not much due to my weekly chiropractic visits to my brother in law and my weekly yoga sessions. I wake up usually around 5 AM and my legs ache. I usually just stretch them out/. Also, to alleviate the shifting hips etc, I purchased this awesome candy cane pillow that has helped a ton. Other than that not much. I haven't felt the baby yet and I continue to anticipate this amazing feeling.

What else is going on?

Continuing on baby mode updates, we purchased a beautiful french provincial dresser a few weeks ago on Craigslist. This weekend my sister and I painted it palladian blue by Benjamin Moore. Here is a before pic of the dresser and a swatch of the color:

I can't wait for next week once we find out what we are having so I can go buy fabric for the crib skirt, curtains etc. I'll give you an updated picture of the dresser hopefully next week. We have to paint the knobs and reattach them before we are all finished. Countdown to my ultrasound less than 7 days!!