16 weeks

So...I didn't do my 15 week update, mainly because I had Brad take my picture for the 15 week update and I didn't like it at all, so I figured I would take my own later...and then I never did.  And now I'm 16 weeks!

So, here's week 15 and 16 pics:

15 Weeks - Also the picture that Brad took that I didn't care for...

16 Weeks

How far along?  16 weeks, 5 days

Size of the baby? An avocado - almost 5 inches

Maternity Clothes? Still using the Belly Band, but got my 1st pair of maternity jeans in the mail yesterday!  I got the Gap Demi Panel Always Skinny jeans.  They're cute, I like them.  I only ordered the 1 pair (well, I ordered 2 but in different sizes and the bigger ones were too big), and I wore them last night and they got really stretched out, which I HATE.  Being that it's almost April, which means the weather is starting to warm up, I don't want to buy too many pairs of jeans.  

Stretch marks?  Nope...fingers crossed it stays that way!

Weight?  Oh man.  The question I've been dreading.  I went to the doctor a week and a half ago (at 15 weeks 2 days) and they told me I had gained EIGHT POUNDS.  I almost fell off the scale.  The only reason I am not freaking out over this is because in my 1st trimester I lost about 5 pounds, so the way I'm choosing to see it is that I'm at a net gain of 3 lbs ;)  

Sleep?  It's not been too bad.  I don't sleep as soundly as I once remember doing, and I'm not sure why.  I'm not getting up as much to use the bathroom, so that's nice. 

Best Moment of the Week?  Feeling movement!  Felt it for the first time this last Tuesday or Wednesday, which was very surprising cause I was only a little over 16 weeks.  I emailed a girlfriend right away and told her what I had felt and she was like, "YES!  THAT'S IT!!"  It basically felt like a little nudge against the inside of my belly, way down low above my pelvic bone.  Then the next couple times it felt like little muscle spasms or twitches.  I don't feel it very often, maybe a couple times a day?  It's such a sweet feeling. 

Oh - other good moment at 15 weeks was having a great doctor's appointment and scheduling our 20 week ultrasound! 

Movement?  See above!

Symptoms?  Before I had said there wasn't many symptoms but I'm starting to experience more now.  I'm definitely out of breath a lot more, today I went fishing with Brad and hiking back thru the woods in waders tuckered me out.  I have had a fair amount of headaches, and what's been strange to me is I've been pretty tired lately.  

Cravings?  Orange juice.  Cystal Light Pure Lemonade mixed w/ Club Soda.  Sushi.  Chips and Salsa.

Gender?  We'll find out in 3 and 1/2 weeks!

What do I miss?  I'm missing beer, strangely enough.  I'll have a sip of Brad's just for the flavor.  Missing being able to shop for spring/summer clothes that I would typically wear.   

What I'm looking forward to?  I'm looking forward to the 20 week ultrasound.  I'm a little nervous for it, just cause I'm a fearful person that worries I'll get bad news.  However, I know that's not common at all, so I'm trying to be excited for getting the good news!  Also looking forward to being able to plan for things a little more concretely - names, gear, nursery, etc.  I'm getting so excited for those things!  

14 weeks

Sorry for the dirty mirror...it's all I've got til I replace the one that broke last week!

How far along?  14 weeks, 5 days

Size of the baby? A lemon - 3 1/2 inches

Maternity Clothes? Still just using the Belly Band, and I'm sick of it.  Going to the Cities this weekend to get some maternity pants! 

Stretch marks?  None yet.  I've been bathing in Palmer's Cocoa Butter Oil and then moisturizing with the Cocoa Butter lotion.  

Weight?  Still don't know what I've gained, I'll find out this week when I go to the doctor.  I'm guessing about 4-5 lbs.  Yes, really.  That's based on my scale at home.  

Sleep? It's been really good lately.  I'm going to the bathroom before I go to bed, and usually one trip early in the morning.  Feeling a little more uncomfortable on my belly, but it's not anything terrible. 

Best Moment of the Week?  I think realizing that I feel so much better these days!  The 1st trimester is over and I seriously feel like a different person.  

Movement?  Not yet!

Symptoms?  Honestly, there's not too much these days.  Like I mentioned, I'm feeling much better - I have so much more energy!  I get occasional headaches, and I swear, my nose is constantly stuffed up.  I've also noticed the "growing pains" - my belly just aches a little bit by the end of the day.  

Cravings?  Potatoes, and salad with my favorite lime dressing.  I ate 3 HUGE bowls of it in one sitting this week!

Gender?  Not yet...at our 20 week ultrasound!  Which is a little over a month away now!

What do I miss?  I always miss the wine.  I miss eating lunch meat whenever I want (I do eat it but I don't eat it too often).  

What I'm looking forward to?  I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, and even though I'm always a little nervous to go, I do look forward to the updates.  I'm hoping I'll get to schedule our 20 week ultrasound at it!  I'm also looking forward to my belly growing a little bit more.  I can see the growth when I look at pictures, but I'm just ready for the little "pop" to occur!  Right now I just feel chubby unless I'm wearing leggings and a tight shirt.  

13 weeks

Note - I have to explain these photos!  I took them both cause today I'm wearing a skirt and I have it belted over my belly, and I felt like it maybe made my belly look bigger than it was cause my tank top was tucked into the skirt.  So I took that one, and then the one on the bottom with my skirt folded down and my tank over my belly.  You probably didn't need all this but it makes me feel better :)

How far along?  13 weeks, 3 days

Size of the baby? A medium shrimp.  [Confuses me how you go from a 12-week lime to a 13 week shrimp??]

Maternity Clothes? Still just using the Belly Band.  However, I've informed Brad that we're taking a trip to Minneapolis next month for me to get some maternity pants.  I'll be around 16 weeks then, so I'm thinking it's time!  

Stretch marks?  None yet.  I've been bathing in Palmer's Cocoa Butter Oil and then moisturizing with the Cocoa Butter lotion.  

Weight?  No idea what I've gained so far but I'm pretty certain I've gained in the last two weeks (at my last appointment I hadn't gained yet).  This beer belly I'm carting around these days has to count for something...

Sleep? It's actually gotten better, thankfully.  The last couple nights I've only woken up 1-2x a night to go to the bathroom.  However, my 2nd trip is usually dead on around 4:30am and it's hard to fall back asleep at that time (in my opinion).  I've noticed I'm a little uncomfortable falling asleep on my belly but I'll usually wake up on it, so it must not bother me too much :)

Best Moment of the Week?  Making it to 13 weeks!!!!  Seriously, such a relief.  Although it annoys me that so many books STILL say you're not out of the 1st trimester until 14 weeks.  I'd  like to think that this feels like the longest part of pregnancy, but I'm guessing the 3rd trimester is a little more of a nuisance.  

Movement?  Not yet!

Symptoms?  I'm feeling fairly good these days.  Still feeling some light nauseousness occasionally, but nothing terrible.  A few mornings the last week I've had coffee but this morning I woke up and just couldn't handle the thought of drinking it.  So, not completely out of the woods yet.  The headaches have gotten better.  And this is TMI but the discharge is starting to get a little nuts.  And I'm noticing more constipation but it's nothing painful or anything. And the tiredness is still there, some days it's worse than others.  I told Brad the other night, though, that it's crazy how much different I feel now even from just 3 weeks ago.  I would come home and lay on the couch, and there was literally no doing ANYTHING.  But this week I've came home and cleaned, and made dinner, and it's been like old times!    

Cravings?  Vanilla cupcakes.

Gender?  Not yet...at our 20 week ultrasound!  Which is still a long ways off.

What do I miss?  Hmm...nothing at this point, really.  I obviously miss the days of not being afraid or worried all the time that the worst is going to happen.  Brad and I are planning a trip to Florida in April and it's funny cause it will be SO different from our trip last year.  Last year we went with friends, and I was crazy about working out and feeling good on the beach in my bikini, and once we were down there we had a blast doing nothing but laying out, having a few drinks at night, and going out.  Our trip this year will be so different!  But I'm still looking forward to just relaxing and WARM WEATHER!  [and maybe a little glass of white wine ;) ]

What I'm looking forward to? Obviously I just feel blessed when I lay my head on my pillow at night and thank God for another day of this pregnancy.  I have been so ruled by fear and worry, but on the other hand, it does make me so much more thankful for what I do have.  I'm looking forward to the OFFICIAL 2ND TRIMESTER BY EVERYONE'S STANDARDS (14 weeks), and for my next doctor appointment.  After that appointment I'm planning to announce it on Facebook.  And I'm starting to think more about the 20 week ultrasound.  Part of me is a little excited for it, and a big part of me is [of course] worried about it.  I'm working hard to trust the Lord and remember Psalm 139.  

12 weeks, 4 days

This pic is terrible but I broke our full length mirror today.  Not sure you can even see the belly but trust me, it's there.

How far along?  12 weeks, 4 days

Size of the baby? A lime!  2 inches.

Maternity Clothes? Just bought the Belly Band, and have definitely been using it.  I had read in my pregnancy books that around week 12-13 is when your uterus begins to shift out of your pelvis, creating more of a baby bump.  I don't know if that's what's occurred or I maybe have 2 babies in here, but I am showing.  Thus the Belly Band is necessary.  No maternity clothes yet though!

Stretch marks?  None, but I'd think it's too early still.  I've noticed my belly being a little itchier, but who knows if that's from the growing.  I bought Palmer's Bath Oil and Massage Lotion today and have decided that, even if stretch marks are hereditary, I would be SO mad if I wound up getting them but didn't even try to moisturize.  

Weight?  I think I've started to gain...I wish I could say it's due to my little belly but I'm thinking it's more likely due to the fact that I pretty much eat crap these days and haven't been to the gym in 3 months.  I'm starting back on the healthy train tomorrow, though!  [fingers crossed]

Sleep? It's okay.  Still waking up 2-3 times a night for potty breaks.  I think I noticed my first bout of Round Ligament Pain the other night when I rolled over.  It was painful and I'm not looking forward to it.

Best Moment of the Week?  Hmm...making it to 12 weeks and starting to see my belly become more obvious!  I feel like it's this fun new accessory I can dress for :)    

Movement?  Nope.

Symptoms?  While I think the nausea is mostly gone, I noticed last night that I felt SO sick after I took my prenatal, which I haven't felt that way since I was about 9 weeks.  I have some prescription prenatals I'll probably use for the next few days.  Still filling icky here and there and had to wear the Sea Bands today for a while.  The new symptom that has reared its ugly head are headaches.  I get them almost every day now.  They feel like caffeine headaches, which is odd to me cause I rarely drink caffeine anymore.  They're nagging and annoying.   

Cravings?  I haven't craved many foods for long periods of time during this pregnancy, in the beginning I think I did but lately it's been like, I'll get an urge to eat something and then it's ALL I can think about.  This week it was Hot Ham and Cheese sandwiches (which I normally would NOT eat).  OH - funny thing is I cannot, cannot eat chunk cheese or eggs.  I can eat shredded cheese on food, or blue cheese crumbles/dressing, but the thought of eating a piece of cheese grosses me out.  Same as eating a cooked egg.    

Gender?  Not yet...at our 20 week ultrasound!  Which is still a long ways off.

What do I miss?  I think this week I missed being able to have a drink the most.  We went out for Valentines Day and I had about 4 sips of wine, and I just couldn't drink anymore.  Also missing just guilt-free eating.  I wanted a deli meat wrap today SO badly but for some reason just feel uncomfortable eating it.  I know it's okay to eat it, but I just feel like, if something happened to this baby because I got sick from eating deli meat when I was told not to, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.  So I abstain.  Although I will eat blue cheese dressing, so who knows...

What I'm looking forward to? Making it to 13 weeks!  Just 2 more days!  I'm hoping I will feel a little more comfortable telling people then.  There's still a part of me that just wants to keep it to myself, but it's only out of fear.  

Look at this belly!

You can actually see it when I'm wearing tighter clothes!  Brad and I drove up to Duluth today so I could get a Belly Band, as well as a few other newly-needed essentials, like longer tanks (found the BEST ones from Aerie, which is what I'm wearing in the photo) and the amazing pregnancy leggings from Target (also wearing in the photo).


I'm getting so excited for the 12 week mark, which is on Tuesday!  I'm still fighting a bit of fear, but I have to realize that, per my doctor, my miscarriage chances are very slim now.  And there will also be many reasons for fear at every step of the way.


This is more for my recollection so I don't forget, but I haven't spotted in over a week (thank you, Lord and knock on wood!) and I'm praying that continues.  However, my doctor said I may just be one of those women that spots during pregnancy.


Well, just wanted to share my belly!  I'll admit, I'm so excited for it and can't quit looking at it in the mirror, haha!

11w3d

How far along?  11 weeks, 3 days

Size of the baby? A fig (is that really the best they could come up with?  Who even knows how big a raw fig is?)

Maternity Clothes? Nope, but I'm itching to get a Belly Band cause my pants spend most of their time unbuttoned now.  Have done a little bit more perusing on Gap Maternity and oh my gosh.  I can't wait for a belly!  

Stretch marks?  None yet.  I'm going to get some cocoa butter lotion this weekend and start trying to use it regularly.  I'm terrible about applying lotion but I think my vanity is worse, so I will probably be good about it :)

Weight?  No gain yet...and I'm pretty surprised.  My diet is terrible these days.   

Sleep? It's not been too bad, I'm starting to get used to the 2-3 bathroom trips per night.  I think I'm ready for a Body Pillow.  Not that my belly is big enough at all to be uncomfortable to sleep on (I'm a total tummy sleeper), but I do usually end up feeling more comfortable when I'm on my side.  

Best Moment of the Week? HEARING THE HEARTBEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME!  Such a sweet moment.  

Movement?  Nope.

Symptoms? I think the nausea is finally letting up.  The early morning sickies are gone, and during the day I'll have a few moments of ickiness, but overall I've been feeling good.  But on the other hand, I've felt exponentially more tired lately, which is an odd feeling for me.  So far I've felt very low on energy, but this it total, complete exhaustion.  Hoping that will end soon!  Also feeling more headaches, a little bit of cramping/stretching.  On a positive note, I think my skin is starting to look pretty good!  

Cravings? Coke.  Cheetos.  Italian subs.  All awful foods.  

Gender?  Not yet...at our 20 week ultrasound!  Which is still a long ways off.

What do I miss? Having energy.  Having a drink when we're out to dinner (I don't really miss the drink itself, just the social aspect of having it).  

What I'm looking forward to?  Getting out of the 1st trimester...getting some more energy!

Just as a side note, I got to hear the heartbeat this week and it was so wonderful to get that reassurance that so far, all is well.  It's funny though cause I was thinking about how I really don't even remember what it sounded like, and it's cause I was too busy laying there thinking, "Thank you God that I'm hearing it!"  I realized that my fears keep me from experiencing moments that I won't ever get back.  That was a bit of a wake up call, so I am trying to keep my worries under control.  I'm also staying off those baby message boards!  

10w2d

I am ALWAYS getting my gestation time wrong...I could've swore I was 10w3d today.  Oh well.  


I'm not planning to do a big questionnaire update today, I've come down with a nasty cold and don't really have the motivation to do it.  I can say that I'm still experiencing my nausea, although I'm wondering if that is on the upswing since I feel more like I can eat anything I want.  A girlfriend of mine said her nausea got better between weeks 10-11, but I've also read where some women felt better during week 10 and then felt sick again during 11 and 12.  So, who knows.  As far as food, prior to this week only a small number of foods sounded good to me, but now I'm feeling like I can eat a little bit more flexibly.  Now my nauseousness is mainly bad in the mornings and at night after taking my prenatal.  Also still feeling very tired, and this weekend actually took 2 naps (I am NOT a napper).  I notice heartburn every now and then, and also that out-of-breath feeling - usually get that when I'm climbing the stairs at work.  


I think the thing with symptoms at this point is that you almost get used to feeling sick and tired and having quirky things like constipation and heartburn, so while they're noticeable, they're not as dramatic as they once were, maybe?  


In other news, I had some more spotting last Friday and Sunday, which wasn't anything terrible but it shook me up a little, considering I didn't get to hear the heartbeat at my appointment that Wednesday.  Friday was only a one-time bathroom trip spotting, but Sunday I spotted about 3 or 4 times (my spotting is always very light and is only when I use the restroom).  I called my doctor on Monday morning and they didn't seem too concerned, they said it was probably the placenta implanting, but they said they would see me on this Wednesday.  However, I haven't spotted since Sunday so I ended up canceling the appointment.  You know, trying to be more trusting and secure in the Lord and NOT in the doctor, despite wanting reassurance.  I will be there this next Thursday to try for the heartbeat again, so I will get my reassurance then.  


Okay, here's my 10w2d belly pic:

I'm putting both of these up because sometimes I'm not sure if I should take these when I'm sucking in (you know, that natural way you pull your stomach in) or not.  So the left photo is with my stomach sucked in/pulled in, and the right is when I let it sit naturally.  Oh, and please ignore the mattress upside down on the floor, we are not white trash but sometimes it could appear that way, haha!  [we had friends staying in that room and Brad had propped the mattress up against the wall so he could use his desk, and then it fell down upside down.  I'm certainly not moving it, so there it will sit until I ask my husband to move it]


I think I can see a difference between last week and this week.  It's funny cause in the morning the belly is non-existent but by the end of the day, it's large and in charge!  Oh, and when I show it Brad he kind of looks at me like, "yeahhhh....I can see it...." sort of implying that I don't look that different to him.  I informed him last night, my belly does NOT always look like that, thankyouverymuch.