Week Twenty-Two

This week really flew by and it’s hard to believe that I’m 22 weeks along. For the first time since very early on, I’ve been feeling less and less pregnant. I don’t feel like my belly is getting bigger, actually, I feel like it’s getting smaller. Last week my belly button was nearly gone (all stretched out) and this week I feel like it’s back again. I haven’t really felt any pregnancy symptoms at all, no crying, no big cravings, etc. I also feel like the movement isn’t as intense as it was just a week ago. I do feel pretty good movement at least twice a day, so I’m not worried, but I’m feeling so “ordinary” lately.

 

This past weekend, I photographed a wedding in New Cumberland, PA. I was working from 11:00am to about 8:30pm. It was a very long and hard day. I was so tired by the end of it. One “pregnant moment” I had was when they were testing the music. They picked “Question” by the Old 97’s to walk down the aisle to. If anyone remembers, that was what I walked down the aisle to (a live acoustic version) and what Glen and I danced to at our reception. When I heard it, I uncontrollably started to bawl and had to run back to the presidential room to “clean myself up”. The bride was waiting there and saw me run by, took one look at my tears and started crying! It was a very emotional moment and the first time I really cried during my pregnancy. I was just really taken off guard because this isn’t a “typical” wedding song and I would never expect this to happen. By the end of the night I was completely exhausted and I went straight to bed. I then woke up the next morning feeling like I had the worst kind of hangover. I guess that my pregnant body can’t handle this kind of long work day.

 

We’ve been playing a fun little game on our wedding board called “A Day in the life”. It’s where you post photos on a specific topic (Physical features, home life, relationships, etc), then later that evening we “vote” on who’s life we would like to live for a day. On “Pet” day, Anakin got a lot of votes; who could resist that cuteness! Surprisingly, on “wedding dress” day, my wedding dress also got a lot of votes. I guess I was a little surprised because it’s just such a different kind of dress that I figured people would love it or hate it. I really love learning about all of the other girls and sharing photographs with the board and it does give you a little confidence boost! Today’s topic is “husbands” and I’m not sure how Glen will rate, but he is number one to me!

 

My dreams have always been very detailed and specific, but now I’m starting to incorporate myself being pregnant/giving birth in them. I had a dream the other night that I shared a room with another Mom-to-be and she was screaming for her life, then I remember giving birth and it was super easy, I just practically “pooped” him out. HAHA. I’ve always dreamed of my little man having lighter hair and darker brown or green eyes, but this week he had darker hair and blue eyes. I’m very anxious to see him in person but I know he will be perfect no matter what features he inherits.

 

Ok, so, I’ve finally gotten to the part in my pregnancy where strangers are asking me when I’m due, various people are touching my belly, and I often get questions such as “do you know what you’re having” and “Do you have any names picked out”. For the record, Glen and I have not yet decided on a name. We actually don’t talk about it too much. Honestly, I really wish we did know his name. I would love to be able to call him by his name, but it’s just not happening and I don’t want to force myself to make a decision. We may just have to wait until he’s born to solve this mystery. Anyway, part of me is excited that people are noticing me, I do think you get spoiled in a sense when you’re pregnant and you feel like you are very special, but I’m also very uncomfortable when strangers or acquaintances pet my belly and ask me direct questions.

 

 

From here on out, my “fruit of the week” photos will be limited because I stay the same fruit for a longer duration. So, don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a weekly fruit comparison. I’ll always try to include belly photos in all of my posts.

 

 

Weeks 22-24 (Month 5): Papaya

Average size: 10.5-11.8 inches, 12.7-20.8 oz.

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

 

Week Twenty-One

In general, this week was pretty uneventful. Glen and I spent hours picking out the perfect blue for our son’s room and Glen painted pieces of the room over the weekend. We also got a new closet door for the baby’s room. This coming weekend, we’re looking to finish all of the painting. We’re getting closer and closer to finishing the nursery and I I’m confident that it will look great when it’s finished. 

 

 

 Glen got to feel the baby move for the first time on Saturday morning. He was so excited when it happened. I just finished drinking a smoothie, so the baby was hyper from the sugar in the fruit and was bouncing all over the place. It was really neat to finally share what I feel every day with my husband.

 

On Sunday, Dawn and I went shopping at the Outlets in Hershey. She was trying to find a 50’s style dress for our upcoming 50’s themed work event and I was trying to find a dress for a wedding in April. Neither of us were successful, but it was still a lot of fun.

 

I had a pretty bad experience at the Motherhood Maternity Store and vowed to never go back to that store. What happened is that I tried on a sundress without a price tag and a broken spaghetti strap. Dawn had the sales lady scan the barcode to get a price. The sales lady told me that it was $30.00. For $30.00, I was willing to sew the broken strap and get the dress. When I tried to check out another lady was working at the register. She told me that the dress was $90.00. She scanned the price tag, and it came up $30.00, but she kept on insisting that the dress was $90.00 because a nine and a zero were randomly written on the tag. I argued with her about the dress and told her that it was broken and she kept insisting that there was nothing she could do. She really upset me to the point that I left the store in a complete rage. I immediately went home and wrote a nasty complaint and sent it into the corporate office. I don’t know if my hormones are just really out of whack or what, but this pissed me of. I guess anyone can just go into the Motherhood store and write whatever they want on the price tag in red ink and Motherhood will sell it to you for that price. Note to self: bring red pen with me in the future.

 

On the happy side, when Dawn was trying on dresses, a little three to four year old boy told her that “she was so beautiful”, then he looked down at her white knee socks and said “well, except for those socks”. It was really cute and funny! Dawn and I both left the outlets with an awesome and super inexpensive pair of shoes.

 

I ended up returning my hot pink dress from Ann Taylor Loft and purchased a simple black wrap dress from Nordstrom for the wedding I’m attending in April. Online shopping is definitely less stressful!

 

 

 

 Week 21: Banana

Average size: 10.5 inches ***, 12.7 oz.

 

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

 

 

Week Twenty

I can’t believe what I’m about to say, I’m 20 weeks along and officially half way through my pregnancy. Just thinking about it being half over is bittersweet. My favorite part about being pregnant is being able to feel my little guy move and knowing he’s always with me. In 20 more weeks, he will be out of my tummy and in my arms. I really cannot describe my thoughts on this. Sometimes it just seems too good to be true. I’m really looking forward to meeting my baby boy, but I know I’ll also be sad when he leaves my tummy and officially meets the world.

My week started out shopping with my Dad and Step Mom. They drove to Harrisburg to treat us to lunch and celebrate the baby. They brought us some cute presents including a baby sized Penn State Jersey and a baby Nittany lion plush animal.

They also took us shopping and bought us our car seat and an extra base, which was extremely generous of them. We then all pigged out on steamed little-neck clams for lunch (all of us besides Glen, who was utterly disgusted by the thought of eating a slimy sea creature).

I went back to get a 2nd ultrasound on Tuesday to measure the baby’s spine. Low and behold he was in the perfect position to get his spine measured. The ultrasound tech was pretty amazed that he was in that position. She then asked if I wanted to see a 3D picture of the baby and I, of course, jumped at the opportunity to see my baby in 3D. She took a few photos and 2-3 videos of the baby in 3D. She said that she’s never taken such a good picture of a baby this young before and that usually they look very skinny. She just kept commenting on how cooperative and beautiful he is, and I have to agree; our baby is absolutely stunning! I attached some 3D ultrasound photos for you to see. I really feel like you can start to see features of him, even though he’s only 10 ounces in weight. The baby’s measurements look perfect and he’s right on target in every way!

 

 

 

 I got so spoiled with these 3D images, that I decided to book a 3D ultrasound appointment with Womb with a View in Lancaster. Because they hold business accounts with the financial institution that I work for, I was able to obtain a pretty significant discount. That appointment is scheduled for May 14^th, Mother’s Day Weekend (I’ll be 28 weeks along). What better way to spend my first Mother’s Day than watching my baby in 3D!

Wednesday was my next baby appointment with a midwife at the Hershey Medical Center. These are the appointments where I get weighed, pee in a cup, hear the baby’s heart. The baby was moving around so much that she couldn’t get the heart rate. She was finally able to corner him and get it. She made many comments about how active of the baby is. Doctor’s and midwives don’t have to tell me how active my baby is, I can feel him pretty regularly, so I know that he loves to dance around in there. The best movements happen after meals. He particularly loves “donut day”, the day that I stop at Giant and get a chocolate covered sprinkle donut. I allow myself this pleasure once every week.

 

Week 20: Cantaloupe

Average size: 6.5 inches, 10.6 oz.

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

Week Nineteen

It's official, Glen and I will be welcoming a baby BOY in August. We are absolutely thrilled and very anxious to meet him.

The ultrasound went great! We learned a few interesting things about our baby boy such as; he's breech (head up towards my head) and he's extremely active. The ultrasound tech commented several times on how unusual it is for babies to do the kind of things he was doing. For instance, he was moving his arms and hands around like crazy and showing off his fingers. Then, he did the same with his legs and feet. She said that he seems very friendly and that he's photogenic. At one point he even took his hands and played with his feet. It was absolutely adorable. The ultrasound tech told us that she wishes she had babies like this all day, and that it's really rare to see this kind of activity. The baby's measurements are perfect and he's right on target for August 4th. He currently weighs 10 ounces.

Here are some photos from the ultrasound...

 

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Arm/Hand/Fingers

 

Feet/Toes

I also have a few videos, albeit not too exciting...

 

 

How we told our friends the baby's gender...

We ordered specialty cupcakes from BeeBakes with gender specific vanilla cream and brought them to our friends, Shea and Emily's house. Once they bit into them, they knew the gender! They were cute and delicious!

 

How we told the Social Networking World (Facebook)...

We posted the following picture

 

Notice anything special? This is our first family photo as a family of three!

Week 19: Mango

Average size: 6.0 inches, 8.5 oz.

 Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

Week Eighteen

So far, March has been treating me pretty well. The week started out with me running to the store in the morning to grab some milk and some water. While I was there I went over to the donut section and got the very last chocolate frosted sprinkled donut. It was delicious. 

The baby has been more active this week. A day hasn’t passed that I haven’t felt a little nudge here and there. I didn’t realize this, but many people are telling me that I’m feeling the baby move unusually early and that most 1^st time Mom’s don’t feel anything until they are 20 weeks or more. Someone told me that I couldn’t possibly be feeling the baby back at 15 weeks, that it’s simply way too early and I was just feeling gas. I’ve learned to block out negative comments and let me tell you, it is absolutely the baby moving-not gas. I definitely know that now that I’m 18 weeks and still feeling the same movements. I don’t even think the two feel that similar. I’m going to chock it up to me being very relaxed and being a thinner build. 

My big ultrasound is on March 11^th, followed by my regular OB appointment on March 16^th. You guessed it, we will officially know the gender of our baby on March 11^th! My step Mom and Dad are going to try to visit us on the 12^th for a little gender celebration lunch. Once we find out the gender, we are planning on painting the spare bedroom (hopefully we can do this on the 18^th and 19^th). So far we stripped the wallpaper, got new floors, and primed the bedroom. It currently looks like this…

Although this is hard to admit, I can’t fit into my pants anymore. I tried wearing a pair of my size 6 work pants this week and couldn’t even zipper them, not at all. I wore them anyway but with a very long shirt and belly band. Even still, they are too uncomfortable for me to wear that way, so what did I do? I went shopping! I was a little scared, so I started out going to JCPenny, Boscoves, and Bonton. None of those stores carry maternity clothes (even though the websites state otherwise). Then Emily and I went to the mall. I had hopes to get a few new tops and dresses at Forever 21. A big fat plate of reality was served up when I realized that I didn’t fit into anything and that my body was rapidly changing. So, there I was, forced to shop at the Motherhood Maternity Store *gulp*. I went in and was greeted by Brandi who showed me around the store. She helped me pick out my size in pants. I started small. I picked a pair of basic black pants. As I was pulling them up I thought to myself, wow, these are extremely comfortable. I then looked in the mirror and to my surprise, they were actually very flattering! Ok, I now felt a little better about trying clothes in this store. Luckily, I had Emily to help me and support me while I try on maternity clothes. I tried on a few t-shirts and they also fit great! Then I got really brave and tried on a swimsuit. I knew I needed one because the thought of me hanging out in my pool all Summer with everything hanging out like a whale was not appealing to me at all. I tried on a retro style one-piece and again, was shocked with how cute and flattering it looked on me. My shopping experience was very successful and I definitely feel more comfortable in my new clothes. To my amusement, I also made Emily try on “the bump”, which ironically Jen did to me just three months before I fell pregnant.  

Since I did all of this great shopping for myself, I couldn’t resist but to buy the baby something too. I bought the baby a handmade teddy bear hat from Etsy.com. It so soft and cute and I can’t wait to put it on the baby for newborn photos.

 

Week 18: Sweet Potato

Average size: 5.6 inches, 6.7 oz.

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.