My Pregnancy: Week 12

Baby's now the size of a plum!

First trimester: Check!  The nausea, fatigue, mood sings, and bathroom dashes should soon fade, but (sorry!) headaches and dizziness will probably get more intense.  The good news: You're about to embark on the second trimester, when mood and energy levels generally peak.

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage.  After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of her systems are fully formed.

Between a bit more morning sickness and a whole lot of rainy days, this week dragged on and on for me.  Thankfully, just I had had just about had enough, the sun came out and the nausea ceased (for the most part).  Yay for finishing out the trimester strong!

Dad and I also went shopping last weekend for some maternity basics, so I have been wearing maternity pants all week.  No more uncomfortable jeans for me!

I also had some fun with a Baby Morphing software.  Apparently, these are samples of what we have to look forward to!

Baby Boy #1

Baby Boy #2

Baby Boy #3

Baby Boy #4

Baby Girl #1

Baby Girl #2

Baby Girl #3

Baby Girl #4

My Pregnancy: Week 11

Baby's now the size of a lime!

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

This was probably one of the roughest weeks I've had so far, physically at least. I was feeling pretty tired/headachy/nauseous for much of the last five days, but seem to have turned a corner now. For the most part, it seems like as long as I get enough sleep at night and eat/drink something every hour, I'm good to go. As I'm nearing the end of the first trimester, I'm hoping the trend continues upwards from here.

While I'm not showing, my pants continue to get tighter and tighter. I've succommed to putting a rubber band through my buttonhole in my jeans to give me any extra space I can. I think I may have to break down and do some clothes shopping this weekend.

Not much else to report this week. Just grow baby grow!

My Pregnancy: Week 10

Baby's now the size of a prune!

With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress.  Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working.  (soon, legs will too.)

Best week of the pregnancy so far!  I have been floating on air for much of the week.   Last weekend, during a family dinner for the extended family, Jason and I made our official announcement.  The next two days were spent calling, texting, and facebooking the good news.  It felt so good to finally be able to share this news with people.

But as if that wasn't enough, I also had my second doctor's appointment on Tuesday (3/15).  I have been anxiously awaiting this appointment because I was told that this is when I would first get to hear the heartbeat.  Your dad and I took off from work early and went to the clinic.  The nurse who took my blood pressure was kind and chatty enough and I liked her well enough--right up until the moment she told me that I might not get to hear your heartbeat today because I was 9 weeks and 4 days and they don't usually try to listen for the heartbeat until 10-12 weeks.  I was devastated.

After she left to get the doctor (and we waited FOREVER), your dad tried to keep me in good spirits with little success.  Thankfully, when Dr. Allen came in, he gave me an overview of what he was going to do today and said, "You're thin enough that I think we'll be able to get an excellent heartbeat for you."  Way to score some major brownie points doctor!  The exam went really well after that.  My blood pressure was normal.  I was informed that you seem to be growing at just the right pace.  AND we did indeed get to hear your heartbeat.

I can't even describe the incredible amount of joy (and relief) that tiny, fast, steady heartbeat gave me.  It was beating at 184 beats per minute, which the doctor told me was right where it should be.  This was the first time that this whole pregnancy felt real to me.  Yes, I have been exhausted for weeks and displaying all sorts of other symptoms, but this was my first real connection to you.  Even now, two days later, thinking about it makes me so happy.  It truly was remarkable!