20 Week Update

Date: January 18, 2011
How far along: 20 weeks and 4 days
Total weight gained: I don't think I've gained any weight this week...so I'm still at 4.7 lbs.
Sleep: My sleep has been all out of whack this week.  With the 2 hour delays and vacationing at the beach for 2 days/1 night...I'm just grateful to be getting back on a normal schedule by the end of the week - hopefully.
Best moment of the week:  We finally have some stuff for baby!  Kevin and I went to the mall and ended up in Baby Gap - they had such good stuff on sale!  Plus, his sister got us some baby stuff for Christmas that we just got on Saturday. :)
Movement:  I feel a lot of movement whenever I usually eat...which is really funny.  Because I'm student teaching, I usually eat breakfast around 6:45 AM, lunch around 12 PM, and dinner around 7 or 8 PM.  That's when the baby starts to flutter around a ton!
Food Craving:  Ice.  Ice cream.  Snow Cones.  Anything frozen, really.  Hasn't changed in a week (except now I want more chocolate)!
Food Aversions:  Beef.  The idea of eating beef makes me sick to my stomach, still.  I don't know if this is ever going to fix itself.
Morning Sickness: None.
Gender:  BOY!!!!!!!
Maternity clothes:  I'm grateful for the high belly band that comes with all the maternity pants.  It's so comfortable!
Symptoms:  Fatigue and some moodiness (not just in a pissy way...but in an emotional, sad way too)
What I miss: I still don't have my car back...
What I'm looking forward to:  Holding my baby <3  I'm excited about my baby shower(s)
Weekly wisdom:  Look for baby clothes on clearance.  They're still brand new and you could luck up like I did and get a jacket for $4.50 when it was originally $30!
Milestones:  Baby is now covered in vernix (white fuzzy stuff) and the genitals are fully formed!
Approximate size of baby: a canteloupe

What You Need for Baby - List from Becky :)

So, my sister was wonderful enough to send me a list of everything she needed for her baby, Dalila...as well as things that are not must haves...but were nice to have anyway. Dalila is almost 3 now and she's a beautiful, spunky little girl. The list seems great, so I thought I would share that with everyone!


Things you will need for baby:

1. Car seat with a base – make sure it is securely positioned in your car before you go to the hospital.  You cannot take the baby home without this.
2. Stroller
3. Crib
4. Pack-n-play/Play Yard of some kind
5. Swing
6. Bouncer
7. Bottles
8. Breast Pump – don’t skimp on this one.
9. Bibs
10. Sheets – fitted sheets plus a comforter
11. Bumper Pads
12. Mattress/Mattress Pads
13. Tummy time mat
14. Onesies
15. Swaddling blankets
16. Nursing Pillow
17. Burp cloths – I liked using cloth diapers for these
18. High chair
19. Baby spoons
20. Bathtub seat for each stage
21. Hooded bath towels
22. Soap & shampoo
23. Lotion
24. Teething stuff – rings, infant Tylenol
25. Baby nail clippers
26. Socks
27. Hand mittens for infants – so they don’t scratch themselves
28. Brush/comb
29. Digital thermometer/anal thermometer (anal thermometers are the most accurate)
30. Pacifiers
31. Diapers – I liked Pampers Swaddlers while Dalila was a baby.  Then I moved to Huggies
32. Diaper Bag
33. Baby Wipes
34. Mylicon Drops – will help with colicy/gassy babies
35. Teething Tablets
36. Desitin butt cream
37. Monitors – video monitors are overrated
38. Electrical outlet covers
39. Gates
40. Changing pads – good for the floor/top of dresser
41. Clothes for newborn and 0-3 months
42. Caps/hats
43. Vasoline
44. Toys – rattles…soft stuff
45. Baby hangers if you don’t have drawer space
46. Blankets
47. Pillow for when baby is older
48. Mobiles for the crib – only until baby can reach them
49. Nursing bras/pads for the bras
50. Formula – just in case
51. Rice cereal – baby food section
52. Jacket for baby (if needed)
53. Maternity clothes – you’ll still need them
54. Tip: ask friends to help ease your load by making casseroles for you to keep frozen and thaw out after baby is born.

Things that are nice but not must haves:

1. Baby carriers
2. Changing table – I would buy storage stuff for clothes before this
3. Glider/Rocking chair
4. Baby book
5. If you have more than one car – get more than one car seat and base
6. Having more than one diaper bag is nice too

To take to the hospital:

1. Diapers
2. Wipes
3. Onesies plus clothes for baby that are weather appropriate
4. 3-4 pairs of underwear (loose, breathable underwear – trust me)
5. Pads for you (super pads…it gets gross down there)
6. Desitin
7. Socks for you and baby
8. Swaddling blanket
9. Breast Pump
10. Formula
11. Bottle
12. Pacifier
13. 2-3 changes of clothes – NO JEANS
14. Toothbrush/toothpaste
15. Brush
16. Soap/shampoo for you – gentle soap, you will be very sore
17. Towel for you
18. Phone + charger
19. Camera/camcorder or both
20. Car seat and base – leave in the car until you are ready to lave
21. Book or something to keep you busy while you are there
22. Diaper Bag
23. SO/DH will probably need stuff too because you will probably be in the hospital for a few days

19 Week Update

Date: January 8, 2011
How far along: 19 weeks and 1 day
Total weight gained: 4.7 pounds (gained 1.5 lbs this week) - the baby ways a whopping 9 oz!
Sleep: Definitely more on a schedule now.  I usually go to bed between 9 and 10 pm on weeknights and get up between 6 and 6:30 AM.  I only wake up once in the middle of the night...and I think that's because I've decreased my fluid intake after 7:30 pm.  :)
Best moment of the week:  I got to see my baby yesterday!  That is BY FAR the best moment that this week will have, PERIOD.  I found out that I'm having a boy...and the look on Kevin's face during the ultrasound was perfect!
Movement:  I feel a lot of movement whenever I usually eat...which is really funny.  Because I'm student teaching, I usually eat breakfast around 6:45 AM, lunch around 12 PM, and dinner around 7 or 8 PM.  That's when the baby starts to flutter around a ton!
Food Craving:  Ice.  Ice cream.  Snow Cones.  Anything frozen, really.  Hasn't changed in a week (except now I want more chocolate)!
Food Aversions:  Beef.  The idea of eating beef makes me sick to my stomach.
Morning Sickness: Only if I eat too fast...that's the only time I feel nauseated.
Gender:  BOY!!!!!!!
Maternity clothes:  Definitely not loving them right now.  I miss my old clothes :(
Symptoms:  Super tired...and SUPER hungry!  Also...some constipation...which sucks.
What I miss: I still don't have my car back...and I miss my old clothes a lot!
What I'm looking forward to:  Holding my baby <3  I'm excited about my baby shower(s)
Weekly wisdom:  Hmmmm....not feeling very wise this week...just feeling super happy!
Milestones:  I found out the gender!  :)
Approximate size of baby: a mango

It's a BOY!!!!

So, I decided to write this entire post in blue because I found out today that I'm having a BOY!!!!!!!!  I'm so unbelievably excited.  No one in my immediate family has had a boy.  My oldest half-sister had a boy...but I didn't grow up with her really...and haven't been around Trenton much either.  My next oldest half-sister has a stepson...but they live in D.C.  My dad has 4 girls...2 with my mom.  This should be very interesting!


Anyway, I had my ultrasound today.  The doctors apparently had me at almost 17 weeks when I went in today.  I've been telling them for weeks that my viability ultrasound had me at 18 weeks and 5 days when I went for the U/S but they wanted to check for themselves.  Fine by me...but still a little frustrating.


When I got back in the exam room and got started with my U/S, we immediately got to see the baby on the giant TV screen on the wall.  My funny baby was completely upside down on his head.  He refused to move just about the whole time.  He would kick and jump...but not change position.  We got to see the bladder (full of fluid), the kidneys, the cord (and where it inserts into the placenta and the baby's belly button), the stomach, and all 4 chambers of the heart...which I specifically asked to see.  All of the organs were PERFECT and on the correct side of the body.  


Then, we get to see the arms, legs, hands (which kept balling up into fists and letting go...and fist...and relax), feet, spine, and head.  It was really amazing how the nurse could get the bones to light up so bright on the ultrasound so that we could see every little detail!


She tried to get the baby to move so she could get a good picture of the brain anatomy...but he REFUSED!  Finally, she awkwardly checked my bladder...and asked me if I needed to pee.  I didn't think I did...but she said that I did because my bladder was full.  Hahahahaha!  I went to the bathroom and came back and the baby moved a little...he just tucked his head into his chest and stuck his butt higher in the air.  She did manage to get a picture of the brain...and I got to see my baby's "knob" as my mother so eloquently called it.  It's DEFINITELY a boy (see the pictures below).


Anyway, I've gained around 5 lbs since I found out that I was pregnant.  Not too shabby for 19 weeks.  Oh yeah!  I'm 19 weeks and 0 days according to the U/S today.  They changed my dates.  I'm now due June 3rd, 2011.  Two days sooner.  Woo Hoo!!!


Check out these awesome pictures I got from the U/S today!  They were nice enough to make a CD for us.

18 Week Update

Date: January 2, 2011
How far along: 18 weeks
Total weight gained:  I'll find out what the doctor says on Friday.
Sleep: Sleeping better this week.  Much better than last week!  Not getting up to pee as much, which makes me happy.
Best moment of the week:  I had forgotten how happy that going to Church made me!  I think I felt the baby flutter about during the sermon whenever the guest speaker said something that really resonated with me.  It was nice!  Then I got to go to Build-A-Bear and make a bear for the baby.  I know he or she isn't due until June...but I had a gift card...and I made a baby bear!
Movement:  Still not feeling big movement.  I am feeling more flutters now than I was last week!
Food Craving:  Ice.  Ice cream.  Snow Cones.  Anything frozen, really.
Food Aversions:  Pizza...again.  Also...eating anything fast.  I'm usually a fast eater...but now, if I eat too fast, I start gagging and throw up in my mouth a little (TMI).
Morning Sickness: Only if I eat too fast...that's the only time I feel nauseated.
Gender:  I get to find out for real on Friday!!!
Maternity clothes:  I wore a brand new outfit to Church this morning.  I felt so comfortable and I actually felt pretty.  That was nice, for a change.
Symptoms:  Other than occasional nausea...and fatigue.  Nothing.
What I miss:  Nothing really this week.  I miss my car...but I'll get that back soon, I hope!
What I'm looking forward to:  Feeling big movements!  Knowing the gender!
Weekly wisdom:  Seeking community is one of the most important things that we should do as Christians and as mothers...
Milestones:  I get to find out the gender on Friday!  I'll be updating!
Approximate size of baby: a sweet potato

The Beans Have Been Spilled...

I woke up this morning to a long list of unread text messages ranging from my mother, family members (outside of immediate family and close aunts/uncles), and friends (even friends that I haven't seen in years).  They were asking me if I was pregnant...or congratulating me on being pregnant.  I could not figure out how all of these people found out overnight!

Then I checked my Facebook...

I posted a status last night about the fact that I got upset talking about the future.  I was referring to a fight(ish) between me and the SO, Kevin.  My mom posted on it this morning that I had so much to look forward to...including a "beautiful new baby."  Up until this point, I had not posted ANYTHING on Facebook about my pregnancy.  I wasn't sure if I was going to put anything up at all just because people have big mouths...and the rumor mill in a small town (like Rockingham, my home town) is way larger than the town itself.  I don't care that people know that I'm pregnant.  I just don't see the need for drama that I'm sure will now be pouring itself into my life.  If I was going to post anything on Facebook, it was going to be after my big ultrasound on January 7th.  I was going to just post a status saying, "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!" and let that be it.

In a way, I'm kind of happy that my mom went ahead and got it out of the way for me.  The texts I've received over the course of the day have been fun...and I really thought I had offended some people by not telling them sooner...but in the end, I think people have understood my decision to keep my personal life more private than they might have chosen to keep theirs.

Now, I get to log into Facebook...and if I want to post a status about my wonderful baby, I can feel free to do so.  I feel relieved...and I thank my mom for that.  You won't be finding any pictures of ultrasounds or anything like that on Facebook.  I feel like it would be weird for me to share a picture of my uterus online...even though what's inside my uterus is epically amazing!  However, now, I can update my FB about doctor appointments, new milestones reached, etc.  I'm kind of excited about this new outlet!!! :)

All About My Wreck (12/26/2010)

Hey y'all. I hope everyone had a really wonderful Christmas. I thought I'd pop in and tell everyone about one of the scariest moments of my entire life!

I spent Christmas with my family. Kevin (SO) came home with me and stayed with my parents as well. On the day after Christmas, we played in the snow all day, ate snow cream, and then finished the afternoon with some really wonderful chicken and rice and turkey chili. Everything had been perfect. I left Rockingham, NC (where my parents live) around 6:30 or so after packing up my car until it was as full as possible with gifts and new toys We had been driving for about 1.5 hours (I was driving slow to be cautious...the roads were really icy in some places) when we got to the exit that I was supposed to take in Sanford, NC. Well, when I hit my brakes to slow down even more (I was probably going about 15 mph at this point and about to turn on the really sharp exit ramp), they didn't catch. Come to find out, I was on a solid sheet of black ice. My car fishtailed towards the median (on a bridge...so a GIANT metal rail), turned back towards the exit ramp, then spun completely around backwards and proceeded to slid sideways down an extremely steep embankment into a field. Kevin had moved almost completely in front of me by this point trying to hold on to me and protect me from hitting anything. The field is completely barren with the exception of this one tree...that I managed to hit. It smashed into the driver's side door (I was the driver) and dented in my door pretty severely, took off my door handle, jammed both doors on the driver's side, and busted out all of the glass in my door (all into my lap).

By the time everything was over, a police officer had already come down the ramp (and almost wrecked himself) and was walking over to check on us. I had a severe panic attack and couldn't stand immediately because my legs were so shaky (I've never been in a wreck). Once I stood, I almost passed out (and fell) and Kevin caught me. Anyway, the wrecker was being a jerk and wouldn't tow my car out of the field unless I paid him $100 in cash right then. So, the cop went and drove my car out of the field...it was still drivable

Well...my parents came and got us...and took us to Chapel Hill. Then they drove my car back home to Rockingham and now it's in the shop. The estimate is right around $3500 for the two doors...and I have no idea how we're gonna pay it.

Luckily, Kevin and I both are alright. No damage done to us, physically. I'm having nightmares constantly now because I saw the tree coming at the car...and there was a branch right at my eye level that should have come through my window and killed me (or done some serious damage to my head). Somehow, God made that branch curve up and over my window...but still...it was terrifying.

Sigh. So, that was the end to my wonderful Christmas weekend. I really hope everyone else had a better overall experience!