BOY OR GIRL??

We are getting SO close to finding out the gender of our precious little one (hopefully!). I thought it would be fun to see if we could prove some old wives tales wrong (or right). So, here it goes:

Heartbeat abover 140 BPM: girl
Mother's age at conception (both #'s even): girl
Breakouts; it is said that little girls steal their mother's beauty: girl
Morning sickness: girl
Carrying (fairly) low: boy
Chinese gender chart: boy

For the record, everyone thinks I'm having a boy except Nycole! *hi Nycole!* Mom says I'm carrying like she carried her boy, and Becca (who is never wrong) said boy right when I told her I was preggo! :)

Take a look at this tale: You can find out the sex by going off of your parent’s kids and the order. If you are the first born, you will have what your mother had but starting with her second child. If you are the middle child, you will have what she said, but starting with the third child. If you are the last child, you will have what your mother had in the exact order. I think this tale only works when the parent’s had three kids.

So, I am the middle child. *If* I have 3 kids, this would give me boy, girl, girl.

Here's another one: If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you.'

HAHA!!! :) I don't think I'm more moody...I'm always moody, but not more so. Good thing Andrew doesn't get a say in this! :) Soo....Imma say boy for this one.

Anyhoo, let's move on. I'm not obsessed with finding out. I'm not. Ok, I am. Fine. Whatever.

How far along?: 18 weeks
How big is baby?: bell pepper! 5 1/2 inches long! 7 ounces!
Weight gain?: I'm going to wait till my appointment for the real reading on this one. For now, I'm choosing not to believe what the scale at home is telling me.
Maternity Clothes?: Still kinda stuck in the middle. My maternity pants are kinda big. Regular pants-WAY too small.

Stretch Marks?: Don't want to talk about it.
Sleep?: How is it that we become these co-dependant creatures? I need my Andy in my bed to sleep well. And latley, because of homework, that hasn't been happening.
Best moment this week?: Methinks I felt a short case of baby hiccups!!!
Movement?: Flutters have turned into jabs. But I like it.
Food cravings?: Nothing new.
Aversions?: I watched this show about parasites from uncooked pork. Eeew. But, still chicken.
Gender?: It's either a boy or a girl.
Belly button in or out?: Hairy.
What I miss most?: Same. Sciatica and pimples could go away forever.
What I'm looking forward to?: Buying nursery stuff, naming baby. Milestones: Hiccups! And kung-foo kicks! I forgot to mention that we are officially signed up for Childbirth classes (and shhh! Andrew even said he was excited!)

Other life happenings:

Beautiful Becky came to visit me.

We walked a 5K for this amazing cause.

Andy and I went to a James Otto concert


My sweet baby niece turned two and I can't believe it.

Baby S is a mover!

This week has been so much fun in the pregnancy world! Since last week, I have been feeling little movements in there and even one really good kick! It's great because it's kinda like daily assurance. Before the movement, I was feeling so good each day I would think 'Am I supposed to feel this good? Is everything ok in there? Are you still in there, Baby S?'...and now, I'm reminded constantly of my whirling and twirling little one in there. The movement has become more frequent and stronger over the past few days and it's really exciting for me. Just to know he/she is getting so big that it's getting tighter in there. We are getting closer every day to our next appointment that will end the mystery (hopefully) to the gender question. Maybe at that point we can really start talking about names. Boy names are very hard. I'm wondering if the name will ever hit me as the right one? Right now, I don't want to settle on anything. I think I have a list of 1,032 girl's names that I could be just fine with tomorrow.

How far along?: 17 weeks
How big is baby?: baby turnip :)
Weight gain?: Up 6 pounds total.
Maternity Clothes?: Yeah. But they are still kinda big on me. I don't like wearing baggy clothes, so I'm stuck somewhere in the middle at this point.
Stretch Marks?: Yeahhhh and not happy about it.
Sleep?: Pretty good (if the cooler is on full blast). Peeing once a night. Don't want that to increase! *fingers crossed*
Best moment this week?: Baby S moving in there! I knew it right when I felt it. I was worried that I wasn't recognizing the movement. But this felt different than anything I've ever felt!
Movement?: Increasing daily! :)
Food cravings?: Nothing new.
Aversions?: Chicky Chick Chicken.
Gender?: Aaack. Who knows?!
Belly button in or out?: Wiiiide.
What I miss most?: Clear skin, pants that fit.
What I'm looking forward to?: Gender! Starting the nursery.
Milestones: Well it would have to be feeling movement. (and moving up a bra size. whoops. did I say that?)

IT'S A..........

We didn't find out the sex of the baby after all :( We got a different Dr. this time and he said he didn't want to waste an ultrasound since everything was going normal. Good heartbeat and good vitals. He said it would be better to wait until next appointment so that he can hopefully give us a 100% gender reading. PHOOEY! Andrew was so disappointed. We wanted to know in the worst way. But I understand. And I was happy to hear the healthy heartbeat at 156 BPM. Only 2 more pounds gained and my 3 hr glucose (TORTURE) test was normal. I'm declining the next one. I'm not kidding. It was torture. Call me dramatic, but you do not keep food away from me for 5+ hrs and then stick me 5 times. No. No way.

So week 16 was a good one! Momma and I went to the Rose Bowl Swap meet in Pasadena. It was a blast! Got a few things, walked A LOT, and met Kathy Griffin! Yeah, the real thing. She was shopping like all the rest of us in her sweats and no make-up. So, we shook her hand and told her how much dad likes her...wonder if she got the hint WE weren't her biggest fans?! Oh well.

On the baby front, some big things happening. I made a decision on the crib and dresser that M&D are buying Baby S, and it's not white! I just changed my mind and since it's a convertible crib, thought a 12 year old boy probably wouldn't want white furniture. So I went safe for boy or girl and got the dark wood. I'm really excited. And the dresser already came in! Thanks Grammy and Grampy! Andy wasn't involved too much in furniture color, but he will definitely have an opinion when it comes to decorations and colors...if it's a boy :) On another note, I have been feeling a lot of tightness in my belly in the evenings lately. It feels like I'm being stretched. Even the loosest t-shirt is too tight. I know I have a long way to go, but I must be growing a bunch. Another new development is that I have felt baby S kick!!! 2x for sure, but could be more, but I think they are not really strong enough for me to notice. Andy is so excited and can't wait until he can feel it too!

Tell Us Something Good

So every morning on the way to work, I listen to Sirius Satellite Radio's Hits 1 station. The other day, on the Morning Mashup, they did this thing called 'Tell us something good' and they just had callers say something good on the radio. There were things like "I have 3 more days left of school" or "I had french toast for breakfast" or "My boyfriend is taking me out tonight". So, I was listening and I was SOO happy for these people. I don't know why, but I felt SO emotional! I heard another caller say one and I seriously wanted to cry. It was so stupid. I was so emotional over this lame radio call-in thing. So here's me, driving to work almost crying because some random person called in and said that they were having a good hair day. Who cares?! I did. Alot. But there were no tears. Ahh...hormones!

It's been a good week. Baby S is growing so much. I found my measurements from December and took my measurements the other day to compare. Can you believe I've gained 6 inches around the belly button!!?? Whoa, Nelly. That's alot.

How far along?: 14 weeks
How big is baby?: baby lemon :)
Weight gain?: We will find out at the Dr.'s tomorrow.
Maternity Clothes?: Andy and I are picking up some maternity pants tomorrow. I am out of options.
Stretch Marks?: Yeahhhh
Sleep?: I've been waking up in the middle of the night and am restless for an hour or more. But I'm SO tired, I should'nt be waking up!

Best moment this week?: We went and saw that new movie 'The Backup Plan' with JLo. I loved watching Andrew's horrified face during the water birth and the relationship she had with her Snoogle! :)
Movement?: huh?
Food cravings?: Nothing new.
Aversions?: The lack of chicken is really ruining weekly dinner plans. I never wanna cook anymore. I MOSTLY ate chicken before this!
Gender?: Tomorrow is the day!
Belly button in or out?: It looks like a fat person's.
What I miss most?: Clear skin!!!!!!!
What I'm looking forward to?: Tomorrow. Baby S, are you really a boy?
Milestones: another week down baybee!

Here's one from week 5

And one from the other day, week 14 :) Little bit of progress, eh?

13 Weeks.

Even though I'm already 14 weeks, I 'm a little behind on the blogging. But what I really wanted to do is put my most recent belly pic up with this post, because I think there's something starting to poke out! Anyway, I'll have to wait till I get that pic downloaded. The week was pretty uneventful. I am feeling normal and trying to keep really still and see if I can feel any flutters. Nothing yet. Still probably too early, but some people on the birth club board said they had thought they started feeling things so...That's ok, I know it will come before I know it! After next week's appt, we will for sure know if Baby S is a boy or girl and I can start purchasing away! I haven't bought anything except a few baby books, but I was trying to decide between white or dark wood for the room furniture. I have decided white, because I own alot of dark furniture and I think a baby's room should be light and sweet. I'm excited about that. It's pretty overwhelming considering all the things we are going to need though! Just the big stuff really adds up! This week I had some serious cravings:

and

resulted in:

(Thanks, Mom!)

How far along?: 13 weeks
How big is baby?: baby peach
Weight gain?: I will find out at the next appt, but I think I may have gained another pound.
Maternity Clothes?: Yeah, I need them! I can wear old shirts, but I'm out of pants options. I have one pair, need to get some jeans.

Stretch Marks?: O.M.G. I think I am getting some. ahhh!
Sleep?: Sleeping good.
Best moment this week?: Andy going to hug me and then being shocked at how hard my belly was. I told you Andy!
Movement?: Nope!
Food cravings?: Refer to above photos.

Aversions?: I've served myself chicken a few times just to see, but I just DON'T want it!

Gender?: Still thinking boy, but we won't know for sure until next week!
Belly button in or out?: innie. but getting a little shallow.
What I miss most?: Doing any physical activity without feeling the pain of my sciatic nerve shooting down my leg!
What I'm looking forward to?: starting to pick out nursery items!
Milestones: People are actually telling me I look pregnant. I even had a few people rub my belly :) (Besides dad!)

Maternity Pants?! (the dark side)

Okay, so I had an epiphany this weekend. My mom was there to witness it. Let's start out with the fact that Andrew and I ventured into Motherhood Maternity to check out the goods a few weeks ago. When we walked in, I was pretty dissatisfied with everything I picked up. It didn't help that Andy was picking various pairs of pants up and saying "What's this?!". He didn't really understand the whole belly panel thing. So I explained it to him and told him that I definitely WILL NOT be wearing those until I HAVE TO. Atrocious. So, Saturday, I was there again with my mom. I had told her that I probably wouldn't find anything I liked, because I felt they were all marm-ish. She encouraged me to try on THE pants. The ones I was afraid of. The ones I thought were for old maids. The ones that give you the weird pregnant butt. The ones that I WOULD NOT be partaking in until absolutely necessary. So, I go in the dressing room and slip them on. Hmmm...maybe these aren't too bad...they are soft, not squeezing the crap out of me, no muffin top. Okay, maybe I'm OK with this as long as I wear a long shirt. Then, after about 3 more seconds, I decided they were the ANSWER TO LIFE. Every person needs to get a pair. I told my husband to try them on. I can finally breathe! They feel like Yoga pants! They are so great! I need these. And my husband even said I don't have the weird butt. I hope he's not lying. Although I probably shouldn't ask him questions while shoving my butt in his face. He gets distracted and just blurts out whatever comes to mind. I LOVE these. So, I bought them. And I love them. And I want more. Hallelujah maternity pants! :)

We're baaaack...12 weeks!

I am finishing up my 12th week of pregnancy. I can't believe it. I'm so excited to be considered in the (somewhat) 'safe zone'. I'm feeling great! Our biggest milestone to date is that we had our second appointment and our NT Screening, which included TONS of pics of Baby S! We actually weren't even due for another ultrasound yet, but my doctor is a lively fella and asked us if we wanted to do one! Another big part of this appointment was hearing the heartbeat for the first time. It was amazing, but also really scary at first. She was moving the probe all around my lower belly, and we weren't hearing anything...but then she hit the sweet spot and there it was! So amazing. A strong 169 bpm. Andy really loved hearing it and it was so fast! The first trimester screening wasn't bad, a little exhausting because the Dr. was running an HOUR behind. When we finally got in there, the appointment took about 30 mins. He explained to us what he was looking for and started the ultrasound. Many times he asked me to cough or move around to get the baby into other positions. It was kinda like a little game, watching baby bounce around in there :) We got a normal reading for the NT behind the neck and he also said the bloodflow and cervix look great. Oh, and by the way, both Dr's said they think we are having a....BOY! Our OB said he is only 70% certain because it is still early, so I will keep everyone updated!

How far along?: 12 weeks
How big is baby?: baby lime :)

Weight gain?: Dr. said about 3lbs, but I think it's more like 5!
Maternity Clothes?: not buttoning any of my jeans, and still using the BeBand. All my shirts I thought were 'long' are dwindling.
Stretch Marks?: not any new ones
Sleep?: Sleeping good.

Best moment this week?: Ultrasounds and seeing how much baby is growing!

Movement?: huh?

Food cravings?: Canned Ravioli's and Spaghetti-O's. Cheeseburgers and french fries :)
Aversions?: chicken! I dont want anything to do with it.

Gender?: Both Dr's said BOY!
Belly button in or out?: innie
What I miss most?: Doing any physical activity without feeling the pain of my sciatic nerve shooting down my leg!
What I'm looking forward to?: having a true 'baby bump' and not just pudgy-ness. Of course, when I get one, I'm sure I'll complain about being huge :)

Milestones: Seeing the growth baby has made and watching baby kick and turn in there!


Do you see anything?

Aww, lounging around.

3D Image - kinda cool!