Monday, August 29, 2011

17 Weeks!


How Far Along? 17 weeks

Size of baby: The size of an onion

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 4 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Maternity Jeans, yes, but still wearing mostly non-maternity tops

Gender: BOY!

Movement: Still feeling flutters, nips and pushing that definitely feels like baby movement

What I miss: Nada, not a thing

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty well, but laying on my tailbone for extended periods of time will wake me up

Symptoms: VERY thirsty lately

What I am looking forward to: Next ultrasound on September 12th

Weekly wisdom: That I just have to eat more than Im used to, even if its not what Im used to

Baby Ramey’s Progress

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. He can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Your Body This Week

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Erin Condren Giveaway!

Im going to take a few minutes to talk about these fancy Erin Condren Life Planners that have taken the blogging world by storm. They have been posted, tweeted and FBed about everywhere. It’s funny to me considering that as digital and “paperless” as we have become, these tangible, non-electronic planners have become all the rage. Just proves that you can’t duplicate the pleasure us OCD women get when we get our hands on a fun and colorful planner. I remember from high school on how much enjoyment I’ve gotten from starting off a new year with a new planner all decked out with the year’s important dates. I do think these planners are AWESOME and would love to have one, but the $50 price tag is keeping me away. Here’s the website http://www.erincondren.com/store/ and a fellow blogger over at The Link Home is also offering a giveaway with enough free store credits that one of these fancy planners could be yours for FREE!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

16 Weeks!

How Far Along? 16 weeks

Size of baby: The size of an avocado

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 2 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Maternity Jeans, yes, but still wearing mostly non-maternity tops

Gender: BOY!

Movement: I actually think I have started feeling this baby move but its very sporadic

What I miss: Nada, not a thing

Sleep: Still sleeping very well

Symptoms: VERY thirsty lately

What I am looking forward to: Baby bedding and crib coming in this week

Weekly wisdom: Its very important that I drink plenty of water. I didnt drink enough on Saturday and experienced some uncomfortable cramping, probably from dehydration.

Baby Ramey’s Progress

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Your Body This Week

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.


Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Second drs appt of the week!


Im off to the dr again this afternoon, but this is just a regular ob check with Dr. Seligman. Im so excited to tell him how well our appt on Monday went. He actually probably already knows but it’ll still be nice to discuss it with him. Im also hoping to discuss how we will handle my delivery. Dr. Seligman is part of a very large practice, 6-7 doctors. Typically at some point after 20 weeks they would make me start rotating through all the other doctors in the event that one of them is on call and has to perform the delivery. However, I don’t know how he plans to handle my situation. Nor do I even know how their practice in general handles this. We shall see.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Cravings and belly talk!

Im pretty good about any crazy cravings that I might I have. I usually am able to keep them at bay or satisfy them on my own. I’ve never ask Jason to run to the store at midnight to get a chocolate bar nor have I really ever ask him to go out unexpectedly for any food item. But last night, I had my first craving that I had to satisfy, although it was an easy and convenient request. We had gone to Saltgrass and had dinner and on the way home I decided that I needed a piece of Key Lime pie. Even though I was stuffed to the gill I had to have the piece of pie. So I told Jason that he had to stop somewhere for me to get a piece. We really got lucky and it only took one stop, the local Kroger had Key Lime pie in the bakery section. It was delicious and completely worth it, but the conversation Jason and I had later made me wish I hadn’t had that piece of pie.

This is how it went. I was lying in bed and rubbing my belly with my Burt's Bees Momma Belly Balm and he said "how big is he now" and I said "about 4 1/2 inches, the size of an apple". He followed that up with "and your belly is already that big? I can tell you're going to get really big".  Really, did he just say that??? I told him that I was showing early because I was about 22 weeks pregnant less than a year ago, my body is responding more quickly than last time, but I was still bummed. I don’t want to be comically big.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Baby bedding!

The obsession begins..... these are the 4 options Ive come up with. (You can click on the image to view them bigger)



15"ish" weeks comparison picture

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Doctor's Appointment Update!

My appointment yesterday couldn’t have gone better!!!! The brain checked out perfect and he also checked the heart, feet, toes, bladder, stomach, diaphragm, legs, arms and everything checked out perfectly. It was amazing!!!!!!!! He is perfect! In fact, the specialist has released me back to my regular Ob and I no longer have to see him at all! It is an amazing feeling to know that everything with our baby boy is just fine. We also got definitive confirmation that baby Ramey is definitely a BOY. See pictures below!




Monday, August 15, 2011

15 Weeks!

How Far Along? 15 weeks

Size of baby: The size of an apple

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 2 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Maternity Jeans, yes, but still wearing mostly non-maternity tops

Gender:
Dr thinks Boy- will find out for sure today.

Movement: I actually think I have started feeling this baby move but its very sporadic.

What I miss: Nothing at this point, Im loving being pregnant!

Sleep: Very well!

Symptoms: I am having trouble taking deep breaths at time, very thirsty at times, HEADACHES and I've just started recently having some pain in my tailbone!

What I am looking forward to: Drs appointment TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Ramey’s Progress

This week's big developments: Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl!

Your Body This Week

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Appt got moved!

The BIG ultrasound got moved from Tuesday at 3pm to Monday at 2pm. I've been a bundle of nerves for 4 weeks. Monday it will be over, one way or another. Ill update when I return from the appointment. Thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

1 Year Ago

1 year ago today I experienced what can only be described as the 2nd worst day of my life. I had my big 18 week ultrasound at my drs office but we were so confident that I didn’t even ask Jason to go. We had already paid for a private ultrasound so we knew our baby was a boy. We thought there was nothing else to be concerned with. How naïve were we? The ultrasound tech immediately noted that yes indeed our baby was a boy, after that I listened to her prattle on about his kidneys, spine, toes, fingers, heart, etc. It was a long 45 minute peak at our little boy and I was ecstatic. Afterwards, I popped in my drs office expecting a quick rundown of how I’m feeling and then I’d be on my way. But that was not to be. He comes in and sits down and says that they have detected fluid on little Ethan’s brain. Looking back, I should have known it was bad. The doctor did nothing to assuage my fears. There were no comforting words or words of encouragement that it might be fine. He already started throwing out medical jargon at the time that I knew nothing about, hydrocephalus and Dandy Walker. He was referring me to a perinatologist for further review. I left his office in tears. I called Jason and I was so hysterical at first I couldn’t get the words out. I called my  mom and then I headed back to work. The rest of the afternoon was a blur. We ended up seeing the peri that day, which should have also been a sign that things were very bad. That afternoon was filled with information overload and began the 3 weeks of hell trying to figure out EXACTLY what we were dealing with. We all know how that ended. I’ll never forget that day and yet here we are again- exactly one week from that dreaded “big” ultrasound.  A year ago I could never look forward to a time far enough ahead of us to see that there were still happy times ahead. Granted, this happiness is still tinged with a bit of fear, or maybe more than a just a bit. In fact, right now, it’s probably more accurately described as a whole lot of fear. But once again I’m looking ahead of us, looking to next Tuesday at approximately 4pm when the fear of the last year might finally be lifted. Whew, what a great feeling that could- WILL be!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Baby Jamesie!

In June, James Sikes aka Jamesie, was diagnosed with a very rare brain tumor. By late July he passed away. You can read the entire story here, on his parent’s blog- http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com. The real reason I’m putting this post up on my blog is to ask for a favor. See, in little James’ little life, one of the things he loved were giraffes. He went to the zoo twice to see them and his favorite stuffed animal was a baby giraffe. The Dallas Zoo recently announced that a baby female giraffe was born at the zoo and they are holding a contest to decide what this baby giraffe’s name will be. The parents are asking that in little James’ honor everyone send in a submission for the baby giraffe’s name to be Jamie the Giraffe, in honor of baby Jamesie and his love of giraffes. Here is a link to the form for submission. http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com/2011/08/giraffe-form.html Thanks!

14 Weeks!

How Far Along? 14 weeks

Size of baby: The size of a lemon

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 1 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Maternity Jeans, yes, but still wearing mostly non-maternity tops

Gender:
Dr thinks Boy!

Movement: Nope, nothing yet!

What I miss: Nothing at this point, Im loving being pregnant!

Sleep: Sleep pretty good, but will sleep better once I get my doggie door installed!

Symptoms: I am having trouble taking deep breaths at time, constipated (YUCK!), very thirsty at times, HEADACHES and I've just started recently having some pain in my tailbone!

What I am looking forward to: Drs appointment on Tuesday, August 16th- BIG Drs Appt!

Baby Ramey’s Progress

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Your Body This Week

Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Stafford Stories "Go To" Recipes

Over at one of my favorite blogs- Stafford Stories - she is hosting a linky party for everyone's "go-to" recipes. Beef bread is a recipe that I modified for my family's taste from another family recipe I learned from my cousin. You can really make this as healthy (wheat french bread, low fat soups, no/low fat cheese) or as sinful (white french bread, substitute sour cream for the low fat soups, full fat cheese, etc)  and comforting as you want!


Beef Bread

Ingredients

·         Loaf of French bread
·         1lb ground beef (I use really lean 93/7)
·         1 can of cream of celery
·         1 can of cream of onion
·         ¼ cup lowfat milk
·         2 cups shredded cheese
·         Lettuce
·         Tomato

 Directions
·         Preheat oven to to 350 degrees F.
·         Cook ground beef and drain
·         Mix the 2 cans of soup and milk with the ground beef and mix together just until warm
·         Slice French bread in half and dig a bit of the bread out to create a space to layer in the ground beef mixture
·         Spoon the beef mixture onto the halfed sides of French bread
·         Top with cheese
·         Bake at 350 degress for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is nice and crispy
·         Top with your favorite toppings- lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, etc

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Nursery Inspiration Board

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The countdown begins!

2 weeks from today- AUGUST 16th. The single most important day in our lives in a very long time! We will find out if this baby is healthy and without Dandy Walker. It is hopefully my last appointment with the perinatologist. If the baby’s brain looks good, then I will no longer be high-risk and there is no reason to see him further. I can resume my normal drs appts with Dr. Seligman without further need to have a specialist oversee my care. It means I will finally be able to breathe a little easier. It means that I will finally feel like this is real. It means that I will finally feel like I can dream of the day when we get to take this baby home with us.
 
I’m confident. I have to be. I’ve done all the research. I know the reoccurrence rate is very low- less than 5%. My head understands all that, but my heart won’t be completely at ease until that doctor looks at our baby’s brain and says that everything looks perfect. I know what it feels like to be the “lucky” (read: sucky!) winner of some incredibly crazy ass odds. We’ve been on the losing end of the  3 out of 10,000 type of odds. Is it too much to ask that we are spared this time around??? I hope not!

The countdown begins. 14 days…… tick, tock, tick tock….

Monday, August 1, 2011

13 Weeks!

How Far Along? 13 weeks

Size of baby: The size of a peach or medium shrimp

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 1 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Not really yet, but getting close

Gender:
Dr thinks Boy!

Movement: Nope, nothing yet!

What I miss: Nothing at this point, Im loving being pregnant!

Sleep: Sleep VERY WELL!

Symptoms: I am getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom at least once!

What I am looking forward to: Drs appointment on Tuesday, August 15th- BIG Drs Appt!

Baby Ramey’s Progress

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries.

Your Body This Week

This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow.