Halfway There!

Yesterday marked my 19th week of pregnancy which means I am halfway there! It's amazing how fast the time has flown and how much my belly has started to grow. It's fun to watch the growth from week to week. Unfortunetly, I don't have a new belly pic yet. My camera is out of juice at the moment. So until I get more batteries, you'll have to visualize me in your head as best you can, lol. I've definitely got a noticeable bulge though. Over this past weekend, I felt the baby move for the first time. It is very slight and you really have to pay attention to your belly. The other day I hadn't felt the baby until Brian came home and we were talking with each other on the couch. Then the baby started to kick-it was SO cute! Here is a little bit about baby this week:
Our baby's sensory development is exploding! The brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that the baby may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to the baby, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. (I have read to the baby once.)
Our baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the body now. The kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on the scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on the skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
That's all for now. I hope to post a belly picture soon! :)

18 Weeks

Our baby's ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so she can actually hear us talking now. This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that sounds like some long and involved paperwork you'd have to fill out, it's really a fancy medical term for the hardening of our baby's miniature bones. And that's a good thing. Our baby's nerves are making more and more complex connections. Her sense of smell, taste, sight and hearing are all developing. A substance called myelin, which makes nerve connections travel faster, is now coating our baby's nerves. Our baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli. (I'm familiar with pickles, right? My regular accompaniment to a big bowl of ice cream? Just kidding.)
At about 18 weeks, I have begun to feel a suspicious flutter in my belly. The professionals call it "quickening," some call it "baby's makin' waves!" Within the next few weeks, those tiny bubbly feelings will become more obvious. And soon enough they'll be unmistakably identifiable—especially when I (and anyone within 10 feet of me) can see tiny feet, elbows and knees moving across your belly.

16 Weeks

It's official! I am now 4 months pregnant! Time sure has flown and by baby bump has seemed to grow by the minute! Here is a snippet about the baby from www.whattoexpect.com:
Your baby now weighs in at a whopping three to five ounces, and he's four to five inches in length. The bones that are now in place in his ears means he can probably hear your voice as you talk to your partner and pals and sing in the car. While he’s getting used to your voice, the tiny muscles in his body, especially the ones in his back, are gaining strength, so he can straighten out a little more. And thanks to his developing facial muscles, your baby is capable of making a few expressive frowns and squints, even at this early stage. (Don’t worry, those frowns have nothing to do with the sound of your voice!) And his eyes are finally working, making small side-to-side movements and perceiving light (although the eyelids are still sealed). Peekaboo!
I will soon feel the baby move....I'm so excited! :) I had a routine doctor's visit yesterday and heard the heartbeat as well as learned I gained a few pounds (but it's for a good cause!). The next time I see the doctor will be for my first ultrasound on November 1, and I hope to learn whether it is a boy or a girl! :) Then it's time to register for the little peanut. Everything continues to go well for me, more headaches lately, but still taking daily naps and putting my feet up often. Thanks for all of your prayers and support.

15 Weeks

Today marks my 15th week of pregnancy!

Our little peanut is now the size of an orange! The baby is 4 to 4 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 1 3/4 ounces. At this time, the baby is starting to wiggle like crazy though I won't feel it for a couple more weeks. It may even begin sucking its thumb!

I myself find my bump growing a bit every week. I have gained a little more energy, though power naps are still wonderful! I am now starting to learn to sleep on my side; it will pay off later as I get better, I hear. I have always been a stomach sleeper so this should be interesting! Something special happening this week...my parents are coming for a visit from Colorado. I am so excited! I cannot wait to see them and show them Ft. Wayne. They will be here for an extended weekend. It will feel so good to have them here. :)

Here are a couple of pictures to share: Enjoy!

14 Weeks

This week marks my 14th week of pregnancy. Here is a little info about the baby:

Baby's now the size of a lemon!
Our adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over his/her body for warmth.

Something sad happened this week...my family dog, Bailey, was put to sleep. She was 14 years and 18 days old. Our whole family is sad...and mourning in different ways. My mom and dad were with her when her heart stopped beating, while my sister and I are miles away. I truly don't think this death will impact me until I go home for Thanksgiving and she's not there. She was a best friend and a dear family member, and I will miss her more than words can say. She meant something different to all of us. Each of us had a unique relationship with her. I have been out of the house now since I started attending college, and I have always wondered what Bailey thought. Why is she leaving? Where is she going? Is she coming back? Did I do something to send her away? And yet, Bailey would always greet me with a wagging tail and a million kisses. No matter how long I had been gone or even that I had left. She remembered me. It breaks my heart to know I did not get to say a final good-bye to her. When I last saw her in May...I knew it may be my last but I prayed it wasn't. I know she knows I loved her very much, and yet I feel as if she just didn't understand I had to leave home to live my life. Has any one seen the movie Hachi? The dog goes to the train stop every day to wait for his master to return and one day the master doesn't return because he dies. The dog still goes to the train every single day to look for his master, his best friend. He goes for years and years. Wondering where his master went. That's how I think Bailey felt...wondering where I went and when I would come back. Regardless, I love her and I will miss her and I know she was very loved and very happy while with our family. Good-bye, Bailey.

Welcome 2nd Trimester

I am now officially in my 2nd trimester and it thrills me! I'm ready to feel like myself again and have more energy! Here is a belly pic:

Clothes are beginning to feel even more snug and I change into my sweat pants as soon as I walk through the door! I am so thankful everything continues to go well with me and the baby. Thank you for all of your prayers. They mean so much to me. I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl in about 5-6 more weeks! :)

We're Expecting!

The secret is out: I'm going to have a baby! :) Brian and I are super excited about having a little peanut added to our family soon. Today marks 12 weeks for me and the baby. Hard to believe how fast time has already flown...seems like just last week I was at the doctor confirming the fact that I was pregnant. To the left, you will see a picture I took this morning of my baby bump. Here are some more highlights of the past 12 weeks:

~My family received a phone call to hear the news(due to the distance factor). Brian's family received bibs wrapped up in gift bags. You should have seen the looks on their faces. :)

~Shared the news with my co-workers at the daycare via a work meeting

~Symptoms? Headaches, nausea, back aches, acne, emotional highs and lows, and fatigue

~No longer tutoring...just working at the daycare

~Plans are in the works for a double baby shower at home in Colorado in November! My sister is also pregnant...due 1 month before me!

~Milestone: Last week, Brian and I heard the baby's heartbeat! Simply amazing...

~This weekend I bought my first maternity item for my new wardrobe at Kohl's and today shopped online for new pants due to my expanding waistline :)

The first 12 weeks have all in all been fine. It was not as bad as I was expecting, and I wasn't as sick as I thought I would be. Brian has been a great support system and is there when I need a shoulder to cry on (for no reason at all of course!). We're very excited about having a baby and we appreciate all of your prayers. We do hope to find out what the sex of the baby is eventually. Then I can go shopping! :) Our due date is March 25.

More updates to follow in the coming months...