My baby love!

I must admit that I have been sort of a sleuth these past 2 weeks! For some reason I am becoming quite impatient in knowing the sex of our little bean. I do not know how some people wait the whole 40 weeks to find out! My attempts have been fruitless (thanks to said bean) and the gender still remains a mystery. In my opinion this is a point for team pink... seeing as how girls can be some of the most stubborn people in the world. Our first mission started with a co-worker of mine scanning me and the bean in the back of our unit. There were several ladies watching as we attempted to visualize the goods, but the bean was being very modest. Every time we would get in position he would move... and usually glare back at us as to say "leave me the heck alone". Let's hope that if the bean is a girl, she continues to be this modest! However, I did have some heart melting moments during this meeting... a couple of yawns (it was 3am), swallows, sticking his tongue out, sitting indian style, and rubbing his face. Surprisingly, as we were searching for the goods I found myself not wanting to know until Mike could be there to share the special moment with us. I guess everything happens for a reason right?

It just so happens that I had my 18 week appointment with Dr. Y this past week, and much to my excitement he has an ultrasound machine in his office. I figured this would be a perfect time for Mike and I to visit with the bean and maybe talk him in to showing us his stuff. Also, we have had some scary things happen to our tiny patients (at my work) over the past couple of weeks. So my anxiety levels have gotten pretty high wondering if my precious baby was doing all of the right things. After a little bit of begging on my part, Dr. Y graciously conceded and the scan commenced. As soon as he placed the probe on my belly the bean was spread eagle... I couldn't believe it, I knew the bean wanted Mikey to be there! I asked Dr. Y what he thought of the genital situation and he sadly told me that he did not want to guess, as it might be a little too early. Boooooo! However, this disappointment was quickly forgotten as he continued the scan. He carefully measured the beans head, bones and organs... all of which were in the right place and growing/functioning as they should. Big cheers for the bean!!! I cannot be anymore ecstatic that we have a healthy little one on the way!

How far along? 18 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I have finally broken even.... so sad! At least the doctor was happy that I gained some weight.

Maternity clothes? Still holding out, thinking I will do this next week while my mom is here, she can help soften the blow!

Sleep: Yes please, I take more naps than a 90 year old woman.

Best moment this week: Knowing that we have a happy, healthy little bean on the way!

Movement: Oh yes! I think he is playing a game of ping-pong as I sit here typing this blog.

Gender: 1 more week until the reveal. Can't wait! Hopefully the bean is on board with giving up the secret.

Labor Signs: No thank you!

Belly Button in or out? In, no progress... but I can still see the ugly part.

What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy, this side-sleeping thing is not cool.

What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender next week....finally!

Weekly Wisdom: Stay away from sick people, the flu terrifies me!

Milestones: The fact that the bean is reaching his milestones makes me the happiest woman in the world!

Nobody deserves a punch in the cervix!

So remember in my last post, when I was happily reminiscing about all of the wonderful little movements I had been feeling? Well, this little movement was not so wonderful. The bean and I were "enjoying" a trip to the local HEB, which by the way is always a mad house, no matter the time of day! It all started as I was walking down the pasta aisle, I could feeling him stretching around near the top of my uterus as he was gently loving on his mommy! I stopped in my tracks so I that I could enjoy his little dancing session. Then, his movements started to get a little more heated, I think that he was in the "break it down" interlude of the song. As he was feverishly moving around he started to work his way down to the bottom part of my uterus... and that's when it happened! BAM!!! Let me just tell you... a little fist/foot and your cervix are NOT a good combination. I think I actually let out an audible cry, and if it were not for my phobic fear of germs I would have dropped to my knees and curled into the fetal position. Imagine the most sensitive part of your body being T.K.O'd by Holyfeild and you will be on my level in that moment. Not fun, for me anyways. The bean continued to dance into the grand finale, luckily the finale entailed a closing cartwheel into the top of my uterus... my cervix was safe alas!

Enough excitement about my cervix... let's move on to an equally disgusting/too much information topic, gas! Let's start by saying poor, poor Mikey. He is often the victim in this situation as of lately. As I am sure everyone knows, the worst part of having gas is not being able to let it rip. This is the case at my place of employment because it is just plain disgusting to fart in a hospital, let alone an intensive care unit. Now, I work 24 hour shifts and I cannot make it into my call room every 5 minutes to get a bit of relief. So this means that I store it up over the course of the day. By the time the evening rolls around, I look and feel as though I am 10 months pregnant. I am in so much pain that sometimes I could just cry! Can anyone help a gassy pregnant lady out.... suggestions??

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Still down a total of three pounds. I felt 15 pounds lighter after I let all of that gas out...sheesh!

Maternity clothes? Still holding out, the maternity pants scare me! I think I am going to have to cave soon!

Sleep: Still as tired as ever, the bean is using all of my energy to grow.

Best moment this week: More distinct movement, except for the punch in the cervix, I can definitely do without that one!

Movement: Oh yes! Mikey really wants to join the movement bandwagon, poor boy!

Gender: 3 more weeks until the reveal.

Labor Signs: No thank you!

Belly Button in or out? In, no progress... but I can still see the ugly part.

What I miss: My mommy, it has been too long since I have seen her :( 3 more weeks until we get to play!

What I am looking forward to: More daddy talks, Mikey has been getting a little shy around the bean since the bean can actually hear him now!

Weekly Wisdom: Treasure each second, although some moments are not quite so pleasant. I do not know if I will ever be this blessed again!

Milestones: There is only one pair of jeans left that I can button... yikes!

I have been a bad mommy!

Sorry for the lack of posts the past two weeks, most importantly the missed bean photo-ops! Something tells me the bean is doing some major growing over the past 2 weeks. For some reason I can't button the jeans anymore, which has resulted in a few tears. I have begun to resort to the "poor man's maternity pants." What is the world is that you ask? Well, it is simply the use of a rubberband to keep my britches around my waist and not around the ankles. I do not know if it because I am to cheap, or to proud to buy maternity pants. But have you seen those things? They are absolutely hideous and I plan on putting off that endeavor for as long as possible. Also, the insane tiredness has overtaken me once again, just when Mike was getting used to me looking alive for at least half of the day.

Now, to share the most exciting news to date! For the past week or so I think I have been feeling the bean dance around. Some people think I am crazy and some think I am incredibly lucky to be able to experience such a thing so early (16 weeks). But trust me, I KNOW what gas feels like and this is just different. I will describe it as a goldfish swimming around in my uterus, just little brushes and flutters! Besides, the ultrasound tech assured me that I would feel movement super early due to my frame and the luckiness of having a posterior placenta. Hey, one can fantasize and dream right?

Another exciting thing was my first purchase for the bean, I do not think he was excited as I was! A brand spanking new Vera Bradley diaper bag (thank you Rue-la-la)!!! I absolutely love her line and the bags are absolutely precious. So I included a photo for your weekly viewing pleasure. I know it is not as adorable as the bean, but it will have to do. Yes, I know I purchased the blue bag, but none of her pink bags were available at the time of the sale. I am taking this as a sign, as silly as that sounds. Another win for team blue!!

How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Still down three pounds, this appears to be on the up-swing. I guess the cupcakes and french fries are finally biting me in the butt, literally!

Maternity clothes? I am officially starting to have a hard time with this, see above!

Sleep: Just when I thought I was finally going to see the light of day. I guess the bean has other plans for me!

Best moment this week: Feeling the bean love on me, or beat me up... however you prefer to view it. Most amazing feeling ever!!!

Movement: Definitely! Can I have some more please?

Gender: The premonition remains on team blue, thank you Vera Bradley!

Labor Signs: No thank you!

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but I am starting to see the part of your belly button that you are not supposed to see... EVER!

What I miss: Being able to button my jeans, that is a good sign right? Reassurance is greatly appreciated :)

What I am looking forward to: Mikey being able to feel the bean move, we have tried with no such luck. He even tries to con him into moving by talking to him, it is pretty funny!

Weekly Wisdom: Treasure the emergence of a baby bump, even if it just looks like you had one to many beers.

Milestones: Feeling the first movements, all I can say is WOW!! Also, Mike and I enjoying our evenings with the bean... we still love to hear his little heartbeat each night!

There's no crying in baseball!

So there have been several developments over the past week, one of them being me turning into a big crybaby! It's unpredictable, often unwarranted and just plain silly at times. I find that it occurs most often when I am listening to music, namely country, therefore it means that I am usually in the car. Luckily my windows are tinted so innocent passerbys do not have to witness the spectacle. I have always found music emotional and moving, even prior to my pregnant state, but this is just a little ridiculous! I am definitely afraid to go to the movies, in fear of embarrassing myself and the poor soul who accompanies me. This proves difficult since there are so many movies I want to see right now, one of them being The Time Traveler's Wife which I heard is sad and highly emotional. Anyone up for the task of taking me on a movie date?

On another note, I finally got a much needed haircut! (pictures to follow in future updates) I can already hear Mike calling it the "mom bob", but I am a fan and I think it is pretty stylish! I was under the impression that you are supposed to grow thick and beautiful hair while you are pregnant... well, I can unfortunately tell you that is a big fat lie! I am surprised that I have any hair left at this point. Great... I am going to be a bald, fat, acne infested woman. Attractive!

How far along? 14 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Still down five pounds.... despite my horrible eating habits this week. I need to put down the tator tots!
Maternity clothes? I actually ventured into a maternity store this week (just to check out the sale) and the lady did not believe that I was 15 weeks pregnant, I could have kissed her!!!
Sleep: I have narrowed it down to one 1 hour nap a day, exciting progress!
Best moment this week: Listening to the bean's sweet, sweet heartbeat... there is nothing I love more in this world (besides Mikey)!
Movement: Quite possibly felt a 'flutter' this week, I am pretending that it was in fact the bean and not just gas.
Gender: He knocked twice... does that mean it is a boy?
Labor Signs: No thank you!
Belly Button in or out? In, happy to report this is the only thing that has not progressed this week.
What I miss: My hair, I hope the last few strands decide to stick around a while.
What I am looking forward to: More movement please!!! I'm not so patiently waiting.
Weekly Wisdom: If the tears want to come, let them flow. Just try and dance through them.
Milestones: Hearing the bean's heartbeat. Have I mentioned how amazing this is?