{Pregnancy Update} 17 Weeks

Week 17: 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 she’s around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop. (source)

17 weeks 2 days

How I’m Changing

I can finally feel the baby move! I feel little flutters and kicks most days and now I am looking forward to the day where I feel more movement and when Neil will be able to feel them too.
How I’m Feeling
I am still  feeling exhausted and hungry.  I still am having trouble sleeping lately and toss and turn all night and usually am up by 5am.

What I’m EatingI am still on a sriracha kick but I also have been loving salads this week.  I have had big salads with kale chip crumbles and avocado a few times this week and they are so tasty.  I also have been enjoying lots of beans.

 Pregnancy Chat:

Neil and I have been trying to (slowly) get our home ready for baby and part of that is the nursery.  I know that we will be getting this crib thanks to my parents and we have a small Ikea Expedit that we will also be using, however we now have to figure out the other details furnishings and storage.  I was looking into tips and tricks for the nursery and I came across this:

Toss the junk –Having a baby often means you’re showered with gifts. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep and love everything Cousin Gertrude gave you! Take a picture of your kiddo wearing the item or playing with it, write her a thank-you note and put it in the outbound pile [<–love this idea]. As a parent you need to constantly manage both the inflow and outflow of stuff in your space, so dedicate a bag or two for things that are no longer in active use, and once they are full, get them out. Store the items that you love that make the cut for a future child, but pass others along to a mommy friend with different taste or donate them. Swimming in excess samples from the hospital? Stash a few in your diaper bag, use up the ones you love and toss the rest! You don’t need random stuff you’ll rarely use. (source)

I think that this excerpt makes a really good point – if it is just taking up space or it’s just not for you don’t keep it.  I know that many people mean well and want to give you hand-me-downs and things that they really like and while that would never go unappreciated you may just not want/like/need the item. So as I see it don’t feel bad if you decide to donate the item(s), I mean really if you kept everything you were ever given you might see yourself on the next episode of Hoarders and nobody wants that.

 For those of you who are parents or parents-to-be how do you handle unwanted/needed gifts? 
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Random Facts of The Week:
  • Total Weight Gain: 7 pounds (I think).
  • Workouts:  prenatal yoga and Summer Sanders Prenatal Workout – I have also started a new workout plan that is posted on my fridge with my goals to do 2 workouts and prenatal yoga each week and a bonus day when I can. Every 4 weeks I will evaluate my progress and if I complete my 2 workouts and yoga each week I get to go to the spa for a pre-natal massage.
  • Baby Items Purchased: Lots of nursery items including a dresser off craigslist (only $50), an ottoman with storage, a lamp and a few decorations.
  • Gender Suspicions:  boy.
  • Cravings: sriracha.

{Pregnancy Update} Almost 16 Weeks

Where has the time gone? I am just now getting around to write my Week 15 pregnancy update but since I am 15 weeks 5 days today I think I will do a 15/16 week update.

Week 15: 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. (source)

Week 16: 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. (source)

And finally a photo of moi…

(please ignore the crazy eyes)

How I’m Changing

I am getting rounder. Duh right? I especially feel rounder in the evening after I’ve eaten all day and everyday I feel a little bit different.  Now you can finally see the physical changes and I will post a new photo each week from now on so you can watch my changes.

How I’m Feeling

I am feeling exhausted and hungry.  I am having trouble sleeping lately and toss and turn all night, this whole sleeping on my left side thing just isn’t my favorite. I end up tossing and turning from side to side to relieve my hips.  In addition to aching hips, my mind is racing a mile a minute creating lists of things I need to do to prep for the baby.  Oh and don’t get me started on the crazy dreams! Needless to say I am trying to get used to all these changes and I try to find time to sleep when I can.

 

What I’m Eating

I am eating everything lately! I am so hungry all the time so I have been eating small meals throughout the day. Currently my favorite things are brown rice with beans and sriracha and my husbands AMAZING pasta he made the other night with veggies and garlic <—craving this right now.
Random Facts of The Week:

The Great Debate: Babymoon

babymoon : A last vacation taken by expectant parents before a baby is born.

Ever since we found out we were expecting I have had a babymoon on the brain and I have been searching and searching for the perfect trip.   The trip must fit into our limited budget since our normal fun/travel budget is much smaller with a baby on the way and it must be somewhere relaxing.  Usually when we travel we are always on the go, running around to here and there, this time we want to just sit and relax. The other factor that we have to consider is the fact that I only have a small window of opportunity to fly and unfortunately that is February to mid-March, the most expensive time to fly south from Vermont (of course).

Ideally our babymoon would be spent somewhere like this:

(source)

Sunny, warm and on the beach with a virgin mojito in my hand.  Instead we probably will have to go with Option B:

(source)

Still on the ocean but only 4 hours driving from home and about 40 degrees colder (I don’t think we’ll be lounging on the beach.)

Either way I know we will have an amazing time together.

Did you go on a babymoon? Where did you go? 

{Pregnancy Update} 14 Weeks

I had planned on writing this post a few days ago but now here I am at 14w4d and I’m finally posting here on the new blog. I also had said that I would have my first bump photo but well the weekend got away from me and I didn’t have Neil take one so expect one at at 15 week update.

How I’m Changing

I am starting to finally look more pregnant.  I have mini bump and I’m looking forward to the day when I have a big noticeable bump.

How I’m Feeling

I am feeling really good, but pretty tired out in the evenings and I have been going to be at 7:30p-8:30p and getting up at 4:30a most mornings.  I am going to attempt to get myself into a better routine because early wake ups just aren’t working for me. I am also going to increase my workouts to 3-4 times per week and hopefully attend pre-natal yoga once per week starting this week or next.

 

What I’m Eating

This week I have eaten lots of salads, bean dishes and too much coconut milk ice cream.  Saturday I made a polenta lasagna which was delicious but I ended up with ridiculous indigestion which doesn’t seem to want to go away.
Random Facts of The Week:
  • Total Weight Gain: 5 pounds (I think).
  • Workouts:  um none this week. Fail.
  • Baby Items Purchased: 10 for $10 onesies.
  • Gender Suspicions:  Still leaning towards a boy.
  • Cravings: beans and creamy foods.

Pregnancy Update: Week 13

I have finally made it to the last week of my first trimester and it feels amazing! We had our second midwife appointment on Wednesday which involved a head-to-toe physical and we got to hear the babies very strong heart beat for the very first time.  It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait for our next appointment.

So what’s going on this week:

your baby at 13 weeks

  • Can you believe she’s forming vocal cords and teeth?!
  • And even though she’s still teeny, she already has fingerprints.
  • Her intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to their more permanent place, in her tummy.

(source)

How I’m Changing

I am more calm. Since becoming pregnant I have worked hard at being more relaxed, calm and less of a worrier.  I know that worrying and stressing about things is bad for me and the baby and I finally feel like I have successfully achieved my desired peaceful state of being.

How I’m Feeling

I am feeling really good, I finally have more energy and no morning sickness and it’s amazing.  I still have so fatigue and I can’t go at the same pace that I once did but I am feeling the best I have in the last 13 weeks. I am also feeling hungry more often and find myself eating 5-6 small meals per day. I no longer can sit down to my regular sized meal, I am full after about half of it but I am hungry again 2 hours later.  I also have been experiencing extreme hunger pains that come out of nowhere. One minute I am fine and the next I am HANGRY, so I try to keep healthy snacks on me at all times for moments like this.

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What I’m Eating

This week I have been back to eating salads, I have actually been craving them.  I also have been enjoying hot sauce….on everything.  I am currently addicted to sriracha and I want to put it on everything from hummus to wraps to pasta.  I am so happy to finally have more normal appetite back and I am looking forward to whipping up more fun recipes at home in the coming weeks.
Random Facts of The Week:
  • Total Weight Gain: 5 pounds.
  • Workouts:  So far two workouts this week (you can read more here)
  • Baby Items Purchased: None (so far).
  • Gender Suspicions:  I am currently leaning towards a boy.
  • Cravings: sriracha. salads. bagels.

Ringing In The New Year

This New Year’s Eve this Hubz and I decided to keep things pretty relaxed starting with a stroll around downtown and some light shopping. Our light shopping included a trip to the maternity section at Baby Gap where they were having a massive sale on items. I ended up finding two skirts, one dress and seven tops for only $89!


After we finished shopping we headed to dinner at A Single Pebble. We had a gift certificate to use and went a little all out and ordered the mock eel, the vegan dry fried green beans, scallion pancakes, vegan mock tangerine chicken and the double garlic broccoli. We also ended up with a vegan general chou’s mock chicken because they brought us it by mistake so we ended up with a ton of leftovers. I didn’t take photos since we were having a cellphone/camera free date night but here are some recycled photos of a few of the dishes.

After our date night we headed home to relax on the couch where I promptly fell asleep at 8:30pm. No surprise though I don’t think I have made it to midnight in probably over 10 years.

The remainder of our weekend involved eating leftovers, watching Netlix (currently addicted to The Vampire Diaries) and going for a nice long walk by the lake.

How did you spend your New Year’s Weekend?

Pregnancy Update: Week 12

Only two more weeks until I’m out of my first trimester! This has been the longest first trimester and I’m so ready to move on to phase two of my pregnancy.

your baby’s the size of a plum!

The average fetus at 12 weeks is about 2.1 inches long and .49 ounces. Now that she’s got pretty much all her parts, her main job is to keep on growing.

Your baby at 12 weeks:

  • Most of her critical systems are fully formed!
  • She’s about to enter the growth and maturation stage, in which her organs and tissues will grow and develop rapidly.
  • She’s now developing her reflexes — if you poke her body, she’ll likely move.
  • She’s opening and closing her fingers and curling her toes, too.
  • Her brain is developing fast!
(source) also note we have no idea if it’s a boy or a girl but thebump.com refers to everything as she/her.
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How I’m Changing
I’m starting to look more pregnant! My bump is starting to develop and I’m excited for the day when it is a noticeable bump and I no longer look like I have just gained weight. Other than that I haven’t noticed many other changes at this time.
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How I’m Feeling
Last week I had horrible sinus congestion and post nasal drip, but this week things are better and my morning sickness has started to lighten up.  I have had a little bit of nausea and I still have afternoon (and sometimes morning) fatigue but over all I am starting to feel better.
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What I’m Eating
I am happy to say that my food aversions are starting to die down and I am slowly getting back to normal meals. Over Christmas I was addicted to veggies and homemade vegan ranch dip; if there hadn’t been a house full of people on Christmas Eve I could have finished off the veggie and dip plate all by myself. I also have been eating lots of beans in chili, in wraps and in curry.

Vegan Wedge Salad with Tempeh Bacon

Homemade Three-Bean Veggie Chili

The Addicting Veggie Platter

The Addicting Veggie Platter

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Random Facts of the Week:

Overall weight gained: 3.5 lbs
Crying fests: um all the time when I watch tv or movies
Food cravings: veggies and vegan ranch dip and sriracha (on everything)
Number of pants that fit: 5
Maternity clothes purchased: 4 tops and 2 bottoms…..how many items returned 1 top and 1 bottom from Gap

Photos taken of the cat with our new camera (just prepping for the bebe): 200