13 Weeks!

How far along am I? 13 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? Still at starting weight

Maternity clothes? It's getting really close to time. A few pairs of pants are feeling a little tight.

Sleep? I went back to work this week, so I have been really tired by the time I get home. Still waking up in the middle of the night, but I am able to fall back asleep pretty quickly.

Best moment this week? Telling a few more people at work that didn't know. It's so fun to see people's reactions.

How I'm feeling? Feeling great. I have been able to get so much done at work, I guess I am getting energy again.

Movement? Only a few more weeks, until I can start to feel him/her. I read you can start to feel them around 16-18 weeks.

Fetal doppler? We tried the other day and no luck. We heard the swishing sound again, but not a steady beat. I am going to try again this weekend.

Food cravings? I guess salty things, but no real food cravings. I pretty much eat whatever is around or whatever looks good at the time.

What I miss? Nothing!

What I am looking forward to? Finding out the sex of the baby. I am calling today to make the appointment for Saturday, August 22nd. I can't wait. That's 3 weeks away!

Milestones? Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords...savor this, their nonfunctional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with his head now only one third the size of his body. And intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy -- much more convenient.

12 Weeks!

How far along am I? 12 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? at zero, back to where I started
Maternity clothes? I am still able to fit into my regular clothes, but I have some maternity clothes very close by.
Sleep? Sleeping stinks lately. I have been waking up every night around 2:00 am, and not falling back asleep until 5:00 am. I better get this under control before school starts. 5:15 comes really early!
Best moment this week? Hearing our little ducky's heartbeat out loud for the first time. It was the best sound I've ever heard. I feel like I can finally stop worrying so much, well for a little bit anyways.
How I'm feeling? Not feeling my best the past two days. I can't really eat at night. Breakfast and lunch seem to be fine, but around dinner time I start to feel yucky. My doctor gave me prescription prenatal vitamins, and I am wondering if that is making a difference. I have only been taking them for 3 days. Who knows??
Movement? Still to early to feel. I read I should start to feel him/her around 16-18 weeks. Not too much longer.
Fetal Doppler? Since the doctor had such an easy time finding the heartbeat, I figured I would give it a try yesterday. I picked up several readings. One was around 160's another was around 130's. I am going to try again this week. I think I heard the heartbeat again, but I read it could be the placenta.
Food cravings? Not much, the things that sound the best are carbs. Chips, crackers. I am on a fruit kick still. I tried to make a grilled cheese for dinner last night, and my tummy said, "NO WAY!"
What I miss? Eating a regular dinner
What I am looking forward to? Selling my car soon, so I can get my new car. I am also looking forward to 16 weeks. We are going to go to an independent ultrasound place that does gender ultrasounds at 16 weeks. My doctor won't do the gender ultrasound until 20 weeks. I am too impatient!
Milestones?At 12 weeks pregnant, the herculean task of developing new bodily structures is nearing an end as most of your baby's systems are fully formed. Now comes the maintenance phase, during which your fetus' systems continue to mature for the next 28 weeks and the organs get to work. Your little fetus weighs as much as half an ounce now, and the crown-to-rump length is about two and a half inches.

12 week appointment today!

So the day I have been counting down to for the last four weeks finally arrived. We went in today for our 12 week appointment. We had to fill out more paperwork, and they took lots of blood from me (7 vials). Dr. Hirsch came in and found the heartbeat (very quickly) with the doppler. It was the greatest sound I have ever heard. We have seen the heartbeat at the two previous ultrasounds, but this was the first time we heard it out loud. It was really fast, and he said it was very strong. I forgot to ask for the beats per minute, but I could hear it was very fast. When Dr. Hirsch first found it, he said, "Yep, that's a girl. Definitely a girl." I was still in amazement of hearing the sound and I said, "Say that again." He told me he could promise me...he had no idea what it was...he was kidding.
We are just so relieved that everything looked and sounded good. We will go back in four weeks for our 16 week appointment.
**Oh and great news....He said I can now get my hair done, so I am going tomorrow.

11 Weeks! It's a lime!

How far along am I? 11 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? Still down 2 pounds
Maternity clothes? I can't wait to go shopping with all my gift certificates I got for my birthday. I still am not wearing maternity clothes, but I did have two days this past week, I couldn't button my pants! I guess it's getting close!
Sleep? I finally was able to nap two days last week. I had to turn off the TV, turn my phone on silent, and turn the sound machine on. I slept for about an hour and half both times, and it was great! I am still waking up several times during the night, and getting up about 7:00am. This past week, I have felt more tired than before. Maybe my body is telling me to rest!
Best moment this week? We are going to the doctor Monday for my 12 week appointment. They told us to expect a lot of blood work, and hopefully we will be able to hear the heartbeat on the doppler. If not, I will be demanding (nicely, of course) an ultrasound, so I can be sure everything is fine. I have never been more worried about something in my life. I still have so many symptom-free days, I just want to make sure everything is okay.
How I'm feeling? Definitely more tired this week, and having quite a bit more nausea than before. Still no throwing up, but having a hard time at night trying to find something to eat. Other than that I feel great.
Movement? Still too early, but I'm sure he or she is flipping and rolling all over.
Fetal Doppler? I tried again two days ago, but couldn't hear a steady heartbeat. The doppler would flash numbers around 140-160, but I couldn't hear a steady beat. I did hear a swishing at one point, but they say the heartbeat should sound like galloping horses.
Food Cravings? Scott, my cousin's husband, made my favorite potato skins. Once I new he was making those I had quite the craving for them. No other major cravings, but I still like the pineapple cups.
What I miss? Ronnie and Susan's hot tub.
What I am looking forward to? Going Mommymobile shopping this week. I asked my dad to go car shopping with me this week. He is quite the negotiator, that's putting it nicely :) I have been researching cars online. I think it's down to the Honda Pilot or the Toyota 4Runner.
Milestones? Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

It's the never ending birthday!

I just got the mail and my friend Megan sent me a sweet birthday card with a Macy's gift card to use towards maternity clothes. Thanks Megan, now getting ready to go shopping!

This was my Best Birthday EVER!!!

My birthday started with many texts and phone calls, a dozen roses, cards, and surprises. My cousin Melanie and her husband Scott came all the way over from Alabama to celebrate with me. We all went to the pool for the afternoon, then we came home and Scott made my favorite potato skins on the grill and Chris grilled hamburgers. Then we had my favorite dessert, Pink Strawberry cake. Melanie was so sweet to bring it all the way to our house. Melanie also gave me a precious white handkerchief that has the word "Mother" stitched on it. I received so many wonderful gifts. I will be busy in the next few weeks, getting my hair done (thanks Dad!), going shopping at Izzy maternity and the Loft (thanks Brian, Hope, Mackenzie, Mom, Steve, Susan and Ronnie), and getting a Pregnancy massage (thanks Josh, Megan, Melanie and Scott). I was also treated to an awesome pedicure (thanks Krissie). I got two new charms to add to my charm necklace, one is a pair of baby booties, and the other is a #1 teacher certificate. My mom gave me a very cute clutch I had seen at her store that I liked. God gave me the best present ever, our little baby Sevin!

10 Weeks!! Double Digits!!

Okay, so a prune is not the prettiest fruit, but who cares, our little baby is getting big!

How far along am I? 10 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? Still down 2 pounds
Maternity clothes? Not having to wear any yet, but I can tell it's coming soon. Some pants are getting tighter.
Sleep? Still no naps, but sleeping really well at night. I keep reading about the Snoogle body pillow for pregnant women, I think I will get one soon. It sounds comfy.
Best moment this week? My birthday is Saturday and my brother, Megan, Mackenzie, Melanie and Scott are coming to celebrate with me. I went last week and told my principal and she was so excited. That was a relief to tell her.
How I'm feeling? Still no sickness! I really feel great and don't really feel "pregnant" yet. I was talking to the nurse at my doctor's office and asked her if I should be worried that I don't have any morning sickness. She told me I am just one of the lucky ones, and that I must just handle pregnancy well. She also said, "Don't jinx yourself! Enjoy it!"
Movement? Still to early to feel anything, but the baby is moving in there.
Fetal Doppler? I am going to try again this week. I tried the other day and got a one time reading of 158, but I couldn't hear it.I tried for a few minutes to find it again, but I couldn't.
Food cravings? Still loving the pineapple cups and popsicles. Meat has not sounded good, but I did eat a chicken taco the other day that was great.
What I miss? Nothing....I love being pregnant!
What I am looking forward to? Finding out the sex of the baby. Everytime I go out I look at baby stuff, but usually come home empty handed because I don't know if I will be buying pink or blue. I can't wait to know!!! (8-10 more weeks)
Milestones? With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working.

Sweet Surprise!

Chris surprised me yesterday with a new charm for my Pandora charm bracelet. It's a little baby carriage! I am so lucky, he is such a good husband!

9 Weeks! The baby is now a fetus!

How far along am I? 9 weeks :) Almost to double digits!
Total weight gain/loss? Still down 2 pounds from original weight
Maternity clothes? I went to Macy's and bought a few shirts and a pair of jeans the other day that were on sale, but I still am not wearing any maternity clothes.
Sleep? I am sleeping pretty well. I usually go to bed about 10:30 and wake up around 7:30. I feel really tired during the day, but still have not been able to nap.
Best moment this week? Framing the new ultrasound picture. I walk by it and talk to our little bean all the time.
Movement? Still too early for me to feel, but I have been reading that the baby is now moving it's arms and legs and even it's whole body!
Food cravings? Dole pineapple tidbits fruit cups. I went to Publix the other day and bought 24 of them. I love them! I am also loving french toast sticks for breakfast. Yummy! My pantry is getting pretty full because I keep buying things that sound good, but after eating it once I don't want it again. **knocking on wood** I still have not gotten sick, just had little short feelings of nausea. Hopefully that will continue :)
What I miss? Coffee...I guess that's it.
What I am looking forward to? Getting my "bump". I feel like I still am not showing at all. I am also looking forward to finding the heartbeat with the home doppler I ordered. I tried last night, but I think it is still too early.
Milestones? The baby has moved from an embryo to a fetus. It is about 1 -1 1/4 inches from head to rump. The head is more erect, and the neck is more developed. The baby now moves its body and limbs.