22 weeks

bedding

So, after countless hours searching online and one to-be-returned purchase, I've finally decided on bedding for our little girl's nursery.


Isn't it adorable?? I think it'll really pop against the chocolate colored crib and dresser we just bought.
And now the decorating fun begins. Too bad I can't do much yet since Ben still doesn't know it's a girl...

It's a girl!

Well I just had my big ultrasound this evening and found out we're having a little girl! I am in total shock because all this time I had thought boy, but she is healthy and very active so I am happy. Ben stuck to his guns and chose not to find out the sex along with me. He turned around while the doctor made the determination and typed it for me to see. I will do my best to keep it a secret, but who am I kidding, I'll probably let it slip. He actually said he wants to see who slips up first and tells him, since I of course told everyone I know. Did I mention I'm not the best secret keeper? :) I'm also measuring farther along than I was at my first ultrasound, so we are sticking with my original due date of November 25th. I'm over halfway already! Crazy! I haven't taken a belly pic in a couple of weeks now so I'll have to do that soon. I've only gained about 5 pounds so far though so that's not too bad. I did break out the maternity pants this week, however, because my jeans are just not as comfortable as they once were. Oh the joys of pregnancy...

pop goes the belly

I'm between 16 and 17 weeks now and feeling good. I can't wait for my big ultrasound in 17 days!!! I just have to convince Ben to find out the sex because I want to know. :)

Saturday we went to Megan and Chris's wedding in Vesper/Marshfield, WI. It was a really nice wedding and it was great to see everyone! My dress really kept any baby bump I had under wraps, but between Saturday morning and evening, I definitely say I 'popped' some. What do you think? There's no sucking in the belly anymore!


Here's one of me, Nikki and Granger at Jo-Jo's between the wedding and reception. Love these girls!

the start of belly pics

Okay, so I wasn't going to do this until I was reasonably showing, but who knows when that will happen. At least now you'll be able to see where I started and how much I've changed throughout the pregnancy. Here's the picture I took on Saturday at 15 weeks, followed by my 12 week picture (which looks just the same as my 11 week picture).

15 weeks

12 weeks

Can you see the ever-so-slight difference? Ha.

how far along am I anyway?

So, I had my monthly doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything went great, but I'm just so confused on how far along I am! My original due date was November 25th, but after the first ultrasound they bumped it back to December 5th. Well, of course my chart still said the 25th and they congratulated me on making it through my first trimester (which I haven't). So, of course I questioned it and he's like "oh, well then, not quite but close." Anyway, he attempted to find the heartbeat with the doppler but didn't have much success. I have to laugh though because he tried for maybe 10 seconds before giving up. "Well, let's just do a quick ultrasound, " he says. Ha! So, we march down to the ultrasound room and I get settled there. Even though I knew everything was fine, I'll admit that I had a moment of paranoia before seeing the little heartbeat on the screen. What if something had happened in the past month? Everything was great though. Heart rate was 151 bpm and the baby measured at 11 weeks, thus confusing my due date even more (I thought I was 10 weeks, 3 days). The doctor said we'll leave it at the 5th though until my big 20 week ultrasound. So, right now I have like a 10-11 day due date window. LOL. I'm just glad everything is okay though.

10 weeks

Saturday I also hit the 10 week mark, and despite the ongoing fatigue and food aversions I'm feeling good. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I can't wait!

Here's my Baby Center update for this week:

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.