Pregnancy Reflections  

How far along?: 24 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain: Just over 7 pounds

How big is baby?: 12 inches from head to heel & weighs just over a pound (about the size of an ear of corn)

Maternity clothes?: Yup

Stretch marks?: None

Sleep?: Sleeping very badly!!!

Best moment this week?: Celebrated my and Jake's 12 year wedding anniversary!! He surprised me with a stay at a bed and breakfast in Hood River with a spectacular view of Mt Hood right from our room! It was amazingly relaxing!!

Movement?: Kicking like my bladder is a soccer ball!!!

Food cravings?: Anything sweet!

Labor signs?: None yet

Belly button in or out?: Out

What I miss: Sleeping well and not having heartburn every single night!

What I'm looking forward to this week: Getting our new house organized and playing with Jessica lots!

Weekly Wisdom: None

Milestone: He starts to plump up this week!

How far along?: 23 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain: 6 pounds

How big is baby?: 11 ½ inches from head to heel & weighs just over a pound (about the size of a large mango)

Maternity clothes?: Wearing them every day!

Stretch marks?: Nope

Sleep?: Doing ok...waking up a lot at night though.

Best moment this week?: Moved into our new house!!!

Movement?: He has definitely gotten some good jabs in this week.

Food cravings?: Didn't really crave anything in particular this week.

Labor signs?: Nope

Belly button in or out?: Out

What I miss: My normal center of gravity. I can really tell it is off!

What I'm looking forward to this week: 6 month check up on Tuesday.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't lift heavy stuff while moving!

Milestone: Baby can feel when I dance so let's boogie!!

How far along?: 22 weeks

Total weight gain: Almost 6 pounds

How big is baby?: 11 inches from head to heel & weighs almost 1 pound (about the size of a spaghetti squash)

Maternity clothes?: Yup!

Stretch marks?: Nope!

Sleep?: Some!

Best moment this week?: When we finally were not sick anymore!

Movement?: Lots of kicking and rolling around!

Food cravings?: Not this week.

Labor signs?: Nope

Belly button in or out?: I am starting to be able to see it poking out through my shirts.

What I miss: Being able to hold Jessica easily. Belly gets in the way now.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Getting the keys to our new house and moving in.

Weekly Wisdom: None (come on people where is the wisdom?)

Milestone: Baby has tooth buds & eyes are fully formed!

How far along?: 21 weeks

Total weight gain: Almost 3 pounds....I lost a few pounds due to having the flu.

How big is baby?: 10 ½ inches from head to heel & weights 12 oz (about the size of a carrot)

Maternity clothes?: Yes please

Stretch marks?: Nope

Sleep?: Waking up a lot

Best moment this week?: Watching Jessica play at the Gymboree.

Movement?: A whole lot of kicking going on in there.

Food cravings?: Not really craving anything this week.

Labor signs?: Not yet

Belly button in or out?: flat

What I miss: sleeping well

What I'm looking forward to this week: Playing with Jessica and feeling baby kicking.

Weekly Wisdom: No wisdom given this week.

Milestone: Baby now has eyebrows and eyelids.

How far along?: 20 weeks

Total weight gain: 5 pounds

How big is baby?: 10 inches from head to heel & weights 10 ½ oz (about the size of a banana)

Maternity clothes?: Everything else is put away!

Stretch marks?: Nope

Sleep?: Doing OK this week....just always tired no matter what.

Best moment this week?: Not much happened this week.

Movement?: Lots of it!

Food cravings?: Pad Thai

Labor signs?: None yet

Belly button in or out?: Out

What I miss: Being able to shave my legs easily.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Going to the Gymboree with Jessica on Tuesday.

Weekly Wisdom: None

Milestone: Pregnancy is half way over! It has been going by very fast!

How far along?: 19 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain: 5 pounds

How big is baby?: 6 inches long from top of head to bottom & weighs 8 ½ oz (about the size of an heirloom tomato)

Maternity clothes?: Oh yes!

Stretch marks?: None

Sleep?: Waking up quite often.

Best moment this week?: Had ultrasound last Monday and found out we are having a boy!

Movement?: Lots of kicking going on in there.

Food cravings?: Oreos

Labor signs?: None yet

Belly button in or out?: Starting to pop out.

What I miss: Sleeping well.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Doc appointment tomorrow for a check up.

Weekly Wisdom: None

Milestone: Baby can hear voices now!

How far along?: 18 weeks

Total weight gain: Almost 5 pounds

How big is baby?: 5½ inches long & weighs about 7 oz (about the size of a bell pepper)

Maternity clothes?: That is all I can wear now.

Stretch marks?: None

Sleep?: Just ok....I am waking up about 3-4 times per night.

Best moment this week?: Not much happened this week....just feeling kicks.

Movement?: Feeling lots of kicks.

Food cravings?: This is bad because it is pure sugar but Fun Dips.

Labor signs?: None yet

Belly button in or out?: Flat still

What I miss: Not feeling sick every morning.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Ultrasound on Monday to hopefully find out sex of the baby.

Weekly Wisdom: None this week

Milestone: Sex organs are noticeable as long as baby isn't hiding them during the ultrasound.

How far along?: 17 weeks

Total weight gain: Almost 4 pounds

How big is baby?: 5 inches long from top of head to bottom & weighs about 5 oz (about the size of a turnip)

Maternity clothes?: Yes please!

Stretch marks?: Nope

Sleep?: Doing ok

Best moment this week?: Felt the first kick that I am sure was a kick.

Movement?: See above question.

Food cravings?: McDonalds

Labor signs?: None yet

Belly button in or out?: Flat

What I miss: Nothing right now.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Feeling more movement.

Weekly Wisdom: None

Milestone: Baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone.

How far along?: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: 1 pound

How big is baby?: 4 ½ inches long from top of head to bottom & weighs 3 ½ oz (about the size of an avocado)

Maternity clothes?: Most definitely

Stretch marks?: Nope

Sleep?: Still sleeping pretty well. Sometimes I have to get up to pee.

Best moment this week?: Got to hear baby's heartbeat. And ultrasound is scheduled for Jan 25th to hopefully find out the sex of the baby.

Movement?: Starting to feel what I am pretty sure are small kicks.

Food cravings?: Serious chocolate cravings!!

Labor signs?: None yet

Belly button in or out?: Flat

What I miss: Being able to walk into the kitchen in the morning without having to go throw up immediately.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Hopefully more movement in there.

Weekly Wisdom: None this week.

Milestone: Baby's eyes and ears are almost in the correct positions, hunchback is almost gone and baby has started to grow toenails.

How far along?: 15 weeks

Total weight gain: 1 ½ pounds

How big is baby?: 4 inches long from top of head to bottom & weighs 2 ½ oz (about the size of an apple)

Maternity clothes?: I put all other clothes away for now.

Stretch marks?: Not for a long time I hope.

Sleep?: I am starting to wake up needing to pee once or twice per night.

Best moment this week?: Jake had last Monday and Friday off so we got to have lots of family time.

Movement?: Felt a few flutters.

Food cravings?: None this week.

Labor signs?: Nope

Belly button in or out?: It is actually already starting to flatten.

What I miss: Not much this week.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Hopefully feeling the baby move more and hearing the heartbeat again on Thursday. (that never gets old)

Weekly Wisdom: Don't lift heavy boxes.

Milestone: Babies gender is distinguishable in an ultrasound as long as the legs aren't crossed.

How far along?: 14 weeks 1 day

How big is baby?: 3 1/2 inches long from top of head to bottom & weighs 1 1/2 oz (about the size of a lemon)

Maternity clothes?: Looking forward to the rest of them arriving on Tuesday.

Stretch marks?: Nope.

Sleep?: Doing great still.

Best moment this week?: Got to watch Jessica open her Christmas presents.

Movement?: Not feeling much this week.

Food cravings?: anything chocolate

Labor signs?: nope

Belly button in or out?: Still in

What I miss: Not being so tired even though I get a lot of sleep.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Getting settled in our new apartment.

Weekly Wisdom: none given

Milestone: Baby can make faces and even suck his/her thumb!

How far along?: 13 weeks

How big is baby?: 3 inches long from top of head to bottom & weighs nearly 1 oz (about the size of a shrimp)

Maternity clothes?: Most definitely.

Stretch marks?: Hopefully not for a long time.

Sleep?: Still sleeping well.

Best moment this week?: Nothing notable.

Movement?: I have started feeling light flutters every once in a while.

Food cravings?: M&M's

Labor signs?: None yet

Belly button in or out?: Still in

What I miss: Actually having energy.

What I'm looking forward to this week: Heading down to Portland for Christmas. I cant wait to give Jessica her presents!

Weekly Wisdom: none given

Milestone: Baby has fingerprints this week!

How far along?: 12 weeks

Total weight gain: Less then 1 pound

How big is baby?: 2 inches long from top of head to bottom & ½ oz (about the size of a lime)

Maternity clothes?: Definitely

Stretch marks?: Not for a while, if at all.

Sleep?: Still sleeping well but my legs have started to get cramps at night when I point my toes.

Best moment this week?: Toured the hospital where we might have the baby.

Movement?: None yet

Food cravings?: None this week

Labor signs?: Nope

Belly button in or out?: Still in

What I miss: Nothing

What I'm looking forward to this week: Hopefully another week of not throwing up.

Weekly Wisdom: None this week.

Milestone: Baby now has reflexes!

How far along?: 11 Weeks

Total weight gain: Less than a pound

How big is baby?: 1½ inches long from top of head to bottom & less than 1 oz (About the size of a fig)

Maternity clothes?: Starting to wear some.

Stretch marks?: No way...not yet anyway.

Sleep?: Still sleeping.

Best moment this week?: Not much happening in the pregnancy this week.

Movement?: None yet

Food cravings?: Tim's Salt & Vinegar chips...YUM!

Labor signs?: Not yet

Belly button in or out?: Still pretty flat from my last pregnancy.

What I miss: Not feeling sick every morning.

What I'm looking forward to this week: I have a doc appt to get a referral to my OBGYN.

Weekly Wisdom: None this week.

Milestone: Baby is almost fully formed this week...that is quite a milestone!

Jess has been answering these questions every week and I liked them so I hope you don't mind Jess but I stole them from you to answer myself during my pregnancy. :)

How far along?: 10 weeks 3 day

Total weight gain: 1 ½ pounds

How big is baby?: Less then ¼ oz, 1 ¼ in long (About the size of a kumquat)

Maternity clothes?: Not quite yet but soon

Stretch marks?: Nope

Sleep?: I wake up a few time a night to go pee but I am still sleeping alright

Best moment this week?: Told family about pregnancy

Movement?: Not even close

Food cravings?: None yet

Labor signs?: Not for a long time I hope

Belly button in or out?: In

What I miss: Not feeling sick every day

What I'm looking forward to this week: Telling people that I am pregnant again

Weekly Wisdom: Have not gotten any wisdom this week from anyone

Milestone: Had an ultrasound a couple weeks ago and got to hear the heartbeat for the first time

Girl or boy? Now that I've gotten to know you, I think you will be a:
Girl! But I cheated. The nurse doing the ultrasound said she didn't see any dangly bits so you are most likely a girl.

My favorite names for you are:
We are leaning toward the name Jessica. Although we don't have a middle name for you yet.

The strangest name someone suggested is:
Barrel....suggested by my boss although I am almost sure he was joking....I hope!!

The most useful advice I've received is:
You know...I'm not really sure.

I can't wait for your birth because:
I can't wait to meet you face to face. And once you are born you will stop kicking me in the ribs anymore.

At this month's prenatal visit, I learned that:
I am measuring larger then I should be for the amount of weeks along I am so maybe you will come early.

My hopes:
Are that you are born completely healthy and that there are no complications.

My fears:
Are that something could go wrong during the birth that puts your and my life in jeopardy.

My pregnancy classes are:
Not starting until mid September

In the classes, I've learned how to:
do nothing yet

What I've bought for you so far:
is a bed, tote bag, and some pacifiers

What other people have bought for you:
Grandma sent some clothes for you.

The strangest food craving I've had during this pregnancy is:
not really any weird ones.

The strangest piece of advice I've gotten since this pregnancy started is:
I've gotten a lot of good advice but nothing really strange.

At my prenatal visit, I learned:
That I am low on iron which can cause anemia. So I am taking iron pills to fix that.

My hopes:
Are that you are born healthy and on time.

My fears:
Birth is going to hurt like crazy!!

I've started thinking about the nursery:
I have started to think about it even though we won't be able to set one up for a while.

I've been dreaming about you:
I have had a few dreams about the birth but that is about it.

I used to love food! Now I avoid:
I haven't really avoided any food that I liked before I was pregnant.

I never thought pregnancy would make me:
So unbelievably tired every day.

I can't wait to:
Hold you!!

My prenatal visit this month taught me:
That my iron is slightly low. It's not a big deal though. I just need to eat more iron rich foods.

My hopes:
Are that the birth goes very smoothly.

My fears:
Are that I won't be able to walk by the end of my pregnancy.

Buying maternity clothes was:
Easy. My mom mailed me all my sisters and two friends old maternity clothes so I haven't had to buy much.

The biggest change in my body has been:
My protruding belly.

My favorite change in my body has been:
Most definitely my protruding belly!!

What I never thought would change was:
So far nothing has changed in my body that wasn't expected.

At this month's prenatal visit I learned that:
Hopefully I will learn that everything is going well.

My hopes:
Are that we have a healthy baby.

My fears:
Are that we will be completely clueless as to what to do once the baby comes.

The first time I felt you kick:
There was a few flutterings a couple weeks ago but I'm not sure if those were kicks. Today I was feeling like my insides were twisting. I can only imagine that was the baby.

It felt like:
my stomach doing somersaults.

I felt:
very happy to finally feel movement.

The strangest food craving I've had is:
no strange food cravings

This month's prenatal visit taught me that:
We are having a girl!

My hopes:
Are that we have a healthy baby come October.

My fears:
That I will have morning sickness thoughout the entire pregnancy.... :(

What I least expected with this pregnancy was:
to be showing so soon and I knew that I would probably have morning sickness but I wasn't really ready for how bad it was.

The best bit of advice I've received is:
I can't think of any advice that has been given to me at the moment.

What has changed the most in my life with this pregnancy is:
my eating habits...at least I am trying to eat good.

What made me realize that I was really pregnant was:
when my belly started to grow but it really hit me when I was able to push on my belly and feel it getting hard.

This month's ultrasound was:
No ultrasound this month. I won't have my next one till May 20th which will be when we will find out of we are having a girl or boy.

At my prenatal visit this month I discovered that:
My due date is actually October 13th and not the 15th.

My hopes:
are that my nausea will go away completely and I be able to start exercising more.

My fears:
are that there will be something wrong with the baby and I am a little nervous about the whole giving birth process too.

What I'm enjoying the most about my pregnancy so far is:
Knowing there is a baby growing inside me.

The strangest advice I've received is:
to take Unisom for morning sickness. The 3 people who told me swear by it. I just think it sounds weird.

Names that I've been thinking of:
I want to wait another month before I start thinking of names.

Girl or boy? I think you will be a:
I think girl but I have no reason to think it.

The old wives tales predict:
I have no idea

At my prenatal visit this month I found out that:
I won't have one this month

My hopes:
are that everything continues to go smoothly and that my morning sickness goes away soon.

My fears:
That there will be something wrong with the baby after birth.

The hardest thing for me to give up is:
Caffeine and chocolate

This month I told:
My mom, dad and sisters, Monica and Jake told his parents, his sister and Billy.

They reacted by:
Excitement

This month at my prenatal visit I learned that:
I've so far only had my first ultrasound today and I got to see the little fluttery heartbeat!!

New pregnancy symptoms I had this month:
Breasts getting quite large. My stomach is tighter and expanded a little, and a lot of throwing up.

My hopes:
Are that around October 15th we will have a beautiful little baby to take home.

My fears:
That we won't know what we are doing.

I started thinking I might be pregnant when:
I missed my period.

I found out I was pregnant when I:
Took the home pregnancy test.

I felt:
happy and a little nervous too. It really felt surreal.

The first person I told was:
My husband.

They reacted by:
He was happy about it.

The first ultrasound was:
Today and it was awesome to see the heartbeat

At my first prenatal visit I learned that:
no prenatal visit yet

My baby will be born:
October 15th or somewhere around there.

The strangest symptom of pregnancy I had this month was:
No strange ones just all the typical ones.

My hopes:
Are that the pregnancy continues.

My fears:
Are that it is possible to lose it.