Baby Business: 18 Weeks

I wish bedrest was that fun. Nope instead I have been absolutely bored out of my mind, oh yea and craving french fries which I am not allowed to drive to McDonalds to get.

This week

Baby weighs almost 7 ounces. Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel movements. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How far along: 18 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: -36 yup three more pounds down, frustrating I know.

Maternity clothes: yes, but with bedrest I like to stay in my pajamas.

Stretch marks?: nope

Sleep: my arms and hands keeping falling asleep and that wakes me up.

Best moment this week: see our baby being healthy and moving around.

Movement: flutters thats all I've got so far.

Food cravings: french fries and OOO chocolate milk sounds good too.

Gender:

What I miss: outside my apartment.

Milestones: 18 weeks!

Unexpected Doctor Visit

Monday night I was having a really rough time sleeping mainly when I was laying on my left side and the cramping got worse throughout the night and into the morning. When it was finally time to go to work I got up and headed out but noticed the cramping was more often, and that it was partnered with some spotting. I called my doctor and she wanted me to come in for an ultrasound. The ultrasound took about 45 minutes then the tech left the room to write up her report and page the doctor (which was request by my OB) when she finally came back into the room she had Dr. Berryman on the phone for me. I am now on bedrest and have strict orders to do nothing but eat calories and stay hydrated until at least Monday when I have my follow up in her office. There is a blot clot on Baby W's placenta, at this point its way to early for them to take action and if it ruptured the result is preterm birth and its way to early to even consider that. It should just resolve itsself but sometimes it takes weeks sometime days so now we are in a waiting game.Ill welcome all of your thoughts and prayers with open arms.

Baby Business: 17 Weeks

On Friday we had our 16 week appointment, it was overall very uneventful. I lost another 7 pounds which brings my total up to (or well down to) -33 pounds in the last 17 weeks. However if you look at my belly you will think otherwise. The doctor did tell me I need to eat more and she wants me to take a protein shake everyday for extra nutrients (slim fast flavored breakfast here I come). The heart beat was still holding strong at 158 and Baby W was sitting right underneath my belly button. We did set a date for our gender scan (and I can hardly contain my excitement) for Feb 7th. We will be sharing the news with our families shortly after.

This week baby is the size of an onion s/he is measuring 5.1 inches and weighing around 5.9 ounces. The baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

How far along: 17 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: -33 pounds

Maternity clothes: yes and I got new jeans this weekend!

Stretch marks?: nope

Sleep: often interrupted but pee breaks

Best moment this week: setting out gender scan appointment!

Movement: not yet :(

Food cravings:tomatoes and let me tell you its hard to get in Nebraska in winter!

Gender: the doctor was surprised I had no idea either way!

What I miss: having a desire to eat!

Milestones: nothing new

Baby Business: 16 Weeks

This week:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, Baby W will double his/her weight and add inches to his/her length. Right now, s/he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His/her legs are much more developed, his/her head is more erect than it has been, and his/her eyes have moved closer to the front of his/her head. His/her ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his/her scalp has begun, though his/her locks aren't recognizable yet. S/he's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his/her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as Baby W continues to develop.

How far along: 16 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I'll see the doctor Friday :) (just hoping I haven't lost anymore)
Maternity clothes: I have one style shirt in; blue, pink, green, gray, and white.

Stretch marks?: None that are new
Sleep: has much improved from the past few weeks.
Best moment this week: accepting a really great new job!
Movement: I may have felt flutters but nothing is confirmed
Food cravings: pineapple and pickles please.
Gender: maybe I am leaning more towards boy this week.
What I miss: a good glass of wine :o)
Milestones: sixteen week appointment this Friday!

Baby Business: 15 Weeks

This week:

Baby W now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). S/he's busy moving amniotic fluid through her/his nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her/his legs are growing longer than her/her arms now, and s/he can move all of her/his joints and limbs. Although her/his eyelids are still fused shut, s/he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, s/he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for Baby W to taste at this point, but s/he is forming taste buds.

 How far along: 15 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: -26ish lbs
Maternity clothes: Yup. My pre-pregnancy pants I could still wear but they are just VERY uncomfortable.
Stretch marks?: None that are new
Sleep: I wish I could sleep through the night.
Best moment this week: starting 2011!
Movement: I wish
Food cravings: popcorn
Gender: boy? or girl? I have no clue.
What I miss: sleeping on my stomach
Milestones: