17 weeks...really?

Let me begin by saying I have a recording of Noodle's heartbeat, but I can not figure out how to upload it onto this blog from my phone FOR THE LIFE OF ME.

*sigh*

So, let it suffice that I DO have a recording. Any of you out there that wish to hear it are welcome to ask me to play it for you if we're standing next to each other. Until I can figure out all this techy stuff, that's the best I can do.

The end.

Now...onto the goods, yeah?

 

How Far Along Am I?

17w1d.

My doctor will tell you I'm 16w4d, but that's because of measurements, not because of ovulation and conception. So...if you wanna take an average or choose a team, you can. I'm on Team 17 weeks.

 

Noodle Is the Size Of?

 

An onion!

Average baby size is 5.1 inches long and 5.9 oz! That's roughly the size of your opened hand! Wowzers! So..I guess this week, I have Onion Noodle?! Mmm...now I'm hungry...

 

Maternity Clothes?

Oh, absolutely. And what I wear that isn't maternity is almost always clothes I've received from others that are a size or two larger than my normal. I'm finally getting comfortable in clothes and I'm looking forward to enjoying it for the rest of the trimester. Yay!

 

Stretch Marks?

None. NONE. *eyes tummy suspiciously*

 

Sleep?

Sleep continues to be a problem for me with this pregnancy. I'm, once again, in the throes of major insomnia. *sigh* And when I do get to sleep I wake up every couple hours to pee. Then I can't fall back to sleep. All the while dealing with a dead left shoulder because it does NOT like to get laid on and I can't sleep any other way.

 

Oh...sleep...you elusive lover, you...

 

Symptoms?

I've decided to add a spot for symptoms because sometimes these questions just don't cover everything...and besides, everyone else is doing it! (And yes, Mom, I would probably jump off the bridge if they were doing it too...just kidding!)

Heartburn has started this week. Oh joy. Just today pineapple juice gave me TERRIBLE heartburn. I'm staying away from the meds, though. I'll deal.

Headaches are starting to come back. This makes me sad. :(

Backaches and Boobies. These two things are major. You can take that however you want.

Swelling. Ah...the joys of edema...

Crazy dreams! Lovin' it, though. It's like Steven King lives in my head and comes out to play at night.

And I'm gassy. It's not at all fun for anyone in my vicinity.

Oh...and before I forget...I'm FORGETFUL. Pregnant Brain has officially kicked in! I can't remember ANYTHING. It's both hilarious and ridiculous. So, it's hildiculous.

 

Best Moment of the Week?

I don't know if I can pick just one...

Mister got to feel Noodle kick this week. That's pretty magical.

And I made some more jam with my sister. The entire day was hilarious!

Oh...and I got to weed the garden. I overdid it, but it was peaceful and it made me feel accomplished.

It's just been an awesome week!

 

Miss Anything?

This week I miss running and sleep.

But not a lot. I've enjoyed being pregnant this week.

 

Movement?

Oh my, yes! Noodle has been doing all sorts of kicks, flips and flops in there this week! It's been really delightful to lay on the couch in the evenings after the other children go to bed and just feel Noodle moving around.

 

Food Cravings?

SMOTHERED BURRITO FROM TACO BELL!!!

This sinful deliciousness is about as awesome as fast food can get...and ever since I had my first one, it's all I've been thinking about.

 

...and puffy Cheetos... *giggle*

 

Food Aversions?

This seems to be calming down a bit this week, thank goodness. I'm starting to reintroduce meat to my diet, slowly...even though I still can't quite do red meat very well.

Sugary sweet things are turning me off, too. The last thing I want is cake. Ugh.

 

Am I Showing?

Oh yes. See pictures above. It's getting to be fairly obvious.

 

Belly Button?

Wider!

 

Ring?

I had to change rings this week. Luckily for me, Mister has provided me with a few meaningful rings that I can easily switch without the guilt. :)

 

Looking Forward To?

It's a busy week this week, that's for sure.

I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with some of my loved ones I don't get to see very often. I think that will be nice.

 

Miscellaneous Updates:



This last Sunday was our first ER trip of this pregnancy. I was experiencing some significant mucous loss accompanied by low back pain, cramping, shortness of breath, hip pain, cervical pain, cervical pressure, vaginal pressure and irritability. While I'm aware that my mucous plug is still not quite formed yet, our nurse thought it best to get checked out to be sure my cervix was behaving itself. As luck would have it, it is. And as a surprise bonus, we got to heart Noodle's heartbeat in the ER! Woohoo! It's a strong one! The result of our little hospital trip, however, has been the medical advice to "take it easy." While I'm not on bed rest or couch potato status, I have been warned to take breaks VERY often and if I feel uncomfortable pressure, I need to lay down and be still awhile. There is a part of me that's grateful for the instruction to take a break from housework as needed GUILT FREE...however, I am not a "take it easy" type of gal and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to do so. On Sunday I weeded Twisted Sister Garden and really put my best effort into taking it easy and being careful and I STILL managed to overdo it. All Monday I was practically laid up unable to do much of anything around the house without feeling like my unmentionable regions were going to fall off! So...*ahem*....yeah. Mama's gotta take it EASIER. Ugh.

 

On another note, I have an incredible amount of delicious jam! That, friends, is something worth celebrating with a long, pregnant winter ahead..

 

See you later!

*sigh* Time is FLYING!

Pregnancy depression is a very real thing, people. I've been suffering with it for the last couple of weeks, quite badly. I can finally say I'm coming out the other side, but it's been one hell of a crazy ride. Thank goodness for running motivation and support from my friends and loved ones. My sister and my Mister have had a very active hand in pulling me up by my boot straps and brushing me off this time. Without them, I'm not sure how I'd be faring this week. So thank you both very much.

Now...on with the show!...

 

How Far Along Am I?

 

 

 

 



 

 Baby is the Size Of?

AVOCADO!!

 





Maternity Clothes?
Oh yes. In fact, some of them are actually getting too small and I've had to pack them away already. And some of the ones I was waiting to wear have become increasing comfortable... Uh oh...

Stretch Marks?
No. No. No.

Sleep?
Oh...sleep. Wonderful sleep. When I DO manage to finally fall asleep, I sleep HEAVY. A tank couldn't wake me up. My dreams are still really crazy and I wake up trying to figure out fact from fiction due to the reality of them, but they're fun and not scary...typically. I'm having A LOT of trouble sleeping on my back. I wake up gasping for air. Obviously, Noodle's bubble is already too much for my body to handle on my back, so that's out. And when I lay on my right side (accidently, I assure you) I get a bad pulling sensation, so I panic and roll back onto my left side.
Needless to say, my left shoulder is getting increasingly sore and I'm beginning to hoard pillows like a mad woman. I think I'm up to 6! It's been a real drag trying to get comfortable and yes, for the most part, I'm still on the couch because it's so much easier.

Best Moment of the Week?
I spent the ENTIRE day with my sister yesterday. She taught me how to make jam.

Then we went fishing in her boat and she caught a fish! Woohoo!
It was an incredible day. Thanks, Sissy.

Miss Anything?
Right now I miss Sushi.
I realize that's a controversial topic and there are quite a few studies that support eating sushi while pregnant, but I've found that here in the PacNo, people are JUDGMENTAL. So, I go without it to save myself the grief. And boy, do I miss it this week!

Movement?
Noodle moves all the time now. Even when I'm not laying down or being still. It's pretty incredible. And it's really rather soothing. I'm FINALLY able to relax a little as I feel Noodle squirm around in there.

Food Cravings?
Besides sushi?
Grape juice. Welch's 100% grape juice, to be exact.
Burger dips from the restaurant down the street.
And my sister's Shepard's Pie. Mmm...
Finally meat is not making me sick EVERY time. Just 90%.
And heat. I am starting to get back into spicy foods...

Food Aversions?
Still mostly everything.
Hot dogs are the devil.
Smoked sausage.

Am I Showing?
Yeppers. Although, I still just look fat.



Belly Button?
Still in, thank goodness.
But getting wider...

Ring?
On, thank you.

Happy or Moody?
Moodalicious.
Seriously easy to annoy. You've been warned.

Looking Forward To?
Showing enough that I don't look fat. No one has yet to ask me how far along I am. I'm anxious for THAT day.

Miscellaneous Updates:
I seriously need to find some maternity running pants and shirts.
SERIOUSLY.

And our landlord informed us that an inspector is coming this week. Let's keep our fingers crossed that no one is buying the house yet... Stay tuned!

That is all.
Until next week! 





3x5

 

 

 

How Far Along Am I?

15 weeks. That's just madness.

 

Baby Is the Size Of?

 

Averaging 4 inches and 2.5 ounces! Yikes!

 

Maternity Clothes?

This week, my tummy grew almost a full 2 inches, so my recent struggle with maternity pants is becoming less and less obvious. While I still prefer my leggings and sweats, my maternity jeans are beginning to fit better once again and I can finally ditch that stupid Bella Band. Thank goodness!

 

Stretch Marks?

You hold your tongue!

 

Sleep?

I'm still struggling with insomnia and discomfort, so sleep is a rare commodity. I wish I could say it was getting better...but no.

 

Best Moment of the Week?

By far, the best moment of my week was standing in a shaded lake cove fishing with my sister and my father.

 

 

 

Miss Anything?

Soooo many things.

Sleep. Rum and coke by a campfire. A back that doesn't hurt. Running.

 

Movement?

Noodle moved around a lot this week. While we were walking around a National Park this last weekend, I tried to let Mister feel it...but he doesn't think he did. Soon!

 

Food Cravings?

The only thing that really stands out this week is pork chops. All can think about the last couple days is pork chops.

 

Food Aversions?

HOT DOGS!

 

Any and all red meats. Which for me, is VERY sad.

 

Am I Showing?

Yes, although no strangers have yet to ask me how far along I am...so I still just look all fat.

 

Labor Signs?

No.

 

Belly Button?

It's still there! And it's still in.

 

Rings?

On.

 

Happy or Moody?

 

Just a lot of crying. Over everything; songs on the radio, being out of pickles I like, not finding any clothes that fit, being super tired... I cry over EVERYTHING right now.

 

Looking Forward To?

Cleaning the bedroom and making room for Noodle in there.

 

 

 





 







The fat mom...

This morning I did my usual snooping around on other pregnancy blogs to get some creative ideas for my own. And, like always, I began rolling my eyes a bit at all the adorable little bump photos with the girls in their perfect makeup with their soft hair and their beautiful little bumps protruding from cute little 130lb frames. Aren't they adorable?

*gag*

No. Well, yes, they are, but no...they're discouraging the crap outta me.

When I got pregnant with BabyGirl, I was the girl in those photos. I was a toned 135lbs, I was 19 years old and I rocked that cute little bump. Even after her delivery, I was within the 140lb range within weeks and I stayed there for a handful of years. I never had to buy new clothes after her birth because I just crawled back into my jeans. In fact, it was the year before I got pregnant with Boo that I started to gain weight. When I got pregnant with him, I was an annoying 160lbs and, believe me, it was a large part of my depression that year. Or maybe my depression made me fat? Anyway...whatever way you wanna slice it, I was overweight when I got pregnant with Boo. Not much, but some. His pregnancy was super traumatic (made worse by doctors afraid of malpractice and loaded to the gills with paranoia over my reaction to the littlest bad news, I later found out) and I gained A LOT of weight during his pregnancy. Added to the fact that I'd quit smoking just two months before I got pregnant with him. (And I ate my cravings, let me tell you.) When he was born, I  was sitting squarely over the 200lb mark. Yeah. That made my postpartum depression even more colorful, folks. Let me assure you I wasn't in any way happy or comfortable with my post-baby body.

Now, let's not get too hasty and say I let it stay that way. When Boo was a handful of months old and I'd moved to a new apartment, I started a whole crazy workout regimen. I started running. I worked out at the gym at my apartment complex. I did Insanity! workouts and started taking supplements and eating better. I lost weight. Slowly, but I lost it.

Then life laughed at me, kicked me around a bit and I found myself coping with my chaos through the usual heaps of food. And the weight started coming back.

Which leads us to the fact that I was overweight when I got pregnant this time. Obese, technically. Although still running frequently and beginning to lose weight, I was a ridiculous 180lbs this time. To make matters worse, my severe morning sickness has lead to me eating incredibly unhealthy foods at ridiculous times of day just to keep my caloric intake up and the weight, friends, is going to start packing on any minute.

While other moms get worried about labor and delivery, get paranoid about the adventures of breastfeeding, and get over stressed about life with a baby and a toddler...I find myself OBSESSED with my weight. I just flat. out. do. not. want. to. be. the. fat. mom. anymore! I don't need to be "thin," I've never liked the bodies society considers beautiful in today's world, but I'd like to be comfortable in my own skin. It's been about 5 years since I've truly felt pretty and that is long enough!

I keep telling myself that I'll get back to running soon, but this baby has other plans and requires me to do a lot of vomiting and laying down. I constantly remind myself that the doctor isn't at all worried about my weight currently and though we're aware that my BMI is in the Obese category to begin this pregnancy, she has assured me that I'm going to be fine. (I love that woman!) I keep reminding myself that I'm working with lactation specialists to help me breastfeed this baby and we're all well aware of the weight benefits to that! And most importantly, I keep telling myself that weight should truly be the LAST of my concerns. I'll deal with it when I can. Now is not the time to be so overly obsessed with it.

I'm just so damn unhappy about it. It's making me somewhat resentful. Every time I have to get up on that scale at the doctor's office, I smile and make a joke while I scream inside and pound my fists on the walls of this fat, squishy shell.

Now, before you all get upset, I realize that this all seems extreme and pointless. And extremely pointless. I also realize that it truly is nothing I should be concerned about. I'm not showing any signs of obesity-induced pregnancy problems, like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. And that's something to be thankful for.

You know what else we can be thankful for?
WE'RE IN THE SECOND TRIMESTER!! Woohoo! We made it!

Now...on with the show. Thanks for letting me vent and tell it a little like it is.

 

 

14 weeks!  



How Far Along Am I?
14 weeks today! WOOHOO!

Baby Is the Size Of?

Average baby is 3.4 inches long and roughly 1.5 ounces! WOWZA!

 

Maternity Clothes?
This hasn't changed much since last week. My maternity shorts are now way too big and I wore them to weed the garden yesterday and they kept falling down. I can fit into a pair of my "regular" jeans again and my maternity jeans won't stay up. So it's still a lot of stretch pants, pajamas and sweats. If I'm leaving the house, I just pray things stay on!

Stretch Marks?
I think my eyes have a few from constantly being OPEN.

Sleep?
This week has really been difficult for me. I'm officially having trouble laying on my back and I've got to stop doing it. I get cramps when I lay on my right side, which is normal during pregnancy, but a complete pain in my...well, abdomen, I guess! So...I've come to the conclusion that I've got to start staying on my left side from now until this baby arrives. That being said, I sleep on the couch a lot because it's easier to stay propped on my left side (and it's closer to the bathroom to ease my nausea worries). I've got to invest in a maternity pillow, I think. I love my bed and I love sleeping next to Mister...but it's getting progressively worse...so, it's officially time to start figuring out some solutions.

And DREAMS. Woah! Holy vivid dreams, Batman! This week, they were all not scary, thank goodness, but all of my dreams are wickedly vivid. It's been kinda fun to sleep once the insomnia monkey lays down for the night.





Best Moment of the Week?
I felt pretty good on the afternoon of Independence Day, so I was able to somewhat enjoy the festival with the kiddos.

My skin, however, got angry about it and became incredibly burned. Just to spite me, I'm sure. It had nothing to do with my lack of sunblock...shh...

Miss Anything?
Sleeping on my back.
Running.
Steak, still.
Clothes that fit.
Feeling like a human.

Movement?
Lots and lots. Although Noodle is still small, I can feel her moving around in there quite a bit! I can't wait until Mister can feel it, too.

Food Cravings?

Lots and lots and lots of green olives!

 

 

I'm still in love with Classic lays potato chips.

And lots of flavored water. Yum!

 

Food Aversions?

Pretty much everything else. I can manage to keep down plain breads and tortillas, and sometimes some peanut butter, but almost everything else will turn my stomach. It's still a war against food.

 

Am I Showing?

Yes. And my bump is becoming uncomfortable for bending over and things like that.

 

Labor Signs?

Nope.

 

Belly Button?

In.

 

Rings?

On. And staying that way.

 

Happy or Moody?

 

 

Looking Forward To?

Right now I've got my eyes focused on the relief of the second trimester. Now that I'm there, that relief better be there, too! I'm getting pretty exhausted from being sick and exhausted. I'm sick and tired of it!

...ha ha ha...see my joke there?

 

Miscellaneous Updates:

I tried Zofran some more this week, and still hated it. I haven't yet filled my newest prescription for Raglan, because I seriously just don't want to. I'm convinced that any minute now my nausea will ease up and I'll find myself in the "honeymoon of pregnancy" that the second trimester is known for. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

As the realization that the weeks are flying by hits me full in the face, I'm beginning to get slightly panicked about having everything we need. Although we have mostly all of it, I can feel the nagging of nesting whispering in my ear...and the anxiety that comes from being a Preggo mom. I found myself making mental checklists several times this week about what items I still need. I laid awake for several hours the other night putting things together in my mind and arranging the baby's nursery area in our bedroom. Needless to say, it's stressing me out a little.

 

I think I need pregnancy yoga to de-stress, but I'd be stressed out the whole time from my fear of throwing up in front of others...

 

See you next week! 

















It's all wiggly!

I apologize for the back-to-back posts. I'm intending on updating on Mondays, since that's my week point, but because I started this on a Saturday and my last appointment was yesterday, it just seemed better timed to update you today. So...here's an update. Aren't I the logical one?



How Far Along Am I?
Today I am 13w2d. They told us at yesterday's appointment that we would have another ultrasound at the appointment after next. Which freaked me out a little because after I did the math, I realized that 8 weeks from now, I'll be 21 weeks. And that's more than halfway done! In just 2 OB appointments, I'll be halfway done. FREAKY!

Baby Is the Size Of?

 

A peach!

 

A normal fetus averages 2.9-3.1 inches this week.
Approximately .81 ounces

 

Maternity Clothes?

I'm still off and on with this one. I can't wear any of my tops yet and only a few of my maternity bottoms kinda fit. I'm basically living in stretch pants, pajama pants and sundresses.

 

Stretch Marks?

Not yet.

 

Sleep?

I am still struggling with this. Which makes me sad. Last night was the first night I had to put a pillow under my right side and another pillow between my knees in order to get comfortable. I seriously need to go get a body pillow or two.

 

Best Moment of the Week?

Hearing the Noodle's heartbeat yesterday! An easy 155 bpm.

Noodle was all wiggly, though, so every time the doctor had the heartbeat, Noodle would move and she'd lose it then have to search again. It was quite the adventure to try and get a count. The doctor finally got Noodle to sit still long enough, but that baby did NOT want to be found!

 

Miss Anything?

 







 

I still missing running. In my mind, I was going to get back to running right about now. I'm still crossing my fingers that I can feel good enough to run very soon. Although...what am I going to wear?

 



And steak. I seriously miss red meat.



Movement?
Lots and lots of movement! Noodle is still small enough to REALLY wiggle around in there and each day I seem to feel her more and more.

Food Cravings?

Dill pickles!

 

 

Microwave burritos!

 

Lays Classic Chips! Like...A LOT of these!



 



Food Aversions?
Any hot protein. It doesn't matter if it's beef, chicken or fish. I don't want it.
And just about everything else, really. I just don't like food.
And I'm OFF my cold cereal kick. Ugh.

Am I Showing?
Yes, yes and yes. Although, I'm sure people just assume I'm getting fatter and not preggo.

Labor Signs?
No. Thank goodness.

Belly Button?
Still an innie! But it's definitely changing as my middle expands.

Rings On or Off?
On. I'm not taking them off unless I absolutely have to.

Happy or Moody?



I've been pretty happy the last couple of days. I have no idea why...

Looking Forward To:
Tomorrow is Independence Day and that's pretty exciting! We're going to go to the local festival and enjoy the local fireworks show. That should be somewhat fun.
I'm also looking forward to getting my ear unplugged. Any day now this stupid wax compaction is going to come free and I'm going to be able to hear out of BOTH ears again! What a concept!


Miscellaneous Updates:
All in all, it's been good couple days. Although my ear is driving me batty and making my dizziness worse, I've been able to somewhat enjoy the last few days. I'm glad the heat is dying down a bit, because that was just TOO much for Preggo, honestly, but the sunshine can definitely stick around.

My severe nausea is still hanging around, although luckily it's now mostly at night. I find if I keep eating throughout the day, it eases up a bit. The doctor prescribed me yet another medicine for it, but I'm intending on keeping away from it if possible. I'm getting tired of the medicines making things worse or not affecting me at all. I think I need to just toughen up a bit and deal with it. I'm staying hydrated.

It was really fun to experience another baby first with Mister. I'm really enjoying the delight and wonder of it all again...

See you next week!