17 Weeks!

Today I am 17 weeks! Awesome! Everything is going great (knock on wood) and baby is growing and kicking even more! I even felt a kick from the outside the other day! I am doing much better from the whole stomach issue last week. I am so glad too, because that was horrible! I am on winter break from school and I don't have to work this weekend, so I am just enjoying some lazy time!

Baby's kicks are getting stronger, and when I bend over, I can definitely feel my uterus getting in the way now! Won't be long before I can't even tie my shoes! Maybe I should paint my toes soon? lol. Just a few more weeks until we find out the gender! I'll take a 17wk picture later, my camera battery is dead, but there's not much difference from the last one I dont think. I am kinda glad I'm not showing as rapidly as I thought I was. I'm glad that was just pregnancy bloat because I thought I was going to be huge! Total weight gain (minus what I lost last week) is 1lb. I think I need to gain a little bit more, but since I am feeling the baby and his/her heartbeat is strong I am not too worried.

My 20 week ultrasound is on the 11th, and I am very nervous about it. I am starting to convince myself baby is sticking around, but I keep telling myself I won't be sure until that ultrasound. Once I have it, I'll be pretty confident. It's sad I am so afraid to let my guard down and start planning for baby. I don't want it to be ripped from me suddenly again... so I am very guarded. Sucks I know, but I am making slow preparations for baby.

I already purchased an extra carseat base for our 2nd car. My good friend Linda gave me these drawers for baby clothes, and a baby play mat. She also gave me a ton of formula, which is liquid gold in my eyes...That is going to save me a ton! I haven't bought any clothes, I want to wait till I find out the gender first, but this is slowly starting to become more real!

16 weeks

Wow! We're getting closer to the half way mark already! The first several weeks creeped by, but now it's starting to speed along! This past monday I started having severe abdominal pains, and they are still going on, but not as bad. They were all into my back and stomach, and I would get these waves of horrible pain and I honestly thought I was having contractions. I talked to my doctor and they were able to rule out pre-labor because my cervix was still closed, so they thought maybe it was a kidney infection or kidney stones. They ruled that out, and have no settled on it being gastritis, basically an inflamed stomach and other digestive organs. They gave me some ideas to help it, and so far they are helping. They also told me I should probably avoid spicy foods, which sucks, because that is all I want to eat. But oh well, I'd do anything to not feel that pain again. It was awful.

Anyways, I lost 2 lbs since my last appt, and baby's heartbeat was 160. Doc says my headaches and leg cramps are normal, which I already knew, and we scheduled my anatomy ultrasound for January 11th! I can't wait!

15 Weeks

Tomorrow I am officially 15 weeks! That is amazing! So far, the second trimester is nice and smooth sailing. I never had cravings before with my son, or any of my other pregnancies, that is, but they are rearing their head lately. I can't stop thinking about Taco Bell or Buffalo Wings. I just need them. As I'm cooking dinner (potato casserole) I am dreaming about chugging the can of enchilada sauce in the cabinet. Not only is it spicy, but it's pickles too, so bitter/sour? Don't worry I'm not wanting to combine them yet! As of my WIC appt this last week I've gained 3.5lbs in the first trimester. My belly doesn't stick out as far, must have been bloat. Baby is doing great, has a strong heartbeat, and every now and then I feel a kick or a wiggle!! It's so exciting!! I just love this little one so much!

14 weeks and counting!

So this is my 12 week picture, and I don't look any different, maybe even smaller. I think a lot of that was bloat or something. I don't think my baby is shrinking lol. I don't feel nearly as much pressure in there, so I'm guessing a lot if it was bloat. But my uterus is definitely growing and my uterus is getting harder. It definitely won't be long till there is a solid pooch there!

So I'm 14week and 2 days, and I am so excited and scared. It feels like uncharted territory because I feel I am no stranger to the first trimester, but I've only been this far along with one other pregnancy...My son's!! It's been over 3 years since I've been in this spot and I am so scared something will go wrong. My doppler has saved my mind so many times!

The cravings have started. I crave taco bell and buffalo wings 24/7. Its crazy!! The hotter the better too. I like all things spicy and bitter and sour. Last week at work I could not stop thinking about pickles. lol. I guess that makes me a typical preggo lady?? I go in for another appointment in 2 weeks, I am hoping to convince my doc to let me do an ultrasound for the gender before Christmas. That would be awesome!! BTW a few posts down I tried to attach a recording of baby's heartbeat, but couldn't get it to work, so I took a video and here it is!

By the way, we have a boys name picked out. Spencer Jacob Morris, and we'll call him Jake, or as Spencer want to, SJ. I kinda like it...But I will be calling him Jake. If it's at boy, that is For a girl I am LOVING Quinn, but can't think of a good middle name. We also like Carly, and Ily (ee-lee). Spencer doesnt want to do middle names, but I kinda thing they are important! Any suggestions?

So I've blogged about the pregnancy since finding out, so if you have time there are several blog posts about it...the most recent first!

12 weeks!

Well, I'm 12 weeks!!! Well, 12 weeks 1 day to be exact, and I just heard his/her heartbeat!! This is a huge milestone! Why? Not only does my chance of miscarriage go down to 1%... but 12w 1d is 1 day later than the baby I lost at 14 weeks lived. (Baby died at 12 weeks, and I didn't loose it until 14). I am so excited! I am still keeping it hush for atleast another week. We'll tell all our families at Thanksgiving, and then announce it on facebook at 14 weeks, so you will get to read these soon! I'm still about 30% nervous about it, just because of the late loss I had before, but so far things are looking great. Strong heartbeat in the 160s! I feel pregnant. Really, I am already so uncomfortable with this belly, I feel like I'm 30 weeks. I am not complaining by any means. I think I am sporting a baby bump, and it's kinda fun. My clothes are getting tighter, and I found out yesterday I've already gained 5lbs!! Crazy!! I only gained 19 total with my son!

I also have a hernia, it's an umbillical hernia right above my belly button. It hurts sometimes, but the doc said there's nothing they can do during pregnancy, and even in my childbearing years, because even if I get it fixed, another pregnancy would pop it out again. It's not too bad yet, it just might protrude outta my big belly later. Doc says I can quit the progesterone at any time now, I think I might take it a few extra weeks just in case, afterall I do have another month's worth of pills. She said it wouldn't harm the baby to take it longer.

Well that's the update for now! TTFN!

To BF or not to BF?

Ok, so ever since I got a BFP my mind has been wheeling with plans. I originally wasn't going to use a crib (mainly because we had one for Cohen but never used it really..we used a bassinet and pack and play, he moved onto a twin bed at 18 months). So we sold our crib about a year ago, and my SIL has offered theirs to me. I have to say, I am excited to get some new bedding (gonna make my own) and decorate! Another thing on my mind was cloth diapering. And it's really not realisitic for me right now, I am so busy I don't think I would be able to do it, so I'll probably bite the bullet and use disposables. I've heard many people say they cause burns and rashes, but Cohen has never had a problem with either, so I'm not too worried about it.

I can't decided if I am going to breastfeed or not. Now save me the lectures that "breast is best" I KNOW that. With Cohen I tried and tried to breastfeed, and it just did not happen. My milk came in, but would not come out no matter how much help I got from LLL and the lactation consultants at WIC and at the hospital. So, we switched to formula and he thrived on it. I know breast is best, but I don't see a problem with formula. I really don't. I still got that "bonding time" with my little one, and DH got it too, because he was able to feed him too! He's always been super healthy and always digested it easily. And I can't help argue the convenience of it. Since I am in school and working, I would not have time at work to stop and pump every 3 hours to keep my supply up. I was able to take Cohen with me anywhere and feed him whereever.

I think I will try it again, we'll see what happens, but I am not against formula feeding, and I plan on buying a few cans here and there of formula, to build up stock before baby comes. So, this post isn't asking for opinions or comments, I dont need to hear them. I know it can be a touchy subject and some might see me as having selfish reasons for not BFing, but I don't. Like anything else regarding my child, it's my decision and I'll do whats' right for myself and my family.