Monday, April 26, 2010

Week 10

About Baby

This week, baby is about 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches from crown to rump (CRL) and baby weighs about 5g! My little one is getting bigger!

This week we compare baby's crown to rump length to a prune. Yuck. Though, that might explain some of my tummy issues this weekend. ;) By week 13, baby's length will DOUBLE! That's a lot of growing!

Baby's bones and cartilage are now starting to form, and his/her organs are now functioning.


Baby no longer has a tail, as it has now fused into the spinal column. Baby's eyelids are no longer transparent (and are now fused shut, they'll remain that way until week 27.


The placenta is now beginning to take over the production of hormones for the baby. This "tree of life" is what provides everything for my growing baby.

About Mommy
I'm feeling more like myself these days. I'm finally able to eat most meals (still struggling to eat at night), and haven't been sick in over a week. I am still tired all the time, but it's getting better (perhaps because I haven't had to work in a week, and have been waking up late and taking naps). But overall, I'm feeling good.

There is the one issue of the two subchorionic hemorrhages, but there's no way to check on those without an ultrasound. So I'm just assuming they are getting better as I rest on this comfy couch with my feet up. The resting part has been rather difficult, and I am feeling like a really helpless lump of a person. Having to ask Doug to please take out the trash because I am unable to lift it, or to please help me wash the crock pot, because it's too heavy, or to please cook dinner because I went out today and need to rest. I feel.... useless. I am trying to get outside every day for a 10 minute walk. Most days this means just walking to the mail box and dropping a letter in, or going to sit outside on a bench at the school across the street. But getting outside has been helpful.

No doctor appointments this week, and we haven't done anything baby centered yet, but we are looking at strollers.

I found one I like, but it is only sold at Target. Another one I really loved is out of our price range, but it has great reviews. I do like the Peg Perego Si Classico stroller (in Java), but it's $300! We do have a few "needs" in regards to a stroller, due to the fact that we don't own a car. Firstly, we're not going to get a travel system stroller, as we only want one convertible car seat, and not a bucket car seat. Because of this, we need a stroller that can be used with a newborn (so the back needs to fully recline and the foot rest needs to raise). We also need a stroller that is compact enough to take on the bus, but sturdy enough that it will make it through snowy sidewalks. So right now I'm looking for a more affordable stroller that fits the bill. No luck so far, but it's fun to look.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

resting isn't easy

Since my ultrasound on Monday I've been made to rest. The rules are that I am not to stand or walk around for more than 30 minutes, I can't carry anything heavier than a gallon of milk, and I need to sit with my feet up as often as possible.

This whole idea sounded kind of nice at first. I thought, maybe a week or two of relaxing, a forced vacation. It would be nice to spend all day watching bad TV and reading. Unfortunately, I'm having a really hard time just resting. I feel like there is so much I could be doing, and so much I need to be doing, that sitting still has been a challenge.

I know that this period of rest is something I need to do for the sake of my baby. It's also something I should enjoy, because there will soon be a time where resting is a thing of the past. I'm trying to remember that. I also know that the more I rest now, the sooner the hematomas will heal.

So for now, the apartment will be in a state of half cleanliness, Doug will be in charge of pretty much everything, and I will enjoy this period of rest as I carry the gift of life God has blessed me with. I'm spending my time looking for books to read to my still-growing baby, looking at strollers and rocking chairs and diaper bags, and thinking about how wonderful it will be to see my baby, healthy and strong, at our next ultrasound.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Baby's First Picture



We went through quite a weekend with our baby! Spotting that started on Friday turned me into a scared momma and we rushed to the ER when it got worse on Sunday night. My hormone levels were checked (and all was well), and then I got a requisition form for an ultrasound today.

Fortunately, I didn't follow the "drink 4 glasses of water 2 hours before appointment and don't go to the bathroom" rule. I drank about 6 glasses of water, but went to the bathroom right before leaving. Then once again while waiting in the waiting room. I drank another glass of water and then held it for the duration of my wait. During that time, the fire alarms at the hospital went off, so my wait was extended. It was crazy! I finally got in to the ultrasound, and the tech showed me the screen where my baby was! And she showed me the baby's heartbeat. It's beating at 173bpm.

The baby is 2.6cm from crown to rump (that's about 1.2 inches) and is measuring at 9weeks 3 days, instead of the 9 weeks even that we thought I was. So that's fun to know!

The bad news is that there are two very small areas with subchorionic hemorrhaging. It's not threatening to the baby, but is causing a bit of spotting. They will heal on their own. Most likely they were caused by all the growing and changing in my uterus. So, all in all, everything is good. I have to take it extra easy at work (and at home, obviously). Hopefully the issue is resolved by my next ultrasound (in 3 weeks).

9 Weeks

All About Baby

This week baby is about the size of a green olive. Froggy is almost an inch long and weighs about as much as a penny (2 grams). This week is also the week my baby stops being known as an embryo and is now considered a fetus. Hooray for fetus-hood. Baby's fingers and toes are starting to be visible, and feet and hands are continuing to form. Baby moves around a lot in his/her little home, even though I won't feel it for a month or so.


Baby's head is half this size of his/her body, looking pretty disproportionate right now! Froggy's tail is shrinking, and my little tadpole will look less like a froggy by next week! Even though Froggy's gender was already set in stone just after conception, babies all start out with the same parts. This week, baby is developing boy parts or girl parts, even though they won't be visible on an ultrasound for a while.

Also, Froggy's heartbeat can possibly be picked up on a doppler this week. It's not guaranteed, but it's possible! I bought a doppler yesterday and am hoping to be able to hear the baby's heartbeat with it when it arrives (sometime in the middle of my 10th week).

How Mom is Doing
Symptoms have eased up quite a bit. Nausea and morning sickness are a lot easier to deal with now, and I am finding my appetite is coming back. I still can't really eat much at night, but it's getting better.

Over the weekend I had a bit of brown spotting, and a couple spots of pink spotting. It started on Friday and I called my doctor. She said it's probably nothing to worry about, and as long as it doesn't get worse, I don't have any reason to rush to the ER (which is what I really wanted to do). So hopefully I'll get in for an earlier ultrasound, but for now everything seems to be okay. I need to take it extra easy at work, as well.

I did buy a fetal doppler so I'll be able to hear the baby's heartbeat at home. It will help alleviate some of my fears, especially in the first and early second trimester. I'm looking forward to hearing my little Froggy's heart beating away.

Side Note
I went to the ER last night because I was spotting and nervous about it, and they did blood work to check my hormone levels (hcg- the "pregnancy hormone"). The result came back normal for a 9 week pregnancy (though on the low-ish end of normal). They are sending me for an ultrasound today (in about 2 hours) to check on the baby. I'm currently filling up my bladder and praying that everything is alright in there. I'll make a new post when I get the results later today.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Week 8

About Baby

This week baby has grown from the size of a blueberry, to the size of a raspberry! He or she is now somewhere between 1/2" and 3/4" from head to bum.

Baby is growing rapidly, and every day is very important in the growth of my little one. This week baby will begin moving his or her arms and legs! I won't be able to feel it until 12-14 weeks, though. It's kind of weird to think something in me is moving and growing and I can't even feel it!



Baby's eyelids, ears, upper lip and the tip of the nose are forming this week. Baby's fingers and toes are still webbed, and he/she still has a tail, but those things don't last much longer. Baby's heart has separated into 4 chambers now and is beating at 150bpm (approximately. We don't get to see the baby's heartbeat, but we will hopefully get to hear it at our first ultrasound).

About Momma
Not much has changed, though I have lost quite a bit of bloat. I actually feel thinner. There is nothing resembling baby belly at all, and I doubt there will be until my uterus moves above my pelvic bone. I have lost some more weight, thanks to the magic of morning sickness. I haven't been super sick, but what I can eat is fairly limited, so I haven't been eating as much. On top of that, not keeping a whole lot down means I've lost about 5 pounds since the beginning of pregnancy. Not much. My clothes still fit (well, most of them). I had lost 20lbs right before getting pregnant, though, so they were already kind of baggy. My "skinny" jeans don't fit anymore, though. I am guessing it's only a matter of time before all of that changes. My uterus has grown from the size of my fist, to the size of a grapefruit. Sometimes, especially at night, I can actually feel where my uterus is if I am laying down. It's quite strange, really!

I have been as tired as ever this week, and the morning sickness makes for some yucky days. I was actually so sick on Thursday that I didn't make it to work. I felt really guilty calling in "pregnant", but I was just really really sick that day. I'm learning to make myself eat even if I'm not hungry, because having a bit of food in my tummy at all times really helps. I do feel bad, though, because I haven't been eating supper (I can't stomach meat right now). I try to make food for Doug, but I just can't eat it. Some days I feel very bad because he has to make his own supper. But he's a good man, and has been a great support. Yesterday he gave me a big hug after I had been sick and told me he's sorry I have to go through this. I realize it must be strange for the dad in early pregnancy because there's no physical connection to the baby. All he's experiencing is my symptoms.

As for cravings, this week I craved a lot of citrus. I'm craving lemonade and oranges a lot. My aversions are the same as always: meat and dairy are turn offs. Sweets have been a kind of turn off as well.

One new thing has been the weird taste of foods. Yesterday I ate oatmeal and it tasted like lettuce, and this morning my cheerios tasted like onions!

Doctor Visits and other important things
No doctor visits this week. I don't have my next appointment until I am 11 weeks along (May 3rd).

I have been trying to avoid buying things for this baby, as we'd like to keep our costs as minimal as possible. I did buy a onsie that has a picture of a brindle greyhound (like Ozzy) that says "my best friend is adopted". I couldn't resist! We've also decided on a greyhound/puppy theme for the baby's nursery. I've asked my mom to make the crib bedding and curtains and she agreed. I'm really excited about it!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Everything's Changing


Sometimes (okay, all the time) I think about my baby, wondering what he or she will look like, wondering if the baby will have my brown eyes, or Doug's blue ones. I wonder what kind of mother I'm going to be, I wonder how much this little life is going to change my life. How can such a tiny thing be so huge? How can something that fits into these tiny diapers be the thing that changes my life forever?

I wonder what my mom felt when she was pregnant with me. Was she scared? Was she excited? Did she feel confident in her abilities to mother a baby, or was she like me and terrified of the unknown?

I sometimes think I am not ready for this. I know, I've wanted this for a long long time, and this baby is an answer to my prayers. I know, God has chosen this time for Doug and I to become parents. I'm thrilled. Terrified, but thrilled.

My life changed the moment I found out about this little miracle. I feel like everything is changing. Even though it scares me, it's a good and exciting scared. It's the same kind of scared I felt before I married Doug and moved 4,000 miles away from the place I grew up. And that was the best thing that ever happened to me. While I think about this tiny life inside me, I thank God for all the changes that are about to occur. And I pray he'll give me the tools I need to be a great mom.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Just a quick update

I know a few of you mentioned (elsewhere) that you were unable to comment on my blog. I had anonymous commenting disabled. I've changed that now, so anyone should be able to comment now.

Carry on!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Week 7

I'm seven weeks pregnant today! I can hardly believe it. When I first got that positive pregnancy test, I thought it would take forever to pass 6 weeks. It still feels like time is crawling by. I really want to get to 12 weeks... I really just want to see my baby.

Anyhow, here's how baby is progressing at week 7


This week baby is about the size of a blueberry. Approximately 1/2". Hooray baby, you doubled in size this week! Grow, baby, grow! Though, each "week by week" fetal development site/book I read gives a different measurement. I like this comparison to a fruit, so we're sticking with that, okay?

This week the baby's brain is growing super super fast! The brain is generating 100 new cells every minute! That's a lot of brain growing. The baby's leg buds are starting to appear, and the arm buds are growing longer. Baby's face is also developing pigmentation, there are visible ear holes, tiny nostrils and there's a little indent where the baby's mouth will be. The baby's digestive system and stomach are starting to form as well.


Baby still looks a little scary, but in a few weeks froggy starts looking a little more human. We all start from somewhere, right?

This week I've been dealing with morning sickness. Fortunately, it hasn't been too bad! I'm REALLY hoping it stays this way. I've only been sick when my stomach is empty, so I'm trying to eat frequently to keep the sickness away. It does make me very happy that I am experiencing morning sickness. I know it's a good sign for my baby's development. I just don't want to deal with really bad morning sickness all day long!

I've also been having some cravings and food aversions. I'm pretty much avoiding cooking, because even if I really want the food, after I've cooked it, I'm sort of put off. And raw meat is really not appealing at all. I've been craving grilled cheese like CRAZY. Right now milk makes me nauseous, so I'm trying to get my calcium from other sources. I've been making a lot of smoothies with yogurt, and that's been helpful. I feel like I've been eating a lot of fruit and carbs, but everything else is unappealing. I'm trying so hard not to make bad food choices while pregnant, so I've been eating a LOT of fruit and trying to keep the carbs to a minimum. I've been eating some nuts and eggs as protein, as well.

Physically not much has changed. I am not going to be one of those cute pregnant people who show early with a cute little baby belly. I'm okay with that. I've decided I'm still going to wear cute maternity clothes that make me feel like a cute pregnant lady. :) My skin has been super dry and itchy everywhere, though I'm not so sure this has anything to do with pregnncy. I have also felt the effects of a growing uterus, as I'm always in the bathroom! The fatigue isn't as bad as it has been, but I think that might just be because I'm getting used to being tired all the time.

As far as weight goes, I've lost 2lbs this week (not surprising since I'm eating less, and have been pretty active this week thanks to the beautiful weather).

Welcome