Updated Bump Pics

I'm currently almost 24 weeks... baby is the size of a papaya but feels a lot bigger to me! I'm officially in all maternity clothes which are the most comfy things ever invented. Why I waited so long to give in, I have no idea! I had a fairly recent prenatal appointment and everything is going well. You can see from the pics that I made quite a jump in bump growth in the 23rd week!

This is the time when the baby is growing the most. Baby is now going to start filling out with pudge b/c right now it's pretty skinny. I have been feeling all kinds of crazy movement and I still love it. The weirdest is when I get punched/kicked in the bladder and other internal organs. Sometimes it makes me jump b/c it is the weirdest feeling. Lots of things are making this all more "real" like talks of insurance plans, finally buying the furniture, pediatrician visits, and Mike losing more and more space in the bed :) He actually saw my belly move over Thanksgiving which was fun ... baby loved Thanksgiving!!! Mike is also having to help me a little more with getting my boots on and off and picking things up off the floor b/c the belly is starting to make it a little more difficult. Below are some pics from Weeks 21-23. I just realized only one of these is naked belly so sorry to those of you who enjoy that type of thing ;) I'll make sure and get some bare bellies coming up in the next few weeks b/c I am feeling super hot and sexy as you can see....

21 weeks:

22 weeks

23 weeks

Movin Right Along...

OK now I can kind of see how people can say they love being pregnant. I have loved the last few days and have been given a new prospective. The last few days have kind of been a turning point in my pregnancy b/c I REALLY felt the baby and I can't believe how much joy it brings me every time I feel it. I'm guessing by the third trimester I might be singing a different tune again but I'm going to enjoy this now while I can! I was feeling movement before (what they call "quickening") but I felt some serious punches/kicks in the past few days and on Tuesday night, Mike felt one! I was so excited for him to feel it b/c I want him to experience what I am. I know that's impossible but I just want him to be able to be a part of everything that he can b/c it's such a surreal experience. I finally feel like there is a living being inside of me, which is totally crazy. Yesterday morning I was sitting at my desk and Baby was kicking up a storm! I felt like 5-10 solid kicks which made me jump and laugh to myself. It was histerical b/c I kept thinking "what is it doing in there?!?!" It put an automatic permagrin on my face, and I had not started the morning that way at all!

I'll be posting more pics in the next couple of weeks. I don't look much different from the pics posted a couple weeks ago and I'm still in my regular pants (w/ the help of a bella band) and finally wearing maternity tops. I am guessing after Thanksgiving, I'll need to start wearing the maternity pants :) I'll also actually have some regular pictures to share b/c we'll have visitors this weekend and Thanksgiving the next so more "every day" pics to come. Of course the profile bare belly bump pics will be included but it's also fun to show off some of my new maternity clothes. Hot stuff. ;)

Registering

I don't know how much I can even say about the topic at hand to make you understand what the day was like....

I was so excited going into this whole registering thing and by the end of the day was ready to go postal in Babys R Us. It started out as an exciting day, Mike and I were laughing and joking around in the store. Behind us sat a tired bleary eyed looking couple who had just finished. They literally looked like zombies. We asked them how it went... they said looong! I asked if they still loved each other. They said yes, so off we went with our list and gun, smiling and excited to pick out items for our baby.

You start right off with the breast pumps... I mean... as if either of us know what in the world I am supposed to get there. "Mike, do you think I need these nipple shields???" So, I followed my list and hoped we got all the right stuff. It's still kind of weird to me to see "sore nipples" on my registry but oh well - I've been told by many a new mom that I will need all the help I can get in that department and I've got no shame in registering for it.

The infant area was probably the most overwhelming: There is all. kinds. of. crap. in that place. And there is pretty much no rhyme or reason to the madness either. Just walls upon walls of bottles, pacifires, nipples (trying to see how many times I can say nipples in this post). They have their own fracked up version of what is categorization and I'd like to talk to the person who decided that all so I can try and understand.

For the most part, we agreed on most items, and were doing well. It was at about hour three that things took a turn for the worst. Mike decided that my system was inefficient so we were going to change it up to do it his way. I could not handle NOT going through every single aisle (the OCD in me) so I became preg-zilla in Babys R Us and yes, I threatened my husband's life right there in the changing table accessory aisle. This was the monster I've talked about - she comes out and I can't control her. She did not want to change things, and Mike was smart enough to humor her, but at this point, all hope was lost for both of us. We were exhausted and zapping whatever we could just to get through our "list". By the time we got to the clothes, which should be the fun part - we were just getting stuff so that our child does not go naked for the first few weeks. Mike did make the call that we were not going to buy furniture in this state which I do have to admit was a very good call. We certainly did not have the endurance for that. Next time....

A few calls to our cousin Bridget and several online checks later, I think our registry is done although the ambiguity/no picture on some of the items is really irking me. I'll get over it.

In a nutshell, registry was fun until about the last hour, and is fun now that it's done it's even better. Had you asked Mike and I if we still loved each other as we turned in our scanner, our answer may had been different from the couple we met before we started, however we were given the good advice to "step away from the computer and have a glass of wine". Marriage therapy at its best. Thanks Bridget ;) In case you're wondering, yes of course we still love each other.

Baby is the length of a carrot/banana and weighs about 3/4 of a pound. He/she is definitely moving around (mostly in the mornings and after eating!) I looove feeling it stirring around and can't wait for Mike to feel it! It happens so quick now it's hard to get the timing right but hopefully soon!

As promised - Updated Bump pics

17 weeks:

19 weeks, pretty crazy what a difference 2 weeks makes! Trying to mix up the "pose"... haha

I also forgot to mention that I think I've been feeling movement but it's been pretty subtle and quick so far. The best way to describe it is just quick twitches but it's been with increasing frequency so who knows. My doc said my placenta is in the front which may prevent me from feeling movement early on. I told her about what I thought I was feeling and she said it's still definitely possible so we'll see as time goes on! As active as that little worm was at the doctor, I wouldn't be surprised!

Sweet Tomato

We had our mid-way ultrasound last night. I can't believe we are basically half way (19 weeks)! Baby was VERY active while on camera which was so entertaining...he/she was grabbing the umbilical cord, doing pelvic lifts, waving, moving its mouth. It was amazing! I thought I'd be a crying bumbling fool but we were laughing too hard at everything it was doing, totally fascinated that this little person in me was already so humanlike. All of the measurements taken looked good/healthy for the baby and overall it was great. As most of you know, we won't be finding out the sex and your guess is as good as ours. Mike was very proud of me when the ultrasound tech asked "do you want to know" and I said "NO" firmly.

To summarize the attached pics, baby's head is on the right for all of them. Also, the weird "bubbles" you might see coming up is the umbilical cord.

#1 = baby giving us the finger. The ultrasound tech was even cracking up at this! He/she was really sick of us poking and prodding so pretty much said, leave me alone already!

#2 = side profile, baby playing w/ feet

#3 = facing us, waving (we could actually see the little fingers moving like a real "wave")

#4 = pelvic lifts (pilates anyone?)




#5 = face - this one kinda creeps me out - looks a little alien-ish/skeletor-ish b/c of the weird shadowing!

Baby looks healthy so far, and obviously his/her motor skills are progressing well :) The visit was just so much fun. We analyzed the pictures over and over last night trying to figure out what he/she is going to look like and whether we thought we saw anything that may have hinted at the gender, haha. I'm happy we're waiting to be surprised now, it's just way more fun this way.

As far as Mike and I go, I have been an emotional roller coaster which is not fun but Mike is usually pretty tolerant of me ... ha. Between tears, scowls, and temper tantrums, I could do without that part of pregnancy but it's insane b/c it's like a monster takes over my body and I can't control it. That's the part Mike was dreading as well - "How am I going to handle a pregnant Mexican/Puerto Rican woman from TX?!" Hang in there, babe ;) On a happier note, Mike seems to be really excited and ready to be a dad which is of course a great feeling and makes me that much more ready. I really can't wait to meet this little person we have made. My appetite has kicked in quite a bit and I'm just always hungry. Definitely craving sour/salty things like pickles and mustard. I always get extra mustard on my sandwiches now, yum. My sweet tooth came back so I'm digging ice cream again but not quite ready for custard. Not sure what that's about??? I haven't been running too much any more as it just doesn't feel good. I'm doing prenatal yoga/swimming/elliptical/walking so keeping active to even out the food consumed but definitely taking it easy in comparison to all the stuff I was doing before. Feeling good in general, but can sense that something is slowly taking over my body!

Watching my body change has been pretty surreal. Some days I look in the mirror and think, wow, how cool. And other days I think, ew... disgusting. It takes some getting used to but now that I have a real belly it's so much better. From lump to bump....it's kind of fun now that it's obvious I have a baby belly. Mike will look at my belly, chuckle, and say "I can't believe my baby is in there!" and follow up by cupping his hands to my belly and saying something to him/her.

I will attach some belly pics later tonight (still have to take an updated one) b/c I have definitely "popped" in the past couple of weeks.

At 19 weeks, baby is the size of an heirloom tomato/bell pepper now.

Dr. Yoga and an Avocado

This is going to be a boring update. . . but I felt I should give an update since I had my doc appointment this week. I went alone b/c we knew it would be an uneventful trip, although hearing the heartbeat again was just so cool and of course reassuring. It was a beautiful heartbeat according to my doc (love her). Next appointment will be much more exciting. It's our 20 week ultrasound where we can find out the sex but we aren't! AH! I let the doc know this and she said to be sure and remind her and also, we won't be able to tell anything by looking so not to worry. She said just don't mistake the umbilical cord for a penis, which lots of people do :) During that ultrasound they will also take lots of measurments, where they look for any abnormalities indicating downs syndrome, spina bifida, as well as checking the heart chambers. I did take a blood test that will tell if we're at risk initially for any of that stuff and the doc says no news is good news on that. I'm just ready for the next appointment already ! It will be a big one, and I'm looking forward to seeing him/her again!

I started a yoga class which is awesome. It's not even a prenatal class but I love it b/c the instructor was so personalized towards me (and another pregnant woman in class) so it was nice. I felt great after, and want to make it a weekly routine as well.

Mike and I are starting to look at finances now and really budgeting, which is a little scary but something we gotta do. Soon we'll actually start ticking off those "getting ready for baby" to dos! I think the nesting thing is starting to kick in for me b/c all I want to do is organize and plan now.

Baby is the size of an avocado this week. I've been playing music for him/her since the ears are starting to work now. Sometimes when I'm sitting in traffic I talk to him/her too. It feels funny but I want my voice to be familiar.

ALMOST CONGRATS TO MY BEST FRIEND P WHO IS HAVING HER BABY GIRL SAMANTHA TODAY! Can't wait to meet that little doll! :)

Sneezing hurts, baby clothes, and fruits

Nothing too new to report today.... a random side effect of pregnancy has taken me by surprise. When I sneeze (which is very often as my allergies are terrible right now!), it hurts my stomach! This made me very nervous until I looked it up and found that this is round ligament pain and is completely normal. wheww... I guess the muscles that support the uterus are really stretching out right now and it can be painful especially when moving suddenly, laughing hard, or sneezing. So bizarre.

I think I'm going to start a prenatal yoga class this week and I'm excited for that. I'm just excited to be able to work out again, I actually missed running.

We got our first baby clothes gifts this weekend. Oh my goodness, I can't stop pulling them out of the bags and looking at them. They are the cutest things . . . and I can't believe we're going to have something to put in them! I just keep looking at them and imagining the little person that's going to wear them and it just makes me so excited.

I'm now 15 weeks and baby is the size of a naval orange, uterus is the size of a melon. That means I'm showing just a bit. Certain things I wear can hide it still but others "showcase" it. Baby is moving around a lot now, but I can't feel it yet. Next appointment is next Tuesday so stay tuned...

Bump is officially a bump:

Crying, shopping, gifting, and gaining

Some noteable things that have happened in the last week:

I cried when I listened to my Carrie Underwood CD in the car on the way home from work last week. Like really CRIED. It was the song "American Girl". Seriously. I am an emotional wreck, I already was pretty sappy but now it is BAD. Embarassing even.

I went shopping for "almost maternity" clothes this weekend. Well, tops... tops that will cover my bella band that I have to use now w/ some of my pants that won't button. Loose, comfy, yet cute tops. I was very happy to find that the empire waist and flowy tops are still "in" this fall. Someone from work definitely noticed and said "how cute". If pudge is cute, well OK :) I also got my first congratulations at work from someone I didn't know all that well which was a cool feeling, made me happy.

We got our first baby gifts. So crazy to have toys and blankies in our house! Exciting and cool but also so WEIRD!!! Love it.... baby stuff is so soft and cute.

Lastly, today on my way into work one of my co-workers told me that my face is "starting fill out". Awesome, that is exactly what I'd like to hear at 8:00 in the morning. I mean, look.... I know I am pregnant and I am inevitably going to gain weight and unfortunately for me, that shows in my chubby cheeks! But, you will never know until you are pregnant how sensitive you become to these things. Women are already sensitive about their weight and even when we have a GOOD reason to be chubby.... it's still not easy. Some of the stories my pregnant friends have shared with me are crazy - the things people say! I don't get it! Well, in the end, I let it roll off my back b/c I am happy with myself and am growing a human being inside my body so whatever... I just am amazed at the things people feel free to comment on.

This week (week 14), baby is the size of a lemon. He/she is doing all kinds of crazy things like wiggling toes, kicking (can't feel it yet), growing peach fuzz like hair, and even peeing! Something is peeing inside my belly... weird!

Bump Pics

Bump at six weeks: not much to see here...

First Ultrasound at 9 weeks (I had to take a digital pic of the paper, sorry poor quality!) Looks like a gummy bear! I think baby was between the size of a blueberry and a raspberry here.

Taken today at 13 weeks, in the stage I have named "stuffed sausage". Baby is the size of a peach.

Stuffed Sausage

Let's see what to report today? I am feeling like a stuffed sausage all the time and I keep reminding myself there is a baby inside my bloated belly. My work clothes are really starting to become limited, as I can't comfortably button all of my pants any more. Some pants just make me look like a flat out hoochie. I'm going to have to bust out the bella band soon. I'm 13 weeks now and although not "showing", I'm definitely starting to get the looks at work from people who don't know "Is Lisette gaining weight,man she really let herself go?!" I just look a little thicker... curvier, if you will. This is the point when I'd like to wear the sign that says "I'm not a fatty, I am pregnant". At first I was very concerned, but when I asked my doc and she said I'm definitely at healthy rate of weight gain (8 lbs), I stopped freaking out. I will enjoy this! I love food, and as long as I'm staying active and eating reasonably, there's no reason to feel guilty. It's definitely not easy going from being in the best shape of your life to a chubbier version of that, but once I get that real baby bump it will be a constant reminder why :)

Heartbeat

Heard the heartbeat today. Wow, amazing. I thought seeing it would be the best, but hearing it is even more awesome! :)

Sounds like a little whip in my belly.. so crazy!

On another note, I am FINALLY feeling better. Into my 12th week now, yipeeee!!! Back to working out slowly but surely and feeling less sick all the time. I still get my McD's fries fix though - that is a necessity ;) Since the word is finally out I'll actually start posting these blogs now :)

Doctors appointments and first ultrasound

I went to the dr. a couple of weeks ago and they were short on nurses so I had to go back for the ultrasound. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen... I can't believe there is a little living thing inside my belly! Crazy... AND even cooler is that it moved around (danced) for us. So so cool. Turns out, I was nine weeks (currently ten), and due on March 30th. High possibility of an April Fool's baby but my doc assured me this is a good thing as April's birthstone is a diamond (hint, hint honey). So exciting! Doc said everything looks great and normal! Next appointment I'll be 12 weeks and can finally really tell everyone. We have told people here and there b/c it's just too exciting not to :)

Food

Random new cravings and uncravings:

Thinking about custard or ice cream makes me sick

Same goes for nuts

Not a fan of cereal any more either, and I used to eat that every morning

I love bagels with loads of cream cheese

I love all carbs - pasta, potatoes, bread - bring it on YUM

Chicken salad has been a very prominent craving

I want mayonaise a lot and I never used to like mayo - eating it by the spoonful actually sounds pretty good

Pickle flavored potato chips

Pickles, I know, so cliche...

McDonald's french fries (I have always loved those but now allow myself a splurge much more often :))

August 19th - Telling the families, feeling icky, and the dr.

So in the past couple of weeks we've let our parents and siblings know, while swearing them to secrecy. They were all of course very excited and had lots of questions. My mom, for one, screamed so loud when we told her that Baxter hid under the bed for the rest of the night. I wore a shirt with the two pink lines and it said "Guess What?" She saw it and FREAKED out!!! It was quite humerous. Last week was our vacation at Lake Summerset and I felt yucky about half the time. I felt so bad that I wasn't myself but it was still so wonderful to be with my family for a whole week.

Not feeling so hot in general these days. I've been eating a little more and today, for the first time since I found out I was pregnant, I feel like a fatty. I just unbuttoned my pants because I was just uncomfortable today. I've only gained 2-3 pounds but I just feel different. . . And not in a good way. Although the doc would say these are all good things so I guess I should take that into account.

We had our first doctor's appointment last night and it was anticlimactic. She did a pelvic exam and talked to us for a while but they were short a nurse so I will have to go back for my ultrasound :( Going back next Tuesday. Seriously the suspense is killing me! I just want to see my baby and see it's heart beat up on that screen! It will bring me such peace of mind. I also am just so ready to tell EVERYONE! I am no good at secrets. All of these things are seriously keeping me up at night. I am not sleeping, I'm tossing and turning. Last week I woke up at 4am (work poor Mike up too) and made a PB&J sandwich! I feel so weird all the time and right now, reading back over this blog, nobody should talk to me today.

August 4, 2009 -Telling my first friend

So, on Friday I told my first friend. It made it very real and for some reason I was nervous to say it out loud! B/c we hang out pretty consistently, I had to tell her b/c she would have wondered why we weren't doing weekly happy hours sooner or later! We were also supposed to go out to a bar that night and since Milwaukee isn't smoke free until next year... I couldn't go and there's no real good excuse for ditching out on our friend's going away party.

So, I told her and I think initially she was shocked, as we were since it happened so fast. It was weird to say it out loud especially when I haven't even been do the doctor yet but it is nice that someone else knows b/c I was about to BURST with the news soon!

Weekend went like this: Friday night, dinner at Jenny's, came home, hung out for a bit. Hit the couch for a movie. I was out by 9PM. Mike noticed my snoring at 9:15. Moved to the bed at 11, slept until 8:30AM. Crazy. Worked out in the morning, and had a pretty low key day on Saturday followed by having a couple of friends over for dinner. They left around 10, at which point our neighbors invited us over but I just couldn't make it. I was pouting but only b/c I really wanted to go but this whole no drinking/always tired thing really pisses me off in general. I am annoyed with it. I sent Mike over b/c I didn't want him to have to endure another lonely night on the couch watching/listening to me sleep. In bed by 10:30, slept until 8:30. This fatigue thing is ridiculous. I had a little naseau on Saturday and today too. Yuck. Nothing awful and I hope it doesn't get worse but it's still just not fun. I am lame and boring now and feel terrible for my husband b/c I am about as much fun to hang out with as a wet noodle. I think the fatigue is just something to force pregnant women into getting as much sleep as possible before baby comes b/c then you don't get ANY. That's just my theory.

Funniest interaction of the week:

Mike - "Why are you always insulting me? You are all about insults and death threats lately."

Me - "Welcome to pregnancy."

7/30/09 Finding Out

Ironically enough, I titled this blog long before I ever was even thinking of getting pregnant. I have always loved pickles and after attempting to start a blog months ago, it never got off the ground. I figured now would be the perfect time to really start blogging so enjoy :)

Mike and I thought it would be really funny to journal my pregnancy so that everyone can get a feel for what our lives are like these days. To give you an idea, it's already pretty different.

It all started in June (last month) when we decided it was finally time to pull the goalie. It was something we had discussed and, I'll be honest, I was the one holding us back. Don't get me wrong, I always knew I wanted kids but never felt like I was really prepared to be a MOM. I still don't! So finally it hit me, like people say, you kind of just realize OK I think I'm as ready as I'm going to be. I let it simmer for a while to make sure I didn't change my mind yet again.

Never could we have imagined how fast it would happen! We are truly blessed. I took a pregnancy test two days after my period was supposed to come- got a negatve. Still no period seven days later, so I bought another test. I stopped at the store after my workout to pick one up b/c I just wanted to be sure before going into the weekend (read: day of binge drinking scheduled for Saturday - Brewer tailgate and game). I got home, took the test and saw two lines - something I had NEVER seen before! I was talking to myself, pacing, saying ohmygod over and over again trying to figure out if this was real! I couldn't call Mike b/c he was at work! I was going insane... I even talked to my aunt on the phone for a bit and babies came up in conversation. I could not WAIT for Mike to get home so I cleaned and paced, and went back into the restroom about 10 times to check the test. One line was definitely lighter but the instructions said that might be the case. Holy crap!!!

So, finally Mike got home and I showed him the test immediately upon walking in the door. He had the biggest smile and asked what is that, what does that mean?!?!? I said I think it means I am pregnant!!!! We both were kind of like nervously laughing uncontrollably at this point and I was still in shock... it was quite a mixture of sheer terror and sheer elation.

I then had to go through the rest of the weekend lying to my friends about why I wasn't drinking. Talk about guilt. Plus, anyone who knows me knows I enjoy my cold beers in the afternoon. I had to come up with something good and believable so I did... and I still feel terrible. They will all know soon enough!

As of now, I am dying and can't wait to tell our friends and family but I know we need to wait a little bit. My first dr. appointment is 8/18/09. If my calculations are all correct, I am currently almost 6 weeks. That is all according to my totally legit internet research and who knows if that's right. I'm so anxious to get to the doctor!

As of now, the only symptom(s) I really feel is basically PMS on overdrive. I am exhausted 75% of the time, cranky, emotional, blah, and my boobs hurt. It's not fun. I'm not glowing and feel pretty nasty in general right now. At 2PM every day, sleepiness hits me like a ton of bricks. I can't sleep at night and I'm not sure if it's b/c my mind is racing or just part of the awesomeness of being pregnant. Fun times. As far as cravings go, I can't say that it's a legitimate craving but I do want sweets now more than ever. Mike took me to Kopps last night for a milkshake (marshmallow YUM!!) and I have a feeling that might be one of my major cravings as time goes on. I miss my wine with dinner and realize there is entirely too much that pregnant women can't eat. I am a zombie without coffee. I am thankful I am not sick and reallly hope that lasts. On the flip side, I am amazed that there is a baby the size of an appleseed inside of me right now with a little heart that is just starting to beat. That in and of itself is amazing and surreal and makes all the other stuff much easier to laugh off and luckily I have a husband who will laugh with me even after I bite his head off.