More nursery pics and new belly pic

Here is my 20 week belly picture and some more pictures of the nursery!

Wow...definitely out there...I just keep telling myself "he's a big boy, he's a big boy..."
Monkey hanging from the tree

Elephant finished

Rhino finished

20 weeks, it's a.....

BOY!! So today I'm 20 weeks and it's absolutely crazy that I'm almost done! We had our anatomy scan yesterday and found out that we are having a boy! We are through the roof excited, in fact Dan almost started crying he was so excited. All of the organs were measuring on time so they are not changing my due date. However, the legs and arms are measuring over 2 weeks ahead of schedule! This means we are having a LONG baby boy! Not that we're surprised, I'm just surprised that he's growing so fast so early! They estimated his weight at 14 oz when 10-12 oz is normal for this time of the pregnancy. I have only gained about 2 pounds so far, even though it feels like more. The doctor said that since I was on a diet beforehand and was losing weight, that I am probably still losing fat but gaining baby weight. Here are some pictures from the appointment!

Defintely a boy!

Profile of his cute face!

Kicking up a storm!

2 thumbs up!

All curled up

Here is what is going on with little man and me! (He's supposedly the size of a cantalope!)

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.

19 weeks

So only 6 more days until we find out what we're having! Most people have said I'm having a boy, with only a few guessing that it's a girl. Whichever it is, they are going to be a gymnast because they are turning somersaults inside of me! It's the weirdest feeling, and of course it only happens when I'm still so sleeping is getting tough.

On Friday, I had to leave work early due to some really bad cramping. It was worse than usual and since my doctor closes at noon on Fridays they told me to go to triage at the hospital. They checked me out and everything was fine, they said that I need to drink more water and that from 18-22 weeks the uterus is going through a major growth spurt and it's pulling at the ligments more, making it more painful. I was glad to know everything was ok, and they checked the baby's heartbeat and it's at 142 now. Dan was excited to hear that due to the old wive's tale that a slower heartbeat means it's a boy. He'll be excited either way.

I did have high blood pressure when I went in though. I think it was 135 over 84, and this is the second time it's been high. They took it again a couple hours later and said that it was fine after that but that I needed to reduce my stress level. I laughed and told them that that would require me quiting my job! However, I am trying to take it easy.

I also told my homeroom students yesterday. Well, actually one of them asked so I went ahead and told them. They were very excited, one of the girls even cried. However, they're upset that I won't be having the baby until next school year, and they'll be in middle school. I had the students put their heads down so that they couldn't see each other and vote on whether they think I'm having a girl or a boy. All 20 students said by, not one said girl! It was very odd. Today I'll be telling my other 2 classes and letting them vote.

I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next 6 days, I'm so excited! My cousin James and his wife, Amanda, are coming down this weekend, so hopefully that will help the time to fly!

Here is what is going on with me and baby this week:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a mango. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen.

Nursery Pics & Baby's Heartbeat

So we bought the at home doppler and I attempted to record baby's heartbeat. Here is what I have, I hope it works!

Here are some more nursery pictures too!

Tree (individual leaves will be added later)

beginning of the lion

belly picture

So here is my 18 week belly pic  (the bottom one) in comparison with the last 2 pictures I took.  Hopefully I'll remember to take it every 2 weeks from here on out!  I have definitely popped.

4 weeks

13 1/2 weeks

18 weeks

18 weeks

14 more days until the big gender ultrasound!  So far I've had EVERYONE guess that I'm having a boy except for 1 person.  Even my friend's 2-year-old daughter said "Manda, you have a baby boy in your belly!"  Guess we'll have to wait and see who is right!

So tomorrow I'll be 18 weeks.  It's crazy!  Not much has been going on here.  I just got done with Spring Break and I am back to work (ugh!) but the nursery is in progress, so that's exciting!  I know a few people have mentioned that I need to take another belly pic, and I was going to do it today, but Dan doesn't get home until 10 pm tonight.  He needs to be there to take the pic, so I'll probably have to wait until tomorrow to take it.  Oh!  We recently got an at home doppler and it's pretty cool.  We can listen to the baby's heartbeat at home!  It takes a while for me to find it since baby still isn't too big and is moving around so much in there, but when we hear it it's awesome!  I might try to get a video of it sometime soon so that I can share the sound with everyone. 

Here is what is going on with me and baby this week:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a sweet potato) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. 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.

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.
Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.
From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

2nd day of nursery pics

So our friend came and did some more painting today.  He will come a few days throughout the week as well.  Here are more pics!

The elephant (with toenails now)

The rhino (with toenails and tusks now)

Beginning of the giraffe

Tree with all of it's branches

sketching of the lion

Beginning of Nursery Progression Pics

Our friend has started the mural in the nursery.  We are going with a jungle theme to match the bedding that we plan on getting.  Today he drew it free hand on the wall and began painting.  He has the base coats down for the elephant, the rhino and the base of the tree.  There is also going to be a bird flying over the elephant, a monkey hanging from the tree, a giraffe next to the rhino, a lion on another wall and of course, leaves on the tree.  So exciting!  He'll be doing more tomorrow as well as later in the week.  He plans on being done by the end of next weekend!  Here are some pics!

Elephant next to the tree

Elephant closer up

Rhino and the tree

Close up of the rhino

Close up of the tree

17 weeks

First of all, 20 more days until we find out the gender!  AHH!
So I really can't believe that I'm already 17 weeks, but I also feel like there is SO much time to go!  I'm on Spring Break this week and I'm trying to take it easy but I'm already getting bored!  Our friend that is doing the mural in the nursery for us is supposed to let us know how much paint and what colors to get today and then will begin painting at the end of the week, so that's exciting!
There is bad news though, they passed a bill yesterday that will pay all teachers in Florida based on their students' test scores and not on their years of experience.  I will be guarenteed 1//2 of my salary and then the other 1/2 is based on how well a bunch of 5th graders do on a test that takes place on one day...  It's not going to go into effect for another year or two, but it looks like after this baby comes we may have to look into moving to another state for me to teach.  That, or a new profession for me.  Crazy times...
On the bright side again, I have been feeling the baby move!  Last Friday and Saturday I thought I was feeling baby move, but I couldn't tell if it was baby or gas bubbles.   Then on Easter morning, I felt something that was undeniably baby!  Since then I've felt little flutters here and there and it's so exciting!  We also bought a fetal doppler on Ebay that will let us listen to the baby's heartbeat here at home, just waiting for it to arrive!

Here is what is going on with baby and me this week!

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.


Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

1st gifts off the registry!

So my Dad was anxious to play his Grandpa roll and bought us our highchair and stroller/car seat combo!  We are super excited and had to put it together immediately!  Here are pictures of the process and the final products!

Tank inspecting the packages

All the pieces for the stroller combo

stroller

stroller with the car seat

Callie trying out the stroller

High chair (it pretty much came out of the box ready)

all folded up so that the cats can't climb in them!

Thanks Dad!  We love them!

16 weeks

So I'm 16 weeks today (wow!).  We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and it was a quick one.  They drew some blood, listened to the baby's heartbeat real quick and asked me if I had any questions.  The only one I had was if I would be ok to travel to Michigan at about 28 weeks for my family baby shower.  He told me that he would not give me his blessing because if something were to happen along the way or up there, the baby may be able to live but would be stuck in a NICU 1200 miles from home for months.  He said that there is a great chance that nothing could happen, but he would prefer me not to travel at all.  Since it took us almost 2 years to get pregnant he doesn't want to see anything go wrong.  He said that it was ultimately my decision, but if my first priority is this baby and the pregnancy then we won't go.  I was frusterated a bit but how can I be mad at someone that is just looking out for the baby's well being and my own?  So I guess we'll have to figure out another way to have a family shower, maybe a virtual one.

On the bright side, we scheduled the appointment to find out if we're having a boy or a girl!  It's set for April 26th at 1pm.  We are very excited!  We also finished up our registries at Target and Babies R Us.

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


The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.


Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

nursery furniture

So we finally sold the pool table.  We never used it unless we were having a party and with a baby on the way we needed the space and the money.  With the money from it we went and got a crib, mattress and changing table and still had money left over.  We originally were going to go with white, but when we saw it in the store it looked cheap, so we found a set that we really liked for even cheaper.  We set up the crib last night and we will set up the changing table in the next day or two.  I will post pictures of the actual thing, but below are pictures from the target website to hold some people over.

Crib

Crib as a daybed (for a toddler)

Changing Table

15 weeks

Not too much exciting going on right now.  We are still in the process of trying to sell the pool table.  We are getting anxious about it because we plan on using the money to buy the nursery furniture. 
I'm getting excited for my appointment next monday.  I know they aren't doing an ultrasound but I'm pretty sure we'll hear the heartbeat! 
I'm also getting excited for Spring Break, which is coming up in about a week and a half.  Not only do I need a break, but one of our friends, who is super artistically blessed, is going to paint a mural on 2 of the walls in the nursery!  We are doing a jungle theme so he is painting a large tree with an elephant, a rhino, a giraffe, a bird and a monkey hanging over the crib (which is great symbolization of my sister, Jessie, looking over our baby).
So far I've only put on 3 pounds, which I'm happy about.  I don't want to put on the weight too fast!  I don't really notice anything different until I roll over on my stomach in the middle of the night.  I'm an avid stomach sleeper, but no more because it feels like a softball is pushing my lower organs if I roll onto my stomach!
The summary of what is happening below got me excited because they would be able to tell the sex right now, but I don't think my doctor is doing that ultrasound until 20 weeks.  Boo!

Here is what is happening with baby Smith and me this week!
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an orange). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.
Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

Gifts

So we've gotten some really cute gifts from family that I would like to share and say thanks for!

Here are 2 onesies (0-3 months) that my mom got for us.

Here are 2 onesies (6-9 months) that my sister, Dani, got for us. (Dan is a HUGE Colts fan)

Here are a bunch of books that Dani also got us for our collection. 

And this is a REALLY soft lamb that plays soothing sounds for the baby (mother's heartbeat, rain, whale songs, etc.)

Thanks for all the great gifts!  Now we just need to get some furniture in the nursery so that we have somewhere to put all this!

14 weeks

Not too much exciting has been going on.  Dan is back to working for the time being, which is a big sigh of relief.  Our school district is just getting over giving the big state test so that's going to be some stress off my shoulders now.  Other than that, not much really.  I'm in that between stage where my pants are tight or don't button but I'm not in to maternity clothes yet, so I just feel kind of blah and chunky.  I've only put on 2 pounds, but when it's all in the area where you button your pants it stinks.  I'll feel better when I know it's mostly baby, but right now it's not all baby. :)

Here is what is going on with baby and I this week:
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).
The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

most recent belly picture

So I have been told by a couple people that I'm showing so I decided to take a belly picture this morning.  I don't think I look much different, my pants are tighter but I've only put on 2 pounds.  I took the picutre right when I woke up and hadn't eaten anything yet, so maybe after I eat something it'll look like I'm showing more. :)

Here is a picture from today, compared to the picture I took when we first found out we were pregnant.


                  4 weeks                                                                       13 weeks 5 days

13 weeks

So tomorrow I'll officially be 13 weeks.  Depending on what you read I'm either about to enter the second trimester or I will be at the end of this 13th week.  Either way it's exciting!
Dan and I went to Kohls yesterday because they were having some huge sales and got some great stuff for him, the baby and me!  We got a few onesies and pj sets for the baby and a bath towel with a duck on the head (so cute!).  I got 3 pairs of maternity capri pants, which I don't need yet, but I feel I will soon, so I'd rather get them ahead of time on sale then wait til the last minute and have to get whatever I can find! 
Right now I have something called a BellaBand, which is like a tank top without the top half.  It starts at the top of my stomach and goes down to my hips.  It's great because it can be used for all stages of pregnancy.  I'm at the point right now where having my pants buttoned is uncomfortable, so I can wear the BellaBand and it goes over the top of my pants to hold them up when they are undone and it just looks like a tank top hanging out underneath my shirt.  Later on, it will be great to support my ever expanding belly and after the baby comes it will be good for holding in that post pregnancy belly.

Here is what is going on with baby and I this week (baby is about the size of a peach right now)!

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.


This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. More good news: Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift around this time. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow.

NT scan and 12 weeks

So I had my NT scan today, which is the first step in the genetic testing.  It looks for abnormalities that may indicate Down Syndrome or Trisomy 18 (I think) which is a disorder where the baby usually dies before it is born or shortly after it is born. 
The scan went well with the exception of us having a stubborn baby!  She needed the baby to be laying on it's back and it kept laying on it's side on top of the placenta, like it was a big pillow.  She had me do stretches, cough, laugh, even eat raisins (for the sugar) to get the baby to roll over.  It squirmed around a lot but finally turned on it's back.  They look for 2 things in the scan.  The first thing is the presence of a nasal bone (which was there) and the amount of fluid on the back of the neck.  The measurement for the amount of fluid on the back of our baby's neck was about 1.9mm, and anything below 3mm is considered normal.  However, they have to combine this information with blood work they took today and bloodwork they will be taking at 16 weeks.
I was still measuring ahead, but only by 4 days this time.  The ultrasound technician said that this is the time that the baby goes through a growth spurt so it's normal to be off.  If I'm still measuring ahead at the 20 week scan where they can tell us the sex of the baby then they will change my due date then.  So for now my due date is staying at Sept. 14th. 
They gave us some pictures and I mentioned how I share with family and friends through the internet and I usually just take pictures of the ultrasounds that I get to take home.  She told me that if I had said something earlier they would have given me a CD that they could burn all the images onto for me!  So they gave me one this time and I will take it back for the 20 week ultrasound to add more pictures.  Here are a few pictures, they're all kind of tough to see since baby was being stubborn.

In this one the baby is facing straight out and it's arms are out to it's sides.  They were measuring the CRL (crown to rump length) since this is the most accurate measurement for due date.  The area right underneath the baby that looks like a half moon and fills the rest of the circle-shaped area is the placenta.

This one finally has the baby laying on it's back.  This was when it first rolled over and you can see it's hand up in the air actually pointing at the screen (we think it was getting upset at us for making it roll over!).

OK, so this is the ultrasound technicians attempt at getting a 3D picture this early.  You can see a leg, body and an odd shaped head (lol).  The head is about 1/2 the size of the baby at this point so it's a bit strange.

Here's one more 3D picture.  Again, the head is so large!