22 weeks

22 weeks down! I had a doctor's appointment on Monday. Nothing new to report. I have gained 8 pounds thus far which is a little on the low side, but as long as the weight gain continues each month, the doctor said it is fine. I have another ultrasound coming up in a few weeks because the last one was done too early to take accurate measurements on head size, etc. I will keep everyone posted on how that goes-and NO, we are still NOT going to find out the baby's sex. I also have to go back in and do another urine analysis to see if the antibiotics defeated the Strep B or not. So there will be a few things going on before my next monthly appointment.

On a more exciting note, our carpet is being installed today and yesterday I finished painting a mural in the nusery. I am so excited to see the room with the furniture in it now. I should have pictures up tomorrow.


Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

21 Weeks

Not much to report this week, due to the holiday. I will have tons of fun things to share next week. We are seeing the doctor on Monday so I look forward on sharing my updates with you then. Have a Merry Christmas

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

A Little Q&A

How far along: 20 weeks +5 days
Weight Gain: 5-6 pounds
Maternity clothes: yup! Pants are a must, but I can still wear most of my t-shirts. I have purchased a lot of warm stuff in larger maternity tops from Old Navy, just anticipating getting big and wanting the clothes in the closet before I wake up one morning and decide that nothing fits.
Stretch marks: None so far (or least that I didn't already have ;)
Sleep: Ugg. Not so great. Keith, Sonny and Holly all snore like old men. I can nolonger sleep on my stomach and I am a tummy sleeper! I am using a body pillow-which Keith tries to steal during the night- but I'm not used to sleeping on my side and it's giving me some lower back aches.
Movement: This baby loves to kick! I feel it often throughout the day, usually after I eat, but mostly when I lay down to sleep, of course!
Food cravings: Not so much. But I have been more likely to treat myself with something not so healthy every once in awhile.
Gender: It's a surprise!
Labor Signs: None, and hopefully not for a long time.
Belly Button in or out: In, and I'd be surprised if it ever pops because it's a deep inny.
What I miss: zipper/button jeans, sleeping on tummy, caffiene, meds for my allergies.
What I am looking forward to: getting carpet over Christmas break!

20 weeks

Well, we are officially half way there! My last check-up was at 17 weeks and my next will be at 22 weeks, but here is the scoop on my last check-up. A blood test several weeks ago showed that I am a carrier for Strep B bacteria in my bladder. This is a fairly common condition (1 in 3 pregnant women can have it at any given time.)There are no symptoms, and it is not dangerous during the pregnancy. It can however be dangerous if the baby contracts it during the birthing process, so I will be on an I.V. of antibiotics as soon as labor begins. The doctor put me on a one week cycle of antibiotics to see if I can get rid of it now. But, low and behold, it turns out that I am allergic to Penicillen and developed hives. I will have to be on a different antibiotic during the labor, but my doctor assures us that there is nothing to worry about(his own wife also had Strep B during her pregnancy.)
The normal weight gain at this point should be between 10-15 pounds. I have only gained 5-6 pounds, but the doctor says that is normal considering how sick I was during the first trimester and the fact that I had a physical job. The baby is growing and measuring just as it should and I am constatly reminded of it with my ever expanding waistline and the baby's constant kicking. We were given several more ultrasound pictures and it is clear to me that this baby has it's daddy's lips!
We are excited to start decorating the nursery. We have just been holding off until the new carpet goes in, which should be the weeek following Christmas. But so far we have been gifted a swing and inheirited Bryan's old baby changer. We are going to use a dresser that we already have, we just added new hardware to it. We purchased a crib which I am absolutly in love with as well as the crib bedding. We are off to a great start, but I am so excited to really start working on it!