18 Weeks...a little late.

 

 

How Far Along: 18 weeks!

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a sweet potato.

At the ultrasound they told us that Mason weighs 1/2 a pound!

Total Weight Gain/Loss:7 lbs. which I was a little concerned about, but the Dr. said it is exactly where she wants me and I could even afford to gain 1-2 more.

Maternity Clothes: A mix of both, I tried to button one of my nice shirts for work and while I got it buttoned it wasn't exactly attractive.

Gender: Boy! Mason Rhys!

Movement:Not yet, and it is driving me crazy!  Hopefully in the next couple of weeks though.

Sleep: I'm struggling a bit with having to sleep on my side.  The whole no stomach no back thing is hard, but sleep isn't too terrible.

What I miss: Nothing really, I am feeling good and have no real complaints!

Cravings: Blue Bell ice cream lately!  I am still huge on fruit too though.

Symptoms: Things have been wonderful so I am going to give a more positive side.  My hair is thicker and doesn't get as greasy as quickly as it used to, and my leg hair is growing back slower.  Not all pregnancy symptoms are bad!

Best Moment This Week: 1. Finding out our baby is a wonderfully, healthy boy! 2. My co-workers telling my I look pregnant, and my students even noticing.

Milestones: Anatomy ultrasound which showed that things are developing the way they should.

The apple has a stem!

Wednesday was our anatomy ultrasound and when we got to find out if we were having a boy or girl!  Everything went amazingly, and we couldn't have asked for a better day.

Ultrasound:  First we had to go to the first floor of the building my Dr. is in so that I could get the anatomy ultrasound done.  Nick was very upset when they called me back and said he had to wait for a bit and then they would come and get him.  After getting changed and situated in a room the tech started the ultrasound.  She showed me everything and explained everything while she was taking her measurements.  She was awesome!!  Then she went and got Nick!!  She went through everything, pointed out all kinds of fun stuff, let us see the baby in 3D, and then told us the gender.  It took a while to see at first because we have a very modest baby who likes to keep their legs closed; however, as soon as they were spread the tech had no problem letting us know.  Boy, all boy, 100%!  We are beyond excited, and we are even more excited to start calling him by his name: Mason Rhys Santowski!  The radiologist then came in and took look as well, she said everything looked perfect, exactly the way she would want it to.  That was a huge relief, and as soon as she started the ultrasound the first thing that came up was his goods and she confirmed boy.  They were truly awesome.  We left there having gotten to see Mason for about an hour or so, a 4 and half foot strip of print outs of him, a cd of him playing, and a report saying he is developing splendidly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Side Bar: So everyone pretty much everyone knows that pregnant ladies have to pee all the time.  Well, before an anatomy ultrasound they tell you to drink at least 8 oz. of fluid upon arrival.  So not only do you have to pee you really really have to pee.  Well, while I was at the Dr. some city workers burst a pipe and had to shut the water off, which meant the bathrooms were out of order. Luckily, I got a heads up from my ultrasound tech and got to use bathroom just in time, but it wasn't fun since we were there so long.

Dr's Office: After the ultrasound excitement we went upstairs to see my Dr. for my appointment.  She said weight and blood pressure were exactly where she wanted them, and that I was doing great.  She then went over the report from the radiologist and said Mason was doing awesome as well.  We showed her all of the pictures they printed out for us and then said, "Oh, you are definitely having a boy!  You can go buy all the blue you want!"  So we are pretty positive that our boy is a boy!!  She also told me that the report showed that the placenta was front and center on my stomach.  While there is nothing wrong with this it will prevent me from feeling much movement for another couple of weeks.  I was both sad and relieved to hear this because I was starting to worry since I hadn't really felt any movement yet.  All in all the entire morning at the Dr. was a huge success!

Afterwards: Nick and I both took the whole day off because we knew we would want to tell everyone the gender and of course go shopping!!  We went to one of our favorite spots for lunch and then hit up the stores.  We did go a little crazy but almost everything was on sale.  We were able to get a lot of great winter clothes because they were on super sale; therefore, we went a head and bought 6 month stuff for our little man to wear come December.  In case you didn't know, or can't tell, Nick's favorite color is orange so Mason will be rockin' some orange!

 

 

17 Weeks!

I am definitely starting to show!

How far along: 17 Weeks! Baby size: About 5 1/2 in.  The size of a turnip! Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, but probably between 5-6 lbs. Maternity clothes: Not really, but I am carrying kind of high so the only thing that fits are the two pair of low rise pants I have.  So, I have one pair of jeans and one pair khakis that I always wear.  I did buy some incredibly cute maternity jeans that look totally normal and have like an elastic waist band and no panels.  They are crazy comfy but still a little big, and the best part is they were apparently on super clearance because when I got to the register they were only $7!! Sleep: I wake up several times to switch positions; I can’t sleep in one position for too long before I get uncomfortable.  Overall not too bad though. Best moment this week: Two things:  1. Seeing and talking to wonderful friends!  My best friend on the planet called me and we talked for a while, I got to see and hang out with my college roommate/bridesmaid, and I had lunch with two fabulous teachers I worked with at my old school last year.  It was amazing!   2. Waking up feeling like my heart was racing, only to then wonder I why could feel my heart beating in my stomach, and finally being awake enough to realize that it was the baby’s heartbeat I was feeling!! Movement: Still waiting…but I can feel the heartbeat when I lay really still! Food cravings: Still fruit and grapes in particular this week. What I miss: Not a thing right now, pregnant life is awesome.  I am sure I will regret saying that though, haha! What I am looking forward to: 1 week from today we do our anatomy ultrasound and finally find out boy or girl!!!  Nick and I both took the whole day off and after the ultrasound and Dr. we are going shopping! Milestones: The baby is getting finger prints!  We have picked a crib, just need to order it.  We decided we wanted an armoire but the one we wanted no longer comes in the color we want so we are still looking there, but if we have a girl I know the colors for the nursery.  Slowly but surely we are getting there! Pregnancy Symptoms: Some back pain has started, but nothing really.

Got a lot of nothing...

I am still pretty early in my pregnancy, which is a wonderful thing seeing as how we really have nothing yet that we will need for our little one.  However, I did want to share a couple of things that we do have!

Our cradle!

 










I mentioned before that my parents got it for us for Christmas, and we are absolutely in love!  I so did not want a bassinet because most are ugly and not the best for the baby to sleep in.  When I found this cradle I knew it was the one because it was not super expensive, the reviews are fabulous, and it is unbelievably precious!  My mom will be making bedding for it once Nick and I can decide on a fabric.


Diaper bag!

I got my Babymel diaper bag that I wanted!  Nick was able to find one for me a little cheaper than what most places were charging so he just went ahead and got it.  I love it, and it will be perfect.  It has tons of pockets, an insulated pocket for formula/milk, and a changing pad.  Nick has found the messenger bag that is a diaper bag that he wants so we will be getting that soon.



Slowly but surely we will get it all, and it will be even easier to get things after Jan. 26th when we find out if we are having a boy or girl!!

16 Weeks...

I know this picture is horrible, we just got back from the gym... How far along: 16 Weeks! Baby size: About 5 in. or so Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, but probably around 4-5 lbs. Maternity clothes: Not really, but Nick did take me shopping!  We found two super cute tops that I can wear now without looking ridiculous and a dress that is awesome and doesn’t look like a maternity dress at all. Sleep: Still good, I still have days where I get really tired but they aren’t as common. Best moment this week: Feeling better and not blowing my nose every 5 minutes! Movement: Still waiting…very impatiently I might add! Food cravings: Still fruit and I am big on oranges now. What I miss: Nothing really.  Being able to comfortably button my pants would be nice though, haha. What I am looking forward to: 13 days until we find out gender…it is killing us!! Milestones: The baby can recognize our voices.  Nick has read to my stomach also. Pregnancy Symptoms: Congestion and being a little snotty, but that is really it.  I am so thankful that I have had no nausea or vomiting!

15 Weeks! (Better late than never!)

How far along: 15 Weeks! Baby size: About the size of an avocado!  Around 5 in. and 4 oz. Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, but probably around 4lbs. Maternity clothes: I did break down and wear my BeBand to work one day this week with a pair of slacks!  My clothes are definitely getting snug… Sleep: Sleep hasn’t been too bad, and the Dr. gave me a cough syrup that has codeine in it so sleep has been pretty good this week. Best moment this week: Nick looking at me and saying, “Hey, you actually look pregnant and not fat!”  How sweet, haha!  Also, the secret is out at work!!  I waited to tell my dean and entire team until after the holidays, and they are all so excited and supportive.  I love that the baby news is totally out there! Movement: Nope, but we are SO ready! Food cravings: Nothing too crazy still fruit, fruit, and more fruit. I do eat a fair amount of pickles now too though, only dill! (Same as last week and pretty much the whole pregnancy) What I miss: Not blowing my nose.  Thank God for Puffs Plus with Aloe!! What I am looking forward to: This weekend!  For once we have no actual set in stone plans so we are going to relax and do some errands.  I have to get some loser/longer clothes, we are going to get some baby stuff, clean out closets, and just enjoy our weekend! Milestones: I am starting to show!  The baby has eyebrows and eyelashes! Pregnancy Symptoms: So, more on this cold…  It is more than just a cold because my mucus is green and I have had a low fever.  That is why the Dr. has given me so many prescriptions and been worried about me.  A cold I can live with, but this has been worse and been going on for almost 6 weeks.  My doc decided to put me on super power antibiotics, which seem to be working already, a cough syrup as needed, which is mostly just at night, and wants me to take Zyrtec D everyday.  I definitely feel a little better already, and now I have more of a cold then a sinus infection or anything.  It hasn’t been fun but it could totally be way worse.  Baby is healthy and that is all that we are really worried about!

14 Weeks!

This picture was in North Carolina so we just kinda worked with what he had, I didn't pack the usual "picture outfit". I am skipping 13 weeks because I was on the couch sick the whole week…no fun!  I am, however, going to squeeze 14 weeks in.  It is late because we spent the last 9 days in Chicago and North Carolina with Nick’s family. How far along: 14 Weeks!  Baby size: About the size of a large navel large! Total weight gain/loss: No idea because I have been sick, the holidays came and went, and we were out of town. Maternity clothes: Not yet, but my mom got me a BeBand for Christmas which I plan on using very soon! Sleep: I sleep pretty well at night, no complaints. Best moment this week: Getting Christmas presents for our little one.  My parents got us our cradle!!  I will be posting about that soon. Movement: Nope, and Nick is getting more anxious than I am! Food cravings: Nothing too crazy still fruit, fruit, and more fruit. I do eat a fair amount of pickles now too though, only dill!  I guess that is because of my sour craving. What I miss: Not having a cold ALL of the time. What I am looking forward to: Jan. 26th!  It is still weeks away, but that is the day we will find out gender and do our anatomy ultrasound!  We can’t wait! Milestones: I am in my second trimester!  Our wee one is growing hair, unless they are going to be a bald baby of course. Pregnancy Symptoms: I have perpetual cold!  I have pretty much been sick for the last month.  I had low immunities to start and with baby they are even lower.  Also, seeing as how it is cold/flu season AND I am a teacher I can’t seem to catch a break.  The Dr. gave me amoxicillin and a Z-pack that each made me feel a little better for maybe a week each, but it always comes back.  It could definitely be worse though…