12 Weeks

Wrapping up the first trimester!















On Thursday we were officially at 12 weeks!  A friend of mine, and college roommate, is an amazing photographer in Bloomington.  She is going to take my pregnancy progression pictures over the next 6 months (where did 3 months go?) and we're going to make a photo journal.  We'll also include the first newborn pictures.  We had our first session last Thursday night - see above.  That is a sneak peak into what the photo journal will look like.  I am so excited to document this progression, and she is going to do an amazing job!  Thanks again, Laura!  And of course I have to include my chalkboard.

My nausea is way better.  I'm still feeling very tired every day.  I hit a wall about 1pm, and usually go to bed around 8:30pm.  I still have my regular emotional, "ridiculous" moments, but that should get better throughout the 2nd trimester.  I've been assured I am NOT bi-polar, and the emotional roller coaster is very normal.  I can stand smells a little bit more now.  I can't wait for spring.  I have been in desperate need of fresh air.  Sometimes I'll open my back door for just a few minutes to get some fresh air.  It'll be a lot nicer when it's not 30 degrees out.  Lately I've been craving chicken patty sandwiches or chicken breast sandwiches, iced coffees, and nectarines.....oh, man, I am loving me some nectarines right now.  And now that Lent is here, I am really looking forward to multiple Filet 'O Fish Fridays!  I don't understand how someone could not love that tartar sauce sandwich.

I am finding myself having a bad case of pregnancy brain: forgetfulness.  And it only applies to food.  For instance, if there are leftovers after dinner I will put them in tupperware to go into the fridge - I LOVE leftovers.  At least once every week I leave said leftovers out on the counter all night long...all night, all night.  It makes for a very sad morning.  Yesterday I wanted chocolate chip cookies.  I only had enough flour to make a 1/2 batch.  I put them in the oven and set the timer for....wait for it, wait for it,  20 MINUTES!  Who does that?!  I smelled them burning and just thought it was the oven.  Then I went to check on them with 3 minutes left and realized what I had done.  Only 6 are edible.  So depressing.  Everyone knows you bake cookies for 9-11 minutes.  Even I know this.  Why I thought 20 minutes was appropriate, I'll never know.  Actually, I blame the pregnancy brain.

 So what is going on in Katana's world right now?  The most dramatic change this week: reflexes.  The baby is moving now, even though I can't feel it.  But I was lucky enough to see it last Friday at my doctor appointment.  My nurse practitioner was so nice and gave me a free sonogram.  It was amazing.  The baby was moving, and "she" looked like a little person.  The legs were crossed at the ankles, and the hands were moving around.  So cool!  I can't wait until I can feel that.  Katana is just about 2 inches, about the size of a lime.

So I have to tell you all real quick about my dream last night.  I had a dream that I gave birth to a boy, he was 9 lb., 16 oz.  Yes I know that is 10 lb., but it made me feel better in my dream to say 9 lb., 16 oz.  Anyway, he came out walking and shooting hoops.  And I couldn't decide on a name, so I just called him baby.  Weird.

Off to read my new books that my Aunt Donna sent me: "Belly Laughs" and "What To Expect When Your Wife Is Expecting" - well that last one is for Bryan, but we all know I'm going to read it, too.  Have a good week everyone!

-10 Weeks-

I am 10 weeks this week, tomorrow to be exact.  Since they moved my due date back by 1 day my weeks start on Thursdays now.  I wanted to document the belly progression pictures in a fun way.  Alright, let's face it, I got the idea from Pinterest.  My wonderful Mama painted the chalkboard paint on a mirror for me.  Thanks again, Mom!  This is hung in what will be our nursery.  The picture above captures some of what I'm craving, and what I find gross.  The list of gross things is A LOT longer, I just didn't have much room.  You can also see my bloated, preggo belly.  The belly comes and goes.  Today is the first it's really looked like a pregnant belly.  Usually it just looks like I ate a whole pan of Beef House rolls.....and maybe I have!  On a positive note, my nausea has subsided somewhat.  It's not an every day occurrence.  And I only dry heave about once a day!!  Progress, people!  I'm still pretty tired, though.  My DR prescribed an Iron pill for me since I'm anemic.  Hopefully that will help with my fatigue.  I'm looking forward to getting through the next 2 weeks and officially being in the 2nd trimester.  I hear most women start feeling better then.  I am hoping the same happens for me.  


On Friday Grace told me she thinks the baby should be called "Katana" while in utero.  Baby Katana is barely the size of a kumquat - a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom - and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce.  And what exactly is a kumquat??  Katana is swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm (but I won't feel that for awhile).  The vital organs are in place and starting to function, and will continue to develop throughout the pregnancy.  Tiny nails are forming on fingers and toes (which are un-webbed now), and the baby is starting to get some peach fuzz.  Just some fun facts courtesy of Baby Center.  I have a love/hate relationship with this website.  It has wonderful information, but quite frankly it will scare the sh!t out of you, and you will no longer want to eat or drink anything.

Speaking of eating and drinking (ahhh, wine....oh sorry, just daydreaming).....to all of my family members who are participating in the IL Marathon: please include me in the Friday night carb session.  As you can see, pasta and bread are my best friends these days.  And even though I'm not running this year, I think I still need to carb load - for Katana.

Thanks again to all of you who have sent cards, given well wishes, hugs, and words of encouragement and advice.  It means a lot.

Love you all!

First Sono

We had our first doctor appointment yesterday, and the doctor says everything looks good!  Baby had a heart rate of 165, which is very strong, and is the size of a kidney bean now.  I was so relieved after that doctor appointment.  Yesterday I was 8 weeks, and my due date is 9/6/12.  So how am I feeling you ask?  Here are some symptoms that are taking over my life at this point:

-Nausea all the time (no puking, just lots of dry heaving).

-The thought of most food makes me dry heave.

-Everything smells....in a bad way.  Perfume, lotion, etc.  All of my favorite wall flowers have had to be moved the basement, and the fridge is the devil (and it's brand new!!).  I actually almost lost my cookies when I opened up the freezer this morning.  I'm the only one who smells these things.

-I've been kind of irritable (poor Bryan).  But I'm trying to control this so Aunt Donna doesn't worry about him :-)  Sometimes I just need to give myself a timeout.

-I am reliving me teenage years - I'm bringing Acne back!

-I'm usually asleep by 8:30pm on most nights.  I'm ok with this.

I know that all of these things are normal, and it will all be worth it in the end!  Well it's almost my bedtime, goodnight!

Ooooohh Baby, Baby!

WE'RE EXPECTING!!  Bryan and I are excited to announce that Baby Nickel will be joining the family this September!  We found out at the beginning of the month, and are excited to start sharing it with family.  Oh, and it's not FB official right now so please don't put anything out there just yet.  Since I don't get to see everyone as often as I would like, I wanted to find a way to share this journey with you all.  I thought a blog would be a good way to update everyone, and share in these exciting times.  We have our first doctor appointment this Wednesday.  Please pray for a healthy baby with a strong heartbeat.  I'll post more after the appointment.  Save our blog as a favorite and check back often!!