19 weeks

Little One now measures roughly 6 inches long and 8.5 ounces, or the size of a mango. Vernix caseosa is now starting to coat his/her skin to protect it from the amniotic fluid. Nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin. This insulates the nerves.

I have been wanting to go to Babies "R" Us to look at nursery furniture for a while now. Yesterday evening on the way home from the dog park I suggested that we make the trip this weekend, but Clint wasn't interested. After we got home he started drooling over a commercial for Joe's Crab Shack and I mentioned that there just so happened to be a Joe's Crab Shack right by Babies "R" Us. Suddenly, the trip to Indy didn't sound so bad afterall! I got to pick out the crib and Clint ate a pound of crawfish. Everybody wins!

Here's the crib we chose, The Martine Sleigh Crib by Delta.

And the matching changing table and dresser.


We plan on getting them all in white, but I couldn't find pictures of the changing table or dresser in the white finish.

Here is a shot of the whole set.



We stopped in at Keystone Fashion Mall on the way home and picked up dessert from The Cheesecake Factory. Yum!

Pink or Blue?

You've all heard those myths about how to tell if you're having a boy or a girl right? Some of the other blogs I read have posted a tally of sorts for all these old wives tales. Since we'll be finding out soon, I thought it would be fun to see what they say. After we find out we can see if they were right. So thanks to Kat, Brenda, Shauna, and Lauren for the idea!

GENDER CHARTS:

Chart #1 = GIRL (”It’s a girl! Congratulation!”)
Chart #2 = GIRL
Chart #3 = GIRL
Chart #4 = BOY
Chart #5 = GIRL
Chart #6 = GIRL

OLD WIVES TALES:

Mayans
The Mayans determined the sex of the baby by taking the mother’s age at conception, and the year of conception. If both are even or both are odd… it’s a girl. If one is even and one is odd… it’s a boy. I’m 24 and it was 2008. =GIRL

Nausea
The old wives tale is that a girl will make you more nauseous. I feel like this one could go either way. I've had nausea, but not much vomiting really. =???

Heart Rate
The old wives tales is if the heart rate is above 140, it’s a girl. If it’s below 140, it’s a boy. We've heard the heartbeat on four occasions so far: 158, upper 150s, 155, and in the 140s. (These are what they actually said!) =GIRL

Cravings
The old wives tale is that if you crave sweets, it’s a girl. If you crave sour, it’s a boy. I have really not craved sweets like I thought I would, although not really sour either, more salty. One of my frequent cravings has been steak. I'll lean more towards boy on this one. =BOY

Husband’s Weight Gain
The old wives tale is that if your husband puts on weight during the pregnancy, it will be a girl. Clint has actually been losing weight. =BOY

Acne
The old wives tale is that a girl will cause acne because she is doubling your hormones. No real issues here. =BOY

Clumsiness
The old wives tales is that if you are clumsier than before, it’s a boy. If you are as graceful as ever, it’s a girl. I don't know about graceful, but I don't seem to be any clumsier. =GIRL

Boobs
The old wives tale is that if your boobs grow a lot, it’s a girl. I really don't even know how to answer this one?! =???

Sleep
The old wives tale is that if you prefer to sleep on your right side, it’s a boy. If you prefer to sleep on your left side, it’s a girl. I alternate, who knows what that means! =???

Hands
The old wives tale is that if you have softer hands, it’s a girl. Rougher hands, it’s a boy. They don't seem to be any rougher this winter than they were last. =GIRL

High or Low
The old wives tale is that if you feel heaviness down low, it’s a boy. If you feel pressure up higher, it’s a girl. I don't really feel either one yet. =???

There's also the old ring test. You tie a ring on a piece of string and hold it over your belly; if it swings back and forth it's a boy, and if it swings in a circle it's a girl. =GIRL

GENDER CHARTS:

BOY= 1 GIRL= 5

OLD WIVES TALES:

BOY= 3 GIRL= 5 ???=4

Overall, I think we'll wait for the ultrasound!

Comments

I've changed the format in the comments section. Let me know if this way is easier for you all.

18 weeks

I am now 18 weeks pregnant; we've almost reached the halfway mark! Little One is not about 5 1/2 inches long and probably weighs about 7 ounces. He/she is more active now, in fact I don't think this child ever sits still! I'm not complaining though; I love feeling the movement. I just hope we'll be able to feel kicks from the outside soon.

For those of you who care, my fundus (the top of my uterus) has reached my belly button. This is where my belly sticks out the most, so I'm hoping that once it is above my belly button I will have a respectable baby bump. Right now, it generaly just looks like I had a big lunch or something. I also can't wait until my new clothes fit me so I have more to wear.

In other news, I just cut back my hours at work to part-time. I now will be working 24 hour work weeks. I've actually found myself to be productive on my days off. Yay for the place being clean again!

Audrey had her annual vet visit today. She got a clean bill of health, although the vet would like to see her lose 2-3 lbs. Oops. She hasn't been getting real walks lately, it has just been too cold. Hopefully it will warm up soon and we can go back to our evening walks. Since she got a 3-year Rabies shot and her Bordatella vaccine today she is also ready to go back to the Dog Park as soon as we have a decent day.

Thankful to live in America...

Even during a financial crisis there are plenty of reasons to love this country. Don't believe me, check out this little gem. Right about now, I am thanking the lord above for Pampers!

So we are now at 17 weeks! Maybe it is the worrier in me, or maybe it is the fact that I have known so many women who have experienced the tragedy of a miscarriage, but every day feels like a tiny victory and every week a HUGE accomplishment. We are so blessed for each and every moment we have with our little one.

Here's what little one is up to this week:

Measures about 5 inches long and weighs about 5 lbs, or the size of an onion
Beginning a period of rapid growth in which fat starts to accumulate under the skin
Can now hear sounds from outside my body
Practicing sucking and swallowing

Comment tutorial

So, I found out that some of you have tried to leave comments, but were confused by Blogger's system. So here is a way to leave a comment without having to create an account:

1. Click the comments link in the post you wish to comment on.

2. Type your comment in the box provided.

3. Type in the word verification.

4. In the Choose an Identity section, select Name/URL and type in your name.

4. Click Post Comment.

Guacamole anyone?

Today begins my 16th week of pregnancy. Little One is about the size of an avocado, measuring roughly 4 1/2 inches long and weighing in at around 3 1/2 ounces. Little One is now able to make facial expressions and bones are starting to harden. A sensitivity to light is developing and if you shine a flashlight at my belly, specifically to the lower left where Little One has taken up residence, he/she is likely to wiggle around in response. Bones are forming in the ears meaning that Little One is now likely to hear the sound of my voice! I also read that his/her heart rate will often increase at the sound of my voice. How cool is that?!

I have been able to finally feel the baby move consistently this week! AMAZING! Every night when I lay down to go to sleep I start to feel little pops and flutters. Little One seems to have his/her days and nights confused. Hopefully, this will not be the case when we bring our baby home! Mommy needs her sleep!

On a related note, I am sleeping so much better recently. I bought a body pillow a couple of weeks ago, and it just might be the best purchase I've ever made. I basically sleep through the night, aside from getting up once or twice to pee.

I found an awesome deal on maternity clothes online last weekend (40% off) so Clint told me to stock up, and boy did I ever. In the past month I've basically acquired a complete maternity wardrobe. If only I had the belly to justify wearing them. Oh well, at least I now have 2 whole pairs of jeans that fit. Wearing the same pair everyday was getting ridiculous. If only I could wear sweat pants to work.

Oh, and you still aren't getting any ultrasound pictures until I get more comments! Don't forget, I still have my BIG ultrasound coming up and I am not above withholding those as well.