18 weeks and counting...

Pregnancy Highlights: (GB stands for Gummy Bear)

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Fruit / Veggie: bell pepper

Size: about 5 ½ inches long and weighs 7 ounces


Baby changes: GB is busy flexing his arms and legs
* blood vessels are visible through thin skin
* ears are now in their final position, although they’re standing out from head a bit
* a protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around nerves, a process that will continue for a year after GB is born
* if it’s a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place
* if it’s a boy, his genitals are noticeable now

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I cannot remember what my weight was last week (seriously, even after my ‘freak out’), but I have gained a total of 9 lbs so far.

Best Moment this week: The ladies at work threw me a going away / baby shower on Wednesday - what a Blessing it was!

Today is also my last day of work!

Gender: We are due to find out in late July / early August, but we’ve chosen to be SURPRISED!

Movement: I’ve got another movement update…
A lady at church on Sunday (who is not but a couple of weeks further along than I am) was asking if I had felt any movements yet. She described the movements she felt as ‘bubbles.’ I thought this was odd and thought NO WAY, I definitely haven’t felt that. Maybe she just opened my eyes to it, but since Sunday I have felt the ‘bubbles’ feeling almost every day. If I had not had that conversation with her, I think I would have assumed it was just digestive juices moving around. Could this be Gummy?! :)

Food / Drink Cravings: ice water, milk, pizza, cereal, fruit

What I miss: Johnny! We haven’t seen each other in just a little over a week, but not being able to talk each day (while he’s at camp this week) makes it feel like it’s been 3 weeks.

Sleep: still sleeping well and with a body pillow for sure. I have read that I should start lying on my sides only now, since lying flat on my back can cause my uterus to compress a major vein, which can lead to decreased blood return to my heart. I was definitely most comfortable on my back, but am training myself to stay on my sides.

What I am looking forward to: Reuniting with Johnny in Tyler sometime next week. He returns from YL Frontier Ranch on Sunday, and I’ll plan to head to Tyler sometime following that.

Symptoms: Still getting nauseous in between meals and throwing up from time to time. I actually did an experiment this week to see if taking a Zofran each night before I go to bed really was needed to get me through. Of course, I woke up nauseated about 2:30 AM, threw up, ate a bowl of cereal and took a Zofran. I guess I still need it for now.

On a more positive note, I have started walking this week. Sad to admit, I wasn’t before. I’ve got a 1.9 mile trek I have walked 3 times so far this week. I have felt like I have had more energy as well! I plan to keep this up once I get to Tyler, with all of their beautiful parks for motivation and no work to take up the majority of my day.

17 weeks and counting...

Pregnancy Highlights: (GB stands for Gummy Bear)


How Far Along: 17 weeks

I promise to post some more baby bump pictures once I get to Tyler in August. My bump is a little more pronounced (lots of people have said this to me this week, especially) even as soon as I get out of bed in the morning – before food.


Fruit / Veggie: turnip

Size: about 5 inches long and weighs 5 ounces


Baby changes: GB’s skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone
* umbilical cord (the lifeline to the placenta) is growing stronger and thicker
* GB can move its joints
* sweat glands are starting to develop


Total Weight Gain/Loss: YIKES! Could I have really gained 3 lbs in almost 2 weeks (last appt was July 12)?! I didn’t think the 1 lb / week started until the 3rd trimester. I’ll have to reconfirm the weight gain next week…


Best Moment this week: Rendezvousing with my husband in Corsicana this week. We met ‘half way’ so I could bring him some last minute items he needs for camp and just to see each other since it will be another week + until I am officially in Tyler. Fun and spontaneous – I totally recommend this for any marriage!


Gender: We are due to find out in late July / early August, but we’ve chosen to be SURPRISED!


Movement: I’m not sure if it was really GB, but I wanted to document this anyway…
On Thursday morning, as I was laying on my back in bed with Johnny, in a hotel room in Corsicana (random & run-on, I know – I love details, ask Johnny) I felt some soft movement in my abdomen.

I checked the consistency of the movement to make sure it wasn’t just my heartbeat that I often feel in my tummy. It definitely was not that and then it soon ended. I like to think it was GB!


Food / Drink Cravings: pizza and lots of pasta / Italian food usually taste and settle really well, cereal, shredded hash browns and fruit.

What I miss: I miss the thought of moving away from the only place I've ever lived (not including College Station), away from my family, our friends, our church, and our first home together...all these places of comfort for me.

Don't get me wrong on this, I am absolutely SO ready to join my husband in Tyler and begin our life there, this new season of everything for us. I can totally rest easy because I know / trust that the Lord has orchestrated this for us. We aren't supposed to be anywhere but Tyler, TX. I am also resting in the love and support we have already been shown in Johnny's short time there and in my visits.

It is just beginning to feel real to me now...and I know even more real once our home sells and we buy one there.

Sleep: sleeping well


What I am looking forward to: ultrasound appointment scheduled in about 4 weeks in Tyler! I was sad to find out that I will not always have a sonogram and get to see GB every appointment I go to.

I am also finishing up work next week and joining Johnny in Tyler shortly following.


Symptoms: I was really looking forward to posting a good report as I began Week 17 on Wednesday, until last night / morning hit. I’m still getting nauseated and throwing up, but have had some better evenings and mornings the past few days, with the exception of yesterday / today.

16 weeks and counting...

Pregnancy Highlights: (GB stands for Gummy Bear)


How Far Along: 16 weeks


Fruit: avocado




Size: 4 ½ inches long and weighs 3 1/2 ounces


Baby changes: GB’s legs are much more developed and its head is more erect
* eyes have moved closer to the front of its head and ears are close to their final position
* the patterning of GB’s scalp has begun, though locks of hair aren’t recognizable yet
* toenails are beginning to grow
* GB’s heart is now pumping approximately 25 quarts of blood each day, which will continually increase as GB grows


Total Weight Gain/Loss: 5 lbs total pregnancy


Best Moment this week: We had a whirlwind of a weekend – lots of people, lots of activity – jam packed into 3 days! It was great to see my sister who had not been home since Christmas. On Monday, we got to hear GB’s quick heartbeat, averaging 145 bpm. I’ve read women describe the sound as ‘galloping horses’, but it sounded like a windy day to me. It was awesome!


Gender: We are due to find out in late July / early August, but we’ve chosen to be SURPRISED!


Movement: not yet


Food / Drink Cravings: Chef Point Café in Watauga, TX (near Ft. Worth) - I could go on and on about this restaurant that some people we met at the wedding this past weekend told us to try out! Now YOU need to Google it, go and try it! Don’t let the look of it deceive you – it’s in a Conoco Gas Station. I’ve got 7 words for you…Lobster Bisque in a toasted bread bowl
YUM!


What I miss: Johnny, we are apart during the week days


Sleep: sleeping well


What I am looking forward to: spending this coming weekend in Tyler! Hard to believe I have not been there since our ‘interview’ back in April.


Symptoms: Sad to report, my symptoms have not yet improved, but rather digressed. I am back to waking up nauseated in the middle of the night (needing to eat) and every morning, similar to how it was in the first few weeks of my pregnancy. Just like clock work, I have thrown up every other morning for the past week. Hoping this will soon pass…

15 weeks and counting...

Pregnancy Highlights: (GB stands for Gummy Bear)

How Far Along: 15 weeks

Fruit: apple

Size: 4 inches long and weighs 2 1/2 ounces


Baby changes: GB is busy moving amniotic fluid through nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in lungs develop
* legs are growing longer than arms now, GB can move all joints and limbs
* although the eyelids are fused shut, GB can sense light – for instance, if I shine a flashlight on my tummy, GB is likely to move away from the beam
* taste buds are forming


Total Weight Gain/Loss: I’m going to pass on weighing myself today with the maximum bloating and swelling in my stomach area that I feel :/


Best Moment this week: Looking forward to ANOTHER 3 day EVENT filled weekend – heading to Ft. Worth on Friday for a wedding Johnny is in, then my sister’s baby shower on Sunday – she flies in tonight!


Gender: We are due to find out in late July / early August, but we’ve chosen to be SURPRISED!


Movement: not yet


Food / Drink Cravings: The hospital opened a Freshens Smoothie / Yogurt this week in the lobby. It is yummy! Thankfully I’m only here another 3 weeks or all of my $ would be going there. I’ve been tearing up cereal, strawberries, and ranch burgers this week.


What I miss: sleeping in! It’s been a challenge to get up and stay up during the mornings this week.

Sleep: sleeping well

What I am looking forward to: My next appointment July 12!

Symptoms: more cramping and nausea / vomiting about every other day.

Over Due Belly Bumps

10 weeks

12 weeks

Still 12 weeks, but after a bowl of cereal

* Disclaimer: these photos were not 'edited' in any way and were taken first thing in the morning, before food (with the exception of the last one). If you've seen me any other time than morning (i.e. after multiple meals / snacks) then that explains why my bump is so huge! Pregnant girls out there - do you know what I'm saying?! I hope to post an 'after' work and 14 week photo soon. :)

14 weeks and counting...

Pregnancy Highlights: (GB stands for Gummy Bear)

How Far Along: 14 weeks (Beginning of 2nd trimester)

Fruit: lemon




Size: 3 1/2 inches long and weighs 1 1/2 ounces

Baby changes: GB can squint, frown, grimace, pee and possibly suck its thumb!
* Thanks to brain impulses, GB’s facial muscles are starting to get a workout as its tiny features form one expression after another. And if he takes after his dad, GB is going to be super talented!
* kidneys are producing urine (which is released in the amniotic fluid)
* body is growing faster than head
* by the end of the week, its arms will have grown to a length that’s proportional to the rest of its body (legs still have some lengthening to do)
* starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over its body
* liver will start producing bile
* spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells
* hands and feet measure about ½ inch long

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I am officially ending my 1st trimester with a total gain of 4 pounds

Best Moment this week: Looking forward to the 3-day 4th of July weekend! My family’s tradition is to spend the day at the Young’s on Inks Lake in Burnet. Lots of eating, boating and fireworks watching! Johnny’s folks will also be here for an evening and going to see Twilight’s Eclipse with some friends!

Gender: We are due to find out in late July / early August, but we’ve chosen to be SURPRISED!

Movement: not yet

Food / Drink Cravings: My husband exposed me to Black Cherry Dr. Pepper on Sunday…WOW! Now you have to understand, I NEVER drink soda, but this could be a problem! Fruit and pizza, but not together!

What I miss: Johnny! He moved to Tyler on Tuesday, although he will be back over the next couple of weekends.

Sleep: sleeping well

What I am looking forward to: listening to GB’s heartbeat and NO MORE SICKNESS, and please join us in praying for our home in Killeen to sell (especially since Johnny has officially started his new position in Tyler)

Symptoms: A first time for cramps - just like it’s ‘that time of the month.’ I threw up twice yesterday before my dentist appointment, but thankfully not there! I am still taking my zofran as needed, and I promise to let you all know once the whole nausea / vomiting combo is GONE!