18 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby J is about the size of a bell pepper; 5 1/2 inches long; 7 ounces

Total Weight Gain/Loss: will find out at my appointment next week

Maternity Clothes: Still in my regular clothes, but I did take advantage of the after Christmas sales and bought some new maternity clothes

Gender: one more week till we find out!!

Movement: Feeling the baby every day now.  Usually it's at night while lying in bed.  I lay there with my hand down my pants (ha, nice) and resting on my lower belly.  I almost always feel the baby.  And I can even feel it sometimes if I'm sitting in such a way that my pants are pulled tighter against my belly. 

Sleep: Sleep is going well.  Still haven't had to get up to go to the bathroom during the night which is nice, and Chloe is doing a good job sleeping through the night also which helps.

What I miss: Nothing

Cravings: No cravings really, just sweets as usual.

Symptoms: I've had bad lower back pain for a couple weeks now.  I don't know if it's attributed to pregnancy or not, but I'm hoping that goes away soon.  My face has broken out in the last week too. 

Best Moment this week:  Celebrating Christmas with my family of three knowing we will be a family of four next year.

17 Weeks

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby J is about the size of a turnip; 5 inches long

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Will find out at my next appointment

Maternity Clothes: Still no maternity clothes yet.  The last week we’ve been able to wear jeans to work every day so I’ve been soaking that up.  I’m sure once I go back to work after the holiday break I’ll be in some maternity pants.  I am having to wear layers on top for some of my sweaters that are a little too short.

Gender: 2 weeks! The countdown is on.  So far I think we are gonna be able to pass the time and not go too nuts thinking about it.

Movement: Yes!  I’m feeling movement at least once a day now.  The other night I was lying in bed with my hand on my stomach and felt three movements.  I called JJ in and he thought he felt it too. 

Sleep: Still having nightly dreams, but luckily we got our good sleeper back in Chloe so that is helping. 

What I miss:  Nothing

Cravings: No major cravings, but not into the frozen dinners I usually eat for lunch.  I just pretty much snack all day long.

Symptoms: Sleepy, but I think that’s about it.   

Best Moment this week: Feeling more movement and JJ thinking he felt something too.  

16 Weeks

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby J is about the size of an avocado; 4 ½ inches long

Total Weight Gain/Loss: At my appointment last week I was up 4 pounds from my first appointment, but I’m still 1 pound below where I normally am

Maternity Clothes: I can definitely tell I’m showing earlier this time, but I’m still in my normal clothes.  Often times I unbutton my pants when sitting down, so it probably won’t be much longer before I pull out all of my maternity clothes

Gender: 3 weeks! The countdown is on.  We are hoping the holidays help us pass the time

Movement: Yes!  Can you believe I actually started feeling movement around 13 weeks?  I thought I was nuts but I asked my doctor last week and she said absolutely I could be, especially since I know what the movement feels like.  It hasn’t happened often, maybe a handful of times so far. 

Sleep: Having nightly dreams, and having trouble staying asleep throughout the night.  Chloe is not helping in this department right now.  Still getting sleepy around lunch time and early evening.

What I miss:  The energy I used to have.

Cravings: I made some Rice Krispie treats last weekend and have to admit minus two pieces, I ate the entire pan!  Oops!

Symptoms: Still get queasy on occasion but it’s MUCH better than it’s been, sleepy, dreams every night, my boobs aren’t quite as sore anymore

Best Moment this week: Walking by a mirror and realizing I actually have a belly again.  This is really happening.  Now that I’m feeling better I often forget that I’m pregnant, but my growing belly has other plans and doesn’t want/let me forget anymore.