13 Weeks

How Far Along: 13 Weeks

Welcome to the blissful second trimester, widely recognized as pregnancy's most comfortable and enjoyable. (Yes, it's a relative distinction.) Don't panic if you start noticing some lovely vaginal discharge. It's called leucorrhea and is totally normal. Though it might mess up your panties, it's essential in protecting your birth canal from infection.

Size of baby: A Peach

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0

Maternity Clothes: not yet – but I am enjoying the comfort of dresses as much as possible.

Gender: not sure yet.

Movement: baby is moving around a lot it there but I can’t feel it yet, a few more weeks to go on this one.

Sleep: AMAZING! Luke and I switched sides of the bed so I can sleep on my left side and this made a world of a difference!  I’ve slept like a rock for the past 2 nights now.

What I miss: my morning coffee.  I had switched to decaf but it really was still messing with my queasy tummy so I’m a hot tea girl now.  I’m thinking a cup of decaf with some creamer might not be as dangerous so I’ll give it a try on a ‘good’ day this week.

Cravings: not sure if they count as a craving but I can always eat green beans and cheese roll ups (melted cheese rolled up in a tortilla) even on a bad day!

Symptoms: off and on sickness.  The good days are beginning to outnumber the bad which is an answered prayer, now if I can rid of the bad mornings and the rest of the bad days I’ll be a happy lady!

Best Moment This Week: I’ve been told by several people at work that I “officially” look pregnant now, I’m still hardly showing and can hide it pretty well or so I thought.  It is still a little weird to have people comment on my belly but I guess I better get used to it.

Milestones: Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords...savor this, their nonfunctional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with his head now only one third the size of his body. And intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy -- much more convenient.

Nothing to do with Baby but Luke got good news on a paper he wrote for Golf Digest!  Ladies and Gentlemen he is officially a paid author! He won’t brag but I just can’t stop – I’m so proud of how hard he works and can’t wait to see his name in print! Plus, now we have some baby money!

What I'm Looking Forward To: a nice calm week – no big plans, dinner with friends on Thursday and then a lazy weekend before our April gets too hectic.  We leave April 6^th for San Antonio and then we go nonstop until May!

12 Weeks

How Far Along: 12 Weeks

First trimester: Check! The nausea, fatigue, mood swings, and bathroom dashes should soon fade, but (sorry!) headaches and dizziness will probably get more intense. The good news: You're about to embark on the second trimester, when mood and energy levels generally peak

Size of baby: Plum 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 

Maternity Clothes: none yet. I can still hide in most of my regular pants but they are becoming more uncomfortable. I left my belly band in KS so I'm back with the rubber band closure trick until mom can find it or I get a new one.  And I look pregnant if I wear a dress, which is what I wear to work most days because they are so comfortable. So people at work have begun to point the belly out to me just in case I wasn't aware :)

Gender: ? I’m saying Girl and Luke is saying Boy.  Our families are mixed but I think overall there are more on team pink than blue.  We don't care either way, the next weeks until we find out are going to be full of excitement as we imagine life with one or the other. I'm just ready to SHOP! and I know my mom and sisters are just as anxious as I am.  We should probably just name the baby spoiled either way :)

Movement: I can’t feel it yet but I’m anxious for that first little flutter.

Sleep: OK, I wake up to change positions at night but when I’m asleep I’m out cold.  The couch is still my favorite place to fall asleep and I struggle when I try in bed at night.

What I miss: Food

Cravings: none really, however I do like green beans.  They seem to stay down unlike most other things.  Not sure what they offer that other foods don’t but I’ll take what I can get.

Symptoms: Still SICK.  The sea bands are kinda working and my energy is up but I’m still throwing up after meals.  I have good days and I try to enjoy them and get as much fluids and foods down as possible on those days.

Best Moment This Week: Several! I worked out at the end of week 11.  I did my prenatal work out in the living room and it was so great to get a little sweat going from something other than being sick J Spending time with Lauren and Kevin here in Ruston and showing them around “home”.  We also enjoyed sharing our news with the rest of our friends and family. 

Milestones: As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of her systems are fully formed.

What I'm Looking Forward To: A weekend at home with NOTHING to do.  I LOVED having my sister and Kevin here last weekend but after 2 weekends in a row of going non-stop I need a weekend to recharge.

I'll leave you with our cute furbabies  :)

11 Weeks

How Far Along: 11 weeks

By now, you're surely familiar with the prenatal symphony of burps, flatulence, and rumbling tummy. Small, frequent meals should help with the discomfort. And make sure to eat and drink slowly to prevent swallowing extra air. You'll later use this technique when feeding baby! Prenatal yoga can also help settle down your belly and -- side benefit -- soothe those mood swings.

Size of baby: 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0, the Dr. said I was down 3 at my appt. yesterday but I chalk that up to the UGG boots I was wearing at the last appt.  My scale at home has me right where I started.  The few pounds of bloat I put on right away are gone thanks to the lovely morning sickness!

Maternity Clothes: none yet, just my trusty belly band

Gender: ?

Movement: baby is moving ALOT but I can't feel it yet!

Sleep: not so hot.  I wake up alot to change positions, but I wake up feeling pretty rested so I know it could be worse.

What I miss: food, I am so ready to be able to eat like a normal person

Cravings: NONE, I really still have NO desire for food of any type.

Symptoms: Sick, I still am throwing up once or twice a day but I do have a little more energy through out the day which has helped alot!

Best Moment This Week: seeing baby Simmering again.  (s)he has grown and is a little wiggle worm. Baby Simmering is now 5 times bigger than when we saw him/her last just a month ago.  At our appointment (s)he measured 5 cm! We were able to see the heart beat and little arms/legs moving around like crazy!  It is so amazing to see!

Milestones: Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. But fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: it's not baby related at all but a weekend with Lauren and Kevin!  I know I just got to spend last weekend with her but a weekend is NEVER enough!  They are making the long drive to LA for a weekend visit and I can't wait to spend some time with them!

10 Weeks

How Far Along: 10 Weeks

Notice a network of tiny blue veins crisscrossing your already achy breasts and (sorry) disappearing waistline? Though you may not love the new look, these veins carry the extra blood needed to nourish your burgeoning baby. You also might see the effects of pregnancy on your face -- in the form of major breakouts, that is. (Thanks, hormones.)

Size of baby: a Prune
yet another food I can't eat, maybe the bump needs to change their method of tracking growth.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: -5lbs

Maternity Clothes: none yet, but I have begun to wear the belly band with jeans and a few of my less stretchy work pants.

Gender: ?

Movement: I can't feel it yet

Sleep: AMAZING! Thank you Unisom!

What I miss: eating.  Being able to cook or be in the house while Luke cooks without the smells sending me to the bathroom!

Cravings/Aversions: no cravings, I wish I had some but nothing sounds good right now.  I REALLY don't want to eat chicken, which is weird because before I was pregnant we ate chicken on an almost nightly basis.  Ground beef, ground turkey and beans are the only proteins I can handle right now and even those are hit and miss.

Symptoms: all day sickness.  It hasn't let up, the sea bands Luke bought me are providing a little relief but I still feel like I'm on the verge of throwing up at all times.

Best Moment This Week: Not sure if this is the best moment but one that I will remember.  Luke has to cook dinner before I get home from work so that I will be able to eat it.  We didn't do this on Sunday night and I was hardly able to eat dinner because I had smelled it cooking.

Milestones: With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will start working too.)

What I'm Looking Forward To: Our 2nd prenatal appointment with Dr. M at the end of this week! Can't wait to hear that little heart beat again. 

9 Weeks

How Far Along: 9 Weeks 

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like...well...a baby!

Size of baby: Green Olive
This is kind of funny because I LOVED green olives before pregnancy and really have NO desire for them now.  I even tried to eat some the other day thinking that maybe if I made myself eat something I used to like it would stay down - NOPE!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: loss - about 5 lbs

Maternity Clothes: nope, can't button my jeans but all of my dress pants are stretchy enough that I'm still wearing them!

Gender: don't know yet :)

Movement: not feeling anything yet.

Sleep: GREAT!  I'm still taking a unisom on week nights to help with the sickness and it must be helping me sleep!

What I miss: not feeling SICK 24/7, and Panera bread, not because I can't have it but because we don't have one anywhere near us!

Cravings: Panera Bread - Bacon Turkey Bravo, Broccoli Cheese Soup and a Greek Salad.   

Symptoms: sick, sick, sick.  For some reason I thought I would skip this part of pregnancy, my mom never got real sick so I just figured I'd be that way too. WRONG! I've got 24/7 nausea and haven't yet found the solution. I'm still taking phenergan and I've added sea bands and vitamin B6 to the mix. 

Best Moment This Week: we've had AMAZING weather in Ruston this week so Luke and I have been able to enjoy some time outside.  There isn't really one moment that sticks out but the time we've spent walking the dogs or at the driving range or reading in the backyard has been a blessing.  I swear I feel better when I can be outside. Fresh air seems to be the best medicine for me right now! I'm taking that as a sign that this baby is going to enjoy being outside - the dogs will LOVE to have a new playmate!

Milestones: we have graduated from embryo to fetus!  I'd call that a  pretty big milestone. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Our weekend adventure.  Luke and I are planning our first trip to the Canton, TX first Monday sale this weekend.  I'm not really sure what to expect, should be some good people watching and maybe we'll walk away with a treasure :)  I'm just hoping I 'll feel up for the all day event on Saturday!

8 Weeks

How Far Along: 8 Weeks

Baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs, and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

Size of baby: Raspberry

Total Weight Gain/Loss: nothing yet. I feel fat but I know it is just the bloat

Maternity Clothes: not yet! There are times of the day that I have to unbutton my pants but that comes and goes.

Gender: ?

Movement: I can't feel it yet but according to thebump baby Simmering is moving around like crazy in there :)

Sleep: Great!  The Unisom that Dr. M told me to take to help with the morning sickness is helping with that.

What I miss: me, I've been so stinking sick I can't do much.  I get home from work and plop down on the couch until it's time to get up to go to bed.

Cravings: none but I have some serious aversions, but bacon - the thought, smell and taste of it make me go running for the bathroom.

Symptoms: sick, sick, sick.  I've been sicker than a dog these past few weeks.  Dr. M gave me a perscription to help and for the most part I'm feeling less queasy but not near 100%

Best Moment This Week: getting to celebrate with the Roth's.  They were down here this past weekend and Luke blurted our news to them as soon as they arrived.  It was great to see him so excited and great to get to tell our good friends our news in person!

Milestones: We got to see and hear Baby Simmering's heartbeat at the end of week 7!  It was absolutely amazing! 

What I'm Looking Forward To: getting to see our families in a few weeks.  We haven't been able to see them since we told them our news.  Getting to celebrate in person will be great!

written 2/23/11

7 weeks/heartbeat

so we have officially made it to the 7 week mark.  I can't help but have mixed emotions about this week.  Also, known as the week I lost my first 2 pregnancies.  But - we have good news.  Ziggy has decided to stick around past the 7 week mark!  We had our first appointment with Dr. M on Valentines day and he said things look great!  But, because he is an amazing Dr. and knows that we are freaking out alot he scheduled an ultrasound for Thrusday the 17th and we got to see and hear little Ziggy's heart beat!  Talk about unreal, it was a strong 150 beats per min.  I couldn't talk, all I could do was watch and listen to the most amazing thing I'd ever heard - my baby's heart beat!  I am already looking forward to our next appointment so I can hear it again!  

7 Weeks


Please ignore me in the pictures to come - I feel worse than I look I promise, and yes I know what that means.  In most of my weekly pictures I feel like death warmed over.  But I'm being a trooper and am determined to keep up with my weekly pictures so that I can get them all into a scrap book to look back on and enjoy at a later date.

Kansas Bound

So, unlike Dorthy I will be returning to KS via jet plane and not my magic ruby slippers!  If only it were as easy as a pair of shiny red shoes.  

sadly I won't get to bring my "toto" with me either, he has to stay home and guard the castle :)

Tomorrow afternoon I'm boarding a plane to Wichita, KS and I couldn't be more excited.  I have a busy weekend planned and I know it will fly by and for that I'm already a little sad but am looking forward to the trip all the same.  

Friday will be busy with shopping, eating and cooking!  I'm hosting a baby shower for one of my bestest friends in the whole entire world who also happens to be my sister in law! ( I know - I really am that Lucky!).  So I've tricked my sisters and mom into spending Friday helping me prepare.  Since I'm flying I won't be able to bring anything back with me so I'll be starting from scratch when I get there!  I've got the recipes already picked out and have a general idea of what I'm going for so I don't think it will be too stressful of a day. The baby shower is Saturday morning and then, Saturday afternoon is my sisters wedding shower (I still can't quite believe that she is getting married). I have been blessed with a truly amazing family and I LOVE nothing more than getting to spend time with them!!  I haven't seen the majority of my extended family since Thanksgiving so this shower is going to be a mini reunion as well!  Besides doing all of those things I will get to try on my bridesmaid dress for the wedding!  I can't wait to see them and get to put it on.  Mine won't be finished until the week of the wedding to make sure it fits, but I will get to see the other girls in theirs which will be great!  I also want to squeeze in a little snuggle time with the doodles!  I haven't seen them since Christmas and can't wait to see how much they have grown. (there are still 2 left if you are in the market for an amazing dog)  Of course I'll get to see Molly and PoPo while snuggling with the puppies!  I'm so excited to be back in Hesston - it seems like it has been forever!

Maybe when I get back I'll have some time to update ya'll on our lives here in Ruston.  The last couple of weeks have flown by, I have some posts to share soon to update you but in the mean time have a wonderful weekend!