16 Weeks: Avocado

So I didn't say anything last week, but I thought I had felt the beginnings of movement. I kept talking myself down from it, convinced it was just gas. Which, it very well may have been. But, unless my digestive system has taken a turn for the worst, this baby is doing a good job of letting mama know that he/she is in there. It is in no way consistent and it only happens for a few seconds and then quickly disappears, but I'm almost positive that this is what I'm feeling. At first it felt like bubbles, but more recently it has been feeling like butterflies or flipping fish. It is something that you absolutely cannot put into words. It is to amazing to even describe. 

According to Pregnant Chicken, baby is the size of a grenade! I love the analogies that they use!

Disclaimer: I swear I know how to spell. Please forgive the misspelling of 'avocado.' This was our second photo take after Dan took about 10 pictures. I looked through them all and realized that I had put '17 Weeks' instead of 16. They are not kidding that this pregnancy brain really exists!

This is my view from the top. If this bump is any indicator of the size of the baby inside of it, we may have a big one on our hands!!!!

How far along? 16 weeks

How big is baby? Pumpkin is the size of a avocado - about 4.6 inches and weighs about 3.5 ounces. Baby is most likely listening to mommy's voice as tiny bones continue to form in his/her ears. Pumpkin is growing eyelashes, eyebrows and more hair. Taste buds are also forming this week. 

Any appointments or updates this week? Nothing again this week. Still anxiously waiting for our A/S scan on the 4th. 

Symptoms/body changes? I did not want to admit this, but, yeah, my morning sickness is back. I still have an appetite fit for an elephant, but mornings and more so evenings are filled with nausea and gagging back puke. I also think something adding to this is the recent onset of heartburn that I have been feeling. Again, all par for the course. 

Food cravings/aversions? Um, what doesn't sound good? I was watching TV sometime this week and every single commercial for food sounded divine. Even strange things that would NEVER sound good. At least the pickiness has subsided. I still have not been able to cook much at all, so my poor husband has been fending for himself and running to just about every take-out place for me within 15 minutes of the house. He really is a good man. 

  

Odds and Ends? Eh, nothing much. As I said earlier, feeling teeny tiny movements from pumpkin is the most amazing thing I have experienced so far this entire pregnancy. I cannot wait for Dan to be able to feel baby himself, even though he jokingly swears he was able to feel baby move around week 9. I keep telling him, "Honey, baby was the size of an olive then. Trust me, you did not feel movement." He loves to kid me and give me a hard time. 

There have been so many times in the past few weeks when reality has really set in. We (God-willing, and I'll be damned if we don't) will be bringing a baby home in five short months. Our family will no longer be Dan, myself and the dogs. There will be three of us. This morning we were driving to pick up breakfast spontaneously and I said to Dan, "pretty soon this will be no longer." There is so much excitement and anticipation in that prospect, but at the same time it has been the two of us for so long. I love being pregnant and cannot wait until this baby is in my arms. Until then, I am enjoying every single minute of just Dan and I. After all, we are the beginning of this amazing story. 

14 Weeks: Second Trimester!!!!

Various books, websites and doctors all differ on when the second trimester actually begins. Some places say 12 weeks, some 13 weeks, some 13 weeks and 3 days and others even mention 14 weeks. Seeing as I have passed all of those milestones, I can officially say that I have entered into the second trimester! While many people think that entering into the second trimester is entering into a so-called "safe zone," many women know all too well that this means nothing. If something horrific is going to happen to your baby, second trimester or not, unfortunately, it most likely is going to happen. However, odds do support the idea that the chances of miscarriage do significantly decrease once you have entered into this trimester. For me, it is just yet another milestone to pass. Another step to be celebrated. I have secretly anticipated this milestone for a while now and could not be happier to be here.

This big step also has brought with it yet another amazing experience for us. As I have mentioned in previous posts, listening to baby's heartbeat on the Doppler is such an amazing daily routine for me. In the past week or so, it has gotten so LOUD. This is just another indication for me that pumpkin is doing so well, growing big and strong and flourishing in there. I cannot wait for our ultrasound in a month to see him or her again. At that time we get to find out if pumpkin is a him or her!!!!

According to Pregnant Chicken (an unconventional pregnancy website I have subscribed to) pumpkin is the size of a cupcake with sprinkles this week! As a good friend said to me, "a cupcake with sprinkles is absolutely bigger than one without!" Hi there, my little cupcake.

How far along? 14 weeks

How big is baby? Pumpkin is the size of a lemon - about 3.4 inches and weighs about 1.5 ounces. Baby is most likely sucking his/her thumb and dancing up a storm in there. Lanugo, a peach like fuzz, is also developing all over baby to help keep him/her warm. Pumpkin's kidneys are producing urine and the liver and spleen are also doing their jobs!

Any appointments or updates this week? Nothing this week. We had another OB appointment on Thursday. It was my first appointment without Dan, but all went perfectly. No ultrasound (my spoiled days are over) but we did listen to the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler. Dr. D found it within milliseconds. I felt like such a regular OB patient, which is such a great feeling. I have another appointment scheduled in four weeks and then less than a week after that is our anatomy scan where we will see pumpkin again. At that time, the tech will measure the arms, legs and other body parts and make sure that the heart and other organs are in working condition. We will also get to find out if pumpkin is a boy or girl. We absolutely cannot wait!!!

Symptoms/body changes? Two new symptoms in the past week. Lots of tears and bleeding gums. I actually have a dentist appointment tomorrow, so we will see how that goes, even though bleeding gums are totally normal in pregnancy. As for the tears, they are unpredictable and can come on at a moments notice. I have been feeling very attached to Dan lately and well, crying at just about everything.

Food cravings/aversions? All I can say is, "welcome back, appetite!!!" Any and everything sounds good right about now. Some weird things that sound extra good lately are bologna, tuna fish and Crunchwrap Supremes from Taco Bell. You know, all very healthy things. Sure, right.

  

Odds and Ends? Not too much. I completely overdid it outside this weekend getting our patio cleaned up and my garden ready to be planted. I need to remember that the weekends are meant to be restful at some point. Repeat to self, "restful." 

I am so incredibly overwhelmed by the response and support we got from our announcement on Facebook last week. I had so many phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, emails and cards, congratulating us and reminding us that we will continue to be in their prayers. All I have to say is that this kiddo will be so spoiled and loved once they come into this world. They already are and it makes me so excited to see all the love that they will know. God has blessed us in so many ways, but the most important way is with all the friends and family we have in our life. I could not ask for more supportive and loving people to welcome our miracle into this world. I cannot wait for you to get here and meet everyone, my pumpkin. This world can be such a beautiful place. 

Until then, mommy is waiting to feel you move. Any day now, kiddo.