35 weeks

How far along? 35 weeks 4 days
Total weight gain: 27lbs
Symptoms: Occasional heartburn, having to pee all of the time and eat all of the time, can't bend over.
Maternity clothes? Even some of my maternity shirts are too short now.
Sleep: as long as it's not too hot, I can get an hour or two at a time before getting up.
Best moment this week: having a fun time at a wedding
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: I'm totally on the look out for signs of labor but there's nothing definitive.
What I miss: Working
Movement: I'm feeling more movement than ever!
What I am looking forward to: Next week the Dr will check to see if I've started progressing at all.
Milestones: Friday was 35/35. 35 weeks pregnant and 35 days left before my due date. That's a pretty big third trimester milestone. Also, the doctor said that if I were to go into labor now, they wouldn't stop it!
Words of Wisdom: drink lots of water!

What's going on with Baby?

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 weeks

How far along? 34 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain: 25lbs
Symptoms: Occasional heartburn, having to pee all of the time and eat all of the time, can't bend over.
Maternity clothes? I'm getting sick of them!
Sleep: ugh, what's that? I'm up pretty much every hour or two
Best moment this week: Maternity photos (2 separate session!) and my shower in Cleveland
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: I can't tell if I'm having Braxton Hicks contractions or regular contractions... I haven't felt anything.
Belly Button in or out? It's about 1/4 popped! I'm guessing it will be fully out by the time I have the baby
What I miss: ease of movement, being able to sleep anywhere, going out.
Movement: I'm feeling more movement than ever!
What I am looking forward to: Finishing the nursery and getting everything ready for baby to come home.
Milestones: My showers and maternity photos seem like milestones.
Words of Wisdom: document your pregnancy however you can. It's surprising how much you forget and how fast your belly grows. I'm so glad I've taken belly pictures every week.


What's going on with Baby?

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Letter to Baby 33 weeks 4 days

Dear Little P,
Are things getting a little cramped in there? It seems like I can now feel every little twitch you make whereas before I could only feel the big movements. I feel you stretching and rolling, banging your fists waaaay down low, and trying to push your little foot out of my belly button. That's not the exit, by the way. I can't believe that our time together as a unit is coming to an end. I'm ridiculously excited to meet you but I'd be lying if I said that I won't miss having you safe inside me as an extension of my own body. I can't believe my body could help create something as unique and amazing as you!
I hope you keep baking for at least 3-4 more weeks but if, by chance, you showed up before then, I think Daddy and I would be ready for you. We have clothes for you to wear (although no teeny tiny clothes so keep growing in there!), a car seat for you, a place for you to sleep and Mommy will be your 24 hour buffet for the first year so we have food covered as well! You've got a pretty sweet deal that you're coming into.
This week we put together more stuff in your room. I wish they made your swing in my size! I'd swing every day! Your stroller is pretty bad ass and your car seat is in Mommy's favorite color combo, red and black of course! It matches all of our luggage too. :)  Seeing all of your gear and imagining you using it makes you seem so much more real as an outside baby!
I keep imagining what you'll look like when you come out. Even though I've always wanted a baby who looks like me, I imagine you with dark hair like your Daddy's. Maybe you'll surprise us but I guess I'm going with the most likely scenario here. After the dark hair I get kind of stuck! Will you have Daddy's full lips? Mommy's pointy nose? Mommy's weird toes? Daddy's long eyelashes? Will your eyes be brown or blue/green? Genetics actually gives you a chance for blue eyes thanks to blue eyed Grandpa Crane! Will you have a Crane butt or a Phelps butt? Will you be a hybrid who makes all of these features completely your own? I can't wait to see.
You are already the light of our lives, we talk about you constantly and have been dreaming dreams for you since before we ever knew you'd arrive. Keep growing in there, remember you're supposed to be a July baby and I'm sure you already have a little iPhone calendar going in there so keep your eye on mid to late July, alright?

Love you forever and forever,
Mommy

33 Weeks

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain: 25lbs
Symptoms: Occasional heartburn, having to pee all of the time and eat all of the time.
Maternity clothes? I'm either in maternity clothes or pajamas.
Sleep: ugh, what's that?
Best moment this week: putting together the stroller, swing etc and imagining Baby C using them!
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? eek, I think it's starting to pop out on one side! It's especially funny looking because it's the only part of my belly that isn't tan from Mexico!
What I miss: ease of movement
Movement: Baby moves all the time, it feels like s/he is running out of space in there!
What I am looking forward to: We leave for Cleveland on Friday for another shower. I'm so excited to see my aunts, grandma, cousins and Ohio friends. Not particularly looking forward to the 6 hour drive though!
Milestones: Belly button popping out seems like a milestone!
Words of Wisdom: Don't wish away your pregnancy!

What's going on with Baby?

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain: 24lbs
Maternity clothes? I've been living in my Old Navy tank tops, yoga pants, gauchos and jersey knit skirts.
Sleep: Still up every 2-3 hours but I've been sleeping well in between.
Best moment this week: My baby shower last week was fantastic.
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's getting more shallow!
What I miss: ease of movement
Movement: Baby moves all the time, I even got it on video this week
What I am looking forward to: I'm shooting a wedding today and I think it's going to be great, but I'm looking forward to it being over. I think I will be exhausted.
Milestones: Our crib was delivered this week! Crazy!
Words of Wisdom: It's a fine line between pushing yourself and over doing it. It's ok to walk that line sometimes but be careful and drink lots of water! :)

What's going on with Baby:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

31 weeks

How far along? 31 weeks
Total weight gain: 20lbs, been holding steady the past few weeks.
Maternity clothes? I just want to wear pajamas... haha
Sleep: Still up every 2-3 hours but I've been sleeping well in between.
Best moment this week: Kelly coming to visit
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's getting more shallow! it's really weird looking :)
What I miss: Feeling like I have control over my own body.
Movement: Baby moves all the time, feeling these movements is the best part of my days.
What I am looking forward to: My baby shower, seeing my mom and sister and my friends!
Milestones: nothing major. Everything is measuring on track though.

Words of Wisdom:Appreciate your husband!

What's going on with Baby:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

30 weeks

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain: 20lbs, haven't gained weight in a few weeks.
Maternity clothes? Still hating my maternity jeans. I also hate my bras. Pretty annoyed with all of my clothes right now actually.
Sleep: Afternoon naps are my friend, especially with all of this moving stuff going on!
Best moment this week: Moving into our new apartment, it's so strange and wonderful to be living in the place we will be living when I go into labor, and when we bring our baby home!
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None, not even Braxton Hicks.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's getting more shallow!
What I miss: It's been tough moving and not being able to carry as much as usual and feeling tired so quickly. So I miss my 'old self' with stamina etc.
What I am looking forward to: Being unpacked and totally moved in. Also, Kelly coming to town for my shower
Milestones: The baby's room is all painted and ready to go. Baby has a whole ROOM!
Words of Wisdom: You don't have to be superwoman, let people help you!


What's going on with Baby:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

29 weeks

How far along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain: Haven't weighed myself since last week, I'm guessing 21 or 22lbs
Maternity clothes? Still hating my maternity jeans. I also hate my bras. Pretty annoyed with all of my clothes right now actually, can it please just get warm and stay warm? Please?
Sleep: Some nights are ok, some nights are... not OK. I still get my best sleep in the morning after Steve leaves for work.
Best moment this week: I felt a new kind of kick, my tummy actually vibrated, it was bizarre!
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's getting more shallow!
What I miss: Being able to bend at the waist and still breathe! I also miss being able to carry things heavier than 15-20lbs without feeling like I'm straining my belly
What I am looking forward to: Movers come on Friday! Eek! Still so much to do!
Milestones: My first mother's day? I've got nothing this week!
Words of Wisdom: Take breaks, break things down into manageable tasks, it will all get accomplished in the end!

What's going on with baby:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Dear Baby, 29 weeks

Dear Baby,

Wow, this letter is LONG overdue! It's 7:00am on Mother's Day and I've been up for a few hours now. You've decided that now is a perfect time to have a dance party in my belly so it's hard to go back to sleep! I love feeling you move around in there. I lift up my shirt and watch my belly jump around. It's pretty bizarre but also fascinating. Daddy has felt you rolling around in there and he said it feels like you are a professional swimmer doing flip turns. I thought that was such a funny analogy.

Your favorite place to hang out right now is up in my ribs on the right side. That's where I feel you kicking the most, and the punches come on the lower left side. You always kick more than you punch but sometimes, like this morning, you do both at the same time and my whole belly shakes. I can see how people miss this feeling after the baby is born. I love having you with me 24 hours a day and I love that I can keep you safe. Keep growing in there, ok?

We are in the process of moving out of our current apartment in Wicker Park into our new apartment in Uptown. We have loved living here but there just isn't enough room for you! This apartment was our first apartment together. We adopted our cats, George and Stella, here. Daddy asked me to marry him in this living room! We planned our wedding here and we dreamed about having a baby here. It's been a fantastic 3.75 years in this place, part of me can't believe it's ending.

But with every ending, there is a new beginning. We are so excited about our new place. We probably won't be there long enough for you to remember it on your own but we'll be sure to take lots of pictures. Daddy and some of our friends painted your bedroom and our bedroom last weekend. The result was a Tiffany Blue look in your room and a more sea greenish/blue look in our room, because there is so much more light in there. I think the wall color will look great with your crib that we just ordered. Pretty soon you're going to have furniture and you're not even here yet! How strange! We have already hung up some of your clothes in your closet and they look so cute hanging there!
I've been looking around at rugs and wall decorations as well. I'm trying not to be too girly in the decor, even though I still think you're a girl. I know if you're a boy you won't mind a girly room for several years, and the nursery is more for me than for you, but I feel like it's a good idea to wait and try to give you a say in the decorations. :)

I've been feeling really good the past few months but I think I'm starting to slow down a bit. You very rarely let me 'forget' that I'm pregnant anymore! You're as much a part of me as any other part of my body right now. I love my belly though, even if it sometimes gets in the way when I forget how wide I am! When Daddy and I were in Mexico a few weeks ago I spent a good deal of time just watching my belly and seeing you move around. It's better than TV! My belly button is stretching out which is bizarre but kind of funny. Daddy likes looking at my belly too, even though he's not always patient enough to watch long enough to see it move around. He kisses you goodnight every night and gives me belly rubs, I hope you can feel them too. He doesn't like when I poke you in there though, haha. I think it's fun to try to make you kick me, he doesn't want to bother you. 

Even though we've seen you on ultrasound and I feel you every day, it's still hard to imagine what you will be like when you arrive. I picture your cousins Olivia and Anton when they were newborns and I wonder if you'll look anything like them. Most babies look like their fathers at birth, but I wonder if you'll look like me too. I secretly hope so. I'm sure you'll be a good mix of the two of us. I'm also hoping that you will inherit our laid back attitude. Our mothers tell us that we were both very calm and easy babies, so feel free to follow in our footsteps! Despite all of the wondering about you, I feel very connected to you. Some women say they feel like they have trouble bonding with their babies when they don't know the sex of the child. I haven't experienced that. You're already such a fixture in our lives, I feel like I already know you a little bit. It's kind of a silly analogy, but very appropriate for me, right now I feel like you're almost like one of my many online friends. I know a lot about you, I interact with you all of the time, but I still haven't met you in person. And even though you're not *here*, I don't feel alone because I have you around.

We have so much to do before you arrive so feel free to stay put for at least another 10 weeks. I know you'll come whenever you are ready but there's really no rush. :)  I may be eating these words when I hit 36 weeks or so but I know that my belly is the best place for you right now!

Well, Baby, I've reached the rambling point in my letter writing. Thanks for being you and being my little squirmy worm in there. I love knowing that you're happy and healthy and growing. This adventure with you has already been such an amazing experience and the best is yet to come.

I love you to the moon and back.

Yours always,
Mommy

28 weeks

How far along? 28 weeks
Total weight gain: 18 lbs (some of that weight last week was water weight fo sho)
Maternity clothes? I hate my maternity jeans, but refuse to buy nicer ones with less than 3 months to go. Yoga pants are my friend.
Sleep: I'm up every 1.5-2 hours at night. I usually visit the bathroom every time I wake up just in case, but sometimes I just wake up because I'm uncomfortable. I'm hoping these catnaps will serve me well when I'm up all night with baby!
Best moment this week: Picking up the keys to our new place
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's getting more shallow!
What I miss: I miss having energy and being able to be active and able to lift/carry things. Moving is going to be hard.
What I am looking forward to: Painting and decorating the nursery and the rest of the apartment.
Milestones: I'm in my third trimester. WEIRD!
Words of Wisdom: Take it easy and drink lots of water!

What's going on with baby:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

27 weeks

We are back from our babymoon and it was AMAZING! We had SO much fun and were able to just relax and enjoy each others company. I even came out of it feeling more bonded with the baby because I didn't have all of the distractions of home. It was great to spend a week with no phone, no internet, and just my husband and the beach.



How far along? 27 weeks
Total weight gain: 20 lbs (some of this has to be water weight!)
Maternity clothes? Maxi dresses, jersey knit skirts and tank tops were my friend this week!
Sleep: Naps are still my friend but I slept better in Mexico than I had expected. I still get up every few hours to pee though.
Best moment this week: Too many to count!! I loved sitting on the beach in the sun, watching my belly moving when the baby kicked.
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's getting more shallow!
What I miss: Sitting comfortably for a long period of time, sleeping for longer than 2 hours (same as last week)
What I am looking forward to: Moving in a few weeks. Mostly looking forward to being in the new place, not the moving part.
Milestones: Without being graphic, lets just say I'm pretty sure my milk will come in when the baby arrives.
Words of Wisdom: Go away with your husband if you can! Turn off your phones and put away your laptops, it's 1000% worth it!! Oh, and wear sunblock ALL over, not just on the parts you *think* will be in the sun!

What's going on with baby:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Back in Blogging Business 26 weeks

Sorry for neglecting the blog this past month, I promise to go back and post the weekly updates at least so we have a complete record. :)

This weekend was my 29th birthday and I was reminded SEVERAL times that this is my last birthday without a little one. It's true, but still hard to comprehend! Our baby still is just a concept, a concept that kicks me all the time but still doesn't seem REAL, you know? It is pretty neat to know that this is the age I will be when I have my first baby. Everyone always asks how old you were, or how old your parents were when you were born. The answer for our first is 29!

I feel the baby move all.the.time. I can now tell the difference between kicks and punches based on location and intensity of the feeling. The baby is definitely head down and the bottom and legs keep getting higher and higher in my abdomen. I now feel kicks about 2 inches above my belly button and the punches are waaaaay down low by my pubic bone. I love feeling the baby move!

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain: 14 lbs
Maternity clothes? I'm pretty much exclusively in maternity clothes now. I'm excited about our trip to Mexico this week so I can wear my summer clothes. My jersey knit skirts, long tanks and maxi dresses fit me just fine!
Sleep: I'm up every 1.5-2 hours at night. I usually visit the bathroom every time I wake up just in case, but sometimes I just wake up because I'm uncomfortable. I'm hoping these catnaps will serve me well when I'm up all night with baby!
Best moment this week: Finding out that a close friend of mine is pregnant! Sorry, I can't say who!
Sex of the baby: Surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's getting more shallow!
What I miss: Sitting comfortably for a long period of time, sleeping for longer than 2 hours
What I am looking forward to: We are going to Mexico tomorrow! Can't wait to spend a week with JUST my husband and no distractions!
Milestones: I'm almost to the point where I can tell the position of the baby based on where I feel kicks and can feel the baby's bottom through my stomach!
Words of Wisdom: Tell your loved ones exactly how you feel. My uncle passed away early Sunday morning and I'm very thankful that we had time to prepare and no words were left unsaid. We'll miss him dearly.



What baby is up to this week:

 

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

25 weeks

How far along? 25 weeks
Total weight gain: 13 lbs
Maternity clothes? Pretty much exclusively in maternity clothes. I'm not a big fan of maternity jeans (at least the ones I have) because they keep falling down! Even the 'full panel' ones don't actually fit over my belly so I don't really understand them. That being said, I don't want to invest in designer maternity jeans since I only have a bit more than 3 months left and I'll be able to wear skirts/dresses all summer!
Sleep: I stay up late, sleep late, and get up probably 2-4 times a night to go to the bathroom. I'm beginning to wonder how long it will be before I actually get a full night's sleep again!
Best moment this week: I passed the glucose tolerance test so I know I don't have gestational diabetes
Sex of the baby: It's a surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: My pre-pregnancy clothes.
What I am looking forward to: My birthday and our trip to Mexico!
Milestones: Kicks are becoming more frequent and Baby will kick in spurts with several kicks in a row, it's so cool! Words of Wisdom: Don't forget to update your blog :)


What's going on with Baby this week:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

24 weeks, Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone, here's an updated photo!

How far along? 24 weeks
Total weight gain: 11 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yup.
Sleep: Sometimes I like naps better than actually sleeping at night because with a nap in makes sense to wake up after a few hours!
Best moment this week: We got to see our baby again on Tuesday and it was confirmed that s/he is absolutely perfect! Also, Steve and I went to see Ingrid Michaelson and Mat Kearney on Friday night and it was a great time!
Sex of the baby: It's a surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Wearing whatever I want.
What I am looking forward to: All you can eat Easter Brunch in Naperville with our parents.
Milestones: At 24 weeks a baby is considered to be viable outside of the womb. It's a bit of a relief to know that if, heaven forbid, sometime happened and the baby came early, there's a chance it would survive.
Words of Wisdom: Be creative with your clothes, you never know what might actually fit!

 What's going on with the baby this week:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

21 weeks!

Just got back from spending a week in Kentucky with my sister. The week went SO quickly but we had a really good time. She is so excited about my pregnancy and would talk to the baby every day and rub my belly. She even got to feel the baby kick. Baby loves when I play music on my belly and goes nuts kicking around, Torey got to feel some of those kicks. It was great!

Steve and I are looking for an apartment to move into in May. It's exciting but also stressful as we try to find the perfect place for our growing family. Space is a huge issue. We need space for the baby and space for all of our existing furniture. Storage space, outdoor space, parking space... ugh. Now my head is spinning again. haha. We have plenty of time though. We'll find something!

How far along? 201weeks
Total weight gain: 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? I bought a bunch more shirts this week, thank goodness. I was SO sick of wearing the same 3 shirts all of the time. :)
Sleep: I'm still very much a night owl . I was traveling so sleep was kind of all over the place but I had a few good 4 hour stretches of sleep this week which was a pleasant surprise!
Best moment this week: Playing music to my belly, Ingrid Michaelson to be exact, and feeling the baby dance around.
Sex of the baby: Still not finding out... tomorrow would be the big day if we were going to though.
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Sitting comfortably for a long period of time.
What I am looking forward to: We get to see the baby TOMORROW!!!!!!!
Milestones: Both Torey and Steve feeling outside kicks. Baby is getting stronger!
Words of Wisdom: Drink tons of water!

What's going on with Baby with week:

Your Baby: Week 21

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Half way there!!

WOAAAHHH We're half way there! 20 weeks pregnant! This has been a great week. I feel like myself again, which is such a relief. No headaches, no vomiting, no fatigue. It's great! Baby is kick kick kicking away in there and I love feeling her/him. The kicks are getting stronger and now instead of tapping it feels like popcorn is popping in my abdomen. It's pretty crazy. I think I felt a kick on the outside last night but I can't be sure since I'm also feeling it from the inside, it's hard to tell.

This whole pregnancy so far I've just been taking pictures with my iPhone or my little point and shoot (shame on me) so Saturday I decided it was time to get some photos with my 'real' camera so Steve and I did a photo shoot out front. Here are the results.

 

  

  

It was fun, Steve did a great job. I'm glad we took them and we will be definitely be taking more as the pregnancy progresses and the bump looks more like a baby and less like a beer gut! 

How far along? 20 weeks
Total weight gain: 4 lbs
Maternity clothes? I'm at the point where I think I need more. My pre pregnancy jeans don't really cut it anymore, even with the bella band. Also, my pre pregnancy shirts just aren't long enough anymore so I need to get some longer shirts!
Sleep: I'm still very much a night owl but I seem to be sleeping a little better. I have to get up to pee every few hours still . I find I get my most restful sleep after Steve leaves for work. We need a bigger bed now that I have a huge body pillow.
Best moment this week: Feeling Baby kicking around in there multiple times a day. Especially last week when I was having a really bad day.
Sex of the baby: We're not finding out. Even though it's getting hard now that so many people who are due around me now know the sex of their baby. I think girl, friends think boy, Steve doesn't have a guy feeling either way.
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: My clothes fitting me!
What I am looking forward to: Visiting my sister in Kentucky this week and seeing the baby next week.
Milestones: We started our baby registry!
Words of Wisdom:Set aside some time to take quality pictures!

About Baby:

 

Your Baby: Week 20

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

19 weeks

19 weeks already!

How far along? 19 weeks
Total weight gain: 2lbs
Maternity clothes? I've been wearing 1 pair of maternity pants, altho I can fit into some of my regular pants. They're just comfy. And I have a few long sleeved t-shirts that are maternity. I don't need the belly room yet, I just like the length. (same as last week)
Sleep: I've been waking up every 1-2 hours and it's REALLY annoying. I feel the need to nap in the afternoon and then I'm up super late at night. It's really abnormal.
Best moment this week: I was able to share the baby's heartbeat with my sister and my mom via skype. The wonders of modern technology!
Gender: It will be a surprise! I still think girl but my acupuncturist thinks it's a boy! Not finding out is hard!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In. I think it's getting deeper!
What I miss: Energy!
What I am looking forward to: More movement from baby. And seeing baby in 2 weeks!
Words of Wisdom: Start your registry early and fill it up over time. It's too overwhelming to do all at once!

About Baby:

 

Your Baby: Week 19

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

18 Weeks

Not going to lie, this has not been my favorite week of pregnancy! I haven't been feeling well for the past week or so but I'm hoping it's on its way out! I'm feeling all sorts of stretching and heaviness between my belly button and my hips, it's really strange.

How far along? 18 weeks
Total weight gain: I'm finally back to my pre pregnancy weight. It's only going up from here!
Maternity clothes? I've been wearing 1 pair of maternity pants, altho I can fit into some of my regular pants. They're just comfy. And I have a few long sleeved t-shirts that are maternity. I don't need the belly room yet, I just like the length. (same as last week)
Sleep: I've been waking up every 1-2 hours and it's REALLY annoying. I don't feel rested in the mornings
Best moment this week: Giving in to my first pregnancy craving and eating chicken wings! They were SO good!
Movement: I'm feeling jabs around my bladder. Also, sometime it feels like there's a little eel inside me.
Gender: It will be a surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Beer! Energy!
What I am looking forward to: More movement from baby
Words of Wisdom: This is new to your husband too, there's a learning curve. Try to communicate your needs so he knows how to help you.

About Baby:

 

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

We have a mover and a shaker!

Baby has been kicking up a storm recently! I've been able to feel him/her in there a few times a day for past 3 days or so. Just a few minutes ago I felt a few sharp kicks, grabbed Steve's hand and pressed it to my belly and he felt one too! VERY cool. Definitely a moment to remember!!

How far along? 17 weeks
Total weight gain: down 1 lb from pre pg weight
Maternity clothes? I've been wearing 1 pair of maternity pants, altho I can fit into some of my regular pants. They're just comfy. And I have a few long sleeved t-shirts that are maternity. I don't need the belly room yet, I just like the length. (same as last week)
Sleep: I'm pretty much back to normal with sleeping. I still love my naps though!
Best moment this week: Feeling baby move!!
Movement: I'm feeling jabs around my bladder. It's the strangest feeling!
Gender: It will be a surprise!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Nothing!
What I am looking forward to: More movement from baby!
Words of Wisdom: Listen to your body and yourself. Don't rely on info in pregnancy books too much, everyone's body is different!

About  Baby:

 

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

16 weeks Belly Pic