12 weeks & NT scan

Baby's now the size of a plum!
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 baby's systems are fully formed.

We had out NT scan today at 12 weeks exactly. I'm so happy we decided to do it. Although both DH and I are 24 and have no family histories to suggest any problems, this will probably be our last look at Stevie Z before the big u/s.

I was so surprised at how detailed the scan was, it took a good 30 minutes to get all the shots, and the tech was great (although she was super unemotional and kinda dull) and we got to see so much! The thing that surprised me the most was how much Stevie looked like a baby. Not a yoke sac, a yoke sac with a heart beat or gummy bear baby with arm buds, but a real, recognizable baby. And s/he was moving so much! Kicking legs (crossing them which I thought was hoot) waving, thumb sucking and just wiggling all around. S/he also kept covering up their face with their hands, which DH and I thought was pretty funny. Like DH said, "No pictures please!" hehe. My favorite part was when the tech zoomed in on the face profile for the first time and DH said, "That's my nose." It really made me laugh.

Anyway, we're still waiting on the bw results but the radiologist says everything looks fine. I did learn that I have an anterior placenta, but I know that could change with time. It would be a bummer not to feel the baby kick as much or as soon as I had hoped, but as long as I don't develop placenta previa I'm not going to worry about it. On to the pics!

11 weeks

Baby's now the size of a lime!
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.

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.

How far along? 11 weeks
Weight gain/loss: Up a total of 5 pounds. Seeing 150 on the scale gave me a mild heart attack, (It went something like this: WTF?!?!?! 150?!! I've never been this heavy !*#?!$*%@! -cue hyperventilation) but eventually I took a deep breath and remembered it's all for my little garbanzo bean. I might see 180 (holy mother of God) or higher before this thing is all said and done, so I should probably get used to it right?
Maternity clothes? Pants for sure, although it's too early for shirts. The bella band still works for some outfits, but I'm going to have to invest in more mat pants soon.
Stretch marks? Too early (thank God)
Sleep? It's all I want to do, all the time. Unfortunately I get up at least twice to pee during the night, which is lame.
Best moment this week? I have two! 1) I bought DH a father to be card for father's day. Of course I started tearing up in the store when I bought it and then when I gave it to him I cried again. He mostly just laughed at me and gave a hug, but it was still nice. 2) On that same shopping trip I also bought my first baby related purchase, a little 0-3 winter coat from Gymbore (sp?). It was on sale for $8.99, how could I not buy it with a winter baby on the way? While checking out the cashier asked "Is this a gift?" and I got to say "NO!" it was silly, but awesome.
Food cravings: Surprisingly no real "cravings" this week, they haven't been quite as intense now that morning sickness is letting up, which is nice.
Gender: Too early. I still feel like it's a boy, but we'll see.
Belly button in or out? Too early
Movement? Too early
What I miss? Real coffee, red wine
What I'm looking forward to: Second tri! It feels like it's right around the corner I just pray daily that I make it there. Having some energy back would be awesome.
Weekly wisdom: Don't judge other people's weight gain in pregnancy. Seriously. I really hate self-righteous twats (this is obviously bump related) that get their panties in a twist over what everyone else is eating and gaining. Who gives a shit if a pregnant woman wants to eat all the ice cream in her own house?
Milestones: First week off the prometrium! :::does happy dance:::: Starting to wean off the metformin, I'm mostly able to poop again, (it feels like a milestone to me) and the NT scan is scheduled for Monday!

Some belly pics: Starting to look less bloaty? Maybe just in this picture, but I'll take it!

10 weeks

Baby's now the size of a prune!
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.)

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.)

How far along? 10 weeks
Weight gain/loss: up 2.5 pounds from last week to 148.5 We'll see if it sticks around, I haven't really pooped in almost a week. :(
Maternity clothes? Not really, but I do have a pair of maternity work pants that I wore once this week. The rest of the week I'm still rocking the bella band and the rubber band through the button hole trick, or wearing flowy dresses.
Stretch marks? Too early (thank God)
Sleep? It's all I want to do, all the time. Unfortunately I get up at least twice to pee during the night, which is lame.
Best moment this week? I had my first appointment at my midwife practice and I love them!
Food cravings: Bagels and cream cheese, ice cream, grilled cheese, over easy eggs (whatev, I know they're "bad")
Gender: Too early.
Belly button in or out? Too early
Movement? Too early
What I miss? Real coffee, red wine
What I'm looking forward to: Second tri! It feels like it's right around the corner I just pray daily that I make it there.
Weekly wisdom: Meh, I got nothing.
Milestones: Nothing too crazy, just making it to 10 weeks.

Belly Pics:

9 weeks

Baby's now the size of a green olive!
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.

As you squeeze into your jeans and struggle to button your shirt, try enjoying the gain -- after all, when was the last time putting on the pounds was totally guilt-free? It's also probably time for some new lingerie. Your sore, bigger-by-the-minute boobs will feel so much better in a maternity bra.



How far along? 9 weeks
Weight gain/loss: Down a pound from last week, so 146.
Maternity clothes? Not really, but I do have a pair of maternity work pants that I wore once this week. The rest of the week I'm still rocking the bella band and the rubber band through the button hole trick, or wearing flowy dresses.
Stretch marks? Too early (thank God)
Sleep? It's all I want to do, all the time. Unfortunately I get up at least twice to pee during the night, which is lame.
Best moment this week? My first comment about "showing" from my coworkers. It's not really baby obviously, but my stomach is taking on a whole new shape. I decided to just embrace it and rock the maternity pants, and it was awesome.
Food cravings: Cheese, cheese, more cheese.
Gender: Too early. Although I have to say, I constantly refer to this baby as he...when I dream about the baby it's a boy.
Belly button in or out? Too early
Movement? Too early
What I miss? Real coffee
What I'm looking forward to: My first appointment with my midwife on the 9th.
Weekly wisdom: Embrace the bloat. Eat what you're hungry for.
Milestones: I'm starting to "pop" more on the bottom of my belly. You know, the part that's not just beer gut from pre-pregnancy. DH says I'm starting to look pregnant.

Check it out, here I am in my mat pants and all my bloat glory:

Please note:
* This shirt is coraly pink, but my iphone makes it look orange
* This is my work bathroom, not a bathroom in my house.

8.5 week ultrasound

Everything went great, LO measured exactly 8 weeks and 4 days (exactly where s/he should be according to FF) and the placenta is thick. We got to see Stevie Z moving those arm and leg buds a little bit, and even got a profile view of a little face! We go to hear the heartbeat (of course I started crying) which was between 170 and 180 beats per minute.

My RE says we're now down to a 5% chance of m/c and released us to our midwife! I can't tell you how relieved I am to have made it this far.

8 Weeks

Baby's now the size of a raspberry!
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.

Playing host to an ever-growing embryo does take a toll. Heavy fatigue may be setting in, along with abdominal cramping and tender breasts. Treat yourself gently, and it doesn't hurt to remind your partner to do the same. Though it's not showing yet, you're growing a little person in there!

How far along? 8 weeks
Weight gain/loss: Up 2 pounds, 147
Maternity clothes? Not yet, but I am rocking the bella band and the rubber band through the button hole trick.
Stretch marks? Too early (thank God)
Sleep? It's all I want to do, all the time.
Best moment this week? A friend told me she knew before I told her because I was glowing. :) I still think it's just grease, but it was still nice to hear, lol.
Food cravings: Carbs, carbs and more carbs. Biggest one this week is waffles with butter and maple syrup. (syrup also seems to be a natural laxative, nice bonus)
Gender: Too early
Belly button in or out? Too early
Movement? Too early
What I miss? Real coffee
What I'm looking forward to: Hearing the heatbeat, my (hopefully last) appointment with my RE this Friday.
Weekly wisdom: Hmm, I might have to get back to you on that, I don't feel very wise.
Milestones: 8 week u/s 5/28.

7 Week Belly Pic

I think I'll start posting these on my ticker change day, so long as I manage to look presentable on Monday morning. If not maybe Tuesday. ;) Anyway, this is a super cute (and cheap) dress I bought a Target, it hides the bloat pretty well, but as you can tell it's still huge. I can't wait to have a real belly, I feel so awkward knowing that it's just jiggly fat & water right now.