Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

That pretty much sums it up. Baby P is keeping me up a lot at night lately and my fatigue I've been dealing with for the last two months hasn't let up yet either. I crash as soon as I get to the bed, and have to tear myself away still in a zombie state. I'm able to function with work and school without a problem, but it wipes me out. Oh, I also can't sleep on my stomach anymore. Everytime I roll over on my stomach in my sleep I awake with the most horrible pain. I may need to get one of those body pillows to keep me from rolling over. This second trimester can't come fast enough.

11 Weeks

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Baby P's First Travels

I took a trip to visit my sister in DC this past weekend. Baby P behaved itself and I had a wonderful time. I have my 11 week picture ready to go (DC style!) but I can't upload until tonight after class. Outside of a few really annoying delays being stuck on the plane for a few hours at a time, the trip was a lot of fun.

I'm not entirely sure if I am having food aversions, per say. I'll go to the store to stock up on snacks to keep at the office and by the time I get back to work, none of it looks appetizing. I have had quite a few times where I just can't figure out what my body wants to eat at all. The nausea is completely gone, unless I go too long without eating. However, I must point out that yellow cake with chocolate frosting has become the most amazing piece of culinary art I have ever seen as of late. I am at the point where I feel uncomfortable no matter what I am doing, what I am wearing, or how I am sitting. My fatigue also hasn't gone away yet.

I'm looking forward to my next appointment on the 13th. Until then, it's just business as usual as Baby P continues to have control over all aspects of my life...as it will for the next 18 years, I'm sure :)

More Pictures of Baby P!

We had our second OB appointment today which consisted of an ultrasound, bloodwork, and an interview with an OB nurse. Baby P had a blast during his/her ultrasound and put on quite a show. The little one was squirming, jumping, waving its arms and legs, and doing flips the entire time. Healthy heart rate at 174 (what a difference over the 121 bpm two weeks ago!) and the baby is measuring exactly 9 weeks. The doctor wants to wait until my next ultrasound before officially changing my due date, but the new date would be January 26th, 2011.

Everyone is happy and healthy and feeling great. Next appointment is July 13th, where we get another glimpse at the munchkin!!

10 Weeks!

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

Everyone Knows

So today I told the rest of my office during a staff meeting. I started by saying "So in case you may have noticed..I look to have gained a little weight" and everyone started screaming. It was hilarious. My president keeps referring to me as "Melissa and Baby Zach" or "you guys" and everyone keeps coming up to me to ask me questions, or just chit chat. It's making for a very nice work environment. Everyone is super excited. Apparently this is the first "office baby"..news to me.

Anyways, all I've wanted today is bagels. I'm eaten nothing but 2 bagels today. Lovely. Heading home to take a nap after work and Zach is promising me a chicken and spinach salad tonight - so I think that will counteract my belly full of carbs.

Excited to hit the quarter-way point on Saturday...I can't believe we are already almost 25% of the way there! I am counting down the hours to our next appointment on Monday!

Antsy

Since my symptoms have died down a bit, (outside of crushing fatigue, but working and going to school over the past 18 months has taught me how to deal with that somehow...by the way, did I mention how much I MISS COFFEE??) I am getting more and more anxious to see Baby P again. The 21st is supposed to be my first ultrasound appointment and bloodwork exam, but the spotting I had at 8 weeks gave us a free glimpse at the peanut.

I know everything is fine and I sure still *feel* pregnant, but I know I will feel much better once I see the little one. These two weeks have felt like years! My doctor gives ultrasounds at 10 weeks, 12 weeks, and 20 weeks (gender scan). We will be getting a 3D ultrasound at 28 weeks as well.

We ordered a fetal doppler, which lets you hear and record the baby's heart beat. I can't wait until it comes in. I'll be sure to post audio files of his/her heartbeat as soon as I can. I know that will help me get through this phase.

In other news, my Mother has graciously decided to throw me a baby shower in September. Every year we fly up to NY for Thanksgiving, but I won't be able to this year given the baby. However, at 5 months along, I will be the matron of honor at my sister's wedding and happily up in NY for most of the week. I will be flying in a few days early so we can have the shower. The date is Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 in NY. I know it is an odd time, and I am so appreciative of anyone who can make it. Please let me or my mother know if you are able to attend. I'll be booking my plane ticket soon.

My nutritionist has me on 1,600 calories per day and I've been having trouble keeping my calories up that high lately. I started this pregnancy off with nausea, which I combatted with frequent meals of 200 or so calories. Then I went through a few days of rabid hunger. Now I eat a meal and I'm stuffed for 5-6 hours. I track my food every day and even with 4 snacks, I am still only at 1000 calories ingested..nevermind the fact I am going to walk on the treadmill for an hour after work and need to net 1,600 calories. That puts me at net 800 calories. Ugh. The thought of stuffing my face just makes me sick to my stomach. Hopefully I can get this sorted out soon - I'm sure it is part of why I am tired all the time.

9 Weeks!

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

Turning a Corner

I'd hate to jinx myself, but I think I am starting to turn a corner. I'm 8 weeks and 4 days today. I've been able to sleep through the night for the past three nights (yippee!) and my nausea has been almost non-existant, as long as I'm eating every two hours.

I am still constantly tired, to the point where I can sleep for 10 hours, get up and then a half hour later be yawning and yearning for a nap. Hopefully that will subside soon. However, all the other small annoyances of the first trimester seem to be subsiding.

We feel so blessed at all the love and positive energy that is coming our way from friends and family. The family is planning a baby shower for us which sounds like great fun. I also told work today and everyone was so excited and willing to help. We never expected anything like this!

We are counting down the days until we get to see Baby P again on the 21st!

In other news, I finished my Maymester course yesterday with a good showing on my final exam. I sit for my PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification exam on Saturday morning, and my summer course starts on Monday. It's going to be a busy last half of the year for sure. My MBA graduation is going to be on December 15 - one month before Baby P is due. I couldn't be happier.

Meet Baby P!

We are plugging away - happily 8 weeks and 2 days into this pregnancy. I've been feeling sick off and on, mostly at night. I've been getting up with nausea every few hours a few times a night. Other than a massive case of fatigue, (the school and work schedule probably doesn't help this) I'm feeling fine.

I woke up this morning ready to jump for joy that I slept through the whole night, but I found out I was spotting. I called my doctor, who had me come in for an ultrasound. Luckily, everything is just fine. Baby P is measuring at 6 weeks and 6 days right now with a heartbeat of 121. I was able to see and listen to its heart, and my own melted in that single moment. I've never been so scared and then so relieved.





We decided to take this opportunity to tell family, and we are already overwhelmed at all the positive energy and happiness directed our way. I've never been happier in my life.