Fetal Movement :0)

You have to pay attention in the beginning! She kicks at about the 5 second mark. Hehe :0)

6 month pic

Do you see a difference?

5 Months with Outline

I'd say there's a baby in there! I gained two pounds since my last visit and five pounds in all.

I cannot believe it has already been five months!!!! Only 140 days to go!

Love at First Sight

Meet Abigail

It's a girl!

P.S.

PS - I no longer feel irritable...must have been the need for a vacation.

I do feel a bit down - but I really do not like to be alone and it will be a long week at this rate.

Blah

Well I'm on vacation and wish I was with my family. I'm not a fan of being alone.

I scrubbed the tub and the bathroom sink. I can't tell you how good the tub looks! It's amazing! I would have kept going and cleaned the whole bathroom but with the fumes and such...I decided to give the poor baby a break. I opened all the windows, left the room frequently, and worked quickly. I don't think it smelled that bad but didn't want to take any chances. The tub needed to be done so badly though. After cleaning I went downstairs to grab a bite to eat. This officially exhausted me. I don't know if I ate too much or what (just one quesadilla) but I suddenly feel yucky. So, I'm back in bed.

I slept like crap last night. Ed worked a night shift so I don't know if I was worried about him or hoping he would text me...but I literally tossed and turned all night. So much so that I was still awake at 4:30am when he texted to tell me he was on his way home. I continued to toss and turn until around 6:00am but the baby started moving around and for some reason that calmed my nerves. I fell right to sleep until 7:30am and then 10:30am.

I started prenatal yoga last night. It was nice; quiet and relaxing. On May 10th we will have an ultrasound to see if we can tell the sex of the baby. I cannot wait! Then, on May 17th we start Hypnobirthing. I am very excited about that as well.

I might take a quick nap. I feel pretty useless right about now.

Progress!

Sam made me this picture. She is so good at digital goodness. How was that for a sentence?

I feel EXCELLENT today!

Update

Sorry to keep you waiting blog world. Let’s see if I can catch you up to date.

I have been having a very difficult time holding down food. I am continuing to get sick at least once a day, but usually closer to three times. In the beginning of April it was bad enough that I went to the doctors. I had been getting dizzy and just didn’t have any food in me. They gave me some IV fluids because I was dehydrated. The next day I ended up leaving work because I was still feeling so crummy (believe me, I have to be feeling pretty crumby to go home because I’m doing EVERYTHING I CAN to keep as many sick days as I can for next year’s maternity leave.) The nurses had told me to go back to the Doctor’s if I was still getting sick and feeling dizzy so around 7pm that night I decided to go to the emergency room (Doctor’s office was closed.) I can’t say they did much for me. The doctor said I was fine and gave me some ginger-ale. I was pretty discouraged because I did NOT want to be there and I felt like they didn’t much care about me. We did, however, get an ultrasound. The Doctor said he wanted to show me the baby to boost my morale. The baby is H.U.G.E. We could see its spine, fingers, toes, and even its little heart beating! It has a big head compared to its body. Mom says that must mean it has her brain lol. My blood pressure was a little low (but still in the normal range). The Doctor said he’d rather it low than high because having high blood pressure can cause problems for the baby. Low blood pressure = dizziness so I guess I’ll just have to learn to deal with it. They prescribed me some Zofran which is an anti-nausea pill. Again, I was frustrated because they didn’t seem to understand that I’m not even nauseated; I just throw up without warning. They gave me 7 pills and I only have 2 left. It has been a difficult go of it that’s for sure.

On a good note…My mood has been great. I feel like I have a lot going on but am staying very positive. I stopped taking my Lexapro for about two weeks because I was just throwing it up. I still felt okay mood wise so I thought maybe I don’t need it right now. I talked to Ed, my mom, my Pastor, and my Doctor about the pros and cons of staying off it. We agreed I could give it a try. So…with the exception of Flinstone vitamins, I am medicine free for the first time in 11 years! I think I’m doing great although I’ve been a bit irritable. That could just be pregnancy though. I cannot stand when my students tap on me to get my attention. For the love of goodness please raise your hand or say my name!

I have my WIC check-up on Thursday, April 29th. I am a bit worried because I have not used all of the vouchers and I now weigh LESS than when I got pregnant in the first place!

My mom and dad came to visit last night. We went to Applebee’s to see my friend MLE. We had a good time. I ordered shrimp which is a bit crazy since I’ve never had a desire to try seafood. Lately it is all I’ve been craving! Silly pregnancy… My parents ended up leaving early today because I was exhausted. I am sad that they are gone but I can’t say they were having much fun. I threw up while shopping at Walmart…I don’t make for good company these days.

I slept for most of today. I just took a shower and now I think I will go back to bed. What a wasted day. That baby better come out good and healthy with as sick as s/he’s making me!

First four months

Sexy

A little baby sexiness ;-)

Baby's Heartbeat - 13 weeks

Today we went to the doctor's to listen to the baby's heartbeat. It took a little while because the baby was moving around. I cannot believe the baby has room to move around in there! The heartbeat is a strong 156bpm. So very exciting! We recorded it for your listening pleasure.

So Long Nap Time...

Well, well, well...today was my second day in a row without a nap!

Last night I went on a walk with my friend, Shoshanna. We walked and walked and walked. We ended up walking about 4 miles. I had a really great time. (Today my knee is swollen and my feet were sooo sore...I went to see the chiropractor and then to get a pedicure. I'm not a big pedicure kind of person because I'm not really a girly-girl but I REALLY needed the foot attention.) Before I left for the chiropractor I vacuumed the ENTIRE house. I mean, I moved furniture and everything. Phew! It felt great to get it done. (Believe me, I NEEDED the pedicure...) It was so nice to walk into a clean house when I got home tonight.

I took my peircing out on Monday. It was a bummer to have to spend all that time having it heal just to remove it, but it was time. The increased blood flow seemed to make the piercing pinch me somehow. I was constantly having to adjust it. It just hurt more than it was worth and I probably would have had to take it out before delivering the baby anyway.

I'm sure there is more to update but I am tres fatigue!

Lime

From Babycenter.com: "The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long and weighs half an ounce."

I went on Google to try to find what weighs half an ounce. Don't do this! You will quickly learn how much money you need to buy an ounce of marijuana. I'd like to refrain from comparing our baby to anything called "weed." :0) It turns out that half an ounce is 14.1745 grams. A dollar bill weighs 1 gram...so pull out 14 dollar bills (it doesn't matter what the bill actually is but if you have 14 twenties hanging around I will willingly take them off your hands!) I am guessing that 14 bills equals just under what the baby weighs.

First three months!

The first three months. And...for your viewing pleasure...

Anxiety Spanxiety

Well we didn't get the apartment we wanted BUT I have already found another apartment that might be better. Of course, I'm only going by the advertisement but this one will have two bedrooms AND an office. Plus, it's in Pembroke and I'm kind of partial to Pembroke. You never know what the Lord has in store for us. I'm disappointed but not worried. I truly 178% believe God has a plan.

You will not believe what I did tonight! First of all, I called my friend. That is a big step because I LOATHE the phone. Secondly, I asked her if she wanted to join me at a Tastefully Simple Party. This is a friend I've just met at church. Her and her husband are involved in a Lenten Study Group that Ed and I are also participating in. She is pregnant with twins so it has been fun to get to know her. It feels like it took forever, but I finally told her I was pregnant too. So, I've never done anything with Wendy, the aforementioned friend, outside of church but she often tells me to contact her anytime so...I DID! I am so very proud of myself. Really, it's a big step to call someone I am just getting to know to invite them to a party with more people I don't really know. This pregnancy thing has been really great for my anxiety! The school nurse says because of that I might have 15 kids and just be eternally pregnant. I think Ed and I disagree with her on that idea. lol

I went to the doctor's today. I saw a doctor I had never seen him before. He was a very sweet man but he basically told me to suck it up. lol My right ear is irritated (funny cuz it's the left one that hurts!) but that seems to be my only problem. Of course, my nose is VERY stuffed but that is also a "symptom" of pregnancy...He told me to use steam and to drink lots of water. He had very broken English so most of all I just enjoyed listening to him talk.

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed celebrating 200 days left of my pregnancy! 199 days left but I'm not rushing it! Just get me to my second trimester and I'll be happy as a poppyseed!

Off to the Tastefully Simple Party!

Party at YOUR house

I'm very stressed about baby affordability. Condoms are so much cheaper than babies.... But! This baby is our blessing. You know that thing with the string and the needle...where you find out if it's a boy or a girl? Where is Aunt Joan when I need her? I hesitate to rush the pregnancy (although getting me past the next two weeks would be fine with me) but I am looking forward to finding out the sex of the baby. I accidentally bought "girl" baby stickers. I will use them anyway. I'm sure most of them can be used for both sexes. I will just have to write "Not-a-" on the stickers that say "girl." I crack myself up.

Ugh! I have a cold. Let me tell you, non-pregnant Amanda is a BABY when she gets a cold. I used to just live off Day/Nyquil. Pregnant Amanda is doing remarkably well for not being able to down the meds! Tired, emotional, and unable to breathe...but coping just fine.

Everybody take out your calendars! I am hosting a party on Thursday, March 11th. How about, 4:15pm. Yup, and it's at YOUR house! Whatever you are doing at 4:15pm on Thursday, March 11th...you should stop and do a quiet dance. Heck, what am I saying? Do a loud, celebratory dance because on that very day there will be only 200 days left until my due date. I will have been pregnant for 80 days...EIGHTY. That's pretty crazy. Maybe, on Wednesday, March 31st, we should have a 100th day party like they do in Kindergarten...

Fig

That stem looks like it will hurt. :0)

From Babycenter.com:

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.

Holy Update Batman

Ahh, let's see...It's a BEAUTIFUL day outside and I just woke up from sleeping FIFTEEN hours so I am well rested and ready to go!

I suppose I should update this...hmm hmm hmm

Oh yes, well, fifth's disease is going around the school right now. It is a very typical thing for elementary schools. I had some blood drawn the day we found out it was going around but I haven't heard anything back. Generally that means there is no cause for concern. I am washing my hands extra-specially-sparkling clean so that should help ward away the germs.

My jeans don't fit. That feels pretty annoying to me since I'm not gaining any weight! But my once regularly sized uterus is now the size of a grapefruit so perhaps my jeans just didn't have any extra room for a grapefruit. Also, pregnancy has made all of my shirts shrink. They are suddenly too short which is almost more annoying then my pants not fitting! I'm not even in my second trimester yet! My boobies are growing like wild. I was a 42DD and now I'm a 44DDD. I got measured....maybe should have tried a 46DD because I don't like how the band hurts my sides. So, I bought two long shirts, a pair of jeans, a pair of slacks, and two bras. Good thing I got paid this week and hopefully nobody will notice if I wear the same thing everyday! Maternity clothes are uber expensive!

It feels like spring outside and I have felt pretty restless...I bought a Swiffer 2-in-1 so hopefully I will be able to clean this place up! If only I had a vacuum cleaner!

I've been craving twix bars, hawaiian punch, gummy bears, and Wendy's baked potatoes. So far I've only succumbed to the gummy bears - and immediately got sick so not sure if I am ready to try much else! I have been very hungry lately! That is an exciting feeling since I had been so sick for so long! I'll be in my second trimester in ONE week! Thank goodness!

We have been apartment searching - looks like we may have found a nice apartment in the outskirts of Concord. It has pretend hardwood floors, a dishwasher, a washer, dryer, 2 big bedrooms, HUGE livingroom, and TWO BATHROOMS. Both bathrooms have a shower too: one is stand up and the other is a tub. It is on the first floor, we pay all utilities but we don't have to pay for trash because they have dumpsters. We have one parking space designated to us and several other options for parking within the complex. It is only two minutes away from my friend Amanda and about fifteen minutes away from work and church. Now its time to fill out the paperwork and tell my landlord that I'm outta here...I don't want to tell him too soon because I don't want to be on the street if something doesn't work out but I'd like to give him 30 days notice so I'm feeling veclempt. What to do what to do...

Today I'm going to the park with Amanda and Alexis. We are going to go for a walk. That sounds nice and healthy but don't get too excited. I begged her to take me to Wendy's for a baked potato first! Yum yum yum! When we get back I have to get ready for church and then Ed is going to come get me. I left my keys in my jacket pocket which I stupidly left in Ed's car yesterday! I've been car-less for 24 hours...of course this was the time I got the energy to do laundry...but had no car so couldn't go to a laundromat.

My emotions have been MUCH better. A small misunderstanding got me to where I was the other day....You know, Ed was eatting supper and not by his phone when I texted him so I translated that to mean he was ignoring me. My mother called and I told her how silly I was being. I mean, I KNEW I was being completely irrational but I couldn't stop! The weather outside helps my mood a lot. It is so nice to see the sun!

Water Works

I feel like all I've done for two days is been angry and cry. It is not okay. I canceled my counseling appt because I was so tired I felt it would be impossible to even get there. I feel very lonely and so overwhelmed. There are so many decisions that have to be made and I feel like I just can't do it. I am very sad.