My 23-week belly!

July 20, 2011

22 weeks, 6 days

As I write this, Baby is playing away inside my uterus.  Kicking, prodding, poking, dancing….enough for CJ to feel when he puts his ear to my belly and whispers, “Baby?  It’s your Papa…I love you!”  I think it is one of the most wondrous feelings I have ever experienced.  I am truly blessed!

What is even more incredible?!  Baby is officially a pound this week.  A POUND!  Wild.  And about 8 inches long, from crown to rump.  I am still in awe over the growth that this new human has to overcome in just a mere 40 weeks….and now to gain another 6-7 pounds in 17 weeks?!  I will naturally be gaining that as well plus the necessary additional blood volume, fat stores, etc to support Baby.  Phew!


We took our first big family off-road trip to Colorado last week (first with Baby onboard, that is!).  We joined CJ’s sister, Julie, and family and embarked on an adventure from the North Rim to Durango to Silverton to Ouray to Telluride.  What magnificent country!  We explored peaks and passes and relished in the color green.  Southwest Colorado just seems to be exploding with color!  From fields of luscious green grass to paintbrushes, columbines, and blue bells…oh my!  We off-roaded to silver and gold mines and camped in the high mountains next to mountain streams (which were quite chilly!) and snow fields not yet melted.  Thunderstorms rocked the evening skies, somehow managing to hold off just long enough for dinner and s’mores.  My nieces asked me nightly, “Does the baby like s’mores?!”  And my reply? Of course! Maybe a little too much ;-)

High Camp, San Juan Mountains outside of Silverton, CO

I will admit, however, that driving bumpy roads 22 weeks preggie is not the best decision I have ever made.  I eventually managed to determine the best method: pillow braced to the belly and seat tilted as far back as possible.  Relaxation is key.  Sightseeing consists strictly of viewing those things window level and above.  But it works wonders!  

We are set for girl names. We are in a search for some rad boy names.  We’ve got some goodies in the running but we always appreciate input.  Maybe I’ll bake you cookies if we choose the name you give us!  I make a mean oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip….

Fun Baby Fact:  My nieces nicknamed Baby “Mayo” on the trip…I had a rather fitting mayonnaise container that was determined to be the size of the said babe this week.  And approximate weight.  Although, the picture of a large jar of mayo in my belly is a bit disturbing…. Baby’s inner ear is developed – giving him his own sense of balance.  We’ll make a climber out of Baby yet.

Fun Pregnancy Fact:  According to my daily email from “What To Expect”, babies of moms who exercise throughout pregnancy score higher, on average, on general intelligence tests by age five.  If that’s not motivation to get my groove on, I don’t know what is!

Half Way There!!!

Family time at Glorietta Bay in SD

July 2, 2011
20 weeks, 3 days

We have officially hit the halfway point!  So exciting....We had our ultrasound on Tuesday and Baby weighed in at a whoppin' 11 ounces.  CJ remarked, "It still has a lot of growing to do!"  Yes, yes it does.  And apaprently so do I! 

From our ultrasound, we ventured south to San Diego for a quick few days...Baby got its first boat ride (although I opted out of tubing off the back of the boat....)!  As I was laying in the bathtub later that night, Baby was going crazy.  One kick even made my belly rise!

You may be wondering, "What do we look forward to now that the 20 week ultrasound is over?"  I was asking myself the same question.  And then I realized, "The REAL deal, people!"  Hehe.  We are starting to collect our things and have spent many an hour talking over names and plotting the best way to cram baby stuff into our little home.

Here are a few shots from Tuesday of our precious little dumpling:

Baby chillin' out in utero



A fabulous 3-D shot of our photogenic Baby


Fun Baby Fact: Baby's uterus is fully formed....or its testicles are dropping from the abdomen!  Exciting times....

Fun Pregnancy Fact: I learned something new about my husband - he eats watermelon with a spoon scooping out circles from the bottom up!  How did I never know this?  I have officially recovered from my gnarly attack of The Canyon Bug (aka coming out both ends....) and have regained the lost 4 pounds with diligence ;-)

Movin' & Shakin'



@ a SAR training, early June

 June 18, 2011
18 weeks, 3 days

I know, I know.  I have been a slacker in the blog writing the past few weeks.  I suppose it isn't the worst thing in the world that I have been too busy doing other fun activities though, right?  Between fun activities and working double what I normally do (savin' up the money for baby!), my evenings have consisted of doing, well, absolutely nothing.  By nothing I mean reading, cleaning, cooking....so my nothing really is something.  Either way, the blog was not top priority.  But we (as in Baby and I) are back in the game.

Some parents-to-be come up with cute nicknames for their little one.  Over the past week I have determined that I too have a nickname.  Albiet not the most original name in town, I feel a wonderful attachment to it and it reminds me of what is happening to my body: Baby.  Yes, I am serious.  I call it Baby.  And I have a good feeling it is gonna stick.  I like it- simple, to the point, no questions asked.  It also goes quite nicely with the new little tune I like to sing and hum as I do "nothing"; There's a Baby in my belly, dear Liza, dear Liza.  There's a Baby in my belly, dear Liza, a Baby. 

The big news since I last wrote:  I have officially felt Baby move!  The first time it felt like a "bla-dup" in my belly (also could be described as a tiny somersault-like feeling).  I knew instantly it had to be Baby getting crazy in my belly because it was the oddest, most wonderful sensation.  I have felt Baby several times since then - ocassional teeny-weeny jabs and the "bla-dups".  In the beginning it is more sporadic when the mother feels the babe, but as time goes on I will start feeling it more and more.  I am sure the cute "bla-dups" will turn into "BLA-DUPS" in no time.

And the much longed for Baby belly photo!!!

18 weeks, 3 days; Owen is getting curious...
Oh, and please excuse the laundry in the background!

Fun Baby Fact: By 19 weeks Baby is 6 inches long and weighs about 1/2 pound!  Pretty much the size of a mango....And I really love mangoes.  I bought 8 of them the other day.  Oh so good.

Fun Pregnancy Fact:  In the past week or so, I have noticed that I tend to get super lightheaded and see stars when I get up too quickly.  It is a weird sensation which keeps me grabbing for the nearest chair or wall while I wait for the blinky stars to fade away.

16 weeks and counting....

June 7, 2011
16 weeks, 5 days

Wow.  Time is flying by!  And now I am getting super excited for the 20-week ultrasound.  To save you all the suspense, we will NOT be finding out the sex of the baby.  My entire life I have wanted to wait and let it be a surprise - why should I change that now?  There is something beautiful and "old school" about waiting until the lower half of the baby's body comes sliding out to hear those magical words: "It's a .....!!!"  Plus, I really like yellows.

A conversation from earlier this week:

Heather, "Our baby can hear this week!"

CJ, "Really?  Hi, Baby!  Your Mama's beautiful!"

I love my husband.

My body continues to change and do most magical things.  For instance, I only pee once a night now.  And, I don't feel the need to nap any more.  Two truly wonderful things.  I do notice my heavy breathing as I go for hikes - making me feel like I am incredibly out of shape.  But then I reach down and give my buddha belly a little rub-ski and all is well again in the world. 

I heard the heartbeat with a doppler at my appointment last week - 155 and strong!  And, yes, I teared up.  How can you not?!  There is a little tiny heartbeat inside of me ticking away.  And to think the baby is soothed by my own heartbeat day in and day out.  Pretty rad.  So, according to legend, a heartbeat greater than 140 means it is a girl.  However, this is also only said to be true a full term....



Owen and I sunbathing in Sedona after an afternoon swim



Fun Baby Fact: Baby is the size of my palm, with a crown-to-rump length of 5 inches.  It weighs more than 5 ounces.  And, apparently the baby will squirm if you poke my belly (which CJ has been testing out diligently...)  I can't feel the movement yet, though- usually between 18 - 22 weeks.

Fun Pregnancy Fact: I am learning to celebrate my new and beautiful pregnancy shape!  With lots of love and kisses from my adoring husband, how could I not?!

Baby Bump!

The very first baby bump pic:



May 26, 2011 15 weeks, 0 days



I know that many of you perhaps were waiting for something a bit more exciting.....but trust me - it is exciting!  I have even started developing a pregnancy stance and the pregnancy belly rub.  It is just so soothing to sit and rub my buddha belly.  And, before you know it, my belly will be sprouting forth to dimensions I never thought possible.

Enjoy Baby Bump photo #1....I know I am! 

Caring For Your . . .

May 24, 2011

14 weeks, 5 days

An excerpt from Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom by Christiane Northrup, MD.

"Caring for Your Breasts":
"Respect this part of the body.  Our task as women is to learn, minute by minute, to respect ourselves and our bodies - whether we have small breasts or large breasts, implants or mastectomies.  When we appreciate our breasts as sources of nourishment for babies and sources of pleasure for ourselves, our relationship with them is bound to improve."

A hand-me-down book, I first read this just about a week ago and I laughed.  Is there really an entire 50 page chapter on breasts? A relationship with them?

I went shopping the other day.  But as I stood in the dressing room, moving up through the bra sizes with a combination of awe and suspicion, the 50-page chapter came together in one beautiful moment:  the bra slipped on and my breasts were happy.  I swear it.  They could have been singing "Hallelujah!".  And then I understood that I haven't been completely happy since they have been thrust into an article of clothing many sizes too small.  I had a heart to heart, apologized and we made up.  Whether you choose to embrace the relationship is your personal decision.  As a pregnant woman with a deepened understanding....well, you should listen to me ;-)

On a different note, have you ever been into a Babies R Us?  I went into my first one the other day with my mom.  One word: WOW.  There is so much STUFF.  As my husband states so innocently, "Does a baby really need all that?" Yes, a baby needs a car seat, a stroller, diapers, bottles, sheets, clothes, blankets, toys...should I keep going?  Babies R Us has it all.  And then some.  By the time I walked out of there, I felt a little bit like this.....

Thank goodness I still have 25 weeks.  Hand-me-downs, anyone?!

Fun Baby Fact:  Baby weighs in at about 2 ounces this week and is between 4 and 4.5 inches long!

Fun Pregnancy Fact: I had my very first baby dream....a bit disturbing as I gave birth and then put the baby (a boy....) back into the womb.  This has to have some significance...But, never the less, I woke up quite happy and decided that if it's a girl, she is having a mighty fine time messing with my hormones. 

Buttons



Super Sexy Bodies 2006 

 May 14, 2011
13 weeks, 3 days

It's official:  I cannot button my shorts.  It is a combination of feeling sad and feeling elated.  In one hand, I am mourning over my pre-pregnancy sexy body (hehe....) and in the other, I am eager to have this new life inside of me just keep growing!   Frankly, I can't stand the women who come up to me and say, "I didn't show until 6 months!"  Congratulations, would you like a cookie? 

Okay, I don't mean to be harsh or anything.  But, really, were you able to button your pants until 6 months?  Because that just can't be possible.  When the baby is nearing the size of a fist, how could you not be pooching out in front? 

I also have noticied that I have been more direct recently.  Startling, I know.  For some reason, my pregnancy hormones are making me respond without first filtering my thoughts.  Sometimes a wonderful thing.  Sometimes I really just need to keep my mouth in the closed position.  Perhaps this means I am carrying a boy?  The extra y chromosome affecting me?  Honestly, I don't know.  But this new found uninhibited passion is weird. 

I promise a picture of "The Pooch" soon.  Until then, I am happily using safety pins accordingly.  My scale says I have gained 2 whole pounds.  It's gotta be boobs and belly because all other articles of clothing fit fine.  In fact, I think I wear my shirts quite nice these days. 

Fun Baby Fact: Baby has "lanugo", body hair. This week's big developments: my baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his/her thumb!

Fun Pregnancy Fact: My uterus will soon be the size of a small melon.  Button that up folks!!!