Week 25

Even though my official week changes on Friday, I found it easier to write this week's post a day early.

About Baby: Its hard to believe that I will be meeting her in just about 15 weeks! She measures somewhere around 13.5 inches long and weighs between 1 1/2 and 2 pounds. At this point she is putting on about 6 ounces each week! Grow baby grow! I just read that she has a sense of equilibrium and which way is up and which way is down. That is pretty amazing.

How am I feeling? I have been more tired this week, especially at the end of the work day. Now that it is cold outside and I have to wear socks, I am noticing that they leave indentations on my legs. Yesterday was pretty bad as I had swelling too. I keep checking today and it is better. Hopefully it was the socks and not the beginning of ankle swelling that is common with pregnancy.

Movement: I am now feeling her soft kicks many times per day. The other night I woke up at 3:30 and there she was giving me several kicks as she obviously was also awake. She just gave me a small kick as I am typing this as if she knows I am talking about her. Last weekend when I was on the plane headed to Phoenix, she gave me several big kicks and they were hard enough that I could see them! That was pretty cool. I am waiting for her to start the strong kicks when Dave is nearby so that he could try to feel her, but she has not cooperated yet. The best time to feel her move is in the evening. She is always awake and active in the 7-9 PM range.

Updates: I had my monthly OB appointment on Tuesday and got to tape record little one's heartbeat. That was so cool because when I met up with Dave for dinner, I played it for him because he had not been at the appointment. Apparently it is possible to hear her heartbeat from the outside now, so I will have to have Dave test this theory out by listening closely with his ear to my tummy. Next up is the glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. I really hope that I pass the 1 hour so I do not have to go back for the longer 3 hour test.

Cravings: I have the same craving week after week: apples. I can easily eat a bag of Fuji apples in one sitting. At least it is a healthy snack. My favorite food lately seems to be a chicken salad from Chili's. I am eating it at least once a week and think I could eat that even more often.

Prepping for Baby: The crib and changing table have both arrived and are in our garage where they will be staying until Dave's dad comes to visit in January. I have several things on each registry now and hope to finalize them this weekend.

Here is this week's official bump photo. I think Lucky definitely had a growth spurt this past week as I see the difference in my bump between photos at week 24 and week 25!

Appointment

Today I had my monthly OB appointment and little Lucky Charm is doing well. Her heartbeat was 152 and I asked if I could record the sound. I was able to record for about a minute. It is now on my phone and I can listen to it any time I want. I got all kinds of goodies from my doctor including some formula, plus important paperwork like recommended pediatricians. That may be my task for winter break! The results of the fetal echo came back normal! Little one's heart is perfect! One more month and then I start going to appointments every other week. Once I hit January, life is going to get pretty busy between bi-monthly OB appointments and bi-weekly non stress tests.

Week 24

About Baby: Our little girl is looking more and more like a baby every week! We know from the exam on Monday that our little girl weighs more than 1 pound 4 ounces. Her skin is now less opaque and has a pinkish tinge. I just read that she may already have a preference for her right or left hand. That is impressive. Dave is a lefty and I am right handed so it will be interesting to see what she ends up as! I continue to be amazed by this little miracle growing inside of me.

How am I feeling? Good. A little more tired this week, but perhaps that is because I am on vacation and can finally relax for the week. Also, heartburn continues to be a problem.

Movement: It is still sporadic. As I type this she is kicking me and has been for the past hour. It is not constant but steady. I have yet to figure out a regular time of the day she is awake. She is keeping me guessing!

Updates: We had our growth scan on Monday and she measured perfectly! On Tuesday I have my OB appointment. Next up is scheduling my glucose test.

Prepping for Baby: We ordered a crib and it arrived on Wednesday. We won't be setting it up until after Christmas though. We have started the registry process, but still have more to add. There are so many things that this little one needs.

Here are two photos for an added bonus!

Ultrasound

We had another ultrasound today. These are known as "growth scans" because they take measurements of everything from her skull to femur. Our little girl was measuring perfectly based on her March 15th due date. Her heart rate was 149 bpm and she weighs 1 pound and 4 ounces! Wow - she is getting so big! Starting December 28th, I will be going in for twice weekly non stress tests (NST) and will be continuing to get growth scans every 6 weeks. There are some perks of being an older mom - they pay a lot more attention and I get lots of sneak peeks at my girl! Here is today's photo. This is the first profile picture we have where you can see her little nose and lips. Her arm is up and she appears to be kicking towards her face. She has been pretty calm the last 24 hours with very little movement that I have felt so it was fun to watch her kick her legs up towards her face during the ultrasound. Dave had not gone with my to the last appointment, so for the first time he got to see her adorable little feet.

Week 23

About Baby: Our little girl is growing so big. She is more than 11 inches long now and weighs just over a pound! Her hearing is becoming better and she can hear what I hear (although it is more muffled). It is time to start reading stories to her! Most of her vital organs are well developed. Her lungs still need more development. We are now just one week away from Viability Day, after which she would have a chance to survive on her own if I went into pre-term labor. Don't get any ideas little one, you are not allowed to make an appearance until March!

How am I feeling? Great! I still have lots of energy and am only slowed down by heartburn. I find my diet even more limited as the smallest bit of spice or garlic makes me feel ill. Bland is my friend!

Movement? My Lucky Charm is moving a lot more. I feel several kicks per day, although it is still sporadic and I have yet to determine her waking/sleeping patterns. I am eager for Dave to be able to feel her kicks from the outside, but it has not happened yet. I am sure it will be soon!

Updates: Our next appointment is on Monday, another ultrasound. I love getting sneak peeks at her. I am hoping that we will have results from the Fetal Echo-cardiogram at that time as well.

Prepping for Baby: We have been so blessed by our friends and our little girl already has several outfits and items for the nursery. This weekend we will begin the registry process and I am overwhelmed by how many things such a small creature needs!

Here is our photo from this week:

Babymoon

We took a "babymoon" trip to one of our favorite cities - San Francisco. It was a nice chance for the two of us to get away together before our little girl arrives. One of the highlights was a visit to Muir Woods which is shown in the three bottom pictures. It was so peaceful and beautiful! We will definitely make sure our little one loves nature and visits many national parks in her lifetime.

Week 22

About Baby: My little girl weighs almost a pound and is around 11 1/2 inches long. She has started regular sleep cycles and is even dreaming. I wonder what little babies dream about? I am feeling more movement and noticing certain patterns of times when I get kicks. The research says she sleeps 12-14 hours per day. I wonder what she does the rest of the time? Studies also say that she can hear everything going on in the outside world.

How am I feeling? Really good. So far they have been correct about feeling more energy in 2nd trimester.

Week 21

About Baby: My little girl is now 10.5 inches long and weighs about 12.7 ounces! She is getting so big. Her taste buds are now developed and she can taste what I eat through the amniotic fluid that she gulps every day. I hope she likes the chocolate milk, bagels and apples I eat daily!

How am I feeling? Pretty good. I have had aches in my side for the last day or so. I think it is just normal stretching, but it is annoying. I have been really tired this week and am looking forward to sleeping this weekend.

Movement? Yes....I have felt little pokes and one big kick. The little pokes are becoming more obvious and I can even feel them from the outside some times.

Here is our photo this week: