Week 20 and It's a..................

Well, my guess was right!! It's a wonderful little boy! We are so excited. I was secretly hoping for a little boy, because that was what I was convinced this baby was. I was right!! I took the picture above the morning before my ultrasound.

At this appointment, I weighed 142.6, my BP was 118/70, and his BPM was 154. Kyle met me at the doctor's office. We both sat patiently and anxiously in the waiting room. Of course, they call me back first to get all of the info above. Then, it was time to bring daddy back with me to get the first real glimpse of our sweet baby. She verified first if I wanted to know the sex. We both answered "Yes!" immediately. She squirts the gel on my belly and places the stick on my belly. Boom!! The first thing we see is little peanuts little pee pee! She said, well there is no doubt that it's a boy! He is not shy! Paint your room blue! We just both smiled as we watched the screen to see what else we could see. We saw 2 arms and legs and even 2 little feet. I saw a hand briefly go by and one punch thrown to my belly. LOL! I took Kristen's advice and drank a Mt. Dew before going, which was extremely early for all that caffeine. He was moving around all over in the belly. It was unreal to see him in there moving around. When I think of an ultrasound, I guess I think of it like a still photo. When he actually starting moving around, and we could see it on the screen, it was so crazy! My sweet little boy was all bunched up in my belly.

Here are the first glimpses of our little boy.


Here is little Peanut's face. It freaks me out a little, because he looks so scary. He is still such a cutie though!

These are his two precious little feet. The one on the left is the bottom of his foot, and the one on the right is turned to the side.

She said this one was his hand on his knee.

This is a side profile showing Peanut's little lips.

Here is his heart with four perfect chambers. His BPM was 154.

And here is the famous little pee pee! She said he was not shy! This was the first thing we saw when she put the thing on my belly. It was so funny!


I forgot to post a picture of Peanut's first gift. Yes, I still have to call him Peanut, because we haven't decided on a name yet. We both still really like Carter, so maybe I should call him Carter for the time being...even if it my be his middle name instead. Anyway, the adorable little onesies were his first gift from a friend at work. She saw them at TJ Maxx and couldn't resist getting them, when she knew I was pregnant. They are little newborn ones. They are just plain ol' white onesies, but they are the cutest thing I've ever seen! I've seen tons of these before, but I think when I know they are my little boys and he will be in them one day is what makes them so dang adorable that I can't stand it! Then, Kyle's mom just brought over the sweet little hats this past Sunday after we found out it was a boy. They say Lil' Bama fan. They are also the cutest thing ever, and I hope they fit him when he is born so that he can wear them while we are in the hospital. For some reason, I hate the hospital things! I can't help it. All babies wear the same little striped hats and have the same little striped blankets. I want mine to have his own things in the hospital. These little hats will be so cute on him, if they fit when he is born.

The only thing I have bought for Carter so far are things he can't use until he is a couple of years old. LOL. We've been having some really cool consignment stores that open for a couple of weeks every six months. I've gone to them and found some cute stuff or cheap. So far, he has a wooden rocking horse, a wooden rocking chair, and a high chair for each of his grandparents. The only thing I've bought otherwise is a pack of newborn diapers. I have two good friends that are pregnant with me due within the same week as me. They both have been out buying things. One of them even already has her furniture, the bedding, and some clothes that she's already washing to put in the furniture. Why am I so behind? All I have done is shop online and paste the things I like in a Word document to pick and choose from. I think I will get more in the swing of things when my wood/laminate flooring gets put down. That will mean that the dog room is no longer a dog room. It will then be Carter's room. I hope by then, I will be more eager to buy the furniture and bedding for him. I've been searching and have some things picked out, but I don't want to buy it just to put it in the garage, since his room is not ready. I'm hoping that the floors will get done in the next couple of weeks, and then it will be on with the shopping and decorating. A lot of the bedding I have picked already seems to be green and brown. I will probably pick out 3 or so and let Kyle make the final decision. I like around 3 of them about the same and can't decide, so he will be able to do that hopefully.

From the Bump.com

Your Pregnancy: Week 20

Congrats! You're halfway there...and at one of the great milestones of pregnancy. Increased blood flow is making the pelvic area extra-sensitive, libido is resurging, and the weight gain has just barely begun.



Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe!

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Week 18 & Week 19

I am behind on the last two weeks. I am about to be 20 weeks in two days. Not to mention that I find out what little Peanut is on Friday at 9:15. I CANNOT wait! I have been convinced for months that it is a boy, but here lately everyone is trying to convince me its a girl. It will be such a surprise.

Here is what the Bump.com has to say:

Your Pregnancy: Week 18

As your growing uterus starts shifting your center of gravity (belly forward, bottom out), hormoes are causing your ligaments to relax and joints to loosen. The result? Back pain and soreness. On the bright sie, if you want to know baby's gender, this might be your first week fora sneak peak.

Baby's now the size of a sweet potato!



Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel movements.

Your Pregnancy: Week 19

Those nasty leg cramps are probably making it tough to get comfortable. One way to ease the pain: Extend your leg and flex your ankle and toes toward your knees. Or enlist your partner for a calf (and back!) massage. Good news: Your now-bulging belly should get you a little more compassion from everyone around you.

Baby's now the size of a mango!



Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lango, oil, and dead kin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might et to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

I hope to post again tomorrow with a sneak peak picture of Week 20 for a nice guess at the sex of the baby before we find out on Friday.

Sweets and More Sweets

Is what I crave lately! I had an event at work that I wanted to make some dip for. I had to stop by the grocery to grab the few small ingredients needed for it. Yeah, well this is what I came out with in addition to my dip ingredients.



The belly has really been growing lately. I am finally looking pregnant instead of just chubby. LOL. I have gotten the, "You are having twins" and all that. Then, some people tell me they can hardly tell. It is definitely crazy the things people feel is ok to tell you when you are pregnant. I just brush it off though and enjoy it. I love looking at my pregnant belly in the mirror and thinking to myself that my little peanut is in there growing. It makes me smile every time.

Kyle talked to the baby through my belly for the first time last Thursday. It was so cute. He rubs it more often now that it is bigger. I'm not so sure it was setting in for him until my belly looked pregnant. Monday night, Heather invited us over for my favorite lasagna. After eating, Peanut kicked and kicked in the same place several times. I grabbed Heather's hand and pushed on the spot. She got to feel it and loved it. I called Kyle over and did the same to him. He felt it and hollered. LOL He didn't know what to think. I think it freaked him out a little to think a little baby is in there doing that. It was so funny.

I went to another kids consignment sale. I found two decent high chairs - one for each grandparent's house. They were $10 a piece! I was so excited. I found a totally cute wooden rocking chair that I can paint and stencil up when I want - it was $5. Then, I got 4 cute small purple storage bins. If this is not a girl, I figured I could use them in the bathroom or something. They were $2. I got those four things for $29.16. I went back tonight with Kyle and showed him this almost new rocking crib for our bedroom. We both liked it and I bought it. :) It was only $100, but it is $150 brand new. This one really looks brand new. I am so excited.





Friday night, the bunch went to K10's Halloween party at her house. We had a great time. Our group went as Star Trek, and Kyle's cousin was a Nerd. It was so funny to get all dressed up. We really had a good time with good friends. I was glad to celebrate with my friends at a house party instead of out at a bar or club. I felt so much more comfortable, and didn't feel like the only sober person there. LOL. Thanks K10 for throwing a fun party for everyone! Here's a few pics.

Jigga

I apologize for leaving you in suspense for a week about my poor baby Jigga. Thanks Teri for getting me on track.

Getting him to the vet is a dilemma enough in itself. I feel like I am always the one to take the puppies to the vet when they are sick, and I usually spend my Saturday doing it or taking off work early. This time, I was bound and determined to get Kyle's help. With him working at the dealership, he doesn't really have to "take time off" when he's late. He may miss out on a sale or whatever, but he doesn't have to deduct leave like I do. I was told to drop Jig off at 8:00 last Thursday. I have to be at work at 7:30, and Kyle has to be at work at 8:30. The vet is a good little ways away from where we live and work, but it was doable. I would have to take off for like almost 2 hours to get him there and to work in time. So, I asked Kyle to please take him and I would pick him up by 5:30. I remind Kyle when leaving for work to take him by 8. I even call to make sure he is up in time as I'm driving to work. Then, I start to freak out. His phone was dead. That is also his alarm too, so I was really freaking out that he wouldn't wake up and then not take him because he was already late to work. I am a worrier like this. I call and call and call and still getting the dead phone. FINALLY, at like almost 10 or later, he answers his phone. He went on in to work first, and then went back to the house to take Jigga in to the vet. Whew. I was freaking out. I was hoping he wouldn't let me down and not take him in.

Ok, enough of all of that mess and my freaking out. Jigga made it to his appointment finally to be x-rayed. I leave work a little before 5 to make it to get him before they close. Traffic was awful!! I pulled up at almost 5:30 and was so afraid they would lock up. They didn't though. They were there. I was glad. The doctor walked me to the back to show me his x-rays. He pointed out that Jigga's knee bones no longer had cartilage between them any more, so they were rubbing together. He said his hips were a little bad too and may have some arthritis. So, it wasn't good news really, but he never uttered the words of putting him down. I was so relieved, but at the same time I still feel guilty that he is going through this. He said that it was not treatable. In humans, they would do a knee replacement which just is not what you do for dogs. He will have to be on medicine for the rest of his life to comfort him. He has been a lot more like himself since he's been on the medicine. Doc did say it is almost like an old person that it will be worse on days that its cold and/or rainy. I guess Kyle and I will cross the road when we feel its time that he's not acting himself to put him to sleep. He is still his normal happy self besides hopping around a little. He has to take a big ol' pill daily, and some other kind of chewy things that are supposed to prevent it from getting worse. They say those taste like treats to him. So, he gobbles those right up. He gets his pill in a piece of cheese, so he has no clue he's going through anything different. He gets excited when I open the fridge to give him some cheese! I love my Jigga man. He is my little man.

I am about to head to the grocery store to get ready for a fun party tomorrow. I can't wait for our big group to dress up as Star Trek for Halloween. I will update with pictures soon!

CEO of a major corporation

How funny! I took a quiz to see what my child would grow up to be. Here are the results. I promise to write more later.

Your kid could smoke that stock-trading baby on TV any day. He or she wishes the crib were a cubicle, but before you let the tyke fix your finances, make sure you teach the concept of downtime. Otherwise, your baby might start making deals in the sandbox and the other moms will be whispering. Can you say, “intense”?

Furry Child

I feel bad that all I ever seem to have to post about lately is my weekly updates. I wish I was more creative with ideas to talk about on here, so that I could post more often. I thought of something that has been on my mind the last few days. It is still about my child, but it is my furry child.

My baby boy Jigga, who is now 5 years old, has been in some pain for a while now. A while back ago, he got to where he would only walk on his front two legs. Yes, this sounds odd, but the dog is talented. I would get him down and inspect him all over to try to figure out what was wrong with him. We have taken him to multiple vet visits. Their only diagnosis was that he had yeast infections between his toes that made it painful for him to walk on. They would give him medicine, which seemed to help him walk on all fours. Then, as soon as the medicine was over, he would be back to the awkward walking after a month or so. We are puzzled.

I change vets to a man that has been a family vet for years, but he was a little bit more of a drive away for us. He is just a normal country man that will tell you like it is and is not all about making the money off of you. I trust him and his judgment. I took Jigga to him back in June to look him over. He said right away it was not his feet as he mumbled some disgustment in the other vet. He smashed his finger between Jigga's toes and smelled it. Gross, I know. I told you he was just a country boy. Forget smearing stuff on slides and looking under the microscope. Why not just smell it?! lol A yeast infection would stink. He said Jigga's toes smelt better than most dogs he's smelled, which made me feel pretty good. However, he did say that Jigga was the first dog he had seen walking this way in a long time and that it didn't look good. He prescribed him medicine, which also really helped. After it was over, Jig was back to funny walking.

I finally worked up the nerve to call him again to go ahead and schedule an appointment for him to get x-rayed tomorrow. I will have to leave him with him all day, and he can't eat or drink after 10 PM tonight. My poor baby. I am so nervous as to what he will tell me is wrong. Jigga, like most pitbulls, can jump plum over my head in one spring. He once lunged at a balloon floating around the kitchen and popped it. From then on, we thought it was fun and cool to hang something from the ceiling that he could jump at until he got it down. He always would. It was so much fun for him, and he was always willing to show off to anyone new that came over. He was anxious to run over there and show them his trick. I am convinced that this crazy jumping has hurt his back or hips. I would feel horrible for contributing to this pain by letting him jump like that, but he really did enjoy it. I am just hoping that the vet will not tell me that he should be put to sleep. I know that is so selfish of me, and I know I will have to do it if he feels that is necessary. I am just not ready, like we most of the time, never are. He did suggest that he may be able to keep him on medication for the rest of his life that will relieve whatever pain he is in while walking. I am hoping that will be the case. We would then have to take him for routine blood work to make sure his organs were functioning correctly after taking all of this medicine. He not only has messed his back up, he now walks flat footed on the front two feet. All of the pressure from holding up the rest of the body has smushed his feet flat to where they spread out. They are supposed to walk on their toes. I just hope everything goes well tomorrow, and we are able to fix his problem in some way or another. I am just not ready to let go of my baby boy and our special moments together. Remember this post?


Ok, I am getting sad, so I will talk about peanut. I have been feeling a lot more movement these last couple of weeks. It is more like little thumps here and there. I haven't felt as many these last couple of days, which always makes me worry. I know I shouldn't, but I always do. My tummy goes up and down depending on what I eat. Some days I feel huge and others I feel small again. My pants are getting smaller, because now not only do I need to unbutton them, I need to also unzip a little. I wore my first maternity outfit on October 12th. The jeans that I bought at Kids Market barely fit. Two of them don't, and the other pair may only fit a little while longer. I am making these work pants last though with this wonderful Bella Band. I don't know what I would do without it.

I find out what I am having in only 2 1/2 more weeks. My next appointment is November 6th, and I am super duper excited and anxious. I can't wait to know. I am also excited that Kyle will be going back with me to this appointment. I like when he gets to experience it with me too. I told him not to worry with coming to the ones in between unless he wanted, because I am literally there for 10 minutes. A friend told me that I can use a DVD to record the ultrasound. I plan to try to remember to take one just in case I can. How awesome would that be?

I started looking at cribs online this past weekend. The anal organized person in me, made me paste all of the ones I like so far into a Word doc so that I could compare them. Below is my favorite one so far, but I've really only loved at two sites. My mind may change. Of course, I like one of the more expensive ones. I want a convertible crib so that it will change into a toddler bed. So, I made sure the headboard would still look pretty when it was a normal bed.


I have been dying to look at bedding, but its hard when I don't know what I'm having yet. I have still looked, but I get discouraged when I don't know what color I'm looking for. I don't like the traditional things. I like more modern or contemporary things. I am not big at all on the animals, trains, airplanes, and stuff like that. I like shapes, designs, or patterns. Hopefully, I will find something I love once we know.

Here is the weekly update from the bump.com on my 17th week:

Your Pregnancy: Week 17

Though increased blood flow is good for baby, it might be making you a little...damp. Body secretions (think sweat, mucus, nosebleeds, and vaginal discharge) are in full force. This week might also mark the first time you feel baby move inside you, but don't worry if it's another two months before you notice anything. (Or realize that this time, it's actually not gas.)

Baby's now the size of an onion!Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

[ tip ] Soothe those awful itchies with an oatmeal soak. Add a cup of fine-ground oats to running bath water. Afterward, pat (don't rub!) yourself dry and moisturize like crazy.

Third Appointment & 16 weeks

Four weeks and counting down until I find out what we are having. I cannot wait!! Everyone tells me not to find out that it is so much more fun that way. I can't do it. I am OCD and have to know what I am having. I have to have it all planned out, names picked, and the room ready in a color suitable for that sex. I don't know how people do it, but that's great if they can. I just have to know!

My third appointment was fast and went great. I now weigh 133.8, my BP was 103/68, and Peanut's heart beat was 157 BPM. The little sucker is tricking me. I can't tell if its a boy or a girl and I want to know! :) I had a different nurse today, and I talked her into letting me voice record the doppler of the heart beat. It was awesome to have. I can save it forever. Here is little Peanut's fast heart beat.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ylode5mtmko

I've been thinking all week that I've been feeling the baby just a little bit. It feels like a thump really low on my belly. I think that its the baby, but I'm not really sure. The doc says I will feel it soon within the next two weeks. I can't wait until I know for sure that is what it is. Its getting a little harder to get up and down or bend over. It hurts when I lean against the counter to put my makeup on. I wore my first pair or maternity jeans today. So not flattering!! But its ok. I need to probably buy a pair or two that fit me. I found these at Kids Market and just had to buy them without trying them on. I got so many shirts from there. I finally washed them all this weekend and will need to wear some of them soon before I outgrow them.

Kyle said that its getting more and more real to him as my belly is getting bigger. It has really grown in the last week or so and seems to grow daily. He has been eating all kinds of junk food and sweets, which is out of the normal for him. I asked if he was pregnant too. That is when he told me that its getting to be more real now with my belly showing.

I had today off for Columbus Day. I had all intentions of painting my bedroom today, but I just didn't feel like it. I met Kyle for lunch, went to Wal-Mart, and did some laundry. I taped up one of the two doors in the bedroom and one of two windows in the room. I am half way done preparing. LOL. I am doing a big stripe around the room at the top, so I have to tape a stripe there too. Its just hard to do it using the laser beam by myself. I think I'm going to need some help. I don't think I am as quick to it this time either, because I have a lot of furniture to move or work around. Its just going to be harder than the small bathroom. I hope it turns out to look alright.

Well, here is what the bump.com says for me this week. Only 4 more to go until our next ultrasound. It is going by so fast! I guess I need to start unpacking the fall/winter shoes. Its getting colder every day. :(

Your Pregnancy: Week 16

Thanks to increasing blood flow, it's time for some major cash and prizes. Enjoy quick-growing hair and nails, smooth and firm skin, and a healthy glow. One bit of bad news -- your eyes might be feeling a little dry these days.



Baby's now the size of an avocado!Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.