20 Weeks

I would say I have finally made some real progress!  Yikes!

How Far Along:  20 Weeks  HALF WAY THERE!  OH MY!

Baby's Size:  Banana  Average size: 6.5 inches, 10.6 oz.

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale:  0.6 lbs this week bringing me to 3.4 lbs total... I thought it would be much worse after eating so much at Thanksgiving!    
Doctor’s scale:  7 lbs total at 20 week appointment on 11/29/2012 (today)  I would say there is a slight discrepancy between my scale and the doctor's! Yikes!  I weigh myself at home once a week, first thing in the morning.  Maybe our scale is just that bad but I prefer that number!
Weight gained with Grant at this point:  9.0 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  I am still bouncing back and forth between maternity and regular.  I have given up on regular pants and opted for the comfort of maternity but need a belly band to hold them up.  Shirts are still mainly non-maternity or tighter fitting maternity because I just look like like I am swimming in the baggy maternity shirts. 

Baby's Movement:  I am starting to think I am going to carry baby girl as high as I did Grant.  (I mean look at that picture!)  I have been feeling tons of movement but now I am feeling movement higher right around mybelly button area.

Food Cravings:  No specific cravings this week.  Thanksgiving took care of any food desires I had but I have noticed I am starting to get full faster.  I am also already looking forward to Christmas for more yummy food!

Food Aversions:  There really hasn't been much this week.  I have even found myself thinking about the fact that maybe I want a steak which involves grilling and has been a major aversion up to this point.  I would hate to waste a steak if it turns out I really couldn't handle it though. 

Sleep:  I am still sleeping really well and rarely waking up for a potty break.  I will enjoy these days (hopefully weeks) while I can before it kicks in again in the 3rd trimeseter.

Symptoms:  I would say my biggest complaint is reflux.  I have been working on smaller meals and snacks but even with that I notice the reflux kicking in. 

Best Moment(s) This Week:  Spending Thanksgiving with my mom (and all of our other family as well!).  She came to Matt's mom's side's on Thanksgiving day and then we spent the Saturday after with her side of the fmaily.  Also hearing baby's heartbeat today.  It was thumping away at 146 bpm.  I am sad it will be 4 weeks before we go back.   

What I Miss:  Energy... I feel great during the day and it has been nothing like the first trimester but if I sit down after dinner to relax I am done for the night.  I mean literally asleep on the couch by 7:30, wake up at 9:30 or 10:00 to drag myself to bed, then I am out for the night. 

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Nursery paint is purchased and that is on the to-do list for the week between Christmas and New Year's when I have off.  (If I can wait that long!)

What's Different This Time:  My belly button!  Last time my belly button never popped or poked out.  It was just flush with my belly.  Well I definitely don't remember my belly button changing this early with Grant!  It is almost flat already but I don't think it will poke out this time either... maybe? 

Next Appointment:
December 27th - 24 week appointment

19 Weeks

How Far Along: 19 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Mango  Average size: 6.0 inches, 8.5 oz.
Vermix caseosa is coating baby's skin...

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale:  2.6 lbs this week bringing me to 2.8 lbs total!  I hate to see what Thanksgiving is going to do to me!
Doctor’s scale: 1 lb at 16 week appointment on 11/1/2012
Weight gained with Grant at this point: 5.2 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  Still just the belly band with most pants.  I did wear a tight fitting maternity shirt the other day, not out of necessity but out of lack of wardrobe options!  I think I still just look like I have a gut versus being pregnant.  I have decided I am going to put away most of my pants this weekend and get those maternity pants hanging in the closet... bring on the comfort.

Baby's Movement:  Daily and I even felt her while I was standing this week and Matt was able to feel her move as well. 

Food Cravings:  Salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, cheese (string and cheddar), chicken and rice (thank you mom for taking care of that one this week), and oh boy am I looking forward to all of the yummy Thanksgiving food.

Food Aversions:  Still grilled stuff... Matt made steak sandwiches on the grill this weekend and I didn't want anything to do with them. 

Sleep:   I am still sleeping really well and it seems like I am waking up every other night or so for a bathroom break (regardless of when I try to cut the fluids off for the night before bed).

Symptoms:  Feeling great but I have noticed my face has been very dry lately.  I am sure some of it is because of the changing weather but it never seems like I can get enough moisturizer on my face  However, my face has also become sensitive to my face lotion I have used for years so I am dealing with that as well.  No sore back this week.  I visited the chiropractor last Friday so maybe that has something to do with it as well.  I have also had some reflux and heartburn raring their ugly head this week... yuck!

Best Moment(s) This Week:  Seeing our little girl who appears to be completely healthy during our ultrasound last Friday and then sharing her gender with our family on Saturday.  If you missed that post you can see it here. 

We were very excited this time that the ultrasound tech was allowed to show us a 3D image during the appointment.  With Grant, it was hospital protocol to only do them if they were medically necessary for some reason but they have changed that rule.  This was the most clear shot she could get and she said if we need an ultrasound later in our pregnancy you get much better images at that time. 


No little boy parts :)

What I Miss:  Not always being the party pooper.  It seems like I am always the one that is ready to go home and relax when we are out and about. 

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Our appointment next week and receiving her bedding so we can start painting her room!  I literally ordered it the day we found out.  I had it bookmarked and picked out for weeks ahead of time and honestly had never even glanced at boy bedding... some may say that is the kiss of death and ensures the opposite gender.  I call it major intuition... or luck that I was assuming correctly.

What's Different This Time:  With Grant at this point I had very sore feet and even some swelling (which never got really bad or caused problems).  To date, I have had none of those issues and praying it stays that way.

Next Appointment:
November 29th - 20 week appointment

Is it blue or pink?

Well the votes are in and the majority of you seemed to be thinking pink.

I wanted to do something a little different this time around for the gender reveal for our family.  With Grant, I didn't take the time to plan anything special unfortunately.  We decided since we found out on a Friday a nice dinner was in order for Saturday including Matt's immediate family that could make it, my mom, our grandparents and a couple aunts and uncles.  After our appointment, I called the bakery with the gender and they filled the center layer of a cake with pink or blue.  Not exactly original but still special and fun none the less.  After dinner, we dug in to reveal baby's gender to the family.  Take a look at the cake... 

Grandma Denise cutting the cake for the reveal...

That's right... Lil' Fish 2 is a GIRL and Grant is going to have a little sister!!!

Pink in the middle to reveal the gender

I guess that intuintion was right afterall :)

Let the name game begin.  With Grant it took us pretty much until the very end before we decided and even then we weren't convinced until we met him.  We'll see how it goes this time around! 

18 weeks

 

That belly sure doesn't look like only 0.2 lbs! 

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Baby's Size:    Sweet Potato  Average size: 5.6 inches, 6.7 oz.

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale:  Up 0.2 lbs from original weight... finally on the positive side of things
Doctor’s scale: 1 lb at 16 week appointment on 11/1/2012
Weight gained with Grant at this point: 5.0 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  Still wearing mostly the belly band with pants but I have worn a couple pairs of actual maternity pants.  Otherwise, I am sticking with my fat pants.  I am still wearing my normal shirts but I did have someone comment at work the other day that I am starting to show more in my work polo. 

Baby's Movement:  Flutters on a daily basis.  I was actually able to feel baby's movement with my hand this week.  Now, we have to let Matt have his turn soon!   

Food Cravings:  Nothing specific this week... although not a day goes by that I don't want a glass of milk and I am usually not much of a milk drinker.  Oh, and I get Blanck's again on Saturday! Looking forward to that of course! 

Food Aversions:  Nothing specific this week. 

Sleep:   I have still been sleeping well and loving my cacoon of pillows.  Although my several nights of relief from a bathroom break did not happen this week.  I only had two nights off.   

Symptoms:  Man has my back been killing me already!  I never really had backaches with Grant just extreme discomfort after about week 30 in my upper abdomen area just below my ribs (likely because he was breech and I was carrying sooooo high).  With this one my middle back has been so achy.  If I sit I am ok but I don't have the luxury of sitting at work for long.  I am standing at a counter doing lab testing pretty much 80% of my day.  I have also had several weird or very vivid dreams.  In one dream I ate 6 cupcakes.  Luckily, the next day at work someone brought donuts and a cake so that worked out well!  Also, on two occasions this week I dreamt very vividly that we are having a boy.

Best Moment(s) This Week:  We had a productive organization weekend at home! 

What I Miss:  A good cup of coffee.. that doesn't make my stomach roll.  I have never been a huge coffee drinker but do enjoy a cup occasionally.  It still is not my first choice and I have been sticking with red raspberry leaf tea which is much better for me anyway I guess. 

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Seeing my mom this afternoon and spending the next 12 days with her and TOMORROW!  Sorry folks... you'll probably have to wait until Saturday night/Sunday for the reveal.  We are going out to dinner with family on Saturday and will hopefully be able to reveal the gender then.  After, I will make it blog and facebook official!

What's Different This Time:  I think I am more excited for our ultrasound this time.  Don't get me wrong... I was excited with Grant but also somewhat nervous.  I didn't know what to expect.  This time around I am very much looking forward to sitting back and enjoying the view.   

Next Appointment:
November 16th - Gender Reveal... That's tomorrow!  It's your last chance to vote.   

November 29th - 20 week appointment

22 Months

 

Using the "mouth" of his pumpkin to smile for the camera

Growth:  According to our home scale Grant is weighing in at 25.8 lbs so still pretty much the same from last month.  According to his growth chart, he is measuring in at roughly 33.5” so that puts him up by about 1/2".  No changes in clothes really… Grant is wearing 18-24 month, 24 month, and 2T clothes, size 6 shoes, and size 4 diapers.   

Teeth:  No new teeth this month… still holding steady at 16.  Although his fingers have been in his mouth non-stop this month and he has been gnawing and chewing on both sides way in the back so I have the feeling his 2 year old molars are right around the corner. 

Language/Comprehension:  Language is still evolving on a daily basis and he loves reading.  Grant has become much more inquisitive and likes to know what is going on.  If Matt or myself walk out of the room, he will ask “Daddy/Mommy go?”  Also, it doesn’t matter what we are doing or if he can see us he will ask “Daddy/mommy doing?” As you can see he truncates and often leaves off where did… or what are…  There was one night where Grant asked “Daddy doing?” to which I answered “the dishes” and Grant followed up with “why?”  I laughed out loud and said to Matt oh great it is starting.  Hopefully it doesn’t turn into why, why, why!  So far he usually only asks why once and then he is done.  Another favorite lately is when Matt or I leave the room and he is left by himself he will yell mom/dad over and over until we walk back into the room.

He can say his ABC’s in their entirety.  For a while he would say what he knew and then hum the tune to the letters he didn’t and then pick up again when he knew the letters again.  If you spell Grant, he knows it is his name and will point to himself and say “Grant!”

Grant also loves to do his robot voice.  He has a shirt with a robot on it and which initiated the entire thing but now he will do his robot voice out of the blue and say "My name is Grant. I am a robot."

Mobility/Coordination:  This kid might just be a baseball all-star.  He LOVES putting his ball on his tee and swinging and man can he connect with it about 90% of the time.  His throws are also becoming much harder, further and accurate.  He has about the same accuracy regardless of the hand he uses to throw the ball.  We have been working on catching and the concept but he isn’t quite there yet.

Always a helper!

Grant-isms:  If Grant spills something whether it is on himself or on the floor he will say “clean it up,” go to the drawer in the kitchen with towels and wash cloths, and clean himself or the spill up.   

He likes to tear his food apart (like toast) and then eat it.

Grant will ask us to kiss it all better every time he gets what he thinks is an owie and sometimes he will even kiss it himself and then go about his business. 

When asked whether he is going to have a baby brother or baby sister Grant’s answer is always “baby sister.”  Why?  We are not sure… maybe he knows something that we don’t.

Grant will always say “I love you mommy/daddy” whenever we have to leave the house and we tell him bye.  Get him in public and he isn’t nearly as vocal though. 

Things he likes:  He is definitely no longer scared of “big pumpkin.”  He will pick him up and carry him all over the house, sit with him on the couch, and give him hugs and kisses.

Kissing "Big Pumpkin"

He is very into his trains right now.  Last year for Christmas he got a train set and train table (knowing he would grow into it). Well, he has and he loves playing trains.    

Choo Choo!

Funniest moment(s) this month:  When you ask him for a thumbs up, he sticks up his index finger with a big proud smile. 

He will play peek-a-boo and cover his face (usually with his hat when we are riding in the car or diaper during diaper changes) and he says “Where did grant go?”

Grant is seriously the sweatiest kid I know.  We could send him to bed naked and not cover him with a blanket and he would still be drenched.   Jokingly, Matt and I were saying that he will need deodorant by kindergarten otherwise he will be the stinky kid. 

Biggest change(s) this month:  This month we decided to move Grant to his big boy toddler bed.  We figured it will only be a matter of time before baby is here and we need the crib.  We wanted to be able to focus on the transition without the worry of having a newborn.  It was a little rough in the beginning, but then by day four he had about three good days in a row.  Then, he digressed and we had another rough week of playing the up down I don’t want to stay in bed game (Not cool!).  To date, he is doing much better and if he does get out of bed it is only usually one time. 
 

First night in his big boy bed

Firsts:  Trick or treat… he dressed up for Halloween last year but only being 9 months old we didn’t actually take him door to door trick or treating.  He did great and would say trick or treat the entire way up the driveway/sidewalk but as soon as the door opened he would get quiet and start backing up.   



Sampling some pumpkin during carving... note the CRAZY hair!

Posing with our family of pumpkins

Our crazy "Thing 1"

 

First haircut!  I know almost two and he hadn't had a haircut yet... Matt was reluctant because he liked the fro.  Go figure :)  Grant did great and looks like such a handsome little boy. 

He also peed on potty at daycare!  He has done it at home several times but it had been awhile.  It is my hope that when I am off of work the week between Christmas and New Year’s we can make the transition to underwear and have him potty trained before he goes back to daycare on Jan 2^nd and before baby 2 arrives in April!

Illness:  Other than a cold/cough with no fever it has been another quiet month! 

17 Weeks

 

How Far Along:   17 Weeks

Baby's Size:    Onion  Average size: 5.1 inches, 5.9 oz.
Skeleton is hardening and fat is accumulating...

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale:  Down 1.2 lbs from original weight but up 1.8 lbs from last week
Doctor’s scale:  1 lb at 16 week appointment on 11/1/2012
Weight gained with Grant at this point:  5.4 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  Still just rockin' the belly band here and there. 

Baby's Movement:  Flutters on a daily basis.

Food Cravings:  My craving for sweets is back... If you know me, you know I love my sweet treats.  I am sure Halloween and the availability hasn't helped! 

Food Aversions:  I still have no desire for soda really.  I was always a one a day kind of person when it came to soda but now I may have one per week. 

Sleep:   Like a baby!  I broke out the body pillow this week and nestle into my cocoon of pillows, listen to my relaxation music, practice my breathing, and I am out!  And I even slept through the night four nights in a row without having to wake up to go to the bathroom. 

Symptoms:  I went an entire week without throwing up!  YAY!  I am feeling great really.  My energy is back for the most part.  I am motivated and very much looking forward to scarfing down some Thanksgiving and Christmas foods. 

Best Moment(s) This Week:  The elections being over!  Not pregnancy related but all those dang commercials got on my flippin' nerves! 

What I Miss:  Matt working in Fond du Lac.  I had gotten spoiled for a couple months with him working in town.  He was around in the mornings and afternoons to help get ready for the day ahead or help get supper ready.  For a couple of days he had to work in Green Bay.  He was gone before we were awake and home an hour or more after we were.  I guess it is just keeping me on my game and ready for when I have 2 plus myself to get ready in the morning when he is working out of town. 

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Holy smokes!  It's only a week away... not only do we get a glimpse of this lil' fish we also hopefully get to find out what we are having! 

What's Different This Time:  With Grant at this point I was feeling great but I just wasn't that hungry (you wouldn't guess that by my weight gain with him!).  That is definitely not the case right now with this one... I have been snacking all day long everyday.   

The Great Gender Debate:  Matt and I both have our hunch as to what the gender of baby 2 is and coincidentally we are thinking along the same lines.  We had our hunch with Grant as well which turned out to be correct.  I will admit that with Grant we were both very much hoping for a boy.  Of course healthy is all that matters and we would be absolutely ok either way.  This time around I will say that a very large part of me would love to have a little girl.  If you know me well, you may find this surprising.  I have often been vocal about my concerns of having a girl (Matt is a little terrified as well but I think a little girl would have him wrapped around her little finger).  My biggest reservation about a girl has been and still continues to be that it seems boys are just easier on a number of levels.  Often times they don't have to deal with the drama and judgment that I think most girls have to face.  The pressures and ridicule and let's just face it... they grow up to be teenagers!  (Not to mention we have bins and bins and bins full of boys' clothes already.)  I remember what it was like as a teenager and sometimes it was utterly exhausting feeling like you had to keep up appearances and trying to steer clear of the drama.  And as a parent you want to protect your child from everything but that just is not reality regardless of gender.  Knowing this is very likely our last child there is that part of me that wants a little girl to do girly things with but most importantly teach how to hunt, fish, and play sports.  We will be absolutely happy either way and pray for a healthy baby.  God will bless us with what He sees fit and regardless we are blessed.  I guess we'll see in a week!

Next Appointment:
November 16th - One week, gender reveal!   Matt and I have our hunch which happens to be the same. How about you?  Don't forget to get your vote in!

November 29th - 20 week appointment

16 weeks

How Far Along:  16 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Avocado  Average size: 4.6 inches, 3.5 oz.
Eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair are filling in...

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale:  Down 3 lbs (I lost the ground I had gained because of my cold this week I think) 
Doctor’s scale:  Up 1 lb (same as my appointment 5 weeks ago at 11 weeks)
Weight gained with Grant at this point:  4.4 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  Still sticking with just the belly band but I have had to expand beyond wearing it with just my work pants.  I still have several pair of jeans I can fit into without it (aka fat pants)!  

Baby's Movement:  Still feeling nudges on a now daily basis and sometimes several times a day depending on whether I am sitting or laying down. 

Food Cravings:  Nothing in particular this week and I actually haven't had much of an appetite probably because of having a cold/cough.  Although, Blanck's last Friday was absolutely delicious and hit the spot!

Food Aversions:  When Matt and I were making our grocery list last weekend, he asked what was off limits.  I said no chicken, no beef, and no grilled stuff.  He laughed and said ok but what does that really leave us? 

Sleep:  We have been a bit under the weather with colds/coughs around our house the past week so my nice, restful nights have been interrupted with lots of coughing... from me.  Not to mention the nightly potty break.

Symptoms:  I am still feeling really good considering.  I think this cold has taken a lot out of me.  I also got sick two days in a row in the morning this week... Hoping it is just a fluke and after the cold clears up the nausea and vomitting goes with it. 

Best Moment(s) This Week:  Hearing baby's heartbeat.  It felt like it had been ages (5 weeks since our last appointment).  Baby's heart was racing at 147 bpm.  Everything checked out normal at our appointment.

What I Miss:  Not falling asleep before 8 o'clock.  Seriously, if I sit down to relax on the couch I am sleeping.  Then I have to drag my lazy, tired butt off the couch and go to bed usually somewhere between 9:30 and 10.  Friday and Saturdays are seriously the only 2 days during the week that I am not asleep before 9 at the latest.  I guess I must need the sleep?!?      

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Seeing baby on the ultrasound! 

What's Different This Time:  With Grant at this point we had already started preliminary nursery painting, organizing, birthing class, and picked our doula.  To date, we have hired our doula again.  The urge to have everything done now doesn't seem to be as great.  I am a planner by nature and I konw we will have everything ready but I just don't feel the rush this time.  Kind of a been there done that kind of mentality.     

Next Appointment:
November 16th Gender Reveal! Don't forget to get your vote in!
November 29th - 20 week appointment