IT'S A....

I went to work the morning of the ultrasound and as always picked up my daughter so we could all see the baby.  I truly feel that the more involved I let her be the more she will adjust and be okay with the end result, us not bringing a baby home.

Mrs. California flew in the morning of the ultrasound and thankfully the weather permitted and she made it alive and safely.  The day prior to her flying in they had literally shut down the airport for ice and snow on the runways.  It was beautiful the day she came in though!

We went straight down to the ultrasound and we were able to see this little pea.  He was moving like crazy and was making it difficult for the tech to get good readings on everything but she managed to get everything we needed.  When we first got to the ultrasound they were thinking it was just the gender reveal when it was actually the BIG anatomy scan.  Thankfully the tech just did the anatomy scan as well which also meant that Mrs. C was able to get a CD of the entire scan!

The tech took her time looking at everything and made sure to get lots of pictures of everything for the family and one or two for me!

So the big reveal of this little pea is that it is most DEFINITELY...

A BOY!!!!!

I wasn't sure if Mrs. California would find out what he was since she was going back and forth of whether they would find out or not.  I am so glad that she decided to find out because I was so worried that I would slip on what it was.

As soon as the tech put the wand on my belly you could instantly see his parts.  This baby is not shy at all and made it very clear and without a doubt that he was in fact a he!  They would have been fine with whatever God intended this baby to be but I could tell they were very excited that it was a boy!!

18 weeks or 122 days left

20 weeks along!!  Halfway baby!

21 weeks and 1 day

With Jen and we are a week and a half apart.  12/10/2013

12/12/2013

22 weeks along

Christmas Eve, 22 weeks and a few days

I'm big enough that things can officially rest on the belly.

On our way to the big ultrasound appointment with Mrs. California!!

I am probably only going to be updating every month or so from now on.  Life has been so crazy and hectic with the holidays that I was wanting to update but just didn't have time or didn't make the time.  I will be 23 weeks this Saturday and am doing really great besides the usual aches and pains that come with pregnancy.  We had our BIG ultrasound on the 20th and Mrs. California flew out to see her cute little pea!  I have started to take Prilosec OTC and that has seriously helped with the acid reflux/heart burn that I was having.  I can't believe I even waited as long as I did because it has helped so much.  This little pea moves around like crazy and like I was thinking is breech right now which makes more sense to why I'm getting kicks in the crotch a ton.

As much as this pregnancy as been so different then what I experienced with my daughter the fact that it is getting closer to the end makes me sad just the same.  I have really enjoyed helping this sweet family and know how loved this little pea is already.  He is one special and very loved little one!

Weight Gain: I have gained a whopping 22 pounds so far.  I gained so much with my daughter and I see that happening this time around too.

Cravings: Mexican food and anything with a kick or spice to it.  So not like me at all to like spicy foods.  ha  I had a to die for smothered burrito that was just amazing and just what this little pea was wanting!!

Symptoms: Some heart burn episodes, LOTS of pelvic pressure, back pain, sciatic episodes which are mostly when it is too cold, baby is kicking and moving like crazy and on a somewhat schedule too (It is always around the same time that it is having a dance party), braxton hicks all day long

What I miss: Sleeping comfortably, being able to paint my toes and shaving normally, my pants not ripping up the seam....

Their baby's the size of a papaya!

During month five, the average fetus measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Their baby at 22 weeks!

• Now that he's got more developed eyes and lips, he's looking even more like a newborn.
• He's sleeping in cycles -- about 12 to 14 hours per day.

AFP

It is normal for most OB offices to do a routine test called an Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) which checks for certain markers in the baby.  I had mine a few weeks ago and was able to get the results within the following week.

Alpha-fetoprotein Screening (AFP) -- A simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus, AFP screening measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood. Abnormal levels can indicate a brain or spinal cord defect, the presence of twins, a miscalculated due date, or an increased risk of Down syndrome. Since AFP levels can be elevated for a number of reasons, a positive test is usually repeated or followed up by other tests before a diagnosis is made. Very few women with elevated AFP levels are found later to have babies with birth defects

The test was actually really simple and non-invasive, it is a simple blood draw and that is it.  With this test they ask you quite a few questions to best determine what the blood says for results.  Since this is not my baby we just used the age and other information with the Intended Parents and a few questions about me.  They ask how old the egg donor was and that would be the age that my Intended Mother was when they retrieved her eggs.  They ask if there is any history of family genetic anomalies to get a history and go from there.

Results came back all negative for everything!!  This was great news and as for the blood work it proves that the baby is healthy and without any genetic anomalies.  We have our big ultrasound in a few weeks and the parents will decide from there if they want any further testing.

I do have to add that being a phlebotomist I have gotten a few calls from main lab saying such and such patient came back with a positive.  With this particular test if it comes back positive it does NOT mean that your unborn child does indeed have whatever came back positive.  It gives you a number such as 1 in 204 chance of having this, that is not a yes your baby has this anomaly.  If this had come back positive I am certain that my Intended Parents would have requested for me to have an amniocentesis which is a little more invasive and in my eye's can be risky (that is my opinion though).  That is a bit more accurate then the simple blood draw.

19 weeks along

 19 weeks

I talked to my doctor this past Tuesday about some things that I have had concerns about.  Nothing to fret about but just for future.  I have honestly been feeling like I might deliver this baby breech and I wanted to make sure my doctor was on the same wave length as me.  If she wasn't then I would need to start looking for a provider that would be on board.  You see, I want to avoid a c-section just like any other girl. :)  My provider is awesome and said she actually enjoys delivering breech babies.  I am so thrilled that she is on board and I know she will make sure this is a safe and enjoyable delivery.  I really did enjoy the delivery of my daughter, it was a very spiritual experience for me!!  

Weight Gain: 14 lbs.  I am sure I had gained twice that with my daughter at this point.

Cravings: Fruit, ice water, salads, chicken, pork, mashed potatoes with extra gravy,  juice

Symptoms: Shot pain on my right side still of my hip (girls in my group said that should go away shortly), tossing and turning in my sleep, getting up to pee about a billion times (that is new from my first pregnancy, I never had that issue), braxton hicks which my doctor said is perfectly normal this early (she has seen people have them as early as 12 weeks)

Movement: Baby likes to move around early in the morning as I'm getting ready and then right before I go to bed.  It is constantly in my ribs and has only caused some pain once.  I still have pain there from when I was carrying my daughter and I'm sure it is only going to get worse.  My daughter was able to feel a tiny little kick just the other night.  It was really cool!  I think the baby has been having hiccups lately unless it is just kicking in a consecutive manner.

Their baby's the size of a mango!

He is about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces, he's getting there!

Their baby at 19 weeks

• Developing a protective coating over his skin, called vernix caseosa. It's greasy and white and you may see some of it at his birth.
• Working on his five senses. Nerve cells for his sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in his brain.

18 weeks along-5 months along

I will have to post a picture when I have one.  I've been taking care of my daughter after her surgery so there hasn't been much getting ready around here.  There has been lots of pj wearing and moving watching though.

I can't believe that we are probably half way done with this journey and 18 weeks is the beginning of 5 months.  I delivered my daughter a week early so it very well could happen the same.  I am content going as long as possible though since I don't want to be induced.  I am cherishing ever second being pregnant since it is going by so quickly.

I have been having really bad case of heart burn and tums aren't really covering it anymore.  It is actually getting a little ridiculous.  I am avoiding a lot of foods that I know will trigger it and will make it worse.  It stinks because some of the foods I've been avoiding are the foods that I am craving. :(  Something I'll be bringing up to the doctor this Tuesday.

I only worked a month or so when I was pregnant with my daughter so this has been different this go around.  It didn't matter that I had insomnia and wouldn't be able to fall asleep since I didn't have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for work the next morning.  That has been a new adventure but it is going okay.  By the middle of the day if it is super slow I am dog tired and have even caught myself falling asleep at my desk.  Forget about coming home and wanting to cook dinner or get myself or the little one ready for bed at all.  Hopefully with this second trimester the energy level will start to pick up.

I have also been having some pain from my PIO injection site lately.  Just on the right hip area too.  I don't know if the feeling is trying to come back or what but it hurts so bad some days.  I thought the pain would stop after being done with shots but it has decided to continue on.  I am hoping it is just the feeling coming back completely since it is still a bit numb on that side.  It sure is painful though.

I just got to see my ex mother in law while she was passing through and I wish I knew what she was thinking.  She kept staring at my belly but wouldn't say a word to me.  I'm sure my ex has told some crazy story about why I am pregnant.  I will never know though because she will probably never bring it up.  I would much rather enlighten her and anyone about this amazing experience then them be confused or told something not completely true.

Weight Gain: I'll let ya know after my appointment on Tuesday since I don't have anything at my house to weigh myself.

Cravings: Sprite with vanilla extract still, sweet potatoes, I really would love anything Mexican or all you can eat at Tucanos!  YUM!  So basically meat is still a huge craving of mine.  Also, pineapple, cold cereal, ice cream, smothered delicious burritos, and ice cold water.  I will say I have had quite a few salads that were absolutely amazing!

Symptoms: Heart burn, Braxton hicks, some insomnia (my least favorite when I have work super early), tossing and turning at night (my whale pillow is a must now), some leaking of colostrum I believe (yes so fun! ha) with that comes extremely tender boobs, and clothes do NOT fit anymore so I have resorted to maternity pants now.  I have been feeling the baby move quite a bit this past week.  I swear if someone were to put their hand on my belly and concentrated they might be able to feel it too.  My daughter has tried to feel but she is too impatient to wait for it.  I think in a couple of weeks other people will be able to feel it moving around in there.

Their baby's the size of a sweet potato!

He's/She's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and he/she keeps on growing rapidly. (That's why I'm probably feeling so hungry.)

Their baby at 18 weeks

• Can you believe he's/she's yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing?
• And he's/she's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and he's/she's big enough now that I'm able to feel him/her doing it!

Surro Sisters Luncheon

Four out of the six of us are pregnant and one will be pregnant shortly.

We are about a week and a half apart.  You can't really tell but I am further along then Jen is.

With all the craziness that has been going on it was a much needed girl time with these lovely ladies.  We try and get together once a month.  I am not always able to make it but I needed this time for me.  These are the only women who truly get the feelings I have and know what I am going through.  I can say something and they don't look at me like I am crazy because they have felt the same way or similar.  They have been my complete support aside from my best friend and I am so grateful for them!  These are girls who aren't just a monthly visit but we spend time together and are truly friends and are there for each other.  I love them to pieces and so glad to have them apart of my life and this journey!

16 weeks 6 days

I just have to say I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is going by.  I swear we just barely transferred the little miracle pea and I was anxiously waiting for a positive pregnancy test.  With how busy the holidays always are it is going to be down to crunch time before I know it.  I am honestly just really trying to treasure these moments because it will be over before I know it.

Weight Gain: 10 lbs from transfer.  Not bad if I say so myself.

Cravings: Meat, Ice water, Sprite with vanilla extract, Rice, salads, Mexican food; any kind of it, Cheese

Symptoms: Heartburn has kicked and is staying for good.  Will be getting a script for that since tums aren't even touching it.  Hip pain already.  I have my trusty whale pillow that helps with the tossing and turning at night, Still pretty tired.  Constantly hungry, like I will eat and an hour later it is like I haven't eaten in days.  Braxton hicks already.  Little kicks and movements.  Those are literally the best part of this.  I can already feel it kicking my ribs, the exact spot my daughter would kick me.  Extremely itchy belly and boobs.  Have to pee all the time.

Weeks	1 - 4	5 - 8	9 - 13	14 - 17	18 - 21	22 - 26	27 - 30	31 - 35	36 - 40
Which Monthare you in?	You are in your 1st month	You are in your 2nd month	You are in your 3rd month	You are in your 4th month	You are in your 5th month	You are in your 6th month	You are in your 7th month	You are in your 8th month	You are in your 9th month
This is Month	one	two	three	four	five	six	seven	eight	nine
Trimester	first			second			third

It looks like next week will mark 5 months into this pregnancy too.  I told you it is zooming by!

Their baby's the size of an onion! 

Baby continues to beef up. Now he's/she's about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces. 

 

 Their baby at 17 weeks 

• His/Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.
• And he's/she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.
• He's/She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.