Half baked!

I would first like to apologize for my absence.  Between work, vacation, and some anxiety I haven't been very good about posting blog updates.  We'll play a little catch up today, but I'll keep it short and sweet.

When we last left our intrepid heroes they were preparing for the next OB appointment.  On August 4th (16w6d) we left work a little early and headed to the office.  This was a big appointment involving the first cervical length check and one hour glucose test.  As we got closer I started drinking the orange glucola.  It wasn't too bad, just tasted like flat orange soda.  The appointment started with the ultrasound.  The tech started with an abdominal scan to check on butterfly.  She wasn't as active this time so the tech was able to get the measurements quickly.  Butterfly has both kidneys!  Since baby was looking down the whole time we didn't get a good profile picture.  The tech then switched to the dildo cam and measured my cervix.  Once she was done we headed out to the regular waiting room.  I was called back quickly to meet with Dr. K.  He was very nice and said my cervix was measuring nice and long at 3.7.  The Inherigen genetic disease test results had also come back all normal.  All that was left was getting blood drawn for the glucose test and the second part of the First Tri Screening.  Here is baby girl's ultrasound picture:

 
The next Friday we started our vacation.  We headed down to the Outer Banks for the week and had a great time.  The house was enormous and right on the beach.  There were 17 of us there, but it never felt crowded.  I somehow managed to not get sunburned so that is a win.  Experienced my first craving while there for amazing nachos at this one little grill.  Writing about it now makes me really want those nachos.  One thing I loved about the week was seeing Dave interact with his cousin's two young sons.  He's going to be such a good dad.

After getting home life has been filled with mostly work.  I've had some bad anxiety lately about reaching viability.  Many of the ladies in my UU support group have had losses between 18 to 24 weeks.  I'm so scared of losing butterfly when we've made it so far already.  Feeling her roll and kick is reassuring and I often poke and prod my belly to get her to move.  Hopefully the anatomy scan and cervical length check next Friday will help put my mind at ease.  Every night before bed I talk to butterfly about the day and ask her to please stay put until December at the very least.

Here are my bump pics from 17 to 19 weeks and below that is my full 20 week update.

17 weeks

18 weeks in the Outer Banks

19 weeks

How far along? 20w1d
Total weight gain/loss? Haven't weighed myself recently
Stretch marks? Nothing new
Maternity clothes? All the time except for a few long tanks and stretchy shirts
Sleep? Incredibly uncomfortable, thought the Boppy pillow has helped
Sex? Girl
Best moment of the week? 99% deciding on butterfly's first name
Movement? Lots of rolling and little punches/kicks
Food cravings? Indian food
Belly button in/out? In, but definitely getting shallower
What I miss: Comfortable sleep
What I am looking forward to: Anatomy scan next week!
Milestones: Butterfly is the size of a banana.  Also she is half baked!

      

16 weeks

Seriously, where did the summer go?  I can't believe it will be August in just two days.  It feels like we have so much to do before baby girl gets here and time is just racing by.  One big thing will be marked off the list on Friday at least.  We'll be trading in my Nissan Versa for a Nissan Rogue SV.  Luckily we got everything in order before our big trip down to the Outer Banks in a little over a week.  It will be a nice test to see how much stuff we can fit in the car.

We also got started on our registries.  Started at Babies R'Us and Dave had fun running around with the handheld scanner.  About halfway through the store we decided to call it a night.  It was very hot in the store and we needed to research a few things.  I also started a babylist registry.  It's a really great site that lets you add items from anywhere on the internet.  To help get a handle on what we'll actually need I've been consulting Lucie's List.  There are just so many cute things, but we have limited space in our two bedroom condo.  Have to try and be conservative.

Our next OB appointment is next Monday!  I'm so excited to see butterfly again, but nervous about the cervical length check.  Really hoping everything looks okay and we'll be able to book the anatomy scan.  I'll also be doing the 1 hour glucose test.  Luckily I can drink the glucola before the appointment I can get the blood drawn either right before or right after the ultrasound.  Then we see Dr. K for the regular appointment and get to hear her heartbeat on the doppler.  I still haven't received the results from the Inherigen test, hopefully the OB office has them and it will be discussed on Monday.

How far along? 16w1d
Total weight gain/loss? +5.4 lbs
Stretch marks? Nothing new
Maternity clothes? Going shopping with MIL this weekend to stock up on new tops
Sleep? I've found sleeping with a pillow propped under one hip has been the most comfortable solution
Sex? Girl
Best moment of the week? Having a completely lazy Sunday at home with Dave and the cats
Movement? Feeling a lot more movement lately, lots of rolls and pokes
Food cravings? Broccoli and cheddar soup in a bread bowl from Panera
Belly button in/out? In
What I miss: Wine, we've had perfect 'sit on the balcony and drink wine' weather lately
What I am looking forward to: Picking up the car on Friday, seeing Guardians of the Galaxy, and my next OB appointment on Monday!
Milestones: Butterfly is the size of an avocado!  Also, this week baby girl is able to start hearing our voices.  Ever since the BFP I've talked to her before going to sleep.  It's nice to know she'll actually be able to hear me now.

I am a bad blogger (14 and 15 week updates)

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost three weeks since I last posted.  Sorry about that, life kind of got in the way.  Work has been crazy lately and my big project has hit some major speed bumps.  The latest one has put the whole project on hold for a week while the programmers review code.  It never fails, anytime we try to upgrade it breaks our system.  My bosses have been really pushing to see the new site and of course it goes to hell.  Really hoping everything is sorted out before we go on vacation.  I am not spending our week on the beach doing work crap.

Since I missed the 14 and 15 week updates (holy hell, where has the time gone?) I'll add them to this post.  It's mind boggling that tomorrow will mark 16 weeks!  We're almost halfway there!

How far along? 14 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? +5.5 lbs
Stretch marks? Nothing new
Maternity clothes? Regular tops are getting tight
Sleep? Very uncomfortable and getting up a lot to pee
Sex? Girl
Best moment of the week? Getting to hang out with my brother
Movement? A few more flutters
Food cravings? Still have the egg aversion
Belly button in/out? In, but I noticed it getting shallow
What I miss: Uninterrupted sleep
What I am looking forward to: Going up to Boston to visit family
Milestones: Butterfly is the size of a lemon

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? +6 lbs
Stretch marks? Nothing new
Maternity clothes? Getting harder to find tops that fit
Sleep? Still trying to find a comfortable position
Sex? Girl
Best moment of the week? Visiting my family and spending time with my girlfriends
Movement? Started feeling some rolling sensations
Food cravings? No cravings, baby hates Chinese and Japanese food :(
Belly button in/out? In, but starting to stretch a bit
What I miss: Staying up late
What I am looking forward to: A completely plan free Sunday
Milestones: Butterfly is the size of a navel orange

 

13 weeks and NT scan

On Thursday we were having a BBQ at work for 4th of July.  Since our appointment was at 3 and we had to stop and check on our friend's guinea pigs beforehand we had planned on leaving work after the BBQ.  At noon the office staff headed downstairs to eat.  Well, the warehouse staff had already gone to town and by the time we got to the food there was only a meager amount of sausage and peppers (yuck!) and salad left.  Awesome.  Dave and I just left, figuring we could pick something up on the way.  After checking in on the pigs we ended up stopping at Wendy's to grab food.

We got home and loaded up the car.  Right after the appointment we would be leaving to head down to Wildwood for the holiday weekend.  Arrived at the OB office and got situated in the ultrasound waiting room.  The tech called us back and we got situated in the room.  It was an abdominal ultrasound, yay for getting to keep my pants on!  She started the scan and baby girl was moving and flailing around like crazy!  It was amazing to see, her little arms and legs were punching and kicking and she was bobbing up and down.  The tech started trying to get the needed measurements and shots, but baby girl had other plans.  Every time the tech zoomed in baby would jump out of the way.  The theme of the ultrasound ended up being the tech jiggling the probe against my abdomen and saying "come on baby, work with me".

Baby girl has two arms, two legs, bladder, stomach, nasal bone, and a NT measurement of 1.3.  Her heart was beating steadily at 165bpm.  The tech was very happy with how she looked and printed off lots of profile shots.  Here is she is:

Once the scan was finished the tech brought us over to the lab for the blood work portion of the test.  We had decided to do the genetic disease panel called Inherigen Plus as well.  It tests for 163 genetic diseases as well as Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Fragile X.  I had CF and SMA done during IF testing, but not Fragile X.  The blood draw was done quickly and it was back to the big waiting room.

We were supposed to be seeing Dr. B for the follow up.  After about 30 minutes of waiting the office manager came out and said that he was running about an hour behind due to earlier emergencies.  Unfortunately we could not wait that long.  Our hotel in Wildwood would only hold the reservation until 8pm.  We rescheduled the appointment for Monday and headed out.

The weekend in Wildwood was wonderful.  Two other couples joined us and it was a very relaxed weekend.  Arthur rained out the 4th of July festivities and everything was rescheduled for the next day.  Luckily Saturday was absolutely beautiful and we spent most of the day on the beach.  I was absolutely exhausted by the end of the weekend and very happy to get home to the kitties and our bed.  We posted our FB announcement after getting home:

How far along? 13 weeks

Total weight loss/gain? +5 lbs

Stretch marks? Nothing new

Maternity clothes? Maternity bottoms are a must, regular tops are getting snug in the chest area.

Sleep? Hard to find a comfortable position

Gender? Girl

Best moment of the week? Seeing butterfly during the NT scan

Movement? I felt some fluttering this morning, not sure if it was actually baby

Food cravings? No actual cravings, egg aversion is back though

Belly button in/out? In

What I miss: Staying up past 10pm

What I am looking forward to: Seeing my brother this weekend

Milestones: Butterfly is the size of a peach    

13 weeks

12 weeks

Sorry this is a day late, I was laid up in bed most of the day yesterday.  Last weekend we headed out to Pittsburgh for Dave's cousin's wedding.  It was absolutely beautiful and we got to tell a lot of his family about the baby.  They were all so excited!  While the wedding was fun, the drive back and forth to Pittsburgh was very taxing.  By the time we got home on Sunday I was so done.  Dave ordered Chinese food, but after a few bites of pork fried rice I had the worst acid/heart burn ever.  I guess baby girl does not like Chinese food.

I am starting to be able to feel the top of my uterus coming up from my pubic bone.  It's really strange, but makes me feel a little better about my crazy bump.  Things are definitely stretching and growing down there, the round ligament pain has started.  I'm really looking forward to wading in the pool and ocean this weekend.  I am also really looking forward to not having to pack any meds!  Yesterday was the last day of taking PIO, Delestrogen, and Prometrium!  It feels so good to be free.

Our NT scan is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.  I cannot wait to see how much butterfly has grown!  We'll meet with the OB, Dr. B, afterwards for a check-up and I'll get some more blood drawn.  Afterwards we'll be off to Wildwood for the weekend!  I've been looking forward to this vacation for a long time.  Once we get home we'll be posting our public FB announcement.

12 weeks

How far along? 12w1d
Total weight loss/gain? Haven't weighed myself this week
Stretch marks? Nothing new
Maternity Clothes? In maternity bottoms full time
Sleep? Getting rough, between the discomfort and constant peeing I can never get enough sleep.
Gender? Girl
Best moment of the week? Telling Dave's family about butterfly!
Movement? Just stretching sensations
Food cravings? White cheddar cheez-its
Belly button in/out? In
What I miss: Sex and wine
What I am looking forward to: NT scan tomorrow and Wildwood this weekend!
Milestones: Butterfly is the size of a plum and I was able to stop my meds.  

11 weeks

Not much to report.  Life has been pretty boring.  I'm usually passed out in bed by 10pm most nights.  Did get good news from the insurance company that the NT scan and blood work will be covered.  We'll also be doing the Inherigen blood test.  It tests for 163 inherited diseases as well as testing for Fragile X.  That is also fully covered by our insurance.  I'm getting excited, our appointment is only a little over a week away!

11 weeks, I really need a haircut

How far along? 11 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? +3.5 lbs
Stretch marks? Nothing new
Maternity clothes? Wearing maternity bottoms all the time
Sleep? Having very vivid dreams and waking up more often to pee
Gender? Girl
Best moment of the week? Buying little pink booties for our FB announcement.
Movement? Just some stretching feelings
Food cravings? Chocolate chip cookies
Belly button in/out? In
What I miss: Not feeling nauseous all the time
What I am looking forward to: Heading to Pittsburgh for Dave's cousin's wedding and getting to see lots of family.
Milestones: Baby is the size of a lime!

10 weeks

Holy cow, I'm officially in the double digits!

Over the weekend Dave and I headed to the mall.  My pants just do not fit anymore.  Even using the Bella Band it is just too uncomfortable.  With the IF treatment weight gain and insane bloat none of my summer shorts and capris fit either.  It was time for some maternity clothes.

The Old Navy maternity section was pitiful.  They have so much great stuff online, but the in-store selection was shoved into one tiny corner of mostly long jeans.  Not exactly ideal for summer.  Luckily Motherhood Maternity was right across the way.  A very kind associate greeted us as soon as we walked in.  I started gathering up some shorts and capris to try on.  The associate came over again and offered to set up a fitting room for me.  She took everything I had so far and put it in the fitting room so I could continue browsing.  Dave found a comfy chair next to my assigned fitting room and played on his phone.

All in all we probably spent over an hour in the store.  I needed a dress for Dave's cousin's wedding in two weeks, but had a hard time find something that fit over my crazy boobs.  The awesome associate was a huge help and brought a ton of dresses for me to try on.  The one I ended up falling in love with is a little black lace dress.  It comes with a black skinny belt, but I plan on switching it out for a mint green skinny belt and wearing mint green flats.

I ended up walking out with two shorts, two capris, the dress, a tankini top, and two cross front t-shirts.  With all that I feel confident that I won't need to buy anything else until late second trimester.  A lot of my tops are very flowy and should cover any bloat/bump until then.  We headed to Nordstrom after that to look at bras.  My current 34FFs are getting very tight in the band and cup.  Again, a very helpful associate came to my rescue.  She was a very similar size and brought me a great stretchy bra that should hopefully grow with me for a while.  Ended up buying that bra in black and nude.  It was a very productive shopping day.

Didn't have time for a proper pic this morning

How far along? 10 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? +2.4 lbs
Stretch marks? No new ones
Maternity clothes? Maternity bottoms have become a must, still fine in regular tops.
Sleep? Sleeping a little bit better these days, but the crazy dreams have started.
Gender? Girl
Best moment of the week? Buying new clothes and bras that make me feel comfortable again.
Movement? Just some uterus stretching sensations
Food cravings? Mac n cheese with peas
Belly button in/out? In
What I miss: Having energy, I feel like a slug most days
What I am looking forward to: Stopping meds in two weeks!  Also our NT scan on July 3rd
Milestones: Hitting double digits and butterfly is a prune.