Fun Weekend Activities

Between work (at UVa) and teaching clinicals on the weekends, this past weekend was my first weekend off in a month!  It was much needed and well-deserved!  We didn't do anything too crazy but that's what made it so nice & relaxing.  Friday, Jeff came home from work and we ordered Chinese food.  It had been almost two months since we had it and all it took was someone mentioning it at work Thursday night and I had to have some.  It was so yummy!  Then, we just laid on our bed and relaxed for a while.  It was so nice not to have anything to do.  Once we decided we had better get up before Jeff fell asleep (he had been up since 6am and does not sleep well during the week, in his defense), I was craving some ice cream really badly!  I tried to suppress it but it would not be denied.  So, Jeff, being the wonderful husband that he is, offered to go get me some.  When he returned, we had cookies & cream ice cream (I made mine into a milkshake).  It hit the spot.  I feel like my life revolves around food right now.  Haha!

Saturday, we slept in which was wonderful (especially for Jeff, I'm sure).  Then, we got up and I made waffles for breakfast.  This has become a bit of a Saturday tradition and I really look forward to it!  We had a very lazy morning and I didn't get a thing done (and I'm not ashamed of it).  Once I finally got up and showered, we ate leftover Chinese for lunch and headed to Morris Orchard to get some apples!  We also got some pumpkins and snapped some pictures of the beautiful scenery.

On the way home, we stopped at Lowe's and bought some mums for my front porch display. 

Sunday, we got up & went to church.  After church, we planned to eat lunch at Five Guys but when we got there, we discovered that it was closed for renovations!  I was so upset.  What's a pregnant girl with a craving to do?  I decided that the main reason I wanted to eat there was for the french fries and the only place that comes close to having such yummy fries is Applebees.  Unfortunately, that was a pretty big disappointment and I don't think we'll be eating there again for a very long time.  Oh well, Five Guys opens again on Oct. 2nd so you can bet we'll be making another trip there very soon!  After getting home from lunch, we took a very brief nap and then headed out to do some much needed yard work.  Jeff mowed the grass, I pulled weeds and decorated my front porch for Fall.  

Then, we just relaxed for the rest of the evening!  It was a wonderful weekend!

The Bird is 18 Weeks!

This week has continued to be busy with something going on everyday. I finally have a weekend off and I do have some things to share about yesterday & today but they're exciting enough to deserve their own post so for now, I'll leave you with the bump & my weekly stats:

How far along? 18 Weeks

Baby is the size of a: Bell Pepper or Sweet Potato (I know those are two very different things but that's what the two different apps that I follow say)!

Maternity Clothes? Yes! With the weather getting cooler, I have officially started wearing maternity jeans. They are quite comfy.

Symptoms: Overall, I've felt pretty good. My appetite is definitely increased and I'm still having the occasional annoying GI symptom. Nothing too crazy, though. I really can't complain! Also, fetal movement vs. flatulence. Hehe.

Sleep: Fair to good (same as pre-pregnancy)

Best moment this week: Possibly feeling little baby kicks (really too soon to tell).

Miss anything? Not at the moment!

Number of times I get up to pee each night: Once or twice unless I get woken up more often & then I usually have to pee more often.

Food cravings: Same ol' same ol'...french fries, yogurt covered pretzels, chocolate and ice cream.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No! I think I've finally gotten over this part! (Watch, now I'll throw up or something)...

Have you started to show yet? There is a definite bump there!

Gender: If I had to guess, I would say "Girl" and I'm honestly happy with either!

Mood: Good for the most part...sometimes a bit more emotional but nothing too crazy.

Looking forward to: Being more sure of the baby movements and my 20 week ultrasound in 2 1/2 weeks!

What baby's up to this week according to BabyCenter.com:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long, and he weighs almost 7 ounces (about the size of a bell pepper). He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

16 Weeks!

The past week has gone fairly well.  It was a pretty busy one with my first clinical of the semester last weekend (8 hour evening shifts on Saturday & Sunday).

I had my 16 week OB appointment on Monday and it was super quick because everything looked good.  I'm still having mixed feelings about my practitioner and I'm trying to make some difficult decisions in the next few weeks regarding that.  I go to an all midwife practice.  It is one of the two main options for OB/GYN services here in Lynchburg.  I chose it because it is midwives and I much prefer that since I am very interested in natural childbirth and all that entails.  But...to me, it feels very similar to a regular OB office.  All the scheduling is very regimented.  The midwife didn't spend very much time talking with me at all.  She seemed rushed.  It is also several midwives which means I could have any of them assist in the delivery of my baby when the time comes but I've only met one so far.  My plan for now is to call and reschedule my next appointment (20 weeks) with a different midwife, if possible, and then talk extensively with her or the nurse about natural childbirth and some of the other concerns I'm having.  I am also planning to meet with a doula who has been established in this area for several years in the next few weeks and see what she thinks. 

Jeff had LASIK on Tuesday and I had the pleasure of taking care of him as he recovered (it was a quick recovery, though).  He stayed home on Wednesday, too, and I really enjoyed the extra time we got to spend with each other.  Now, he's back to work and I miss him already.  

I worked an extra 8 hour shift at UVa on Wednesday night and yesterday was just such a lazy afternoon/evening that I didn't get around to taking a baby bump picture.  I work three 12 hour shifts this weekend starting tonight and I can't say I'm looking forward to it!  My life is about to get super busy with clinicals and grading and working and baby stuff that I'm certain the next couple months are just going to fly by!

Here's my bump as of today!

How far along?  16 weeks

Baby is the size of an:  avocado.

Maternity clothes? Not quite yet (I have a feeling it will happen very soon, though)!

Symptoms:  Increased appetite, indigestion, gagging, bloating (are you seeing a pattern here?  Let's just say I'm having a lot of GI symptoms typically related to pregnancy)!  Otherwise, round ligament pain is the only other thing I can think of!

Sleep:  Pretty much the same as pre-pregnancy right now.

Best moment this week:  Getting to hear baby's heartbeat at my OB appointment this past Monday.

Worst moment this week:  Finding out that I have to wait until 21 weeks to find out the gender.

Miss Anything?  I really can't think of anything new this week!  I'm content in my pregnant state.

Number of times I get up to pee each night:  1-2

Food cravings:  Chick-Fil-A again (nuggets and fries) and a new one for this week was supreme pizza from Pizza Hut.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Opening the refrigerator (either here at home or at work) seems to do it 90% of the time.

Have you started to show yet? For the most part, yes!  I think my belly really "popped" this week.

Mood:  Pretty good for the most part!

Looking forward to: I can't really think of anything in the short-term so I'm really just looking forward to my 21 week ultrasound and finding out if it's a boy or girl!

What the baby is up to this week according to Babycenter.com:  
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.


Philippians 4:11-13  (NIV)

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The Bird is 15 Weeks Pregnant!

Once again, I am a bit delayed in getting this week's blog post up.  I have been busy, busy, busy between visiting my family (see my most recent post), working, and spending much needed time with The Bean.  We did get a chance to snap a few belly bump pics and I just filled out my weekly pregnancy stats so for the sake of time, that's all I'll post this time.

How far along? 15 weeks

Baby is the size of an:  apple or orange

Maternity clothes? Not quite yet; I did pull a few things out the other day & tried a few on.  I am mostly using a hair rubberband to keep my pants together but unbuttoned and I will probably start to wear a Bella Band or Beband soon.

Symptoms:  Still the occasional “nausea,” threw up this morning, gas and bloating, increased appetite, increased urinary frequency, crying at everything, anxiety.

Sleep: Not too bad.  I did have some weird dreams today & yesterday after working.

Best moment this week: Visiting my family and seeing my niece go to her first day of Kindergarten.

Miss Anything? Can’t think of anything new this week!

Number of times I get up to pee each night: Just once (which is pretty much what I was doing pre-pregnancy).

Food cravings: Ice cream…no other real cravings this week.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not really.

Have you started to show yet? Just barely starting to show now.  I look immensely more pregnant by the end of the day due to the wonders of bloating, ugh!

Gender: About 5 more weeks til we find out!

Mood: Umm, more anxiety this week and feeling generally stressed about how busy I’m going to be for the next couple of months but otherwise, I’ve been in a good mood.

Looking forward to:  My OB appointment on Monday and hearing the baby’s heartbeat.

What the baby is up to this week according to Babycenter.com: 

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Proud Aunt Moment

I just have to brag on my niece for a little bit.  My eldest niece, Karly, went to her first day of Kindergarten yesterday!  I am so glad I was able to be present for her big day.  She was so excited which made the difficulty of it all a little easier.  I just can't believe that she is old enough to go to Kindergarten!  It seriously seems like just yesterday that she looked like this:

It's like I blinked, and all the sudden, she looks like this:

She is quite the little artist and helped me with this sign that she's holding in the above picture.  She wrote her name at the very top and then, I wrote all the letters/words.  She then colored in the block letters and drew an owl.  On Monday, she asked if cowgirls still exist and are alive and if so, that's what she wants to be when she grows up but I convinced her to put Veterinarian on this sign since that's what she usually says when you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up.  Here's a close-up of the sign:

Here are a couple of pictures from school:

After Karly got home from school, I conducted an interview on video to document how her first day of school went.  Here it is: