21 Weeks

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: No really sure...it looks like maybe 1/2 to 1 lb.

MOVEMENT: Had what I imagined as an actual punch or kick this weekend.  I was reading after waking up with Nick still snoozing.  My hand was on my belly and, Kung-fu punch (or kick)!  I think I could just barely see my belly move with it.  Cookie didn't do it again and Nick has now taken to always keeping his hand on my belly to try and get that first feel.

CRAVINGS: Watermelon.  I saw it in the grocery store and immediately started drooling.  We bought one and got to share with good friends and their 2 year old on Sunday.  It was bliss.

SYMPTOMS: The weather every since Sunday has been hot, hot, hot.  The hottest days I've ever experienced living in San Diego in my eight years here!  Last night was pure misery trying to sleep.  It never cooled off until around 5AM this morning.  I made an ice pack with a hand towel and Zip lock bag full of ice which helped for a while, but I woke up with it leaking all over me and had to give it up.  Nick was blissfully sleeping next to me...I was really jealous.  I just hope this isn't the start of insomnia.  By belly and double D's are itching like crazy.  I wake up scratching the heck out of them.  I've been using baby oil and lotion, but it only helps for a little while.

BELLY BUTTON: Still an innie, but still getting shallower by the day.  Now when I press at the top of it, it goes from an innie to a full on outtie.  I have to say, this is the one part of pregnancy that creeps me out the most (other than delivery).  It looks pretty gross when I do it.

PREPARATIONS: The paintings are almost done.  I've started the last 2 and just have some touch ups on the 2 other ones.  All the birds are done for the mobile, including stuffing.  Now I just have to go out and get some sticks and put it all together.  Nick has been impressed with my crafty talents, I told I just needed inspiration.  We haven't done much to the nursery.  We were going to begin painting on Saturday until it was 95 degrees at our house.  It's been postponed until next week.  We registered for all our gear and my wonderful girlfriends Tara & Amanda have begun preparations for my baby shower...Nick & I feel so touched to have such wonderful friends!  Still debating on the carpet, but I think the navy blue may be winning out

MILESTONES: As noted above, I believe I saw the first movement, but nothing since Saturday morning so I'm not sure if I imagined it or not.  Repeat ultrasound on Friday!  Think positive thoughts about those little legs being uncrossed.

WEEKLY WISDOM: Enjoy this time.  I may complain about some of the symptoms, but I'm constantly in wonder at what's happening in my body.  I was complaining about, ahem, the feeding parts of my double D's exponentially growing to my mom and she told me I should be happy and proud and that it was beautiful because my body is making a miracle and getting ready to help that miracle adjust to the world.  At that point I was bummed at the ugliness of what was happening, but it really put it in perspective to me.  Yes, it's uncomfortable, yes, I don't feel like the sexy woman I was before, but, yes, it's a miracle and when I feel Cookie move around it's the most wondrous thing to realize you have an actual person in there.  It also amazes me that I made this person with Nick and there will never be another one like our Cookie.

20 Weeks! Half Way There!!!

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: Only 1 lb this week, but my belly seemed to really explode over the weekend (that may be my imagination).

MOVEMENT: Cookie is getting stronger and stronger.  I feel the flutters all throughout the day now (especially when I'm sitting still).  Nick still can't feel the movement and I know he's dying with jealousy.

CRAVINGS: The McDonald's cheeseburger craving has subsided somewhat, lately I've been really, really, really wanting fresh broccoli...there's a bowl of it next to me right now.  Finally, a healthy craving!

SYMPTOMS: My feet disappeared on me.  I looked down over the weekend and they were gone.  It was a sad moment for me.  Ankles are also starting to swell by the end of the day.  I have a foot rest in the office, by my shoes are always very tight by the time I leave work.  I've traded in cute heels for tennis shoes.  I tried flats for a while, but they weren't supportive enough.  I can no longer wear my wedding and engagement ring.  That was an even sadder moment when it wouldn't go on my swollen finger.  I cried.  Emotional ups and downs are ongoing...Nick is still being a trooper.  I've got the back pain under control with experimenting with chair positions and different stances when I'm standing for longer periods so it's much better now, but will get worse as this bump gets bigger.  No crazy dreams over the last week...baby brain continues.  It's very embarrassing.

BELLY BUTTON: Still an innie, but if I pull it from the top, it's practically flat.  Maybe a couple of more weeks and it will be flat?

PREPARATIONS: Working steadily on my paintings.  Four of them are actually done and halfway done with the fifth.  Then only four more!  made the first bird for the mobile (although I still need to stuff it).  It was more difficult to sew it together than I though it would be, but it's going to be really, really cute.  Nick moved the lighting fixture to the actual center of the nursery and has started patching the old hole.  We still need to find a new one...my idea is to find a ceiling fan, possibly spray paint the blades (if we need to) and then find alphabet decals to add to the blades.  We may not replace the carpet now...the  navy blue may go good with the light orange walls I'm thinking of...stay tuned.

MILESTONES: HALF WAY THERE and 10 more days until we get another go at Cookie's gender!

WEEKLY WISDOM: If you're a stomach sleeper it, enjoy it.  I've gone 8 weeks not being able to sleep on my stomach anymore because it just isn't comfortable (and now it's literally impossible).  I miss it more than coffee, soda, and booze.  And if you know me well, you know that says something.  Sleeping on your side blows...no matter how many pillows you have.

19 Weeks and Counting

For those of you who don't know, WE'RE PREGNANT!!!  We're at 19 weeks and our little Cookie is doing well.  Many people have asked me the nickname "Cookie" came about.

Cookie came about because when I travelled a lot I had access to the US Airways Club Lounge.  They had the most delicious daily made cookies and I would always bring Nick a couple home.  The day I took the pregnancy test, Nick didn't know I was taking it.  When I came out with it behind my back to tell him, he took one  look at me and my face and asked if I had a cookie for him that I had forgotten in my suitcase.

Now, it had been three months since my last trip, but he had such an excited look on his face, I laughed and tossed the test at him and told him the news.  He was very happy, but a little shocked and looked at me and said, "I thought it was a cookie"...and Cookie was named.  I think the nickname may stick after Cookie is born...stay tuned.

I'm going to copy one of my friend's (thank you CJM) blogs who is also pregnant (she's just 2 weeks ahead of me).  I'm hoping she takes it as more of a compliment and isn't annoyed by it...

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: A lot...I was very, very ill my fist trimester, but shoved food in my stomach three times a day any way.  The problem was, the only thing I could keep down was either cheeseburgers from McDonald's or plain pasta, potatoes, rice, and so on.  I also couldn't move much or I would throw up (don't ask me how I made it to work every day!).  I basically laid in bed every moment I was home and still threw up once a day (gross!).  So given I was eating high carb, high calorie foods and wasn't getting a lick of exercise, hello 12 lbs in the first trimester (I don't recommend it - you don't look pregnant, but really, really, really fat - because you are)!  The second trimester weight gain is more hitting the 1-2 lbs per week that is expected.  Total weight gains since the beginning of the first trimester (starting at 14 weeks): 5 lbs (that's 17 lbs total for those of you wondering).

MOVEMENT: Yes!!!  It started last Thursday at the Padres game...could this little one be a baseball fan???  The movement has been happening on and off ever since and it is seriously the coolest feeling ever!  The movements feel like anything from rolling bubbles, butterfly wing flutters, and involuntary muscle twitches.  I feel them daily, some days more than others, but it's there.

CRAVINGS: Not too much...the biggest thing I get a hankering for is cheeseburgers with extra pickles and ketchup.  Yes, my craving is that specific.  It also has to be McDonald's cheeseburgers to really quench the craving.

SYMPTOMS: Yes.  Ginormous boobs...went from a C cup to I don't even know how big anymore...let's just say I outgrew DD.  Scary, scary, scary.  I'm told they're only going to get bigger.  I've been trying to hold out on buying a really nice new bra because as soon as I get the next cup size, they grow again.  Some indigestion, my back KILLS - it's got to be the growing chest, but as much as the boobs have grown, the belly grew more, it now sticks out farther than my chest.  When I look down I see my bump popping out.  Very cool.  I also have baby brain like no other.  I feel very, very, very stupid and like I'm going crazy half the time.  Pregnancy dreams - they're really crazy...I won't even tell you what my twisted mind is coming up with, I just hope it's not affecting Cookie's psychological health.

BELLY BUTTON: Still an innie; however, it's getting shallower by the day.

PREPARATIONS:  The "junk room" has been emptied out and will become the nursery.  All the room baseboards and trim around the doors has been removed (we're going to replace it).  I haven't settled on a paint color, but we are replacing the carpet to a beige color (currently ugly navy blue).  The crib and mattress and changing table have been purchased.  I've also started painting these really cool pictures that will hang in the room.  I also have plans to make my own mobile (thank you again to CJM for the idea - and the pattern).

MILESTONES: 19 week ultrasound today!!! No gender though...Cookie did not cooperate and would not uncross his/her legs...even after 45 minutes of doing all kinds of things.  We do need another one...Cookie was uncooperative enough that the ultrasound technician couldn't get the most detailed look of the heart she wanted so we get one more chance in 2 1/2 weeks (Oct 1st, mark your calendar!).

WEEKLY WISDOM: Be thankful for your husband (if you have one), this has been a roller coaster so far - I'm happy, I'm scared, I'm angry, I'm hungry, I don't believe I'm actually pregnant - and through it all with a shoulder to lean on and nothing but a supportive, loving attitude has been Nick.  He even tells me how beautiful everyday no matter how fat I'm getting...

Here's a couple pics...
 

Cookie at 12 weeks!  Look at that Muscolino nose!



The 16 Week Bump



Cookie at 19 Weeks!