Tag: baby

Merfbaby is 21 weeks today!

The length of a carrot, 10 1/2 inches head to toe! I have an old school ruler on my desk and I’m quickly running out of space to show people how big Merfbaby is. I may need to upgrade to a tape measure :)

How I’m Feeling: There’s a nasty cold going around our office this week. I woke up with a sore throat on Tuesday and took it easy all week. I drank of TON of water, and lots of hot water with lemon and honey. Since I can’t take any cold meds I just prayed my rest and increased fluid intake would kick it. I also sanitized my hands anytime I touched anything in the office. I woke up feeling much better today, so I think I’m on the mend!

Belly/Weight: It’s a bump for sure! Last night I was commenting to Merfman that my tummy feels “full” and tight, like I ate too much or something? It’s a funny feeling since I know I’ve got a long way to go in the belly department. I rubbed some lotion on it before bed and that helped. I noticed two faint stretch marks on my hips :( I asked Momma-son if she got stretch marks, since they are genetic and she said yes. Boo :( I’m hoping slow weight gain and some lotion will help lessen them.

Life Changes: It was really warm in the Valley this week…90 degrees! I’m starting to struggle with clothing options since I only have two pairs of bottoms that fit comfortably. I think I may need to make a trip to Target/Old Navy to see about adding in a few other things to my closet. I get really creative with my tops, but you can only do so much with one pair of jeans and capris when it’s a zillion degrees here in the summer.

Movement: His kicks are so much stronger now, even from last week! I can feel them from the outside now. Yesterday I think he had the hiccups and it woke me up. It’s such a funny feeling. I’m also noticing a pattern to his movement. He’s active after breakfast, in the late afternoon and around dinner time. I think he likes what I’m eating at least? LOTS of veggies and salads.

Sleep: I slept hard all week. My body was really fighting off that cold. With the darker mornings is was hard to crawl out of bed, but I think I’m adjusted now. I grabbed another pillow last night to prop under my tummy, and I had one against my back – it was like sleeping in a little nook, and it was awesome.

Cravings: Starbucks!!! I wanted a vanilla latte and blueberry scone SO bad yesterday. I kind of still do ;) I switched up my morning OJ with hot lemon honey water for most of the week which made my sore throat happy.

Exercise: I took a long walk with Betsy on Sunday after church. We went to a park nearby our house that has a  walking loop. It was a beautiful day, and my first trip to the park. I think I’ll try to make that a regular walk. I had big plans for a swim and spin workout this week but I think my body really needed some extra sleep so I skipped. Since it’s lighter later in the evenings I’m going to try to get some walking in after work.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Merfman got to feel Merfbaby kick for the first time! I’ve been looking forward to that for weeks and I’m so excited he got to feel! I don’t see Merfman much during the week and since Merfbaby is only active sometimes during the day I was really happy it worked out :)

On My Mind: We booked our Babymoon!!!! We’ve been talking about it for weeks and we finally pulled the trigger and made the reservation last night. 15% discount for booking in advance, woot! We’re going to the Ojai Inn and Spa. We went back on forth on where to stay and what kind of trip we wanted, and we decided the Ojai Inn and Spa was the best fit for what we wanted. We’ve been there once before for a short stay and we LOVED it. Seriously the best place I think I’ve ever vacationed. We also credit a meal we had there as one of our favorite of all time. I’m so excited to go back and enjoy our last vacation as a party of 2. We didn’t have a super fancy honeymoon – we chose to go camping at the lake with the dog, and it was perfect and very us. So, we’re both looking forward to a fancy mini vacation.

Merfbaby is 20 weeks today!

Merfbaby is the length of a banana! Around 10 inches from Head to Toe!

How I’m Feeling: Good! My energy level is up and I’m still sleeping pretty well at night. I don’t really “look” preggers, more like I have a little tummy so I don’t feel super pregnant either. Since this is my halfway week I know I have to lot more changes to still look forward to. Body and otherwise!

Belly/Weight: My tummy feels tight, I think I might need to start rubbing it with lotion or something? My regular jeans are more uncomfortable to wear with the Belly Bands, but I’m still doing ok with one pair of maternity pants and a few other options. When the weather warms up a little more I’m going to get some skirts and dresses. I’m up 14lbs from my pre pregnancy weight, and I gained more this month than I did last month. My doctor suggested I eat less carbs and sugar since those will pack more weight on than anything else.

Life Changes: I’ll be the first to admit I was totally food-lazy last month. No wonder I gained a few more lbs! I wasn’t disciplined about bringing my lunch into the office and ended up ordering in a few times a week. I still picked “healthy” options, but restaurant food is always going to have more calories since you don’t know how it’s being prepared…oli and butter and such. When I’d get home for dinner I was tired and since Merfman was working late I would just have cereal or a bagel for dinner. No bueno. This week I was determined to get back to eating veggies. Since Spring is around the corner there’s lots of yummy produce at the store, so my grocery haul was very colorful this week :) Tomatoes, spinach,  asparagus, sweet potatoes and berries :) I’m back in the habit of bringing a salad with me to work every day. Tip: Make your lunch the night before so you don’t have to mess with it before leaving for work. I’ve always done this since I was a kid packing my school lunches. I pack my lunch after I’m done with dinner, stick it in the fridge and then all I have to do in the morning is throw it in my lunch bag. When you don’t have to think about it in the morning you’re less likely to skip and order something in.

Movement: Merfbaby is getting stronger and more active! I think it’s almost to the point where I can have Merfman feel the kicks :) I listened to the heart beat at my appointment on Monday and it sounds so fast! I really feel the movement in the morning when I’m sitting at my desk, after lunch and in the evening before bed. Sometimes when I crawl into bed I feel it too!

Sleep: I haven’t had the best sleep this week, but I still feel rested when I wake up in the morning. One night I popped in my ear plugs and reset my alarm after an hour of tossing and listening to all the snoring in the house. Dogs and human ;) Merfman’s been especially tired at night so he’s more “vocal” than I’m used to. Sometimes I still hear our lab down in the living room sawing logs, and between him and our french bulldog it’s like a competition!

Cravings: I think it’s the colder weather, but this morning a Starbucks latte and scone sounded AMAZING to me. I’ve yet to cave, but I’m still entertaining the idea ;)

Exercise: I did an elliptical/spin bike work out on Tuesday morning. And 1,000 yards at the pool this morning. I really love my fins and kickboard in the pool and I think that’s going to become my favorite workout in the later weeks of my pregnancy. Since it’s staying lighter longer I’m also going to get in some evening walks after work, and maybe some walks at the high school track on the weekends. The weather is so nice on the weekends I want to do more outside activity. I may even try to do some beach walking on the weekends. There are so many beaches in LA I haven’t explored so that might be a fun solo trip on a Sunday afternoon when Merfman is working.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week:  Finding out the GENDER!!! We are having a…

BOY!!! A BOY!!! My feeling was right, I had been thinking we’re having a boy :) So Merfman’s idea to have the cupcakes reveal the gender was the best idea ever! I can’t recommend it enough. It was so special to find out together, at home, after our date night.

On My Mind: The nursery. Now that we know what we’re having it’s so fun to think about the future with our little dude :) I’m going to keep everything pretty neutral, but fun and bright. No pastels for this Merfbaby. I’m also really really excited about taking Merfbaby to swim lessons! I found a swim school that I really like, and I can’t wait to start those types of activities. We’ve only found one name that’s on the “keeper” list, but we’re not telling ;) It’ll be a surprise for everyone.

Merfbaby is 19 weeks today!

Weighing 11oz (a little over 1/2 lb) and measuring right on track. We had a special ultrasound this morning where they check all the organs and growth progress and everything is looking good! Merfbaby is the size of an heirloom tomato, or as I prefer a softball!

How I’m Feeling: I’m feeling really good! I’m a little tired in the evenings after work, but I typically do my normal “after work chores” like laundry, dishes, sweeping, light cleaning when I get home and I’m still feeling good. I’ve started to notice some funny little pains on the side of my stomach, but apparently this is normal. It’s called round ligament pain. Huh, good to know. I was wondering what I was feeling. It was too sharp and achey to be kicks so it makes sense that my body is stretching to accommodate a growing human!

Belly/Weight:  Belly for sure! I haven’t had any strangers comment on my tummy yet, which is nice…I might be offended if they started saying something when I was hardly showing ;) My tummy is sticking out more and more each day and it feels tight, I know I have a long way to go, it’s just crazy to think how much my skin will stretch to make room….nuts. I’m not sure on weight, I have an appointment on Monday with  my OB so I’ll get a weight check then.

Life Changes: I’m starting to feel a little more off balance sometimes, and I cling to the handrail when I’m going up and down the stairs. Slipping on a hill to break your ankle will do that to you too…I have a scary fear of falling down the stairs while I’m preggo. We have stairs at home, and really steep stairs at work. I’m always careful, but I have this sad image of me tripping and falling and hurting myself and Merfbaby. I think a big part of that is my fear from falling when I broke my ankle. I’m also having some crazy dreams. I had one the other night where the gender of Merfbaby was revealed and it was the opposite of the gender I’ve been thinking it is! I also have fight dreams with Merfman…we totally DON’T fight, but for some reason I dream about us having these massive screaming matches. What the heck?

Movement: YES! Finally I’m feeling the kicks more often and stronger. It’s a funny sensation and sometimes it catches me off guard. This morning for the appointment I wanted to make sure Merfbaby wasn’t sleeping so I had a big glass of OJ before we left, and it totally worked. Even the doctor said how active Merfbaby was! I can’t wait until Merfman can feel the kicks on the outside :)

Sleep: Since Merfman is working late on set I tend to go to bed early. Sometimes I’ve only been asleep and hour or so when he gets home and I’m a groggy mess! He always lets me know he’s home but lately I’m so out of it I just grunt :(

Cravings: Still OJ :) I have a glass every morning with my oatmeal. I’m also really liking grapes. I haven’t had too many of the insane cravings people talk about, mostly it’s about the level of what everyone has normally. Like, french fries sound good sometimes? But you don’t HAVE to HAVE them right then. I dunno, maybe I’m a mild case ;) Mostly I’m frugal and I don’t want to give into random cravings because I don’t want to spend the money on it! Ha!

Exercise: I went to the gym after work this week and I confirmed my suspicions yet again. I am NOT and after work gym-goer. I am a BEFORE work gym person. BIG time. After work there’s zero parking, the locker rooms are crowded and all the dreadmills are all being used. Boo. I like quiet gym mornings with all the elderly people. Seriously, I love the 65 and older crowd at the gym. After years of waking up to swim at 5:00am I still struggle with morning swims, but I need to get over it and just put my big pregnant girl panties (suit) on and do it. Fellow swimmers can relate, gym swimming is not fun when you have to split lanes with s.l.o.w folks. I’m no speed racer, my days of 100’s on the 1:20 were long ago. But I do not love sharing lanes with floaters, literally. People floating back and forth in the lanes. This feeling doesn’t match well with my endearment for the over 65 group, hm.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week:  Our ultrasound this morning! Merfman was able to come and we got to see all the cool inside parts of Merfbaby :) The doctor showed us the brain, spine, ribs, leg bones and heart. It was so cool! My inner biology nerd was loving it. Each week I am so amazed at the development and growth.

On My Mind: Merfbaby’s GENDER! At the appointment today we asked the doctor to write the gender down and seal it in an envelope. Merfman took the envelope to a cupcake bakery where they are going to make special cupcakes with pink or blue insides. <— PS this was totally Merfman’s idea. Cue the “awwww’s!” We are planning to open our cupcake tomorrow at date night, then Saturday we’ll take some to Merfman’s parents, and then Sunday to mine. I’m really excited to see if Merfbaby is what I’ve been thinking :)