I have a penis inside me!

So, we had the big ultrasound today--and it's a boy! Wow, I really was expecting a girl so I'm a little surprised. We are so excited though. He was really active during the ultrasound and I was worried that he wasn't going to show us the goods. Luckily, he listed to his Mommy's request and started flashing us with his little penis. We got to see it several times. I never thought I'd be so happy to have a little exhibitionist!

The baby was also doing several other cute things. At one point he was sucking his thumb, then he was waving at us. Adorable. He also kept flipping around and we got some good views of him doing a handstand. So cute.

The baby's heartbeat was 130 today, which is solid boy range (if you believe in OWT). He is also really big. He was 11 ounces today, which is farther ahead than I've been reading online. (BabyCenter says the baby should be 7 ounces today and Your Pregnancy Week by Week says around 5 1/2 ounces.)

I'm a little nervous about what to do with a boy and I'm a little scared of the first time he tries to bring me a caterpillar or bug to show me. It should be a lot of fun though. Yay!

Baby Poppy's Gender

So we find out the gender of Poppy this Thursday. I'm so excited. I thought it would be fun to go through some old wives tales before we find out the gender.

It's a boy if:
· You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy
· Your baby's heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute
· You are carrying the extra weight out front
· Your belly looks like a basketball
· Your areolas have darkened considerably
· You are carrying low
· You are craving salty or sour foods
· You are craving protein -- meats and cheese
· Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy
· The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy
· Your hands are very dry
· Your pillow faces north when you sleep
· Dad-to-be is gaining weight, right along with you
· Pregnancy has you looking better than ever
· Your urine is bright yellow in color
· Your nose is spreading
· You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves in circles
· You are having headaches
· You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an even number

It's a girl if:
· You had morning sickness early in pregnancy
· Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute
· You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear
· Your left breast is larger than your right breast
· Your hair develops red highlights
· You are carrying high
· Your belly looks like a watermelon
· You are craving sweets
· You are craving fruit
· You crave orange juice
· You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy
· You are moodier than usual during pregnancy
· Your face breaks out more than usual
· You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread
· Your breasts have really blossomed!
· Your pillow faces south when you sleep
· Your urine is a dull yellow color
· You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves from side to side
- You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number

Boy wives tales: 8
Girl wives tales: 11

Web sites
Bump.com Chinese Gender Chart: Girl
Just Mommies: Girl
Babyman: Girl
Mom Quizzes: Girl
Madame Zaritska: Girl
BabyGenderPrediction.com: Girl

Hmmm...all signs seem to be pointing toward a little girl. I'm pretty sure I'll be having a boy then. ;)

18 weeks today!

I can't believe the baby is now 18 weeks. The baby is now 5 1/2 inches long and 7 ounces. Crazy.

For the last week or so, I've been feeling some twinges that could be the baby moving. It feels like little vibrations. I've heard of people feeling little gas bubbles, which is actually pretty similar to what I'm feeling. I'm still not positive that I've felt movement, but there's a good chance that I am. I guess I'll know in a few more weeks.

Today we ordered the crib and dresser. I'm excited about this, but also a little freaked out. For some reason, that makes it even more real. In 22 more weeks, there will be a baby here who will sleep in our house and who we will actually take home with us. That kind of hit me when we ordered the furniture. Here are pictures of it.

How far along? 18 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: I think I gained back about a pound of the five pounds I lost in 1st Tri, so I'm probably around -4 now.
Maternity clothes? I started wearing maternity capris more often. They are so comfy. I haven't been wearing maternity tops though.
Stretch marks? Nothing new.
Sleep: I've started staying up a bit later now, though I end up getting so tired that it's hard to go up to bed. I've also been using the snoogle almost every night because my lower back gets tired.

Best moment this week: Ordering the nursery furniture.

Movement: I think I'm starting to feel movement. It feels like little vibrations so far.
Food cravings: I've been really into yellow cupcakes lately.
Gender: Right now I'm thinking girl, but I'm really not sure. I'll find out Thursday though!
Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Strawberry margaritas and regular Pepsi.

What I am looking forward to: The big ultrasound on Thursday!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Go to bed before you get so tired that you can barely walk up the stairs!
Milestones: I'm probably starting to feel the baby move.

16 weeks

This week Poppy is the size of an Avocado. It is crazy how big the baby has gotten in such a short amount of time.

When we found out I was pregnant, the baby was barely the size of a poppy seed. Now, look how big he/she has gotten!

There's a (possibly small) chance that we'll even find out what sex Poppy is this week. I have an ultrasound on Thursday, at 16 weeks 4 days. Poppy has been measuring a couple of days ahead, so there is a slight chance that we'll be able to find out the sex. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high though. Since I'm considered high-risk, I'll be getting a lot of ultrasounds. If we don't find out the sex at this appointment, I should be able to find it out within the next month or so.

It would be great to know soon though. I think we'll feel more connected to the baby once we know the sex and can finalize a name. I would also love to start picking out the bedding.

I've started getting a little stressed lately that I'm completely unprepared for having a baby. I have no idea how to care for an infant and it's starting to get scary. My friend let me borrow some books, and I'm hoping it will help me start to feel a little more comfortable. I know that, either way, I'm not going to be prepared for this baby, but I'd like to learn as much as I can before having the baby. Maybe some of it will be useful. I guess we'll see. :)

How far along? 16 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: Still down about five pounds, though I doubt that will last much longer. My appetite came back last week. :(
Maternity clothes? I wore maternity capris yesterday and they were sooo comfy. I also went to a Motherhood Maternity outlet today and found several more pairs of capris and tops.
Stretch marks? I've been a little uncomfortable lately. I'm also having a lot of trouble staying off of my back and belly while sleeping.

Best moment this week: I'm not sure...nothing really stands out.

Movement: Nope. I really hope it starts soon though!
Food cravings: I've been really into onion rings and steak lately.
Gender: I'm thinking more and more that we might be having a boy...
Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Sleeping through the night without getting up to pee several times.

What I am looking forward to: My next ultrasound on Thursday. I really hope the doctor will be able to determine the sex, but I'm not getting my hopes up too high.
Weekly Wisdom: Try to relax and enjoy the pregnancy, instead of wishing for it to go by quickly.

Milestones: None this week.

Poppy is 15 weeks today

Today Poppy has reached 15 weeks old and is the size of an Apple! I can't believe how big he/she is getting. My pregnancy has been going pretty well so far. I'm down about 5 pounds at this point. I just haven't had any appetite lately and whenever I eat I get full right away. Oh well, I'm not going to complain for now. I'm sure my appetite will pick up at some point.

I've also been seeing a high-risk doctor because my blood pressure has been high. I was pretty freaked out about this in the beginning, but I've mostly come to terms with it. Although my blood pressure is high, the doctor thinks I'm okay for now without meds--though I don't think I'm going to make it through the pregnancy without meds at this point. I have to take my blood pressure every night. If it stays up for more than two nights, then I'll probably need meds.

I've also noticed that I have no memory now that I'm pregnant. On Thursday, I had a big goof up. I was five minutes from work when I realized that it was 7:25 and not 8:25. I had driven the entire way to work without realizing that I was an hour early! I must have reset the time on my alarm clock. Ugh. I was so exhausted in the afternoon. I ended up leaving an hour early, which was good because I desperately needed a nap.

DH and I have also been arguing a little more than usual lately. We just haven't been very understanding of each other. It stinks because we have been getting along really well until this week. He has been getting frustrated and every time he raises his voice I start to cry and I shut down. It's not very conducive to talking things out. We really need to work on this going forward. We had a long talk last night after our latest argument, so I'm optimistic that we'll be able to lay off each other a little more. I sure hope so. My hormones just aren't great right now and I can't really take much arguing.

How far along? 15 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: Down about five pounds
Maternity clothes? I have a few tops and a pair of capris and shorts. I'd like to get a pair of maternity jeans, if I can find some that fit well.
Stretch marks? I have small ones on the sides of my breasts. :(
Sleep: I'm still really tired, though I'm able to stay up a little later than I could few weeks ago. I can usually stay up until 9:30--instead of 8:30.

Best moment this week: Giving DH his father's day present--a onesie with his band's logo.

Movement: Nope, though I'm hoping for some in the next few weeks.
Food cravings: None right now. I haven't been very hungry.
Gender: Early on I was convinced we were having a girl, then I thought it was a boy. Right now I'm really not sure.
Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Having energy and drinking caffeinated sodas.

What I am looking forward to: My next ultrasound on 7/2. I'll be 16 weeks 4 days then and I'm hopeful that we'll be able to find out the baby's sex.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't complain about not having an appetite--you'll get it back soon enough.

Milestones: Hearing a strong heartbeat on the doppler at the doctor's office--166!

Wow, 12 weeks already!

I can't believe I am now 12 weeks pregnant! I have been counting down to now for a while and it feels crazy that it's finally hear. Poppy is now the size of a small lime. He is curling and uncurling his toes and fingers and his mouth is making sucking motions. Adorable!

I've been completely exhausted for the last two weeks. I can barely keep my eyes open most of the day and I've been heading to bed between 8:30 and 9.

The nausea is starting to get a little better, though it's still there. The other night I actually threw up a little while I was driving. I was coughing really deeply and started to choke. All of a sudden, I had a mouth full of vomit. I was in DH's car, so it took me a little while to find a bag to spit into. I was also on the highway and it was dark and rainy. I had to drive five more minutes to the next exit before I could finish puking. It was pretty pathetic.

Unfortunately, that wasn't even my most pathetic moment of the week. Last weekend, I was having another coughing fit when a little pee came out! It was completely horrifying. I wasn't expecting to have to deal with that until the 3rd trimester. Time to do those kegels!

How far along? 12 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: Down about two pounds
Maternity clothes? Not yet, though I did buy a few cute tops last weekend and a pair of shorts and capris.
Stretch marks? I have small ones on the sides of my breasts. :(
Sleep: I can't get enough sleep! I can barely stay awake until 8:30 most nights.

Best moment this week: My friend Tracey just told us last night that she is pregnant. She is 6 1/2 weeks, which is just a few weeks behind us. I'm actually really excited to be pregnant with her and to have our babies be best friends!

Movement: Nope.
Food cravings: None right now. I haven't been very hungry.
Gender: I'm not sure, though right now I'm thinking we're having a girl.
Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Staying awake past 9 o'clock.

What I am looking forward to: I'm still looking forward to finishing the 1st trimester, though I'm really confused about whether that happens at 12 weeks, 13 weeks, or 13 weeks 3 days. Oh well, it's really soon. We also have the NT scan on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to that, but I'm also really nervous.
Weekly Wisdom: Go to bed when you're tired, even if it seems ridiculously early.

Milestones: Reaching 12 weeks is a pretty big milestone for me!

Madame Zaritska birth predictor

I just tried out the birth predictor on http://pregnancyandbaby.com.

The day you deliver, outside will be fair. Your baby will arrive in the late morning. After a labor lasting approximately 6 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 4 pounds, 6 ounces, and will be 22 inches long. This child will have dark violet eyes and curly brown hair.

I'm not so sure about these predictions though. I have been feeling like we were having a girl, however, a lot of the other information seems off.

• Weather--my due date is December 13, so I'm not sure the weather is likely to be fair. It would be great if it was though.
• Gender--I have been thinking it was a girl (and my Mom is convinced, which is probably adding to my feeling)
• Weight--4 pounds, 6 ounces seems a little low, especially since I'm overweight
• Eye color--I'm not sure where the baby would get violet eyes. I have brown eyes and DH has blue eyes
• Hair--The baby is likely to have curly hair because DH's hair is really curly and mine is wavy. However, we're expecting the baby to have blond hair because we were both blond as kids.

Baby Poppy is 10 weeks today

This week Poppy is the size of a Prune or a kumquat. His/her legs are kicking and he/she is swallowing fluid. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

Poppy's tiny nails are also forming on fingers and toes and peach-fuzz hair is growing on his/her skin.

Poppy's limbs can also bend now. His/her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord.

How exciting! Good job Poppy!

Belated Mother's Day recap

I can't believe that I am almost 10 weeks pregnant. It's crazy, really. I celebrated my first Mother's Day as a "pseudo Mom." I don't entirely feel like a Mom yet, but it was nice celebrating a little. DH got me a pregnant teddy bear from Vermont Teddy Bear. It is so cute and even has a removable belly! My Mom got me a gift card to get a pedicure--I desperately need one!

We also told most of our family on Mother's Day. My Nana had the best reaction. We included a printout of the ultrasound picture in a Mother's Day card for her. She immediately started crying in the restaurant. She was so happy for us--and she had apparently been waiting for this for a very long time! We also told my other grandparents and all of my aunts and uncles. DH then called his grandparents, who were also very excited. His Grammie told me that she was going to light one of the big candles for us in church. It was really sweet.

It's great finally being able to tell people. We are telling some of our close friends tonight. I'm still waiting to tell work until around 12 weeks. Telling people makes the baby feel so much more real. I love it.

First ultrasound today

I had my first ultrasound today and it was beyond AMAZING. It was an internal ultrasound and she was able to find Poppy immediately. DH was with me and he saw the little heartbeat right away (186 BPM).

We also got to see the head and the little stumps for the arms and legs. At one point, Poppy was kicking around and waving at us. The ultrasound tech said everything looks perfect. The baby was measuring at 8 weeks and 5 days (I'm 8 weeks and 3 days today). We could also see the yolk sack and the placenta. It was really amazing.

It was great seeing the baby after all of the stress from this last week. When I went to the doctor last week, my blood pressure was high (140/90). I went to the OB on Monday and he said it was still that high. He is going to be monitoring me and there's a pretty good chance that I'll go on meds at some point since my blood pressure is already high and it's still early. Hopefully everything will be okay. It makes me feel more confident seeing the baby now.

Poppy will soon be a sweet pea

Poppy is already growing up so big and strong. This week he is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. His hands and feet may also start wiggling this week (they are still webbed). His heart should also be beating and circulating blood.

As for me, I'm feeling super pregnant already, which is ridiculous since it's so early. I have nausea pretty much every morning. I've also been exhausted and in needs of naps each day. Last night I had to pee three times, which is crazy. I can't believe I had that much in me.

I had my first pregnancy-hormone breakdown on Wednesday as well. DH yelled at me because I've been complaining a lot about the accident he had last fall that is still causing problems with his car. I started balling in the car and had to pull over to a rest area to cry for 10 minutes before getting myself together. DH was with me and he was pretty horrified by my hormones. When I finally stopped crying, I saw how horrible I looked, which made me start crying again. Ah,
hormones.

I am also taking a mindfulness-based stress reduction class with my Mom. It's been really good so far and I am learning to meditate, which isn't usually my still. I like it though. The teacher was telling a story about a dog being put down (the point was about how dogs live life to the fullest, I guess). Well, I can't handle those kinds of stories, even on a good day. I started crying and had to run upstairs to the bathroom to ball my eyes out. Ugh. I feel like such a baby yesterday with all of my hormones and pregnancy symptoms. I feel so lucky for being pregnant and I can't wait for Poppy, but I wish I was better at being pregnant. Hopefully my body will straighten itself out soon so I can stop being such a wreck.