Baby you don't know what it's like to love somebody the way I love you

Just like that, twenty-two weeks rolls around.  Blessed.  That's how I continuously feel throughout this whole pregnancy.  I wouldn't trade the horrible first three months for anything in the world.  In fact, I can't wait to do it again. haha :)

Finally went in for my last appointment with the specialist, where we did final measurements and got to see a little bit of 3D Baby W*
The first matter in question was the gender.  Turns out... drum rollllllll.... just kidding, I already said on FB and IG that it's indeed a boy!  I'm so excited.  I've always wanted a boy, especially as the first born. There were a few minutes after first learning of the gender, though, that I got sad and wished for a little girl, too, but man!  Boys are just fun little adventures. And I'll have someone to keep a close eye when/if the girl finally comes later on. I think that's a great deal!
So they did some measurements, including the cervical one due to the surgery I had before and the risks that follow, but so far everything looks great and I "graduated" back to a regular OB full time and I'm technically no longer considered "high risk" for this pregnancy. HOORAY!!!!  The only bad part about that is that Dr. P does NOT have as cool/hi-tech equipment as Dr. C, but I'll settle in exchange for those great news!
Baby W* likes to keep his cute little hands near his face.  I noticed that's a trend with him any time we try to peek.  He keeps one covering his eyes, and the other near his mouth.  He was also playing with the chord and had it right in front of his face for the majority of the appointment, so it caused some images to be really blurry because the UC was in the way, but that's okay!  He's such a ham already.  You know what he wasn't shy about though?  Showing us his parts.  I think he wanted to make sure I had no doubt left.. probably more like he wanted to make sure my MAMA BEAR didn't, because I think she and Papa Bear still held out hope for a girl. haha! But yup, he had his legs spread wide open for us to peek several times!
The best part is that since he's still deployed, I had LAW on skype, and even if he wasn't able to see everything as clearly as I was seeing it, the tech was amazing enough to give me a DVD of the appointment to send to him.  So sweet.  LAW also got to hear the heart beat for the first time ever.  She measured it three times during our appt.  The first one was 156 BPM, then 148, then 144 or so.  I think maybe he was dozing off towards the end there.

I finally went back to physical therapy (knees) this week, and they hadn't seen me since Dec 14th, so the first thing I was told was "woah! there he is!"  I think that means my bump is officially noticeable. haha =]

Nothing else has been going on, he still kicks and punches on a pretty regular schedule, and it's amazing to feel him/see the movements taking place.  I'm excited to continue to watch him grow these next 18 weeks and finally meet him at the end of May! Meanwhile, I'm really looking forward to getting back to AZ and possibly TN for baby showers courtesy of my Mama Bear and my Memphis MIL! Hopefully if we can make it out to TN we can go see LAW's mom and grandparents in Kodak, so long as LAW drives ;)

I'll leave you with some pictures to hold you (me) over until next time.

22 weeks!

all of Baby W*'s measurements as of 01.22.2013

Thank you, Auntie Em, for Baby W*'s first books, and in Spanish!!

Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? 22w 3d

Symptoms: growing/itchy belly, movements, etc

This week, Baby is the size of: well, he's 1 lb 2 oz

Total weight gain: +5 lbs

Gender: 'ello, Boy!

Food cravings: nothing, really. just whatever I'm in the mood for that day :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: say no to scrambled eggs!

Maternity clothes? nope, just leggings and sweaters right now

Sleep: it's alright when I'm not worried about the break-in!

Movement: I think he's going to like jungle gyms.

Stretch marks? nothing new yet

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? Nope

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: definitely not.

Happy or Moody most of the time: normal :)

Best moment this week: seeing Baby W* on the 22nd!

What I miss: LAW

Looking forward to: MM being home and getting to see adorable Michael, girls night tonight at a Spa with Misty and her girlfriends :) getting motivation to clean after the thieves, and maybe SF next week to meet up with my SSIL and SMIL. Love them!

2013 and its hiccups...

Wow, so much to write, so little motivation. haha!

I should've updated right around New Year's Day, but then I received a phone call that totally changed my plans for the next (?) weeks.

I hit nineteen weeks that Monday - not much to update on that week.  This pregnancy has gotten a lot easier these last few weeks, so it's only logical that I'd get bad news of our house instead!  I still can't believe someone broke into our place and stole LAW's car... Like he said, who steals a Versa?!?!  At least they didn't touch his '67 Mustang.  I know that would've broken his heart.  They stole his handgun, as well, and that just makes me upset.  People like that don't need any more weapons laying around.  I get to go home today and assess the damage, including trying to figure out what all is missing/stolen - if it wasn't for the doctor appointments that I already pushed back a couple of weeks, I would have stayed in Arizona a whole lot longer.  Bummer!

I left Memphis on the 7th (Week 20, HALF WAY POINT!!!) and went back to my parents' in AZ for another week.  It's always nice being there, as much as I hate the State.  I love being around my family and close friends.  On that note, to everyone who made time to see me while I was there, love you guys!  Thanks for being great!

Baby W* has been moving so incredibly much these last few weeks.  I find myself starring at my belly for hours at a time.  He's mostly active in the morning and at night, around the same time I get nausea if I do at all.  I definitely find myself needing to eat every four hours still, but I can only eat small portions at a time.  Still, whatever keeps the nausea away will work for me!  I also felt Baby W* hiccup'ing at least once already, but it was very quick. I kept getting what felt like spasms in my belly.. turns out, that's what it was. It was really funny.  He either loves or hates daddy's voice, too, because I put on some songs on that I have on my phone and placed it on my belly for Baby to hear.  He kept kicking and punching where ever I placed the phone.  I think he was rocking out.  I hope Baby has daddy's voice and not mine. haha

Between weeks 20 and 21 is when I finally saw a real belly pop out.  I can no longer say it looks like I drank too much.. haha :)

I have a doctor's appointment with my OB on the 17th, and my 3D ultrasound on the 22nd, so hopefully Baby W* is still a "he" and we can confirm all those small details so I can get around to ordering his bedding and decorating the nursery.


I'm not sure if I'll be able to update next week, I really hope I do, but with all the anxiety surrounding the break-in right now, I'm trying to take things in as slowly as possible.

Thanks to everyone who is keeping up with Baby W* and has called/texted/emailed to check on Baby's progress when they don't see many news on my end.  We love you all and can't wait to show Baby how many amazing people will be surrounding him as he grows up. xox



Week 19










             
Week 20











Week 21

My sister wanted to see pictures of the bare belly.. so here's two I took this morning.

Side profile







Until next time ♥

Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? 21 weeks - 19 weeks to go!

Symptoms: I still get nausea in the mornings and at night, but it isn't every day any more, which is great.  The belly keeps growing, there's ligament stretching still going on (ouch!), etc!

This week, Baby is the size of: i think as long as a carrot. yikes that's long!

Total weight gain: I really have no idea.  I'll know tomorrow. Maybe I'll update that on here. haha

Gender: still 90 something percent it's a boy, will have confirmation by the 22nd at the latest! =]

Food cravings: none lately, mama bear did an excellent job at fulfilling all my cravings while I was home with her!

Anything making you queasy or sick: still don't want scrambled eggs. barf.

Maternity clothes? nope, just leggings and sweaters right now

Sleep: can't sleep on my back anymore, and sometimes Baby W* wakes me up from the kicks and punches. haha

Movement: more than I thought he'd be moving, that's for sure.

Stretch marks? nothing new yet

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? Nope

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: definitely not.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I get really moody if I'm hungry, and it happens in seconds. haha

Best moment this week: when Baby W* reacted to LAW's voice in the songs I was playing for him

What I miss: LAW

Looking forward to: 3D pictures on the 22nd, LAW coming home this Spring, Baby Shower in AZ on the 23rd or 24th of March (still deciding..) =]