Bean looks like a baby! Check out my newest profile picture for an amazing look at what Bean probably looks like right now.
Sorry for a day-late post. I was not feeling up to much of anything yesterday, so I let it slide. The past week was somewhat uneventful. I fell asleep at about 9:00 every night, which made me think that Bean was growing super fast. Well, I was right! Bean now has cute little fingers and toes (un-webbed, most likely) and all sorts of other cool stuff.
This week, we are super excited to go down to Sacramento for my mom's birthday. We have some fun (SURPRISE) stuff planned, and I can't wait to see her reaction. Although, she's been NOSY and has made keeping it all a secret very difficult. I'm hoping she's not disappointed because she's been guessing things that are a little more exciting than what we actually have planned, so we'll see.
I did not forget about my "why we chose home birth" post, although I've been forgetting just about everything else lately. This past weekend was the worst of my morning sickness, so it got pushed aside. Soon, I promise!
How I'm Feeling
Very tired. The morning sickness took a turn for the worst for a couple days, but it's getting better now. I'm still having very strong food aversions, but more food actually sounds good, which is nice. Lately, I've been into sandwiches with lots of mustard and lettuce.
Clothes are fitting a little more snugly. I'm in between my normal clothes and maternity clothes, and I'm not sure what I want to do. I need to go out and find a Bella Band, I think.
What Bean's Doing
(taken from babygaga.com)
Woohoo! You've got one whole inch of baby inside of you! Your little embryo has finally reached the one-inch mark (30mm). And if it were possible to take a peek, you could actually see your tiny baby without a telescope! What’s more, your baby is finally starting to take on some very distinct human features. For starters, their little tail (really just the spinal cord) has disappeared completely. It’s nice to know your baby can no longer be mistaken for a sea creature! Additionally, both their toes and fingers are prominent with very little, if any, webbing. Upper and lower limbs all show recognizable joints (elbows and knees) and the lower limb bones are starting to ossify. But don’t expect your baby to resemble either parent quite yet. Right now, your baby’s head is disproportionately larger than the rest of their body--making up almost half of your little one’s height and weight!
Also, this site has some cool close-up shots of what Bean looks like about now: http://www.ehd.org/prenatal-images.php?thum_id=355#content. Click the thumbnails at the bottom to see all the different views.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
First prenatal appointment
Last evening was our first prenatal appointment with Nora. I was hoping we'd be able to hear the heartbeat, but I'm not far along enough yet, so that is being saved for our next appointment, which will be on Tuesday, February 17. Wow, I'll almost be done with my first trimester then!
The appointment was very informational. We talked about nutrition, exercise, stress management and a ton of other stuff. She gave us SO much information about everything from the stages of labor to what is actually going on in my body to breastfeeding. It was fantastic.
She measured my uterus and said it was exactly where it should be. My blood pressure was perfect, my urinalysis was perfect...Everything's going along very well. She weighed me and the number was SHOCKING, but after some thought, I realized that I don't usually weigh myself fully clothed at night, so I felt a bit better after subtracting some pounds for clothes and meals.
So, for the next four weeks, I just need to work on eating well, going on walks every day and keeping my stress levels to a minimum. The eating is CRAZY! As a base, I should try to eat two eggs and a whole quart of milk every day. Those two things will give me all the protein the baby and I need. Luckily, since she told me that, milk has tasted better...I wonder why? ;)
To come: I am planning on writing a "why we chose home birth" post over the weekend, since a few people have expressed interest in knowing.
The appointment was very informational. We talked about nutrition, exercise, stress management and a ton of other stuff. She gave us SO much information about everything from the stages of labor to what is actually going on in my body to breastfeeding. It was fantastic.
She measured my uterus and said it was exactly where it should be. My blood pressure was perfect, my urinalysis was perfect...Everything's going along very well. She weighed me and the number was SHOCKING, but after some thought, I realized that I don't usually weigh myself fully clothed at night, so I felt a bit better after subtracting some pounds for clothes and meals.
So, for the next four weeks, I just need to work on eating well, going on walks every day and keeping my stress levels to a minimum. The eating is CRAZY! As a base, I should try to eat two eggs and a whole quart of milk every day. Those two things will give me all the protein the baby and I need. Luckily, since she told me that, milk has tasted better...I wonder why? ;)
To come: I am planning on writing a "why we chose home birth" post over the weekend, since a few people have expressed interest in knowing.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Seven Weeks
Happy birthday grandma Lola!
I've been lazy. I figure if I have the time to rest, I should rest, but that generally ends in a messy kitchen, dirty laundry and a brain coma. However, I have noticed that when I do rest, my nausea is WAY easier to handle, so the benefits seem to outweigh the rest.
I'm hoping to meet with Nora later this week. I don't know what the appointment will consist of, other than the nutrition stuff. Also, I read the other day that you're unable to hear the baby's heartbeat until around 15 weeks, which is a lot further away than my original 8 week mark. I don't know who told me that you could hear it at 8 weeks, but I hope they're right!
Two of my friends from work threw me a surprise baby shower. We had plans to watch Gilmore Girls together, and then they sneakily added Sweet Spot cupcakes, yummy dinner and a WONDERFUL basket filled with baby clothes, accessories and glorious Mama Mio products for me. I was so surprised and overwhelmed with emotion! These girls are so sweet. It was fun to look at the things they picked out for Bean (all green and yellow, of course) and talk about how they went crazy planning and getting all excited for the night to arrive.
Names
As most of you know, we had five names chosen before we got pregnant. Three girl names, two boy names. The only one that fully survived is Ember Eleanor. We LOVE the name Gus, but boy names have been difficult for us. Names that have been tossed around recently are...
Ivy (girl)
Gideon (boy)
Orson (boy)
How I'm Feeling
The morning sickness is getting worse. It sucks in the morning until around lunchtime, and then comes back full force early evening around 4:00ish. Plus, after eating a meal maybe once or twice, I get so sick of it that the thought of another serving churns my stomach, which makes eating leftovers next to impossible. One odd thing has been happening...Whenever I get hit with a HUGE wave of nausea, I sneeze. I don't know if the nausea causes the sneeze, or if the need to sneeze causes the nausea. After I sneeze, though, I feel better.
Oh, and I woke up with a sore throat today. =\
What Bean's Doing
(Taken from babycenter.com)
The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.
If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.
I've been lazy. I figure if I have the time to rest, I should rest, but that generally ends in a messy kitchen, dirty laundry and a brain coma. However, I have noticed that when I do rest, my nausea is WAY easier to handle, so the benefits seem to outweigh the rest.
I'm hoping to meet with Nora later this week. I don't know what the appointment will consist of, other than the nutrition stuff. Also, I read the other day that you're unable to hear the baby's heartbeat until around 15 weeks, which is a lot further away than my original 8 week mark. I don't know who told me that you could hear it at 8 weeks, but I hope they're right!
Two of my friends from work threw me a surprise baby shower. We had plans to watch Gilmore Girls together, and then they sneakily added Sweet Spot cupcakes, yummy dinner and a WONDERFUL basket filled with baby clothes, accessories and glorious Mama Mio products for me. I was so surprised and overwhelmed with emotion! These girls are so sweet. It was fun to look at the things they picked out for Bean (all green and yellow, of course) and talk about how they went crazy planning and getting all excited for the night to arrive.
Names
As most of you know, we had five names chosen before we got pregnant. Three girl names, two boy names. The only one that fully survived is Ember Eleanor. We LOVE the name Gus, but boy names have been difficult for us. Names that have been tossed around recently are...
How I'm Feeling
The morning sickness is getting worse. It sucks in the morning until around lunchtime, and then comes back full force early evening around 4:00ish. Plus, after eating a meal maybe once or twice, I get so sick of it that the thought of another serving churns my stomach, which makes eating leftovers next to impossible. One odd thing has been happening...Whenever I get hit with a HUGE wave of nausea, I sneeze. I don't know if the nausea causes the sneeze, or if the need to sneeze causes the nausea. After I sneeze, though, I feel better.
Oh, and I woke up with a sore throat today. =\
What Bean's Doing
(Taken from babycenter.com)
The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.
If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Nora
We met with Nora (the midwife) for the first time last night. It was just a "get to know you" and question/answer meeting, but it went really well. Honestly, she answered every question as I hoped she would. Jacob and I left feeling confident and excited that she was the person who would help us bring our little Bean into the world!
The next step is to call her back, tell her yes and make the next appointment. She said that the next appointment would last one and a half to two hours, and in that time, she would go over nutrition, exercise and stress management. I am REALLY excited that she offers those things as part of the deal, as I've been worried about getting the nutrients Bean and I need.
Also, I think I'm only about one and a half weeks away from being able to hear Bean's heartbeat for the first time! I can hardly think about anything else. I can't wait for that day!
The next step is to call her back, tell her yes and make the next appointment. She said that the next appointment would last one and a half to two hours, and in that time, she would go over nutrition, exercise and stress management. I am REALLY excited that she offers those things as part of the deal, as I've been worried about getting the nutrients Bean and I need.
Also, I think I'm only about one and a half weeks away from being able to hear Bean's heartbeat for the first time! I can hardly think about anything else. I can't wait for that day!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Six weeks
Today marks my sixth week of pregnancy. It feels like it's going very, very slowly, but I know by the time my due date rolls around, I'll look back and wonder where all the time went.
This Thursday, we're meeting with Nora, the midwife. It's just to ask questions, get to know each other and gather enough information to make our final decision about whether or not we're going to have the baby with her. I'm really looking forward to it!
Over the weekend, my mom and I spent almost all of Saturday at the new baby and maternity stores at the Galleria in Roseville. We hit Janie & Jack (so cute!) and a bunch of others, including Destination Maternity. The maternity store had a fake belly (seven month bump) that you could put on to see how you'll look in a few months and see what will fit you. It was SO fun! I looked pretty hilarious, and it was very surreal. It also allowed me to pick out a summer-friendly shirt that my mom sneakily bought for me while I was making one of my many pit stops.
I also bought the first clothes for the baby. I know, I know, it's freakishly early, but it was a deal too good to pass up - two items for three dollars! One is a boyish striped onesie (I figure if we have a girl, we'll probably know someone who's having a boy), and the other item is a pair of SUPER soft, semi-unisex pants. They're so cute and tiny!
How I'm Feeling
The morning sickness has settled in. Nothing too bad yet, but brushing my teeth in the morning is torture. This morning, I just carried around a box of Life cereal and munched away, which really helped. I overdosed on saltines the other day and haven't been able to stand the thought of them since, which is unfortunate. Other than that, I'm still very tired (went to sleep at 9:45 last night) and in addition to the morning nausea that lingers long after morning is over, I have a few VERY strong food aversions.
What Baby's Doing
(Taken from babycenter.com)
This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.
This Thursday, we're meeting with Nora, the midwife. It's just to ask questions, get to know each other and gather enough information to make our final decision about whether or not we're going to have the baby with her. I'm really looking forward to it!
Over the weekend, my mom and I spent almost all of Saturday at the new baby and maternity stores at the Galleria in Roseville. We hit Janie & Jack (so cute!) and a bunch of others, including Destination Maternity. The maternity store had a fake belly (seven month bump) that you could put on to see how you'll look in a few months and see what will fit you. It was SO fun! I looked pretty hilarious, and it was very surreal. It also allowed me to pick out a summer-friendly shirt that my mom sneakily bought for me while I was making one of my many pit stops.
I also bought the first clothes for the baby. I know, I know, it's freakishly early, but it was a deal too good to pass up - two items for three dollars! One is a boyish striped onesie (I figure if we have a girl, we'll probably know someone who's having a boy), and the other item is a pair of SUPER soft, semi-unisex pants. They're so cute and tiny!
How I'm Feeling
The morning sickness has settled in. Nothing too bad yet, but brushing my teeth in the morning is torture. This morning, I just carried around a box of Life cereal and munched away, which really helped. I overdosed on saltines the other day and haven't been able to stand the thought of them since, which is unfortunate. Other than that, I'm still very tired (went to sleep at 9:45 last night) and in addition to the morning nausea that lingers long after morning is over, I have a few VERY strong food aversions.
What Baby's Doing
(Taken from babycenter.com)
This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
We're pregnant!
Today is my fifth week of pregnancy, although we only found out about our new addition about a week and a half ago. We are, as you might imagine, extraordinarily thrilled.
I'm hoping to update this blog once a week with details about the baby and how or what we're doing. Check in when you can, and leave some love!
My to-do list for this week is to call Nora, the midwife I will probably be using for delivery. If we do not end up going with Nora, our tentative backup plan is to go to the Red Bluff birthing center, which is 25 minutes away. Basically, I just need to decide if I'm brave enough to go it at home. Also, I should probably actually meet with Nora and talk to her a bit. I always forget about that part.
How I'm Feeling
Tired. Really, really tired. I went through about five days of constant hunger, then, all of a sudden, I lost my appetite almost completely. No nausea yet, but plenty of food aversions. Also, anyone brushing their teeth is absolutely and utterly disgusting. I feel like my belly is a bit bigger, but Jacob says I'm crazy.
What Baby's Doing
(Taken From BabyGaga.com)
The changes to your growing embryo are not quite as drastic this week as they've been in the last few weeks. Growth is now largely focused on their little head, which is starting to develop much more rapidly than the rest of their tiny body. This is because their amazing brain is undergoing some very crucial and rapid development in order to effectively regulate their heart rate, blood circulation, and other vital functions. As for the rest of their miniature body, what were simple limb buds last week are limb flippers this week and the "tail" is more expressed. Amazingly, within a mere five weeks your little miracle is already developing the rudimentary forms of their liver, pancreas, lungs, stomach and nasal pits while their little heart is already increasing its circulation. Your baby is now a whopping 4-6mm in length.
Other Stuff
Here are some answers to the more common questions we've been asked:
We were, in fact, trying to get pregnant
We plan to have a completely natural childbirth, no matter where the baby is actually born (hospital, home or birthing center)
We do not plan to find out the gender of the baby, or have any ultrasounds
We do not plan to settle on specific names before the baby is born Rather, we plan to have a short list of possible names, and choose after seeing the baby for the first time
I suppose that's about it! Check back in a week or so to see what's happening in my stomach.
I'm hoping to update this blog once a week with details about the baby and how or what we're doing. Check in when you can, and leave some love!
My to-do list for this week is to call Nora, the midwife I will probably be using for delivery. If we do not end up going with Nora, our tentative backup plan is to go to the Red Bluff birthing center, which is 25 minutes away. Basically, I just need to decide if I'm brave enough to go it at home. Also, I should probably actually meet with Nora and talk to her a bit. I always forget about that part.
How I'm Feeling
Tired. Really, really tired. I went through about five days of constant hunger, then, all of a sudden, I lost my appetite almost completely. No nausea yet, but plenty of food aversions. Also, anyone brushing their teeth is absolutely and utterly disgusting. I feel like my belly is a bit bigger, but Jacob says I'm crazy.
What Baby's Doing
(Taken From BabyGaga.com)
The changes to your growing embryo are not quite as drastic this week as they've been in the last few weeks. Growth is now largely focused on their little head, which is starting to develop much more rapidly than the rest of their tiny body. This is because their amazing brain is undergoing some very crucial and rapid development in order to effectively regulate their heart rate, blood circulation, and other vital functions. As for the rest of their miniature body, what were simple limb buds last week are limb flippers this week and the "tail" is more expressed. Amazingly, within a mere five weeks your little miracle is already developing the rudimentary forms of their liver, pancreas, lungs, stomach and nasal pits while their little heart is already increasing its circulation. Your baby is now a whopping 4-6mm in length.
Other Stuff
Here are some answers to the more common questions we've been asked:
I suppose that's about it! Check back in a week or so to see what's happening in my stomach.
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