20 weeks is bananas

We've reached the half way point!

So what's going on with baby chubs this week? He's now the size of a banana - about 10 inches long. I learned that the first 2- weeks baby is measured from head to rump - but now that baby is stretching out the measurements are from head to toe. That's why there is such an increase in size (last week he measured about 6 inches). He's swallowing more and kicking. Yes, I can feel him kicking more and more. I keep trying to feel a kick on the outside so Brad can feel something. But I don't think it's strong enough yet. If you want all of the details check out Baby Center.

Thursday is the BIG day - Sonogram day! Our appointment is at 4pm but who knows what time I'll actually get called back. Last time my appointment was at 2:45pm and I got called back to the room right before 4:00pm. I left the office at 4:30pm. It was a great afternoon. I am excited because my regular doctor will be back for this appointment! woohoo!

EDIT - The appointment was just changed from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning. GRRRRRR.

I got a massage on Friday and it was wonderful! I haven't had a headache since then - it's been wonderful. I got some stretches to do and other suggestions to help keep the headaches away.

If you haven't cast your vote for the gender you are running out of time! Brad and I think it's kinda funny how many of you think (or want) baby chubs is a little girl. Right now the girl votes almost double the boys. It's cute.

I did look up some Wives Tales that are supposed to determine the gender. Here are my results:
Chinese Gender Chart: Boy
String Over the hand/belly: Girl
BabyGenderPredictionTest.com: Boy (64% chance)
Heart Rate: Girl (above 140 says girl and baby chubs has been around 150 each time)
Morning Sickness: None - Boy
Amazing Pregnancy Test: Girl (68% chance)

And these were no help at all! 3 for a boy and 3 for a girl. If you can think of anymore for me to try between now and Wednesday night - let me know! And no, I will not try the Draino test!

I'll report back Thursday night (EDIT: Friday Morning). Have a good week!

Brad's Weekend Project Update

This past weekend Brad decided to make a bench seat for the entryway. Seven trips to the hardware store, 1 trip to the craft store and 3 days later - it's DONE! I think we are both really happy with the way it turned out. The only thing left to do is get some baskets to put on the shelf. Check out the pictures:

Making the first cut!

Putting up the first piece - it's too late to turn back now.

He's working hard! Gotta make sure everything is level (even though our house isn't).

All that's left is the paint and finishing touches!

Finished Product! I can't really get a good angle and get the entire thing in one shot. There's a shelf on the top and the bottom - we'll put baskets in both spots.

Brad enjoying his hard work. Sorry the picture is blurry.

I know these pictures don't do it justice - you'll have to come by and check it out! Brad wrote about his experience - check it out!

Next project: Clean out the garage (joy).

Week 19 Update

Time for the weekly baby update...19 weeks! I know you've been waiting on edge of your chair for my update - ;)

I was very happy to wake up this morning headache free for the first time in over two weeks! Apparently sleeping on my left side (the best position for the baby) is causing me to have these awful headaches when I wake up. No more left side sleeping for me - I'm flipping over to the right side. I'll talk to my doctor more about it next week - but for now I'm happy to be headache free. I think the Snoogle body pillow is the greatest pillow ever (thanks, Shea!). I know it looks strange - but it's awesome. And it gives me something to cuddle up with.

Baby is about six inches long now, the size of an heirloom tomato, and weighs about 8.5 ounces. She (just one more update after this one that I have to alternate gender references) is starting to grow hair, her brain is starting to develop areas for the senses and she can hear more and more. Check out the entire update at BabyCenter. If you want to see a slide slow of the food baby "Chubs" has been so far click here (and NO skipping ahead)!

If you haven't cast your vote for the gender - you only have 9 days to do so! Know of any old wives tales that determine the gender? Leave a comment and let me know what they are - I'll give it a try and see how accurate they are! Some of my co-workers and I have already tried some - I'll post all of the results later.

Our (Brad's) Weekend Project

We've been trying to find a functional (and cute) piece of furniture to fit into the entryway of our house. About a year a ago we purchased a hall tree off Craig's List with the intent of fixing it up and putting it in the hall way. We started the project and worked on it for a good 2 weeks- a year later the hall tree has been taken apart and is in the garage.

We now have a new project! Check out the picture of Brad's newest idea for the hallway. He plans on building it this weekend! He's already been to Home Depot for (most of) the supplies. I'm guessing we'll be there at least 3 more times this weekend. BUT I'm really excited to see how the project turns out. I'm also excited to have a useful piece of furniture in that spot. He got the idea from this blog.

Anyone with any construction ability is welcome to join us! I'll post before and after pictures sometime this weekend. I don't make any promises that it will be finished this weekend either - Brad is having a poker tournament Saturday night and we all know what's more important.

Other than building and poker there will be lots of basketball watching happening in our house. I'm not really happy with my brackets - but I couldn't figure out how to change them up at all. Oh well - maybe Brad can win it again this year to make up for my horrible picking skills. Have a good weekend!

Dr. Update

Just got back from my doctor's appointment. Everything is fine and I liked this doctor much better than the last one. Heartbeat was 154 and everything else looked good. This doctor found the heartbeat right away. I mentioned the headaches I've been having to her - but she wasn't concerned. I'm thinking I might schedule a massage - that will help them go away, right?

Upcoming Appointment Schedule:
April 2 - sonogram
April 14 - regular doctor appointment

That's all the news I've got. Enjoy the rest of your week!

18 down...22 to go

Let me start by saying that I believe everyone should have a Spring Break. It would be so nice to have a week off of work and not have to use vacation time. That would be wonderful. I'm jealous of all of you that have a spring break.

Baby update:
Someone, I won't name names (but you can read his blog), has decided that the baby's nickname is "Chubs." No, I don't like the nickname but it makes me laugh everytime I hear it. And if any of you call the baby (or me) Chubs I might have the same reaction as the belly touching. But yes, I've changed the nickname in the poll from "Lemon" to "Chubs"

According the to the Baby Center update "Chubs" is about 5.5 inches from head to rump and weighs about 7 ounces. No worries this week, I won't have any desire to eat the food baby is compared to - I'm not a fan of bell peppers. If you want the entire update hurry on over to Baby Center.

Baby is moving around a lot more, flexing his arms and legs. I have no idea if what I'm feeling is him or just my body growing and stretching. I just feel like something is poking me. If anyone asks if I feel anything I just answer no. It's easier than going into detail or saying, I'm not really sure. I've learn the fewer conversations I can have with strangers about pregnacy, the happier I am. Don't worry - if I know you I'll answer your questions :)

Next doctor's appointment is Wednesday. This should just be a routine and basic appointment. I get to see another different doctor, again. I have no idea what to expect from her. But she really can't be much worse than the last one.

Those of you that are on Spring Break this week - enjoy it! Just know I'm sitting at work very jealous of you.

Edit - stupid blogger won't let me change "lemon" to "chubs" on the poll. sorry about that.

Go shopping and help a great cause!

Want to buy some new clothes? You need to hit up Gap this weekend! By using the coupon below you'll save 30% and help the LLS (Luekemia and Lymphoma Society) raise money. 5% of what you spend will be donated to the LLS.

The coupon is good at Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Factory Stores and Old Navy. All you have to do is print out the coupon and shop this weekend, March 12-15. You can use it as many times as you want.

Please pass THIS COUPON around to all of your friends and go buy some new clothes! It's a great excuse :)

If you would like more information on the LLS please check out their website.

Week 17

This is going to be short and sweet today (sorry, it's Monday after the time change and I'm sleepy).

Baby is a turnip (could they have picked a more random food item) this week. She's about 5 inches long and weighs about 5 ounces. Her bones are starting to firm up and sweat glands are starting to form (let's hope she doesn't sweat as much as Brad). If you want more details about baby's development this week get out BabyCenter's Week 17 update.

On Friday I went on a mini-shopping spree. I'm outgrown most of my regular clothes and some days the bella band, as much as I love it, just wasn't cutting it. Thanks to outlet stores I was able to get 4 pairs of pants and 5 shirts for a very reasonable price.

In response to my last post Shelley (my sister-in-law) found a few shirts I need to buy. I'm going to get one (or two) but I can't decide which one. Check them out. Any opinions?

My Rant

Just because I'm pregnant does not give you the right to touch my belly!

I had someone touch my "belly" today. I did NOT like it. This person (we'll call her Karen) just came up and gave my belly a little pat. I did not ask Karen to touch my belly and I'm not sure why she felt like she could. I felt very strange with some lady just walking up to me and giving me a little pat. It's not like there's anything to feel (expect my layers of fat). I can't really feel the baby - no one else can feel anything.

The only person allowed to touch my belly is Brad. All others must be invited or ask permission. I'm not excited for the day a stranger will just walk up and touch me. Why do people think that a pregnant belly screams, "touch me! touch me! touch me!"? Just because I'm pregnant does not give you the right to touch my belly!

Sweet 16

Every week I try to figure out what piece of fruit (or other food item) the baby is. I've never been right. Brad was so set on getting to a lemon and I just want to stay away from the watermelon (or Home Depot bucket as a co-worker put it).

After learning that baby is the size of an avocado this week I really, really wanted an avocado and turkey sandwich. Maybe that will be lunch tomorrow. I'm trying to be good and avoid lunch meat - but I just love my turkey sandwiches. Yes, pregnant women are supposed to avoid lunch meat. It's safer to eat when it heated up so I just get a warm sandwich - not my top choice but it will do. Ok, now I really, really want WhichWich.

Anyways - onto the baby news. Yes, baby is the size of an avocado this week - about 4.5 inches long & weighs 3.5 ounces. The little guy is starting to look more and more like a baby (I know there's still a long way to go). His heart is pumping more blood and toe nails are growing. Read more about baby's development at BabyCenter.

Everyday someone asks me if I've felt the baby move. I don't think so - but I might have. The description I keep hearing from people is "butterflies." Well, I feel something inside of me but it's more like someone poking me - not butterflies. I feel a little bit more confident that it is it the baby moving after BabyCenter described the feeling as popcorn popping. Who know if it's the baby or not - only time will tell.

I'm really, really starting to get annoyed with stores and their lack of a maternity section. Target still sucks, Kohls was ehhh (found 2 pair of pants that work), Old Navy was no help and the maternity section from my favorite store, Ann Taylor Loft, seems to have disappeared. GRRRR! My plan for Friday is to check out the Motherhood Maternity Outlet store in Grapevine Mills. There stuff seems pretty cute online - hopefully I'll have some luck there. If not, who wants to make me clothes?!?!

One month from today is the big sonogram!