Week 29

I felt much better this week compared to last.  The weird contractions have stopped.  Back to my normal Braxton Hicks contractions and being super tired.  The weight of the baby is really starting to wear on me now.  By the end of the day, I'm ready to just lay on the couch and do nothing.

This week Riet went with me to my doctor's appointment with Dr. Anderson.  It was the first time she'd ever hear a baby's heartbeat on a doppler.  The doctors didn't do that when she was pregnant with Emile and she hasn't been in town for my other appointments with the girls or with our son.  She was very excited to hear his heartbeat and to see him kick me which then sounded different on the doppler.  Dr. Anderson said everything looks good.  I'm measuring about one week ahead but that is normal given babies go through growth spurts at different times.  His heart rate was around 150 bpm again.  I also got my Rhogam shot while there which I'll have to get again after he's born.

Our son's head should now be in proportion to the rest of the body. Fat continues to accumulate under his skin. The brain can control primitive breathing and body temperature control, and the eyes can move in the sockets. Our baby is becoming sensitive to light, sound, taste and smell.  By this time, our little guy weighs about 2 3/4 pounds.  His crown-to-rump length is almost 10.5 inches. 

Week 28

This week has been harder.  I got a stomach bug on Monday that ended up causing a lot of contractions to start.  By Tuesday, they were fairly frequently for this stage, about every 30 minutes which had me concerned.  I went into see Dr. Placide to check for pre-term labor.  He did an internal exam and did confirm that my cervix is still closed and is high as it should be.  He also took a swab sample to do a pre-term screening test.  Thankfully on Wednesday, my results indicated that I'm not at risk for pre-term labor right now.  More than likely the contracts, which felt worse than Braxton Hicks and were uncomfortable, were probably due to dehydration.  So I've been drinking a lot of Gatorade and water.  Since I've still been having good and bad days with an upset stomach and digestive issues.  I haven't been able to eat that well and have been focusing mostly only apple sauce, bananas, and toast.  Hopefully it will be cleared up by tomorrow since it's Christmas Eve tomorrow!  But our little guy is kicking away to let me know he's still doing fine.  Dr. Placide confirmed his heartrate is about 150 bpm.  Although he could still shift positions, he is already head down.

While at the doctor's this week, Dr. Placide also confirmed that my 1-hour glucose test was normal which is wonderful.  I don't need to worry about gestational diabetes thankfully.  My weight is also pretty good compared to with the girls.  I'm pretty sure I've gained less weight at this point than I did with the girls.  I'm hoping to at least gain 5 pounds less if not more so it's easier to lose afterwards.  Either way though I'm confident I'll lose my pregnancy weight again.

Our son is growing and developing at an astonishing rate! Eyebrows and eyelashes are now present, and the hair on the head is growing. The eyelids open, and the eyes are completely formed. The body is getting plumper and rounder (weighs about 2.5 pounds) and is composed of around 2 to 3% body fat. Muscle tone is gradually improving. The lungs are capable of breathing air.  His crown-to-rump length is close to 10 inches with a total length of about 15 3/4 inches.

Week 27 - Third Trimester

Third Trimester!  It's hard to believe I started my third trimester this week.  It went really fast.  I think my body knows it's the third trimester and has decided to now be super tired again.  I've been exhausted this week!  I have started working out again; I've done prenatal pilates three times this week.  And I have to pee constantly.  I feel like I have to pee the minute I take a sip of water.  I've also noticed that although my belly is getting big, I don't really have any stretch marks yet.  I had a few from Claire show a little bit a few months ago near my belly button but nothing other than that thankfully. 

Natalie felt the baby move this week.  She was very excited.  She talks about the baby all the time and every time she gives me a kiss goodnight or when I/she leaves, she also kisses my belly.  She asks if the baby likes that she gives him kisses. :)  It's really cute.

Our baby boy now weighs little more than 2 pounds and ha a crown-to-rump lenght of about 9.5 inches.  Around this time, our baby's eyelids open.  He is beginning to open and close his eyes while still inside my uterus; the retinas are also beginning to grow.  During this week, the brain continues its rapid growth, and the lungs continue to grow. 

Week 26 - 6 months

I've reached the point where I'm starting to feel a lot of aches and pains.  I've been having a lot of a tailbone pain the last few days.  Given that I sit at a desk all day, it's hard to avoid it but I've found somewhat of a solution - I'm sitting on my boppy during the day.  I started using it today and it did help some so far.

I'm feeling the weight of carrying a baby more now.  I can't do as much in one day without feeling overwhelming exhaustion and even start to feel sick if I don't rest.  I get Braxton Hicks contractions multiple times a day and have to get up frequently when sleeping to go to the bathroom or readjust.

I'll be starting the third trimester later this week which is crazy to think I'm already that far along in my pregnancy.  I'm now 6 months pregnant and I actually have less than 100 days left till my due date (98 days).  We have a lot to do in the next three months.  After Christmas, we're going to move Claire to Natalie's room.  Then we have to paint the nursery, get the crib set up, get his bedding ordered, and the room decorated.  I'm hoping to get this all done by the end of January which leaves about 4-5 weeks until he arrives.  Time is going to start going by very quickly!

I had my 26 month appointment with Dr. Gunter on Wednesday.   I was tested for gestational diabetes at that time in which I had to drink this very sweet orange drink fairly quickly and then get my blood drawn an hour later.  I haven't heard the results yet.  If I don't hear by Tuesday, I plan to call to find out.  Dr. Gunter also listened to his heartbeat with the Doppler.  It was beating at around 153 bpm -- very strong!  And my uterus is measuring on track for where I'm at in the pregnancy.

Our baby measures about 9.2 inches from crown to rump and weighs almost 2 pounds now. His hearing is fully developed. As he reacts to sounds, his pulse increases. Our son will even move in rhythm to music. Patterns of our baby's brain waves appear like a full-term newborn. It also has patterns of sleeping and waking.  As the blood vessels in the lungs began last week, the air sacs in the lungs begin this week. The lungs begin to secrete surfactant which covers the inner lining of the air sacs which then allows the lungs to expand normally during breathing.

Week 25

Emile took this photo yesterday when I was 25 weeks pregnant.  We were preparing for Claire's 2nd birthday and her party today so I didn't get a chance to upload this until now.  Not much has changed in the last week.  A lot of the same aches and pains, and a lot of kicking.

Our son weighs about 1 1/2 pounds, and has a crown to rump length of about 8 3/4 inches.  The structures of the spine - 33 rings, 150 joints and 1000 ligaments are beginning to form. The blood vessels of the lungs are developing and the nostrils begin to open.

Week 24

My lower back has started hurting a lot.  I'm already feeling uncomfortable.  The last few nights I've had to get up numerous times to go to the bathroom or readjust.  I wasn't expecting this at this point.  Bending over is becoming more challenging.  He keeps me alert with all his kicking plus all the Braxton Hicks contractions.  Natalie likes to give my belly a kiss at night or when she leaves; it's very cute!

This week, our baby weighs about 1 1/4 pounds with a crown-to-rump length of about 8.5 inches.  He's starting to fill out as he gains more muscle, bone mass, and growing organs and tissue.  His face and body look more like that of an infant at this time.

Week 23

Although I'm posting this photo on Sunday, my mom took it on Friday when I was 23 weeks pregnant.  My girls and I were in Wisconsin visiting my family (they had a great time) so my mom was able to take my photo for me. 

I have been getting a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions this last week.  My stomach gets so hard when that happens.  He's still moving around a lot and he sure is a kicker!  Maybe he'll be a soccer player :).  My pregnancy has been going pretty well. No major complaints now that morning sickness is past. 

By this week, our baby weighs almost one pound and his crown-to-rump length is about 8 inches.  He's about the size of a small doll.  Our baby's body is getting plumper but his skin is till wrinkled.  Lanugo hair on the body occasionally turn darker at this time.  Our baby's face and body begin to assume more of the appearance of an infant at birth.  His pancreas is also developing now. 

Week 22

Emile felt our little guy kick this week (21 weeks 4 days).  He's definitely a mover.  He kicks, rolls and punches constantly.  Drinking water or juice makes him even more active.  I can see him kicking and definitely feel his body parts pushing out. 

My belly is very hard and feels stretched a lot, especially as the day goes on.  It's hard to picture that I'll have room as he gets even bigger, even though I've done this two times already.  I'm starting to have a hard time sleeping - have to move around a lot and now that I'm getting bigger I have to get up to use the bathroom more often.  I also struggle to bend over now.

I bought our first set of newborn boy clothes last weekend.  I think the little jogging sets and pants and button up shirts are so cute.

Our baby is probably close to a pound, has a crown-to-rump length of about 7 2/3 inches, and is very thin but very developed. His eyelids and eyebrows are now formed, and the brain begins rapid growth. His testes have begun their descent from the pelvis to the scrotum.

Wee 21 - 5 months!

I can finally say I'm 5 months pregnant which is nice given I feel at least 5 months if not 6 months with how big my belly is.  My belly has gotten very hard and firm lately.  And I'm pretty sure I'm starting to waddle.  But the best part is that I can feel our son moving around a lot now.  Daily he does flips, kicks and punches.  Hopefully soon Emile and the girls will catch him at a time that they can feel him kick. 

I'm getting up more now in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and have more aches when I move around in an odd position but over all, everything continues to be low key which is great.  I haven't weighed myself this week (probably shouldn't after all the Halloween candy) but earlier this week I was on par with where I should be weight-wise which is great given I haven't had much chance to work out given how hectic work has been (hopefully that changes soon).  I did stop wearing my rings but mostly because it bothered my knuckles and not because of swelling.

I've been looking into bedding for his room.  We'll be moving Claire to Natalie's room (which they're very excited about) and convert Claire's room back to a nursery.  We'll probably make the transition in January so that we can paint the room (lavender may not be the ideal color for his room) and get the crib and everything else set up.  I think I'm going to get the following bedding.  Emile likes the idea of having a car theme given how much into cars he is.  We have chair-rail in the room so we'll probably paint the top a blue or green color and keep the bottom the cream that it is now.  I think I'll also use the green curtains we have in there now that are green.

The rapid growth phase begins to slow down this week. The heart grows stronger this week, and the legs are reaching their relative proportions.  He is probably swallowing amniotic fluid now which contributes a small amount to his caloric needs.  He now weighs about 10.5 ounces and has a crown-to-rump length of 7.25 inches.  He's about the size of a banana.

Week 20 (and 1 day)

I can't believe that I'm already over halfway through this pregnancy, given I'll have a repeat c-section by at least 39 weeks.  I can feel him moving multiple times a day now.  My belly feels heavy when I lay only partially on my side so I have to lay so my belly is laying on the couch or bed.  I noticed today that if I stand too long my knees start to hurt.  I'm definitely reaching the point where aches and pains are going to happen more frequently now.

This week our son should be about 9-10 oz. and have a crown-to-rump length of about 6 inches. The amniotic fluid has reached a volume of about 12 ounces. Our baby's heart is beating at a rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute. The baby's sense of smell is present now.  Our son has as much sleep and awake time as a newborn. The scalp hair begins to grow.

Week 19

This week has been fairly low key.  I am starting to feel him moving around more.  Not consistently everyday yet but more so than a week ago.  It's a nice feeling.  I even saw my belly moving when he kicked earlier this week.  And tonight I just felt him kicking with my hand.  It was a subtle movement a few times.  Very exciting!

I'm getting more aches when I move the wrong way.  The top of my belly button is sticking out a lot more; the outline is visible through most of my tops.  I can see a few tiny stretch mark lines right about my belly button, pretty much in the same location as some I had with Claire.  I felt a little light headed the other day, again the shower.  Thankfully, this time, unlike with with Claire, I didn't pass out in the shower.

We've started narrowing down some names we like.  I've also started looking into new bedding for the nursery.  I'm not sure yet when we'll move Clair in with Natalie and re-paint the nursery but probably at the latest by January.  That's coming up quickly.

Along with the lanugo, vernix caseosa is forming on our baby's skin. Vernix is a white cheesy substance that protects our baby's skin from its aquatic environment. The placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby.  Our baby's crown-to-rump length is probably about 5 1/4 to 6 inches; he weighs about 7 ounces and is around the size of a mango.

Week 18

I'm definitely feeling our little guy now.  Today I even saw my belly moving has he kicked me a few times.  That's such a great feeling.  I had an appointment on Tuesday with Dr. Huffman again.  She was able to find his heart beat right away (around 170 bpm this time -- he was kicking when she was using the doppler).  She said my belly looks right about where it should be for this stage, even though I feel so much bigger this time around.  When laying down, my uterus is about 3 inches below my belly button but moves up pretty far when I stand up due to my other organs.  My weight gain has actually slowed down a lot; I really haven't gained any weight in a few weeks.  My body seemed to want to get ready for the baby quickly in the first trimester and is now letting him catch up to me.  I'm sure I'll start gaining again soon though.

Dr. Huffman also said that even though my lungs are doing much better, I'll need to stay on the steroid inhaler for the remainder of this pregnancy and probably a few weeks after.  This time around, pregnancy has definitely made my usually minor case of asthma much worse.  She doesn't have any concerns about me using the steroid inhaler or my albuterol inhaler during the pregnancy.  Which is good, given I do keep having breathing issues almost daily, especially later in the day and at night. 

This week I also got a random rash on my cheeks, like I'm a teenager with acne.  Not sure what happened there, maybe from laying on my hands but it was on both cheeks.  It's mostly gone now though.  My hands have also started itching a little the last two days.  I'll have to keep an eye out for the itchy skin rash I got with Natalie.

Our boy should be about 5-5.5 inches long and weigh around 6.5 ounces; he's about the size of an onion. As seen in the ultrasound last week, we can now see the chambers of our baby's heart.   His vocal cords should be fully formed also. Over the next week, our baby will start forming hair on his head and forming teeth buds.  Pads are forming on the fingertips and toes, and the eyes are looking forward rather than out the sides of the head. Meconium, the baby's first bowel movement, is accumulating within the bowel. His prostate gland is beginning to develop.

Week 17 (4 months) - It's a ...

Boy!  We're super excited.  You can't see his legs in the ultrasound photo below because he has his legs pulled up to his chest.

We had his anatomy scan today at Duke Perinatal.  Everything looked great.  All the bones were the correct length for his age, brain, kidneys, bladder, heart were all functioning and looked great developmentally, and hands and feet looked wonderful and outstretched.  His heart rate was 153 bpm.  We even got to see his eyes.  The technician we had was really great about explaining what all the shading colors meant and so forth.  I think we got more information this time than the last two anatomy scans with the girls.


I was so nervous beforehand given the recent X-ray and the medication I've had to take for my lung issues lately so hearing all this great news was very reassuring.  And he wasn't shy about showing us the family jewels.  We couldn't be more excited.  I had been feeling it might be a boy but I only had a 50/50 chance of being right!  Now to start shopping and looking into new bedding!  He will definitely change the dynamic of our house which right now is dominated by princesses and pink.

Natalie was very happy to hear she was having a brother and already asking when he'll be here.  (Claire is still too young to understand).  The girls are going to be great big sisters to their brother.  We announced to our family via Skype again.  This time we showed them a profile photo in a blue picture frame.  Unfortunately, my family couldn't really tell the color of the frame so we had to tell them but Emile's family picked up on it.  Everyone is super excited.  

Looks like I'll be following in my mom and Nana's lead -- both had two girls and a boy!


I'm now 17 weeks pregnant and 4 months pregnant!

I think this photo makes me look bigger than I actually am but I'm definitely filling out more (maybe I should start taking my photo first thing in the morning).  My belly button is sticking out more now too.  I have gotten a few more aches and pains when I move around or even when I cough.  I think a lot of this is round-ligament pain.  The other night I think I had sciatic nerve pain down my left leg which I didn't have before.  The cause is thought to be associated with pressure on the nerve caused by our developing baby.  Other than my continuing lung irritation, everything has been going great.


Our baby is now roughly the size of my hand outstretched.  The crown-to-rump length is probably about 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 inches.   He has a much more normal "human" appearance now.  He is now able to hold his head more erect and his body and limbs are longer in proportion to his head. Pads are forming on the tiny fingertips and toes. Soon those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent. Our baby's eyes are looking forward now. Our baby's skeleton is transforming from cartilage to bone. The bones remain flexible to make the journey through the birth canal easier.  This is a period of rapid growth as the fat begins to form underneath the baby's skin. Baby and placenta are about equal in size now. The tiny heart is pumping as much as 25 quarts of blood a day! The reflexes are probably in place now as the baby sucks, swallows and blinks.

Week 16

There haven't been really any changes with my pregnancy this week.  My morning sickness hasn't returned thankfully.  I'm not yet feeling our baby; I really hope to soon.  I'm still suffering from a lung issue.  I went into see Dr. Huffman today because it's now been 2.5 weeks that I've been feeling sick.  I'm having a hard time breathing but not able to clear my lungs.  The medicine I was recommended last week by the RN at the doctor's last week hasn't helped me.  I thought maybe I had bronchitis but Dr. Huffman thinks its either pneumonia or a severely inflamed bronchial airway due to my asthma.  So I ended up having to go in for a chest X-ray which wasn't thrilled about because of my pregnancy but she thought I'd reach appoint that it was necessary.  I should have the results by Monday.  I'm also now on a steroid inhaler in hopes it clears it.  If its not better in a week, Dr. Huffman wants me to see a lung specialist.  I really hope the steroid clears it up soon.  I'm ready to feel better.

The crown-to-rump length of our baby is about 4 1/3 to 4 2/3 inches.  He or she weighs about 2.75 ounces and is about the size of an avocado.  Fine lanugo hair covers our baby's head.  The umbilical cord is attached to the abdomen; this attachment has moved lower on the body of the fetus. The legs are now longer than the arms, and s/he is moving those arms and legs frequently, especially because there's still lots of room to move within the uterus. Fingernails and toenails are growing too.

Week 15

I think I'm finally past the nausea.  I have had a horrible cold all week so hopefully that's not masking it but I haven't felt sick since last weekend.  I'm so relieved.  I can now feel the weight of my belly if I lay slightly to the side, gravity wants to pull it down!  I can definitely feel where my uterus starts and ends.  I did go into see doctor's this week for my cold so I was able to hear our baby's heart beat again.  It was in the 150s bpm.  Also great to hear, especially at this stage in the early second trimester when I can't yet feel the baby but I don't have the same "symptoms" as in the first trimester.

Our baby's crown-to-rump length is about 4 to 4 1/2 inches and he/she weighs around 1 3/4 ounces.  He/she is about the size of an orange or softball.  Our baby's rapid growth continues.  His/her skin is thin.  At this point, you can see blood vessels through the skin.  Fine hair, called lanugo hair, covers the baby's body.

By this time, our baby's may be sucking its thumb.  Eyes continue to develop externally.  They now look more like normal ears.  Bones that have already formed are getting harder and retaining calcium rapidly.  If an X-ray were done at this time, the baby's skeleton would be visible.

Week 14

For the first half of the week, my nausea had come back but the last two days it's disappeared again.  Hopefully the coming and going of the nausea is a sign that it's soon to end.  I look forward to that.  I'm not as cold all the time like I was the first 10 weeks of my pregnancy.  I think my hormones are leveling off.  My weight gain has slowed down also.  I've been pretty consistent in weight now for a few weeks.  Hopefully, I'll start looking my weeks in pregnancy instead of a few months ahead!  I'm looking forward to feeling the baby soon.  I hope it is sooner than I did with the girls which was between 17 and 19 weeks. 


Our baby is a whopping 3 1/2 inches long and is 1 to 2 ounces. S/he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements. The eyes and ears continue to move and develop, the neck is still getting longer, and the baby's chin no longer rests on his/her chest. The hands are becoming functional, and the baby is beginning to learn to move/use them (probably more reflex than anything). At this point, our little one is receiving all of his/her nourishment from the placenta.

Week 13 - 3 Months

Finally through the first trimester!  It's always great to get through this first milestone.  I'm looking forward to starting the second trimester, finding out what we're having and feeling the baby move.  Unfortunately, my nausea has actually gotten worse the last few days.  I'm ready to feel better.  Although, I'm not nearly has hungry as I was weeks ago and have actually lost a few of the pounds I put on those first few weeks.  I'm still tired and on weekdays when I don't get a nap, it's a long day.  We're in Minnesota right now visiting Emile's parents.  While they spend time with the girls, I get a chance to rest.

As our baby continues to develop, the vocal cords begin to form. The face is looking more and more human each day as the eyes begin to move closer together instead of being on the sides of the head and the ears move to a normal position. It would be possible now to determine the baby's sex by looking at the genitals. The intestines move farther into the baby's body; the liver begins to secrete bile and the pancreas begins to produce insulin.

Week 12

I had an appointment with Dr. Placide this morning.  It was the first time I got to hear our baby's heartbeat.  What a great sound!  His/her heart rate was about 161 bpm.  My appointment was really quick.  Because I had no questions, after checking the heartbeat, I was pretty much done.  My next appointment won't be for six weeks now.

Although Dr. Placide doesn't think I could be feeling the baby yet, I'm wondering if maybe I have.  Last Sunday (11wk 2d), I definitely felt a flutter type feeling and then again two more times this week.  Maybe it's just my uterus expanding or moving.  We'll see if it starts happening more before I say for sure whether it's the baby or not.

My nausea has gotten better this week thankfully.  I've been feeling sick the last two days but I think I'm just getting a cold or something.  I'm still cold frequently and can be pretty moody.  But I'm also less tired than I was five weeks ago.  I think my chest is starting to get larger also.  It was actually hurting the other day.  I suppose it knows what to do to get ready to nurse again.

Our baby weighs between 1/3 and 1/2 ounces.  By now, nearly all of our baby's organs, structures and systems are fully formed. The heart has begun to pump several quarts of blood through his/her body every day. Our baby has also begun to develop nerves and a spinal cord, allowing him/her to feel some types of pain. While our baby's brain is not the same size it will be at birth, it does have the same structure. Fingers and toes have separated and hair and nails continue to grow. Also, the external genitals can now show definite signs of male and female gender. Before, where there was only reflex movement, our baby now moves spontaneously and at random, although his/her movements are still too slight to be felt.

NT Scan

We did the NT scan today.  Everything looked great.  The first thing I wanted to see was the heartbeat.  It's always nerve wracking going week to week between ultrasounds before I feel kicks.  It's nice having another ultrasound to see him/her moving around.  Our baby was calmer than Claire was during the NT scan.  But the technician was able to measure the fluid level behind the baby's neck which was well withing the normal range (it was below 3 at 1.5 mm).  Plus, the baby does have a nasal bridge bone.  Although I still need to get my blood work results back, so far both the fluid level and the bridge bone are all great signs for a low chance of Down Syndrome or Trisomy 13/18. 

His/her heartbeat was strong at 168 bpm.  The crown to rump length was 2.5 inches.  We could see his/her arms (both), legs (both), bladder and stomach.  All great development milestones for this stage.  Before the ultrasound, we met with a genetic counselor because I'm considered Advanced Material Age to discuss the potential geneic disorder concerns.  Thanksfully we don't have any high risk factors in our family so it was a pretty straightforward meeting.  It was a great appointment and wonderful seeing our third little one.

Week 11

My nausea has been better this week, especially the last few days.  Now it's mostly a feeling mostly in the morning before I have a snack but is mostly gone after.  Hopefully this is a sign that it will be ending soon.  But overall, I can't complain.  My morning sickness has been very mild compared to most women's experience. 

I have been more moody and actual depressed a few days this week.  I think that's more related to my job and probably just exaggerated by my hormones.  It also appears I might already be getting some small stretch marks on the top of my belly button.  I got stretch marks with Claire but they actually went away so I'm hoping if I get them again, the same will happen.  I also noticed my appetite isn't as strong has it was the first few weeks.  In addition, I tend to be cold most of the time. 

Our baby is about 0.3 ounces, around the size of a lime.  The crown-to-rump length is probably 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches.  Starting with this week, our baby is now called a fetus. The most critical part of our baby's development is over. This is a period of rapid growth, organ maturation and getting ready for delivery. The baby's head is about half its length. The eyelids will fuse shut, and the irises will begin to develop. Sometime during this week or the next week, blood will begin to circulate between the baby and uterus and the placenta starts to function.  Our baby's organ systems are now functioning and he or she has a skeleton and nerves.  His or her feet are fully formed and shaped, and could stand on an adult's fingernail.

Week 10

I'm pretty sure everyone can tell I'm pregnant now.  I think I look more 4.5 mo. pregnant than 2.5 mo. but I suppose that's to be expected with my third pregnancy.  I actually got my first comment by someone who didn't know I was pregnant - Ana, our housekeeper, immediately said something when I stood up from my desk to greet her.  Because my belly is filling out quickly, I've decided to pull out my maternity clothes.  Previously, I ended up stretching out my normal shirts because I didn't switch soon enough so I'd like to avoid that this time.

I've been extremely tired.  I'd love to take a nap all the time.  I get up three to five times a night to pee so I tend to wake up still pretty tired.  I still feel nauseous at least at some point each day but hopefully it will ease up a bit soon.

The crown to rump length of our baby is about 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches, and weighs close to 0.18 ounces.  He or she is about the size of a small plum.  Our baby has begun moving inside the womb although it's too small for mom to notice. Most of the joints are formed now - elbow, wrist, knee, shoulder, and ankle as well as the hands, fingers, feet and toes.

Week 9 (and 1 day)

I've decided to stop trying to suck in my belly and just go with it.  Let's face it, it's my third pregnancy so my ligaments aren't like they were 4 years ago.  I went to a work meeting yesterday in Asheville (why I wasn't able to get my photo up yetersday) and nobody seemed to notice so maybe it's not as obvious as it feels to me but I'm sure in the next few weeks it will be very apparent to strangers.  I'm already starting to feel like I need to wear looser pants, maybe not maternity clothes yet but I'm getting there.  I look forward to when I have a full on baby bump, and not just the bloated, loose ligament look.

My nausea was going strong for most days this week.  Yesterday and today it has been better.  Other than the nausea and the belly expanding, I haven't had any other major pregnancy "symptoms" arise.  My uterus is probably bigger than a grapefruit now.

Our baby's arm s and legs are longer.  Hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over the heart area.  They continue to extend in front of the body.  Fingers are longer, and the tips are slightly enlarged where touch pads are developing.  The feet are approaching the midline of the body and may be long enough to meet in front of the torso.  Our baby is about 1 to 1 1/4 inches.  This is close to the size of a medium green olive.

Our baby's head is more erect, and the neck is more developed.  The eyelids almost cover the eyes.  Up to this time, the eyes have been uncovered.  External ears are evident and well formed.  Your baby now moves its body and limbs. 

First Ultrasound

I had my first ultrasound today.  The wait these last few weeks was rough but it was worth it.  Everything looks good.  There is only one baby and his/her heart rate was strong at about 150 bpm.  Based on the old wives tale, that would indicate a girl but we'll see at the big ultrasound in about 10 weeks.  It was so wonderful seeing the heart beating.  And such a huge relief!  It all feels so much more really now (although my constant nausea was a good sign my pregnancy was going strong).

Here are the two views Dr. Gaines gave us from the ultrasound.  The first one shows the baby with his/her head on the left, bottom on the right.

This one also shows the head on the left, bottom on the right but it also shows the yolk sac all the way to the right (circular item). 

Dr. Gaines also drew figures of how our baby is facing in these ultrasounds.  I thought I'd share because I thought it was pretty funny that the doctor drew them.

Dr. Gaines said I'm pretty much measuring on track at about 8 weeks 3 days.  This would give me a EDD of March 17, 2012 (St. Patrick's Day), one day later than my EDD based on my LMP.  The one day difference won't matter in the long run.  Not only is it common for babies to not arrive on the actual EDD but I'll also be having a repeat c-section about one week before my due date. 

He also confirmed that my uterus is moving up faster than it did with my first pregnancy which explains why I feel I can't suck in my belly anymore and I already feel like I look 4 months pregnant. 

Week 8 - Month 2

I've been feeling nauseous again most days.  I was in California for work this week and tried to hide that I didn't feel all the best.  I think I succeeded but I think my belly is already starting to give me away.  I can't suck it in very well anymore and I feel like I look very bloated.  I know from my last pregnancy that you start showing earlier than the first but this feels very early to me.  I wonder if my uterus has already started moving up or if I'm just putting on weight!  Either way, I'm ready to be past this stage.

I have my first ultra sound on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to it.  These next few days couldn't go any faster.

I've now completed my second month of pregnancy.  Our baby's elbows are beginning to form in the arms and fingers are starting to develop. The leg buds are beginning to show feet with tiny notches for the toes. His/her face continues to change as the ears, eyes and the tip of the nose appear. The intestines start to form in the umbilical cord. Teeth develop under the gums.  Our baby has a crown to rump length of about 1/2 to 3/4 inches, or about the size of a pinto bean.

My uterus is supposed to be the size of a orange now.

Week 7

Emile took this photo of me on Friday, July 29th, when I was 7 weeks pregnant.  We have been in Carolina Beach for our first family vacation and I didn't have internet access to upload my photo.  (Great vacation!).

Last week, my nausea subsided a lot.  I didn't really have many days in which I didn't feel well thankfully.  I haven't been experiencing as much of the achy pelvic feeling anymore either.  Mostly I've just been very moody which Emile is not enjoying.  I'm looking forward to our first ultra sound on the 9th so we can see this little one's heartbeat and confirm everything looks good and on track.  I leave for California for work tomorrow so hopefully this week will go much faster.

Our baby is about 1/3 inches, or about the size of a grain of rice - so tiny!  Development of the arms and legs continue although the fingers and toes haven't yet formed. The brain is growing as well as the lenses of the eyes, nostrils, intestines, pancreas and bronchi.

Week 6

I had my first appointment with the OB coordinator at Blue Ridge OB/Gyn today.  It was fairly uneventful.  She went over my health history and we went over the things to avoid again (e.g. sushi).  I had to give a urine sample (as I will every time I go in for the next 36 weeks) and five vials of blood.  My next appointment is with Dr. Gaines.  I'll get to have my first ultra sound to see our baby.  I can't wait till August 9th but it seems so far from now.

My nausea has been better towards the end of this week.  Last week was so far the worst but it was so far it was just a sick feeling most of the day.  Thankfully no throwing up yet.  I'm hopeful that I'll still avoid that stage.  Other than the occasional nausea, I'm mostly just bloated.  Once in a while, I get an achy pelvic feeling again but not consistently.

Our baby is now an embryo and is about 1/17 of an inch long or about the size of a BB pellet.  His/her eyes and limb buds are starting to form and around this time, the heart will begin to beat!  The umbilical cord is developing and most of the organs are under construction.  The eyes and ears begin to form as well as an opening for the mouth.

Week 5

I don't think I'll be escaping morning sickness this time around.  I didn't have it with my first two pregnancies but the last two days I've felt horrible and it's only getting worse.  My stomach at first didn't start to feel upset until mid afternoon through the evening but today it started mid morning and has been with me all day.  On top of the upset stomach, I have a constant watery sensation in my mouth like I'm about to throw-up.  I think it's only a matter of when.  Food is starting to seem very unappealing.  I am not looking forward to this part of my pregnancy.

Other things have been a little different than my first two pregnancies.  The achy pelvic feeling seemed to only last about two weeks since ovulation and isn't really noticeable anymore (maybe it's because all I notice is the sick feeling).  I also didn't have implantation spotting this time around.

My family has a theory that morning sickness indicates we're having a boy.  Both my mom and sister only had morning sickness when they had a boy and since I didn't have morning sickness with Natalie or Claire, I'm following suit so far.  This is contradictory from the Old Wives Tale that morning sickness indicates a girl.  But I have a 50:50 chance of either!  And of course, we're excited for either!

By this point, a plate that will later become the heart has developed.  The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and muscle and bone formation are beginning to take shape.  During this time, our little one's skeleton is also starting to form!  The embryo is about 0.05 inches long - pretty tiny!

Week 4 - Month 1

Baby #3 is on his or her way!  We're thrilled.  We had hoped I would get pregnant this last month so that our next one is born in March.  Natalie will be almost 4 years old and Claire will be a little over 2 years old.  I think this will be perfect spacing for them. 

I tested this morning and got a faint second line.  I wanted to make sure that it wasn't an evaporation line so I retested with a digital test later in the afternoon.  The second test confirmed the first!  I had been charting my temperature for the last six months.  I was concerned that my luteal phase had gotten too short but it looks like everything worked out and I was worrying unnecessarily.  This time around I'll fall into the "Advanced Maternal Age" category since I'll be 35 next month.

I waited until the evening to tell Emile after I had taken the second test and confirmed the first.  I had gotten Claire a t-shirt to wear to get the message across.  She was excited to show of her shirt.  Similar to Natalie wearing a T-shirt to tell our family via webcam, we plan to tell our family this weekend by having Claire wear the T-shirt this time.  I know everyone is going to be very excited!

I'm a little overwhelmed although very excited.  As with getting pregnant with Claire, the unknown of having another can be scary but as with Natalie and Claire, I know that once he or she is born, we won't be able to imagine life without our third little one!

According to my last menstrual cycle (LMP), I am due on March 16, 2012, making me 4 weeks pregnant today.  I think this date may change like it did with Clarie, though, because my temperatures showed I probably ovulated more around cycle day (CD) 18 vs. CD 14. 

I'll now be taking my weekly belly photos.  Unfortunately, I'm already feeling bloated.  I also have the achy pelvic area feeling I had with my two previous pregnancies (one reason I knew I was pregnant before taking the test).