Thirteen Weeks

How far along: 13 weeks as of December 27, 2011.
Size of baby: Medium shrimp.  As of this week, fingerprints have formed on Beansprout's fingertips.  The veins and organs are clearly visible through his skin.  His body is starting to catch up with his head, which is now just a third of his body size.  Beansprout is about three inches long.
Movement: Still none that I can feel.  I did purchase a fetal heart rate monitor, and we have been able to listen to Beansprout's heartbeat a couple of times.  It is a little anxiety-invoking each time I use the monitor, because you have to search for the baby, but when you do find the heartbeat it's so cool to hear.
Sex of baby: We have a date to find out: February 16!  Counting down!
Sleep: Fine.  I'm still pretty tired, so I fall asleep easily.
What I miss: Not much this week.
Cravings: Chocolate milk.  I'm definitely on a milk kick during this pregnancy.
Symptoms: Fatigue, but it is better than before.
What I'm looking forward to: Just progressing well in the pregnancy, and knowing that with each passing week, we're closer to meeting Beansprout!  He needs to hang around for at least 23 more weeks, though; I do not need a repeat of my own early arrival!

Happy Holidays!

I had been looking forward to Christmas this year for weeks.  I had decided to wait to share the baby news with my grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and cousin until Christmas, as a fun surprise.  I broke the news by giving them cards from the baby and telling them that I had not gotten the chance to send them their holiday cards.  Beansprout gave each person a card, and inside was the "Happy Holidays" ultrasound picture and a little poem I wrote from the baby.  The reactions were priceless! 

My mom's sister, my aunt Lois, knew right away.  Her jaw dropped, and she was speechless for a minute.  Then she started crying and came over to hug me.  It was so sweet.  Meanwhile, my grandmother and my uncle Tom had no clue what they were looking at.  I believe my grandmother's words were, "What is this supposed to be?"  Ha.  I'm not sure she's ever seen an ultrasound.  She got it after we told her to read the card, which was addressed to 'Great-Grandma.'

My dad's sister, my aunt Missy, had a similar reaction to Lois.  Her jaw dropped, too, and she had to cover her face so my grandmother couldn't see her reaction!  My nana took a minute, but then realized what she was looking at.  They were both thrilled, as well.

It was such a fun way to tell people.  I was glad that I waited, rather then telling them earlier without everyone there to witness it.  Beansprout is lucky to have so many people who already love him/her!  I can't wait until next Christmas, when we will have a six month old crawling around.

Twelve Weeks!

How far along: 12 weeks as of December 20, 2011!
Size of baby: Lime.  That seems so substantial (and is validated by the fact that I can still wear only about two pairs of pants)!  Beansprout's reflexes are developing this week.  His fingers begin to open and close, his toes curl, his eye muscles clench, and his mouth makes sucking movements.  Apparently, if you prod my abdomen, he will squirm away in response!  His intestines begin to move into the abdominal cavity, and his kidneys begin producing urine. 
Movement: Still can't feel anything.  I think it will be a month or so.
Sex of baby: We'll find out in about seven weeks!
Sleep: Still fine. 
What I miss: Well, with having a miserable cold this week, I miss being able to take medicine!  I was limited to tylenol (and I limited myself to one a day, only when my temperature reached 99) and ricola cough drops.  It was awful, and it lasted longer than it would have otherwise.  Crossing my fingers that I won't get sick again during this pregnancy.  Still debating about the flu shot.
Cravings: Well, I had a dream--apparently weird dreams are more common during pregnancy?-- in which I was eating cheese doodles.  I woke up and asked Mark to get me some.  I can't remember the last time I ate those.  It's so strange what I have craved. 
Symptoms: Just fatigue, which has been worse with the cold.
What I'm looking forward to: The end of the first trimester and the beginning of what is supposed to be the best trimester. 

Eleven Weeks

Better Late than Never Disclaimer:  This picture actually was taken closer to 12 weeks, so it's not entirely accurate of Beansprout at 11 weeks!  Also, it was taken on the first day of a cold, so I am feeling pretty awful and looking like I feel.

How far along: 11 weeks as of December 13, 2011.
Size of baby: Fig.  Beansprout is now almost fully formed.  His hands are beginning to open and close, forming fists, and his bones are hardening.  He is kicking and stretching up a storm this week (and we saw proof during the ultrasound!)
Movement: Nothing I can feel yet.
Sex of baby: Likely boy, although I fluctuate in my intuition.
Sleep: Continues to be fine, after a couple of weeks ago, where it was awful.  I even slept soundly the night before my first deposition, when I thought I'd be tossing and turning!
What I miss: Not much right now.  Maybe not being so limited in the foods I can eat. 
Cravings: Food in general, although I've started craving protein.  I normally don't care much for meat, so I know this is baby talking.
Symptoms: The fatigue seems to be a little worse than it was in the past couple of weeks.  I think this may be due to the fact that I was off kilter a bit from traveling to the deposition and working late to prepare for it.
What I'm looking forward to: Hitting the 12 week mark, where the risk of miscarriage decreases!

Survey says...

It's a boy!!  We did the oh-so-scientific Intelligender test today.  The results were clear: Beansprout is a boy!  However, the reliability of this test is questionable.  When we had our ultrasound on December 16, the technician said that the Intelligender test tends to tell people they're having boys, whether they are or not.  So, we're not putting too much stock in the Intelligender method of sex prediction. 

Also, last night I had a dream that I did the test and it said girl, so it looks like my instincts are mixed about who this baby is.  Looks like we'll have to wait until February to know if we're buying pink or blue.

It's beginning to look a lot like a baby...

Beansprout has grown so much in the past three weeks!  We had our nuchal translucency scan, which tests for chromosomal disorders, on Friday, December 16.  I actually moved it up a week, from the 23rd, because I was experiencing some abdominal cramping, which made me anxious.  But Beansprout was perfect!  He was in the perfect position for the screening (the ultrasound tech said sometimes the screening can take hours, because the baby has to be spine down), and the technician was able to alleviate my fears right away by saying his spinal fluid levels were in the normal range and he has a clear nasal bone.  Also, the bloodwork we did in connection with the scan said our odds of trisomy problems is less than 1 in 10,000.

Beansprout now measures about 2-3 inches, and all of his body parts are formed, just tiny!  He woke up as we did the ultrasound, so we were able to see him moving and flipping around.  He even waved to us, as you can see in the second picture, and it looked like he was sucking his thumb (third picture).  It was so cool to see the change from the eight week ultrasound.  You can distinguish his little arms and legs, and even see fingers.  The technician wouldn't guess about the sex, so we'll have to wait another seven weeks or so to get confirmation about that. 

Beansprout's heartbeat had decreased to 168 beats per minute, which was nice to hear.  In short, it was a great appointment, and I could have watched him on the monitor all day! 

Double Digits!

How far along: 10 weeks as of December 6, 2011.  Double digits!
Size of baby: Kumquat.  I'm not really sure what that is, but the baby is a little over an inch long.  All of Beansprout's vital organs have formed, his teeth buds emerge and his eyelids develop further.  Also, his brain growth really takes off.
Movement: None that I can feel.
Sex of baby: Well, now I'm not so sure.  After this week's doctor's appointment and the high heartbeat, I'm thinking that maybe it could be a girl.  We'll find out for sure in about 9 weeks!
Sleep: Much better than last week.  Plus, I am not as fatigued as I used to be, so I don't feel exhausted all of the time.
What I miss: Having a glass of wine to de-stress at night.  Beansprout is worth it, though!
Cravings: Macaroni and cheese sounded good to me this week.  I am trying not to indulge too much, though, since I've already gained two pounds in two weeks!  Hope that weight trend doesn't continue throughout the pregnancy!
Symptoms: Some fatigue, indigestion and digestive issues.  Normal for this time in the period.
What I'm looking forward to: The next appointment on December 23.  We will have the scan to look for chromosomal disorders, which I am hoping and praying will be normal.  Keep your fingers crossed!  Hopefully we can hear the heartbeat again then, too!

Telling Emily

One moment I have been looking forward to for awhile is telling my best friend since age 8, Emily, about the pregnancy.  Emily and her husband, Todd, are expecting their first baby, a girl, in late April, and I am so excited that we get to share this experience!

When Emily told me her good news around the first weekend in October, she told me that Mark and I needed to have a baby so our kids can be best buds, too.  Well, we took her up on that advice!  When I spoke with her this past Thursday, I asked if she remembered telling me that her little one needs a playmate.  It didn't take her long to figure out what I was getting at!

I feel so fortunate to have someone to share in this experience, and to give me some tips and things to expect, since she's a little further along.  I can't wait until our kids meet for the first time!  I told Emily if we have a boy, he may be her daughter's future spouse, and if we have a girl, her future best friend!  So exciting!

Second Doctor's Appointment

On December 7, we had our second doctor's appointment.  This was the first appointment where we got to meet with a doctor, rather than just a nurse or a technician.  The appointment was with my regular doctor, Dr. Crowther, whom I LOVE.  She is so kind and reassuring. 

We first met with Dr. Crowther in her office to go over the blood work we had done and to explain the different tests and appointments to expect throughout the pregnancy.  Our blood work came back normal.  I have type B positive blood, which means I don't have to get a rhogam shot later in the pregnancy.  Also, our cystic fibrosis results were negative!

Then, we listened to Beansprout's heartbeat for the first time, using a doppler monitor.  It was so cool to hear the heart beating--it sounds like a fast-moving train!  The heart was beating at 185 beats per minute, which I thought sounded fast, but Dr. Crowther said was normal. She said with this strong a heartbeat, my chances of miscarriage are pretty low! 

Because the heart was beating so quickly, I am now wondering whether Beansprout is a girl.  The old wives' tale says that heartbeats over 160 indicate girl, while under 160 indicates boy.  While we have to wait another 9 weeks for our sex scan, I sped up the guessing game a bit by purchasing an Intelligender test.  This test uses the protein in your urine to guess whether the baby is a boy or a girl. (Mark's response when I told him about this test: "This is absurd, but let's do it."  Ha!  I feel like that's a pretty accurate description of this process!)  If the liquid turns green, it's a boy; orange, it's a girl!  The supposed accuracy rate is 80%.  I will be sure to post the results once we do the test.

Nine Weeks

How far along: Nine weeks as of November 29, 2011.
Size of baby: Grape.  Growing bigger!  This week, Beansprout's skeleton is beginning to harden, his intestinal system forms, and his reproductive system begins to develop internally.  He also may start to move!
Movement: None that I can feel.
Sex of baby: Likely boy, although this week I have been craving sweets (see below), which is a sign that it may be a girl!  Most of the signs still point to boy, though.
Sleep: Well, sleep was pretty awful this week, at least at the beginning of the week.  For some reason, I got into a habit of waking up at around 4 am each morning and being unable to go back to sleep for hours.  It was horrible trying to sleep when everyone else in the room (dogs included) was sleeping soundly (and snoring, in the case of Finn).  I'm not sure the reason for this sleep problem, but it didn't happen on Friday or Saturday nights, so I am hoping it is over.
What I miss: Having the energy to cook a meal when I get home from work, which is always after 8pm.  Luckily for us, my mom ordered us meals from a meal delivery service.  They arrived yesterday, so I should be able to eat a balanced dinner every night without having to prepare it myself!  What a godsend.
Cravings: This week it was sweets.  Chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, etc.  Very healthy, but I am using this pregnancy as an excuse to give into cravings, with moderation, course!
Symptoms: Fatigue, some nausea after eating.
What I'm looking forward to: Next week's doctor's appointment and hearing Beansprout's heartbeat.  I also haven't gotten the results of my bloodwork, so I will have to call to check on them.  I'm looking forward to positive results!

Eight Weeks

How far along: Eight weeks.
Size of baby: Lima bean.  My favorite vegetable!!  This week, Beansprout's fingers and toes develop and his arms and legs grow longer.  His wrists, elbows and ankles are more visible.
Movement: None.
Sex of baby: After the doctor's appointment, still leaning towards boy.
Sleep: Sleeping like a rock, for as many hours a day as I can.  Since this week was Thanksgiving, I got lots of sleep, and it was wonderful.
What I miss: Having to keep secrets!  About three more weeks and we can be out in the open.
Cravings: This week I wanted Eggo waffles with syrup.  Mark was sweet and bought them for me at around 10:30 at night.  The perks of living two blocks from a grocery store!  I also still crave milk.
Symptoms: Mainly just fatigue, with a little nausea.
What I'm looking forward to: The next appointment, at ten weeks.  We get to meet with a doctor this time (my regular OB-GYN, who is so sweet and reassured me at my last yearly appointment that I looked great and should have no problem getting pregnant--she was right!).  I think we get another ultrasound, and we will do some additional testing for chromosomal disorders.  The results of our 8 week bloodwork should be back next week.

First Purchase!

We made our first purchase for Beansprout yesterday.  I have been eying this wardrobe for quite some time, but I didn't want to jinx anything by buying it, so I planned to buy it today if the first doctor's appointment went well.  Well, yesterday I looked on the website (The Land of Nod) and noticed that they were out of the wardrobe in white!  They had three other colors, but no white!  I may or may not have panicked and called Mark, bemoaning the horrible omen that this news surely represented ;-)  He attempted to calm me down, and I called the company to ask if they had any more white wardrobes in stock.  The woman I spoke with was very kind and offered to check their warehouses for a white wardrobe.  About twenty minutes later, she called me back: they found one for me!  I ordered it right away, my "bad omen" fears giving way to the sure "good omen" that this news represented!  Ha.  I hope it's the pregnancy hormones speaking (and I'm sure Mark does, too!).  The wardrobe will be delivered in early December.  Then we can start filling it with tiny baby clothes!

Meet Beansprout.

We had our first doctor's appointment today.  I was pretty nervous going in, but everything looked perfect!  As you can see, we had an ultrasound, and we have taken to calling the little guy "Beansprout" until we find out the sex.  Although I think the name will be a secret until the birth, so he/she will be Beansprout for the duration of the pregnancy.

I am measuring 8 weeks and 3 days, which means that Beansprout's estimated arrival date is July 1, 2012.  The heartbeat was going strong at 170 beats per minute.

According to the ultrasound technician, there is a theory that the sex can be determined based on the location of the placenta.  If it's on the right side of the uterus, the baby is likely to be a boy, and if it's on the left, the baby is likely to be a girl.  The one study that concluded these results had a 97% accuracy rate, which is pretty high.  My placenta is on the right, which indicates boy!  Although that's not really a surprise, given my constant hunger, nursery dream and Mark's family history of first-born sons.  Mark was thrilled to discover the news, although we will be happy no matter the sex; we just want a healthy baby!

7 Weeks

Weekly Highlights:

How far along: 7 weeks as of November 15, 2011.
Size of baby: Blueberry.
Movement: None.
Sex of baby: Still leaning towards boy.  This week I had a dream where I was looking at the nursery and didn't like the bedding we had chosen, which was light blue with polka dots.  It was weird, because I am not really into baby blue for boys and pink for girls, but perhaps it was confirming my intuition that it's a little boy.
Sleep: I am into however much of it I can get.  This week I was in St. Louis for four days for work, and it was like a mini-vacation, because I was able to take a nap every afternoon and get at least 9 hours of sleep each night.  I didn't want to come back!
What I miss: Not having to hide the pregnancy from friends and co-workers.  We went out with some friends this Saturday evening, and I ordered a sprite with lime.  I even asked for it in the same glass as they would use for a gin and tonic or other similar drink.  Someone asked what I was drinking, and I hope I didn't give anything away as I fibbed about its contents!  Only four weeks until we can tell everyone and don't have to worry about keeping secrets!
Cravings: Pretty much food in general.  I am constantly hungry.  I do still have the anti-craving for pierogies.
Symptoms: Fatigue, stuffy nose.  A little nausea after eating, but I have not gotten sick again since last week.
What I'm looking forward to:  Ultrasound next week!  Fingers crossed that all will go well.  If it does, we will tell our siblings.  We also are planning to make the first baby purchase (an armoire I love from Land of Nod, since it is on a spectacular sale!) if everything is as it should be at the eight-week appointment.

6 Weeks

Weekly Highlights:

How far along: 6 weeks as of November 8, 2011.
Size of baby: Lentil.
Movement: None.
Sex of baby: We will find out, but my bets are on boy, since I have been really hungry and haven't experienced much nausea.
Sleep: As much as I can possibly get!  I am tired all of the time.
What I miss: Wine, soft cheeses.
Cravings: Queso and chips, pretty much food in general.  I do have one anti-craving: pierogies.  For some reason, the thought of eating them makes me feel sick.  Too bad we have around five packages in the freezer!
Symptoms: Fatigue, stuffy nose.  I did have one "morning sickness" experience this week, but I think it had more to do with my sensitive sense of smell than actual morning sickness.
What I'm looking forward to: The eight-week ultrasound!  Only two more weeks!

Five Weeks

Weekly Highlights:

How Far Along: 5 weeks!
Size of Baby: Orange Seed
Maternity Clothes: It's a little early for that!
Movement: Nothing yet.
Sex of Baby: I have decided I won't be able to handle the suspense.  We will be finding out!
Sleep: I am tired ALL of the time.  I had to travel for work this week, and when I got back, I passed out on the couch for four hours, and then slept over nine hours that night.
What I Miss: wine, not having to read the label on everything to see whether it's safe.
Cravings: Milk, which is weird, because I never drank milk by itself before.  Now I get a bottle every morning in the convenience store in my office building.
Symptoms: Fatigue, some indigestion.  No nausea/vomiting yet, and I'm hoping I'll be among the lucky few who don't have that symptom.  I'm sure now that I've said it nausea will hit with full force.
What I'm looking forward to: The eight-week ultrasound where hopefully we can hear the heartbeat!

Four Weeks!

Telling Mark

It was already 9pm on October 20 when I took the pregnancy test, so I knew I didn't have time to do anything too creative to tell Mark.  My mom had sent Mark a Halloween goodie package since Halloween is his favorite holiday, and it had arrived that day.  I decided to take a few things out of the box, wrap the pregnancy test in wrapping paper, and put it in the bottom of the box.  Then I waited...  Mark got home, and I tried to act like nothing was up.  As he was eating dinner, I told him that my mom had sent him something for Halloween.  He opened the box and began sorting through the treats.  As he got to the wrapped test stick, my heart began to race (and I began to giggle nervously).  He opened it (later he told me he thought it was a lollipop!) and looked at me quizzically.  I asked whether he saw the faint line and whether he knew what it meant.  I think he was shocked, since we were not expecting it to happen that month.  After a couple of minutes, it sunk in and we began to celebrate!

Finding Out

We decided to start thinking about expanding from dogs to babies in the Summer of 2011.  I, being the Type A person I am, upped the ante and invested in a fancy fertility monitor.  Well, fast-forward a few months to October 2011.  No baby thus far, and my expensive, 99% accuracy-rate fertility monitor said that this month would be no different.  Little does it know...  On Thursday, October 20, I was feeling a little "different."  I decided to test, just to put the possibility out of my mind.  A couple minutes later, I saw a verrrry faint pink line.  Surely it couldn't be positive; the monitor said so!  I checked again a minute later.  Still there.  For good measure, I checked again.  Still there. I probably checked that stick twenty times over the next twenty minutes before reality sunk in.  Now I had to figure out how to tell Mark!

And so it begins...