17 weeks

Sometimes, I still have a hard time believing (and remembering!) that I'm pregnant. Every once in awhile I just stop and think, "Wow!" It's pretty amazing.

Yesterday I had my 17 week (and 2 days) appointment with the doctor. I like it when they're quick, and this time I was in the parking deck for 28 minutes. Quick urine test (everything's fine), finger prick for the iron test (good to go), blood pressure (120 over 80 like always) and weight. I gained four pounds between appointments, which is just about on track for this stage of my pregnancy. You're supposed to gain around 5 pounds in the first trimester, and then a pound a week until about month 8. So my four pounds in three weeks is at least weight with a purpose!

I reminded my doctor that I didn't want to know the sex until Jay comes home, and that he'd hopefully be home for my next appointment (July 25th). He said he always tries to find out but that if he did, he wouldn't tell me. He wasn't able to find out, so apparently our baby wants it to be a secret from EVERYONE until Jay is home. Head, abdomen and femur size were all normal, so maybe our baby won't get my short genes!

No crazy cravings to report, but I do eat my fair share of popsicles these days! This time around the ultrasound picture doesn't really look like anything, but I promise it's a baby!

Mosquitoes like pregnant women!

And unfortunately, Germany is overrun with mosquitoes in the summer time! I have lots of itchy, red bites that are no match for Benadryl Anti-Itch gel OR hydrocortisone. We also have these tiny black bugs that I've managed to avoid for two summers, but are out in full force. They get into everything, even my picture frames, and are about the size of fleas. I also think they're filming "The Bee Movie 2" in a tree outside our house. Infestation abounds!

I've had trouble sleeping lately, but I think that's due to the change in my schedule and the heat. We moved the air conditioner up from the basement but it's missing a part so it's not plugged up yet. Here's hoping for some cooler weather and my old routine back soon! I have a doctor's appointment today so I'll update again later!

Almost 17 weeks

Well not a lot going on in mommy-and-baby world lately! I have noticed a little bit more energy lately, which is nice since Jay will be coming home soon! Once or twice this week I got very excited that my belly was looking bigger, but it turns out that was just our old friend baby-bloat! I ordered some maternity clothes about a month ago so I can see how sizes run, and they finally came in this week. I tried them on, and it's hard to believe I will be big enough to wear them anytime soon. I have a doctor's appointment next week, and am looking forward to seeing how much our baby has grown!

I woke up on Tuesday with this...

It's small, but a tiny bump has appeared! It gets a little more exciting every day. I think morning sickness is officially over for this little lady, but has been taken over by my constant need to EAT. Jay and I finally agreed on a crib, now we just have to figure out how to get it here! Most places don't ship such large items, and the shipping allowance for an APO is 70 pounds. But we'll figure it out!

Doctor's appointment

What a great appointment! This time I had my appointment in the morning, which means I didn't have to wait 45 minutes to see my doctor. I think when I paid for parking, I was in and out in 35 minutes. Nice!

Quick weigh (1.1 pounds gained from the last appointment), a few questions and then on to the ultrasound! I got to see my baby's arms, hands, fingers, feet (toes were too small to see!), legs, spine, and it was amazing! The baby was moving all over the place. It's crazy that this little 6.5 inch thing is doing somersaults in my body and I can't even feel it. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which was strong and fast. Everything is progressing well, so says the doctor. It gets a little more real every day, and every visit is a little more reassuring about our baby's progress.

I told my doctor we don't want to know the sex until Jay is here with me, just in case he can tell at my next appointment. We're anxious to know, but want to find out together!

So far this week I've felt fine, just a little tired. I attribute that to staying up late and getting up early, so I need to fit in a nap or two!

One down, two to go!

Today marks the beginning of the second trimester! I'm not sure how much is different between yesterday and today, but it's a milestone nonetheless.

I've been sick a lot this past week, so my body is cranky with something! I'm still waiting for the elusive baby bump, and will gladly post some pictures when it appears! Germany has turned up the heat this week as well, so I'm not too upset about the lack of extra weight to carry around just yet!

I have noticed that eating smaller meals more frequently, as opposed to three full meals, is much easier for my body to tolerate. I don't leave the house without a Luna bar (thanks to Susan for introducing me to some new flavors!) since the hunger strikes without warning, and without my water bottle since I stay thirsty.

Hopefully the second trimester will bring on a little more energy and a little less morning (afternoon/evening) sickness. Wish me luck!

Almost 14 weeks

I've read a lot of books, a lot of articles, and even seen a few documentaries on labor and delivery. But even The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy cannot give you the amount of information one Memorial Day BBQ with four moms can! I am lucky to be in a community of such diverse and amazing mothers, and last week I found myself in the company of four women who have among them nine children ranging from newborns to college students. That being said, I also have not FEARED labor until that conversation. There's so much to think about, luckily I have plenty of other stuff between now and then to keep me busy.

Yesterday I got my new book in, The Pregnancy Journal. So far, this is what I'm most excited about of all the books and things baby-related I've purchased. This is an awesome book that's a combination journal/advice/general baby knowledge and wisdom book and I am in LOVE with it. It breaks down the development of my baby day by day, as well as what's happening to me and some fun advice and quotes. To start, you work backwards from your due date, filling in the actual dates for your pregnancy. It gives you a better idea of your actual date of conception, and allows you to use it like a calendar. So I can look every day to see what's going on, and make notes. It has places to chart weight and growth, and is a really great way for me to record everything that's going on with this pregnancy. I'm so excited.

The quote for Day 1 is, "Nothing is worth more than this day" by Goethe. I find it particularly powerful.

Thanks to Sam, Dandy and Susan & Shane for my first baby gifts! You guys are awesome!

We've started our baby registry but it's in the very bare-bones early stage...babies need a lot of stuff! My next doctor's appointment is next week, and I'm excited to see how much our baby has grown!