Week 20 Update

Pregnancy Highlights

20 Weeks!

• How Far Along: 20 weeks
• Total Weight Gain: 8 lbs.
• Size of baby: 12 ounces, and about 10.5 inches long - about the length of a carrot!
• Sleep: I sleep great until my bladder wakes me up, generally around 4-5 a.m. (and always 30 minutes to an hour before my alarm goes off...so of course I'm falling back asleep right when it's time to get up! Argh!)
• Best Moment This Week: Sharing the news of our baby's gender with friends, family, and my students. We're having a sweet, baby girl! (I will post again on the details of our "gender reveal")

Our parents are so excited to be grandparents!

• Gender: GIRL!
• Movement: As you probably read from my last entry - she's moving like crazy! In fact, she's moving right now. It's the best parts of my day when I feel her kick. I feel it the most when I'm not moving so much like when I get home from work or lay down to go to sleep.
• Food Craving: mac and cheese has been my latest favorite food
• What I Miss: having a glass of wine....oh well :)
• What I'm looking forward to: Baby showers! I'm so excited to start celebrating our baby girl's arrival with friends and family...and to start getting pink, girly baby items!
• Weekly Wisdom: eat small meals - it's really uncomfortable when you eat a lot! Baby and a full belly do not work out well!
• Symptoms: Minimal nausea (thank goodness), some cramping from those so-called "round ligaments" that are growing, feeling like I'm going to explode when I eat too much (sometimes I forget to stop! eek!!), and extreme forgetfulness (mostly when it comes to words and names...it's pretty hilarious the things I can't remember!)

We didn't get a great profile shot of our baby girl due to her strange positioning at our Week 20 appointment. I'll post one when I go back in 2 weeks for another ultrasound for them to get a better look at her face and heart. 

Stay tuned for details on the Gender Reveal Party! It was a huge success and so much fun.

xoxo,

Alive and Kicking!

So I haven't written in awhile because it seemed like everything was pretty much the same for a couple weeks, but oh my how things are happening now!

We are officially in the midst of Week 19 (19 weeks and 3 days to be exact - but who's counting?) and on Thursday we will start the long awaited WEEK 20! We have our Week 20 appointment on that day as well, and we will hopefully (if Baby Woolwine is facing the camera) find out whether our little one is a boy or a girl. The suspense is killing us. I cannot imagine having to wait until July to find out. Fortunately, thanks to technology, we don't have to.

So what else has been going on besides the excitement for the arrival of February 23rd?

Drum roll, please........

Baby Woolwine has been KICKING and I've been feeling it! Finally! What a miraculous feeling it is. Not only is it reassuring when you haven't been to the doctor in 4 weeks, but it makes the bond between mom and baby (and dad! He felt it too!) even stronger. I felt the first movements around two weeks ago - and then it seemed like I didn't feel anything for days. It was driving me crazy! In the last couple days, I feel the baby all the time - randomly - and I love it. It's like he/she is saying "Hi, Mom!" and checking in from time to time. This morning, Trey got to feel it from the outside for the first time too. So magical!

Week 19 Photo - baby is growing like a weed!

Last night we had VCU's Winter Ball (our 3rd time going, so much fun!) and the baby got to get down on the dance floor with mom and dad. Of course, the heels didn't last for long and after awhile the bottom of my belly started to ache a little (not used to that extra weight!) but I think the baby enjoyed all that movement. I know he or she certainly felt the vibrations from the bass! As soon as I got home and got in bed I felt the baby start moving like crazy. I think he or she was wondering why we stopped dancing! 

after a night of dancing!

A week from today we are having a gender reveal party with our families in Roanoke. So even though we are finding out Feb. 23rd, the rest of the world will have to wait until our party...and of course, I will share the news, along with pictures of our reveal on my blog. Tune in next week!

xoxo, 

Week 16 Update!

I find myself counting down the days until my next baby check-up every month. I have never looked forward to going to the doctor so much in my life! And needless to say, I haven't ever been to the doctor this much in my life. Each month's visit holds the possibility of learning new information about my pregnancy and my little one - and also hearing that incredibly fast heartbeat coming from my uterus (crazy!). There's nothing like it. 

I was really hoping my week 16 appointment was going to include an ultrasound because my sister found out the gender of one of her boys at week 16. No such luck. The doctor I saw (who was different from my usual doc; mine had to be out at the last minute, unfortunately) said I would have my next ultrasound at week 20: also the BIG DAY. Week 20 is "the week" to find out if it's a boy or a girl! Trey and I can't stand the thought of waiting till the birth to find out, so we will be eager to hear the news at the end of February. Seems so long from now! Since I don't have a picture of baby for week 16, here is a picture of me with baby :)

A little bump!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 6 lbs.

Size of  Baby: 4.5 inches long, 3.5 oz (about the size of an avocado)

Sleep: sleeping well until I have to go to the bathroom (which is inevitable) and then I tend to have trouble falling back asleep. I'm also not supposed to sleep on my back anymore, which is a favorite for me, so I'm having more trouble getting comfortable :P

Best Moment This Week: hearing baby's heartbeat - I was a little nervous after Dean (our 50 lb. puppy) jumped on my uterus 2 weeks ago and hearing that heartbeat and the doctor's reassuring words was such a relief

Gender: unknown - we'll know in 4 weeks!

Movement: nothing yet - I am getting anxious though! Eager to feel something!

Food Craving: still loving my Minute Maid Grape Punch, cottage cheese, and apple sauce

What I Miss: my daily Coke at lunch (trying not to drink caffeine unless I'm really needing it!) 

What I'm looking Forward to: Valentine's Day with my husband and finding out if this baby is a boy or a girl on Feb. 23rd!

Weekly Wisdom: When you're pregnant and feeling tired - take a rest. Or a whole day of rest. It does wonders!

Symptoms: Nausea is definitely getting better (only visits once or twice a week) and as long as I get my 7-8 hours, not as tired as during the first trimester...nothing too new!

Pregnancy Highlights - Week 12

Trey and I went to the doctor for our 12 week appointment last week and it proved to be a wonderful visit. Our baby has grown so much since our 8 week appointment! In our first ultrasound (8 weeks) it was a challenge to tell the head and body shape...now it actually looks like a baby! My heart jumped when I saw it on the screen and fluttered when the baby started jumping and bobbing around. If what we saw is any reflection on our child's personality, looks like this one might have some energy! The baby is healthy and its heart beats strong. We were thrilled at this news and I'm excited to be moving into the 2nd trimester soon!

8 Weeks

12 Weeks (See its little hand in the air? So sweet!)

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 12 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 3-4 lbs.
Size of  Baby: about 2 inches, .05 oz (about the size of a lime)

Sleep: like a baby, and with my mouth open!
Best Moment This Week: seeing the growth of my baby & sharing the news with  my students who are so excited!

Gender: unknown (eek!)

Movement: Can't feel anything yet because it's so tiny- but it's definitely moving! 

Food Craving: EVERYTHING but specifically grape juice, Rocky Road, and Cheeze-It's

What I Miss: having the energy to work-out regularly 

What I'm looking Forward to: my next appointment (Jan. 25)

Weekly Wisdom: It's ok to leave some things undone (which is hard for my Type A personality to handle!)
Symptoms: Morning sickness  is definitely getting better (love my Zofran!!) and also getting my energy back (although, not quite what it used to be)...and can we say FORGETFUL? Geez?! For a person who's used to being on top of things, I'm feeling very nutty these days!

Your ever grateful madre in waiting, 

A Love Story

Have you ever seen the 2011 make of Jane Eyre ? What an amazing film...a dark, yet romantic and beautiful story...and as all love stories do, reminds me of my very own. I love those moments of flirtation between Jane and Mr. Rochester, which finally lead to him professing his love for her, and then the kiss. I live for moments like that which make me want to run into the arms of the one I love, just as Jane loves him. It reminds me of the feelings I first felt for Trey, and that I still feel every morning when I wake to see him lying next to me. Every time Jane and Mr. Rochester touched lips, I imagined myself, standing in front of Trey, and the bursts of passion we've shared in the same manner. 

Mr. Rochester and Jane

Rochester: I offer you my hand, my heart. Jane, I ask you to pass through life at my side. You are my equal and my likeness. Will you marry me? 

(yes! yes! yes!)

Trey and Lizzie

In 6 and a half months the love I know will grow far beyond what I am able to know at this moment. I cannot imagine a love greater than what I feel for my Trey, and yet I know my love for him will grow immensely as I look into the eyes of the being we will have created together. As I rest my hand on my tiny bump, I feel the love growing already and my heart growing stronger with each passing day. It all comes back to that first kiss I shared with Trey and that I relived tonight as I lost myself in the love story by Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre, thank you for reminding me of that true love. 

Romantically from your madre in waiting, 

Boston Bound

Right now I am blogging for my first time on a train. It makes me feel very "official", like I'm traveling on business and have important work to complete before my next stop. Hah! I can pretend for a little while. 

Well, it's 7:52 PM and I am currently between Richmond and Fredericksburg riding Amtrak with my husband, father, and step-mom. My dad has started a new tradition for our family trip to happen the week before Christmas which, as it works out, students and teachers have off. Last year we went to New York City - and had an absolute blast. 

This year we are traveling to Boston, a favorite of mine - although, I've never been in the winter. I'll let you know if I regret this decision! It's weird to think I'm not "physically" alone on this trip, but have a little one joining me (in utero!). What a cool feeling. I cannot wait until our next appointment (a little less than 2 weeks from now) when I will be 12 weeks along. I feel like this will be a comforting appointment, as the fetus is larger and things are a little "safer" than they were at week 8. Today I am officially 10 weeks. Wow! Feels like yesterday we were just finding out...and what an exciting moment that was. It's still pretty exciting as more friends are learning of our news. Most of my co-workers are aware, which makes it fun at work. It was so hard keeping it a secret the first month! When you find out, all you want to do is shout it to the world - it seems like such a miracle (and well, actually, it is!). 

Did I mention that I'm a fifth grade teacher and today was the last day before break? My kids were a little nutty...but I have to hand it to them, they were pretty good for me. My patience is not quite as good these days, now that I'm pregnant (and have my list of needs which must be met every 30 minutes). But I am so grateful that they were well-behaved and that our Christmas party stayed under control...and that I am now free of all 20 of them for 2 weeks! WOOOHOOOOOOOO! 


I feel a nap coming on....this momma is heading out. 

Until next time, 

A Merry Christmas, indeed

Well friends, this mother-in-waiting has some huge news. Trey and I are no longer trying to conceive. In addition, I can no longer enjoy my favorite beverage, margaritas - at least not for the next nine months....

You guessed it! We're expecting! Now I can truly say that I am a madre-in-waiting as I wait for the arrival of my little one in July 2012. After two seasons of TTC, this little miracle has occurred and I feel so blessed to know a healthy fetus is slowly growing into our future child. I am currently nine weeks along and I discovered our good news on November 4, 2011 (ironically I was home sick from school). At that point I was four weeks pregnant and one week out from running the Richmond half-marathon. Fortunately I was still feeling well at that point and was able to run the entire half-marathon in 2:09:35....25 seconds shy of my goal. And I did not run this race without considering the possible risks it might have on the well-being of my little one. Months before when Trey and I were planning this, I spoke with my OB who assured me it would be all right as long as my body was used to that kind of exercise.

Now, at nine months, I am experiencing the not-so-wonderful side effects of the first trimester including exhaustion, raging hormones, and morning sickness. I come home everyday, fall onto the couch and into my early evening nap. I continue to nap off and on into the evening after 8 hours of teaching, the thought of exercising impossible. I feel a bit like a sloth but know I must put the health of our baby first. If my body needs rest, then rest I shall. Not to mention, half the time I can hardly stand!! I hear that my energy should come back in the second trimester, which I am really looking forward to. I hate feeling lazy! But I love my couch more than ever. Plus, we just got a new mattress - perfect timing!

One week till Christmas break and then Trey and I are heading to Boston with my dad and stepmom. We'll spend Christmas in Roanoke with family and we have our next baby appt. the week after Christmas. More updates to come then! Merry Christmas!

Xo,
Lizzie