12 Weeks

WOW! I can't believe that this is my last week in my first trimester. I have another week and a half until I go to my doctor for another check. I had planned to wait to tell everyone at our February 13th school faculty meeting that I'm pregnant, but I'm starting to show a little and can't wear many pants. So, I might do this today.

I lost two pounds, but I'm constantly eating. I also increased my physical activity, so that could be to blame. I'm eating a lot of whole grains and fruits (at least one serving a day). I eat at 6:45, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 12:00, 2:00, 3:30, and 5:30. I have to eat a snack between 8:00 and 9:00 before bed or I wake up hungry in the middle of the night. I'm on a snack or eating schedule every hour and a half to two hours.

The baby is about 2 1/2 inches long this week. The arms and legs are growing and becoming more functional. The baby's fingers are developed. The nails and hair are beginning to grow! It's just so amazing the amount of changes that happen in such a short amount of time.

12 Weeks

I have about 15 pairs of pants in my closet for school. I can only wear about 4 pairs. I tried to buy clearance pants a size larger than what I normally wear, but the pants were too large. I don't have a butt normally, but the larger pants made it look worse. So, I went on strike and decided to pull out the maternity pants! I get paid on the 31st, so my friend Suzy and I are planning on hitting Motherhood next Friday to put me into comfort.

11 Weeks

Hi, everyone! All has been well here. I've been put on waiting lists at two daycare centers in our area. That was a stressful time. And I found out that my best friend, Suzy, is also pregnant! She's due about 5 weeks after me, so it will be exciting to go baby shopping with someone here. Paul's been super sweet and affectionate. He usually says, "Hi, baby. Hi, baby-baby," when he comes home, which is nice to have him already acknowledging our baby. I've been feeling great. I've gained only an inch around my waist since pregnancy started, but I lost 2 pounds this week. I've been eating like a horse, so I'm thinking things are just shifting. My spirits were down earlier this week, but they are picking up. I'm starting to fill out a bit, but no one has yet asked if I'm pregnant because I look it, which is a relief. I think I'm going to tell my school staff at a February 13th meeting. That way, I'll have the okay from the doctor (next appointment is February 5th) and we should know if all is well.

Justin's mom fussed at me that I needed to show my belly. I can tell that I'm getting bigger, but it isn't that obvious yet. (Although it may look like I'm upset in this picture, I'm really not. Paul was having a hard time getting my camera to take a picture, I was running late, and I was confused at why the camera wasn't working!)

10 Weeks

I am 10 weeks today. Here is a photograph from this morning. I've gained a pound and a little around my waist. I've had a pretty hearty appetite the past few days. (It's just 4:00 PM and I had to eat a sandwich before supper!) I've been feeling energetic and happy, so you can't ask for more than that.

Nine and a Half Weeks Picture

I had to change my striped sweater because I looked plump this morning. I went for a larger dress shirt, just in case anyone gets curious. (We need to wait until February before we tell. February is when my chances of a miscarriage are only 1%.)

9 1/2 Week Check-up

Great news! My doctor said everything is going well. According to the size of the baby, my due date is August 13 (my birthday). We tried to listen to the baby's heartbeat, but we could not. She took me in for a sonogram and couldn't see the baby. She had to do an internal ultrasound and immediately saw the baby and the (strong) beating heart. (I got more pictures, but they don't look any different than the ones from Jan. 2.)

My next appointment is February 5. She plans to try to listen for the heartbeat again, but she is prepared that we may not hear it still. She said that the reason why she had a hard time looking for and finding a heartbeat and the baby with sonogram was because the baby is sitting REALLY low in my pelvic region. (This supports that my previous doctor told me that my uterus had dropped a year ago.) All is fine, but Dr. Faruque said it will be a while before I start to show. I personally think my belly has rounded, but...

Nicknames

My dad asked if we had nicknamed the baby yet. I figured we'd see a peanut shaped being in the ultrasound, but the baby is further along than that. Courtesy of my friend, Suzy, she dubbed the baby Stumpy (because you can see the stumps of the arms forming). I spoke with my Grandma Bunce and she asked how Penolope was doing, so she apparently has a different idea.

Baby's First Pictures

We had our third ultrasound appointment on January 2, 2007. As it looks right now, the baby is growing rapidly and is healthy. The heartbeat was recorded at 181 beats per minute (a very good thing). You can see the head and body. Near the head are the arm buds--not a complete arm/hand combination, but the formation is there!