Anatomy Ultrasound photos & videos!

Wow! The anatomy ultrasound was such an amazing experience! You wait SO long (almost 5 months) to finally see what this hormonal body changing thing looks like and then you are blown away! It was such a fun TWO HOURS! Haha. The baby was position with its whole body horizontal (head towards my left hip, feet towards my right hip) and face towards my back, so this made it near to impossible for the ultrasound tech to get the proper measurements. As I have been told the anatomy scan is for the doctor to make sure the baby has all the proper looking organs, the bones measure right, the brain and head measure correctly and to discover any heart abnormalities. 

Because of how the baby was laying, (and "not cooperating") the technician was pushing and shaking my belly in hopes to get the baby to flip over... did not work ;) During the hour of her pushing and trying to get the baby's measurements, she had to turn the monitor off just in case the baby moved all the sudden and opened it's legs to reveal the gender... no such luck on the baby moving to the preference of the tech, but while the monitor was off she got the cutest photo of baby's right foot! She also printed a copy for us which was awesome. So after the first hour she said she would show the doctor the images she got and be back to let us know if we would need to come in a different day in hopes the baby would be cooperating... 

Then the doctor came in (fetal medicine doctor who we had not met before) and wanted to get a better look at my cervix so he needed to do a vaginal ultrasound... oh goody :/ BUT once he confirmed my cervix was a good length, he then was actually able to see the baby perfectly because of how it was laying. We saw all 4 chambers of the heart and even the valves moving. IT WAS SO AMAZING! Then they were able to locate the kidneys, bladder, gall bladder, stomach, liver, diagram, aortic arch, arteries.... so much grey! We had no idea what they were looking at, but the doctor and technician were SO excited! It was really fun!

Our Baby checked out perfect, after they finally were able to see what they needed to see!

We only got a few blurry pictures, but the videos are pretty cool! If you don't know what your looking at, don't worry we barely do as well! 

Baby's right foot with 5 little toes :)

Blurry side view of baby's face (the ball like thing in front of the face is the umbilical cord)

Blurry side view of baby's face (the ball like thing in front of the face is the umbilical cord)

Video of Baby's tongue (really hard to see)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9qa-3_Gzkf5ck91c21Cak1abEk/view?usp=sharing

Video of Baby sucking and heart beating 

(baby is just sucking the amniotic fluid not sucking its thumb or anything - also very hard to see if you are not sure what you are looking at)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9qa-3_Gzkf5TnJnd0VpT1pmcUU/view?usp=sharing

19 weeks!

Note to self: Each week I keep forgetting important things that "I want to remember". So I plan to have a note-to-self section here. This week my note to self is that my lina negra (dark line that develops from your pubic bone up to your navel and may extend to the top of the abdomen) that is a hormone produced by the placenta called melanocyte. This hormone also darkens other parts of the woman too :) My line developed between week 17 & 18. It does not develop with all pregnancies and sometimes it doesn't go away until you stop breastfeeding!

How many weeks pregnant?

19 weeks

Which trimester are you in?

 2nd!

Baby’s size?

Baby is approx 6 inches, 6oz, size of a banana or a really big tomato

Have you started to show yet? 
Yes! My belly is rounding out more, less fat feeling and actually pregnant feeling. When your best friend tells you, "you look pregnant, there is no mistaking it!" Makes me feel better about it all. Also since I can't fit in my scrubs at my Menlo Pediatric job I made an outfit with this ugly "nursing scrub jacket" and everyone at work says "I wish I had a reason to dress that cute" I am feeling a lot better about showing :)

What are some of your pregnancy symptoms?
Very hungry all the time! I am trying to eat small meals but then I get to meal time and chow down! I really need to slooooowww down my eating because I get so full! This week I had an event that I actually got really dehydrated and had the WORST leg cramps all night long. The next day my wedding ring did not fit :( I was a swollen crampy mess! Thankfully drinking a ton of water and napping made the cramps and swelling go away!

Happy or moody most of the time? 
More of a moody week :/

Any cravings?
Chocolate coconut Almonds (from Trader Joe's) Yum! Raw Almonds are still my favorite snacking option. I eat A LOT of avocado! Air heads and licorice are still a daily treat :)

Any food aversions?
Chicken and bacon. True aversion.

Sleep?
Only a few more days of sleeping on my back and enjoying every night of it. I keep trying to sleep with more pillows but can't seem to figure out how to have them help my positioning, they just end up on the floor. 

Highlight of the week?
PEACH FESTIVAL! My favorite summer time day of the year! This year of course I was not drinking wine, but I still got to enjoy great company, great food, and too many guava sodas (hence the leg cramps listed above). Here are some pictures:

Sam and I cooling off in the wine cellar. 

Sam sharing his kettle corn with Harper (one of our friend's kids)

Only Belly photo taken this week! 

Sam drying off after spending lots of time in the misters!

Group Photo! 

(Not pictured: Megan, Justin, Liz, Brandon, Jen, Joe, Harper, & Hailey!)

Are you wearing maternity clothes yet?

Yes! Finally found some jeans and leggings to make my wardrobe more complete! Still wearing lots of dresses and maxi skirts.

Have any stretch marks?

Not really that I can see. but it is definitely getting hard to see anything on or bellow my belly. 

Has your belly button popped out?

Still a stretched out innie!

Feel any kicks? 

Not yet... I am hoping any day now! I want to feel that connection!

Gender prediction:

Nothing this week. And we did not get any peaks during our anatomy ultrasound either (which is best to keep our surprise going!)

How has Dad been this week?

We were both so shocked on watching the anatomy ultrasound! The baby looked like a skeleton face! haha! We got to see the mouth open and close and see the heart really clearly which as so cool. Dad can't wait to feel the baby move as well! We also bought some paint to test out in the nursery ;)

Here is the delayed video of Sam's Day out:

Video of Sam's day out to Train town!

18 weeks!

Notes to self: Well, that came super fast. This was a MUCH better week. When people ask "How are you feeling" I now can be honest and say "this is a good week" because I know the difference :)

How many weeks pregnant?

18 weeks

Which trimester are you in?

 2nd!

Baby’s size?

Baby is approx 5.5 inches, 5-6oz, size of a sweet potato

Have you started to show yet? 
For sure. I am a "show-er". There is no hiding it now. I literally don't fit in any of my pants. I can't even fit in my hospital scrubs that I usually wear to one of my summer jobs. I am trying to embrace it and be on top on finding other options before I start crying...

What are some of your pregnancy symptoms?
Actual headaches that need tylenol to take them away...kind of the hang over feeling I had during 1st trimester but with more engergy and no nausea. HUNGRY! Almost HANGRY at times... Trying to make good choices but if I am craving a cheese burger... Baby gets a cheese burger :). This week's symptoms are more manageable. One new things happened which was quite scary, I almost passed out in the shower, not sure why but it was not pleasant... will be asking my doc about that.

Happy or moody most of the time? 
Still moody, but looking forward to our anatomy ultrasound and being half way cooked!!! 

Any cravings?
Well there are a lot of things I really like. Most recent craving was a cheese burger and it was SO Good! But I was really really full after! Ha! Still munching on raw veggies and ranch and raw almonds... all healthy and good snacks. Oh I also eat way too much cheese!

Any food aversions?
Chicken. True aversion. Yuck.

Sleep?
I have a few consecutive days off before my summer break is over and I am sleeping in while I can!

Highlight of the week?
Much needed GIRL TIME! I had one night to hang with all my girls who have kids and been through this once or twice and thoroughly enjoyed feeling normal again. Also hung out with Katie (best friend from HS) and did some wedding planning with her. It's quite crazy how just talking about something other than the baby or pregnancy can relieve a lot of stress. Wedding planning (for someone else's wedding) was very therapeutic! 

Video of Sam's day out to come! 
(technical difficulties with Jameson's computer)

Are you wearing maternity clothes yet?

Yes and no. Ordered some pants that have yet to arrive. I am crossing my fingers they fit for the next 6 months! I am running low on options. 

Have any stretch marks?
Every night after Jameson gives me my injection he uses the "chocolate butter" - my pregnancy nose makes the coco butter literally smell like chocolate! It is a nice gesture that he makes to take care of my growing belly. 

Has your belly button popped out?
Still an innie, waiting for the week it pops! Jameson has been taking weekly photos to monitor :)

Feel any kicks? 
Nothing yet. But I really do not know what a feeling could be. I feel some pains hear and there. Occasionally I will feel gas, but it is usually gas... I don't even know where the baby could be? Hopefully on the ultrasound next week I will have a better idea on "where" to feel the kicks.

Gender prediction:
None this week. But baby girl clothes are starting to look just as cute as boy clothes!

How has Dad been this week?
Great. My favorite thing that he has started to do, is 1) read his dad book 2) tell me fun facts about the baby or my pregnancy I don't know yet! My favorite so far was the other day when I was hungry and didn't know what to eat, he suggested carrots and ranch and then proceeded to tell me that the baby can now suck and swallow amniotic fluid and that the amniotic fluid changes flavors based on what I eat, so eat more carrots and maybe baby will like carrots! hahahaha!


Gift for baby from Auntie Katie

Week 18 Bump Photos:

17 Weeks!

Please feel free to disregard this bitch/complaining/honesty session....I am sure all of this is normal, but just wanted to get it out while I remember...

I would like to start this weeks blog post with brutal honesty. This week has been rough for many reasons. Mainly I am feeling so "out of control". I feel like I put in my head the expectation that pregnancy should be such a happy and exciting time, ALL the time, but to be honest it is not happy ALL the time. I feel out of control of my mind, my body, and my heart. I feel like my high school girl stage where I was negative, sad, teary, up then down, then up, then hating life again... for no apparent reason. My emotions are on HIGH ALERT. I literally cry for no reason or get super mad when there is no reason to feel that way. My poor husband thinks I am out of my mind (bc i feel like i am!) and that I don't make any sense. I literally came home yesterday to a clean house & kitchen, cleaned up soon-to-be baby room and I got mad at him for moving something! Thats all i said to him but that he shouldn't have moved something... I didn't even acknowledge anything nice that he had done. I feel so helpless. To top off the emotions, my 'sharp' mind is disappearing. I forget things all the time, i change my mind in an instant, and I lose certain words. In addition, I feel like I am physically growing nonstop (I know I am growing a human)... but my boobs are exploding out of my bras and my bra is too tight on the loosest clip, my pants only fit when I am standing... who only stands? and I just feel so fat, SO FAST! I thought I was watching what I was eating but when your hungry, tired, hot, and moody licorice and veggies straws are the only thing I want to eat! Lastly, my heart is making me feel like I regret not being newlyweds longer. We went from total bliss to pregnant! Of course that is what we wanted and talked about, but in a weird way I feel like I am mourning a loss of just "us". Of course everyone says that will soon be forgotten once the little one is put in our arms, but all these feelings are just overwhelming. Whew. 

How many weeks pregnant?

17 weeks

Which trimester are you in?

 2nd!

Baby’s size?

Baby is approx 5inches, 5oz, size of a turnip

Have you started to show yet? 
Yes. I have now noticed how different everyone "shows". Being that I am an early shower, I am nervous to see what happens in the next few months. I am trying hard to embrace the fact that there is a human growing inside and how much of a miracle it really is. 

What are some of your pregnancy symptoms?
Slow... I feel as though I am walking through mud or sand at all times. Occasional headaches, constipation, Forgetfulness, on and off stuffy nose, increased appetite

Happy or moody most of the time? 
Super moody. 

Any cravings?
Finally figured out a true craving... Coconut! I did not like coconut before pregnancy, but currently I love anything with coconut, especially trader Joe's chocolate covered almonds with coconut. I also had an iced coffee (yes i drank coffee without barfing!) made with coconut cream... I have no idea what it was but it was SO good! I also really like Almonds as those taste similar to the fresh coconuts we had in Tahiti. I also still really enjoy licorice (both red & black) and veggie stix (the unhealthy kind).

Any food aversions?
Im not a huge fan of chicken or bacon. I will eat both, but would prefer neither. Which makes eating sandwiches hard, since I am not supposed to eat deli meat, my fall back is chicken or BLT's. 

Sleep?
Sleep has been good to me this week. I think its because I have been such an emotional wreck!

Highlight of the week?
Jameson and I got to spend the day with our nephew Sam (my brother's kid). For all of our nephews 2nd birthdays we gave them an "Auntie & Uncle" day out gift so that we could spend some quality time with them and our brothers and SIL's could have a day to themselves! 

Video of Sam's day out to come! 

Are you wearing maternity clothes yet?

Yes and no. Yesterday had trouble with my hospital scrubs as the shirt was already a bit short and the pants are high waisted... it as a very uncomfortable day. Again, trying to embrace the changes but frustrated with not fitting in my clothes.

Have any stretch marks?
Every night after Jameson gives me my injection he uses the "chocolate butter" - my pregnancy nose makes the coco butter literally smell like chocolate! It is a nice gesture that he makes to take care of my growing belly. 

Has your belly button popped out?
Still an innie! Jameson has been taking weekly photos to monitor :)

Feel any kicks? 
Nothing yet. They say 18-22 weeks is typical. After dinner I lay on the couch and try really hard to feel something, but I have yet to feel anything consistent. Hoping it comes sooner than later!

Gender prediction:
We started discussing names and we came up with one boy name we both liked enough to write down, but cannot agree on any girl names... we'll see if that changes. Also not knowing the gender has really helped with my shopping problem!

How has Dad been this week?
Thank god only one of us has to go through the emotional rollercoaster! Can you imagine if men had to? I am so thankful he can put up with my mess of emotions and still remind me the positives when I am crying for no reason! 

Week 17 belly photo

 Brave belly shot

16 weeks = 4 months!

How many weeks pregnant?

16 weeks

Which trimester are you in?

 2nd!

Baby’s size?

Baby is approx 4-5inches, 3-5oz, size of an avocado

Have you started to show yet? 
Yes, I am now showing to strangers or people I don't even know! As I have received many "congratulations" and I literally have to pause and remember its not because I just got married! Haha! My "upper belly" is firm and feels like it "popped" but my lower belly is still squishy 😝 My doc says around 20 weeks everything becomes more firm because of the uterus moving up. (so cool what the body can do!)

What are some of your pregnancy symptoms?
Hmm... Still peeing often but not as urgently, bleeding gums (very common in 2nd trimester), heartburn (tums work well)...

Happy or moody most of the time? 
Moody. Crying on and off. Ugh!

Any cravings?
Veggie stix or veggie chips (basically potato chips but crispier)! Veggie trays, carrots especially with ranch. CHEESE! Lots of cheese & crackers!

Any food aversions?
Chicken on and off. Mint flavored things

Sleep?
Starting to have some trouble getting comfortable but don't want to complain much because at this point I am still allowed to sleep on my back

Highlight of the week?
Fun family adventure to Angel Island with our nephews! Also it is nice that I am actually showing outwardly more than just feeling pregnant.

Angel Island Video


Are you wearing maternity clothes yet?

Yes and no. Still having trouble finding things that fit properly. However thankful for stretchy maxi skirts!

Have any stretch marks?
Not that I can see yet, but started rubbing it down with coco butter!

Has your belly button popped out?
Still an innie! But very excited to see it change!

Feel any kicks? (Plan to describe the moment I feel!)
Not yet, but today at my doctor's appt the doctor was listening to the heart rate with the fetal monitor and the baby kept "running away" and then while we were listening to the heartbeat, all the sudden was a loud noise and the doctor said "did you feel that kick"? I didn't, but she reassured me I will soon enough as the baby is doing summersaults! Can't wait!

Gender prediction:
No ideas yet this week.

How has Dad been this week?
He is very good at giving me my nightly injections and drinking beer on weekends :)

Week 16 photo

15 weeks!

How many weeks pregnant?

15 weeks

Which trimester are you in?

 Second! Yay finally in it and feeling it. 

Baby’s size?

Baby is approx 4.5 inches, 2-3oz. Baby is as big as an orange

Have you started to show yet? 
YES! This "showing" thing has now happened. I really thought I could hide it for a couple more weeks, but I literally cannot button my pants. And my great idea of the belly band is not working very well. I am trying to embrace the "showing" part but sometimes its really obvious and then sometimes I still look bloated or fat. I am sure in a couple weeks I will feel the opposite. 

What are some of your pregnancy symptoms?
Started having heartburn. It is not the type of heartburn I have had pre-pregnancy this is like shooting pains. It is very on and off, but it can be severe enough to wake me up in the middle of the night. Scary.  Also started feeling the "round ligament" pain, which my doctor and friends describe as your joints and hips loosing and preparing for delivery. 

Happy or moody most of the time? 
Happy... however I am yet to feel "pregnancy is so great!"... I may never feel that way, but I am finally starting to feel better about the whole pregnancy. Still moody on and off. Snacks keep my moodiness away :)

Any cravings?
Cup of noodles! Certain things are really good, such as: Cereal; Quaker Oat squares & Life cereal with milk and bananas! Skittles (purple skittles are not sold at safeway! such a bummer), pickles (but I've always liked pickles), veggie sandwiches with avocado.

Any food aversions?
Beef (carne asada or any beef products). This is not a food aversion, but worth mentioning, dirty dishes are SO gross. I normally do not mind doing dishes, but left over food on dishes is disgusting! 

Sleep?
Still sleeping good. Starting to feel little bursts of energy here and there. Tried sleeping with one of those pregnancy pillows but could not figure out how to use it and threw it off the bed! Obviously I am not ready for it. 

Highlight of the week?
So many highlights! Received THREE more baby/pregnancy gifts! Feeling the love! Totally made my week! (Pictures below) Also, I finally let Jameson give me my nightly injection and to my surprise he did well :) and it did not hurt as much. I am really happy to put that "chore" on someone else!

Are you wearing maternity clothes yet?
Yes and no. Ordered some shirts/tanks from Old Navy and totally made me feel more comfortable. I am still wearing mostly maxi skirts or dresses to work. I need to get some pants but don't want to spent too much. We will see what I can find...!

Have any stretch marks?
Not that I can see yet. But something that I have noticed is how furry (sounds better than hairy) my belly is! It's crazy! I know its juts hormones, but I used to pride myself on how non-hairy I was! haha!

Has your belly button popped out?
Still an innie!

Feel any kicks? (Plan to describe the moment I feel!)
Not yet. I really hope it happens sooner than later. They say you can typically start feeling them 16-24 weeks and its usually on the later side the first pregnancy. 

Gender prediction:
No ideas yet. Some one told me because I hate coffee, it was a girl. Who knows!

How has Dad been this week?
He has been a great motivator to get us out walking every night or morning. He also has been enjoying the cute gifts we have received! He has also been exceptional good at doing the dirty dishes :)

Earlier this week, I worked at my "other job" as I call it, which is Menlo Pediatrics. I work as a phone triage advice nurse in a pediatric office with 12 doctors. I enjoy doing this job on the side because it helps keep up my pediatric/infant experience and I really enjoy my co-workers! I only work there intermittent on weekends or a few shifts during the summer. I decided to announce to my co-workers like this:

While my lovely co-workers were on lunch break, Becca & JK, went shopping for baby W and bought a lovey and adorable recycled paper baby animal book! So cute and such a nice surprise to end my work day :)

Then while I was working from home on my nurse summer camp job at Stanford (its a summer camp for High School students who stay on campus for 3 weeks), I received this HILARIOUS mug from my friend Megan Ransford! I LOVE IT!

To top off the weekend, we received this awesome package from my Auntie Laura & Uncle Ron in Washington. The book is a perfect way to get a laugh regarding this pregnancy! Also love the card! Jameson really like the stuffed dog. Thank you!

Weekly Bump Photos:

This photo below was when I was doing laundry and glanced in the mirror, and literally had to take a double look! OMG! I have a belly! Such a crazy experience!