23 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 23 weeks (plus 2 days)  

Size of baby: 11 inches long and a little over 1 pound.

What the baby is up to: His blood vessels are forming in his lungs, preparing for him to breathe. His hearing is getting better and he will begin to recognize familiar sounds.

Maternity Clothes: Yes - these are definitely necessary.

Gender: It's a BOY!!!! 

Name: It's a secret! We may reveal one letter at a time...see if you can figure it out! 

Movement: Yes! Lots and lots and lots of movement!

Cravings: Buffalo sauce.

Anti-cravings: Nothing really...? That's good! 

Symptoms: Not having many symptoms lately. I am feeling great. 

Sleep: I have been sleeping really good. I took a blanket off my side of the bed so I don't wake up hot! 

What I miss: I can't think of anything this week!

Best Moment this week: Trophy Hub getting to feel him move. 

20 weeks - HALFWAY mark!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 weeks - halfway! 

Size of baby: 10 inches from head to heel and about 10 1/2 ounces.

What the baby is up to: Baby K is swallowing more these days which is good practice for the digestive system. His body is also producing meconium, the black sticky by-product of digestion. This is the special little treat that Trophy Hub will find in Baby K's first few diapers.  

Maternity Clothes: Yes - these are definitely necessary.

Gender: It's a BOY!!!! 

Movement: Yes! 

Cravings: Chips and salsa.

Anti-cravings: Still the hamburger. Ick! 

Symptoms: Not having many symptoms lately. I am feeling great. 

Sleep: I slept pretty good this week (despite potty interruptions).

What I miss: Sleeping all night...I get up at least 2 times at night to go to the bathroom.

Best Moment this week: Seeing our perfectly healthy baby boy on ultrasound! It was the first time Trophy Hub could come to an appointment with me and he beamed seeing his boy.

19 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Size of baby: 6 inches from head to bottom and weighs 8 1/2 ounces. Baby K is the size of a large heirloom tomato (whatever that is).

What the baby is up to: The brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch. Some research shows that the baby can hear my voice now also. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes - these are definitely necessary.

Gender: We will find out TOMORROW!!! 

Movement: Yes! Very much so today!

Cravings: Sargento string cheese.

Anti-cravings: One of my (formerly) favorite restaurants. Just can't do it... 

Symptoms: Sneezing, nose constantly running or stuffy. The severity of this is not consistent. I thought it was getting better, but I'm back to waking up at 4am. 

Sleep: I sleep pretty good until 4am.

What I miss: Sleeping all night.

Best Moment this week: Bubba saw a giraffe at Target yesterday that has a wind-up lullaby that he wanted to get for "our baby". It IS "our baby"!

17 weeks!

I'm 2 days late! OOPS!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 17 weeks + 2 days :-)

Size of baby: 5 inches from head to bottom and weighs 5 ounces. Baby K is the size of a hand opened wide. 

What the baby is up to: The baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. He/she can move the joints and sweat glands are forming.

Maternity Clothes: Yes - these are definitely necessary.

Gender: We don't know yet! Everyone says a girl.

Movement: Yes. I think this baby is a night owl like me.

Cravings: Havarti cheese.

Anti-cravings: One of my (formerly) favorite restaurants. Just can't do it... 

Symptoms: Sneezing, nose constantly running or stuffy. The severity of this is not consistent. I thought it was getting better, but I'm back to waking up at 4am. 

Sleep: I sleep pretty good until 4am.

What I miss: Sleeping all night.

Best Moment this week: Trophy Hub bringing home a small package of newborn diapers. I think he's nesting. :-)

Cami-hell

Today I wore a camisole similar to this one under another shirt to work.

It's one that I got when I was pregnant with Bubba. It was amazing how quickly the discomfort of this thing came rushing back to me. I don't think I was even out of the house before I was ready to tear it off and start over. But, in typical mommy fashion, I didn't have time to change, so out the door I went.

You see when I hold it up, it's about 7 inches long so the bottom of it rests on TOP of my belly rather than below it as shown in the super cute picture. ALL DAY LONG that stinking thing was rolled up right under my boobs.

Not. Comfy. At. All.

I had bought a few more of these a few weeks ago at Target and they are super long. I found that annoying because I can pull it over my belly and it still comes halfway down my legs. After today's experience though, I am thinking that longer is better.

16 weeks

(When Bubba asked what the baby looked like this week and saw this picture, he said "he's praying!")

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: 4 1/2 inches from crown to rump and weighs 3 1/2 ounces. Baby K is the size of an avocado. 

What the baby is up to: Getting ready for a big growth spurt. In the next few weeks, baby K will double his/her size! (Maybe that explains my HUNGER the last few days!) He/she has started growing toenails and is now pumping 25 quarts of blood through his/her heart each day. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes - these are definitely necessary.

Gender: We don't know yet! Everyone says a girl.

Movement: Yes, I think so! 

Cravings: Havarti cheese.

Anti-cravings: Anything greasy. Hamburger. ICK. 

Symptoms: Sneezing, nose constantly running or stuffy. I started using nasal pray about 12 days ago to help relieve the stuffiness. I quickly remembered that that stuff is horrible. It helps for the day, but the problem just gets worse over time, you become dependent on it and it completely kills your taste buds. So, after using it for 9 days, I went cold turkey and I think it might be getting better. (I don't really think it is, I'm just trying to stay positive!)  

Sleep: Last week I invested in a body pillow, which Trophy Hub fondly refers to as my "boyfriend". Don't let him fool you though, he admitted to snuggling up to my "boyfriend" to stay warm. It is pretty comfy and I've been sleeping much better.

What I miss: Sleeping all night.

Best Moment this week: Feeling distinct baby movements!

AI

I really didn't think with Simon being gone that I would be into American Idol this season.

I was wrong.

I have always loved Randy, but Simon had that hard exterior that is hard for me to resist.

I like Jennifer Lopez, she seems like a very down to earth gal, even though the woman is drop dead gorgeous.

Steven Tyler is really the one that has surprised me. I was an Aerosmith fan, but didn't really know much about him personally. Not that I do now, but I have seen him be very sensitive and kind to many of the contestants and their families...there were a few stories with a special needs child and girlfriend that Steven seemed especially touched. The last story on tonight's show made me bawl. (Not that it takes much these days.) I wish I could find it online and post it here in case you missed it.

I will definitely keep watching. The talent is always amazes me! I love watching people's dreams come true.