Week 20 and Ultrasound Results

How far along:  20 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Banana (6.5 inches, 10.5 ounces)

Milestones: BB's movement is really picking up, I can say that I feel at least a few movements almost every hour, especially if I'm sitting with my legs crossed for whatever reason. His skin, brain, and other organs continue to develop a little bit at a time. At this point BB can experience REM sleep, so he may be having dreams already! 

Best Moment This Week: The ultrasound was so wonderful! Leif and I were practically speechless the entire time since it was a lot to process. When little BB first appeared on their screen, he was gulping, but it looked like he was saying "hello" to us! He had his fists up by his face most of the time and wouldn't stop wiggling around, making it hard for them to get pictures at times! Everything checked out great and BB is developing as he should. The only issue is that my placenta is a little low - it's supposed to be 2 cm above my cervix, but it's only 1.6 cm. It's not too far off and might move up as my uterus continues to grow, but just in case, my doctor is monitoring me a little more closely. I'll have to have an additional ultrasound at 28 weeks to see how things are progressing, and based on a little research I did, it looks like I may be required to have a c-section if it the placenta ultimately isn't high enough. We'll see what happens! I'm just grateful and feeling blessed that everything else looked good. We weren't overly surprised that it was a boy - Leif and I both had very specific dreams that it was. I'm really looking forward to raising a little boy and Leif reminded me that I always used say "I'd love to have a little Leif around!" 

What I’m Looking Forward To: Now that we know it's a boy, we've been really trying to hammer out some names and thinking about what it will be like to raise a son. I'm looking forward to everything we'll learn throughout this process and the different skills and interests we and the rest of our family and friends can share with sweet little BB. Knowing what his face looks like makes me so much more excited to snuggle him and hold him in my arms. From this point on, he'll start putting on fat and will start looking cuter and cuter every day!

What I Miss The Most: Even though it's not that pronounced yet, my movements are starting to get more restricted, and I've already developed a little bit of a pregnancy waddle when I walk. Luckily, all of this has been gradual, so I'm adapting as best as I can. I find that getting in and out of the car takes a little longer and I have to be careful turning over in bed. Essentially, I'm just slower now, but I only have approximately 19 more weeks to go! 

Symptoms: I've noticed that my belly bump is becoming more defined and a lot of my regular shirts ride up or hang off me, so I pretty much exclusively wear maternity tops in public at this point. Otherwise, there aren't many new symptoms this week. I've been experiencing a somewhat chronically stuffy nose, but I'm not sure if that's the pregnancy, the weather, or both. 

Cravings: Still loving my sweets, especially peanut butter cookies! We've also been making a lot of turkey tacos with lots of guacamole, which have been delicious. Despite my best efforts to drink plenty of water every day, my OB said I should be drinking more. I normally get 8-10 cups a day, but she said it should be more like 10-12. I had been having some cramping and she thought it could've been from dehydration. So not exactly a craving but still something I'm going to be consuming a lot of!

And now for some ultrasound pictures and a couple videos!

Week 19

How far along:  19 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Zesty zucchini (6 inches, 8.5 ounces)

Milestones: BB's development is moving right along! His or her legs are almost proportionate to his or her body and BB is starting become covered in a waxy coating called vernix caseosa, which keeps his or her skin moist and will assist him or her with gliding down the birth canal when the time comes. 😲 BB's lips are developed and he or she is sprouting little hairs on his or her head! By the time I write my next blog post, I won't have to use "he/she, him/her, or hers/his" anymore... that is, unless he or she is being modest during the ultrasound and they can't tell the sex!

Best Moment This Week: Harder, more pronounced kicks that are all over my belly, and knowing I only have a little while longer to go until the big ultrasound! It's kind of nerve-wracking, but hopefully everything looks good. I can tell Leif is getting excited too since he has been rubbing my belly and talking to BB a lot more, so it will be great to have a better visual of what's going on inside my bump. My coworker said that it's pretty normal nowadays for the OB to use 3D ultrasound technology, so we may be able to see a really detailed image if that's the case. 

What I’m Looking Forward To: You guessed it... the ultrasound! Also looking forward to feeling movements more regularly. Right now, BB has a pretty consistent schedule of kicking for little periods of time in the morning when I get to work, around lunchtime, the later afternoon, and before going to bed.

What I Miss The Most: Food safety has become a little bit of a stressor again. Last Friday, I ordered a "super" mango turmeric smoothie with a bunch of healthy additives from a coffee shop. It was tasty and I didn't think much of it until I got home... then I started wondering if large doses of turmeric are okay since some spices are dangerous, and it turned out that turmeric is a big no-no because it can cause uterine contractions and bleeding. I freaked out since I had a fairly potent dose and there was pepper in the smoothie too which apparently boosts its bioavailabilty by 2000%. I called my OB and she said it would be fine, but to not do it again since that much turmeric is equivalent to taking a supplement which is highly discouraged. I'm used to eating quirky foods, but I think I need to keep my diet as mainstream as I can so I don't keep putting myself through this! 

Symptoms: This week's new weird symptom is back pain. I don't have a very good back and the pregnancy is putting a lot of strain on it. I keep getting a stabbing pain right in the middle of my spine at the bend and sometimes it radiates off to the side. My doctor said it sounds muscular and should resolve itself soon. It's been getting a little better every day, but I doubt this will be the last of it. However, it has caused me to reevaluate my posture, shoes, sleeping position, and anything else that might be contributing to the pain. These changes seem to help helping.

Cravings: Sweets! Last night, all I wanted was an apple pie, which is funny because I don't normally like it that much. We splurged a little and got one from the New Pioneer Co-op and it was AMAZING. I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of it tonight. Been eating more baked goods, but trying to do so in moderation. I usually strive to balance out the junk food with veggies and protein, but some days that's easier than others. As always, just doing my best!

Week 18

How far along:  18 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Sweet potato (5.5 inches, 7 ounces)

Milestones: Baby Bear's nervous system and facial features are developing and he or she is starting to kick up a storm! Throughout the day, I experience flurries of movements, some of which I manage to catch with my hand! With the nervous system developing, it's key to get enough healthy fats to help the process along. Luckily, my oatmeal and other foods I eat are fortified with omegas and my multivitamin has algae-sourced DHA, so I don't really have to think about adding extra foods to my diet.

Best Moment This Week: Again, the increased movement has been magical! Little Baby Bear is actually fluttering along right now as I type, maybe he or she knows I'm thinking about him or her! It's been pretty interesting feeling the kicks rotate around my lower abdomen. A lot of the time, the movement is in the center or off to the left, but once in a while, I'll feel a jab on the right. The other day before work, Leif said "Hope Baby Bear gets lots of exercise today!" At this rate, it seems like he or she will come out an Olympic swimmer lol. I also signed up for most of my prenatal classes, including ones about birth, breastfeeding, baby basics, and a tour of St.Luke's Labor and Delivery Center. These will be in March and April. There are some others like car seat safety, CPR, and "happiest baby" that I plan on taking too.

What I’m Looking Forward To: The countdown continues until the big ultrasound! Only 12 more days to go! The other night I had a vivid dream that I was having a boy... but I guess we'll see. ☺ Also looking forward to feeling more kicks. Leif was able to catch a couple movements last weekend, so that was really exciting too.

What I Miss The Most: I feel like every week a new quirky symptom pops up for me, so that wears on me a little bit. This week, my left ear kept popping and it would turn into this obnoxious whooshing sound, almost like I'm breathing through my ear and all other sounds are amplified. It had happened once or twice before over the last few months, but never to the extent it did throughout this week. It gets better after laying down or putting my head between my knees, but that's not useful while at work. After a little research, it sounds like Patulous Eustachian Tube which pregnancy is a risk factor for. It's been better today, and it doesn't sound like doctors can do too much for it anyway, so I plan on just mentioning it at my next appointment if it doesn't get a lot worse.

Symptoms: My stomach has been in much better shape this week, so I'm grateful for that and hope it lasts for a while. Dry skin, especially on my hands, has become more pronounced, but I think that's mostly due to washing my hands more excessively to avoid getting sick. Work got pretty stressful this week, and I was feeling panicky for a while one evening, but luckily I was able to bounce back by the next day. Besides the ear trouble, I haven't really had many other symptoms, so it's been a relatively quiet week.

Cravings: I just had the tastiest bean, ham, and turkey soup at Greyhound Deli... it had a little kick to it, but I think it was worth it. I keep wanting cheesecake, but that's one of those cravings I'll probably want to deal with in moderation haha. Still eating cheesy popcorn and making sure I incorporate healthy snacks like almonds, apples, bananas, and yogurt.

Week 17 & Gender Prediction

How far along:  17 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Tangy pomegranate (5 inches)

Milestones: Baby Bear's coordination continues to progress and he or she can yawn, swallow, and even suck his or her thumb! It's the cutest vision picturing little BB yawning. 😍 The umbilical chord is getting stronger and better at delivering nutrients to BB, so I've been working harder on eating foods with a nutritional punch (... well, aside from the family-size bag of chips I ate in two days this week...). BB's bones are hardening and his or her sense of sight, smell, sound, and touch are coming along.

Best Moment This Week: Usually when there's movement, I try to feel it from the outside, but BB tends to get stage fright when I put my hand on my belly... it's a little game we've been playing. However, earlier this week, I managed to catch one little flicking feeling, so I think I officially felt the first kick with my hand! Leif has a habit of resting his hand on my belly for a minute or two, hoping he will feel something himself, but I know it will probably be a few weeks before it's consistent enough for that. 

What I’m Looking Forward To: Only 18 days until I get to see BB again at the ultrasound! Leif didn't attend the eight week ultrasound, so I'm really looking forward to experiencing this one together. I've watched a few Youtube videos of 20 week ultrasounds, and it's amazing how fully developed the baby looks.

What I Miss The Most: Leif and I have been spending a lot of time evaluating our budget, finding ways to save money, and all kinds of overall planning. It's been a bit of a stressor for both of us, but I keep telling myself that all parents find a way to make it work. The biggest thing has been doing our best to support one another as we make this major transition together.

Symptoms: Still having some stomach pain and acid reflux, but as usual, I'm doing most everything I can to reduce my symptoms. My coworker gave me a giant tub full of her old maternity clothes, and I'm so grateful to be more comfortable and wear clothes more tailored to my growing belly. The pants are amazing - not only are they stretchy, but they have nylon-like waist bands that are buttery soft. I don't think I'll ever want to go back to wearing regular pants, even after BB is born lol. With the way my stomach is growing and jeans are cut, I don't think I'll be able to use the Bellaband after all, so I retired all of my old pants for now.

Cravings: Still drinking a lot of water and pushing myself to consume more foods and beverages with calcium. I don't eat much dairy since it can be hard on my stomach, so that means drinking chickpea milk, almond milk, a little yogurt, and certain types of cheese when I can. As I mentioned earlier, I've been eating chips (specifically Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips), sesame chicken, apples, bananas, and fruity Tootsie Rolls.

With the 20 week ultrasound coming up, I thought it would be fun to test out some "old wives' tale" gender predictors before I find out for real!

1. Heart rate: Over 140 means you’re having a girl and below 140 means a boy!

Prediction Outcome: GIRL

2. Acne: More acne indicates a girl, less acne means a little boy.

Prediction Outcome: GIRL

3. Weight Gain: Mostly gaining around the belly means a boy, and gaining all over indicates a girl.

Prediction Outcome: BOY

4. Chinese Gender Chart: Compares your age of conception with month you conceived in.

Prediction Outcome: BOY

5. Morning Sickness: A smooth pregnancy indicates a boy, while more nausea and sickness means a girl.

Prediction Outcome: GIRL

6. Pregnancy Glow: A bright complexion with beautiful hair indicates a boy, a normal or dull complexion means a girl.

Prediction Outcome: GIRL 

7. Cravings: Salty cravings means a boy, and more sweet cravings means a girl.

Prediction Outcome: GIRL

8. Mama’s Intuition: 70% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she’s having.

Prediction Outcome: GIRL?

9. Hands: Soft and warm mean a girl, dry and cold indicate a boy.

Prediction Outcome: BOY

10. Foot Growth: If your feet stay the same size, it's a girl, if they're swollen, it's a boy.

Prediction Outcome: GIRL

FINAL RESULTS – – – – – – – –  BOY: 3 / GIRL: 7

Week 16

How far along:  16 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Dill pickle (4.5 inches and 4 oz.)

Milestones: Baby bear continues getting stronger and more coordinated with each passing day! I can tell because I'm slowing starting to feel more little movements. Previously, I was feeling twitches in my lower left abdomen, but yesterday, I felt something more off to the right, so I think the other limbs are starting to build some density. BB's ears should now officially be developed to the point where he or she can hear, so I wonder what his or her impression of the outside world has been so far lol. I've picked up practicing guitar again lately, so I hope he or she isn't too embarrassed by my playing. Also, even though BB's eyes are still sealed shut, they can already detect light through the womb. 

Best Moment This Week: Of course, hearing BB's heart beat once again at my 16 week appointment! It was 147 BPM this time, which is the lowest it's been so far. My OB said it's totally normal and expected for the heart rate to keep going down, and 147 BPM is within the perfect range. She also showed me where I can feel the ridge of my uterus right below my belly button which was pretty surreal. I'm measuring normal and everything looks great so far! Additionally, I found a great deal on these little onesies with baby bears on them and shoes to match, which were fun to shop for. 

What I’m Looking Forward To: I'm counting down the days until the 20 week ultrasound. I keep looking at my 8 week ultrasound to connect with BB, but I know he or she will look so much different at 20 weeks! With the way ultrasound technology is now, you can usually see quite a bit of detail, so it will be exciting to get a sneak preview of BB's appearance. I'm a little nervous, but hoping for the best.

What I Miss The Most: I miss being able to sleep more comfortably. Luckily, my OB gave me clearance to sleep on my stomach as long as I'm able to, but I'm still supposed to avoid being on my back. I wake up 1-3 times a night and am usually parched. In the past, I tried avoiding eating or drinking in the middle of the night since it triggers my acid reflux, but my OB recently urged me against that and said it's more important to stay hydrated. I drink plenty of water during the day, but hopefully the weeks of getting thirsty at night didn't have a negative impact.

Symptoms: Happy to report that I haven't had many symptoms this week. Of course, I still have heartburn, but that's a chronic issue anyway. Thankfully, I haven't had any pain from the umbilical hernia since last week, so it's one less thing to worry about for now. The fatigue has dissipated for the most part and I've actually seen an influx of energy. Last weekend, when the weather was really bad, I spend a couple hours deep cleaning and organizing our bedroom to make more space for BB's things. Granted, I was pretty wiped out when I was done, but it was the most productive I've been in a long time. Still have occasional nausea and guzzle down a lot of fluids during the day. I can't usually go more than an hour or so without getting dehydrated, which makes sense because I read that as much as one cup of water is diverted to BB each hour! People are starting to notice my belly more and it's been a more consistent size (it had been fluctuating before... probably from bloating).

Cravings: Water? lol Gyros, hummus and pita chips, green veggies, french toast, pecan rolls from Target, and pretty much any type of sweet treat is acceptable to BB. Oh, and I noticed that BB started moving a lot when I ate some spinach and artichoke pizza... so I think he or she likes it too?

Week 15

First off, just wanted to share a couple of Leif and I's baby pictures. Wondering who BB will look more like??

How far along:  15 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Hass avocado (4 inches)!

Milestones: Baby bear has been busy practicing breathing, bending his or her legs, and just flailing around to build strength (cue Rocky theme song). His or her bones are starting to harden meaning that movements are becoming more pronounced. Within the next couple weeks, BB may be able to hear my voice and heart beat! BB continues doubling in weight each week and might even have a little hair already (although, I was a bald baby, so that might not be in the cards).

Best Moment This Week: Feeling more little movements has been great! I feel a little twitch a few times a day, mostly after changing positions or reclining. I was having some intense pain above my belly button, so I visited the OB last Wednesday and got to hear the heart beat once again (it's in the 150s now). The pain turned out to be an umbilical hernia from the pressure of growing BB. My OB said that when you get your umbilical cord cut, there's a weakened pocket by your navel that can become herniated while pregnant. As BB gets bigger and rises above my belly button, there's a chance that my uterus will help cover the hernia gap and give me some relief. In the meantime, I just have to take it easy and try not to strain it. If it still gives me trouble after birth, I'll have to have a small operation to take care of it... On the bright side, today, I haven't had nearly as much pain, so hopefully it continues this way! 

What I’m Looking Forward To: Only a few more days until my 16 week appointment and about a month until the anatomy ultrasound! Because of my hernia, I have to limit my exercise to walking, so I'm looking forward to getting back into jogging someday since it helps a lot with my anxiety. In the meantime, I try to aim for walking 30 minutes to an hour a day if I can. I recently picked up a Bellaband which is an elastic band you slip over your regular jeans when they're unbuttoned to create instant maternity pants. Once I get it washed, I'm eager to try it out, and it's a wonderful that I can continue wearing most of the clothes I already have. 

What I Miss The Most: Still missing my beloved sushi rolls, but it's a small price to pay to keep BB safe! Also, since do the bulk of my free reading before bed, I haven't been able to complete as many books because I usually pass out a couple pages in... but I'm grateful to be able to sleep as well as I do. Having severe insomnia the first couple weeks after I found out I was pregnant was one of the most challenging parts of this whole experience, so I hope to never go back to that.

Symptoms: I've been off of Prevacid for a few days now, and the rebound acid hasn't been as bad as I expected. Being really careful about my food choices, drinking at least eight cups of water a day, taking Gaviscon at night, and propping myself up when I sleep have been enough to keep the stomach pain at bay so far. I read that by the end of the pregnancy, my uterus will be about eight inches above my naval, so I'm sure this won't be the last of the heartburn. Otherwise, besides the hernia, fatigue, and sensitive stomach, I don't have much to complain about. Once in a while, I get overwhelmed and panicky about the idea of being a mom, but I have to keep telling myself that I will do my best. 

Cravings: French toast! And... all things carbs. Yesterday, Waypoint bought everyone pizza for lunch, and despite my acid reflux, I broke down and had one slice. I scraped as much of the red sauce off as I could, and it was seriously one of the best things I've tasted in a long time. I made sure to take some antacids right afterward, so it luckily didn't cause much damage to my stomach.

Week 14

How far along:  14 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Beet (about 3.5 inches) 💝

Milestones: Baby Bear is on the move! His or her movements are getting more pronounced every day! I've been feel consistent twitches in the middle of my lower abdomen, so I'm starting to think they are BB saying "hello!" I know most people don't feel anything until 19-25 weeks, especially with the first pregnancy, but I'm pretty in-tune with my body, so it's very possible it's the real deal! This week, BB is picking up all sorts of cool tricks like squinting, frowning, and sucking his or her thumb. Also, his or her weight has DOUBLED in the last week and he or she will continue putting on ounces as fat gets added to his or her little frame. 

Best Moment This Week: Definitely the more pronounced (potential) movements. At this point, it's not as distracting as I thought it would be... but that probably won't last once he or she begins with the kung fu fighting in there! Another highlight was receiving some gifts for BB from family and coworkers for the holidays. We now have a little stash of baby stuff going and have been doing better with saving, so I feel like we're more on track... kind of.

What I’m Looking Forward To: Still awaiting my 16 and 20 week appointments. Time is flying and I can't believe that in a little over a month, I'll be halfway through the pregnancy! I don't always do well with big changes and it was certainly a rough transition, but I'm proud of myself for acclimating as well as I have. Let's hope everything continues to go smoothly!

What I Miss The Most: The rules about food are continuing to make life difficult. There were multiple incidents this week where I had to heat up food that was a "listeria risk," and I forgot to bring a plate to work, so I had to cook it in my coffee mug. My coworker gave me a Prairie Soup Company gift card for Christmas, and as many of you know, their chicken salad sandwich is one of my favorite meals, so I couldn't resist getting one. However, chicken salad is technically on the danger list, but I was willing to heat it up, even though to most people, that's extremely gross-sounding. Heating it up didn't go overly well, between the croissant deflating and the sandwich soaking through the wax paper onto the dirty break room counter, so I think this will be one delicacy I'll wait until after BB is born to enjoy again. Sigh. 😒

Symptoms: Nausea still shows its face occasionally, especially when I'm trying to eat certain types of meat, but I can push through it for the most part. I have about a week left on the Prevacid, so we'll see where my heartburn is at after that. The biggest problem has been with my hips and thighs. I've been reassured that this is normal, but the pelvic girdle pain has started pretty early and is fairly persistent. It started after I tried exercising earlier this week and now my hip joints and inner thighs are sore when walking, pushing something with my foot, or even standing up sometimes. Next time I see my OB, I'm going to ask her if there are any stretches or exercises that would help so it doesn't get worse. Also, my bump seems to fluctuate throughout the day and my clothes keep getting a little more snug.   

Cravings: Since I crave sweets so much, I opted for getting a giant box of raisins as a semi-healthier alternative to feasting on cookies and candy. It's been working pretty well, but of course who wouldn't really want the cookie instead!? Leif and I splurged on some mild matar paneer at Taj Mahal a few days ago and it was so good! It has some tomatoes in it, so it's not the best thing for my stomach, but it was worth it that one time. Peanut butter crackers and cheesy popcorn have still remained a constant!

Week 13

How far along:  13 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Hot pepper 😲

Milestones: Baby bear is getting stronger every day! At this point, he or she has reflexes, so if you push on the uterus, the baby will try to move away. The movements in general are also getting more pronounced, and they say some people can feel twinges or flutters at this point called "quickening." There were a few times when I swear I felt something, but I'm not sure if it was just a muscle twitch. It will be nice when I start feeling more defined movements (although I'm a little worried they'll keep me up at night!).

Best Moment This Week: Now that more of my coworkers know I'm pregnant, it's been fun getting asked questions and people complimenting my little bump. Also, Leif's been doing this for a while, but it's always heartwarming when he rubs my belly and says "I love you" to Baby Bear whenever he leaves to go somewhere.

What I’m Looking Forward To: I'm anxiously awaiting my 16 week appointment the first week of January. I'll get to hear Baby Bear's heart beat again and it sounds like my OB will start measuring my belly (I think I also might be getting the glucose screening test... so not looking forward to that so much lol).

What I Miss The Most: The last several days, I've really been mourning the foods I'm not supposed to eat. All I want is a delicious salmon and avocado roll or a Jimmy John's sandwich that doesn't have to be heated up first! I'm also getting to the point where my jeans barely fit, so I'm reluctantly exploring pants with elastic waistbands, although I haven't been able to find very many flattering styles that aren't ridiculously expensive. Luckily, I have a couple pairs of leggings to get me through for now.

Symptoms: I still have a little nausea in the morning or when I've gone too long without eating, but it's been manageable. I've barely had any heartburn since I started taking Prevacid, and I'm hoping that once I'm done with this round of treatment, my stomach lining will have healed enough to not need to take anymore antacids for a while. Fatigue is still my number one symptom right now, followed by a quickly growing appetite! The Waypoint Wonderland holiday gift distribution was last Thursday, and I have to say that was one of the most exhausting days I've experienced so far. I was stationed at the front desk and had to let clients and volunteers in and out of the building. The last few months, I've become pretty out of shape so I was already tuckered after a couple hours of getting up every few minutes. The event lasts until late into the evening, but thankfully, my supervisor had mercy on me and let me go home a couple hours early.

Cravings: I've (or should I say BB has) been loving french toast, Annie's aged cheddar macaroni and cheese, apples, and cheesy popcorn. And sweet treats of almost any kind! I actually had to make an "emergency" cookie run while I was at work because I couldn't stop thinking about desserts. My coworkers appreciated it since I was willing to share lol.

Week 12

How far along:  12 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: APRICOT! 👶

Milestones: My baby bear is growing up so fast lol! I couldn't believe the size and appearance difference between last week and this week. The limbs are getting long and all of BB's facial features are defined. As of this week, pretty much all of the important organs are formed, so now it's just be a matter of everything growing. The placenta has also developed, lessening my hormonal load, which is one of the reasons why some of my most severe early pregnancy symptoms are decreasing (thankfully!).

Best Moment This Week: It was definitely my 12 week appointment where Leif and I got to hear the heart beat together! I already got to hear it on week 10 after my fall to make sure everything was okay, but it was so much more magical to experience it together. My OB (who I love) said that all of my labs looked great and everything is on track. I set up my 16 and 20 week appointments and can't wait for the 20 week one where I get to have the anatomy ultrasound. We plan on finding out the sex, so I'll have to think of a creative way to share the news with you all!

What I’m Looking Forward To: Being at the end of the first trimester, I'm hopeful that it will be smoother sailing from here. Everyone keeps telling me that the second trimester is the best since you tend to get some energy back and the happy pregnancy hormones are continuing to rise. I know second trimester will have its own unique challenges, but at least it means that I'm that much closer to meeting our little BB!

What I Miss The Most: I can't say that there's much that I'm missing this week that I haven't mentioned before. I suppose the most inconvenient thing has been not being able to lift very much weight. Early on, I caught myself lifting some objects that were probably too heavy, and now I try to be more conscientious. I've seen a lot of different opinions about what the maximum weight should be... anywhere from 20-50+ pounds, but it's hard to know what's actually safe! At work, we're doing our holiday donation drive so there's been a lot of need to transport heavy presents. Normally, I am always one of the first people to help, but the most I've done this time is unload some wrapping paper rolls... My coworkers are very understanding and even when I say I can lift a little more, they discourage me, so I guess I'm not going to argue with them...

Symptoms: I'm happy to say that the nausea, food aversions, and vomiting are starting to go away! I still feel sick a few times a day, mostly when I haven't eaten for a while, but it's infinitely better than it was. I was happy to be able to eat a chicken sandwich yesterday, which would have made me hurl just to think about a few weeks ago. The biggest thing now is the intense fatigue. I'm so tired during the day, it's usually hard to get through work, so by the time I get home and have dinner, I'm ready to pass out. 😫 I've been going to bed around 7:30-8 p.m. and usually wake up at 4 or 5 a.m... then I'm tired again by the time we're supposed to get up for work. It's hard to win! I've also been dealing with a lot of heartburn. Massive heartburn. My OB wouldn't okay Prilosec, but she did say I could take Prevacid, so I'll be on that for a while until the heartburn gets more under control.

Cravings: Still dealing with my gastritis, so I have to be careful what I eat and sadly can't give in to my every craving! I've been really into this black bean vegetable soup from Amy's with a piece of Hawaiian bread toast. I could also still go for some sticky rice with rice vinegar anytime! Additionally, sweet potato fries, popcorn, and peanut butter crackers have been hits with BB.

Week 11

How far along:  11 weeks – began September 11, 2017.

Size of Baby: Brussel sprout

Milestones: I was stunned to see how much Baby Bear's appearance has changed since last week. His or her features and limbs are developing so fast and his or her organs are functioning. BB is even starting to practice breathing by sucking in amniotic fluid. 😲

Best Moment This Week: I use the Ovia pregnancy app to get weekly updates on the size, appearance, and milestones of BB, so seeing that information first thing Monday mornings is always one of the highlights of the week. I'm also starting to experience less morning sickness, so I can stomach a little bit more meat than usual (only specific types, of course...). I feel like I'm getting some of my strength back and doing a better job taking in all of the nutrients I need.

What I’m Looking Forward To: I have my 12 week appointment this Wednesday, and I can't remember if they're doing another ultrasound yet or just using the doppler to check the heart rate. Either way, I'll enjoy getting a little insight on how BB is doing! I can't believe I'm almost 1/3 of the way there. At first, it felt like the weeks were slowly creeping by, but now time is picking up and June will be here before I know it!

What I Miss The Most: It's been difficult not to worry about BB all the time! I feel like I've had some bad luck between taking a tumble (doctor checked the heart rate and everything was okay thankfully) and having a bad head cold the last few days, but I have to keep reminding myself that babies in utero are pretty resilient. I already had anxiety before being pregnant, but worrying for two really tests my limits sometimes! I think the hardest thing has been just accepting that not everything is going to go as planned and there is so much outside my control. I just have to keep doing my best and stay positive!

Symptoms: Still having occasional nausea, but it's starting to let up a little. The fatigue also hasn't been nearly as bad... at least during the day. By the time 7 p.m. rolls around, I'm usually ready to conk out... and then I wake up every few hours... but at least I'm getting enough sleep overall. I've had the head cold symptoms on top of everything, but today, it feels like they're going away too. Hopefully, I'll be doing a lot better in general by next week.

Cravings: Giving into all of the cravings that aren't good for my gastritis ended up backfiring... which I should have known would happen. I ended up having a lot of stomach pain and almost needed to start taking Prilosec again, which I've been trying to avoid, so I did everything I could to heal the damage. Lots of yogurt, oatmeal, and other bland foods helped a lot, so now I'm finally getting back to normal. My biggest, most consistent craving has been sticky rice with rice vinegar. I've also been liking vanilla frozen yogurt, sesame chicken, peanut butter crackers, popcorn, and pasta with butter and parmesan cheese. Yum.