25 weeks

25 weeks and counting! Went to another check-up appt last night and met with our doc. Everything is looking great and growing steadily. The baby weights in 1.5 pounds and my weight has been staying in/around 138 pounds. Our fruit size this week is a rutabaga, which I have absolutely no idea what that is!? If anyone knows, then please tell me! Baby AJ is developing baby fat (thank goodness, please take some from Momma!) and is looking more and more like a newborn. Wrinkled skin is becoming smoother and he's also growing hair.

This week I also had to take a glucose test. Went to MW hospital to take it and they make you drink a pint of an unknown orange substance --- yummy (sarcasm). It didn't really taste too bad actually, its was more like flavored sugar water. I had to stay in the hospital for an hour while this "liquid" made its way through my system. During my time at the hospital, I found out more info about childbirth classes and hospital tours. It was crazy being in the labor/delivery area. I wasn't able to see much because this area is tightly restricted but I was def thinking over and over "we're going to be here in 3 month". . . made it somewhat freaky and exciting. The classes sound like they truly prepare you for the actual day, and I'm anxious to get started. We'll probably sign up for an April weekend, all day session. Get it done in one sitting. Hospital tours happen 2-3 weeks before your actual due date, so that'll have to wait until early May.

As for any peculiar symptoms, none this week. The two that I have mentioned previously (bad taste in mouth and food getting stuck) have somewhat disappeared. Could have been just a temporary thing. Either way, I'm happy to see them gone. The most interesting part is that our doctor did mention that my uterus is now above my belly button which is why I could have felt that discomfort. Makes total sense. And I can feel baby AJ now more than ever. He's quiet the mover and doesn't like to slow-down. The other night he woke me while I was sleeping for his aggressive kicks. They have been so strong that my entire stomach moves up and down, along with my belly button (that is now 85% sticking out). It's like he's saying "Hello, pay attention to me!!" or "LET ME OUT!!"

Next appt will be at 28 weeks (Feb 22nd at 5:20pm), but I'll write more before then! Enjoy my new belly picture --- it's a goody!

23 weeks

Feeling pretty good and currently in 23 weeks. Can't believe I'll be moving into 3rd trimester in another 3-4 weeks at 26/27weeks. Crazy!

Two most recent body-pregnancy changes. . . 1.) having a bad taste in my mouth, metallic/irony taste, after I eat that won't go away (online say its common due to hormones) and 2.) feeling my food getting stuck in my throat after I eat. So pretty much after a meal I'm a total mess! But, seriously it makes me want to eat more, hoping this will help make them both go away because when I'm eating I don't notice it. Or chew gum constantly. Frank looked up the food-throat issue online and found that this is also common because your stomach and other organs are pushing up since the baby is getting bigger and taking up more space. Makes sense, but as you can imagine rather frustrating! The other night I had to sit up in bed for 30 minutes because that stuck feeling wouldn't go away, and I was relying on gravity to help me out. It worked eventually. Funny how these "common" symptoms aren't documented as much as nausea, cravings, swollen feet, etc. . because you think they would be. But, thank goodness for other pregnant women blogs and baby websites, honestly. It truly makes me feel like I'm not the only wacko-prego around. Morning sickness, never even remotely existed, but having a crazy iron-taste in my mouth, RIGHT HERE! Why do I get the weird ones!?

Anyhooo. . . here is babycenter.com weekly report. . .

"Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango --- my favorite fruit!!!), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes (has not happened to us yet, but one time we did feel the top of AJ's head poke out on my left side). Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb."

I definitely haven't been sitting still, either with regular exercises or lots of walking, so I already know this baby is going to be a total mover when he comes out. I can picture it now, my child is going to be like that baby commercial where the baby go absolutely insane running around the house in his walker while playing a crazy-circus song in the back ground. Great! Its also fun with the kids I nanny for because Kiernan and Bridgy listen to music 24/7 and LOVE to sing and dance. Naturally, I jump in too! I'm sure baby AJ is saying "Please, Momma, that's enough! No more singing. . . or I'll kick!" Awww our special mother-child bond :)

RIP Papa Spidle 1.08.10
We love you and say hello to Nana S and Dad for us. . . our angels <3

New Years/Annv Weekend & 22 weeks

Welcome 2010! We had a nice quiet weekend up north at the lake house, enjoying some family time with the Penney's :)

Jan 2nd was also our first anniversary as a married couple, and had a fun day exploring North Conway. Can't believe a year has already passed us, many more happy & great years to come!

Today, I'm 22 weeks and nothing too much has changed, but that I'm def a lot more rounder and carrying low. The baby bump is becoming a hand magnet, which I don't mind at all, so if you see me don't be shy and give baby AJ a rub and hello! The baby can hear you, so certainly introduce yourself, too! But back to the size difference. . . ever since New Years Day, my belly is poking out (along with my belly button!) and its starting to get harder bending over like when I tie my shoes, put boots on, etc.. Not to mention the baby is 100% sitting on my blader, which is a lot of added pressure. Isn't fun especially in the morning. One morning, I did wake to a HUGE, hard bump on the left side of my stomach while I was laying on my back. . . it must of been the baby's head! It was amazing. Frank couldn't believe it either. I've heard towards the end of pregnancy you can actually see hands and feet poking out. That'll be interesting to experience.

Here is what babycenter.come writes this week:

"At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily."

Next check-up appt is Jan 25th. More baby info to come!