Saturday, March 27, 2010

20 Weeks-The Halfway Mark



I am now 20 weeks pregnant and so far so good. Except for a few crazy mood swings and today being exceptionally tired. It's really amazing what hormones can do to a person!! Thank goodness I have an understanding husband.

A few things I've noticed...

1. My belly itches: I think that's because my skin is starting to stretch and expand. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it means, my belly will soon be larger ( least that's what I'm thinking).

2. My ligaments are stretching: When I run, my lower abdomen is tender. It's not painful, but it just feels weird.

3. I'm not running with my usual gait: It's hard to stretch it out on a run. Legs don't want to extend.

4. It's hard to lift my legs when I run: Not because the belly is in the way, just because I think there is more weight to lift.

5. My hips & waist are getting larger: Yep, have had to purchase a few maternity clothes. But thanks to some friends who've had kids, they've loaned me maternity clothes (thank you girls)!

6. My grandmother is going to spoil our little boy: She started purchasing baby items when Jay and I got married...2 1/2 years ago!!!

7. We have extremely generous friends: They have let us borrow baby items, furniture, toys, etc. Thank you so much for helping us.

Here are a few pictures:
WEEK 10






WEEK 15


















WEEK 18

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

It's a baby...

Yesterday I went in for my level 2 ultrasound. The technician took about 20-30 minutes using this high powered ultrasound to take measurements of the baby as well and to count toes & fingers (yep, they are all there! She also checked the organs to see their development and little baby Smith gets a thumbs up.
The technician printed numerous photos for us and even was able to do a 3D scan of our baby's face. It's incredible what technology can do these days.

Jay and I couldn't wait to find out the sex of the baby and yesterday was definitely a surprise. With 99.9% accuracy, we are having a little baby boy! I knew it. We had an entire list full of girl names and I kept saying that even though I'd like to have a little girl, I just knew we were having a boy and I couldn't be happier!! Now the hard part, names!! Because our last name is so common, Jay and I are on the hunt for a unique boy name. Feel free to send in your suggestions!!

On a serious note, we decided to have an amniocentesis done as well. This is where a very small needle is inserted into the abdomen, though the placenta and into the uterus to get a sample of the amniotic fluid. I felt a small pinch when the needle was inserted (I closed my eyes of course, but Jay watched). The doctor pulled out just enough fluid so that they can grow the cells that are sloughed off from the baby to check the chromosomal count. The fluid is sent off to a lab where they will grow the cells and check to make sure that Baby Smith has 23 pairs of chromosomes and that they all look healthy. We should get the results back within a week to 10 days. This test will also confirm the baby's sex, like we couldn't see his umm, wee, wee (is that appropriate???) on the monitor!!

The doctor said for me to take today off from work today to relax and take it easy. So, no desk job nor coaching for me today. I slept in til 8:30am (can't remember when I did that!) and have been in my pj's all day (seriously, really can't remember when I did that last). I've worked on emails, getting volunteers for this year's Sea Otter Classic (if you'd like to volunteer this year at the VIP Hospitality Tent, the BEST volunteer job around, please email me. You will receive free entry into the event, a t-shirt & either catered breakfast and/or lunch depending on how many shifts you work...trust me, the food alone is worth it. Plus you get to meet some of the VIP's in the cycling world). Anyway, back to what I'm doing today, I will be working on my thesis here too. Oh, and I watched 2 movies while doing our taxes.

Once I scan the photos I'll put a few up so you can see our beautiful baby boy. I am at 18 weeks and 4 days. About half way through, which I can't believe! It's going very quickly.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Bun in the Oven

If you've seen me on the recreation trail running and I look a bit heavier than normal and am running exceptionally slow, there's a very good explanation...I'm pregnant. I am 17 weeks along now and am feeling great. The past 4 months have flown by with no morning sickness (thank goodness) and with little tiredness. I think I felt the baby "flutter" yesterday; not quite a kick, but a little movement. Haven't felt anything today, but I guess that's normal.

Jay and I are very excited for our new addition. We hope to find out the sex of the baby within the next few weeks. We wouldn't be able to stand not knowing. It will still be a surprise!