A Strong Heart Beat: Week 13

2/22/2013

Dear Baby B,

Well, another week of feeling puny has come and gone, however today was worth all the icky-ness in the world! We got to hear your heart beat for the very first time and hear you swim around. Your heart beat was strong and ranged between 162 and 166 beats per minute. According to old wives tales, 140+ beats per minute indicates that you are a girl...but we still have to wait and see. I'm either going to prove all the wives tales to be completely true or completely false. But, whatever you are you will be perfect.

I absolutely love my new doctor by the way. She is bubbly and very energetic. And incredibly patient she really put my mind at ease and assured me I'm completely normal to have anxiety over doctor appointments, especially gynecology ones. She also told me how she knew you were going to be extremely smart. That was great news to hear. I can't wit to see what you look like and what your little personality is like. I'm sure you will be everything I have dreamed of and more.

Though, I still have not gained any weight you continue to grow. This week you are the size of a peach (2.9 in. & .81 oz.). Up until now your head has been gigantic, but you are a little more in proportion now. Your finger prints have formed and you are inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid as well.

Hopefully, we have a healthier week (but the doctor assures me we are both fine and healthy, extremely healthy) but of course we will just take this day by day! -XOX!

Phase One Complete: Welcome Week 12

2/15/2013

Dear Baby B,

Well, I can officially say I have ‘prego’ brain. I was enjoying reading through each week’s story and then I realized, I had a major issue with grammar, punctuation, and even dates (as in its 2013 and I am still writing 2012!), this is a huge problem for me because I never get stuff like this wrong (I graduated Summa Cum Laude, Remember!), but oh well…life goes on.

Well, as you know, I have been ill for most of this week as well. Ms. Morning Sickness needs to leave before I go crazy, after struggling for weeks now, a half dozen phone calls to Kaiser, some aussie cheese fries, a lemon meringue pie from Glammy, a few more subway sandwiches, a couple pounds lost (It’s a struggle to eat at least 2,000 calories a day when you mostly eat vegetables), and I think we have found a solution! Well, unless it is just a coincidence that I am entering my second trimester and just getting better! A nurse told me to try stopping my prenatal vitamin and go back to talking Flintstone children’s chewable vitamins. Supposedly the way the prenatal vitamin disperses causes acid in the stomach which in turn makes you really sick (or just the lucky ones). But, I am feeling better and stronger every day now (other than my new gagging fits), this was the best Valentine’s gift you could have given me yesterday. Oh, to feel normal again! I also am feeling better with my maternity Boppy pillow (well worth every penny I spent on it). It’s like sleeping on a cloud, you probably remember how that feels in Heaven still. And with the help of my brand new cold air humidifier I am walking up with a clear nose and feeling refreshed from a full night of sleep. I am starting to feel excited again (now that I am feeling better), I even went shopping last night after work and bought a couple things for the nursery.

Every week that passes, I am amazed how big you are getting. You are growing so fast. You are now 2.1 in and the size of a plum weighing .49oz. That’s double the size you were last week and it is starting to show! A lot has changed this week for you; Your features are even more defined, your eyes are now in the front of your face and your chin and nose have taken more shape (You actually look human!). Your finger nails are now well formed on fingers that will soon open and close. The synapses in your brain are rapidly growing but it is still developing every day along with your muscles and nervous system. Your little mouth can even frown, open and close now, and soon you will begin to suck on your fingers (I can’t wait to give you a binky). Your vocal cords start to function at this point, and I can’t wait to hear you squeal and giggle. Your liver is starting to function and the pancreas is producing insulin now. You are even aware of your surroundings and will respond to outside stimuli (I think I felt you move a couple times). I can start to play with you now, although, I may not really be able to feel you, it actually is probably just gas bubbles (lots of gas bubbles).

Everyone is excited for you to arrive, even Paisley. She has been extra cautious around me (as much as she can) and she likes to kiss my belly, I am sure she will be giving you lots of kisses when you arrive (if I let her)!

Three months down and 196 more days to go! –XOX!

The Year of The Snake

2/14/2013

Dear Baby B,

2013 is the year of the snake and not just any snake the black snake. Astrology has always fascinated me and I truly believe in it. I took some classes in college and I always enjoyed them. There are many great things about being a snake, however, I have officially determined why I have been so sick. You see, I was born in the year of the Tiger and Snakes and Tigers are ‘absolutely’ incompatible. This should prove to be interesting…

Here is all the information you need to know about being born in the year of the snake. And even though we are incompatible and I have a huge fear of snakes, I will love you just the same! –XOX!

The 2013 Year of Snake

http://www.hanban.com/chinese-culture/chinese-zodiac/the-2013-year-snake.html

The Introduction of 2013 Year of Snake

2013 is the year of the black Snake begins on February 10th shortly after the New moon in Aquarius, the humanitarian of the zodiac. This 2013 year of Snake is meant for steady progress and attention to detail. Focus and discipline will be necessary for you to achieve what you set out to create. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs. It is the enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animals Signs. Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve.

The Common Character of People Born in the Year of Snake

People born in the Year of the Snake are reputed to be thoughtful and wise and to approach problems rationally and logically, seldom instinctively. Such people are complex beings, they are clever and men of few words from their birth. Their business is always going well, but they are stingy very often. They are sometimes egoistic and conceited. However they can be very active in their friends’ life. They are often too active, not believing other people and relying only on themselves. Snakes are also very insightful and naturally intuitive. If anyone has a sixth sense, it's those born in the Snake year. This is partly what makes them so mysterious. Snakes come in all varieties of colors and patterns. And maybe that's why people born in the Snake year love to appreciate beauty. People with the Chinese zodiac snake sign are very stylish, fashionable and have exceptional taste.

People born in the Year of the Snake also have a sure touch in money matters but are also inclined to be greedy and somewhat egoistical. Determined and ambitious characters of Snakes take their failures hard. They are usually very attractive on the outside and inwardly, that, taking into consideration their frivolity, can lead to some family problems.

The Cosmic Element and Color of 2013 year of Snake

The 2013 year of Snake is Water Snake, Water Snakes are lucky with finances, they always seem to have money flowing their way. They are adventurous spirits and love to take risks. They are also very intelligent and often a wellspring of creative ideas. Water Snakes love to socialize and meet new friends. They are proud of their achievements, and also very thoughtful and considerate of others.
The color of the 2013 year of Snake is Black. Black color is the Space, Arctic night, darkness on the Abyss, this is a color of deep waters. The Black Snake will bring people unexpected changes, instability, and changeability. That is why it is important in the year of Snake to plan everything beforehand, and evaluate adequately before taking any actions. You need to be more careful and cautious than ever.

The Overall Trend in 2013 Year of Snake

The 2013 Snake of year has ability to read complicated situation quickly in a controlled manner which is good for business. Signing documents of any kind requires very thorough attention. 2013 horoscope predict it is a good year to begin important detail work. Research and investigation are supported. The Snake has sneaky energy that can be to your advantage. Look for the holes in the loop. A new-found ambition to greatness will inspire you to be all you can be, and provide you with the follow through to actually achieve your goals, And, 2013 year of the Snake also supports added responsibility,
But 2013 Snake need to watch for fanatical commitments since Snakes inclination to spend money quickly than earn them may produce tensions in personal relationships. Create a safe space to work from this 2013 year. The Snake likes protection, needs to feel safe and secure to utilize its special analytical skills. This is the year to make headway in slow and methodical ways. Things will definitely be accomplished as you focus forward.

Other Details of 2013 Year of Snake

1. Ideal compatibility with: Ox and Rooster.
2. More or less compatible with: Rat, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep.
3. Absolutely incompatible with: Tiger and Pig.
4. Lucky colors for the Snake: Yellow, Red
5. Lucky directions for the Snake: Southwest, Northeast
6. Lucky numbers for the Snake: 2, 4, 7, and 9.
7. Monday is the lucky day of the week for Snakes.

11 Weeks: The New Mommy Bag & Subway Sandwiches!

2/8/2013

Dear Baby B,

Another week has come and gone. You are now 11 weeks along and the size of a lime (1.6 inches and .25 oz.). Your officially developed enough to be called a fetus now and the most critical part of your organ system development is over now. By next week you will have doubled in size.

I was feeling pretty good this week and was seeing an end in sight for morning sickness. Then bam! It hit me hard and I have been throwing up off and on all day for the last couple of days. It's funny how they call it morning sickness when it last all day! It's very frustrating, but, I know you will be more than worth the pain and suffering I go through now. I have a phone appointment with the doctor this afternoon and hopefully they will have a new solution for me so we can move past this phase.

In other news, Glammy and I have been on a major organizing spree. It feels so nice to get rid of things and get even more organized than I already am. We have to make room for all of your new things.

And your Great Auntie Robin is already hard at work planning the baby shower, it's going to be spectacular!

I still have been maintaining a one pound gain since you showed up and my belly is very small. My newest craving is Subway; Italian herb and cheese bread, lettuce, American cheese (extra cheese), pickles, olives (extras of those too), and sweet onion dressing. It's so good!

Finally, I bought my new mommy bag, a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag at Nordstrom. You will learn that I have an obsession with bags!

Here's to hoping for a healthy week! And maybe more subway sandwiches.

Week 10

2/1/2013

Dear Baby B,

Today is your Grand Dad's birthday and you are ten weeks old. You are growing so quickly, you are 1.2 inches or the size of a prune and you weigh .14 oz.

Well, this week has been rough, I'm still sick and have a really bad sinus infection and vertigo. Luckily the Doctor gave me antibiotics. I now have only gained half a pound since you came along, I lost a little weight this week. I still am craving everything healthy, which is a good thing. But, I've basically turned into a vegetarian! It has been hard for me to eat meat or a lot of grains. The newest craving has been snow peas. But, I'm trying to find ways of increasing my daily calories. They would like to see me eat at least 2,000 a day. I'm trying really hard!

Daddy and I went to a prenatal class to learn more about you and to make our next appointment (with a new doctor who is supposed to be patient and understanding to my anxiety, I truly hope so). I also had to do a ton of blood work this week, so far everything looks really good for you and me . They took so much blood I really thought I was going to pass out, but I just had a severe dizzy spell (I've been told its common and my sinus infection doesn't help).

We didn't work on your nursery this week, I've been in bed all week (I couldn't even go to work)! The doctor may have ordered me to rest for the week, but I was able to do a little online shopping. We purchased a very plush rocking chair for your room from Pottery Barn Kids. The Vintage inspired Wingback Rocker in Walnut will be the perfect addition (Later on we can even convert it to a stationary chair).

It's been a rough week over all, but it will be worth it all in the end.

This week all your vital organs have formed and are beginning to work. Your nails are starting to grow, they must be so tiny. Your teeth buds have also begun to develop.

Here's to another week! -XOX!