Week 18

3/29/2013


Dear Brookelynn,

This week Mommy experienced a significant life change, I'm no longer working. I'm so excited that I can stay home with you and build the same type of relationship I was able to with my mom. You're also very lucky to have a Dad that can be home with you frequently as well. I couldn't be happier knowing I can be room mom at school and take you to dance lessons, but lets not rush time...for now I'm just happy helping you grow along.

This week we also ordered a new car for you and I to ride around in. My new Mommy carriage is a Charcoal, 2013 Ford Explorer. I do have to give up my Mustang, it's a little sad to have to say goodbye. It was my first big purchase and I was a proud 19 year old. But, I can honestly say that I'm excited about our new ride.

In other news, we can hear you move about with a stethoscope and I can feel you kick when your hungry or uncomfortable. Yes, I know when you are hungry (well it at least seems that way). You kick and squirm until I eat and when I do you stop. This week you are the size of a sweet potato and are 5.6 inches long, weighing 6.7 ounces. I gained another half a pound so I am officially 1.5 pounds heavier than I was before you made a home here with us. Your bones are starting to harden, among the first to develop is the inner ear which means you may start to be able to hear sounds, such as, my heart beating or my tummy growling.

As for my body, my appetite has increased but not to what it should be. I'm still lagging behind 500-700 calories a day. I have an appointment with a nutritionalist next week, hopefully I will get some tips to help out to increase the volume of calories I'm eating per day.

Finally, in other news...I bought my first 'real' outfit for you from Oshkosh! Sorry Auntie Billi but I could not resist this one.

Let's see what adventures come as we enter week 19! -XOX!

Week 17: A Baby Shower!

3/22/2013

Dear Brookelynn,

This week you have perfected some simple reflexes, such as, swallowing, sucking, and blinking. I think I have felt you have the hiccups a couple times this week and I seem to have them quite often these days.

You are 5.1 inches, the size of an onion and weigh 5.9 ounces, though you are starting to form fat underneath your skin and will continue to do so later on. The fat will help you adjust to temperature changes when you are in the world and no longer in the comfort of Mommy's tummy.

As for Mommy, I have officially gained one pound but my belly is not consistently showing every day and people still have not noticed my baby bump. I am, however, beginning to feel round ligament pains which are caused by the continuous increase in size of the uterus as it pushes on my intestines moving them upward.

I am still nauseated and have gotten sick a few times this week. I keep hoping it will get better. I just need to make it through the last four days of work I have.

Glammy and Mommy put your room together this week. It is so perfect. We just need to pick up a few more decorations before we have the big reveal.

Glammy is still going crazy with the shopping too.

Grandpa has come up with yet another name. He thinks you will say Grandpa as GeeGee now and has been mimicking how you will talk to him. He is obviously excited. He can't wait for the tea parties to be had.

Finally, I had my first baby shower today. Cathy, my boss threw one for ally friends and co-workers. It was a lot of fun. She really out did herself. Christine was able to come too. She wrote a letter to you and Mommy and it made me cry. She is a great friend.

Here is to one more week of work till mommy is a Domestic Engineer at Stay-at-Home-Mom. Let's make it a healthy one. -XOX!

Week 16: It's a Girl!

3/16/2013

Dear Brookelynn,

On Wednesday, Mommy, Daddy, Glammy, Grandpa (or whatever he is going by this week), and Mommy's friend Rachelle went to A Little Insight to take a peek at you via a 3D/4D ultrasound. We learned that you are a little girl, so even though you will always be Baby B you are officially Brookelynn Jayde. Everything feels real now. When you are older we will share the 4D DVD with you and you can see just how you formed in Mommy's tummy. And see how crazy you were. You move around like a little tornado, and Rachelle has nicknamed you Baby Tornado. The woman who did the ultrasound said she never saw a baby move around so much, at times you were on your head and then the next blink you'd be flipped around in another direction. No wonder I have been so sick!

You looked very small, but they say this week you are the size of an avocado, 4.6 inches and 3.5 ounces. I think I may have even gained a pound this week...however, it keeps fluctuating day to day so I'll keep you posted. But, it's official I have a belly, I know I thought I had one before but this time it's for real. Though strangers have not noticed yet.

This week your arms and legs are much more developed, legs and arms are longer and movement is much more controlled. We could see your long legs at the ultrasound appointment. And your skeletal system is developing more, which we were also able to see. Along with seeing your skeletal system we could see your tiny little nose and high cheek bones (just like Mommy's). Your Daddy says he hopes you get the rest of my characteristics...and I'm hoping you get my dimples.

Now that we know you'll be a bouncing baby girl Glammy has gone into shopping mode! And I have also bought a few things. One of my favorite things though is a vintage inspired swimsuit that Rachelle got you! it's just so cute! There is no doubt you will be the most stylish baby in town. And now Mommy and Glammy can officially start your room, which will be Vintage Cities, all the fashion capitals of the world (of course!). A very sophisticated nursery for a very fashionable baby.

Oh and we must not forget about Unkie. He has been going crazy shopping for you too. I must say you are one lucky little lady. You have three very caring and loving male role models who will spoil you rotten and Mommy and Glammy who love you more than anything. Everyone is so excited to meet you. We are going to have so much fun when you arrive!

-XOX!

Week 15

3/9/2013

Dear Baby B,

You are getting bigger each week, this week you are 4 inches long and the size of a navel orange weighing 2.5 ounces. The hair on your head is growing in and since you will most likely have dark hair the pigment in your hair follicles is forming as well. Around your body you are still protected by the fine hair called, lanugo since you are constantly exposed to the amniotic fluids. If we could see you right now we could see small blood vessels forming underneath your translucent skin. You may have even started sucking your thumb!

In just a few days we will be going to our 3D/4D ultrasound so please cooperate and let us take a peek at what you will be. Pink or Blue, we will know soon...I'll be crossing my fingers till then! Although, I'll just be happy to see you moving around. Then we will wait till April 11th for our ultrasound at Kaiser! By then you will need to cooperate!

As of this week, I still have not gained any weight but after a rough start to the week with severe migraines I have had three days of health! Yay! I hope it continues to improve but I don't want to jinx it just yet.

I will see you Wednesday! -XOX!

Week 14: Big Changes

3/2/2013

Dear Baby B,

There is much to tell you this week, which is why I am a day late writing to you; this week has been full of stress and uncertainties (more than I should share), but the biggest news is that I resigned from my job as a Marketing Coordinator. At the end of this month I will be a full time stay-at-home mom to be. Because I was so sick and missing so much work, I felt it was better for me to give my notice early. I'm excited that we will get to spend so much time together.

In other news, I had to visit the dentist this week because I thought I broke a molar on a "Preggy" pop. False alarm, luckily. A little fluoride, and it's good as new.

Then there was a rushed visit to the doctor due to a suspected UTI (urinary tract infection), but proved to be another false alarm. Seems that all my extremely cloudy urine and lack thereof was just dehydration. Nothing some extra fluids could not fix.

We did finally get to watch the last movie for the Twilight Saga, if your like your mom you will love vampire movies and reading/watching dark, mysterious romances. Vampires can be our thing! Your "Grand Dad" also likes vampires, his favorite is The Vampire Diaries. Mine too!

I'm still nauseated, gagging, and haven't gained a pound...but it seems my belly popped out overnight last night. I think I officially woke up looking pregnant. Oh and with a few new blemishes as well! I had to do laundry early because only certain underwear actually fit me now. But, yesterday they all fit! My belly seems to be high and very spread out. I also have formed the "famous" linea Nigeria line, it only reaches my belly button luckily...people say this means your a girl...maybe you are...maybe your not but on March 13th we will know for sure. We scheduled a 4D ultra sound for that day, and I hope you cooperate!

This week you are the size of a lemon 3.4 inches long, weighing 1.5 oz. Your face is well defined and you are able to make expressions. You may even be sprouting some hair. But, the most exciting part is that I can feel you move around. You get extremely happy when I eat and act like a chow hound like Miss Paisley! Well, and your mom on a normal non-pregnancy day!

I hope after a long chat with God that we can put this week behind us and move forward with a little less stress, I have a theory that if I experience every obstacle I can tolerate while pregnant that maybe labor and delivery will be a piece of cake and I'll be saying "What's the big deal about that?" I can dream...right? -XOX!