19 Week Journal...

How far along? 19wks today
Total weight gain/loss: ~10lbs
TP Test: 9 squares of toilet paper
Maternity Clothes: Picked up a cute sweater & shirt last week but my belly isn't that big where it's completely obvious. A few people at work have even commented that it must be nice to have gotten so far without having to buy maternity clothes... I'll take that as a compliment.
"Morning" Sickness: I haven't been sick for about 2 weeks - yah!
Signs of Pregnancy: Very dry skin (along my face, fingers, belly, legs & ankles), burping, feeling my insides move, headaches & backpain. No signs of swelling!
Stretch Marks: Nothing new...
Sleep: Sleeping has gone better this week - I was able to sleep through some of the nights and even take a couple of naps during the weekend. I think doing away with the body pillow has helped.
Best moment this week:
*We found out that Michael Louis came home from the hospital and is doing quite well, as is the new Mom & Dad. This makes me very happy to know that they're all home and doing well.
*Finding out that we're having a boy - my childhood dream is coming true.
*The whole ultrasound experience was a blessing. Seeing that he's developing well so far and has there are no issues or concerns.
*Watching him move around and having him move after I asked him to... it's such an amazing sight. I can't stop thinking how incredibly blessed Dan & I are.
Worst moment this week: I must say that this week was a very good week - no bad moments.
Concerns/Fears: Just making sure that Alexander grows & develops healthy & properly - but my overall fears have lessened and I've started to enjoy the pregnancy a lot more, even the ligament pains aren't that bad because I know it's for a good cause.
Movement: I've started to feel Alex move alot more... and I can tell where his feet are based on looking at the ultrasound and feeling those movements.
Food cravings: Nothing specific this week
Gender prediction: No guessing anymore - it's a BOY - Alexander Christopher
Labor Pains: N/A
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On - a bit loose even
Weekly Wisdom: I stick by what I said last week... If you had migraines or backpain before getting pregnant - be prepared: it only intensifies once you become pregnant (at least for me it has).
Milestones: Where to begin...
*The ultrasound was AMAZING! We're having our boy and all limbs, fingers & toes accounted for. His brain & heart are developing well, he has a strong heartbeat (140 bpm), and he listens to Mommy.
*Being able to watch our son with Dan was one of the best moments in my life.
*Got the results back from my AFP test and the doctor said that things came back normal with no concern for spina bifida or downs syndrome.
*Started to look into things for the nursery (bedding, cribs, etc) and Dan as agreed to start our registry next week. This will make many people quite happy...
*Our next dr appt is in 2 1/2 weeks and we're going to have another ultrasound around the same time so they can have the spine documented.

19th Week Growth...

How your baby's growing:
Welcome to the fifth month of pregnancy! This week your baby is working on protecting her skin, as she develops a waxy substance called vernix caseosa, which will disappear at birth. Vernix is secreted by the glands in the skin this week, and protects the growing skin from getting chapped or wrinkled from floating in amniotic fluid. During this time, you may feel Baby's first movements, called “quickening.” If you've already had one child, you'll probably feel those first flutterings about 2 weeks earlier than you did in your first pregnancy, mainly because you know what sensation to look for. This week, Baby will grow to about five or six inches, and will weigh about seven ounces by week's end. Also this week, you can expect that: Buds that will later produce permanent teeth are now forming behind the baby teeth buds.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born.

Chances are you'll have a mid-pregnancy ultrasound (also called a sonogram) between weeks 18 and 22 to monitor fetal development. Be sure to bring your partner along--you'll both be amazed as your little one kicks, boxes, and even somersaults for the camera. Based on the baby's size, your doctor or midwife will be able to confirm or adjust your due date. Plus, you'll get photographic printouts to take home for friends and family. Save a couple for the baby book--these fuzzy, black-and-white snapshots are your child's very first baby pictures!

How your life's changing:
You're just a week shy of the halfway mark. You may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen (perhaps extending to your groin) or even a quick, sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides, especially when you change position or at the end of an active day. This is round ligament pain, and it's caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus. It's nothing to be alarmed about, but if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes persistent and severe, call your practitioner.You may also have noticed some skin changes lately. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from increased estrogen. Patches of darkened skin are also common during pregnancy. When they show up around your upper lip, upper cheeks and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may see these splotches on your arms or other areas that have been exposed to the sun. Your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva may also darken during pregnancy. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line." All of this darkening is due to a temporary increase in melanin, the substance that colors your hair, skin, and eyes. For most women, these darkened spots will fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Recurrent dizziness is common, and nothing to worry about. If you feel dizzy when you stand up quickly, this might be caused by gravity rapidly draining blood from the brain. Standing up slowly will help with this problem. Also, when you're lying down on your back, your uterus may compress important blood vessels, causing lowered blood pressure and increased dizziness. You can help combat this by sleeping on your left side which can allow better digestive functioning, and may help lessen swelling in your arms and legs.
Pregnancy also affects your blood sugar level, and both high and low blood sugar levels can make you dizzy. Eating a balanced diet of small, frequent meals, and not skipping meals can help regulate your blood sugar and help prevent dizziness.
This might be a good week to check into childbirth classes. If you're a first-time parent or you'd like a refresher course, a structured class can help prepare you for labor and delivery. You'll want to be finished with class no later than 37 weeks, when you'll be considered full-term. Labor could start at any time from then on.

Stem is on the Apple...

It's official - straight from the mouth of Dan: "the stem is on the apple" (to which he then let me know that it was from Bill Cosby). Lost? Don't worry, so was I at first.

10 people guessed correctly - It is confirmed and there is no question about it - we are having a BOY! I think I'm still in shock - it's definitely a GREAT shock, but shock none-the-less. I think because I wanted a boy so much that I was telling myself "think girl", just in case... and when the technician said BOY, it didn't really sink in. And let me tell you - it took all afternoon to sink in! I'm starting to get really excited.

The ultrasound was just so cool. Our technician, who was super nice & just had her first baby in July, was able to see almost everything, excepting he was chillin' on his back so she couldn't get the greatest view of his spine. We got to see his heart (with a strong heartbeat of 141), saw the brain, kidneys, bladder, & stomach. She looked for each limb for me and we made sure each one had the correct number of fingers & toes. We also got to see the lens of his eye which was so freakin' fantastic. She said he looks fantastic, everything is growing properly and there is no holes or marks where they shouldn't be. She said he weighs 1/2 a pound right now which is right on target. It made us feel really happy & lucky. The best part was when we could see him wiggling around. He would move his arm up near his head and it would make me giggle which would then make the screen shake. When she first showed me where his feet were (on my lower right abdomen) - that's when my mother's intuition kicked in. I had a suspicion that's where he was because that's where I feel the most movement. And at one point she kept moving the wand around to get him to flip and I asked him to and she smiled and said "wow, he's good at listening to you because he's moving a bit". But he didn't want to flip over completely. That boy of ours is just good!

Overall, things couldn't have gone better: We're having our boy - He looks great, he's growing perfectly and best of all - I got the results from my AFP test and it came back normal and the doctor said that the results were fantastic where she's concerned there's no need to worry about spina bifida or downs syndrome. I do have to go back in a few weeks for another ultrasound because they want to have the spine on record but hey I'm all for that - any chance to get a look at the boy, I'll go whenever they want me to!

Without further ado - the thing you're really waiting for... the name & pictures!
The peanut will no longer be known as the peanut but Alexander Christopher!

Introducing Alexander Christopher:
1) First picture is of his face, brain & heart. As I said during the ultrasound, if this wasn't such an miraclous & happy moment, this picture would FREAK me out!















2) Another shot of the face, she just labled the eyes, nose and mouth for us. The black above his eyes is his brain and the black circle on his chest is his heart (with the 4 chambers)
















3) A side view of the little one - she couldn't get a good shot of his spine because he was too comfy where he was.

4) Another side shot:

5) The first look we had to see if the peanut was a he...

6) Then she did this view to show us there was no mistaking it. She told us that if we do in fact end up having a girl, we should bring in this picture to the doctor and tell her that we want a refund. :)

Belly Shots...

Due to popular demand, here's a quick shot of my growing belly from Week 4 to Week 16.
If you click on the picture, it will open up to a larger view

Gender Pool Standings...

This is where we currently stand on the Gender Pool. As you can see, the GIRL choice has taken the lead by a commanding 56%. Guess we'll just have to wait and see if Baby Chiocco is cooperative tomorrow. And for those of you shocked that I have this in an excel spreadsheet, we need to spend more time together!

Happy 43rd Anniversary!!

Happy 43rd Anniversay to Mom & Dad Chiocco!!

Congratulations on 43 years of marriage which consisted of happiness, joy, love, laughter and I'm sure a few tears. We thank you for showing us such a wonderful model to form our marriage after.

Here's to many more happy years together!!

Love, Dan, Mel & the peanut

**Note: I just noticed that when I typed up Dad Chiocco's birthday message, I hit save rather than publish so if you scroll down a bit, you'll notice it finally is published. Sorry for the delay in the birthday greeting**

Happy Birthday Alyson...

Today's my sister's birthday - she's 29 years old! WOW - that makes me feel even older! Not really... :)

Happy Birthday, Alyson. Don't worry - 29 ain't bad and it's only one more year til 30. And I promise, 30 is not one step closer to the grave.

The lil peanut hopes you enjoy the day...

Gender Pool...

Our ultrasound is scheduled for this coming Friday (October 27th).

Now's when we play the Guessing Game! What do you think we're having???

Dan really just wants a baby that is healthy and not a mix of girl & boy. He wants it to be one or the other. I wanted a healthy baby but if I could check a gender box I would check 'boy'. Originally I thought boy at the first two ultrasounds. However, the past 2 weeks I've really been thinking girl. I'm undecided but I figure I have until Friday before we leave for the appointment to post my prediction.

What do you think - post your thoughts! I'll update with what others think, for example:

*Steve & Ann's little girls (Skyler & Sierra) think we're having a girl

18th Week Journal...

How far along? 18wks today
Total weight gain/loss: 10lbs
TP Test: xx squares of toilet paper (haven't done this in a week or so)
Maternity Clothes: "Morning" Sickness: Nothing significant to report thankfully...
Signs of Pregnancy: Very dry skin, burping, feeling my insides move, headaches & backpain
Stretch Marks: Nothing new...
Sleep: I got a few nights of sleep last week and I think it's because I tried sleeping without the body pillow - I'm able to spread my legs out more to accommodate my hips. We'll continue this and see how it works. However, I may have spoken to soon... I had a horrible night of sleep on Saturday. I had tremendous back pain and I could barely sleep.
Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat again! We had our 5th month appointment on Friday and although the office was packed, our appointment was great! The doctor we met with was not the same as last time (Dr. E was on vacation) so we met with Dr. S. She is new to the practive but very sweet. This was the first appointment, since the initial ultrasound at RSC, Dan had gone to so it was nice for him to be able to hear the heartbeat again. My weight & blood pressure are good and right on track. She listened for the heartbeat and she didn't seem to be able to find it at first, so or course I got nervous. But then we heard it. It sounded a bit slow to me but the doctor said that it sounded perfect to her and that I had an active baby. We could hear the heartbeat on both the right & the left side. (Dan wonders if we are having twins, but I figured the doctor would have mentioned it.) Then I had my AFP test (blood test) which we'll get the results in a few days. We also went across the hall to schedule our ultrasound - yay!
Worst moment this week: The round ligament pains started to increase and especially when I cough, it stinks. I let the doctor know and she said that's very normal and unfortunately it'll get worse before it gets better
Concerns/Fears: When you start to feel things inside move (ribs & organs), at first it's a bit scary but being able to wait a second and figure out what it is before I run to pick up the phone. Plus, checking with the books & different symptoms has been helpful. But man, when those ribs start to move - that's a scary feeling.
Movement: Dr. S says we have an active baby. I don't know that the feelings I feel are the peanut or ligament pains. And if it's a combination of the baby & the pains then I definitely have an active baby & ligament because it's pretty frequent.
Food cravings: Nothing specific this week and I tried to lessen my amounts of potatoes.
Gender prediction: I'm definitely thinking girl over the past few days but hopefully we'll find out this coming week providing Baby C cooperates.
Labor Pains: N/A
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On - a bit loose even
Weekly Wisdom: Try different ways of sleeping. If you had migraines or backpain before getting pregnant - just be prepared: it only intensifies once you become pregnant (at least for me it has).
Milestones: Hearing the heartbeat & scheduling our ultrasound appointment!

The ultrasound is scheduled for the end of the week so keep your fingers crossed that the little peanut cooperates and gives a peak whether or not if the peanut is a he or a she. I'll definitely start a pool to see how many people think what...

18th Week Growth...

How your baby's growing:
Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
Your baby's brain is growing rapidly. By this stage, all of the major areas have been differentiated. The cortical layers, which govern specific brain functions, are beginning to form. The fetus may exhibit signs of a primitive body language in utero, such as recoiling when the needle for the amniocentesis comes too close for comfort. Within the next few weeks, she'll be able to hear voices outside the womb and respond positively to music or loving words. It's time to fine-tune your singing and storytelling skills!
By now, the bones of Baby's inner ear and the nerve endings from the brain have developed enough so that your baby can probably detect sounds clearly. Experts believe that one of the most comforting sounds she hears is Mom’s heartbeat. She may also hear your voice, your stomach rumbling, and the sound of blood moving through the umbilical cord to and from the placenta, which is now almost as big as she is. And that's not all! Here's what else is happening to baby this week:
*She will begin to swallow, and may even feel thirsty sometimes. Some experts think thirst may trigger your baby to swallow. Since amniotic fluid is constantly being produced, Baby’s swallowing of excess fluid helps keeps it at a constant level.
*Baby's chest will continue to move up and down to mimic breathing, but she's not breathing air — just swallowing and inhaling amniotic fluid. This is a normal part of your baby’s development—this intake of amniotic fluid will not harm her.
*If baby is a girl, the vagina, uterus, and Fallopian tubes will be in place by the end of the week.

How your life's changing:
Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline increase. Look for specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.You may have heard that it's best to lie on your left side during your last two trimesters. Here's why: When you lie on your back, your uterus can compress your pelvic veins — in particular, the inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your left side helps remove this pressure. Try placing a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during your second trimester your blood pressure is probably lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy. If you haven't already, you'll probably have an ultrasound done sometime this trimester (usually between 16 and 20 weeks). This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking her thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!
On average, pregnant moms have gained about 10 or 11 pounds by now. It's a good idea to gain weight gradually; by not putting on a lot of weight all at once, your body won't be as stressed and you may have an easier time delivering the baby. (Plus you'll have fewer extra pounds to lose afterwards!) If you're having difficulty getting a good night's sleep because of this added weight and the resulting discomfort, try urinating before going to bed, propping yourself up with pillows in bed, and resting on your left side.
This week you may also want to prepare yourself for a mid-pregnancy ultrasound, which is often recommended sometime during the second trimester, usually between 18 and 22 weeks. This test can help your doctor assess fetal growth and development, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, and determine whether the projected due date is accurate. At this early date, the test may also be able to detect gender, but only if the baby is in a position where genitals are visible.

Happy Birthday Dad!

**NOTE: I typed this on Sunday Oct 22nd - Dan's Dad's birthday and hit Save rather than PUBLISH. Dad, I'm sorry for the delay.**

Happy Birthday Dad!

We hope you have a wonderful birthday!
The little peanut wishes you a happy birthday as well...

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Dan, Mel & the peanut...

Babies, babies & more babies...

Babies galore!! I love the fact that there are so many babies around us right now.

Dan & I would love to give a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the new parents - Matt & Laura!!! Dan's brother, Matt, & his wife, Laura had their first baby Thursday October 19th @ 10:17pm - Michael Louis. A few weeks earlier than expected. He's a healthy 6lbs 9ozs and when Dan spoke to Matt, he said everyone was doing well.

I can't wait to see the pictures of the new little one & hear how Laura is doing. According to Matt, she wasn't in labor long which I'm sure she's quite grateful for. I believe their going home today so hopefully Dan will be able to speak to Matt again to see how everyone is doing.

CONGRATULATIONS, Matt & Laura! We can't wait to meet the new addition and congratulate you in person! Here's hoping you get some sleep...

A new little baby...

One of Dan's good friend from elementary school, Anthony & his wife Maria, had their first child on Tuesday! It's very exciting - both Anthony & Dan will be having children around the same time. Mind you, we don't see them all that often, but when we do we enjoy each other's company.

They had a little boy and named him Anthony Francesco. A true Italian name. God help Maria when she gets mad at him and tries to yell out his whole name - it'll be a mouthful. I was practicing on the ride home the other day and woooh, I kept tripping on my tongue.

We're so happy for them and I can't wait to see a picture of the little guy. And the funny thing is that I believe he was born on the 17th-the day the 300,000,000 American was to be born. How fun.

Schedule Change...

I hate it when I get home and there's a message from the doctor. I always panic, even if they tell me nothing is wrong and it's not urgent.
The message we got yesterday was that they had to reschedule our doctor's appointment which was currently on Thursday. At first I was really bummed, because I was hoping to keep our appointment this week to make sure everything is okay and so we can book our ultrasound appointment. I didn't want to reschedule it to next week because I have a 3-day training class Monday-Wednesday that I can't get out of.

Thankfully when I called today to reschedule they were able to schedule me for Friday late morning. So, we'll still have our appointment this week, just a day later. And I'm still expecting to schedule the ultrasound - which hopefully we can get for next Friday!

Fingers crossed...

Signs of Pregnancy...

Typically in the 2nd trimester, pregnant women experience "normal" days. You read about it various books that tell you once you enter the 2nd trimester, you'll get a burst of energy and you'll have days were you won't feel pregnant. What they don't tell you is that you may panic when you have those "normal" days because just the day before you could have had aches & pains as well as getting sick.

For me, the ability to go from being sick one evening to feeling completely normal the next day has been a bit unnerving. However, there are other signs that I keep on the look out for just to make sure everything is still A-Ok.

These have been my signs to let me Baby C is still moving & growing.
*Growing belly - in the beginning it was a slow pop and only I'd be able to notice it... but over the past week, I really have started to pop out. I'll try to remember to take a belly picture tonight.
*Frequent trips to the bathroom (although this hasn't changed dramatically for me)
*Dry, itchy skin - Top of my nose, next to the corners of my eyes, side of face, behind my ears, belly, ankles - you name it, it's very dry. Last week when we were out for dinner for my Dad's birthday I was commenting to my mother that behind my ears are extremely dry and itchy and that I have to constantly put lotion on them. Mom looked at me and said that I had the exact same thing as an infant and that she was constantly putting lotion behind my ears. Coincidence, I think not.
*Frequent burping - I really do burp all the time and it's not pretty.
*Abdominal pains - this week, I've started experiencing round ligament pains in my abdominal area on a daily basis. They're so sporadic that I don't think it's anything to call the doctor on. But if you're not sure what they are, they can be quite scary at first. Although some people are very much against the "What to expect..." book series, I have to say this book has been quite helpful to me in regards to symptoms and if they're common or when they should be happening.

17 Week Journal...

How far along? 17wks today
Total weight gain/loss: approximately 6 - 6/12 lbs
TP Test: 8 1/2 squares of toilet paper
Maternity Clothes: During vacation, I picked up some maternity clothes so I would be able to be comfortable. A few pairs of jeans, cords & dress pants, some shirts & a couple of sweaters - I've gotten a lot of compliments on the clothes and I'm quite comfy so all in all it's a win/win.
"Morning" Sickness: Dan & I have distinquinshed when I get sick and it really has nothing to do with the time of day or a type of food. We've narrowed it down to if I feel I've eaten too much food. My body doesn't want all of it (regardless of what it is...) and it must dispose of it. Thankfully it only happened once last week bringing my total up to 7 times. (I have no idea why I'm keeping track of how many specific times I get sick - who knows?)
(New) Signs of Pregnancy: Very dry skin
Stretch Marks: Nothing new...
Sleep: I miss a good night sleep I think more than anything. Lately I have not been able to sleep well. I toss & turn for what seems to be no reason. However, we flipped the mattress Saturday night after laundry and that did a number on my back. I really don't sleep well at night which makes it hard to get up in the morning, however my back hurts too much to lie there.
Best moment this week: I've began to pop this week. Last weekend I didn't really have a belly however Tuesday & Wednesday of this week, I really began to show. I notice that while at work, I walk around and suck in my stomach, I keep telling myself that it's okay to just walk around and be pregnant. I'm getting better, but I do still do it occassionally.
Oh... the other night Dan came home with the BEST idea. It was one of the sweetest things he's done during this pregnancy. Once it's complete, I'll post it because I don't want to ruin the overall effect. But it's such a great idea and he's so damn cute.
Worst moment this week: Lack of sleep...
Concerns/Fears: I thought about this a lot of the weekend... for something so dainty as a new life growing and with so many things that could happen - why do doctor's only see you once a month? And in the first trimester they don't really see you until later anyway... that thought baffles me.
Movement: I think the flutters began this week...I felt something and it certainly didn't feel like food digesting or potential gas. And the flutters seem to happen while I'm driving into work in the morning and then later in the afternoon, but always while I'm sitting.
Food cravings: If it's in the potato family, I'll most likely eat it. However, I do have to say I'm not having those typical "pregnancy cravings"... and I'm still most grateful for not wanting chicken! I'd never forgive myself if I gave in...
Gender prediction: I'm not sure - I'm trying to keep an open mind that it could be either. There are a lot of girls around us right now so I don't know if we'll join the bandwagon or hop on the boy wagon.
Labor Signs: N/A
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On - a bit loose even
Weekly Wisdom: Don't flip your mattress during your pregnancy if you're already gotten used to your current space on the mattress - it can do a number on your back & potential sleep.
Milestones: I started showing!! Our next doctor appointment is this week which is when we'll schedule the ultrasound so I can't wait!!

17th Week Growth...

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker. The fetus is about 6 and 1/4 inches long and weighs 4-5 ounces, about the same size as the placenta. The eyes are more forward than on either side of the face now. Your baby's ears have started to pop from his head and lanugo is beginning to appear on your baby's head and body. At 4 to 5 inches long and about 7 ounces, your baby is roughly the size of a large pear. And she's ripening--the brain, muscles, nervous and circulatory systems, and urinary tract are all functioning. Amniotic fluid is pumping through her lungs. Her skeleton, composed of rubbery cartilage, will harden later.

How your life's changing:
With more weight up high and out in front of your body, you may feel a bit off-balance as you walk around. Store away your high heels and wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble.You're likely to feel protective of your tummy, and that's good. Trauma to your abdomen could be harmful to your baby and dangerous to you, so be sure to buckle up when you're driving. Keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly and very snug across your hips for maximum protection.
Somewhere between the 16th and 20th week, you'll feel something that you've been expecting but still can't quite believe: your baby's kicks. They won't be solid football kicks (that comes later); you may mistake them for stomach rumblings or even indigestion. Moms-to-be describe the feeling as "fluttery," like "butterflies" or "angel's wings." Technically, it's known as quickening. Each baby's kicking pattern (like the rest of her) is unique. Some kick almost incessantly, while others offer a gentle tap now and then, as if to say, "Don't worry, I'm here!"

A gift to our baby...

I do a lot of thinking while driving to work. I think about what gender our baby will be. I think about what he/she will look like. Will she have's Dan's hair? My complexion? But I also think about what I want to give our baby.

I want to make sure he/she is happy & healthy - that's most important. And I know Dan & I will do everything possible to make that happen. But I also want to make sure that our baby knows they are loved. I want they to feel comfortable & confident. I want them to talk to us about anything, well once they're able to do so of course. And I want them to be their own person.

Another thing I think about is I want to make sure we get our child off on the right foot. I want to make sure they have a wonderful library to help them out. So I have decided that rather than buying clothes, because other people (Alyson & Mom) are going to put clothes on the baby for their first year, I would buy books. I will buy books I loved as a kid and books I think they would love. I would love for them to be able to pass their books onto their own children. I remember having a plethera of books - Little Golden Books, Dr. Suess & Disney books. Today, I bought 4 books and mainly because I remember loving them myself. I love (and still do the Little Golden Book series, so I think between that & Dr. Suess those will be where I start first.
Here are the ones I picked up today:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Alyson, do you remember this one?

Little Golden Books - Sleepytime Tales (and this was because of the story "Poky Little Puppy"

Dr. Suess's ABC

Guess How Much I love you - I don't remember having this but I just thought this was so sweet

Myths of Pregnancy: dispelled...

As soon as you become pregnant, your life becomes filled with information. Some information can be overload while other pieces of information, you gladly take in. And once you start to tell people you're pregnant, you are showered with advice, more information, what's going to happen to you, what happened to them, etc. There are some comments that I have gladly accepted and will keep them in mind when it's necessary. There are others that I just listen but don't necessarily take to heart. A woman at work, once she found out, told me what happened with her and just kept rambling about it. Then she proceeded to tell me that she hoped Dan has a girl because that would be the perfect payback - whatever that meant.

Anyway, I digress... I'm here to dispell the myths of pregnancy and how Pregnancy actually relates to me.

*Myth: Your hair & nails become strong & thick and also grow rapidly. For me, this has been a complete lie. My hair has not become strong & thick - still thin & fine. My nails are definitely not strong - in fact they're weaker and I can peel layers off. And neither are growing quickly.

*Myth: Morning Sickness is the first trimester. For me, I have gotten sick more times in the second trimester then I did in the first. The gag reflex got worse in the 2nd, but at least I have yet to have the nausea sensation. Let's hope I didn't jinx myself...

*Myth: Energy returns after the 1st trimester. Again, this is a lie. Although I had a week reprive during vacation, my energy level has returned to what it was before vacation. I do find that if I keep going once I wake up then I'm okay. It's when I sit down that I'm done for. And that of course doesn't help that I spend a lof of my work day in front of a computer... so it's a bit draining.

*Myth: Your trips to the bathroom double. For me this hasn't been the case. Which I guess is a good thing. The reason this hasn't been an issue was because I already went to the bathroom quite frequently before, so for me nothing has changed.

I know that as I was driving to work this morning I thought of a lot more pregnancy myths that are not holding true for me. But I can't remember them right now even if you paid me a million dollars. If I remember them, I'll just have to add a new entry, won't I?

**Edited to add** I remembered another Myth
*Myth: Pregnant women are always hot. Again, this has not been the case for me. Mind you, I'm always cold to begin with so I was looking forward to the hot flashes. Although I had a few nights during the summer that I enjoyed A/C, needless to say, I have remained cold with no hot flashes in sight. Sorry Dan - looks like you'll have to turn the heat on this winter even though you were hoping not to...

Gender Predictions...

During my lunch breaks, I do the occasional searching of new websites that can provide me any information regarding pregnancy, labor & the joys of it all. I mainly like to look for sites that can tell me different symptoms, baby updates, body changes, and expectations based on where I am in this pregnancy.

Today, after reading Angela's baby blog, I decided to partake in the fun gender prediction quizzes. Yes, Dan, I know ... these are not real and should not be counted on has providing 100% factual information. It's for entertainment purposes only. And that's how I look at them.

The majority of quizzes I did came back with the same result - we're having a girl. A few came back with the result of having a boy. Which proves Dan's case that these quizzes don't know what they're talking about because if it was actual - they'd all have the same information.

I'm trying to actually remain neutral with my own gender prediction because I don't want to sway myself heavily into one gender over another. Although I think I've been doing that since I was 17 years old anyway. But I'm hoping if I remain neutral now, when the time comes I'll be just as excited with either gender!

If we have a boy, the name is already picked out & so is the nursery theme. If we have a girl, that's going to be more challenging. I have my list of girl names that I need to run by Dan and then see what he has and then try to make a decision. Then there's a matter of a nursery. I'm not a girly-girl. I'm not into pink, flowery butterflies, and the sets I've seen for a girl is very very pink & frilly. So if it is a girl, I'm hoping something will catch our eye that doesn't make me think of an old lady or a lacey doily.

That's my random thought for the day... we don't know what we're having yet but I thought I'd see what the Chinese Astronomers thought.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Dad! We hope you have a wonderful birthday!

The little peanut wishes you a happy birthday as well... and just think this is your last birthday as a non-grandparent type person.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mel, Dad & the peanut...

16th Week Journal...

How far along? 16wks today
Total weight gain/loss: approximately 6 - 6/12 lbs
TP Test: 8 1/2 squares of toilet paper
Maternity Clothes: Finally
"Morning" Sickness: I still have a strong gag reflex and although I felt sick last night after dinner, I did not get sick. So the past week, I've done well and not gotten physically sick.
Stretch Marks: I think I found a new one on my belly.
Sleep: I think I slept thru the whole night last night, so that gives me a happy! yay!
Best/Worst moment this week: Don't know if I have either one because it was a fairly tame week in regards to the pregnancy... I felt normal and I'm not sure if I felt a flutter.
However, going to the Mega Maze and apple picking with Gary, Sharon & the kids was a definite highlight of the week!
Concerns/Fears: My biggest concern comes when I have "normal" days. I'm not use to having normal days where I feel normal and not pregnant. But Friday & Saturday, I felt normal. So it made me a bit weery. However, I've spoken with a few pregnant women who say that's completely natural and that I should enjoy it while I can. We'll see...
Movement: I'm not sure if I felt my first flutter last night while driving home or if it was food digesting. But it did feel different and it wasn't a bad feeling at all. It would be cool if that was an actual movement.
Food cravings: I don't know if I necessarily have specific cravings - however I still love anything from the potato
Gender prediction: I'm not sure
Labor Signs: N/A
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On - a bit loose even
Weekly Wisdom: Don't know if I have some to share because I'm trying to come to grips with relaxing during the "normal" days...
Milestones: Dan & I really have become ying & yang with each other. Whenever I have a panic moment, he's been there to rationalize with me and tell me that everything is fine. And when we discuss baby shower or clothes or baby items, Dan has a panic moment that it's too soon for things like that because anything could go wrong - I explain that it's better to go thru the pregnancy with happy thoughts that everything will be fine rather than being doom & gloom and waiting for something bad to happen. It's been a perfect balance so far...

16th Week Growth...

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

You're not the only one who's smiling! Baby can now make facial expressions because of the development of her facial muscles. This week she can squint, smile and frown. This is probably not an indication of mood, but may be linked to random impulses in the developing brain.
Overall growth continues—your baby now weighs about 2.8 to three ounces and is about four or five inches long.
Other highlights this week include:

• Her ability to make some voluntary muscle movements means she can now hold her head somewhat erect.
• Baby is developing a sensitivity to light, and may respond with heart rate accelerations to projections of light on the abdomen. This can serve as a test of well-being before birth.
  Hiccups may start now, but you won't hear or feel them because the baby's system is filled with fluid rather than air.
• Baby's heart is now pumping the equivalent of 25 quarts of blood each day.
• Arm and leg movements are becoming more coordinated.
• Baby's bladder will empty about every 40-45 minutes.
  

How your life's changing: Have people been telling you how wonderful you look? The "glow of pregnancy" is real, thanks to increased blood flow to the skin. You may be enjoying yourself more, too, now that your hormones have stabilized and nausea has eased up. You're also probably less anxious about something happening to your baby (the risk of miscarriage drops dramatically after the 14th week) which likely adds to your overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, most don't until about 18 weeks or more. If this is your first baby, don't be too anxious — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so. The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll start to feel unmistakably like kicks.

As your pregnancy progresses, it's important for you to get plenty of rest. The best position for you now is lying comfortably on your side, perhaps with a pillow propped against your back and another between your legs. The best sleeping position, specifically during the last couple of months of pregnancy is on your left side. By lying on your left side, you'll experience better digestive functioning, improved blood and nutrient flow to the placenta, and less swelling of hands, feet and legs. This is because, when lying on your left side, you are reducing pressure on the vena cava, a large vein which transports blood from the lower part of your body to your heart. Additionally, this position allows for both you and Baby to receive more oxygen. Avoid lying on your back, because your uterus could block important blood vessels in the back of your abdomen and interfere with circulation to you and your baby. Also avoid lying on your stomach, which puts too much pressure on your growing uterus. If you move suddenly you may a feel an ache in your sides. Not to worry… what you’re feeling are the ligaments on the sides of your uterus and pelvic walls stretching as your baby grows. It's normal to feel some discomfort, but if it continues for a few days or if your discomfort increases, you may want to talk with your doctor.

Fall Day in New England...

Today I went to the Mega Maze in Sterling, MA with Gary, Sharon, Chris & Claire (Dan opted to stay home to do some yardwork). It was a perfect fall day - great combination of warm sun and a hint of chilly wind. The maze was great! It took us 2 1/2 hours to get thru the maze and we missed a couple of things they have you look for on the scavenger hunt. We also a cheated a few times to get up on top of the different bridges. SHHHHH. Cheated, what? Who, us? Naaaaa... Chris was our leader and he did a fantastic job - he knew which direction to go and where we'd be able to find the bridges. Claire was tired & bored but once we finished, and she got her oreo cookies, she was full of energy!

After the maze, we walked over to the Family Farm to do some apple-picking. The perfect way to wrap up the perfect fall day in New England. I got a bunch of apples and I'm going to see what yummy desert I can whip up with my finds.

Now if only our peanut will be just as cute & entertaining as Chris & Claire, I'll be one happy momma...

A dash of energy...

Whoever said that a nice refreshing walk will rejuvinate you and give you more energy, well they lied!

Also whoever said that you'll have more energy in the 2nd trimester, well they also lied.

Last week while on vacation, I had a ton of energy and never once did I feel as though I needed a nap. I even told Dan that I was happy I wasn't exhausted and that I've been able to enjoy vacation. Fastforward to this week, and I'm back to being exhausted! I feel as though I need a nap all afternoon. I even took a walk yesterday during lunch hoping it would energize me and it had the opposite effect - it put me to sleep. I struggled to stay awake yesterday.

Guess we'll have to wait and see what the next couple of weeks bring.

15th Week Journal...

How far along? 15wks today
Total weight gain/loss: I think I gained a pound last week from vacation - I didn't eat a lot, but I think all the walking we did helped a great deal
TP Test: 8 1/2 squares of toilet paper
Maternity Clothes: Finally broken down while on vacation and got some maternity clothes. My clothes still fit but I hated feeling like I was stuffed in like a sausage. Got some sweaters, shirts & some pants... I made sure that they'll last more than a couple months so I don't have to go do this multiple times. But let me just tell you - although I may not fit 100% into maternity clothes, they are much more comfortable!
"Morning" Sickness: I've fallen prey to the 2nd Trimester sickness - I got sick twice while on vacation and the gag reflex is still prevelant. At least I don't feel nauseous.
Stretch marks? No new ones
Sleep: the first few nights of vacation was nice but then my body got used to the bed and decided to not be comfortable. I have realized that the past couple of nights, I'm not waking up on my back, so maybe my body is becoming used to this whole side-sleeping thing.
Best moment this week: Without a doubt - spending time alone with Dan on vacation! We had the best vacation (we're comparing it to our honeymoon). We saw every inch of the Cape
Worst moment this week: Getting sick in the bathroom at a bar, trying not to touch anything...but I made myself feel better that the Saints were winning and that Harry frequents the bar I puked in. :)
Concerns/Fears: Is a high speed ferry from hell and a moped ride safe?
Movement: Dan asked me this weekend if I have started to feel anything, and honestly I don't know. I feel all sorts of things but I don't know if it's baby movement. It mainly feels like my body moving & stretching rather than "flutters". My gut tells me that I'll know when it's a real flutter
Food cravings: While on vacation, I did yearn for a hot fudge sundae and was happy with myself that I only got one on our last night.
Gender prediction: I'm not sure
Labor Signs: N/A
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On - a bit loose even
Weekly Wisdom:
Milestones: Vacation with Dan - being able to spend time just the two of us whether it was driving around, walking on the beach, getting up for the sunrise, kicking my arse in minigolf, or watching the janitor with his pink sweater pretend to be a doctor. Sorry that's an inside joke from our dinner on Friday night. Oh, I also drove by Harry Connick Jr's house in Chatham so that was a HUGE thing for me.

Dan & I have decided we're moving to Chatham - it's too nice not to. He's going to work at the bike shop and I'll work at the Old Harbor Cafe. Afterall, I did work in a donut shop in high school so I have the experience!

A girl can dream, can't she...

15th Week Growth...

How your baby's growing: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the gender depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing: You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now. If it's a little more or less, don't worry too much. Every woman gains weight at a different rate. While you're well into the swing of being pregnant, you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for example, you can probably chalk it up to your pregnancy. That's because increased estrogen can cause swelling in the mucous membranes and possibly the production of more mucus. Your blood volume is increasing, too, which causes your blood vessels to expand, including those in your nose. (You may get occasional nosebleeds as a result.) And because pregnancy alters your immune system and makes you more susceptible to certain infections, it might just be that you have a cold or allergies. In any case, make sure you stay away from irritants, like cigarette smoke, aerosols, and alcohol. To soothe your nostrils, use a humidifier or vaporizer at night, and drink plenty of fluids. You can also try over-the-counter saline drops or a buffered saline nasal spray. (If you're truly miserable, ask your doctor or midwife if it's okay to take decongestant medication.)Don't worry if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about the baby's health and how they'll cope as new parents. But with minimal physical discomfort and renewed energy, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women, so try to enjoy it!