20 Week Ultrasound

Updated Belly Pictures... I'M GROWING!!!!

20 weeks...

We've had an eventful couple weeks! We have been to the doctor many times and seen a total of 3 doctors in the past 12 days. My primary doctor saw a few things during the last visit that needed to be reviewed by a perinatologist. Today was spent reviewing ultrasounds and talking with the perinatologist. At this point everything is perfect with the baby. She weighs 12 ounces (slightly larger than normal for this stage which is good in case she comes early). She has all 10 fingers and toes. At this point we just have to monitor my uterus and pray that I don't decide to go into premature labor. I will be having measurements taken a couple times a week for the remainder of the pregnancy. The mentality of the physicians is to be overly cautious rather than miss something.

I've started feeling her kick on a daily basis. It is the most amazing feeling in the world. I still can't believe I have a little person inside of me. My belly has grown significantly in the last couple weeks. I'm still at the 15lb mark but my stomach is growing at a rapid rate. I'm finally starting to look more pregnant and less like a fast food junkie. I must say I like the pregnant look much better.

I finally started buying nursery items. Mom and I went on a baby shopping spree this evening. We always manage to do damage while shopping together. I can't imagine what it will be like when we add another little girl to the mix. I bought her crib, glider, ottoman, lamps, car seat and stroller. It's safe to say I've begun nesting. Hopefully we will get started on the nursery this weekend. I believe reality will kick in once I can see the nursery!

I hope the next 15 to 20 weeks fly by! I won't be able to rest easy until I have the new addition to the family in my arms. I can't wait for that day!

Here's a look at what's going on this week...
Your pregnancy: 20 weeks
How your baby's growing:Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

18 Weeks...

Everything went great this week!! Natalee is right on track. Her heartbeat was 142 BPM and she weighs 8 ounces. We received the confirmation that she's 100% GIRL!! Trey will finally let me go shopping! Mom is doing great as well! All my measurements came back normal. I finally hit the 15 lb mark. They say I'm right on track to gain around 30 lbs but I have a feeling it will be much more than that (especially if keep eating chips ohoy the way I've been). We go back next Wednesday for the anatomical screening. This is the visit where we count all the fingers, toes, ect. We should get pretty awesome pictures during this trip.

I must admit that I was very nervous about this appointment. Everything is going smoothly at this point we just have to hope and pray it stays that way. Thanks to everyone that has been keeping us in your prayers. They seem to be working.

Trey and I have scheduled one of our last vacations before the baby comes. We plan on going to Hilton Head at the end of April for our "babymoon." I can't wait to see the sand and warm weather. I still haven't figured out what kind of swimsuit to wear. My growing belly has become an obstacle I'm always working around. My closet has never been so sparse. I changed over my winter clothes to summer clothes this week. I honestly think I pulled out about 5 shirts and NO pants that I can wear from my pre preggo days. I was so sad to put all my favorite shorts and tank tops back in the storage tubs. Looks like I'll be doing some spring/summer shopping (sorry Trey, haha).

Here's a look at what's going on in week 18...

How your baby's growing:Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Belly Picture... 17 weeks and 5 days

So that's the updated belly picture. I'm anxious to find out how much weight I've gained when I go to the doctor Tuesday. I feel like I'm a size bigger every morning when I get out of bed. I'm trying my best to keep up with a healthy diet but the food cravings are coming on strong. We will have more updates this week.

Week 17

The weeks are beginning to go by a bit faster. I'm sure this has a lot to do with how busy I've been with work. I hope this pregnancy goes by quickly. Each week that passes is a week closer to the day we get to meet the little one. I've begun having the "pregnancy brain." I have to write everything down. My short term memory is basically extinct. I'm also starting to get the pregnancy tummy. My t-shirts are too snug for comfort! Thank goodness Lee let me borrow a ton of his t-shirts. They fit perfectly (for now...).

We go back to the doctor next Tuesday and Thursday. I'm very anxious to hear that everything is progressing as planned. I always get so nervous before these appointments. They will most likely be checking to make sure all measurements and blood levels are where they need to be. Again, this is the critical portion of the pregnancy. We have to keep monitoring all levels closely for the next 4 weeks. The 22 week mark can't get here fast enough! I'll be able to breath a sigh of relief once we make it to that point.

I've also found a new hobby... ONLINE SHOPPING!! I have got to get this under control, haha. I hate shopping for maternity clothes. It is so much easier to click a couple times and have everything delivered to your door step. Lauren Kelley (who's 34 weeks preggers) introduced me to amazon (she works for the company). I am now obsessed with that website. I could shop for hours. She even informed me that you can save 15% by having diapers, wipes, ect. sent to your house on a weekly basis. What did we do before the internet? Seriously, I can't remember what it was like!!

Here's a look at what's going on this week...
Your pregnancy: 17 weeks
How your baby's growing:Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Hopefully I'll get a couple updated tummy pics on here this weekend. It is definitely growing!

Some of Natalee's first outfits!!

Natalee's aunties and grandmother decided to spoil her a little bit this weekend. She has already begun to fill her closet. She's going to be a well dressed little girl. Notice the John Deere outfit. That is to define Natalee as my father's granddaughter!! Here are a few pictures of the goodies she received this weekend...