16 Weeks

We had another visit to the doctor this week. At this point everything looks good but they will be monitoring me closely for the next 5 weeks. We were told that the next 5 weeks will be the most crucial period during my pregnancy. Some of the factors that have contributed to making me high risk have potential to become an issue over the next month. My doctor informed us that we will be able to rest easier once we hit the 22 week mark. We just have to hope and pray all goes smoothly until then. I'm just taking one day at a time and trying not to worry too much. Luckily I have the most amazing support system at home. Trey has been amazing! His outlook on life and this pregnancy is always positive and uplifting. My personality always tends to look at every scenario and make a plan in the event that each scenario becomes a reality. Everyone that knows me understands I have a tendency to over analyze everything. This characteristic comes in handy with my job but not as much in my day to day life. Thank goodness I have Trey to balance me out. He says I think too hard.
I'm anxiously waiting to feel little Natalee Grace move. I've been told I should feel something within the next week or so. During our ultrasound she was kicking like crazy. My doctor could feel it through the device she was using. She was surprised I couldn't feel it. She has already started to accumulate quite the wardrobe. Family and friends have given her the cutest little outfits. I can't wait to see her in all the little clothes.
Here's a look at what's going on this week:
Your pregnancy: 16 weeks
How your baby's growing:Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.
I'll post updated pictures of my expanding tummy this weekend!

It's a GIRL!!!! Natalee Grace is on her way!

We're having a little GIRL!! I still can't believe it. The second the sonographer started the ultra sound she asked if we wanted to know the sex of the baby. I quickly responded with an excited "YES!" Then she told us the news that will change our life forever! I looked over at Trey and he had the biggest grin on his face. He thought it was a girl from the very beginning. Looks like he was right. Everything else looks great as well. Her heartbeat was 143 BPM. Her growth is also right on track.

Trey and I left the doctor's office and headed straight to Baby's R Us. We hadn't purchased a single item for the baby until today. I must say I went a little crazy. I already know that the days of shopping for me are over and from this point forward it's all about Natalee. Trey picked out a UT romper (not much of a surprise). He says that will be her game day outfit. We spent the afternoon thinking about nursery colors and fantasizing about the day we get to meet little Natalee Grace.

Week 15

Here's a look at what's going on this week:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Week 15

We finally got around to taking belly pics. I'm looking a bit rough at the end of the day and after a workout. My tummy is definitely starting to pop out. I'm ready to look pregnant and not just "plump." Trey was kind enough to tell me I had already started gaining in my face. What a sweetheart he is...!! Poor thing, I don't think he knew I wouldn't want to hear that. I informed him to lie to me from now on when I ask questions like, " Have I gained in my thighs, butt, face, ect." Hopefully we will get better with taking photos and post every week or so.
I found a couple websites this weekend that claim they can predict gender. I took every test I could find. Every single test result came back saying, " Congrats You're Having a Girl!" I have no idea how accurate these silly things are but I had fun taking the tests. We will find out soon enough! My next appointment is Thursday. We feel 90% certain that we'll find out if we're having a little boy or girl! I promise I'll post the news as soon as we get it.

Preggo Pics! Taken at 14 weeks and 5 days

Week 14

Today marked our first appointment in the second trimester. It was the most painless appointment thus far. They didn't take my blood or do an ultra sound. Unfortunately, this also means it was a rather uneventful appointment! The doctor just took our medical history from both sides of the family. We were able to hear the baby's heart beat. This little noise has become the most amazing sound. The nuchal test (which tests for down syndrome) came back normal. The baby is healthy with a steady heart beat of 148 bpm.
We also found out that I will be visiting the doctor more frequently than we had anticipated. With me being a high risk pregnancy the doctor wants to see me every 1 to 2 weeks. The good news is that we will get an ultra sound in many of these visits. Our next visit is next Thursday. We will most likely find out the sex of the baby during the ultra sound. I'll almost be 16 weeks at that point.
I've officially gained 6lbs as of today. I am still able to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy pants but I'm not exactly comfortable when everything is buttoned. I've gone on a bit of a shopping spree trying to accumulate work attire. Stay at home moms have it made. They can wear comfortable clothes for the entire pregnancy! Who wants to wear suits, dress shirts, tailored pants and heels for 9 months? I've learned that I don't! I've also learned that these essential items are virtually impossible to find. Needless to say online shopping has become my favorite hobby these days. My sister-in-law gave me a sewing machine for Christmas and I think it's about time I learn how to use it. I'm not a fan of spending massive amounts of money on clothes I'll only wear for another 5 months. Can it be that hard to sew elastic bands into pants... ?
Here's a look at what's going on with the baby in week 14:
How your baby's growing:This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.
Trey and I will be sure to keep everyone updated as we progress through the second trimester!

12 Weeks

We made it. We are officially through our first trimester. We can finally make our little secret known! Our doctor's appointment went great. We had the nuchal translucency test today in order to determine the likelihood of down syndrome. At this point our baby looks to be healthy. The little one was moving around like crazy today. It was jumping all around inside my tummy. At one point the baby looked like it was waving to us. Trey and I were able to watch the baby for about 30 minutes. We were very entertained.

I've gained 5lbs so far. They say this about average. I've started feeling better and have been able to get back in the gym. Hopefully I can keep up some type of exercise routine throughout the pregnancy. I've just about outgrown my clothes. I guess it's about time to venture into the maternity section.

Today was the first time I had a premonition about the sex of the baby. I just had this feeling it is gonna be a boy. I've been drawn to boy bedding, clothes, ect. I could be completely wrong but at this point I think it is a boy. Trey still believes we are having a girl! Only time will tell. We may be able to find out in a couple weeks.

Here a look at what's going on with the baby this week:

Pregnancy Week 12...

How your baby's growing:The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it (WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO DO THIS TODAY DURING THE ULTRASOUND AND THE BABY MOVED AROUND AS I PRESSED ON MY STOMACH). His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

11 WEEKS

Today marks 11 weeks! It has been an eventful week. We went to Snowshoe, WV to celebrate Lee's 21st Birthday! The conditions were amazing. Needless to say it was difficult to sit in the condo and be lazy. I know this is a small price to pay to ensure the little one is tucked away safe in my belly!

The nausea is subsiding and I'm starting to feel much better. The only issue I'm having now is extreme exhaustion. It literally takes all my energy to shower in the morning. I feel like I need a nap after most activities. However, I have started to get back in the gym. Obviously my workouts are much less intense. I spend most of my energy making sure my heart rate doesn't get above 140. This is so hard to do! I've started swimming and have checked into Pilates classes. My days of kickboxing and heavy cardio are over (at least for now).

We found out that we may be able to determine the sex on Feb. 9th depending on the position of the baby. My doctor has a 3d ultrasound machine which enables the sonographer to determine the sex much earlier! I can't believe we may be able to find out that soon!!

Needless to say Trey and I have had a lot of changes these past few months. We have a baby on the way and he has just taken a new job as the Knoxville/Chattanooga medical sales representative for ConMed Linvatec. I have a feeling this is the beginning of a chaotic life. We can kiss our long Saturday and Sunday afternoon napping sessions goodbye!

Here's a look at what's going on with the baby in week 11:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.