19 weeks

How our baby's growing:

Our baby's sensory development is exploding! The brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that it may be able to hear our voices now. Our baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato or mango. Its arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the body now. Kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on the scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on the skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How my life's changing:

Though I think I'm feeling big now, I'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, I may notice some achiness in my lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when I shift position or at the end of an active day. (Which I might add has already started! ouch!) Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support my uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight.

I could start noticing some skin changes, too. The palms of my hands my turn red. Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. Although this is not happening to me right now, I may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on the upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." I may also notice some darkening of my nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva, which also is not shown significantly at this time either. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, I need to protect myself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Although, I may have to make an exception for Mexico, in one week and one day from today! I think I'll take advantage of all the warm sun I can get during this snowy, cold winter in SD! I will be cautious though and wear my sunscreen...but everyone knows, you always look better with a little tan on the skin!! Plus it's like one of my favorites past times! If I have to give up alcohol and caffeine, then I'm not giving up my sunshine, yea! It's full of good vitamins, right! :-)

Next week... Gender appointment!! Boy or Girl?? Tuesday the 4th at 10am! Stay tuned to find out!

18 weeks!

How our baby's growing:

Head to rump, our baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. It's busy flexing its arms and legs — movements that I'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Blood vessels are visible through its thin skin, and its ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from its head a bit (just like daddy's...hehe). A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around its nerves, a process that will continue for a year after it's born. As my growing uterus starts shifting my center of gravity (belly forward, bottom out), hormones are causing my ligaments to relax and joints to loosen. As a result, back pain and soreness... which have been in full force for me, ouch! On the brighter side... in 2 weeks we'll find out if we're having a boy or a girl! If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place at this time. And, if we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, let's just hope he doesn't hide them from us during our next ultrasound!

How my life's changing:

My appetite has definitely increased, which is pretty common about this time. But not such a good thing considering it's the Holiday's and my sweet tooth is trying to take over! My willpower is a constant struggle to keep under control! My cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester my blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. I can't be springing up too fast from a lying or sitting position or I might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when I lie down, it's best I lie on my side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) This is very hard for me to do, 'cause I've always been a front and back sleeper, so staying on my sides has lead to some restless nights. But, I'm learning to cope!

17 week baby bump

Okay... you've been asking for it, so here it is, another baby bump picture! 17 weeks and 5 days today! And, the countdown continues for the next super exciting appointment: 2 weeks and 3 days, to know if we're having a boy or girl!
TGIF everyone! *hugs* to all!

17 Weeks

How our baby's growing:

Our baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — the lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Our baby weighs about 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip or an onion), and is around 5 inches long from head to bottom. It can move its joints, and its sweat glands are starting to develop. And those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

Every now and again I have been feeling little flutters, like a butterfly wings, in my stomach! It's not a constant thing yet, but I'm pretty sure it's our little bean movin' around inside! I usually feel it as I'm laying in bed, right before I fall asleep. It's very strange in an awesome sort of way! I can't wait to feel it on a more regular basis. Makes me smile every time!

OB Appointment #3

Well, the doc says everything's FANTASTIC! No ultrasound this time around, but we did still get to hear the heartbeat, measured at a 148 beats/min! You just can't help but put a smile on your face and giggle a little bit as soon as you start to hear that little heart a beating. Amazes me every time! And no troubles finding it this time either, thank God!

I also had some blood drawn for some screening tests done for any kind of chromosomal abnormalities (downs syndrome), spina bifida, and some other stuff that I can't remember the name of. They're just precautionary measures to let us know if our baby is at risk for any of these things.

No other news to tell you, except to stay posted into the New Year to find out the gender of our little one!! January 4th, 2010 is our next appointment (#4) and we'll be doing a 4-D ultrasound to get realistic pictures and to find out if we're having a boy or a girl! I already can't wait!
I'll try to get some more "bump" pictures up soon too!!

16 Weeks

How our baby's growing:

I'm getting ready for a growth spurt! In the next few weeks, our baby will double its weight and add inches to its length. Right now, it's about the size of an avocado: approximately 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Its legs are much more developed, its head is more erect than it has been, and eyes have moved closer to the front of its head. Its ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of the scalp has begun, though its locks aren't recognizable yet. It's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, the heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as our baby continues to develop.

How my life's changing:

The top of my uterus is about halfway between my pubic bone and my navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. I'm definitely feeling a whole lot better as I settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

I should soon be able to feel the earliest of baby movements. Which may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and I'll be able to feel them much more frequently. I'm looking very forward to experience this most amazing feeling!!

#3 OB appointment this week! Thursday, December 10th! Stay posted for updates from the doc!

15 Weeks

How our baby's growing:

Our 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). It's busy moving amniotic fluid through its nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Legs are growing longer than the arms now, and it can move all of its joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, it can sense light. If I were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, it's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for our baby to taste at this point, but it is forming taste buds. Finally, we could be able to find out whether our baby's a boy or a girl!!! (but we're not finding out till our appointment on Jan 4th - That is if he or she isn't modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

My body is definitely in ready, set, go mode for the baby to grow! I've grown out of all of my normal size attire (including undergarments...ugh). My Victoria's Secret shopping experience last weekend was not exactly uplifting, HA! Guess it's time to give into the official world of prego-wear. But, worse than that is my extremely stuffy nose I get ALL THE TIME! I have to carry around nose spray with me everywhere I go, 'cause I'm constantly stuffed. This condition (according to babycenter.com) is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." So, I if that's all I have to live with...then I can handle that! Amen for no more "morning sickness" feelings, or being completely exhausted!!

Oh, and other good news... my progesterone levels are rising wonderfully well as they should, as proven by the blood test I took last week. Yea!

GROW BABY GROW!

Week 14

It's so hard to suck it in anymore!! But, that's a good sign and I'm still pretty good at hiding it with loose clothing. Don't want to show it off too much yet, 'cause with clothing on I still look just fat. ;-) But, at the rate our little bean is growing, I'm sure it won't be long before I just can't hide it anymore!

* 3rd OB appointment ~ Thursday, December 10th at 9:10am!
(I'm pretty sure there won't be an ultrasound at this one, but we should definitely be hearing it's little heartbeat from the baby doppler this time.)

How our baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck its thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, facial muscles are getting a workout as its tiny features form one expression after another. Kidneys are producing urine, which release into the amniotic fluid around the baby — a process that will keep up until birth. It can grasp, too, and if we were to have an ultrasound now, we may even catch the little person sucking its thumb.

In other news: Our baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs 1 1/2 ounces. Its body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of the body. (Its legs still have some lengthening to do.) It's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over its body. Our baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though I can't feel the tiny punches and kicks yet, Its little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Ultrasound #2 & Week 13

Results from our second OB appointment that was on Friday, Nov 13th:
We originally were not supposed to get an ultrasound, but after about 5 minutes of using the little fetal doppler to try to hear the heartbeat and getting nothing, I demanded an ultrasound before leaving the office! There was no way I was leaving there not knowing if our baby had a heart beat or not (especially considering earlier that week I had a small amount of blood spotting). Turns out the fetal doppler was not able to pick up the tiny heartbeat because the little bean was tucked to far behind my pelvic bone. The ultrasound picked it up immediately and we got to hear the little one's heart beat racing at 148 beats per minute, just as it should!

The pictures are not very clear because we ended up waiting 50 minutes in the room before the doc came in (he forgot about us!), and by that time my bladder had filled up again, making for a not so clear ultrasound. But, nonetheless we found out the baby is growing healthy and was just snuggled up laying on it's side havin' sweet dreams! So, all is well and we're heading into week #13!!

How our baby's growing for week 13:
Fingerprints have formed on our baby's tiny fingertips, veins and organs are clearly visible through the still-thin skin, and the body is starting to catch up with the head — which makes up just a third of the body size now. Our baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

(source: babycenter.com)

Sleep tight little bean, Momma loves you!!

12 week baby bump

Okay it's official... I just can't hide or "suck in" the baby bump any longer! It's little, but it's there so I decided I should finally share with everyone, 'cause I know you're all waiting to see it! It's still kind of easy to hide with loose clothing, but the plumping up in the mid-section is definitely happening...and not to mention the "girls upstairs", as you can well see! I suppose the bump will start growing even faster before our eyes now that we're onto the 12th week and everything on the baby is in it's place ready to just grow and develop!


Also, Next OB appointment (#2) is on Friday the 13th at 11:10am. Pretty excited to see what the doc has to say this time! Hopefully I'll have more ultrasound pics!

Hugs to all!! Kort

Week 12

So, I know I didn't have anything posted for week 11!! I was stuck in Washington DC all week trying to learn, ha! So, I had very limited access to a computer. That's alright though...on to week 12!!

How our baby's growing:The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Our baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, eye muscles will clench, and the mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if I prod my abdomen, the baby will squirm in response, although I won't be able to feel it. The intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now, and kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in our baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. The face looks unquestionably human: Eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, and ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, our baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

10 Weeks...

Well, considering we were about a week off according to the ultrasound... we're back at week 10. And unfortunately I've had my first spout of 'real' sickness. Not morning sickness, but I definitely picked up some kind of cold over the weekend. Stayed home from work Monday and slept all day hoping to recover. Fortunately I do not have the regular flu or the swine flu, just some sinus issues and a bit of a cough... and of course some lovely headaches. But, I am back to the grind today and hopefully upwards on my way to recovery. I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later, just glad is wasn't any worse!
Next OB appointment... Friday, November 13th at 11:10am! Looking forward to it!

First Ultrasound

Say Hello to baby Geary!

So, we were just a bit off on how far along I was. According to this ultrasound I am 9 weeks and 2 days! Which changes the official due date to May 23rd. Also, the little bean was movin', punchin' & kickin' around so much the pictures are a little hard to decipher. The head is fairly obvious, the arms and legs look like larger white dots on these images. And it's heart rate was at 174! Doc said everything looked good and healthy with the baby and with me, and my next appointment is in 4 weeks on November 11th. We won't be able to find out the gender of baby Geary though until my 4th appointment, which is January 4th (the day before we leave for Mexico for my brother's wedding). But, I will be sure to get that posted before we take off to a land of no computers! Anyhow, we're so relieved to have heard the little heartbeat that sounded like a song of dancing drums and to find out things are coming along healthy, what an amazing thing... and a huge relief!!

...Keep on kickin' baby Geary!!

10 Weeks

How our baby's growing:

Though it's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, our baby has now completed the most critical portion of its development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in its body rapidly grow and mature.

Baby Geary is swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including the kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout the pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside my womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Our baby's limbs can bend now. Its hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and its feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of the spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from its spinal cord. Our baby's forehead temporarily bulges with its developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, it's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, our baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

source: babycenter.com

How my life's changing:

At my next prenatal visit, (which is tomorrow!!! Tues the 20th at 9:00 am) I should be able to hear our baby's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler stethoscope, a hand-held ultrasound device that our practitioner places on my belly. (Many women say that the beating of their baby's tiny heart sounded like the thunder of galloping horses and hearing it for the first time was very moving). We're getting so anxious for this part!!

Before I got pregnant, my uterus was the size of a small pear. By this week, it's as big as a grapefruit. I'm not totally ready for maternity wear yet, but my regular clothes are feeling uncomfortably tight and my blossoming breasts are straining the seams of my bra. Also, the thickening in your midsection is most likely due to slight weight gain and bloating. I think it's time to go shopping for some elastic waistbands and spandex!! ;-)

I had one last blood draw this morning at my physicians to test my progesterone level. Hopefully I'll hear results soon. Then tomorrow is the big OB doc day!! Our first 'official' baby appointment. Greg will be joining me at the Black Hills OBGYN to see Dr. Beuhner (pronounced like "Beener") and his nurse Sandy Miller. I hope to have fantastic news and real pictures of what exactly is going on my belly! The anticipation has been like torture not knowing what's really going on inside!!

So stay tuned....!

9 Weeks

How our baby's growing - 9 weeks:

Our baby is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. It's starting to look more and more human. Its essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Our baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do the tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Our baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Its eyes are fully formed, but the eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. It has tiny earlobes, and the mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that our baby's basic physiology is in place, it's poised for rapid weight gain.
Source: babycenter.com

How my life's changing:

I still don't look pregnant even though my waist is thickening a bit. But, I definitely feel pregnant, though. Not only are morning sickness and other physical symptoms out in full force, but I feel like an emotional pinball as well.

According to the babycenter.com:
Mood swings are common now — it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. Try to cut yourself some slack. Most women find that moodiness flares up at around six to ten weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as pregnancy winds to a close.

Doctor Update:
My last progesterone test came back okay. They said my level had only gone up 3 points, and would like to see it go up more. So, still on the pills and have one more blood draw on Monday, October 19th in the morning to check one last time before the OB doc takes over.
My first OB appointment is in 8 days on Tuesday, October 20th at 9:00am! I'm getting so anxious! Hopefully I'll be able to post up a REAL picture of our baby by then. Can't hardly wait!!!

Another Progesterone Test

Had another blood draw today. The results from the one last week weren't legit because I had taken my progesterone pills that night before... oops! So, hopefully I'll hear results by the end of this week on today's test. So, stay tuned!

8 Weeks

The big news this week:

Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from our baby's hands and feet, eyelids practically cover the eyes, breathing tubes extend from the throat to the branches of its developing lungs, and its "tail" is just about gone. In the brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. We've been wondering about our baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether we're having a boy or a girl. Either way, our baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though I still can't feel it.

Source: babycenter.com

How my life's changing:

I've noticed that my bra is getting more snug! EEK! Soon I'll likely need a larger size with better support. Rising levels of hormones cause breast growth and other tissue changes, all in preparation for lactation. Feeling fatigued...still. Hormonal changes — in particular, a dramatic rise in progesterone — may be contributing to my sluggishness (and not to mention some acne ~ awesome). Nausea and vomiting hasn't really been too much of an issue. Although, very early this morning I was feeling way more on the nausea side then I ever have before! And I still continue to have trouble getting a good night's sleep. Feeling uncomfortable and the need to get up to pee has definitely not subsided, and probably won't anytime soon.

Ahhhhhh.... the joys of pregnancy! I just LOVE IT!!

Hopefully I'll have news soon on my progesterone level testing I had done last Thursday, and they are rising like they should. My guess is with all the signs listed above... they're rising just fine. ;-)

7 Weeks

The big news this week:

Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities. Technically, our baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of its tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Our baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside my womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering its peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of its nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of our baby's brain are growing, and its liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. It also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in our baby's growing intestines is bulging into its umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from its tiny body.

How my life's changing:

My uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks and I have been needing to pee more than usual too, thanks to my increasing blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through my kidneys. (By now, I already have about 10 percent more blood than I did before I was pregnant. And by the end of my pregnancy, I'll have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through my veins to meet the demands of my full-term baby.) It's unlikely, though, that the need to pee more than usual will ease up. In fact, research shows that both the frequency and volume of urine tends to increase over the course of pregnancy.

Yea... something to keep looking forward to! ugh!

Source: babycenter.com

6 Weeks

This week's major developments:
The nose, mouth, and ears that I'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into my uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where our baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. Its emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and its arms and legs by protruding buds. The heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through its body. The intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to the lungs has appeared. The pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of the brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, our baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean!

source: babycenter.com

HCG test 1

Good news from the doc today... Results on my HCG level blood test has more than doubled, which I was informed is a very good thing! Keep truckin' baby Geary!!

Baby Countdown ~ Due May 15, 2010

We're Pregnant!!

September 11, 12 & 13 I found out I was pregnant, as I was visiting my best friend, Audry in Albuquerque, NM!! I called Greg right away on the morning of the 11th after the first 2 tests had come up positive. He was giggling like a kid in a candy store he was so surprised and excited!! Then of course I saved my last test for after I got home so Greg could experience it himself and see the pregnancy test in action... and of course, positive!!!
I went right to see my doc first thing Monday, took another positive test there and she said I was about 5 weeks along, with an approximate due date of May 15. Which just so happens to be my cousin Josh's birthday... my best friend who passed away 10 years ago!!

God definitely works in mysterious ways!! We are so blessed!!