22 Weeks

I'm at the point now where times seems to be going slowly. This could be a good thing (more time to get everything ready for little miss Courtney) or a bad thing (I really want to see my little girl). Mike and I headed out to Lynwood, WA last weekend to register at the closest Babies R Us (approximately 2 hours away including the wait and ferry ride). We decided to eat lunch before we headed into the store, which was a good idea. Thanks to Mike's eagle eyes, he spotted a Claim Jumper in the mall parking lot and I almost jumped out of my seat with excitement. I love Claim Jumper and I thought they only had them in California. It was so yummy.

We headed into Babies R Us and the employee set us up. Mike was handed "the gun" and we went on our way. Three hours later...THREE HOURS LATER, we were done. Seriously, when you have to choose from 600 different pacifiers, nipples, bottles, sanitizers, bottle warmers, etc., it takes some time to decide. And to think we had actually done some research before we headed into the store about items we knew we wanted to try, like Dr. Brown's bottles. But who knew you had an option between glass, standard plastic and wide mouth plastic? (BTW - we chose the standard BPA Free Plastic) What I loved most about our trip to register is how much Mike enjoyed picking out things for his little girl. We had talked about not registering for clothes, but guess who makes a pit stop in the clothing department and starts scanning all the pink he can find? That would be my husband. I found it sweet and I let him do it. I just love him and can't wait to see him hold his little girl!

How baby is growing from Baby Center:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

She's getting stronger!

The last few days little girl was very quiet. I felt her only a few times throughout the day but it was very light. I think she may have been turned around and was kicking inward instead of outward. Last night I decided I'd play some music for her. We had bought the Jewel Lullaby CD from iTunes and downloaded it onto my iPod. The music is so soothing and relaxing. She was kicking so strong last night while I played the music that I actually think I felt her kick from the outside. It was ah-ma-zing! Unfortunatly Mike is away in San Diego (can I say jealous? I want to be in California) for the week so he wasn't here to feel it but I'm sure she'll be up for it again when he gets home Friday.

This is the CD:


I should also add, to play the music we use the maternity belt that came in this gift set (given to me by my sister) and the head phones go under the belt to play the music. The doppler that comes in this set doesn't work (or so I've heard from my sister and Erin who have both used this set before me).


If you are interested in a home doppler, we have the HiBebe and it works great. I got it for Christmas (thanks babe) and it was very reasuring knowing that she was doing great between appointments. It has a digital screen that tells you the heart rate.

133 Days to go!

Today I am 21 weeks. I am over that hump of the half way point and am now at the point of counting down to D-Day (or due date). 133 days to go! Courtney's kicks are becoming stronger but still feel like twitches (I just know what they are now). We aren't able to feel them on the outside yet, but hopefully soon before Mike leaves for South Carolina for a month. We did a little bit of shopping over the weekend and picked up two outfits (one at Target and one at Kohls) and together they were both under $20 bucks. Yeah for deals! I'm feeling really good (loving the 2nd trimester) and am looking forward to our trip to Babies R Us this coming weekend to start our registry. Babies R Us is about 50 miles away plus a ferry ride so this is our chance to look at the items we like and decide between items like strollers and carseats. It's not like we can go back easily if we forgot to look at something.

A little about baby this week:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a banana. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Oh my! Stop the insanity!

Stephanie, put down the mouse and step away from the computer.

Lets all just oooohh and ahhhh over the shoes below. And yes, I had enough restraint to not order them. And if I did, my husband would make me sleep outside (and it's raining out there).

20 weeks = Half Baked

Yes, can you believe it? We are half way done. I still can't believe it. I'm surprised at how fast this has gone by. I had my 20 week appointment yesterday where the Nurse Practitioner (have I told you how great she is?) measured my belly (right on target), measured my cervix (perfect), listened to the heartbeat, and gave me my results of the quad screen which was completely negative. She asked if I could feel the baby yet and I said that I thought so. While she listened to the heartbeat with the doppler she would ask me everytime she'd hear a kick if I could feel it. At one point I did feel one and I knew it wasn't gas. At this point we hadn't been to our ultrasound yet, so baby Courtney was still unknown. And according to the old wives tales, it seems like the fast heartbeat was the only one right. She has always had a heartbeat in the 160s.

It seems though that even in just the last few days her kicks are getting stronger. I notice them more when I'm laying down and especially after a meal. You'd think I would have felt her sooner after seeing her legs go a mile a minute during the ultrasound. The technician asked if I had had any soda before the appointment and all I had was a glass of milk with breakfast, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and the 32oz of water they require you to drink before the ultrasound (which had me in pain from such a full bladder. It was aweful). Go ahead little girl, get out all your energy inside. :)

Pregnancy: 20 weeks

Weight Gain: Up 5 total. So proud of this since I do vaguely remember devouring a 1 pound box of See's Candy over Christmas break. And yes, they were all Bordeaux's. Thanks Betsy and Jeff!

Sleep: Not so bad.

Gender: Girl, can you believe it? We are so excited.

Name: Courtney (still working on her middle name)

Feeling: Great!

Health: Great. The NP said that she wishes all her patients were like me (see, I told you I liked her.)

Movement: Yes, now that I know that is what I'm feeling. She seems to be getting stronger too.

Belly: Getting a little bigger. Lathering on my Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter and Oil. I love this stuff. It smells so good.

Next Appointment: February 10. I'll be 23w6d.

Here is my 20 week belly picture (taken yesterday before the ultrasound):


This week, baby is said to be about the size of a cantaloupe:

It's a Girl!

We were both so shocked when the ultrasound technician said it's a girl. After all the people saying how they thought it was a boy, I think we both were starting to believe it. But OMG, it's a girl. I am so excited that she will have girl cousins and a bunch of girlfriends. The tech said she looks great, wouldn't sit still and is measuring 12oz.

We've decided on the name Courtney but are still working on a middle name. My niece Riley thinks her middle name should be Riley (she's 3 1/2).

Below are just two of the pictures that we were given. I'm a little bummed we didn't get a "money shot" but we'll take what we can get and all that matters is that she is healthy.

This is a picture of her leg and foot. Can you see it?


Here is her hand up by her face:

Knock knock. Who's there? Baby

At first I wasn't sure what I was feeling and to tell you the truth I'm still not 100% sure, but I swear I feel the baby. It feels like a light tap or gas bubble underneath my belly button and I usually feel it after I eat.

If that is you baby, keep em coming.

19 Weeks!

This week from Baby Center:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a mango. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling (ewww - yuck!) in the amniotic fluid.

Reminder - Five more days to vote in the poll to your left. Please remember to add what you chose in the comment section of my 18 week blog entry. Four of you didn't and I want to know who voted girl. :)