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. :)

18 weeks and a poll!

Not much news this week. I'm showing a little more, although I still think that to outsiders I just look like I need to put down the Budweiser. Supposedly 18 weeks is the beginning of month 5 :jaw hits floor: Still no movement (waaa!!!) but am on the edge of my seat waiting until January 13. The big day! Speaking of the big day, please direct your attention to the poll to your left. Take a shot at guessing what baby W is and then leave me a comment with what you chose.

Here are a few things that may help in your decision:
1) Chinese Gender Chart says Boy (http://www.thelaboroflove.com/chart/pred.html)
2) No morning sickness (aka vomitting) yet I was really nauseous for 3 weeks (Yuck!)
3) Milk - Oh how I love you!
4) Pickles - Shout out to you too!
5) Mommy intuition is broken. I've had no dreams of what this baby is.
6) Acne - oh aren't you fun?
7) I come from a family of girls (me and sis) and my sister has two girls.

Now vote!

17 week bump!

Taken on Christmas morning!

The countdown begins...