25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a:  Cauliflower. 13-15 inches and 1.5-2.5 pounds. I'm guessing Caleb is on the longer side, pushing 15 inches ; ) 

Total weight gain: 15 pounds?

Stretch marks? Just the one on my boob. Drinking a ton of water and layering up with lotions to try and prevent them as long as possible. 

Maternity clothes? Maternity pants all day, err day. And maxi skirts. 

Sleep: Pretty much the same! Some nights I only get up once to go pee and other nights I get up about four times. 

Best moment this week: Feeling Caleb move. This week his movements have definitely gotten stronger and more consistent. He moves around so much and it always puts a smile on my face. This week he would kick back when I pushed on my stomach. I love playing with him. 

Miss anything? Not this week.

Food cravings: Blueberry Eggo waffles are new this week. Definitely not the healthiest breakfast option, but they've been delicious. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope! 

Gender: BOY!!!!! 

Labor signs: Hopefully not for a very long time! 

Symptoms: This week I had awful gas pains. I woke up last Sunday with an upset stomach and for the next 2-3 days I had sharp gas pains that lasted all day. It was awful and I'm so thankful that has passed. I just think little man is growing and pushing things up and out of the way for him. I can't eat that much for dinner anymore either without getting full quickly. It's sad. I also experienced my first leg cramp in the middle of the night this week. Waking up to a Charlie horse out of a dead sleep was pretty exciting....I'm finally starting to experience the not so fun side effects of pregnancy. Wah wah..... He's been good to me so far, so I guess I'm due! 

Belly button in or out?  In.  It's definitely getting more shallow and wider if the makes sense? 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Both..... and slightly emotional. I'm definitely feeling more needy this week and wanting Chris to just hug me randomly so I feel better lol 

Looking forward to: lots of things! Decorating the nursery, my mom visiting early April, our shower and taking our maternity pictures in May. We signed up for a breastfeeding class in April and then a 4 week birth class that's every Tuesday night in May. 

Alissha  

24 weeks!

How far along? 24 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a: Cantaloupe and as long as an ear of corn!

Total weight gain: 15 pounds?

Stretch marks? Just the one on my boob. My skin has been so itchy lately and it's really hard not to scratch my belly and boobs, so I've just been lathering with lotions/gel oil and trying my best not scratch so I don't cause more stretch marks. 

Maternity clothes? Maternity pants all day, err day. And maxi skirts. 

Sleep: Pretty much the same! Some nights I only get up once to go pee and other nights I get up about four times. 

Best moment this week: We got our baby shower invites picked out,  they're super cute and perfect for a July due date! We're having a co-ed shower and I really don't like the term baby shower cause I don't want a typical baby shower where a bunch of women sit around and play games, win prizes, eat and act entertained. Our plan is to have family and friends get together to BBQ, drink and celebrate little Caleb. Just have a good time! 

Miss anything? Not this week.

Food cravings: Cereal and Baker's bean and cheese burritos with red sauce have been my main cravings during this pregnancy. Hungry or need a little snack in the middle of the night? Just grab a bowl/cup of cereal and I'm good to go. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope! 

Gender: BOY!!!!! 

Labor signs: Hopefully not for a very long time! 

Symptoms: This week the heartburn, which I think is more acid reflux, hasn't been as bad, but I'm still chewing Tums regularly. I'm still burpy, gassy and hungry all the time. I experienced my first hip pain/aches this week, my skin is getting suuuuuper itchy and I'm having occasional constipation. Yay. Another thing I've noticed is the hair on my legs seems to be growing slower. 

Belly button in or out?  In.  It's definitely getting more shallow though.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Both..... and slightly emotional. 

Looking forward to: lots of things! Decorating the nursery, my mom and step-dad visiting early April, our shower and taking our maternity pictures in May. We got in touch with our wedding photographer, who also did our engagement pictures and a senior session for my cousin, and I think we have a set location and day for our maternity pictures! 

We're also going to be signing up for birth classes and a breastfeeding class with our hospital and taking a tour of the hospital so we know where to go and what to do when little man decides he's ready! He's still kicking and punching a ton. This week I've actually noticed and felt him rolling and turning positions. And he doesn't seem to be kicking inward as much, fingers crossed it stays that way! 

Alissha  

23 weeks!

How far along? 23 weeks! 

Baby is the size of an: Eggplant. 

Total weight gain: 15 pounds... But I feel like I've gained 40. 

Stretch marks? Just the one on my boob!

Maternity clothes? Maternity pants all day, err day. And maxi skirts. 

Sleep: Pretty much the same! Some nights I only get up once to go pee and other nights I get up about four times. 

Best moment this week: Getting confirmation that Caleb has a healthy, normal heart! 

Miss anything? Not this week.

Food cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary..... 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope! 

Gender: BOY!!!!! 

Labor signs: Hopefully not for a very long time! 

Symptoms: Heartburn is getting more frequent, burpy, gassy, hungry all the time, occasional lower back aches. Caleb is moving a ton lately and he likes to kick/punch inward, instead of out. It catches me off guard, especially when he gets me in my bladder. I can't wait until he starts kicking/punching the other way! 

Belly button in or out?  In.  It's definitely getting more shallow though.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy when I'm not at work. Can't wait for maternity leave....

Looking forward to: having this Friday off work. I just want a lazy day to relax and get things done around the house. 

My updates seem to be getting postponed more and more every week. I hope I can keep up with them as I get farther along. 

The paint and wood work in the nursery is done! Chris and I put together Caleb's furniture this weekend and picked his glider up from Buy Buy Baby. I love how everything looks and can't wait to start putting things up on the walls. My sister and I are in the process of making his mobile and I love how it's coming together so far.  

Alissha  

Fetal Echocardiogram

Yesterday we had our fetal echo to check for any abnormalities with Caleb's heart.  Our appointment was at 9 am, but we had to check in by 8:30.  We arrived on time, got checked in and after some confusion on where we needed to go, we ended up in the right spot. 

The cardiac ultrasound tech called us back at about 9:20 and asked us some basic questions about our family history of heart and genetic defects (which neither of us have). She started the ultrasound around 9:30 and it lasted until 10:40ish. We didn't get to see much of Caleb other than confirming for a third time that he's still a boy and his heart. 

The ultrasound tech completed a very thorough exam on Caleb's heart. Every aspect of Caleb's heart was looked at and to be honest, we have no idea what we were looking at the majority of the time. We were able to see all four chambers pumping away and that's pretty much it. The tech was doing her thing, getting different angles and monitoring how the heart was pumping, if the valves were working properly, etc. 

Caleb is such an active baby that he didn't cooperate towards the end and I think he was frustrating the tech. Everytime she would get a good angle, he would move before she could take the picture. 

Towards the end of the ultrasound, the doctor came in the room and told us she was monitoring the ultrasound and test from her office. She told us we have a perfectly normal fetal heart and everything looked great. After the tech got the last few pictures, we were free to leave since there were no issues, thank God. 

We are so happy and relieved this test is over and he has a normal, healthy heart. He has been moving soooo much the last few days that I'm starting to wonder if he ever sleeps or for how long he's sleeping. I'm pretty sure we'll have our hands full with a very active, stubborn boy! 

Alissha 

22 weeks!

How far along? 22 weeks! Beginning my 6 month of pregnancy.... Holy moly!

Baby is the size of a: Depending on what app I look at, he's either the size  of an eggplant, papaya or spaghetti squash. About 11.5 inches long and 1 whole pound!

Total weight gain: So before my doctor's appointment on Monday, I weighed myself at home to see how accurate my scale was compared to the doctor's and it was within a few ounces. Based on my weight Monday, I've gained almost 15 pounds! Buuuut according to my scale today, I've gained almost 13 pounds. I'm trying not to obsess over how much weight I'm gaining, but I really don't want to gain more than needed for a healthy pregnancy. 

Stretch marks? Just the one on my boob!

Maternity clothes? Maternity pants all day, err day. And maxi skirts. 

Sleep: Pretty much the same! Some nights I only get up once to go pee and other nights I get up about four times. 

Best moment this week: Feeling his movements get stronger has been the best. It's unlike anything else and there are no words to describe how amazing it feels. Puts a smile on my face every time he gives me a good punch/kick.

Miss anything? Not this week.

Food cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary..... 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope! 

Gender: BOY!!!!! 

Labor signs: Hopefully not for a very long time! 

Symptoms: Random heartburn after the most random things or for no reason at all, still pretty gassy and hungry all the time. Along with occasional lower back aches, I've gotten a sharp pain going down my left butt every now and then. I think it's my sciatic nerve. Annoying little headaches have started too. They're not bad enough to take a Tylenol, but they just stick around. 

Belly button in or out?  In. I've noticed my belly button is getting more shallow though.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy when I'm not at work. Can't wait for maternity leave....

Looking forward to: Our fetal echocardiogram tomorrow morning. Any time we get to see him is amazing and this may be the last time we get to see him before he's born! 

The nursery is still a work in progress. Not quite ready for the furniture, but hopefully some time this week! 

Alissha  

21 weeks

How far along? 21 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a: Depending on what app I look at, he's either the size  of a pomegranate or cantaloupe. About 10.5 inches long and 12.7 ounces! 

Total weight gain:  Based on my scale at home, I'm guessing 10 pounds but we'll find out for sure tomorrow at my doctors appointment. 

Stretch marks? Just the one on my boob!

Maternity clothes? Maternity pants all day, err day. 

Sleep: Pretty much the same! Tossing and turning with bathroom runs about  once or twice at night. 

Best moment this week: Chris felt him move for the first time! His kicks are definitely getting stronger and I'm loving every minute of it!

Miss anything? A refreshingly delicious Dos Equis with lime. 

Food cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary this week. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope! 

Gender: BOY!!!!! 

Labor signs: Hopefully not for a very long time! 

Symptoms: Random heartburn after the most random things or for no reason at all, still pretty gassy and hungry all the time. My burps have turned into belches and I feel like a frat boy who just shotgunned a Bud Light when that happens. 

Belly button in or out?  In. I've noticed my belly button is getting more shallow though, which I didn't think would happen this early! 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy.... And sassy... I'm pretty much a sassafras all the time. Just ask Chris. 

Looking forward to: Putting Caleb's furniture together and setting it up in the nursery. I'm also planning on making his mobile over the crib, so depending on how that turns out I'll either be super excited and happy or frustrated and bitchy. 

The nursery is almost ready for Caleb's furniture. My dad and Chris' dad helped with the crown moulding earlier this week and there's just one last piece that needs to go up. Chris put the chair rail up and the taller baseboards. It's coming together nicely, I just can't wait for it to all come together. 

Alissha