carrie's first pregnancy

Well, here I am at 15 weeks. Doesn't look like much, but my clothes beg to differ ;)







The last photo is me now versus me at 3 weeks. Still not a huge difference, so it surprises me when people say I am showing already. To me it still looks like "fat" ;) I finally went out to buy maternity clothes, since I have no shorts (other than my sweatpant capris) and I was dying today wearing my maternity jeans out to lunch (since they were the only pants that fit). I stumbled into Motherhood Maternity out in Tysons, and holy cow! I was expecting frumpy ugly clothes, but I found cute khaki shorts, tops, and even some skorts that are sooo comfortable and really affordable (they were all $25 or less) :) I'm so happy I have summer clothes, you have no idea. So now in addition to the Gap and Ann Taylor Loft, I have another source of affordable maternity stuff. Plus they don't make me feel so whale-ish ;)

2 other things I have begun to notice... I'm beginning to feel short of breath a lot lately. Mostly when I'm walking the dog, going up stairs, or it's really hot out. I walk Lily every day and use our stairs, so I know it has to be something pregnancy related as to why I suddenly huff and puff like I'm dying. I've started taking it slower, and it helps. That, and I've noticed that I can't eat very fast without feeling too full right away. I thought this happened when baby got bigger and pushed on your stomach, but I noticed now that I can only eat about 1/4 of my meals. I wait a few minutes, and then I can keep eating... otherwise I am starving later. So I just have little snacks nearby, or take smaller bites, and it seems to be helping. Weird, but hey, better than puking so I'll take it! ;)

15 weeks 1 day

Posted by carrie at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments

This week flew by fast, but I made it to 15 weeks today! I leave for Michigan on Tuesday, so there might not be a 16 week update until after the holiday. We only have 3 more weeks until we find out the sex of the baby... we can't wait!

Here's what is going on with baby this week:



So yeah, my belly is growing, and apparently is getting ready to grow even more. I can no longer button my suit pants, so I've resorted to wearing my bella band every day to work. I can't keep this up much longer though, so new work pants are in my definite near future. I still haven't "popped" and if you didn't know I was pregnant, I would just look "chubby". I'll post photos tomorrow, but I reached the double digit weight gain this morning, and I'm at a solid 10 lbs. My next appointment is on Tuesday morning, so we'll see how the doctor thinks I'm progressing. I'm sure if she's worried, she'll tell me :) I've also read that starting at 16 weeks, I can start to feel baby. Most 1st time moms don't feel it until 18-20 weeks, but you can bet I'll be looking for those flutters next week! :)

In addition to the classes I registered for through the hospital this week, I started looking into medicated vs. non-medicated births (meaning no pain meds like an epidural for labor). Joe said he really wants to be involved, and learn whatever stuff he can, so I found a class that focuses on husband-coached labor, and also is anti-medication. It's called the Bradley Method, and it's a 12 week course designed to go really in depth on relaxation, pain management, and how to prepare yourself for a low risk delivery. I figure it couldn't hurt... that if I decide I can't handle the pain, then the epidural option is always there (unless I wait too long). So I'm looking for a weekend class, in the hopes that we can register. They recommend that you start when you are around 24-26 weeks, which for us is mid September. I think Joe will get more out of that class and how to help me during labor, than the one day class through the hospital.

Other than that, I've started to look into registry stuff. I had already narrowed my choices of strollers down, since I knew I wanted something I could take running, and that could handle the brick sidewalks in our neighborhood. So now I have to decide between the BOB Revolution jogger stroller, or the Phil 'n Ted stroller with 2nd child attachment. Decisions, decisions :) I got a free copy of "Baby Bargains" from another mom on the hill, and that book is awesome! No wonder everyone loves it so much. I highly, highly recommend it for those that are looking into buying baby items :) Now we just need to figure out where we are going to find our baby furniture, and what kind of style we need. We are only getting a crib, since we have a dresser already that can double as a changing table. That and some other storage stuff, but the only big ticket thing we really need is the crib.

Anyway, life is good, I still feel great, and I'll update this weekend with more photos! :)

15 weeks

Posted by carrie at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments

Well, I made it through the weekend, and I have to say, I'm terrified to jump on the scale to survey the damage I did. We had a great time, but I definitely didn't hold back at all when we went out to eat. I'll update at the end of the week with my current weight gain thus far, with an updated belly pic. I didn't think I was looking pregnant yet, but both Laura and my friends from softball said I definitely have a "belly" now. I swear it's just extra fat, since it's soft and not hard like it should be, but either way, I apparently look more pregnant to them. I have to say, changing my mind set to looking at this weight gain as a "good" thing is a lot harder than I anticipated. I feel enormous, and hate how I look right now. I keep waiting for that to change, thinking once it's an obvious baby belly, I might feel different... but so far, I'm not a fan. Other than feeling huge, physically I still feel fine. I know it's all mental, but it still sucks. Don't get me wrong, I have not curbed my eating to "lose" weight... I have a healthy appetite and baby is doing just fine. I'm just trying to be conscious of the negative aspects of gaining too much weight while pregnant, and the risks that will pose to me and the baby during delivery, and trying to not let it get out of hand.

In other news, I signed Joe and I up for classes today, that we are taking in September. The first one is a breastfeeding class offered through my hospital. Joe may or may not come to that one... depends on how comfortable he feels or how much he wants to know about how it works, and how we can store it (how to freeze it, thaw it, etc). So I may do that one solo, which is fine :) The 2nd one is the childbirth preparation class, which they tell you all about what to expect during delivery and post partum, with a tour of the maternity ward afterwards. Should be fun! :)

14 weeks 3 days

Posted by carrie at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

These weeks seem like they are flying by! I decided to post for 14 weeks ahead of time, since we'll have guests this weekend, and I probably won't have a chance to update until this time next week. So by then, I'll be 14 weeks along, and starting my 15th week! Only 4 more until we know the sex of the baby! Here's what is going on with baby this (well, next) week:



So our big appointment is on July 22, not the 21st.. I'm hoping nothing interfere's with that so I don't have to reschedule. It's so exciting!

Overall, things are going well. Now that I'm in the 2nd trimester, I feel it's ok to start accumulating baby stuff. So a good friend (thanks Shaaren!!) passed along a huge bag of gender neutral baby clothes that her daughter outgrew already. That, and someone was giving away two free carseat bases, which happened to be the exact ones we were going to register for :) So little by little, we're getting ready. Baby will be here SIX MONTHS from Thursday... it's so crazy! We have so much to do and get ready for... time seems like it has started to pick up speed, now that I'm done with agonizing over every twinge :)

I'm up to 7lbs now that I've gained. By this time, 5lbs is healthy, so I'm not far off. Still trying not to overdo it, and so far so good :) I still feel like a whale, especially the hotter it gets... but I'm trying to convince myself it's good for the baby ;)

13 weeks 4 days

Posted by carrie at 6:12 AM | Permalink | Comments

Woohoo! This week I finally made it into the 2nd trimester! My bloat is subsiding, and is now being replaced by an actual hardness in my stomach (which I've been told is my uterus). Interesting, but it basically means that I can't button my pants anymore, without fear of busting the buttons off. Thank goodness I have the "bella band" (see link on the right)... that thing is a life saver, so I don't have to run out and buy new pants just yet! Next weekend I plan on getting a pair of work pants and some shorts, since Joe will be out of town, but for now, I can make due with what I have. I still don't look pregnant, but I do look like I've gained weight. I think I still have a few more weeks before any real "bump" starts to show... I hear that starts around week 20ish.

So yay for reaching 13 weeks! Here is what is going on with baby this week:



So I'm carrying a lemon around :) Other than feeling the bloat subside, my cravings for cheese diminish, and my face start to clear up, I don't feel much different than the 1st trimester. I've heard these next few months are the golden days of pregnancy, so I'll enjoy it while I can, and know that my 3rd trimester will not be as nice ;) I have scheduled my "big" ultrasound... we will know what we are having on July 21st! My mom is flying in for the appointment, and I can't wait! It will be fun having her there, and I'm sure she'll be impressed by the cool ultrasound machine :)

Anyway, I also finally got a new digital camera, a used Canon Rebel XT. It takes great photos, and once I figure out how to use it, I'll post some online, to practice for when baby is here :)

13 weeks

Posted by carrie at 7:14 AM | Permalink | Comments

Well, we had our ultrasound this morning for the 1st trimester screening tests, and everything went beautifully! I had drank too much water at first, and so I had to use the bathroom so that the technician could get a good shot of baby, but after that, it was smooth sailing! Baby is doing fantastic, and all the tests (so far) came back wonderful. She gave us some shots of the ultrasound, but they were not as clear as some of the shots we saw during the exam. They are still incredible... I can't believe how much he/she has grown already since the last photos!!













The technician also told us that sometimes at near 13 weeks, you can tell what sex the baby is. So she asked us if we wanted to find out, and I said yes. She told us that it was fairly obvious to her... but not to tell anyone yet, because it's not always accurate. So we're holding off on telling until we're absolutely sure, but it is fun "thinking" we know already!! :)

So now we just have my next appointment on July 1, and then the big ultrasound in 6 weeks to find out what we are having for sure! Next week is 2nd trimester... this time is going by so fast!

12 weeks 3 days

Posted by carrie at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments

Well, we officially made it to 12 weeks today (so I'm starting my 13th week), and all is well :) We are past the 1st big milestone, and can breathe a *little* easier knowing our chances of miscarriage have dropped significantly. I'm not quite into the 2nd trimester yet, as that is officially at 13 weeks and 3 days (if you divide the weeks up equally). So I've got one more week, and then I'm there! I can't believe it! Here is what is going on with baby this week (I messed up last week, and didn't have the correct stuff, but I think I'm back on track now... these weeks are so confusing!)



I can't wait to see baby on the ultrasound on Monday morning! It should look much more like a real baby, and of course I'll post photos when I get them :) I updated my belly shot, even though I still haven't "popped" and I don't look pregnant, I've definitely started showing (and feeling) the weight gain:







The last one shows my first belly photo at 3 weeks (on the right), compared with 9 weeks later (on the left). Yeah, no "bump" yet, just overall growth ;) If we hadn't told people I was pregnant by now, they definitely would have noticed the weight gain (as Joe's grandfather pointed out "I knew she had gained weight, but I wasn't going to say anything", after we told him the news). So yay for reaching 12 weeks, and I can't wait to "officially" move over to the 2nd trimester!

I also have been keeping up with the prenatal yoga, and had class again last night. Man, I am so sore today, but in a good way! I think if I can keep going twice a week, it will really help keep up my flexibility. I just need to start walking with Joe more, and prevent myself from really packing on the pounds. Food is better this week, and fruits and veggies are delivered today! :) Mmmm... watermelon... :)

12 weeks

Posted by carrie at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments

Well, 2nd appointment was a success! We got to hear the heartbeat and baby is pumping along at 170 bpm :) Nice and fast! I can't remember if that's an old wives tale for boy or girl, but yeah, it's there and strong! It took a while for the nurse to find it, and she told me not to freak out if she doesn't find it right away. I swear, those are the longest minutes ever... but she finally came through :)

Then my doctor came in and told me all my blood tests came back negative (I'm not a cystic fibrosis carrier, and don't have toxoplasmosis), and also verified that I'm RH negative. I already knew that, but when we told her that Joe didn't know what his blood type was, she told him he needed to get tested. If you know Joe, you know that he's not a fan of needles, so hearing he was going to have his blood drawn that morning was NOT ideal... but he was a champ and we'll find out at our next appointment if he's negative or positive. If he's positive, I get the Rho-gam shot, to make sure our next baby will be ok.

So overall, things are great. She felt my belly and said everything is good... our next appointment with her is July 1, but now we can look forward to the ultrasound test on Monday! :) Less than two weeks until I'm out of the 1st trimester already!

11 weeks 5 days

Posted by carrie at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well, I feel great, but I'm starting to notice that my weight gain is getting out of hand. What started off great has now spiraled upward since we got back from vacation. I'm now up 6 lbs for the 1st trimester... 4 more than I should be. Doh. I have my 2nd appointment tomorrow morning, so I'm sure the doctor will tell me if she's worried about it. In the meantime, I'm going to try and stock up on veggies, to keep it steady at 6 lbs :( It's so hard though, when we keep going out with friends and none of the "healthy" items look appealing. But it's my own fault for giving in to temptation :)

Luckily we have our veggie delivery (from Washingtons Green Grocer) this Friday, so I'll be stocked up again. I still need to go grocery shopping so that there is actual food in the house, and I'm not tempted to get take-out every night. Even though it tastes so good ;)

I'm also going to try and get to Yoga this week, since I missed the last two. My hamstrings are still hurt from weeding the garden on Saturday, which means I'm sadly, sadly out of shape. I can't wait until I get my body back, and I can start pushing myself to run again! We've had such great weather recently, and walking just doesn't cut it for me. Too slow! ;)

So yeah, clothes are barely fitting now, but we're excited for the appointment tomorrow... wish us luck!

11 weeks 4 days

Posted by carrie at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments

We told Aunt Signe and Glenn today, and Aunt Sig was so excited, she shed some happy tears for us :) I'm going to Glenn's graduation tomorrow, and we didn't want to tell her then and take away from Glenn's day, plus it is so nice now that the whole family knows! I can finally stop worrying that someone is going to find out before we're ready to tell them, and can spread the news! So "hi" to all those that just found out, and thanks for checking out the baby blog ;)

11 weeks 2 days

Posted by carrie at 7:21 PM | Permalink | Comments