More Than Half-Baked and It's A Boy!

"Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever-fresh and radiant possibility."

(Kate Douglas Wiggin)

This is my 1st time posting the news on the blog, but most people know that I'm pregnant again and expecting baby #3... And to our surprise, it's a boy! I'm due on January 7, 2019. We really assumed we would have a 3rd girl, since that seemed to be the trend for us, but of course we're happy and excited to be expanding our family, and somewhat evening out the sexes. Also a trend, apparently: Not updating until I have a huge post to write/read.

I have been highly negligent this time around in documenting the weeks and and now months of growing our baby boy. I've been too preoccupied with life -- raising Ava and Lila, moving from one place to another, settling into our new apartment and community, changing medical practices and everything else, adjusting to Ava's new schedule in preschool and the many challenges that have come along with it -- and just being so tired and uncomfortable through it all. My worst week physically was at 22 weeks, and that didn't even really have much to do with typical pregnancy symptoms or ailments, but because I broke my toe and also had some major abdominal cramping and spasms that were incredibly painful. Thankfully, things have been getting better and I'm just praying they continue to improve. I haven't been as congested during this pregnancy as I was with Ava and Lila, and I haven't been as much of an insomniac, but of course I could always use more sleep!

4 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a poppyseed.
• Ball of cells is splitting into the embryo and placenta; neural tube is already formed; and amniotic sac and fluid are forming into protective cushioning.
• We took a short road trip to Michigan to see family and friends.

Reluctant family photo in Michigan at 4w5d

5 Weeks

• Baby is the size of an appleseed.
• Starting to form major organs (heart, stomach, liver, kidneys) and systems (digestive, circulatory, nervous).
• Symptoms: Started feeling nauseated on Mother's Day at 5w6d.

6 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a sweet pea.
• Circulating blood; starting to sprout a nose, eyes, ears, chin, and cheeks.
• Symptoms: Started feeling hot/cold extremes in body temperature, very fatigued, queasy (nausea and food aversions). Started spotting at 6w3d; slowed down by the next day, but on the 3rd day, became heavier and darker with clotting and cramping. Called emergency overnight line; doctor called me back and said if it got worse to let her know, and to come to the office if possible. On Monday, the office called me. I said going in on Tuesday was better (Sam was post-call).
• Cravings: Pad Thai or pad see ew.

7 Weeks

• Appointment at 7w1d due to bleeding/cramping and previous experiences with implantation issues and miscarriages: Filled out forms; had 1st ultrasound where I saw baby and heart beating (140 bpm); had weight and blood pressure taken. Met with OB to discuss bleeding, which had almost completely stopped, future visits, and address any questions. No definitive answer on the bleeding, but could have been subchorionic hemorrhage (hematoma) that resolved itself. OB said to take it easy, no strenuous activity or heavy lifting. Cancelled my previously scheduled appointment for that Friday.
• Baby is the size of a blueberry.
• Generating about 100 new brain cells each minute; developing a permanent set of kidneys; arm and leg joints are forming.
• Symptoms: Nausea and food aversions; still only interested in eating carbs, but wanting more sweets too (bread, brownies, cereal).

1st ultrasound at 7w1d

Before our 6th anniversary dinner at 7w5d

8 Weeks

• Appointment at 8w4d: Weight and blood pressure taken; nurse history (Ava had an epic meltdown); urine sample; physical exam with nurse practitioner (breast exam, abdomen check, cervix check, etc. No pap smear since it was done when I was pregnant with Lila). Bloodwork. Explained different screening test options; I opted for non-invasive prenatal screening, aka NIPS (after 10 weeks) and 1st trimester screen/ultrasound (after 12 weeks). Scheduled appointment with genetic counselor for NIPS, and scheduled 1st trimester screen/ultrasound.
• Baby is the size of a raspberry.
• Taste buds are forming.
• Symptoms: Nausea worse in evenings; headaches; dizzy spell at the beginning of Sam's graduation party; skin breaking out in chin area.

1st bloodwork at 8w4d

9 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a cherry.
• Is now a fetus, and developing more distinct facial features.
• Symptoms: Nausea especially after 3 PM, constipation.

Strawberry picking at 9w6d

10 Weeks, 25% There!

• Appointment with genetic counselor at 10w3d: Detailed personal, partner, and extended family history taken, family trees drawn out; explained the differences among NIPS, 1st trimester screen, CVS, and amniocentesis, including accuracy, rates of false positives, risks, and which tests are better at screening for or diagnosing which chromosomal abnormalities; asked and answered questions. Blood drawn for NIPS, and should get results in approximately 10 days, including baby's sex. Everything came back negative, and baby is a boy!
• Baby is the size of a strawberry.
• Vital organs are fully developed and starting to function; swallowing and kicking.
• Symptoms: Queasiness in evening; food aversions; hot/cold extremes in body temperature; congestion and insomnia; headaches; constipation; feels like my baby bump has started to pop out this week.

11 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a lime.
• Tooth buds, nail beds, and hair follicles are forming.
• Symptoms: Queasiness all day, and still a lot of food aversions; very fatigued; headaches; stomach aches, especially in evenings; memorable dreams.

Farmers market-ing & picnicking at 11w4d

12 Weeks

• Appointment at 12w2d for 1st trimester screen: Ultrasound showed active baby with heart rate of 149 bpm. Also took many other measurements (e.g. CRL, nuchal translucency, which I think was 1.3mm, ovary and uterus size, etc.). Bloodwork. Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken. No real weight gain during 1st trimester. Met with male OB, who said everything looked great. Explained that since I had already done NIPS, the ultrasound was the important part of the 1st trimester screen. Said that my next appointment at 16 weeks will be bloodwork for spina bifida and another ultrasound.
• Baby is the size of a plum.
• Developing reflexes; opening and closing fingers, and curling toes.
• Symptoms: Still queasy and fatigued; starting to get very congested and unable to breathe easily at night; headaches.

13 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a lemon.
• Forming vocal chords and teeth, and already has fingerprints.
• Symptoms: Headaches.
• After we found out the sex of the baby, we told family and a few friends, but shared the news more widely a couple of weeks later.

Pregnancy announcement at 13w0d

Cereal was one of the things I wanted, or at least tolerated, at 13w4d

14 Weeks, 2nd Trimester

• Baby is the size of a peach.
• Sucking thumb and wiggling toes; breathing amniotic fluid; kidneys are making urine, and liver and spleen are doing their jobs.
• Symptoms: Headaches, still queasy.

Beach day at 14w0d

Blueberry picking at 14w3d

Sesame Place at 14w4d (they didn't want to stand still)

15 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a navel orange.
• Squirming, wiggling, and hiccuping inside, and joints and limbs can all move.
• Felt baby kick once at 15w0d.
• This week, we moved from NJ, where we had been during Sam's residency, back to NY.

16 Weeks

• Felt baby kick once at 16w1d.
• Appointment at 16w2d: Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken; saw NP, who checked heart rate with doppler (150s); bloodwork for neural tube defects.
• Baby is the size of an avocado.
• Is listening to our voices, and growing hair, lashes, and eyebrows; tiny bones are forming in the ears and eyebrows.
• Symptoms: Vivid dreams, exhausted and sore (but most likely from moving), queasiness lessening.
• This week, I went to see Britney Spears in concert at Radio City Music Hall.

17 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a pomegranate.
• Skeleton is hardening as cartilage turns to bone; umbilical cord is getting stronger and thicker; baby is putting on fat; and fingers and toes are now defined with one-of-a-kind prints.
• Symptoms: Seems like queasiness is gone, but feeling extra fatigued; congestion worsening; not sleeping well, and waking up very early in the morning; skin breaking out; feeling more movement; noticed stretch marks on sides; on the verge of leg cramps a couple of times.

Celebrating my birthday at 17w2d on August 1, 2018

18 Weeks

• Baby is the size of an artichoke.
• Yawns, hiccups, rolls, kicks, punches, sucks, twists, and swallows.
• Symptoms: Congestion getting worse again, especially in the early morning; backaches.

Looking down at 18w0d

19 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a mango.
• Vernix caseosa coats baby's skin, shielding it from amniotic fluid.

20 Weeks, 50% There!

• Appointment at 20w4d (1st appointment with new OB practice): Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken. Good heart rate, measuring well.
• Baby is the size of a banana.
• Gulping down amniotic fluid for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting; taste buds are working.
• Symptoms: Some abdominal area pain (20w1d) lasting from late afternoon until bedtime; on the verge of very bad leg (calf) cramps.

Finally using one of my milestone cards at 20w0d

At 20w4d, my 1st time at a movie theater in almost 4 years

21 Weeks

• Level 2 ultrasound/anatomy scan at 21w4d: Sonographer did a detailed ultrasound to take many measurements and view all parts of the baby. Heart rate of 149 bpm; checked cervix and placenta; confirmed it's a boy, and said he has a "very gorgeous" heart; checked brain, facial features, arms, stomach, kidneys, legs, feet, hands, and fingers. Approximate weight of 1 lb. Moving around a lot, flexing arms, and hands and fingers were pointing in a #1 position. Currently breech (but hoping he doesn't end up that way in the last weeks, like Ava).
• Baby is the size of an endive.
• As digestive system preps for the outside world, baby is manufacturing meconium.
• Symptoms: Belly feeling very tight and full.
• Ava had a pediatric appointment for a physical exam needed before starting preschool. She also got her 1st haircut!

Anatomy scan at 21w4d

Ava's 1st haircut, when I was 21w5d pregnant

22 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a coconut.
• Is sleeping in cycles, about 12-14 hours a day; has more developed eyes and lips, looking even more like a newborn.
• Symptoms: Visible movement, physical difficulties (broken toe and other toe issues, and pain from abdominal cramping and spasms), skin breaking out, nails and hair getting brittle.
• Ava started preschool -- currently half-days, 3 days/week -- her 1st time ever being away from home, and me.

Oddly looking up at something Ava asked about on Labor Day at 22w0d

Ava's 1st day of preschool when I was 22w1d pregnant

23 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a grapefruit.
• Face is fully formed; forming nipples; listening to our voices, my heartbeat, and loud outside sounds.

Apple picking at 23w5d (I know, we do a lot of fruit-picking!)

24 Weeks, V-Day

• Appointment at 24w4d: Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken; baby's heart rate of 150 bpm, measuring perfectly; I got a flu shot, and scheduled my glucose test and next OB appointment.
• Baby is the size of a cantaloupe.
• Baby is almost a foot long; skin is becoming more opaque, and has a new pink glow from the small capillaries that have recently formed.
• Symptoms: Horrible leg cramp overnight (24w3d), the worse and longest lasting one I've ever had; vivid bad dream; increasing back pain.
• Our baby girl Lila turned 2 years old this week!

Lila's 2nd birthday on September 22, 2018 (when I was 24w5d pregnant)

Only a couple of weeks to go before I'm in my 3rd trimester already. One of the items on my fall bucket list, which I just put together, is to simply take time to enjoy and focus on the rest of this pregnancy, which has proven to be harder than it seems. Ava was born in November and Lila was born in September, and this will be the 1st time I'll be pregnant during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, so that will be fun!