16-week picture

As promised, here is the 16-week picture. I'm thanking God for two good days! I've felt pretty good yesterday and today. Don't know if it will last or not, but I'll take it. I think I might also be starting to feel the baby move. I'm not positive yet, but I'm definitely starting to feel some strange things that don't seem to have any other explanation. It's kind of like a flutter, or like waves of something coming over me.

16 Weeks and Going Strong

We're 16-weeks now and we got a great report from the doctor today. Despite the nausea and vomiting that's still hanging on, I've gained five pounds in the last four weeks. And the baby's heartbeat was 140 bpm - just right.

Here's what babycenter.com says about baby's development this week:

At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Today was the best day I've had in a couple weeks. I've had a good amount of energy and eating hasn't been too difficult. I don't know if this will continue, but I'm sure enjoying today while it lasts. We took a tummy picture last night, but Jeremy is gone tonight working on a school project and he took our camera so I'll have to post the picture another day. The tummy is definitely growing though! Thanks for all your prayers.

15 Weeks

So, I said things were starting to get better for me...yeah, not so much. I've puked four times in the past five days. Yesterday was I think the worst one yet and I called and cried on Jeremy's voicemail after. Pretty pitiful.

I know it's all worth it and when I'm holding this baby in my arms this fall I'll forget all about being sick, but right now it's still hard to endure at times. Needless to say, because I've not been feeling well I haven't taken the 15 week picture yet.

We also went to Manitowoc, WI this past weekend to visit Jeremy's family. It was great to see everyone, but far too short. We're looking forward to seeing some of them again next month though for Jeremy's graduation.

Thanks for your prayers. I'll try to post another picture soon.

14 Weeks

We're 14 weeks now and I think things are starting to get a little better for me. Last week was up and down, but I didn't throw up at all so that was a milestone. I got out of the house a fair amount over the weekend, and today I worked 6 hours! These are all victories considering how sick and nauseated I have been for the past several weeks.

Getting dressed in the morning is a bit of a challenge. I'm getting too big for a lot of my pre-pregnancy pants, but I'm not big enough yet for maternity pants. So I have this great thing called a Bella Band, which is basically a tube top that I wear over my waistband to hide the fact that I am not buttoning or zipping my pants. :) But that also means I need to find shirts that are longer so I don't look funny. It's a bit of a challenge, but it's definitely worth it. And I don't mind the fact that my tummy is growing. It makes this pregnancy seem more real.

This year is on track to be one full of change for Jeremy and I. He graduates from seminary in just six weeks, so we are now praying for and searching for a full-time job for him that will provide enough financially to allow me to stay home once the baby is born. We would covet your prayers as well while we search, and I will keep you updated as things progress in that area.

13 Weeks

Yesterday we hit the 13 week mark, which means we are now entering the second trimester! I'm very excited about this because it should mean that I start feeling better within the next couple weeks. I think I already am starting to feel a little better, but it's still up and down. Everything is still great with the baby though. We got to hear the heartbeat last week so we know the little bugger is still alive and well in there.

As promised, I'm including a couple pictures of the growing tummy. It seems like all of a sudden things are happening because my pants are tight and I'm starting to look pregnant. The baby is 2.75 inches now and it will grow two inches in the next two weeks!