18w0d - IT'S A.....

BOY!!!

.....Though, I don't think words are needed for this photo:

Shot of between the legs.  As if he was sitting on a Xerox machine.

Mike and I are beyond thrilled!!!!    I always wanted a boy first and now my dream is coming true.  I thought a girl would be fun but the more I thought about it I am just so overjoyed to be having a boy.  A little boy Mike can teach to ride his bike someday.  :)  Mike is thrilled to be having a little son.  He didn't care either way what we were having but deep down he really wanted a boy.  I am just so happy to be giving him the son he always wanted!   This is where we went: http://www.perfectpreview3d.com.  They are so nice and it was an amazing experience!

Here are some more amazing photos of him!!

Amazing shot of our son.

His left arm is up by his head.

His right foot is up near his face.  So sweet!

Love this profile shot of him!!!!

Last, but (pun intended) certainly not least, his little butt!

Thank you Megan for our AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL GENDER CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!

18w0d - Weekly update

How Far Along: 18 weeks!!!!!

Size of baby:  Head to rump, my baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and the baby weighs almost 7 ounces.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com): She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin, and her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Maternity Clothes: Yes.

Stretch Marks: No.

Sleep: Pretty good all week and then crappy the last two nights leading up to our gender ultrasound.  I felt like a kid before Christmas!

Best Moment of the Week: TODAY!!!!!  Got to find out what we are having!  Read the next post to see!

Movement: Definitely feeling more and more movement.  I love it!

Food cravings: Haven't been craving much this week.

Gender: We know but we aren't sharing until this evening after the gender reveal party!!

What I Miss:  Nothing this week!  I am too happy to miss anything!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  The gender reveal party tonight!

Milestones: The baby is kicking!

Emotions: Oh my, I was a hot mess this week.  I snapped at Mike A LOT.

Symptoms:  Nothing out of the ordinary.

17w6d - Less than 24 hours

Less than 24 hours until we know the sex of our baby!!  I cannot wait!!!!!  We're driving to Buffalo to find out to a place called Perfect Preview 3D.

I barely got any sleep last night I was so excited!   I doubt I'll get any tonight too.

Then tomorrow evening we are having out Gender Reveal Party!  Megan is making a gender reveal cake based off the ones I liked on pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/golauree/gender-reveal/.  I cannot wait!!!!!!!

Perfect Preview Ultrasound

Don’t ignore infertility

Infertility affects 7.3 million people in the U.S. This figure represents 1 in 8 couples, or 12% of women of childbearing age. 

(2002 National Survey of Family Growth)

National Infertility Awareness Week

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week.   In 2010 National Infertility Awareness Week became a federally recognized health observance by the Department of Health and Human Services.  The goal of NIAW is to raise awareness about the disease of infertility and encourage the public to understand their reproductive health. 

Don't Ignore Yourself

Do you plan on having a baby someday?  So many of my friends are in their 30s have not yet even considered thinking about having a baby.  It breaks my heart.  Granted a lot of them will go on to realize they want children and have no problems conceiving.  But I fear that many of them will try to conceive only to find out the heartbreak of infertility.  They have waited too long.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive.  If you are over the age of 35, the time of trying to conceive is reduced to 6 months.  It is important to see a specialist, or a Reproductive Endocrinologist, or in some cases your OB/Gyn or urologist for a complete fertility work-up and diagnosis.

Don't Ignore Infertility Support

If you suffer from infertility, you don't have to suffer in silence.  Don't be afraid!  Don’t ignore infertility support available.  Infertility may seem like lonely road, but but you don't have to travel it alone. Join an online infertility forum or local support group to find a warm, welcoming environment.  If you live in Erie, PA, please don't be afraid to come to a New Blossoms New Life Support Group meeting.

Don't Ignore It: Talk About Infertility

Don’t ignore opportunities to talk about infertility.   Do you blog? Tweet? Teach a health class? Have a book group? Take advantage of opportunities in your daily life to share information about or bring attention to the cause of infertility.

What You Can Do

Don’t ignore the impact of making a donation. Every cent donated donated helps bring needed programs and services to women and men with infertility. Sign up for the Walk of Hope or create your own fundraising event in your location.

Don’t ignore legislation affecting infertility patients.  Educate legislators about the disease of infertility and how it impacts people in their state.  Several pending and existing laws encroach upon the rights of the infertile to freely build their families. Help change policy and protect your rights by writing to your representative or attending RESOLVE's Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. on April 25.

More Information

http://www.resolve.org/infertility101
(Basic understanding of the disease of infertility)

http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about.html
(About NIAW)

17w0d - Weekly update

(size of an onion)

(the weight of a turnip)

How Far Along: 17 weeks!!!!!

Size of baby:  Right now, my baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com): Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Maternity Clothes: Yes.

Stretch Marks: No.

Sleep: This past week was actually pretty good.  Once or twice a night pee awakenings but that's about it.  Still weird dreams.

Best Moment of the Week: Does today count?  Because as of today only 7 more days until we find out what we're having!

Movement: I definitely feel flutters. I just wish they'd get more frequent and stronger ASAP!

Food cravings: Haven't been craving much this week.  On Thursday I was ravenously hungry at work and ate 4 bars in between meals and that still wasn't enough to curb my hunger.

Gender: We'll find out on April 28th!  Only 1 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I Miss:  I miss wearing underwear that doesn't fall down.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  April 28th and finding out what we're having.  Then my official anatomy scan on May 10th where I'll see my baby for a whole hour!

Milestones: The baby is kicking....well fluttering, but that's a start!

Emotions: Pretty normal this week.

Symptoms:  Nothing out of the ordinary.

16w0d - Belly photo

(I admit, I photoshopped this a little.  I looked horrible without it.)

16w0d - Weekly update

(avocado)

How Far Along: 16 weeks!!!!!

Size of baby:  Right now, my baby is about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com): Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Maternity Clothes: Yes.

Stretch Marks: No.

Sleep: Definitely getting up less than I was before.  Maybe about once or twice a night now.  I still have occasions where I wake up and can't fall back asleep.  And I definitely still have quite vivid and disturbing dreams.

Best Moment of the Week: Had an OB appointment on Thursday (15w5d) that went quickly.  I met the other OB in the practice and he's AMAZING - Dr. Abraham.  I almost hope he's the one on call when I deliver my baby instead of my own doctor!  :)

Movement: I definitely feel flutters.  Last night, in the middle of the night, I definitely felt single bumps - maybe they were kicks!

Food cravings: Junk food!  My face is getting sooooooo fat.

Gender: We'll find out on April 28th!  Only 2 more weeks!!!!!!!!!

What I Miss:  Nothing this week.  I just feel blessed!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  April 28th and finding out what we're having.  Then my official anatomy scan on May 10th where I'll see my baby for a whole hour!

Milestones: Feeling an actual kick last night (I think).

Emotions: I have been ok this week I think.

Symptoms:  Super veiny again this week.  My areolas are starting to change too.  (Embarrassing to write as I know some of the people that read this blog and they probably don't want to read about my boobs.

15w2d - Easter weekend photos

(baby the size of an apple)

15w0d - Weekly update

How Far Along: 15 weeks!!!!!

Size of baby:  My growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).

My baby this week (from babycenter.com): She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.").

Maternity Clothes: Yes, still can't wear any of my baggy maternity shirts yet since my bump is so little.

Stretch Marks: No.

Sleep: I have only been getting up once (twice max) a night now!   Still crazy dreams though.  I had a dream I was trying to get the hang of breast feeding and when my baby finally latched on, I woke up orgasming.  Not sure how my brain translated breastfeeding into orgasm but I don't mind.  I'm not getting any right now so orgasming in my sleep is definitely a plus!

Best Moment of the Week: Setting up my private ultrasound appointment to find out the gender on April 28th!

Movement: I swear I feel flutters every once in a while.

Food cravings: Junk food!

Gender: On April 28th!  Only 3 more weeks!

What I Miss:  Being able to go one flight of stairs without getting out of breath!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  April 28th and finding out what we're having.  Then my official anatomy scan on May 10th where I'll see my baby for a whole hour!

Milestones: Feeling the baby move (I think!).

Emotions: I have been ok this week I think.

Symptoms:  None.

14w3d - Flutters and other exciting news

We are 101 days pregnant today!  Well, not exactly 101 since it's calculated based on the start of my last period start date.  So technically those first 14 days my baby was still in a petri dish in Cleveland, OH.   But anyways...I'm still celebrating none the less.  Mike and I are super excited!

I've also been feeling what I am 90% sure is the baby fluttering around in there.  I know they say you typically don't feel it until 16 weeks but I swear I feel the baby every once in a while fluttering away in there!   I can't wait until it gets stronger and bigger and I am sure that's what I am feeling.

In other exciting news, Mike and I scheduled a gender determination ultrasound for April 28th!  It's in Buffalo and a good 2 weeks before my official ultrasound at my local OB (May 10th), but Mike and I couldn't wait any longer.  We really want to have a gender reveal party and the weekend after May 10th was super bad for so many people near and dear to me.  So we were going to go to Buffalo May 5th, which is Mike's birthday, but the lady on the phone talked me into coming at 18 weeks.  I couldn't resist!  So, in just 25 days we will know if there is a littler girl or little boy in there!!

Picture of the gorgeous facility we are going to in Buffalo, NY:

http://www.perfectpreview3d.com/