Pregnancy Truths...Week 22

I did not feel like updating the chalkboard this week...why?...because the day I finally felt "cute" I ended up pulled over on the side of the highway puking all over myself.  Hence, the mirror picture (after a shower) of 22 weeks that I am SO glad is over!  

I feel that I have read a lot on pregnancy, and while I have a basic idea of what symptoms to expect, I don't feel like these readings have prepared me for how truly ugly some of them can be.  So, here it goes...a few pregnancy truths that I have learned thus far:

1.  Random Puking and Blood Pressure Drops
I'll start with the worst.  Morning sickness typically resides after the first trimester.  Mine has, but nobody warned me that certain things will make you puke well into the second trimester that are not related to morning sickness.

Example 1:  My morning started off great with some strawberry pancakes, juice, and a sense of energy. However; after starting my morning commute to work I realized about 10 minutes in that I was NOT feeling good.  I started to get hot and sweaty, my vision got blurry as I got dizzy, and before I knew it I was pulled over on the side of the freeway puking all over myself as I scrambled to get the door open.  A very nice gentlemen in a white SUV even stopped to make sure I was okay.  "Yes," I reassured him. "I'm just pregnant".

After teaching summer school for four hours in my now not-so-cute outfit I was able to go home and research what the heck was causing all of this.  Apparently, your blood pressure can drop suddenly causing the symptoms I experienced.  Awesome.  It happened in the bank too...it has really been a great week.

2.  It's REALLY hot!
I used to love the heat.  So much that I could be out in 90+ degrees and be completely comfortable.  Now, it's in the 80s and I feel like I am going to faint.  Cody refers to me as his personal radiator because my once always-cold body is now putting off heat like nobody's business.  Even better, stuffy rooms, showers, and other things can and have induced the puking episodes described in number one.

3.  I Can't Breathe!
I can't breathe...ever.  Lying down, standing up, sitting on the couch.  At least a few times a day I swear  I am so short of breath I wonder how I am even alive.  My doctor says this is normal.  Apparently your body pumps much more blood while your pregnant and circulation is much more difficult. 

4.  I've always been a side sleeper...until I got pregnant.
I have always found my back to be the most uncomfortable sleeping position.  However; the last couple of weeks the only position that seems to be comfortable IS on my back.  This is a no-no, and despite my special pillow (which I do love), I feel the urge to lay on my back each and every night.  It is a frustrating process and the tossing from side to side really gets annoying.

5.  Where's your bathroom?
I've stopped at random gas stations.  I know where each and every bathroom is in the stores I frequent.  I must go before I start grocery shopping.  I must go while Cody looks for things at Home Depot.  I have to leave my summer school kids working in the classroom while I RUN to the restroom.  The worst part is, you don't even really have to go that much.  But when you feel that sudden kick ON your bladder it doesn't matter how little you had to go before; finding a restroom is not an option!


I'll stop there.  Being pregnant has not been the most fun thing I've ever experienced, but the feeling of my little boy kicking and moving in my belly daily reminds me that it is so worth it, and I wouldn't change this for the world! I can't wait to have him here. Here's to praying for a bit easier of a 23rd week :)

First "Father-To-Be" Day

For Father's Day I decided that Cody really needed a BBQ grill...every Dad needs a grill!  We just moved into our house a short three weeks ago and with our new, small patio we had the perfect place for it.  After researching grill after grill, I decided that I had no business choosing a BBQ that realistically I would never use myself, so I decided to put the cash in a card and put the responsibility of choosing the grill on him!

After a fun trip to Lowes, we came home with our fancy new grill!

 We've already used it quite a bit and are excited to start having more people over :)

On Father's Day we also woke up early to go fishing.  Not being much of an outdoorsy girl, I had never been before and was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was.  Not sure how the two of us managed to find each other, but he has definitely changed me into a better version of myself and introduced me to things I would have never done before.  I love him SO much!

                                                                East Canyon Lake

                                                          First fish! 

                  After getting so worked up after chasing the fish he fell asleep in the tackle box :)

                                                            .LOVE. of my life

Halfway There!

How far along:  20 Weeks...Halfway There!

This week we had our 20 week anatomy appointment.  This is usually the appointment where couples find out the gender, but since we signed up for a first time mom's study, we get extra ultrasounds and therefore found out early. This appointment was fun to see baby again, watch him move around, and get some fun pictures while the sonographer checked to make sure all parts were accounted for and in tact!

Easton decided to be stubborn and while he kicked away, it took an hour for us to get him to turn over so the doctor could check his belly and face better.  Here are a few pictures:

Side profile :)

                                                                      Footprint :)

The doctor also needed to get a better look at my placenta.  In an earlier appointment they diagnosed me with a partial placenta previa. This means that my placenta was partially blocking the cervix, putting me at a high risk for bleeding, pre-term labor, and making a normal delivery impossible.  I was put on pelvic rest and light lifting requirements for 2 weeks.  They did a more detailed ultrasound this week and sure enough...it moved up! Everything looks great now and she said there is not a need to worry. Phew!

While this was a bit scary, the good news is that we got a 4D image of our little boy.  20 weeks is really early for these to be done, so our little one looks pretty wrinkly...but I still think he's cute!

The doctor said he looked like a healthy, happy baby boy!  We can't wait to meet him!

19 Weeks

Though I typed these awhile ago, I haven't been able to post due to our lack of Internet at the new house.  It has been a nightmare trying to get this set up, and we are hoping by the end of next week it will actually be working.  Internet companies are awful.

How far along:  19 Weeks

Movement:  Starting to feel some more definite kicks!

Weight Gain:  10 lbs so far...right on track!

Showing?  It is pretty obvious now to most people that there is indeed a baby in there.  I told my class of 5th graders that we were going to be playing hangman to end the day.  As they guessed the letters, it started to spell out, "Ms. Powell is having a baby boy in October".  Needless to say they lost their minds :)  By the last day of school, I think just about every student and staff member knew. It's amazing how quickly information spreads!

Symptoms:  I still get a wave of nauseau every once in a while.  I've also started having pretty bad round ligament pain, but only once or twice a day.  Easton's strong kicks make up for it though :)  I also have an appetite, boy do I have an appetite...

Best Moment this Week:  Buying books for the baby and having Daddy read them out loud to him through the belly.  According to my apps, this is the week baby can start to hear!

Feelings:  Happy! Tired...but happy!

Cravings:  Fruit, fruit and more fruit.  I get up every morning between 3:00 AM and 4:30 AM to eat a cup of peaches.  It keeps nausea at bay and I am STARVING by that time.

Gender Reveal

Since my family is far away we decided it would be fun to do a "Gender Reveal" party for them to find out the gender of our little one. My sister's birthday was right around the same time, so we were able to make the cake her birthday present from her new niece/nephew!
 
Cody and I were able to FaceTime in so that we could see everyone's reactions.  Here are a few pics!

 
                                                  Getting ready...

                                                                          
                                      Auntie Em cutting the cake...

It's a BOY...Easton Edward Connor! We are so excited, I think we both were kind of hoping it was going to be a boy.  I see many hunting trips in his future already ;) It was fun to see everyone's reactions, great idea Mom!