Some sleep would be greatly appreciated...

Ugh, I've never had this much of an issue falling asleep since being pregnant. Well, I guess I can fall asleep fine but trying to fall back asleep after waking up is nearly impossible. Actually, tonight it was impossible. It is 3AM and I'm at work feeling drowsy and a little delusional. I was at least about to get a little bit of sleep from 8-11PM, but since 11 I haven't been able to fall back asleep. It's been extremely frustrating! Not only is my sleep becoming more and more non existant, I'm realizing that little Liam is going to be nocturnal. Every time I wake up and can't fall back asleep there he is jumping around and wide awake. I hope that changes as the pregnancy gets farther along...
Other than not being able to sleep, things have been going pretty well. Work is smooth and I'm waiting for Fall classes to start up. I got accepted into West Chester University to finish my Bachelor's in Behavioral Health/Sociology and I can start in January 2012. I'm really excited about it and I'm looking forward to setting a brighter future for my little one.

It's a boy!

I guess anyone could tell by the change of layout on this blog that it's a boy, haha. I'm very excited to welcome a little boy into this world. We are naming him Liam James.

In other news, the placenta moved upwards so I'm not on restriction anymore! Liam has all of his organs and his heart is healthy. We have a happy, active baby and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm excited to tell Chris' oldest the great news. I hope he's excited to have another baby brother. =)

Tomorrow is the big day!

The time has FINALLY arrived to find out the sex of our baby. Chris and I feel like it's a girl so we'll see if we're right! I'm so excited to find out more about our baby and how the development is going and how we're both growing. This is also an appointment to see if my placenta has "migrated north" and how much heart-shaped uterus looks. I'm sure everything is going smoothly, I haven't felt anything abnormal except some minor cramping which I'm positive is normal since my uterus is stretching a lot in a short period of time.

I'll post more tomorrow after we find out the sex. I need to force myself to sleep since I'm so anxious haha. Goodnight!

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar...

It's a GIRL! Well, we aren't sure what the gender is YET (only 2 more weeks until we find out!!!) but we'll see if the ancient Chinese can really predict it for us. All I did to figure it out was look at the month of conception (March) and my age at time of conception (21). Well, it seems that 11 of the months for my age are supposed to be female anyway. Haha. I'm not relying on this calendar, but it's interesting to look at!

So, let's check out some other old wive's tales...

Heartbeats:

The Wives Tale explains that if the heartbeat is above 140 then it is a girl and if the heartbeat is below 140 then it's a boy. Our baby's heartbeat has always been above 140, but at the last doctor's visit it was 148, so it seems too close to even make an assumption (even though I know it's all fictional anyway...). The doctor has told us before that the baby's heartbeat slows down as it gets bigger, so why wouldn't every baby's heartbeat, at one time or another, be under 140 bpm? I don't know, but once again: if we were going by theory, it's a GIRL again!

Cravings:

Okay, so I just read that if you're craving something sweet then it's a girl and if craving salty/sour foods then it's a boy. Well, I can't really make a guess here anyway. Today I craved a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich...is that sweet, sour, or salty? I think it's really all of the above after I made it with Strawberry Jam (don't worry, it's seedless). And I haven't really had any other cravings other than fruit (sweet AND sour for the most part) and Sour Patch Kids. I would say Sour Patch Kids are sour, but their slogan is "First they're Sour...then they're Sweet!" so I really don't think I could use that for a guess either. So...I think this one is pretty much open for debate.

Drano and Urine:

I'm not even going to try this one since I don't have Drano since Chris just used it in the bathtub upstairs.

The Mayans:

I've never heard of this one before but I guess it's worth a try as well. Apparently if I were to put my age at conception and the year of conception together it can determine whether it's a boy or a girl. If both years are odd or even then it's a girl. If one is odd and the other even then it's a boy. Well, 21 in the year 2010 means that it's a boy according to the Mayans. Fun! Plus 1 for BOY!

"Unlocking the Mystery":

This is something that a friend is supposed to try on me, but I don't have the time or the memory to try this with someone else so I won't even bother with this for now. The story behind this tale is if I were to pick up a key by the narrow end of a car/house key then I'm in for a girl and if I pick it up by the round part then a little boy is in my future.

Zits:

If I'm breaking out I can blame it on a little girl and if my skin looks great then it's a boy. Well, I would say since I'm getting pimples that it's definitely a girl, but all in all I have amazing skin. I've never had an acne problem and the only times I'd ever get a pimple or two was MAYBE right before I'd get my period. Since being pregnant, I guess I've had more than usual. They're mainly around my chin area, but like I said: it's not enough for me to make a real judgement. But, if I were to go by those few pimples I've seen since getting pregnant then I'd give my vote for a GIRL again.

Morning Sickness:

If I had tons of morning sickness in the first trimester it's a girl, if little or no sickness then a boy. Well I had NO morning sickness whatsoever. Maybe I felt nauseas here and there but never did I throw up (well... ONCE after taking a prenatal vitamin) or even really feel physically sick. My mom had horrible morning sickness that lasted throughout her whole pregnancy with me (sucks) and Chris' boys' mother had morning sickness all throughout one of her pregnancies and obviously it was a boy she was carrying. But, if I were to go by this tale, then it's a BOY.

Time to tally it up!

Girl: III

Boy: II

Only time will tell! We'll keep you all updated. Our next ultrasound is scheduled for August 13. The doctor wants to check my placenta to make sure it migrated up North (haha) and while we're there he's going to check the gender. Exciting!

Right on time...

Well, Chris and I had another doctor's appointment yesterday for our little one. We got to hear the heartbeat again and I got to ask a lot of questions (like I always do, haha). The heartbeat was a 148 bpm so we'll see in another 2-3 weeks if that means it's really a girl or not!

I kept reading that at around 16 weeks I may feel the baby kick and start to move around. Of course I told the doctor I haven't felt anything yet and I'm anxious to feel it, but later yesterday evening while I was taking a Math test, I felt it! At first I thought my phone was in my shirt on vibrate, but it definitely was not since I saw it in my purse (and why would it be in my shirt anyway?). It happened a few more times last night, but only while I was in Math class. Either our baby is pretty enthusiastic about Math like Chris or they hate it and were trying to escape like me. Haha. The only thing that made me anxious about it moving was that I was stuck in Math and couldn't enjoy it moving for the first time at home with Chris.

Speaking of firsts, today while at Walmart looking for stretchy pants (ughh) I migrated over to the baby section and found the cutest stuffed Piglet and had to get it. I have officially bought our baby their first stuffed animal. By the way, I never did buy any pants for myself haha.

I'm going to take a nap for now. I can't wait to feel our little jumping bean again!

Pimples Galore!!!

Okay, so I understand that a lot of things are going to change throughout this pregnancy but these pimples are getting out of control. I've never had a problem with break-outs in my life...until now. The only thing that makes me a little optimistic about all of it is that I know it's from the baby and every sign of it's existence is beautiful to me.

I've been working really odd shifts the past week working 11pm-7am then the next day it'll be 10am-6pm or 6pm-2am. Now that training is behind us, I guess my sleep will start to get a little bit better, but it's starting to make me feel groggy and "off". At least I have today and tomorrow off to relax a little bit and maybe I can start to sleep during the nighttime!

Other than work and pimples, I'm starting to get really anxious and excited about starting to show. I can feel my uterus expanding (sorry if that's kind of gross) and every time I press on my lower abdomen it feels like a hard muscle as if I've been working out. I've also started to have problems sleeping on my stomach so I don't know how I'm going to get comfortable now while trying to fall asleep. It's tough enough with Chris' elbow in my face, which he claims he does not do, and his obnoxiously loud snoring (he'll hate me for that)!

Alright, well now it's time to get ready for class tonight.

13 Weeks!

Haven't posted in a few weeks, I know! So much has been going on. Chris and I have gone to get our 1st trimester u/s and we have little "bean pictures" (that's what we've been calling it); I actually got a new job; Chris and I had a friend staying with us for a week or so; and we heard the heartbeat yesterday.

During the 1st trimester ultrasound I was pretty nervous. I wasn't sure what the baby would look like only a few weeks after my last ultrasound and I wanted to know that he/she was perfectly healthy. Once the technician showed us our little bundle of joy I almost teared up. They actually look like a baby now! Chris and I were shocked at how much our little one was jumping around. It was practically using my placenta as a trampoline. The cutest part was when the technician first showed us our baby, they were sleeping just like me with their arms crossed and one leg stretched out and the other bent in fetal position (literally). I guess once it realized we were watching, the baby had to put on a show! I've never seen a fetus head-bang until this ultrasound...must get it from their father...

***Results of the ultrasound: The baby is extremely healthy and all of the baby's bones and limbs are in place. The baby has an extremely rare chance of having downs or coming out as a still-born or even getting SIDS (not sure how they test for ALL that?). Perfect! I'm very happy that our Nutter Butter is happy and healthy =)

The downside?? I have Placenta Previa. Meaning:

Placenta previa is a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta

grows in the lowest part of the womb (uterus) and covers all or part

of the opening to the cervix ...So how does this affect me and the baby? Well, it puts us at risk for premature labor towards the end of pregnancy. I don't have to worry about miscarriage, BUT I really have to take it easy. NO Strenuous "activities", if you catch my drift...And how did I get this? Well, it could be from my abnormal uterus. Yes, not only do I have Placenta Previa but I also have a Bicornuate Uterus. What's a Bicornuate Uterus? It is a birth defect where the uterus does not form as it should. Instead of one whole uterus, there are usually two separate ‘horns’ that form the top of the uterus. ...And to be completely honest, my "heart-shaped uterus" is not severe at all. There is a little bit of a dip at the top of my uterus that you can very well see from any ultrasound, but there is plenty of room for the baby to develop. I'm very lucky to only have a minor case of this type of uterus or else the complications could be much worse and put us at high risk for miscarriage until the 20th week of pregnancy. But instead, I am on the normal bracket for women and only being at risk (mostly) until the 12th week of pregnancy. The only complication, however, that I do have with having this type of uterus is I am at high-risk for delivering prematurely AND having to have a C-Section since it is harder for the baby to turn upside down. I'm not too worried about it though. We'll just have to wait and see what happens when the time comes. So...new job! I'm now working at the Lancaster Host as a Front Desk Agent (maybe it's my calling...haha!). I feel like it's the perfect job for a pregnant woman. It's a low-stress job, I interact with lots of interesting people, I work great hours, and it's close to home. After all this typing I think it's time to relax a little bit. Jenna (my cat) and I are sitting next to each other next to the window. The breeze feels beautiful today (unlike the past few days where it's been 90+ degrees outside)!

Dreams of a Baby Girl

Even before I found out I was pregnant I have been having dreams about caring for a little girl and it even went as far as dreaming of Chris and I at the doctor's office getting an ultrasound and the doctor gave us the news that it is in fact a girl. Maybe this means I'm going to have a girl...or maybe my mind is playing games with me and getting me all excited for a baby girl.

Unfortunately my confusion has been progressively getting worse as time goes on...so this could really mean nothing!

Not only is my confusion starting to annoy me, I've also been adapting to weird sleeping habits that I've never had before. Like Chris, I'm starting to sleep with my arms above my head which I have NEVER done and always found annoying and painful, yet now I find it comforting. I'm also waking up on my stomach; I've never been able to sleep on my stomach and I'm not sure why I'm starting this now.

...Oh, the joys of being pregnant! =)

End of Week 8

Ugh. This has, by far, been the worst week of all. From indigestion and constipation to getting lightheaded every time I stand up. The only thing that really keeps me going is that all of this pain and suffering will be well worth the happy ending.

The only thing that I am really struggling with is being able to eat and not be nauseas thinking about it. It seems that everything is leaving a sour taste in my mouth by just the mere thought of it--especially meat! I feel like I'm constantly forcing food down my throat and I will complain the whole way through. I guess it doesn't make it any better that I have underlying issues with many types of food and I really have to be extra careful about what I put into my body.

Another reason why this week may have been the worst is I tried to eat some Gluten to see the effects of it and if maybe I would be able to eat some wonderful breads and basically everything I've been craving thus far. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I was very wrong! Ever since I put one piece of a sandwich in my mouth it has been Hell from there. My heartburn increased and my nausea was almost unbearable...not to mention the diarrhea came out of nowhere when a week prior to Gluten I was constipated for days on end for the whole pregnancy...well, so far...

Not only is Gluten on my "hate list" right now of foods that I won't go near, Chicken is another one that is hard for me to even think about and I'm not sure why! Last night, however, I forced myself to eat some because I really believe that I have not been eating enough protein.

Well, since this week has been all about foods that are appealing to me and foods that are not, I decided to make a list. =)

HATE

Gluten, Gluten, Gluten

Chicken

Chinese Food

Fried/Greasy Foods

Salty Foods!! (surprising, right?)

Eggs

LOVE

Fruit! (the thought of apples makes me salivate)

Cereal and Milk

Mashed Potatoes

Gluten-Free Pretzels

Rice Quakes

Welcome!

Hello all! =)

Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm excited to share my experience with each of you about my pregnancy for the next 7 months. Please feel free to stop by from time to time!