13 Weeks

This pregnancy is starting to feel more like a pregnancy.  My first trimester was really easy going and simple.  Now that I've hit the second trimester I'm getting lower back pains, upper thigh pains, and dizziness.  It's so weird!  But I still consider myself lucky since I have not experienced any vomiting or any severe aches and pains...yet.

What I've decided to do this past week was get smart on what to put on a baby registry.  I really dislike creating registries for two reasons: 

1. I'm picking out what other people are going to buy me, this makes me feel so guilty!  I hate to expect gifts from others.  I wish I could be rich and buy it all myself.  

2. It is the most annoying process ever!  I had the worst time creating my wedding registry with stores closing (Linens & Things), registries closing (Canadian Tire) and the scanners not working (The Bay).  Grr!

In order to get smart, what I'm going to do is:

• Asking close friends, who are moms, what they felt were their top 5 MUST haves.
• Adding items I will really need as soon as I think of them so I don't have to try to remember later (which would be last minute and most likely right before the shower).
• Only adding items that I will need in the first 6 months (maybe to a year).  This way I'll only receive what I really will need, instead of asking for things that I don't need right away and missing out on items that I will.

Here is what some good friends advised that were their top 5 must haves:

Baby Momma #1:

1.  Do not get a travel system stroller (not worth the money), get a stroller you love

2.  Get a stroller with a snap in car seat

3.  Vibrating chair, nothing fancy

4.  Do not get a swing

5.  Swaddle blankets

Baby Momma #2:

1.  A swing

2.  Front-button diaper shirts for the poo explosions

3.  Zipper sleepers

4.  A Swaddle-me

5.  Sleep Sheep

Baby Momma #3:

1.  Graco Pack and Play-Yard

2.  Diaper Genie

3.  Ramp for bathing

4.  First Aid/Medicine/Hygiene Kit

5.  Changing Pad (but this was because I bought it for her. Haha).

TheBump.com top 10:

1.  Gripe Water

2.  Fisher-Price Ocean Soothe and Glow Seahorse

3.  The Ultimate Crib Sheet

4.  Air-venting bottles

5.  Sophie (the giraffe)

6.  A Glider

7.  Nursing pillow

8.  A travel chair

9.  A swaddle blanket

10.  Fisher-Price Rock N' Play Sleeper

Em

xo

12 Weeks!

I made it!  The first trimester has been really easy going for me.  
No vomiting, no mad cravings, etc...  Just fatigue and some moodiness.  
Since the start of my second trimester I've been feeling the same except for the addition of another symptom, cramping in my upper right thigh.  It's really strange and not too intense.  But it's for sure something I'm going to let my NP know about.


The milestone we experienced recently is the 12 week ultrasound.  What an amazing experience.  A note to women going for one, only drink one or two tall glasses of water.  I was so full they made me pee everything out!  
When I left I felt like I had a bladder infection! It was so painful, so don't do that to yourself.


Here's what we saw on the ultrasound:

The top picture was the baby laying on its stomach.  The bottom left is a close up of it's head.  You can actually see it's brain!  The bottom right I think it's either face down or its on its side facing opposite of us.  This is a baby we made!  It's just amazing.  What will he or be like?  What will it look like?  So many questions and so anxious to meet the baby.

Anyway, Jesse has a feeling we're having a boy (there's really no bias there, he just has a feeling) and I think we're having a girl.  So we'll have to see!  Don't forget to vote on my blog what you think we'll be having. :)

Important dates

- September 7th: meeting with NP for monthly check-up

- October 18th: 20 week ultrasound (get to find out what the gender is!)

Em

xo

10 Weeks

The checkup with the nurse practitioner today went well.  We unfortunately didn’t have the ability to hear the baby’s heart on the Fetal Doppler.  I’ve decided that I won’t try again until after the ultrasound on the 20^th.  There’s no point since the baby is too small at this point.  Apparently it’s now the size of a prune!

The only thing I have to comment on this week is the crazy costs of maternity clothing.  I guess it’s the same cost of regular clothing, but I’m finding it really hard to spend my money on new maternity clothing as I know I won’t wear the clothing for more than 6 or 7 months.  Also, if I want to look decent I’ll have to spend the extra $$$.  Thankfully my great mom has bought me my first pair of maternity jeans to get me started.  Here’s my plan of attack for the rest of my clothing:

Emily’s Amateur Guide to Maternity Clothing:

• Asking friends who are done having children for their maternity clothing to help you save.  I’m offering payment, but it seems they’re happy to simply donate. :)
• Shopping at the end of the season.  There are always deals to be had when a season is finishing.
• Shopping for regular clothing but go for 2 or 3 sizes bigger than normal.  This only works if the clothing isn’t too long in the sleeves or pant legs, you really just need some "give" in the belly and boob area.  T-shirts and jogging pants seem to work the best here.
• Buy a Bella Band.  These work great with your existing pants if you can still fit into the legs.  You just leave your zipper/button open and cover with the Bella Band.  It looks like you’re just wearing layers.

Here are a few sites I was able to find some great deals on maternity clothing:

• www.trendytummymaternity.com This is where I bought my Bella Band for      only $30.  They have different sizes, colours, and styles of Bella Bands as well as tones of maternity clothing.
• www.overstock.ca This site has a good selection of clothing at great prices that are any where from $9.99 to over $100.
• www.bumpbargains.com This site has a really neat concept.  They showcase only one maternity item per day.  The item is usually from a high-end maternity store and that’s anywhere from 40 to 60% off.  For example, a shirt they showcased today was regular $76 and on sale for $34.
• www.motherhoodmaternity.ca This site is for a retail chain that you might have already seen.  The normally have a sale of some sort and a clearance section for perusal.

That’s really it for me.  I’m still feeling pretty good!

Appointments to come

• August 20^th THE ULTRASOUND
• September 7^th Checkup with Nurse Practitioner

Em

9 weeks

I had this misconception of pregnancy.  I thought I would be super happy all the time, glowing, radiant, etc... etc...  I thought that I would look and feel like this:

But I look and feel like I look more like this:

Haha.  Well not that bad, and plus she needs about 50lbs to be closer to my weight.  Speaking of weight, I think I've gained a total 4lbs in the first 9 weeks.  I'm going to try and not gain more than an additional pound as I want to make sure I'm only gaining weight that's necessary.  I have to admit, food is just sooooooo tempting right now.  Meat, not so much.  The smell or thought of meat makes me gag.


It is really nice how supportive friends and family are.  Friends with babies have been SUPER helpful.  I'm thankful to the friends who've been there when I had a fear or needed a bit of reassurance and was right there for me.  That's so important.  Of course the cherry on top is a great and supportive husband, which I'm thankful to have.


I've also took the recommendation of a friend and rented a Fetal Doppler.  I rented it through Fetal Assure who sent me the great little package in no time!  This is a way for Jesse and I to both hear the heartbeat together.  I think I've found it, but I'm going to try again and listen to the CD that came with the doppler to confirm if it's in fact the heartbeat.  It's really quite an experience though to think that you could be hearing the heartbeat of your unborn child.


I'm usually going to bed around 8pm most nights.  So I've had some time to just cruise the internet getting ideas of how to do a nursery.  I feel it's a bit premature to be planning anything, but it's always fun to look at pictures of beautiful nursery's and furniture.


I think if I have a girl I want to use painted antiques for her furniture.  I've found two places I want to check out:


1. My Back Shed in Oakville:

2. Petites et Jolies also in Oakville:

One item for a nursery that I have decided on is the rocking chair.  I would like something that's practical and super duper comfy.  So I have to go and physically check this one out at ikea, but I think it fits the bill:

Anyway, that's enough dreaming for now.  Next Monday I am 10 weeks and will have my next appointment.  I hope that all goes well.  Ultrasound is on the 20th!!!

Em