another dr's appt

On May 14th, I ventured to the dr's office for another anticipated visit to my baby dr. It was short and sweet. My weight gain was at a whole 2lbs, so I'm proud of myself. I was in my 16th week at the appt, I heard the heart beat and it was beating steadly at 155 bpm, still girl territory ;) Um, who's to say?!? I love the excitement of not knowing. The guessing, the 'feeling', the look, everything. It will be a blast to find out on D-day.

My next appt is June 5th, and we will have the big ultrasound. I will get to see my baby for the first time. I'm excited. When people ask about me finding out, I just have to say, that I have no desire right now to know if it's a boy or a girl. It doesn't appeal to me. It's like I know it's supposed to be a surprise and it feels too early to know. I'm not supposed to know what I'm having yet, and I like it that way.

movement!

On May 9th, 2008, I was 14 weeks 6 days pregnant, the last day of my 15th week, I felt the baby move FOR SURE! I have thought I felt it move before, but without a doubt this was the day. It was very distinct vibrations that continued for quite sometime. Since then, I have felt bubbles, popping, and vibrations. At first it felt like a flutter and since has turned more into a bubble/popping feeling that actually makes me giggle. Sometimes it tickles and other times it just takes my breath away. I think this will be my most favorite part of pregnancy!


“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”
-Unknown

I am more than ashamed of myself. Two weeks have flown by and SO much has happened in my life, and yet no blog to prove it! I did FINALLY finish the post I started over a week ago and published it. I must say that I'm definiately finding a few more things to wear and I'm enjoying the process much more now!

I had so much to write down about and now I'm drawing a blank on where to start. Mother's Day, it was, er, uh, different. People were telling ME 'Happy Mother's Day'. That was weird! The holiday has never been about me, EVER. So, obviously the thoughts started rolling in, on when does one become a mother?!? I googled mother on dictionary.com and here is a list of meanings for the word mother:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
moth·er1 Audio Help /ˈmʌðər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[muhth-er] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a female parent.
2. (often initial capital letter) one's female parent.
3. a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother.
4. a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.
5. a term of familiar address for an old or elderly woman.
6. mother superior.
7. a woman exercising control, influence, or authority like that of a mother: to be a mother to someone.
8. the qualities characteristic of a mother, as maternal affection: It is the mother in her showing itself.
9. something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else; origin or source.
10. (in disc recording) a mold from which stampers are made.
–adjective
11. being a mother: a mother bird.
12. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a mother: mother love.
13. derived from or as if from one's mother; native: his mother culture.
14. bearing a relation like that of a mother, as in being the origin, source, or protector: the mother company and its affiliates; the mother computer and its network of terminals.
–verb (used with object)
15. to be the mother of; give origin or rise to.
16. to acknowledge oneself the author of; assume as one's own.
17. to care for or protect like a mother; act maternally toward.
–verb (used without object)
18. to perform the tasks or duties of a female parent; act maternally: a woman with a need to mother.
—Idiom
19. mother of all, the greatest or most notable example of: the mother of all mystery novels.

Out of the 19 definitions of the word mother, I don't feel that they describe me in any way. Before I get much deeper in my thoughts concerning this subject, I should probably preface this boldly by saying that I am extrememly pro-life and believe that life does begin in the womb, as a real, live, living, soul and person. But what does that mean to me and being a mother. I like the definition of 9. something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else; origin or source. I'm the origin and source of this life. I am exercising protected care over something (someone) else. I embraced the day with vigor and vitality. While it was unusual attention, and something I'm not used to all, it was nice. Those around me noticed that I'm a mother. I am protecting, nourishing, and caring for a life. And while that life can't be seen from the outside world, I am aware everyday of the life within me. I love the name, a proudly adorn the title, mother.



“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”
-Pablo Casals

me, a t-shirt gal?

Yes, I'm growing =) And I'm pleased. It seems to mean that there is a growing baby inside that is at an ever-so-fast pace, slowly taking over my body. NOTHING FITS. There I said it. Oh, sure the huge 'ole t-shirts that I don't wear. I'm not a t-shirt wearing girl. I, personally, feel like a butch in big, baggy t-shirts. I am DETERMINED to be a cute a mom, as well as a cute pregnant woman. There is only one problem, I'm pretty sure that I should wear clothes in the process. Thursday evening, I ventured to a nearby 'city' (it's bigger than ours!) with my sister and cousin to spend some girl time. Our plan - to indulge at a fabulous steakhouse, shop, and indulge again in some great ice cream. The steak - perfect, the ice cream - everything I expected it to be and more, the shopping - was, uh, yeah. They had ONE STORE with a maternity section the size of a fitting room and unless you wanted the same shirt in 14 different colors, there wasn't much to choose from. Everything I tried on just didn't work. My cousin kept saying, well, it will look cute when you get bigger. Exactly, I need something for NOW. And yes, let me begin my rant by expressing that I am picky. I nearly had a meltdown in the fitting room (yes, the 'fitting' room, did I mention that nothing 'fit' in the 'fitting' room...). Pregnancy is a joyous time, I want to look the part. I suppose the thing that bugs me is that upon entering this new summer season, my last years clothes just don't fit. So, I have an enormous amount of sorting and packing away to do. There is no use having my cute summer clothes from last year just staring at me, so I'll pack them up. I am determined to keep shopping and find things a little at a time and I won't be naked forever!

I've started my 15th week!

Fetal development in pregnancy week 15:
Your nearly four-inch long gymnast is happily mobile inside your womb and if you're really lucky, you’ll notice a point when your sneezing, coughing or laughing results in a little kick here or a poke there. Still, many women don't feel anything until the 17th week or later. Although the poking and kicking isn't very charming during sleeping hours, it’s a good sign as it means your baby is actually reacting to outside events. Yay! You’ve got yourself one active healthy baby! Their little elbows and knees are bending more freely this week and their little legs are finally growing longer than their arms and getting pumped up for prenatal Richard Simmons. Many of their major organ systems are increasing in capacity—particularly that amazing tiny heart and complex circulation system, which is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day, and will increase to a very impressive 200 quarts per day by the end of the pregnancy. As far as hair goes, we’ve got some new scalp patterns beginning to develop on the head, although actual head hair is not yet present.

How your baby's growing:
Your 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). 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.")

And how's mom doing? Have your cheeks been rosier lately? (No, no, no-- we’re asking about your face.) Are you feeling especially radiant? This famed “glow” is brought to you courtesy of the pregnancy fairy who has waved her magical “rosy tinge wand” over you. Seriously though, your body is experiencing an increase in blood flow and you probably do have flushed skin and cheeks. Just be aware that increased blood flow might cause your blood vessels to expand, resulting in a series of not-so-magical nosebleeds for some women, which although perfectly normal, are a bit gory if you’ve got a day job. If you find the nosebleeds especially irritable, consider purchasing a humidifier to ward off future nose bleeds. Also, do your best to avoid irritants, such as aerosols, smoke, and dust.. Even though the placenta is regulating your babe’s hormones, you are still producing additional estrogen, which often causes swelling of the mucosa membranes, leaving you with a stuffy nose—potentially throughout the duration of the pregnancy. These are just a few of the charming physical experiences you can chalk up to the pregnancy fairy!

I'm growing...

huh, a craving?

yes, it is...