19 Weeks - He or She?

Sunday, September 28, 2014

How far along?: 19 weeks (I decided I'm just gonna post on Sundays...easier for me.)
Total weight gain/loss: +7 lbs
Sleep: Since I'm waking up 132,018 times a night, I'm taking as many naps as I can...in other words, sleep is hard. :(
Best moment this week: Getting a prenatal massage!
Movement: I finally had that moment where I KNEW it was the baby...because it kicked so hard that it surprised me!
Symptoms: Backaches and tingling/numbness in my right hand. No bueno.
Symptoms I DON'T have: Nausea.
Food cravings: Crispy chicken sandwiches.
Food aversions: Eggs and avocado/guacamole.
Gender: 3 more days until we find out!
Labor Signs: Not yet. :)
Belly Button in or out?: In.
What I miss: Sushi. I see tons of Instagram photos of sushi...and I "Like" every single one of them.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby!
Weekly Wisdom: Take as many naps as you can.
Milestones: Feeling the baby kick. :)

18 Weeks

Sunday, September 21, 2014

How far along?: 18 weeks (I'm a day early, I know.)
Total weight gain/loss: +5 lbs (I lost a pound...weird.)
Sleep: Getting worse and worse...and I'm constantly waking up from pins and needles in whatever arm I'm sleeping on (because I'm sleeping on my side now).
Best moment this week: Having a 3-day weekend!
Movement: I've been feeling little "flutters" here and there for the past couple of weeks, but there was never a moment when I thought, "Oh, that's DEFINITELY the baby!" Who knows...sometimes I think it's just gas.
Symptoms: Trouble sleeping and backaches.
Symptoms I DON'T have: Nausea and fatigue.
Food cravings: At the moment, McDonald's French fries.
Food aversions: Eggs and avocado. I'm starting to like chicken again, but I'm very particular.
Gender: 10 more days until we find out!
Labor Signs: Not yet. :)
Belly Button in or out?: In.
What I miss: Sleeping on my back or my stomach.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't watch The Food Network before you go to bed.
Milestones: Got my first pregnancy nosebleed (not a good milestone...but still a milestone).

17 Weeks

Monday, September 15, 2014

How far along?: 17 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +6 lbs
Sleep: Still waking up every couple of hours to get in a comfortable position or to get up and pee.
Best moment this week: Singing while I was getting ready to go out...then remembering the baby could hear me. :)
Movement: Not yet, I don't think!
Symptoms: The hunger is REAL.
Symptoms I DON'T have: Nausea and fatigue.
Food cravings: Ham, mozzarella and tomato paninis (still), macaroni and cheese.
Food aversions: Eggs, avocado, and chicken (still).
Gender: Don't know yet!
Labor Signs: NOT YET.
Belly Button in or out?: In.
What I miss: Sleeping on my back!
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby!
Weekly Wisdom: You never know what you have until it's gone.
Milestones: Purchasing my first set of maternity swimwear for our trip to Hawaii!

Bows or Bow Ties?

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Is Baby Herrera a BOY or a GIRL?

We will be finding out on October 1st, but in the meantime...I thought it'd be fun to compile a list of Old Wives' Tales that predict the sex of the baby. Here we go! (Courtesy of Huggies.com.)

1. Heartburn
Are you getting heartburn? Then it’s more likely you’re going to have a girl and she’s going to have lots of hair.
Prediction: Boy

2. Your Skin Test
Do you find yourself reaching for the moisturiser? If your skin is dry you’re more likely to be having a boy but if your skin is soft then a girl is on the cards.
Prediction: Boy

3. How You Carry Your Pregnant Belly
If your belly seems to be carrying your baby low, then you are more likely to be having a boy. If you’re carrying high and all out in front, then prepare for a girl.
Prediction: Girl

4. The Baby's Heart Rate
This is one of the most popular old wives tales on how to predict whether a boy or girl is coming. If the baby’s heart rate is more than 140 beats per minute then you may be having a girl. But if the heart rate is at a more sedate pace, say under 140 BPM, then a boy is more likely.
Prediction: Girl

5. How’s Your Hair Looking?
Do you find yourself looking wistfully at old photos and wonder where all those thick lustrous locks have gone? Is your hair looking dull, thin and just a little bit sad? Then you could be having a girl baby. More luxurious, thicker hair is said to be due to boy genes. Likewise, if your legs are becoming a little more hirsute and you’re reaching for the razor every couple of days, then this maybe because you’re having a boy.
Prediction: Boy

6. Having an Adolescent Breakout?
Don’t despair, pimples and oily skin are supposed to mean a girl is coming. If you’re reaching for the moisturizer and hand lotion then a boy is predicted.
Prediction: Boy

7. Got Morning Sickness?
Make way for a girl if you’re rushing to the bathroom. According to those old wives, women who don’t get morning sickness are growing a boy. There may be some truth to this one because women who are pregnant with girls seem to produce more Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin hormone HCG, which contributes to pregnancy nausea.
Prediction: Girl

8. What Are You Craving?
Are you weighing down the shopping trolley with meat, fish, cheese, dairy foods and animal protein? Then be prepared to have a little boy. But if you’re craving sweets, juice, fruit and more sugar, then a girl is predicted. There is some research to support the theory that pregnant women who crave more food each day are more likely to be having a boy. This may account for the comparatively higher birth weight of boys than girls.
Prediction: Boy

9. Which Way Are You Sleeping?
Believe it or not, the direction you place your head when you sleep is meant to signify whether a girl or boy is coming. If you lie on your left side then prepare for a boy. If you’re more of a righty, then break out the pink clothing.
Prediction: Boy

10. How Much Do You Weigh?
If you’re finding those extra pounds are settling around your bottom and thighs, then a girl is coming. But if that weight is at the front then a boy is more likely.
Prediction: Girl

11. The Wedding Ring Swing
Now this old wives tale is a bit of fun. Get your wedding ring – or one belonging to someone else and tie a piece of hair or string to it. Next, lie down and hold the hair/string so that the ring dangles over your belly. Be patient and wait until the ring starts to move. If it goes around in a circle then a boy is coming. If the ring moves from side to side then a girl is in your future.
Prediction: Girl

12. Are You Blooming?
If you feel your looks have taken a turn for the better then a boy is more likely. But if you’re feeling less than attractive, you may want to blame little Miss Sunshine. Old wives claim that baby girls take their mother’s looks from them.
Prediction: Boy

13. Is Your Partner Getting a Little Pudgy?
Blame those girl genes. Apparently male partners who put on weight do so because a baby girl is coming. But if he stays the same weight throughout your pregnancy, it’s more likely that your baby is going to be a boy.
Prediction: Boy

14. Find Yourself Reaching For Some Socks?
If you’ve got cold feet, don’t blame the weather. Chances are that your cold feet are caused by that little boy in your belly.
Prediction: Girl

15. Unequal Breast Size?
A bigger right breast is said to indicate a boy baby. A bigger left breast is an indicator for a girl.
Prediction: Girl

16. Having Headaches?
Then blame those boy genes. It seems that women who are carrying boys get more headaches than those who are pregnant with girls. Headaches can be more common in the second trimester because of hormonal influence.
Prediction: Boy

17. Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, then she is having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, then it's a boy.
Prediction: Boy

18. Chinese Gender Chart
From TheBump.com.
Prediction: Boy

TOTAL:
Boy - 11
Girl - 7

We'll see what the ultrasound shows! (But I have a gut feeling it's a girl...)

Hello, 2nd Trimester!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

It's official! Well, it's been official for a few weeks now...but I'm now into my 2nd Trimester! Today, I am 16 weeks and 2 days.

So, let's backtrack for a moment here. I had my NT ultrasound on my birthday - this was supposed to be a screening test; however, the tech and the doctor were unable to get the exact measurements of the baby because it wasn't in a favorable position. The good news, though, was that the doctor didn't see anything worrisome - so yay!

Today, I had my 16-week check-up with Dr. Boehmer. I was hoping he'd tell me the sex of the baby, but he said I would have to make a separate appointment at the Kaiser Hospital in Irvine. They have a more advanced/high-tech ultrasound machine that does more than determine the sex of the baby...and this wouldn't be done until the 19th week. UGH! WHAT TORTURE!

But that's okay, I still had an ultrasound today. And I gotta say...the baby has developed a LOT. I was able to see its spine, and it was moving so much! I even saw its right hand grab its little foot...so cute! Dr. Boehmer said that everything is going well, and the baby has a strong heartbeat at about 150 bpm.

And now that I'm obviously showing, I'll be posting a weekly photo to watch the growth of the baby bump. And I'll admit...I enjoy doing the chalkboard art a whole lot more than taking a picture of myself! And along with a picture...a weekly survey. :)

How far along?: 16 weeks, 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: +6 lbs
Sleep: Adjusting to having to sleep on my side, so I wake up several times a night. Womp womp...
Best moment this week: Watching the baby touch his/her little foot during my 16-week appointment.
Movement: Not sure if I'm feeling the baby or if it's gas. HA!
Symptoms: STRONG sneezing and getting hungry more often.
Symptoms I DON'T have: No more nausea!
Food cravings: Ham, mozzarella, and tomato paninis...every day for breakfast.
Food aversions: Eggs, avocado, and chicken.
Gender: Don't know yet!
Labor Signs: NOT YET.
Belly Button in or out?: In.
What I miss: Sushi, especially ahi poke...and COFFEE. Caffeinated coffee.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby!
Weekly Wisdom: It's not worth it to stress out.
Milestones: First belly bump picture.