17 Weeks!

Okay, so this is almost a week late - but I wanted to make sure to record this week anyway : )

I feel like my belly looks so much bigger in this picture than in real life!

I'm 17 weeks pregnant!

We had our 4 month appointment last week, and baby and I are happy and healthy.  We got to see the baby - which is so exciting.  It reminds me that everything is okay in there :)  When we went in for the ultrasound, we explained to the tech that we didn't want to know the sex of the baby, and asked her to write it on a piece of stationary and seal it in an envelope.  She said she could do better than that, and she turned off the TV so we couldn't see, and was able to see the sex of the baby right away!  I was so that that the baby wasn't being modest - I was worried that we would plan our party and we wouldn't have a gender to reveal - ha!  She took a picture of the baby, circled it's "parts" (or lack of I guess?) and wrote boy or girl on the picture.  That is what she sealed in the envelope.  The doctor showed me how to feel my belly with my hand straight up and down, so I could feel where the baby really was.  Then I went to the lab and waited FOREVER to have my blood drawn for the Spina Bifidia test.  I'm getting much better about the whole needle thing.  I guess I am starting to get used to it.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Baby is the size of an onion!

Total Weight Gain: Gained 4.5 lbs!

Belly Growth: 7.5 inches  (WOW)  I'm doing better with the whole belly thing, now that it is actually starting to look like a baby belly.  I wouldn't be able to do this without hubby - he has constantly surprised me with his strength and understanding.  I am seeing qualities in him that I never knew where there.  I'm so proud that he is mine :)

Maternity Clothes: I wore my first maternity clothes last week.  I cute green maternity top, and a pair of jeans with a regular button front, but elastic on the sides.  My neighbor brought me these, and I just loved them!  I think I need to grow a little more before I start in with the full panel stuff though.

Gender: It is in the little card, just waiting to be delivered to the bakery.  And yes, this is the biggest exercise if self control I have EVER experienced.  EVER!

Movement: Nada this week.  I want to feel the baby so badly!

Sleep: I am sleeping great!  I caught up on some sleep during the Thanksgiving holiday, and it feels so good!

Symptoms: I've felt great this week!  The one thing that I have learned is that I no longer have control over my body.  I cannot control hunger, cannot plan on when I want to go potty - my body is now the boss!

What I Miss: Coffee, Wine, Diet Cokes...and a cold beer during College Football Saturdays!

Cravings: Nothing really this week.  After all that yummy Thanksgiving food, I'm recovering with some healthy soup for dinner tonight!

Emotions: Feeling great this week!  I've been really happy, and working on making a good effort at not letting things stress me out.