Bump Update: 19 Weeks

12/04-12/10

How far along? 19 weeks 

Size of baby: He is our little mango, or the same as a square tissue box.

Milestones: Sully is covered in vernix caseosa- a substance that will protect his delicate skin, protect from infection, and help him slide out of the birth canal. His brain is making specialized sections for taste, smell, hearing, vision and touch. He weights about 8.5 ounces, and measures over 6 inches. Hair on his little head is (hopefully!) sprouting! :)

Total weight gain: I'm up a bit! I gained 4lbs... and then lost two. So up 2lbs and thinking it's only going up from here! Can't. stop. eating!!!

Maternity clothes: Exclusively in maternity clothes (not counting the T-shirts and sweat pants I lounge in often).  

Unglamorous body changes: Hips are still shifting out, and skin is still really dry. Other than that... feeling really lucky for a pregnant lady! Not bad heartburn, leg cramps, or anything else I'm supposed to be watching out for! :)

Sleep: For an early birthday gift my MIL took me to finally get my Snoogle, a pillow for pregnant women. I kept floundering on if I really wanted to pay $70 on a silly pillow I may or may not like or ever use again after a few months... but I was thrilled when it was offered to me as a gift! lol Since I've had that pillow sleep has definitely been more 'hit' than 'miss'. I wake up to shift less often and even though I still sometimes wake up with hip pain it's manageable, not excruciating  Walter jokes he's going to steal it from me... I told him I would now just go and buy another, LOL!

Best moment this week: While Walter was out of town he called me one night to read a poem he wrote Sully. After a "Roses are red, violets are blue... I'll change the pee and give mommy the poo!" joke he read me the real poem he had written. It was so beautiful it made me cry. I plan to have him read it to Sully often. :)

Miss anything? I would give up ANYTHING for this baby and not miss it.

Movement: I'm still trying to realize a pattern to when he is most active... but I guess I'm not doing a very good job. It seems like his movements are come and go, and pretty consistent throughout the day. Some movements are very light and some movements I feel like he's beating his way out. I guess I'll only learn how to define them better at time goes on. He scared me going 17 hours with no movement, but finally he was back to beating me up! :)

Food cravings: Celery with Babybel cream cheese! Chocolate milk.

Anything making you queasy/sick? Still nauseous from time to time... but I think it's getting even better? *knocks on wood*

Gender: It's a BOY! Sullivan James Wallheimer 

Labor Signs: Still a ways to go! :) 

Symptoms: fatigue, dry/itchy skin, hip pain, dizziness, headaches, and nightmares... but I'm still LOVING every moment! 

Belly button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? On/off... I love wearing them and feel naked without them... but they need to go on and off due to my dry skin

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy TO moody in 0.6 seconds! :) I still don't think I'm too bad, but Walter knows to stop kidding around when I say 'stop!'. Haha

Weekly wisdom: Women who have been through TTC/IVF/IF need all the support they can get. I have definitely learned how silly it is to compare your life to other women through struggling with IF. I've found a wonderful group of women to support and I check in on them daily. We're in a hundred different seasons, with different reasons, and opinions... but it's not about who has the 'worst' case or who has tried the longest. It's about being there for each other through whatever the other is going for. These women love me even though I'm pregnant. They're not bitter towards me, and I think I needed to find that. I'm so thankful to offer advice/experience to them as they still coo over my bump that 'I deserve'. It's funny how sometimes a person you've never met can understand you more than your mother, best friend, and husband. You know who you are, and if you're reading right now... Thank you.

What stereotype I embody: My mother told me the other day at lunch that I'm starting to waddle, and Walter has pointed out that I grunt everytime I have to pick something off the ground. I really don't mean to!

What I bought this week: I got my beloved Snoogle as a gift, and also ordered a crib mattress and baby bedding! Thanks Momma!

What I checked off my to-do list: Still working on his baby blanket. Also continued to wash and hang baby clothes. Needing to buy more hangers to finish! lol

Looking forward to: Registering at Babies R' Us this week! :) Also seeing lil man again at our anatomy scan on the 13th!
(Can I also say my birthday even though it's not Sully-related?! lol Even though I've shared all my birthday gifts with him thus far! ;)

Putting up the tree

Putting up the tree as a family of three! (Well, five!)

My view at 19 weeks

My favorite hoodie will only fit for a little while longer!

Ahhhh my Snoogle!

Walter's Poem:

"A heartbeat, a flicker, a life

The glowing smile of a beautiful wife

Be careful little one there are dangers around

Yet in all of His grace, miracles abound

A simple movement, a flip or a kick

Snuggle inside and wait, tick tok tick

Grow and be healthy, happy, and strong

Be raised in a life knowing right from wrong

Be brave and courageous, yet gentle and kind

Let the bad in this world never cloud your mind

Your mother loves you and I do too

And there's 13 angels in heaven whispering "I love you"

Be good little one and continue to grow

And be proud of your angels we never got to know

You see, you're the first baby we will meet on this earth

And the first chance your mommy has to give birth

But you're not alone you have sisters and brothers

And other miracles that are born to different mothers

I will teach you family is not just by blood

By by the love you give and receive, my lil' bud

You will grow up knowing how special you are

And that you truly were my wish on a star

We went through a lot to have you, your mom is a trooper

And you will always be loved even when you're a pooper

So love your family, both blood and not

And remember your angels, you little snot

Mommy and daddy love you now and forever

A few more short months and we will all be together"