Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  We cannot wait for you to be with us next year!!!

Research Study Day #1

Today was the first day that Baby and I had the opportunity to participate in the Fetal Research Study at Hopkins.  Baby and I had such a good time.  Today's visit was very exciting.  Today we had an absolutely wonderful ultrasound.  Baby was very active during the ultrasound and kept looking straight at ultrasound wand, so we were able to really see Baby's eyes.  Baby was also in the perfect position to reveal their sex.  It was so hard to look away, luckily I was able to.  After all, how could I possibly find out if Baby is a girl or a boy without Daddy being there.  The woman running the study went ahead and printed off a picture of Baby and put it in an envelope for us.  Needless to say, I went skipping out, all excited after having seen Baby and knowing that Baby's sex was in the envelope if Daddy and I really want to find out at some point.

18 Week Belly Photos

18 Weeks

Our fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to me), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, Baby's finally big enough that I'll be able to feel those movements more consistently.

How far along: 18 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +3.5 lbs

Pregnancy Symptoms: Cramping, back pain, fatigue, growing bump, headaches, tender chest and stomach, pregnancy brain, sciatic pain - yikes, already?
Maternity clothes: All the way!
Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: 6ish hours a night
Best moment last week: Finding out that Baby is going great at our big ultrasound!
Movement: When I am laying on my back
Food cravings:
Gender: Boy?
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button (in or out): In, but really stretching. 
What I miss: My normal concentration ability
What I am looking forward to: The research study starting next week.. AKA ultrasound!
Milestones: We made it through our ultrasound without giving into temptation and finding out Baby's gender

Tears, Tears, Oh the Tears

After such a wonderful morning with Baby kicking and Miles being an absolute snuggly baby, I was off to a professional conference.  I do not normally drive to work, however I needed to drive about 30 minutes to the conference today.  My hormones certainly got the best of me, as I was uncontrollably sobbing for having left my Babies to work (even though I left Miles with his best friend Lilah).  Either we can chalk this one up to me being way hormonal or my brain and heart are finally starting to talk the same language.

Kicking Party

This morning was the best wake up call ever.  Just after the alarm went off, Baby started kicking.  I am pretty sure I layed there for at least 30 minutes just enjoying Baby's little kicking party.  What a wonderful way to wake up!

17 Week Belly Photos