13 Weeks Pregnant

Happy Belated Christmas Wishes!
We had a really quiet Christmas day here. I was sick so I just layed on the lounge all day and watched DH play wii Mario Kart, which was so funny because he gets so animated when he's losing/if something is 'thrown' at him. I got tickets to see the Cricket in Sydney in February. West Indies Vs Australia in a day/nighter. CAN'T WAIT!! We managed to watch Miracle on 34th street on Christmas day. I know it's on nearly every year around Christmas but I never actually watched the movie. Well we did this year and I must say I quite enjoyed it, and even had a little cry in some parts.

Boxing Day was lovely. I had to work in the morning which was okay because I worked in the Xray department and it was so cruisy. I finished reading my book (Ps I love you) because we only had to do scans on 8 people in the whole 8 hours I was there. I was going to have a sneaky ultrasound done but chickened out at the last moment.

We went to a friend's house for boxing day dinner (they're pregnant too and around 3 weeks behind us). We haven't done the couples hang out for a while so it was lovely to see them again. They have a daughter who is 2 and a bit and she's delightful. It took her a while to warm up to me, but after that we were bestest friends. We hung out by the Christmas tree and read some books together. It was lovely seeing her play with DH as well. My friend's parents were down from Sydney so we saw them again which was nice. We even managed to play UNO and while I didn't win (darn it) it was all in all a lovely night.

Pregnancy wise nothing much is happening. The nausea is slowly fading (YAY) so I'm hoping my appetite and sense of taste returns soon. I've booked my 18 week midiwfe appointment and also my Morphology scan (11th February, can't wait).

I'm tossing up whether to make a trip home to Toowoomba in late February so that family/friends can see me pregnant (I'll be around 22ish weeks then) but I'm not sure whether it's worth it. We'll be up for a family thing in September (with a 2 month old EEK scary) so maybe that's enough for the year. I know our mum and dad's want to come down once Squirt is born in July so we'll see them then. Neither DH or I have a lot of annual leave up our sleeves to make too many trips in 2010.

What's Squirt Up to This Week - Week 13

Squirt is now 7 to 8 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs 23 grams -- about half a banana. Its unique fingerprints are already in place. And when you poke your stomach gently and she feels it, your baby will start rooting -- that is, act as if she's searching for a nipple.

My Symptoms

* Insomnia - I just can't get comfortable no matter what position I try. Pillow between my legs, no pillow, sleep on right side, left side, curled in a ball.

* Extreme Tiredness - Probably due to the fact I can't get comfy in bed and I'm also battling a little head cold thingo as well

* Bad skin - still. I was told this will ease in the 2nd trimester so my fingers are crossed.

* The centre of my nipples are changing colour - it kind of looks white-ish? Odd indeed.

* Veins everywhere - You can see them on my boobs, stomach, legs, arms.

* Pregnancy Brain - I went to put my dirty plate in the cupboard and my peanut butter in the fridge

* Food Cravings - I am loving oranges. Can't get enough of them. I have one or two a day.

Belly Pictures

(and yes that's water you see dribbled down my shirt!! Haha)

Worry Wart?

Well I've just finished at the GP and he's given me Xmas day off. He wants me to have some bloods taken, just folate, iron and vitamin b12. I've also lost another 2 kgs. So 7kgs all up.

He also tried to listen to bub's heartbeat with a doppler and couldn't find it. He was scanning right near my pubic hair... I thought bub's at this stage (12 1/2weeks) would be up further? When I had my dating scan they scanned just below my belly button.

He said he's not concerned about not hearing the heartbeat as it's a bit hit and miss at this stage in terms of finding a heartbeat with a doppler. But he has me all worried now.

I'm still having pregnancy symptoms: sore veiny boobs, nausea, no bleeding, pregnancy pimples, a little bump. But now I'm worried and wish I had of told him not to scan with the doppler. I wish I could have a peek at bub's and make sure that they're okay. We don't have a scan now until the morphology scan which is just under 6 weeks away. I hope that time goes by quickly, but more than anything I hope Squirt was just being naughty and hiding from the doctor.

Hello 2nd Trimester

I can't believe we're in the 2nd trimester already. Or are we? One website says the 2nd trimester starts now, another says the 2nd trimester doesn't start until week 13 and a book I have says it doesn't start until week 14? Very odd indeed.

Time really has flown. I'm still having the occassional 'sick' day but no where near as frequently as in those first few weeks. I still haven't started to put on any of the 5kgs that I've lost, but I'm hoping that my appetite returns soon. DH is worried that I'm not putting on weight and asked whether we need another scan. I assured him that bub's is fine, it's my body that's being depleted of energy and nutrients :-)

So the name Squirt has stuck. DH was acually quite angry that someone told us about some sex connotation that can be associated with the word. We actually picked Squirt because it's that cute little turtles name in Nemo. Now he knows why you don't tell people some of the 'real' names you like, because they are bound to have an opinion or hate the name 'Bob' because 'there was a guy I went to school with who was called Bob and he was an X Y Z'. Honestly people, it's our child. We created bub's so it's our right to call him/her whatever we like. Whether it be a cute in utero name or a proper 'real life' name.

I can't believe it's nearly Christmas. I'm not at all excited about it this year. All our family are in QLD and I'm scheduled to work an evening shift on Christmas leaving darling husband twiddling his thumbs all evening. I've actually booked a doctors appoinment tomorrow to try and get a medical certificate for Christmas day off. I'm meant to be working on a ward that's quite physically heavy and I'm not willing to risk my health (or Squirt's) for the sake of a job. Plus I haven't been sleeping well lately. I'm constantly tired, so an extra day off won't hurt anyway. I think I may be getting another cold. My stupid nose is running like crazy and I'm sneezing a lot. I also feel I may have another UTI. GREAT!! More things to ask the GP about.

What's Squirt Up to This Week: Week 12

Squirt's face is beginning to look more human, even though she is only about 5.5cms long from her crown to her rump and weighs 14 grams. The eyes, which started out on the sides of the head, have moved closer together. The ears are almost in their normal position on the side of the head. The liver is making bile and the kidneys are secreting urine in the bladder.

My Symptoms:

* Extreme tiredness (I'm wondering if maybe I'm anaemic?)

* Awful skin (Thanks pregnancy hormones)

* My nipples are changing colour and looking pointy

* Food cravings. I'm currently craving sliced cheese. Can't get enough of it. Whether it's with rice crackers or by itself..... MMMM yumm!!! I've already gone through a 12pack. Must add that to tomorrow's shopping list.

Week 12 Belly Picture

A new name for Squirt

So after googling the word 'Squirt' (after a friend of mine questioned us about the name) and finding out that the word is associated with sex (I know, who would have thought?) we've had to come up with a new in utero name for this bubba and I've decided on Cricket. Mainly because that's what the the baby's little movements feel like at the moment (well I'm hoping it's the baby moving and not just gas!!) but also because it's summer and the cricket is on TV.

Only problem is we sent out little letters with the Christmas cards using the name Squirt.... oh well a pregnant lady is entitled to change her mind, especially when you find out your baby name is actually a sex term :-)

Grumpy Pregnant Person

Well apparently, according to darling husband, I'm a grumpy pregnant person. Hmmf. He should try battling 24/7 sea sickness and dealing with rather large boobs that hurt like crazy. I told him once he's had constant nausea then he can lecture me. Until then...... ZIP IT!!

Last week we told close family members that we are pregnant. Mum burst into tears straight away and told me we've made her christmas and made her year. Im not an overly emotional person but nearly I was crying in the middle of Kmart when I could hear her crying. Mum and I arent super close but she's so so excited. She just kept saying "im going to be a grandma'.
I rang and told dad too (him and mum are divorced) and he's pretty excited. He's worried we won't cope financially etc but when I told him I get 18weeks paid maternity leave he kinda relaxed after that.

My sister rang the night I told mum (we haven't spoken in 2 months because she's a selfish cow, but thats a whole other story) and congratulated me on our pregnancy and acted like we were best friends. And then proceeded to tell me how her and mum were talking about whether DH and I are old enough/mature enough to have a baby. What The Hell!? As if it's any of their concern. I replied with 'well it's our choice and we thought through our decision financially/emotionally/career wise before we started trying for a baby'. Honestly, some people need to realise that somethings in life are not about them, ie our decision to have a baby.

Im also annoyed because DH's grandma told all the aunts and uncles that we are pregnant. We actually sent out a little note with the xmas cards telling people the news ourselves. Honestly, it's our news to share so people should respect that. DH think's im just being a grumpy pregnant person but I would rather hear from the people themselves then from a 3rd party. I know she's probably only excited but it's our first bubba and I would rather people hear it from us.

Well we're nearly 12 weeks pregnant but I still thought I'd do a little 11 week update:

What's Squirt Up to This Week: Week 11

Squirt now looks like a baby, with tiny but fully formed fingers and toes. As his body grows and becomes more developed and functional, he'll start twisting and turning like an acrobat, cushioned and protected by your amniotic fluid.

My Symptoms:

*I have to get up and go to the toilet once or twice a night this week. Never had to do that before. At least I go back to sleep quickly.

* I have to sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs. Anything else is too uncomfy.

*My belly is feeling a little firmer around my pubic bone. I think I read this might be the uterus moving up?

* My belly is looking hairy.... EWWW

* My breasts are looking veiner

11 Week Belly Picture

The Lovely Angus & Julia Stone

The lovely Angus & Julia Stone have released a new song entitled 'And The Boys'. Love Love Love it!!!



They're also touring Australia in March, for the first time in 3 years.

So race out and grab some tickets to their concerts.

Happy 10 Week Birthday Squirt

Well much has happened since my last post including a few bouts of sickness, a few too many morning sickness chuck ups and a few too many kilos lost.

We had our dating scan on November 27th and all looked well with squirt. Dates were 2 days behind but we expected that... new EDD 4th July. We saw its little heart beating away at 167bpm and saw it moving its little legs too. Also saw the beginning of the umbilical cord. It was amazing. It's crazy how much they grow and achieve little milestones.

I have had tonsillitis and a headcold and a UTI in the space of 2 weeks. Just as I was getting over my tonsillitis this headcold appeared. I blame some sick person who sat next to me at the doctor's surgery Wednesday. GRRRR.

My poor nose is red raw from being blown so much. And the constant headache from blowing my nose is bloody annoying. All I've been taking is panadol but I think the worst is over now. (well fingers crossed anyway.)

So when I went and saw my GP Wednesday and he said I don't need the NT scan as I'm only 21 and DH 25 so our risk is low? Not sure if that's right or not? I was kind of hoping to have the scan before Xmas so then we could tell the rest of our family at Xmas time once we knew everything is okay with bubs.  
Now we won't get to see Squirt until the 18-20 week morphology scan (which will be around 10 weeks since our dating scan at 9 weeks).

I'm thinking this is a long time? Im probably just freaking out about nothing but I don't see the midwives until 18 weeks, its kind of like Im left on my own for 10 weeks with no scan, appointments etc. Hmmm 1st time mum freaking out here!

I have lost around 5 kgs in 2ish weeks which my doctor isn't concerned about. Funny thing is I think I look bigger in my 7 week belly shot than I do my 10 week one because I've lost my 'padding'  LOL.

What's Squirt Up to This Week: Week 10

Squirt is only about three centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs less than four grams. Even so, it's busily swallowing and kicking. Each day more minute details start to appear, such as fingernails and peach-fuzzy hair.

The vital organs -- the liver, kidneys, intestines, brain, and lungs -- are fully formed and functional, while the head is almost half the length of the entire body. The forehead temporarily bulges and sits high on the head, but later will change into a more human-like feature.

If you could take a look at your baby this week, you'd be able to see the clear outline of his spine. Spinal nerves stretch out from the spinal cord.

And finally: Here's some belly shots: 7 Weeks, 8 Weeks and 10 Weeks