12 Weeks

So it has been awhile since my last post - we have been busy. We took a trip to Phoenix for my mom's 60th bday, a surprise to her and we had a great trip. Then returned to the daily work, sleep, routine.

I have been feeling much bteer the last week or so and seem to be nicely sliding into my 2nd trimester which officially starts 1 week from today - YAY!!!!!

I went to my 12 weeks appt today with Dr. Alexis, who I LOVE (it only took 3 tries to find a good one!). SHe spent 30 minutes in the room with me, answered all of my questions, and didn't make me feel crazy with all my weirdo concerns.

THEN, she pulled out the doppler and I got to hear the little guy moving all around, doing push-ups and getting pumped, according to Henry. LOL. The heartbeat was great and baby was very active. I have no words for how good it feels to hear that sound! Who knew you could fall so in love. :)

11 weeks pregnant!

So we are quickly approaching 11 weeks pregnant, in 2 days and I cannot believe how time is flying. It seems like yesterday I found out. At the same time, it has already been a long journey to meet this little guy. So 2 weeks left until the 1st trimester is over, for those paying attention October 1st marks the 2nd trimester. I will post more pics then.

I haven't gotten much bigger than I was in the last update picture, my Dr. says this is normal - some women gain alot and then slow down. She said I may not look any bigger again until into the 2nd trimester, or I may hit another growth spurt, you never know.

My mom has been GREAT and send me not only lots of books and baby gear and videos but also raided her own closet for clothes that would fit me in this odd stage of pregnancy when most maternity clothes are too big and most of my clothes are too small.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 11:fetus in third month Maybe you’ve noticed… your baby is a super-duper grower! Your lil' fetus will be gaining a substantial amount of weight this week and has already achieved fruit-size-status comparable to a plum. What's more, your little scientist is already starting to explore their body, focusing most intently on touching their head, and especially their face and mouth. Their mouth in particular will provide them with hours of entertainment. This happens not only because your baby is gaining coordination, and is therefore able to move a hand on command, but also because their palms have gained sensation and can actually “feel” what it touches.They're also developing their swallow reflex this week. And lastly, your baby's smelling and other olfactory senses will begin developing this week, which when combined with the maturing taste buds, will provide your baby with their first experiences of taste and smell.

Updates on Pregnancy

THIS IS NOT OUR BABY! THIS IS NOT OUR BABY! THIS IS NOT OUR BABY!
I am feeling better this week than I have so far, even though my morning sickness is getting worse ther est is subsiding. I am now almost 10 weeks pregnant - it is CRAZY to think I only have 2 more weeks until my 1st trimester is over. Wow, has it gone by fast. Only 6 weeks until we get to have the 1st 4d ultrasound, the picture above is the type we will get at that time. We will probably get to find out the sex then, but maybe not. If it is a boy it is more likely we will find out early, b/c his junk shows easier! LOL.
I can't wait to find out. Henry and I spent the day on the couch yesterday and saw about 1000 baby commercials - we cannot wait to meet this little guy. :)
So we are pretty set on names ...
Girl = Gabriella Elyse Wintz
Boy = Gabriel Isaiah Wintz
However, boy middle name (which he will go by) is still negotiable. Suggestions? Something different, but not too ethnic. :)

September 1st

The 1st of every month we will take and post pictures of the pregnany - so here goes the 1st post. September 1 / 8.5 weeks.

From September 1st

From September 1st

Benefits Suck

I found out today that I am entitled to 12 weeks off from work for Maternity leave - sounds great huh? NO. It is all unpaid. I am forced to take all my vacation days and sicks days, which if I take NONE of either from now until April I will have a total of 32 days. 5 days in a work week = 6.5 weeks. So 6.5 weeks of paid leave and anything else is UNPAID. AND, get this, to continue my health insurance I will have to pay my job for my premium each month while I am not being paid.

So, it looks like I will be taking 6 weeks off and then trying to convince them to let me work part-time ... in the meantime I will be BEGGING my mom and Jennifer to stay longer than already agreed so the baby doesn't have to go to daycare. They both already agreed to 1 month each, so 6 weeks + 8 weeks = 14 weeks or 3 months. BOO! I wanted to try and keep the baby home until he is 5 months. Guess a working mom doesn't get to have it all. SUCKS.

Newest U/S

Yesterday Henry and I returned to the hospital for another u/s. The baby measured 8 weeks and 4 days - the due date is April 10th. This seems to be the date that keeps coming back - so we are relatively certain it will be right around then. The baby was growing normally and his (yes I said his, see below) heartbeat was 177! So everything is good in his world. This was probably the last time we will see him for 8 more weeks! Makes me so sad, I would would see him everyday if I could. But, Henry says he needs his privacy to grow and doesn't need to be interupted by u/s every week!

In re: it's a boy. We are just going to go ahead and put it out there - we feel certian this is a boy. I have felt it was a boy since I got pregnant, though I have to admit I would love a girl. Henry became convinced it was a boy at the last u/s. Pretty much everyone feels it is a boy, Mom, my accupuncturist, Mamaw ... except Aunt JoAnne, whom I think is HOPING for a girl. We feel so certain we said yesterday we should just start calling him by his name - but I think we will hold off on that. So we find out in 8 weeks - but until then, something drastic would have to happen to change my mind about my prediction.