Overdue post, announcing it at work

So, I followed my plan to the T.

- Went to lunch with my closest girl friends from work - Linda, Beth, Jacwana and Brenda (Kathi couldn't make it) and pulled out the ultrasound halfway through. There was a lot of screaming and hugging after that.

- That Friday, at our staff meeting, I took Hershey's kisses that had a stamp on the bottom that said "It's a human, we hope. 11/15/2010." Guess what? Nobody got it! I had to tell them.

- The Monday after that is our large staff meeting where I wore the following shirt:



Even with that, people didn't get it. Some thought it was just a cute cartoon. But, eventually people got it and there was some more hugging and congratulating.

Now, I am just letting others at work know slowly. I am still not showing so it's funny when people immediately look down at my belly when I tell them.

Vacations

May 30 - June 2: Wilmington, NC (yeah we're moving the family down there but we'll get to the beach one day)
July 4-5: Luray Caverns in VA
August 27-29: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

I think making these plans is making me feel better about the pregnancy. It's not like the pregnancy is the cause of us not going anywhere, it really is the lack of money. But, with short and sweet vacations like these, we don't spend a lot of money and we can do it over a weekend, so no need to take time off.

And, it gives me something to look forward to on days when the nausea and exhaustion are really bad.

So overwhelming

Baby registries, that's what's so overwhelming. I have been online on Babies 'R Us and Amazon creating our registry since we found out we were pregnant and there is SO much stuff out there. Then, we went to a physical Babies 'R Us and oh my gawd, it isn't any better.

So, I decided to look at it by categories.

1. Furniture:

• crib
• some sort of dresser/changing table combo
• pack n play that can be dragged to grandparents' houses
• swing (I've heard good things about these)

2. Safety:

• some sort of first aid kit
• what else?

3. Feeding:

• bottles
• pump? double, single?
  
• storage bags/bottles? which is better?
  
• bottle brushes
• bottle warmers? is it really necessary to steam them in the microwave?
  

4. Bedding:

• receiving blankets
• swaddling somethings
• what else?

4. Clothing:

• onesies
• tops
• pants
• sweaters
• burping cloths
• bibs
• diapers, cloth?
  
• what else?

You'd think by making a list, it would be easier for us to decide what we'll need. But, there are so many options even in these categories that it is OVERWHELMING in the store.

Week 13 and the nausea's back!

According to The Bump, the baby is now the size of a juicy yummy peach (mmm, got to have Jeff bring me some peaches!):



And, for the dad to be, here's the man's guide description for week 12:



I Am Pregnant states the following for this week:

Tissue that will form your baby's bones is being laid down, especially around the head and limbs. The nose and chin are becoming more prominent. Your baby's eyelids meet and fuse together and they will not open again for nearly four months. The eyes started out on the side of your baby's head and they are now moving closer together on the face. The ears come to lie in their normal position on the sides of the head. If examined outside of the womb, you will be able to distinguish male from female at this time.

The sockets for all twenty teeth are formed in the gums, and vocal cords are beginning to form.

This is so fascinating to me! There is a little version of me or Jeff in there but it's barely 3 inches big.

Baby Center tells me that fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin.

I think people lied to me about the whole nausea going away in the second trimester because after a week's relief, the nausea is back with a vengeance. I almost gagged on my toothpaste this morning. And, then when I was taking my medicines. Then, when I was drinking my tea. So, LIARS, all you previous moms!

The NT Scan and more photos

I had another ultrasound yesterday to do the NT Scan. We got some good photos and the ultrasound tech and the doctor think there's nothing showing any hints of Down's. However, they also did a blood test which will show whether there's a chance of Down's, and a couple of Trisonomy disorders. We get those results in a couple weeks.

Enjoy images of the baby in the meantime :)

Alcohol

I am not a huge drinker. 2 beers and I am usually toast. At a Christmas dinner at my own house last year, I had a whole bottle of wine over a couple of hours and I fell asleep before dinner was done. That was a rare occurrence in the last 7 years that I can remember something like that happening. So, when I got pregnant, I didn't think anything of the no alcohol thing. 3 months in now, I crave beer every now and then. And, I keep looking to that light at the end of the 6 month tunnel in front of me.

However, I have received almost unequivocally this gem from people when I state that I want a huge mug of beer after I give birth: "oh, you can't drink after that if you want to breastfeed." Not ever having dealt with this question before, I only had certain myths in my mind like drinking 2 hrs before breastfeeding is fine.

So, I decided to look it up. According to alcoholism.about.com, "Although these experts disagree about the length of time between drinking and breastfeeding, one thing they all agree about is that mothers who drink while breastfeeding should only do so moderately and "moderate" means no more than two drinks per day."

2 drinks per day? I wasn't even going there but yay. I am not going to be guzzling down booze after I give birth but it's nice knowing that I can enjoy my occasional bottle of beer on a Saturday and not be told I was making my baby an alcoholic.

Dr. Jack Newman, member of the LLLI Health Advisory Council, says this in his handout "More Breastfeeding Myths": Reasonable alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little alcohol comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for nursing mothers.

According to medelabreastfeedingus.com:

• Breastfeed your baby before taking alcoholic beverages. Avoid breastfeeding during and for 2-3 hours after drinking alcohol.
• Pumping does not get rid of the alcohol in breast milk quicker.
• If you drink enough to feel “high,” experts advise waiting several hours before nursing the baby. You can pump during this time if you feel uncomfortably full.
• Consult your doctor about the need for discarding milk for 2 hours after drinking alcohol. It may not be necessary.
• When a big celebration is planned, arrange for someone sober to help care for the baby.
• Avoid drinking excessive alcohol. Seek help from your doctor if you are concerned about your alcohol use.
• Some medications interact with alcohol. Check with your doctor.

So, there!

3 months down!

According to The Bump,





And, for the dad to be, here's the man's guide description for week 12:





I am pregnant.com states:


Because most of the structures are already formed at this point, few will be formed after this time. The structures will continue to grow and develop throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. Your baby's skeletal system now has centers if bone formation in most of the bones. The digestive system is capable of making contractions that push food through the bowels and it is also able to absorb sugar. The pituitary gland beginning to make hormones. You will probably be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a Doppler at this time!


Your baby develops reflexes and the skin is very sensitive. The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. the baby may even suck his thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers.

We have our 3rd ultrasound this week. This is for the NT scan, which will test for Down's Syndrome and a couple other genetic disorders. Then, no more scanning till week 20, I think, for the gender :-)