So I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...I just haven't blogged at all over the past 6 weeks. I kept thinking I would feel better and be able to stay caught up, but that hasn't really happened. So here's my attempt at catching up on the past few weeks. It might get a little long, so sorry in advance!
Week 14: OH MY WORD...what a week that was! I had a little scare the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and was SO sick. We ended up going to see the NP at my doctor's office for a full check-up. Thankfully Baby C was just fine, it was just me that was sick! I can truly sympathize with all of my patient's who have UTIs now. I was so grateful for antibiotics that day and for great co-workers that stayed several hours over just so I could leave early. It was also the week of Thanksgiving, so my in-laws were in for all of the excitement! Ha! I actually felt better Thanksgiving day and was able to cook (first time in months) and eat. I thought my nausea was pretty much behind me but boy was I wrong! I was still craving sour things and eating lots of fruit....still no meat.
Week 15: After another nausea flare-up, I called my doctor first thing Monday and got a Rx of Zofran. And can I just say, it is a miracle drug as far as I'm concerned. It made me feel relatively human again, though I only take it prn. No new cravings, same 'ole aversions. Looking a little pudgier but no real bump.
Week 16: Stu (my brother) and I went to visit Marci (our little sister) in Chicago to celebrate Stu's 30th birthday! It was the first time just the 3 of us have gone anywhere like that together. Marci made the mistake of asking me what I wanted for dinner one night, so we ended up eating fresh fruits and nuts! I also found an Icee in Chicago! It was oh so good. I drank one 2 days in a row...even outside in the 12 degree Chicago weather. Stu thought I had absolutely lost my mind. I was able to sit through a meal at a nice restaurant for the first time in months though I only ate bread and the rice out of my gumbo :( Marci noticed my weight gain but still no real bump, except maybe after I ate too much :) Below is a pic of all 3 McMahen kids in a Chicago taxi (cab drivers aren't easy on nauseous pregnant women so I learned).
Week 17: A few times in between weeks 15-17 I wondered if I felt Baby C move, but I wasn't quite sure. It didn't feel like "flutters" like everyone describes it, it felt more like a itsy bitsy jab here and there - very sporadic. I was still wearing all my normal clothes (using a hair tie to keep my skinny jeans up - they buttoned but were terribly uncomfortable by noon) and one pair of maternity jeans which are so much more comfortable. By this point everyone was convinced Baby C was girl. We had our monthly Dr. appointment on Dec. 14th, right after Matt's finals had begun. Unfortunately Matt didn't get to make it...the first appt. he's had to miss. I got to hear sweet Baby C's strong heartbeat again. It was between 140-150 bpm. Baby C was on the go that day, as soon as the doctor would find the heartbeat we could hear Baby C start moving. It was like a game of hide and go seek. So cool! I found out I'd gained around 6-7 lbs total. My doctor laughed when I asked if I was gaining too much too fast. I'll take that as a good sign... I still haven't been able to eat much...definitely no meat. Still stuck on grapefruit and grapefruit juice!
Week 18: The week we'd been waiting for...we got to go home for Christmas AND find out we are having a Baby GIRL!!! My mom squealed AND cackled. I think my was a tad bit excited. We decided to go to StorkVision the Friday before Christmas so we could tell our family in person. Baby Girl moved the entire US and never once gave us a glimpse of her face. I called Marci immediately after the appointment because she wasn't in yet then told our families all together later that night. On the flight home Dec. 22nd, baby girl really starting making her presence known. It was the first time I knew without a doubt I felt her and boy was she busy. No dainty squirming here, she was full out kickboxing! It was the most amazing feeling!
We had an amazing week celebrating Christmas with our families. Baby Girl had her own stocking and presents and everything. She is already so loved, and we are so incredibly blessed. I'm so thankful I wasn't sick that week. I was truly able to enjoy every second of being home. I even worked out the day after Christmas with the entire family. Marci had mom and me in pain before we even left the gym...no worries, I didn't do anything I'm not supposed to do! I also re-hydrated with a fabulous peach Icee thanks to my dad as soon as the workout was over :) By the end of this week I actually started to show (see the pics below). One day my jeans fit, the next day, not so much. Not the best pic of me (I was laughing or something, I dunno) but it is of me and my childhood best friend. I'm 18 wks preggers and she's 35-36 I think. I think I was trying to poke my belly out even further than normal to emphasize the bump...ha.
Here's another pic of my sister, mom, me, Ashley, her mom (Mrs. Stephanie) and her sister (Chelsea).
Week 19: I was still home for a few days before flying back to C'Ville. This week I made my Granny Souter's (great-grandmother's) chocolate pie for the first time ever and baby girl loved it (which is odd because she hasn't been liking sweets). I also managed to sit through our annual Jack Binion's Christmas dinner and actually ate a few crab claws, bread, and bread pudding. It's hard to find something a girl can eat at a steakhouse when meat sounds absolutely appalling. I was still feeling better than usual though just a few scattered headaches throughout the week.
Week 20 (where we are now!!): HALF-WAY there!!!! WOOHOO!!!
Size of baby: ~6 1/2 inches crown to rump or 10 inches head to heel
(compared to the length of a banana) and ~ 10 1/2 oz.
Maternity Clothes: some of both...mainly maternity jeans/pants but just a few maternity tops
(I did just go on an online maternity shopping spree with all of the post-Christmas deals!)
Weight Gain: +7...probably more by now
Movement: More and more each day, and she's definitely getting stronger! I love it!
Sleep: Not sleeping well at all this week, but I think that is mainly due to Matt and Doolie both
being gone (they are still in Louisiana). I'm also waking up to use the bathroom more during the night and I have to constantly re-position myself to stay comfortable. I'm definitely using tons of pillows!
Symptoms: Horrible headaches, cramping, lower back pain (? sciatica), leg cramps, worse breakouts
this week, my belly and chest are getting so tight...and I've gotten a few very small stretch marks on
my chest :( no bueno.
Cravings: still eating grapefruits, grapefruit juice, and liking scrambled eggs
(finally some protein)...still hating meat
Best Moment of the Week: feeling Baby Girl move more and more and knowing Matt will
be home sometime this weekend, finally! Also, Marci, mom, and I have been looking at nursery ideas since the day we found out Baby C is a girl...and I'm finally starting to make more solid plans, I think....then again, I am one of the most indecisive individuals I know :)
My goal for tomorrow other than making it through the work day is to take a bump pic to post....
otherwise Marci will be out to get me!
Megan
