First of all, I’d like to say how UNBELIEVABLY TOUCHED I am by all the response we received on our gender reveal. It is absolutely humbling and mind-boggling how many people care and were anxious to see it. I want you to know that I love and appreciate every single one of you. All your comments were read and RE-read multiple times with a huge smile. Thank you so much! I will try to respond to most of them over the next week!
And hey, we all crashed my server! Isn’t it just the best way to celebrate our baby’s “coming out”?
STATS:
How far along: 19 weeks.
How big is baby: The size of a large heirloom tomato.Ā Her sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.
Total weight gain: 1 pound (144lb) this week, for a total of Ā approximately 8 pounds from the start of the pregnancy.
Sleep: It’s been pretty good if you don’t count the day I stayed up till 4:30am editing the gender reveal video.
Best moment of the week:
Finding out the Ā health and sex (see under Gender) of our baby:
It was one of the long awaited days for us. I was reallyĀ nervousĀ about the anatomy scan and anxious to hear whether our little baby is a boy or a girl.
The anatomy scan was excellent, the baby measured perfectly, so did my cervix ( I can breathe easier about myĀ unfoundedĀ fear of incompetent cervix). I wasn’t given the specifics just that the baby is measuring about 4 days ahead (and they’re going by my LMP which I know is 2 days off, so by conception date, she is measuring 6 days ahead), so today I went over the ultrasound images and measurements and found some numbers and statistics on the Internet. Ā The baby’s head diameter (BPD) Ā is in the 88th percentile, the Femur Length (FL, the longest bone in our body) is in the 93rd percentile ( which probably means our baby is going to pretty tall like her parents), the AbdominalĀ circumferenceĀ (AC) is in the 35th percentile. The last number sort of concerned me, even though it’s considered to be in the normal range, but the doctor assured me that considering how naturally thin and tall I am, my baby is displaying the same characteristics. My amniotic fluid levels are perfect, and everything else looks great!
Food cravings :
No cravings whatsoever. At some point I wanted chocolate ice-cream, and after half a cup that came to an end.
Food aversions: I think I am finally getting over all the left-over aversions. Many of them were just mental, left from morning sickness days. I am happy to be back eating Romaine and making my daily home-made ceasar salads.
Symptoms:
Pregnancy brain – Now that I am aware that I forget things, I’ve been trying to pay more attention to it and remembering more things. Still I really hope it’s a temporary state.
Being out of breath – pretty much after any activity.
Stretchmarks – none.
Heartburn – Ā Oh I’ve been doing really really good with it ( or might I say without it). I’m really hoping it won’t come back (oh hell, who am I kidding?)
Skin – Still there, still broken out.
Cramping – I’ve been feelingĀ occasionalĀ mild cramping. I don’t like it, but I assume it’s either round ligament pain or like the doc said, braxton hicks.
Movement:
I feel her all the time. Her favorite time of the day is when I’m sitting at my computer around 12-1pm. Oh, she has such a blast and once in a while kicks long enough and strongly enough for me to call hubby over and have him feel it. He loves feeling her kick and he loves talking to her. He doesn’t know any lullabies except for Rockabye Baby and we don’t like that one so he sings “Free Falling” and that’s just so adorable to watch.
Gender:
Finding out the sex of our baby
This was a lot more emotional than I ever imagined it to be.
I was almostĀ okĀ waiting to hear the sex of our baby until we get the paint andĀ film everything. I wasĀ nervousĀ andĀ anxious but it wasn’t too hard to wait. We were also bothĀ thinking that there is a good possibility it is a boy ( even though we’ve always thought it was a girl), based on theĀ ultrasoundĀ tech’sĀ comment that she’s 100% sure of the result, which usually means she saw a penis.
So we were going home, really not knowing at that point whether it’s a boy or a girl.
I gotta tell you though, I didn’t expect to cry BEFORE opening that can of paint. I thought I’d get teary when I find out, but I didn’t think it’d hit me SO HARD before. The reason why I did break down before finding out the sex was because at that moment I Ā realized that when I open the can, our unknown, almost hypothetical baby will turn into a PERSON with a NAME and a SEX, our baby, our little girl, who I can finally try to picture and imagine our life with. That realization hit me so hard, with all the love that I’ve been storing for this baby- it was like there’s noĀ turningĀ back- I am in love and putting a face and a name on that hypothetical love made it SSSOOOOO REAL and made it HURT SO GOOD. And everytime I’d think about opening that can and finding out there is a little boy or a little girl inside of me, I’d just start crying.
I have to say that both me and my husband are SOOOO in love with Alexis at this point. It’s funny how that happens: you plan a pregnancy, you get pregnant, you see the baby on the ultrasound and you think you love that baby. But for me it wasn’t until I could put a name and a sex to that baby that IĀ understoodĀ how MUCH she really means to me. I can only imagine what it is going to be like at birth!
Speaking of birth, I am actually looking forward to it. Somehow I have no fear of pain, I have no fear things not going the way I want them to. All I care about is getting that baby into this world safely and quickly. Ā I am completely mentally prepared for any favorable outcome: natural birth, epidural, pitocin, C-section Ā ( though I would really like to avoid the last two as much as possible, I realize sometimes things happen that are outside of your control).
What Iām looking forward to:
Starting to work on the nursery. I’ve been planning it for a few weeks, with the assumption that it’s a girl, but of course haven’t bought anything gender specific, in case it was going to be a boy. Now I can start putting things together more seriously. Can’t wait to have Andrew paint the room!
Getting more organized. I’ve been putting baby items I found interesting into my private amazon wish list. I’d like to finish that and make decisions, and maybe a few purchases.
Getting our first baby items ( that will make it a lot more real)
I am absolutely shocked by how generous our friends have been. Even the ones that aren’t the closest friends or live far away from us have been buying baby stuff from the registry ( and expensive stuff I might add). It makes me feelĀ sooooĀ loved! Most of our friends live far enough away that even if we decided that we want to do a baby party ( our version of baby shower, co-ed and much more fun), they wouldn’t be able to attend and yet they keep buying us gifts. I cannot wait to thank them all!
What I miss:
Nothing at the moment! I feel happy and complete.
Next appt: October 6th
Question: Would you enjoy seeing the progress of the nursery as we’re working on it or one grand reveal once we are completely done?
Oh and I almost forgot to mention:
7x7xmommy, who I followed through her whole pregnancy, is holding an awesome giveaway of Tea Collection. It’s my favorite kids’ brand and you should definitely go over to her blog and enter it.
Elena- so happy for you guys! Having a little baby girl is beyond fun. (and, I am sure the same goes for boys, too, but I don’t know that first hand). I really enjoyed your video.
Speaking of labor and birth, mine did NOT go as I would have preferred, but it was such an amazing and wonderful moment that I do not even care. I wish that I could re-live it over and over, but that sounds so odd!
Do you think you’ll have photos taken during labor and birth? I have a small stack of photos that are for me and my husband only. It helps me remember those precious moments, and I am happy that I have them.
Thank you so much Holly! I would have been happy for a boy, but girls are just special for me. And we need more of them so that women can rule the world mmuuuuaaaahahahaha (Lol jk)
It’s awesome that you still enjoyed your birth experience. I’ve read a lot of stories about women who were very upset about the way their labor went. I hope to avoid that.
Yes, we will be taking photos and video. I haven’t decided how yet, because my husband will be my birth coach as well, so I don’t know if he’ll have time to document every single detail like I like to do. So I still have to figure that one out.
Well, now that I am finally back in Cincy and your blog is working, I can comment! :)))) To answer your last question: YES. WE WOULD LOVE to see the nursery progress… As I do not get to be next to you all these days i want to see as much as possible!!! HUGS HUGS!!!
Now why don’t you get to be next to me…boo… when will you move here? š
Did you show the video to Gabby?
I’d love to see the progress on the nursery!
Also, I know exactly how you feel, I didn’t truly realize how much I loved our son until I could put his name on him and plan for HIM, not some phantom baby. in 9 days we find out the sex of our 2nd babe, I can’t wait because I’ve had a hard time feeling “connected”
Oh by the way, if you want any info on a pre-planned induction, I had a VERY good experience and was thrilled with the outcome. You have a great outlook on it though! Anyway Alexis makes it into the world safe and happy is the BEST birth experience
I wouldn’t want to “plan” an induction. I’d like to avoid it as much as possible. But, who knows, I might go over my due date… I’ll remember to talk to you!
Awwwww! This post is so filled with emotions and love that it makes me wanna have a kid too š
I’d looove to see the nursery progress!
Love you girl! š
You will soon! I will be so excited for you! It definitely IS the next step in life.
I love you too, girlie! Can’t wait for you to meet Alexis!
I love finding out the sex at 20 weeks. It makes everything seem so much more real. Before then you don’t have a lot of movement usually, and you know you’re pregnant but it still doesn’t really feel like you are. After you find out and you know it’s a boy or girl and you can give it a name and buy it stuff, it makes it feel so much more real to me. I love knowing!! I really wanted Garrett to be a boy and was so excited that he was. I had a feeling from the beginning that this baby would be a girl, but I was a little nervous still when I found out she was a girl for sure. After finding out though, it gave me time to mentally prepare for a girl and now I cannot wait!!
I love your outlook on giving birth too. I had such a great experience last time. As soon as Garrett was born, I thought “Wow! I can’t wait to do that again!!” Obviously physically, I could but it was so amazing, I really loved it! I’m really looking forward to experiencing childbirth again. I know things could be totally different this time, but my OB is great and I think it’s such a wonderful experience, I’m really looking forward to it!
Congratulations again! So incredibly happy for you both! You’re going to be wonderful parents, Alexis is so loved already!! I’d love to get nursery updates as you go, I think that would be so fun!!
I am glad to hear that about giving birth, because while I am looking forward to it, I realize it might not be FUN, per se š I love my OB as well, so I really hope things go smoothly. 4-5 months more for me. And you’re almost there )))))
Congratulations on a healthy baby and a baby girl! I can already picture the cute clothing.
Here are some Russian childrens blocks:
http://www.unclegoose.com/products/russian-abc-blocks/
Elena – you’re amazing. I’m so happy for you. SERIOUSLY!!
Thank you Sonya! I’m so excited! I can’t wait to have a little cutie like Maia!!!!
Thanks for the giveaway shout out, Elena! Today’s the last day to enter but I have some fun ones lined up (including a Maternity Clothes store…I know you’re not into maternity clothes, but you might just find something you love). Stay tuned!
Also, I’m so so so happy to hear how positive you’re feeling about birth (as opposed to being afraid of it) – I had a very positive outlook as well and I’m convinced that’s a huge reason why it went so well (even though it didn’t go 100% as planned).
Oh, and yes please on nursery updates!
I’ll enter in the maternity clothes one ( though I never win- I am not even a bit lucky in that sense) š
Awesome…and hey, maybe you’ll win this one! You never know š
You are so cute. And i loved your video!
Speaking of labor and birth, mine didn’t was how i expected/plan. But is also the best moment of our life so i didn’t care at all.
Check my flickr,i took some pictures of my growing belly (they are in the album ‘barrigola feliz’) you could do that too!
Love your blog
besos
Your photos are really cute! The heading “Gordita feliz” made me laugh out loud! Very good ideas!
I am shooting regular photos for my pregnancy book- they are not really goofy or funny, but more or less tell the story of my pregnancy.
I would love to see your nursery as you’re working on it, but I am horrible when it comes to waiting! š
I can completely relate to emotions really falling into place once you know the sex of your baby and can put a name to him or her. It was like that for both of my pregnancies. Also, I was excited for labor and delivery both times, and looked forward to it. I really love giving birth, that might sound totally weird, but there is just nothing like it! Although I was begging for an epidural both times, and once I got it, I enjoyed things a whole lot more haha. I think if you go into the birth with a positive outlook, you will look back on it with positive memories.
It sounds like your baby girl is growing just perfectly, and will be tall and thin like her beautiful mommy. My little girl’s limbs were always measuring ahead, especially at the end of pregnancy. She was born in the 90th percentile for length (21.5 inches) and is now a year old, and has never been out of the 90th percentile for height and 50th for weight. It’s strange, because I am short and thin (5’3), and my husband is not extremely tall (5’9), yet somewhere along the lines, she inherited these tall genes!
Your belly is starting to look more defined, so exciting!
Well, from what I remember girls are supposed to be taller than their mothers and slightly shorter than fathers. So each generation is usually slightly taller than previous. So she’s probably a lot closer to your husband. Also I think that the average population is generally under 5’9, so even if she ends up being 5’8 or so, she’ll still be in the top 10%. And the same story as my girl. She might be 5’11” like me, but I don’t know too many 5’11” and taller girls and that’s how I ( and her) end up in the top 5% of height.
Something tells me I’m going to have to go to NYC with her when she’s 16 cuz with those stats she’s surely going to want to model.
I love the nursery updates that I am seeing on things like my birth club on babycenter.com and my other pregnant friends facebook.
I also think that you should plan on doing SOMETHING with the can of paint that you bought for the gender reveal, even if you don’t paint a whole wall. Are you an arts and crafts person? I think it’d be fun to tell her the story and show her “her paint”
š
You know it’s a good idea! I don’t know that I can do something THAT crafty though! I have to really think about what would be easy enough!
It doesn’t have to be TOO fancy. It could be something easy like taking a frame and matting a picture, and painting the matting the pink color?
Or, I made a little bow holder that was super simple out of wood and ribbons. You can do that! It’s not hard at all. But you could paint it the pink color. (Examples here: http://www.beanababy.com/product_images/n/flower_hairbow__09460.jpg)
I have faith in your arts and crafts ability! š
Oh that’s more faith than I have! I definitely will think of something. Hubby thinks it’s a good idea!
I was wondering, do you know of any other blogs that concentrate on pre-baby health? Your’s is the only one I know of. Congrats on the wonderful check up and healthy baby girl again! I loved the video š
No I don’t unfortunately š not many women believe in getting prepared for a pregnancy and even fewer blog about it. Let me know if you find any- I’d be interested to read.
There are lots of TTC blogs though- you might find a few that write about preparations for TTC.
Iād love to see the progress on the nursery!I enjoy to have updates from you!
As soon as Im working on something like beeing ready to plan the baby, kinda preparations for preparations.
I adore the video, made my hubby watch it too, and enjoy 7-12 times myself.
This update made me emotional again when you was telling how the realization of Alexis hitted you.
Cant say more then I already did..You are amazing, you are inspiration and Im really happy for Alexis who is lucky to have you two around for all her life.
When I saw the reveal video I was so so so so touched that I followed my first impulse.
I hope you do not mindand it wont look silly to you.
Olgetta from Paris
7-12 times??? ahahaha That’s almost as much as me and hubby watched it š We keep trying to relive that moment over and over again!
You’re so sweet- I really hope we get to meet! But at least you met Elena C, I feel like I know you through her a bit.
BTW, what did you mean by “so touched that I followed my first impulse. I hope you do not mindand it wont look silly to you.”?
You ll see in 2 days I hope what I ment
I loved the video so much š so happy for you guys and congrats~! can’t wait to see your adorable baby girl!