18 weeks.

I realized last week that if I go into labor at 37 weeks again like I did with Anna, I am now more than halfway done with this pregnancy.  The thought is a tad bit…frightening.

Here’s where we are today:
— My teeth are growing enamel all over the surface for protection.
   
— All air passages inside my lungs have finally arrived and are well formed.
   
— My thigh bone (femur) is now about an inch long (or 2½ cm).
   
— My body releases stress hormones if I'm poked with a needle.
—  Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces.

The details…

How far along: 18 weeks

Total weight gain: +10 total.  This is +3 from last week.  Although it seems like a lot, the weight gain calculator I’ve been using tells me that I’m right on track.  This 3 lb. gain could very well be from the Halloween candy I’ve been gorging on the past week.  As a selfless act of motherhood, I’m eating Anna’s candy to prevent tooth decay in my child. 

Sleep habits: Insane dreams.  TOTALLY insane.  Other than that, the sleeping has been going well this past week.  Sure, I wake up to pee about 10 times/night no matter how I limit my liquid intake before bed, but I can easily fall back asleep now.  This time change has really screwed me up, though.  I actually wake up before my alarm clock now and am ready to turn in before 8 p.m.  I’m such a party animal.  I was thinking the other day how vastly different my life is now.  I used to turn in no later than 2 or 3 a.m. and sleep ‘til noon.  I never thought I’d be one to wake up before the rooster crows. 

Maternity clothes: My two pair of pre-pregnancy pants are hanging on for dear life.  I have one pair of maternity jeans that I really like, the other pair pretty much sucks and was tossed to the back of my closet a few weeks ago.  I ordered some tall boots, so I’m going to attempt to rock the skinny jeans, tall boot look soon!

Best moment of the week: I’ve started my nesting phase of pregnancy.  Perhaps early.  Not sure.  Regardless, my house (and my sanity) is loving it.  So, the best moment of last week was the fact that I actually spent my free time re-organizing closets, drawers, and cabinets instead of sitting on the couch eating potato chips (my usual activity).  I have to eventually clean out my craft room to make room for the baby, but I’m putting that off until the very end.

Oh, and watching my two favorite people spend time together:

Sorry for the crappy cell phone picture.

Food cravings: I’m on a chips and salsa kick, but that’s not necessarily a new craving.  I could pretty much eat chips and salsa for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I’ve been making a lot of breakfast foods lately – biscuits (not out of a can), cheese grits, eggs, waffles, blueberry muffins.  Anna ate EIGHT muffins the other day.  She keeps telling me that her belly is big because of all of the muffins in it.  I’d say so.


Symptoms: I’ve been having some random vision issues the past few days, but I don’t know if it’s pregnancy related.  I had some pretty bad pressure and hip discomfort the other day, so I’m going to assume that things are shifting around or the baby is hanging out low.

Movement:  Lots of movement throughout the day and night.  It’s still pretty low.  Since I have a super long torso, I imagine this baby will hang low just like Anna did.  I don’t think she was ever in my ribcage. 

What I’m looking forward to:  The big ultra-sound on November 21.  Less than two weeks away!  I’m also looking forward to the holidays and spending time with family (and eating good food, of course).  I love this time of year!
 
What I miss: There’s nothing I miss at the moment. 

Next appointment: November 21st for my big ultra-sound and then November 28th for my regular monthly appointment.  I just heard back from my OB regarding my PENTA/Quad Screen results – negative.