Eighteen Weeks

Sorry this is so late! I was hoping to get an 18 week picture, but at this point I'm closer to 19, so we'll try again this week!

I'm eighteen weeks along today!

Size
bell pepper
5 1/2 inches long, weighs about 7 oz.

Developments
more movement
blood vessels visible through skin
ears in final position
myelin forming around nerves
uterus and fallopian tubes formed and in place

Heartbeat
140 bpm (as of 3/10/11)

Cravings
The fruit snack craving has totally fled. :)
No new cravings this week.

Weight Loss/Gain
Gained 6 lbs (as of 3/10/11)

Side Effects
Weird dreams!
achy hips from laying on my side at night

Another memorable thing from this week is that I started really feeling her move. I wasn't completely sure if it was her or something else. It didn't feel like butterflies, which is what all the books and websites have said it feels like. Instead, it felt a little more like a muscle twinge, and after talking to another friend who experienced the same thing, I have concluded are kicks from little miss Emily.

Last week, Lucas and I had what is most likely our last getaway before Emily arrives. We headed down to Fredericksburg for a few days and nights of relaxation. We shopped, slept, watched TV, ate way too much yummy food and enjoyed being together. Unfortunately, Lucas ended up having to work quite a bit more than he expected due to some circumstances back at the office, but we still had a good time. Baby Emily got lots of new cute toys and clothes. I was pretty much in heaven looking for fun girly things. Although Lucas wasn't having quite as much fun shopping as I was, he did get to pick out a little stuffed weenie dog for her. It's crazy to think that on our next vacation, our little one will be with us. I think we will make sure the grandparents are in tow for that one!

These past couple of days I have definitely begun to feel pregnant. The second trimester is supposed to be so much easier than the first one, but it hasn't been for me. I was blessed with an insanely easy first trimester, so it's quite possible that what I'm dealing with now would be bliss compared to the first trimesters of many. I don't really feel bad, but I just feel pregnant. Every once in awhile, I think I feel her moving, but since I've never done this before, I'm not totally sure if it's that or if it's all in my head. Either way, I certainly feel like there is a little something growing inside of me. I'm definitely showing, but at this point I think it's mostly just because I can no longer suck in my stomach. Good posture (not that I ever had it) is quickly going out the window! I bought some maternity jeans last week, which have been very comfortable, yet quite droopy. I'm thinking that I will be living mostly in dresses this spring and summer, which is okay by me!

I've also started Emily's Wish List on Amazon. This isn't a baby registry, but just a few things she's told me that she wants. There isn't much on there now, but I am slowly adding as she finds things she likes. Check it out if you're a doting grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend. She will definitely thank you!

Seventeen Weeks

I'm seventeen weeks along today!

Size
turnip
5 inches long, weighs about 5 oz.

Developments
skeleton changing from cartilage to bone
umbilical cord growing stronger/thicker
joints can move
sweat glands are forming

Heartbeat
140 bpm (as of 3/10/11)

Cravings
nothing this week

Weight Loss/Gain
Gained 6 lbs (as of 3/10/11)

Side Effects
Weird dreams!

I'm sure most everyone reading has heard the news, but just in case you haven't...

Last Thursday, on our fourth anniversary, we had our sixteen week appointment. We knew this was the appointment where we were supposed to find out the gender, but honestly, I didn't think the doctor would be able to see. When she first began looking, she said she had her work cut out for her because of the positioning. The baby turned right in time, however, and she was able to get a good look. When she told us it was a girl, I absolutely could not believe it. I had hoped so much for a girl, but I didn't let myself think about it too much because I didn't want to be disappointed if it was a boy. Honestly, we want one of each, so I would've been happy either way, but knowing that I am going to get my girl just makes it so sweet! After we found out, I had to go back to school for Open House, but first I ran by Babies R Us very quickly to pick out her first outfits. After Open House was over, Lucas and I enjoyed a quick anniversary dinner and then headed over to my parents house to let them know the good news! Of course, they were thrilled. Lucas also talked to his family and I talked to my grandparents. We're all so excited to have a little girl in the family! Even the weenie dogs are excited for a little sister. :)

While most of the good news we've shared on Facebook before the blog, we did save one little piece of information for our blog readers first. Yesterday, Lucas and I decided on a name for our sweet little girl. It's the name we've been leaning towards for quite awhile, but we just wanted to be 100% sure it was the right one before we announced it. Here it is...


Yes, like the girl from the Clifford books. :) Since I'm a librarian, though, it makes sense, don't you think? Emily has been a favorite girl name for a very long time, as has Elizabeth. If my brother had been a girl, he would've been Emily. My parents almost gave me Elizabeth as a middle name, and it's been one I've always loved. We are very excited to welcome our little EET in August. Now that we know we're having an Emily rather than an Andrew, we can start planning the nursery!

Lucas hasn't had a chance to scan in the gender proof yet, but once he does, we will post it.

Sixteen Weeks

I'm sixteen weeks along today!

Size
avocado

Developments
legs more developed
head more erect
ears and eyes close to final position
patterning of scalp has begun
toenails are growing

Heartbeat
140 bpm (as of 3/10/11)

Cravings
nothing this week

Weight Loss/Gain
Gained 6 lbs (as of 3/10/11)

Tomorrow is potentially a really big day! Other than the fact that it's our four year anniversary, it's also the day we are supposed to find out if Baby Takala is a boy or a girl! I am hoping that little baby will be cooperative so that Dr. Staud is able to really get a good look. On one hand, it feels like no time at all has passed since we found out about our baby. I truly can't believe I'm already almost at 16 weeks. On the other hand, though, it feels like we've gone so long without knowing if it's a boy or a girl. I don't know how the people do it who don't find out! I am such a planner that there's no way I could do this whole thing without knowing. I'm just so ready to start planning the nursery, buying cute little clothes, finalizing the name, and personalizing everything! I haven't wanted to start on the nursery too much because I just haven't had the time or energy to plan two separate nurseries, and I definitely haven't wanted to put too much thought and time into one over the other and then find out baby is the other gender, instead. Next week, we're heading down to Fredericksburg for a little babymoon of sorts, so I really hope I can do some looking around down there for unique bedding and nursery decorations.

Anyway, it's time for this mama to head on to bed. I need to get all the sleep I can before it's no longer an option! I'll be posting soon about tomorrow's appointment!

Fifteen Weeks

I'm fifteen weeks along today!

Size
apple

Developments
baby is sensitive to light
taste buds are forming
gender is now obvious
legs are now longer than arms
air sacs in lungs are beginning to develop

Heartbeat
157 bpm (as of 2/14/11)

Cravings
Schlotzsky's sandwiches

Weight Loss/Gain
Gained 3 lbs (as of 2/14/11)
Up 1 lb total


No picture this week. Will post at 16!