30 weeks....10 to Go!

So it's been quite a while since I have posted anything - but I've just been....lazy! I do have lots of new pics to share - and even a few updates, for those of you who are following along.

Things are progressing well with Baby Bryce. I can feel (and even see) him move on a very regular basis. I'll have to admit, it was weird in the beginning, but I am getting used to his daily exercises in my belly:-) He's a bit of a wild child already. My other recent symptoms include leg cramps - the very bad kind. I had to wake Ryan up one night to help me get through one of them, and as soon as he walked away, it came right back. DREADFUL. Other than that, some feet and ankle swelling, and extreme tiredness, I'm doing okay.

Working 70 hours last week almost took me to my grave. After an 8 hour day, I am most certainly ready to retire for the night....but we had a huge project at work, and should we fare well, it could be very exciting. Hopefully all of the hard work will pay off.

My next doctor visit is a week from tomorrow. I am going back for the monthly check in as well as a new ultrasound. They are monitoring my placenta, which is still resting a little low. Hopefully things are inching up...we'll see.

With 10 weeks to go, the nursery is almost ready, minus some pictures on the wall, the closet is filling up, and I am so excited about my two baby showers in the coming weeks.

Below are some pictures from a photo session Ryan and I had a few weeks back. Please note, the belly has grown significantly since then:-) Cheers!

Week 23 and I feel the baby!

So it's week 23, and I'm over half way through. On Friday, I started feeling the first faint feelings of baby inside of me. It felt like gas bubbles to be honest, but I knew, based on the location, it had to be the baby boy moving all around. By Monday, I had noticed that the movement quickly became more pronouced, meaning I could feel baby's every move. And today, he is moving like a wild man. I am convinced that he is practicing to drive a race car or pretending to celebrate in Victory Lane. Ha! I talked to the nurse about it on Monday at my doc appointment, and she suggested that we name him "Dash" because he is so fast. He moved faster than she could track his heartbeat.

Speaking of doctor, the visit went well. It was just a routine visit so I could meet another doc, and ask any questions. When I go back next time (2/23), they'll do another ultrasound to make sure my placenta has shifted up, as well as another glucose test. I pray for a passing score!

And this weekend, we plan to start on the nursery, as soon as the furniture that is currently in the room is moved out. So expect pictures in the coming weeks. Lots of changes going on!

How the baby is progressing:
Now, the baby is likely to be more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). Blood vessels in the lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that the baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as the dogs barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't phase him when he hears them outside the womb.

Ultrasound Pics

I know everyone is eager to see the lastest ultrasound pics. Here are a few from the last visit. You'll see his face in 4D, his legs and his foot, and even a shot that looks like he is praying:-)

20 weeks - Half way to the finish line!

Today marks 20 weeks of pregnancy. It's a great feeling to know that I am half way home. We had a doctor's appoitment on Monday, and what fun that was! My mom, sister, sis-in-law, hubby and niece all came in for the ultrasound. We got to see so much more this time around...the baby was not quite as active as we hoped, but we saw his legs, feet, brain development, heart beating, and much, much more. We were really hoping to see his "boy part" again for some clarification, but he was acting a little shy. However, it was quite amazing to see how much has changed since the last ultrasound.

I read just yesterday that he is the length of a banana. Now we're talking! I'll post new ultrasound pics on Monday, but until then, take a look at this growing belly of mine. LOL