A Horrible Morning Brightened by a Flicker

Miss my good news? Read it here.

I woke up excited, anxious. It was the day of my first doctor's appointment... The day I'd find out if there is really a baby in my stomach, or if all of these symptoms are just a hoax.

I'd been praying that I'd get to hear the heartbeat. I called the doctors office a week before to see what we would be doing exactly so I'd know whether or not to bring my husband along. They told me they wouldn't do an ultrasound but that they'd check for a heartbeat. --How?

I wasn't sure but my friends told me they'd probably use a doppler to listen for it... But also warned it's hard to hear early, and not to worry if I couldn't hear it this time.

I got ready for work and finalized plans to meet my husband at the doctor's office in a few hours before heading out the door. Just as I was leaving I noticed I had a text message on my phone. ... A warning from someone I work with, saying that she wasn't the only person at work who reads my blog.

'Great' I thought to myself. Maybe only one or two people read it but that can easily turn into 10 or 20 once words spreads that a "juicy post" is up. I know there are some people who love to gossip but I didn't know the extent to which the news had traveled. A few moments later I received a text message from another friend... Asking about the story I was working on for the day, but also making a point to call me "a blogger" in the message.

The good news is I was warned. I knew it would only take a person or two for it to suddenly spread and turn into my entire company... But I wasn't prepared for the reactions.

Instead of feeling congratulated, I felt investigated. Instead of feeling excitement and anticipation from my colleagues, I'm left feeling like I'm 16 and pregnant. ... Not like the happily married woman I am who was planning to have a baby.

I knew announcing my pregnancy on my blog could mean that it would get out to people I work with sooner than I planned to tell people, but I didn't imagine people gossiping about it... Giggling about it, then interrogating me about my "secret pregnancy" as if they've cracked some Top Secret... As if I'm some immature teenager who didn't know to use a condom.

I wasn't upset about people "finding out" I was upset about the reaction. I thought people would be... Or at least seem happy for me... Even if they had read the news on my blog, or had been told from a someone else who did. I wasn't trying to hide it, if I was I wouldn't have published it, but I published it thinking the responses (if any) would be maybe something more like "congratulations."

I felt like I was in high school again... And I couldn't help but let the hormones take over and cry like a child myself. I was hurt.

The day didn't get any better in the couple of hours before my appointment. Technical problems followed by more pregnancy questions I didn't know all of the answers to myself, and looks that screamed "so and so told me about you." And then I prayed.

Now that the entire world knows I'm pregnant, I prayed to actually be pregnant. I didn't know for sure... I mean, according to several home pregnancy tests and my late friend I knew I should be, but I wasn't convinced there was a living being in there. I prayed that I am still and that I will continue to be pregnant for nine healthy months. I prayed I'd hear my baby's heart at the appointment to calm my fears and brighten my day.

I met my husband at the doctor's office and he was a trooper... Even though he was the only man in there for awhile, and unsure if he was really supposed to be there.

The nurse called us back and gave me a few more forms to fill out.

"This one just confirms that we won't tell anyone about your medical records... You don't have to worry about us telling the Newspaper or anything," she added.

'Yea, well the News already knows.' I thought to myself.

They took my weight, height, blood and blood pressure. Then the nurse told me she'd hook up the ultrasound machine for my doctor.

I was thrilled. I knew I probably wouldn't be able to hear a heartbeat yet, but that I'd be able to see it if we looked for it.

I tried not to get my hopes up... Thinking maybe she had forgotten how far along I was and was mistaken about the ultrasound. I kept a silent prayer as I met my doctor for the first time.

She was wonderful! Friendly, funny, and easy to talk to. Not in a rush at all. I felt welcomed and like she was a friend right away. She congratulated us on our first baby... It resonated well... Made me smile. Made me feel myself again.

But it wasn't until she turned the machine on and told us what we were looking for that my hopes began to soar. She saw the sac that my baby was in and a moment later our baby. Just a small dot right now... But a baby alright. And then a movement caught my eye. The movement I'd been praying for.

I saw the flicker of my baby's heartbeat... And that's when and all of my embarrassment, fears and frustrations with work went away. That small flicker melted my heart.

I didn't cry... I thought I might, but I kept myself from tearing so I wouldn't miss any of the flickers. I sent all of the negative energy away and collected every ounce of happiness, gratification and love and sent it to my baby.

... My baby who even now... No bigger an orange seed, already knows how to brighten mommy's day.

I Did Something for My Baby

Did you miss my pregnancy announcement? I'm now going back to the drafts I saved from before I told you.

5 Days past BFP Written 10/20 but saved for today

In order to make things feel more "real" I bought something for the little Spawn. Oh yea, did I mention that's its nickname? I know people have cute names like "sweet pea" "blueberry" I dunno... There's a lot. But one of the first things that came to mind after finding out I was pregnant was "I'm with-spawn."

I know it's kind of alienish, but it's also different, and my little nudge is gonna be different... In a good way of course!

So far I'm the only person who likes it but whatever... I can call it what I want and for now, it's Spawnie! And I think it's cute.

Ok anyway, I went to Babies R' Us today to buy something for my best friend, who is having her baby shower soon, and I bought the CUTEST stuff for her little boy. I also really wanted to buy something for my baby to make this pregnancy feel more real.

I browsed the onesies and couldn't find anything gender-neutral and cute enough. Just when I was giving up (because my impatient husband was ready to go) I saw the cutest thing that I KNOW my baby will look cute in. Boy or girl!A cute little hat with ears and booties to match. I know Spawnie is due in June 25th but the hat is for 0-6 months, and they can wear hats in the summertime right? If not, by 6 months it'll be perfect for winter! And to be TOTALLY honest... This is the FIRST thing I've EVER bought for my baby! Yep... I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything for a baby I wasn't pregnant with first. But now... I can shop 'till my heart's content (or until I give my husband a heart attack)!

I think I've found a way to cure my fears about something bad happening during pregnancy... Shopping!!

****

Blog makeover winner according to Random.org: Winner #40 ~Mendie~ . Please email babymakingmachine{at}gmail.com so I can get you in touch with Danielle!

Pregnancy at 7 Weeks

I'm not sure why, but for some reason when I pictured becoming pregnant I pictured life as I knew it standing still, and the small being growing inside me consuming my every moment of thought and existence.

Instead, life goes on... As I know it. I still have the stress of work, bills, and everyday life, along with the additional very time consuming process of growing a baby.

It happened almost immediately. It was the only thing on my mind, the only thing I really wanted to talk about, think about, and focus on, but the unknowing minds have no idea about my... Circumstance. They may not get why I'm staring at the door as if there's a ghost in the threshold. Ticking in my mind is the internal debates: If I should try to stick it out in the crowded meeting room while my head spins from the heat and lightheadedness, or swiftly escape, and run to the bathroom before the saliva running down the sides of my mouth quickly transitions into vomit projecting the other direction.

Hours later I'm scoping out counter space in the back dark room. It's not a pillow, but it'll suffice as a spot for my head to lie for a few glorious moments of rest.

I've been very tired and very nauseous. I haven't puked yet, but I haven't felt up to blogging as much the past few days. But I'm back now... I think... I hope. Oh, and Tuesday is my first LIVE MomTV show at 10:30am EST... Let's pray I still won't be vomiting then! More on that later.

Friday I hit 7 weeks of pregnancy, and I hope every Friday to update what's going on with me according to the Baby Center email I get, and what I read in my weekly update of my iPhone ap "What to Expect." I got this idea from my friend Baby Dicky's blog, so I hope mine will be as fun to read. She's almost done (at 33 weeks!) and I can't wait to catch up!

I was too tired last Friday to write this out, so I'm catching up today!

So according to Baby Center:

How Spawnie's growing:
-Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles.
-Technically, my baby is still considered an embryo (although it's a baby to me) and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of Spawnie's tailbone.
-Spawnie has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, or about the size of a blueberry. My iPhone ap says it's more about the size of a raspberry... Of course I'd prefer the larger fruit, but as my friends on Twitter tell me "It doesn't matter, in 6 more months it'll be the size of a watermelon and kicking my ribs."
-Eyelid folds partially covering Spawnie's peepers, which already have some color
-Tip of Spawnie's nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin are also developing.
-Both hemispheres of Spawnie's brain are growing,
-And Spawnie's liver is churning out red blood cells until bone marrow forms and takes over this role.
-My baby also has an appendix and a pancreas now!
-A loop in my baby's growing intestines is bulging into Spawnie's umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from baby's tiny body.
As far as me:
-My uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks.
-Morning sickness should be kicking in... oh wait, it already has. I'm not throwing up, thank goodness. But I feel on the verge of puking almost constantly.
-I may need to pee more than usual... Yep! Guilty. This is because of my increasing blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through my kidneys. I NEVER use to have to go pee often and now I wake up EVERY NIGHT. It's quite annoying, and I hear it'll only get worse!
-By now, I already have about 10 percent more blood than I did before I was pregnant. And by the end of my pregnancy, I'll have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through my veins.

And I know it's silly for me to take a belly picture already but I figure it's at least a starting point, so don't laugh.

How often did you take belly pictures?

****

Word from a sponsor: To learn more about being 7 Weeks Pregnant visit Pregnancy Corner.

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October 30, 2009 9:46 AM

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What are the Chances?: Baby, er... Fetus Names

It's something I've feared a long while... Giving my baby the most common name in the class. In the fourth grade I remember there being 5 other Jennifer's in the class. That's when I developed the nickname "Jenn" while others were called "Jenny" (a name I refuse to answer to). When it comes to baby names, I'm pretty sure we're covered with unique but classy, cute names. I've only shared them with a select few friends, and I haven't even told my parents.

I thought we had an agreement not to tell anyone... My husband swore me to secrecy but recently told me he told his mom our names. So I'm ALMOST ready to spill the beans myself, but not quite.

I flipped through baby books to see where our top choices fit in the rankings. Neither our boy choice nor the girl choice was listed in the book. Great... They aren't in the top 600! Portions of their names were ranked in the 300s and 500s, but not the full name. I think we're safe... I think our children won't have to face the same fate we did in school unsure every time we heard our name called if it was REALLY us they wanted. No... I think they're safe. But as for my little fetus, it's a different story.

I thought I was somewhat unique by calling my little baby with the unknown gender at the moment Spawn or Spawnie... But my friend from Bellyitch showed me it's on the list of "Popular Fetus Names" on About.com.

1. Cletus the Fetus
2. Bean (and variations jelly bean and baby bean)
3. Spawn
4. Thumper
5. Peanut
6. Bump
7. Spud
8. Baby
9. Octopus
10. Junior

Ok first off.. Who calls their baby Octopus? I know they kind of have little nubs at first, but not eight of them!

But anyway, Spawn, ranked #3, Who would have thought? Granted the "ie" isn't picked up by most people but I'm still quite surprised so many people decide to call their growing babies Spawn.

I guess I'm not as weird as I thought, but part of me is a little disappointed by that.

Did you have a nickname for your baby before you knew the gender? Or do you have one planned? Is it on the list?

Does your child have a popular name or are you as worried as I am about your child having a very common name?

I Wanna Know!! Boy or Girl?!

I can't wait to find out what Spawnie is. I've had a couple of dreams about this baby being a girl, which make me think it's a girl. After all, I had a dream about a big fat positive test result just a day or two before I got it!

My husband and both our moms also think Spawnie is a girl. But there are a few things that make me think maybe not. I got really bored and took just about every online baby gender prediction test I could find.

For one... The Chinese Lunar Calendar. I almost sweat by it. Tell me, look at it... Was it right for you? It has been right for my moms kids I think, as well as several of my friends.

I'm not sure if Spawnie was conceived in September or October (it could be either) but both give me the blue result which = BOY.

Then there's Old Wives Tales. I took a quiz on Childbirth.org And it gave me this result: BOYAnother one on BabyGenderPrediction.com with some similar questions ALMOST said girl, but the last five questions pushed it the other way: BOY.I found another on BabyGenderPredictionTest.com and got the opposite. This one asked me questions about birth dates and my cravings and what not. Ok I'll be honest, I took it twice and the SECOND time I got this result: GIRL. So one, (or several) of these are right. Know of other fun tests you can try? I'm sorta having fun with this now. All of the sites have a 50/50 chance but it's kind of amusing to guess, and it's especially funny when I'm laughing at myself trying to figure out which answer is more likely to give me the GIRL result.

Of course all I want is a healthy baby but if you couldn't tell, part of me REALLY REALLY wants a girl. I'm so girlie and I can just dress her up in so much cute stuff! Plus, I sorta just FEEL like Spawnie is a girl.

But then again, I kinda feel like Spawnie is a boy when we're at the doctor's office and looking at 'em on the screen. I wish I knew!!

There are a few gender prediction home tests I'm thinking of taking. One I reviewed before and it was right for my friend... Intelligender. Another is an at-home blood DNA test called Pink or Blue. I'll let you know if and when I do one of them.

What about you... Any guesses? I'm thinking of starting a pool thingy but I'm trying to decide on a site to do it through. Know of any good baby pool sites? Here are a few I've found so far:

I've found PregPool.com and it requires people enter $10 to make their guess for gender/due date/ weight etc. Then mom gets a percentage and the winner of the pool gets a percentage (after the site takes 10%, which I DON'T like).

Then there's ExpectNet.com It's free, and the pool is free, all for fun, and I think there's added questions like length and stuff. I like that and that there's space for the couple to write updates about their pregnancy and notes to family and friends.

There's also BabyPool.com it also appears to be free, but not as pretty-looking as ExpectNet to me. Like ExpectNet there's a place to put your registries, photos and notes to family and friends.

I'm not sure if it's polite to ask people to put money in a pool that ultimately goes to you, but at the same time, you usually put some money in a pool. But either way, I think it's mostly for good fun, and maybe we could think of a prize for the winner.

Either way, I added a poll to the left for my blogging friends! So make your vote! I am guessing about 49% chance for a girl 51% chance for a boy myself... Because that's my luck.

Did you know what you were having before you found out?

I Don't Know Why I Do This to Myself

It started about a year or so ago when I found a website called Make Me Babies. A friend of mine had used it to see what her soon-to-be baby would look like. Hers didn't come out looking particularly cute according to the website but ya know... We all can't get lucky with cute kids.
So I decided to take a stab at it myself. I'm no supermodel or anything but I like to think my husband and I aren't BAD looking, and I married him thinking we'd probably make cute babies. So imagine my surprise when the face generator produced THIS as our child:While funny, at the same time it wasn't. How could my baby come out white, with stringy hair and lopsided cheeks? I won't go on with my opinion of this face cause I have a feeling someone out there may have a baby that looks exactly like this. In my opinion it just didn't fit with US. So I retired my desire to know what software generators thought our future baby may look like... Until today. And I'm not gonna lie, I went a little crazy.

First, it produced this child. My husband did have red hair as a baby... A fear I have passing down to our child. I've seen some CUTE biracial read heads, but if it looked like this, I may cry.

So I didn't give up. I had to try again, and not only that, but see if we could produce a non-white baby. No such luck.The lower one sorta looks like a son of the Adam's Family Chester guy, YIKES! Then I gave up with letting the site decide my child's complexion and I told it to make my baby "dark" so it gave me this:Notice how I keep changing our pictures hoping we'll get lucky? And where are they getting the big forehead from? Be honest... Is mine that big? Cause I was seeing a trend.And just before I decided to give it up entirely... Realizing I was 0-7 (and knowing there's NO WAY we're having even close to 7 kids), I decided to give it one... Ok, TWO more tries before giving it up.
Slightly better, but I hope my kids are cuter. I'm going to be honest here... I would like a baby girl but really all I want is 1. A healthy baby and 2. A cute baby. Boy or girl, if Spawnie is cute (not just to me, but like to everyone) I'll be happy!

What do you think? Does Spawnie have a chance at being cute?If you go to the site and make one let me know! Post the link in the comments, I'm wondering if it's possible to produce a good-looking baby on this site.

PS: Sunday is my Blogiversary! I almost forgot! Yay! Happy 1 year blogging!

Baby Shopping List

Ok so I've been wondering what I'm going to need when this baby gets here. I know some friends in college told me love would be enough.. Love, some clothes and diapers I guess. But yea, I've gotta get real. I waited awhile to be ready to have a baby so I could hopefully afford more than the essentials. But since I'm more than three months pregnant now I figured it was about time to get real, buckle down and see what I'm REALLY going to need.

I have a Prego Planner and it ROCKS! I'm going to be giving you a full review on it soon so I won't spoil it all now, but it's really helped me stay organized with this pregnancy and all of the information I need to know and/or remember.

One of the many many things it has which I LOVE is a Newborn Checklist. And it lists all of the things I may need for the first few months of Spawnie's life. Yes, it's daunting at first, but that's ok. I've got a long way to go. All of these things aren't total necessities, but it gives me an idea of what I may need. I'm sure I'll get a lot used/recycled, and as gifts, but it's an encompassing list of what I may want to end up with.

I'm listing it below, and throughout pregnancy I'll mark off what I have to have a visual of what I still need. A strike through means I have it!

NURSERY
Crib and/or bassinet
Crib bedding
Crib mattress
Mattress pad
Waterproof crib liner
Fitted sheets (2-3)
Sleep Positioner
Receiving blankets (4-5)
Changing table
Changing pad
Changing pad covers
Dresser
Rocker/glider- Coming from grandma!
Hamper
Nursery monitor-Coming-Won from Real Moms
Mobile
Night Light

Feeding Supplies
Bottles
Bottle Sterilizer
Bottle brush
Bottle warmer
Bottle drying rack
Nursing pillow
Breast pump
Nursing pads
Nursing cream
Breast shields
Nursing bras
Nursing gown
Milk storage bags
Travel formula dispenser
Pacifiers
Pacifier clips
gas relief drops
High chair
Meal mat
Infant spoons
Sippy cups
Teethers

Bathing
Bathtub
Washcloths (5-10)
Baby wash
Baby shampoo
Baby lotion
Bath toys
Tub toy pouch
Hooded towels (2-4)

ACTIVITY

Toys and More
Swing
Bouncer seat
Play gym
Crib mirror
Jumper
Rattles
Walker- Not getting
Toy Chest

Books and Music
Preggo Planner
Pregnancy books
Childbirth books
Breastfeeding books
Parenting books
Baby book
Journal
Educational music
Lullaby music

OPTIONAL STUFF I'D LIKE
Baby sling
Baby Wrap
Diaper stacker
Nursery curtains-Made by me, Yay!
Pregnancy pillow
Scrapbook

NEWBORN ESSENTIALS

Diapering
Diapers (disposable or cloth)
Wipes (first box)
Wipes warmer don't need.
Travel pack for wipes
Diaper bag
Diaper pail and refills
Rash ointment
Diaper sacks for travel
Disposable (portable) changing pad

Clothing
Homecoming outfit
T-shirts
Onesies
Sleepwear
Bibs (5-10)
Burp cloths
Booties and socks
Dresses(More than enough)
Hats (2-4) (or 10)
Mittens
Footed rompers
Sweaters
Swaddle blanket
Baby laundry detergent
Stain remover
Baby clothes hangers

BABY CARE

Health
First aid supplies
Thermometer
Medicine dispenser
Baby fever reducer
Nasal aspirator
Humidifier/Vaporizer
Baby brush and comb
Nail clippers

Safety
Safety gate
Corner guards
Outlet covers
Drawer latches
Cabinet locks
Toilet locks
Fireplace bumpers
Fire alarm
Carbon monoxide detector

TRAVEL
Rear-facing infant car seat
Car seat base for 2nd car
Full-size stroller-Coming- Won from Real Mom TV!
Lightweight stroller
Stroller rain shield
Stroller toys
Infant car mirror
Pack and play- Coming from grandma!
Soft carrier

MISCELLANEOUS
Birth announcements
Thank you cards
Stamps
Camera
Camcorder
Picture frames
Growth chart
Batteries
Baby calendar
Personalized items

Not bad for 13 weeks 34 weeks right? I know that I obviously don't need all of these things from day 1. I can build up a lot of this stuff after Spawnie gets here, and some of the safety stuff after he/she starts crawling around. Surprisingly I have quite a few things already! Anything you think I don't need or that I forgot on the list?

13 Weeks and Counting

I can't believe so much time has gone by! Week 13 has been good to me so far. I'll be 14 weeks Friday and I'm feeling much better than I had been feeling the past month. I'm not as sleepy and not as nauseous. Certain foods still don't sit well with me during certain times and I still love potatoes and grapes (not together) more than anything. I have a few friends who told me they had ultrasounds around 12-13 weeks and could tell if they were having a boy or girl then. I'm DYING to go get a special 3D Ultrasound so we can tell what we're having but my husband is much more patient than I am, and says he can wait another 7 weeks... *sigh*.

Since I'm getting into my 2nd trimester I wrote my final post on my Conceive blog... You can read it here. It was so fun writing about my pre-pregnancy journey and some of my research.

I also wrote my first post for Modern Day Mom. They're going to be following my whole pregnancy and helping me through it! They have experts to talk with me about nutrition, fitness, financial planning and more! We'll also suppose to have fun contests where you help me pick out stuff for Spawnie and win things for your little one too!

Of course I'll keep blogging here, I actually have a whole lineup of fun giveaways too that I'll be doing throughout my pregnancy. I get quite a few request sometimes to write about different products related to children and/or pregnancy so I'm choosing my favorites to feature through my next 27 weeks! I'm not going to forget about all of my future mama friends either! They'll be plenty of stuff you can save, and fertility stuff too to help along the way!
Ok, so on to what Spawnie's looking like at 13 weeks:

-Fingerprints have formed on Spawnie's tiny fingertips
-My baby's veins and organs are clearly visible through his/her still-thin skin
-Finally, Spawnie's body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of its body size now.
-If Spawnie is a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries.
-Spawnie is almost 3 inches long and weighs nearly an ounce.
Going on with Mommy:
-According to Baby Center, this is the last week of first trimester, and my risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy.
-Next week marks the beginning of my second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside.
-More good news: Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift around this time (thank goodness cause I'll be honest, my friend Libby has been on 3 month vacation along with my Aunt Flow)
-My breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that will feed Spawnie for the first few days after birth, before my milk starts to flow.
-I'm noticing more round ligament pain as my uterus grows and expands. It's especially painful when I sneeze.

My stomach feels fattier. I had a chat with an RN today through my company's maternity benefits program and she answered a lot of my questions. I'm suppose to gain about 25-35 pounds through my pregnancy. I gained a pound and a half my first two months then went down to where I started at 12 weeks. We'll see where I'm at next time! I'm about 140lbs, so by the end of my pregnancy I may be about 175... That's the biggest I've ever been! Yikes!!

Oh, and any ideas of how to decorate a little tummy like mine for Christmas or the holidays? I'm entering a photo contest and need ideas! Mine may not be as big as some of the others so I've gotta be creative! I'm thinking of wearing this shirt @NanceAttack made for me and taking it next month if my tummy gets bigger by then.

Oh,and PS, question of the day: Did you have a doula? Why or why not? I'm debating getting one. I'll post my dilemma later this week but I'd love to know your quick thoughts for now as I sort through some of mine!

Sponsored: For more on being 13 week pregnant visit Pregnancy Corner.

Spawnie, You're 14 Weeks!

Dear Spawnie,

You are 14 weeks and 5 days old now. I'm trying really hard to write these updates on each of your weekly pre-birth days but I've been kind of bad about doing it on the day. Hopefully next week I'll be better.

We're eating a lot more now baby. And I guess that's a good thing because it means you're growing. I've heard people use the excuse "I'm eating for two" before but someone else ruined the news for me before I even became pregnant with you... They told me that doesn't mean I get to eat an extra 2,000 calories... But more like 250. It's ok though, cause although some times it feels like it, I'm not sure if we could eat that much if we tried.

Speaking of eating, you're making me eat the craziest things lately. This week we went shopping at Target and all of a sudden you told me you wanted a hot dog. I tell ya what Spawnie, that was the best tasting thing EVER! I felt like we were in heaven eating that hot dog.

And you're not going to believe this, but you wanted another hot dog for Christmas dinner! Your daddy thought I was crazy but I told him it was what you wanted. So we drove to 7/11 and got a hot dog. It didn't taste as good as the other one though, and I'm going to be honest, I didn't feel that good after eating it. I hope you liked it though.

I'm excited every Friday when I get an update from BabyCenter on what you look like now, and how you're developing.

This week you can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck your thumb! Your kidneys are producing urine, and I'm sorry to say it, but you're now swimming in it... You will be until birth. You can grasp, too! I can't wait until you're grasping on to my fingers.

From your head to your bottom, you measures about 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and you weigh 1 1/2 ounces. That's what BabyCenter says at least. M iPhone Ap says you now weigh 2-3 oz and are the size of a navel orange!!

By the end of this week, your arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of your body! I'm really excited about that too since the next time I see you you'll look like a real little baby!

Your hands and feet are more flexible now too and I wish I could feel all of your little kicks and punches!

You're getting so much bigger now that my stomach is starting to stick out. No one at work really believes I've gained weight but when I wear certain clothes you can totally tell my tummy's getting bigger.

You have no idea how excited I am to feel you kicking in my tummy, to have your daddy feel it to, and of course I'm most excited to meet you! We both are!

Last night we watched a movie called The Business of Being Born. Your dad got grossed out quite a bit, but we talked a lot about how we'd like to bring you in the world. We're hoping to make it a personal experience with the three of us, but we're mostly hoping you'll get here safe and sound.

I love your daddy so much and every day I look at him I study his face and wonder what features you'll get from him. We love each other so much and we're so excited to welcome you to our little family! Oh, and Snoop is excited to meet you too. He can tell you're in my tummy. I know it cause he's always acting funny.

Sweet dreams little Spawnie, your mommy loves you!

***Question of the Day: How long was it before you felt your baby kicks from the insite then outside?***

Sponsored: To learn more about being 14 weeks pregnant visit pregnancy corner.

My Intelligender Results Are In!

There's no fun in waiting... At least that's how I see it. And while I'm pregnant I figure I might as well enjoy as much pregnancy stuff as I can cause you can't go peeing in random chemicals for fun when you're not pregnant now can you?

The mothers of Intelligender are so sweet to give me another opportunity to talk to you about their product! We tried it last year with my BFF, and it turned green for her = Boy! She also could tell at 13 WEEKS that it was a boy! My Godson was born about a month ago!

So now it's my turn to try out Intelligender this fun gender prediction test.

You can take it as early as 10 weeks, so I figure taking it in my 15th week gives whatever is in my urine a chance to tell me if it's a boy or girl. ALL of the tests I have taken so far have pretty much given me a boy result, so I was expecting this to turn green right away.

Watch below to see me take the test and reveal the results!

According to them their test is about 82% accurate so we'll see... But honestly, I think it's right! Haha. What do you think?

I'll find out in about 4-5 weeks! I'll let you know if they're right or not when Spawnie gets here! Muahaha!

You can BUY intelligender for $35.95 or WIN one by:

1. Be(come) a follower of my blog!

2. Leave a comment! Be commenter #625 (Spawnie's due date) and WIN!

Spread the word so you can get to that number quicker, tweet about it! Facebook about it, tell your friends! No rules except to have fun! Good luck!!

Disclosure: I was given a test for the purpose of conducting the review. Thank you Intelligender for sponsoring this giveaway!

PS: This is a part of my Full Term of Giveaways. If you're interested in sponsoring a pregnancy or fertility related review and giveaway please use the "contact" link above or email babymakingmachine{at}gmail.com. Stay tuned for tons of fun!

We've Got 15 Weeks Down!

Dear Spawnie,

I have such exciting news to report this week. Babycenter tells me you now measure about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs about 2 1/2 ounces... About the size of an apple, and APPLE! Can you believe it?!

You're already busy moving amniotic fluid through your nose and upper respiratory tract, which is helping the air sacs in your lungs develop. Your legs are growing longer than your arms now, and you can move all of your joints and limbs.

Although your eyelids are still fused shut, you can now sense light! Apparently if I were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, you'd be likely to move away from the beam. Don't worry though, I won't torture you with that... Maybe not until you start kicking my ribs.

If we did an ultrasound this week I'd probably be able to see what you are... Boy or girl that is, but sadly I won't know for four more weeks. I know you know but to me, this is torture not knowing. So far all of the tests are telling my boy, so I'm pretty much convinced you're a boy, but your daddy still thinks you're a girl.

As far as your mommy goes, I've been gaining some weight. We go in for another appointment to hear your little heartbeat on Monday so I'll also get weighed then and see how much I've gained. Last month I had gone down, and back to my origional weight, but this month I'm sure I've gained... Maybe even 5 pounds! We'll see.I've had a stuffy nose and cold this week but I guess... Like everything else, that can be seen as a pregnancy symptom too. Another crazy thing that happened this week... You kicked my belly button out!! Just look! I can't believe it. I hear it only gets bigger as my tummy does. Your daddy is already making "outtie" jokes. You're going to have to poop on him or something later to get him back for me.
Your daddy and I decided not to get the tests done to see if you may have any genetic problems. We decided we'd love you either way, but we're sure you're perfectly healthy.

I have a lot more energy lately and the biggest news of the week... I felt you move around!! It was New Years Eve, and you were about 15 weeks old exactly and you felt like a slow moving bubble in my stomach. I felt you then, two days ago while we were riding in the car, and last night. I think you're a night owl like mommy. I can't wait until I feel you every day, and when your daddy can feel you too.

Sleep well little baby, and grow strong. We're doing our best to get ready for you and we're really excited to meet you!

Love,

Mommy

****

For more in depth information on being 15 Weeks Pregnant visit PregnancyCorner.com- Sponsored by Pregnancy Corner.

Questions of the day:
1. Did your bellybutton pop out during pregnancy? Did it go back in after?
2. Which one of these baby monitors should I get? Please vote for your favorite, the one with the most votes, I can win!

So, I'm Kinda a Sore Loser

I'm always amazed when I watch the Academy Awards. The glitz and glamor is quite impressive. Never is there so much hype over who's wearing what and who's arriving with who. But that's not the part that impresses me the most. What takes the cake for me is the composure the losers keep on their faces just as they realize they didn't win.

It usually goes something like this:
Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hatheway and Julia Roberts are nominated for Best Actress. ...(I know this has never been an actual match up but just try to follow me).

The video plays snippets of each of them in their starring roles, then cuts back to a five shot of them just before they announce the winner. All of them staring with painted smiles as the host opens the envelope... And reads the name printed inside... JULIA ROBERTS! And everyone claps. And they keep the cameras rolling on the 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th place losers because... Well, because it's heartless, and we're all waiting for one of them to crack. But that you won't see... Because they're actors. That's what they DO.

Now me on the other hand... I couldn't act if you paid me. I was in a play once after taking acting classes in the fourth grade. When it was time for me to recite my lines I froze, and perspired. My parents asked themselves why they decided to shell out money for these classes. AND SCENE... That was the end of my acting career.

But it's not just on stage that I can't pull off a different character. I can't lie with a straight face, I suck at poker... Or a slightly more childish version of the game which I prefer... Old Maid. You can read my face like a billboard.

So when it comes to my emotions... Disappointment to be more specific, I'm not good at it. I broke out in hysterics after I didn't make the 8th grade dance team. Tears. Wailing. Snot... The whole nine yards. So needless to say if I was up for an Oscar and my loser face was planted on the big screen a split second after my heart being ripped out, it wouldn't be a pretty sight. I'd probably step on the gown of the chick who beat me as she's walking to collect her award. Or maybe I'd pull a Kanye, stand up and tell her I'mma let her finish but I really was the best actress of the year.

I can play the scenarios in my mind all night long but it doesn't really matter cause I'll never be up for best actress... Or an acting award of any sort. But if I was, and I lost, I'd probably be a sore loser. Sadly that's how I am. I like to win.

And I say all of this to tell you that I'm trying to win a photo contest this week. It's for the best Holly Jolly Belly Photo. I don't have as much of a belly as some of the entrants even though I ate as many cheeseburgers as I could before this photo. But even though Spawnie isn't as big as some of the competition yet... Quite honestly I think mine is one of the cutest ones in the bunch, and after all of the torture I put my husband through in helping me capture this photo I will be pretty ticked off sad if I don't win.

What am I up for you ask? Well... if I win I get a trimester worth of bellybars for one thing, but the BIGGEST thing I REALLY REALLY want to win is the AVENT Twin Electric Breast Pump. Yes... a breast pump. I never thought I'd be dying to win one of these but I guess that's just goes to show how grown up I'm becoming... Or that I'm really excited to see what being milked like a cow feels like. Either way, I'm in it to win it and I'd REALLY appreciate your help! And guess what? My birthday is Thursday, the last day of the contest. So consider a vote your birthday present to me! Because really... I'd hate to spend the evening of my birthday doing something like this:Except picture a beautiful Macbook Pro, sadly destroyed by my hysteria, and me behind the camera... Tears. Wailing. Snot. Luckily I'd be in the privacy of my own home--No big screen to display my horrid reaction. But my husband and dog would fall victim to my violence.

Please don't let that happen to me them! Go to Bellybar's Facebook Page and vote for this adorable photo. Your kindness would be greatly appreciated! Oh, and I just saw you can vote for more than one, so while you're there also vote for Gena Morris. She has an adorable picture with bells around her tummy!Oh, and if you're feeling extra kind and want to give me a second birthday present, give me a "thumbs up" for Best Mommy Blogger here.

UPDATE: THE POLL IS OPEN NOW... VOTE HERE. You can vote once PER DAY!!

16 Weeks: Dear Spawnie... I'm Sorry.

Dear Spawnie,

I think there's something very important you should know about your mom... See, I'm a little crazy sometimes. Now don't get scared, I don't mean crazy like screaming and yelling and things of that sort... You won't hear me yell very often if ever. But I guess what I mean so say is that I'm a little goofy, and I'm really competitive. I think this is a good quality for the most part but sometimes I wonder how much of this will rub off on you, and how much pressure I'll put on you.

I keep telling your daddy that you're going to be a football player and win the Heisman.. Oh yea, did I mention I think you're a boy? I'll be really surprised if you're not, then we're gonna have to rethink this Heisman thing. But anyway, you dad says most professional players don't win that and that the percentage of people who do is like sooooo small. I just tell him someone's gotta win it, why not you? The fact that your dad and pretty much no man in our family has played college football may hurt your odds but I don't think it's impossible.

Don't worry I'm not gonna be one of those crazy moms that's yelling at the refs at the game. I don't like those people now so I'll work hard to make sure I don't end up becoming one. I'll also let you choose the sport you want to play. Just PLEASE don't choose golf. It's not that fun to watch. I'm not a big baseball fan either, and your dad doesn't like soccer. So I think that leaves you with football and basketball. Just kidding... Choose what you want (just not golf!).

I'm thinking about my competitiveness right now because we're (me and you) in a competition to win some cool stuff. The main thing for you is a breast pump... You've gotta eat right? I'll need one of these when I go back to work. I think I've been driving some people crazy begging for votes but ya know what? It's ok! Here's a lesson for you Spawnie: "Those who mind, don't matter, those who matter don't mind." But only use that for noble causes ok? That saying doesn't work if you're doing something ridiculous.

Next, I'm just so excited to meet you! I know you have a lot more cooking to do, but it's just the craziest thing being pregnant. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and I really don't want to take it for granted. I told you last week I feel you move sometimes now. Most of the time it feels like tiny bubbles popping but once the other night it felt like a muscle spasm. I'm not sure if it was my muscle or you kicking like crazy!

I'm already thinking about the things that we're going to do once you get here. I can't wait to carry you around in different kinds of wraps and take you on trips with me. I'm really hoping we'll be able to save enough money so we can spend the whole 12 weeks off together. I hope to take you to see family in Utah and Georgia and maybe even friends at a blog conference in New York!

You're about the size of an avocado now... It seems as though my different sites are agreeing on the food you're equivalent to this week. You're about 4 1/2 inches long now, but in the next few weeks you'll go through a BIG growth spurt and in the next few weeks you'll DOUBLE your weight from about 3 1/2 oz right now. I have a feeling you're bigger. I was 7lbs 3 oz and your Dad was 10 pounds 2 oz. I'm hoping you're not that big. I'm sure that would make you cute and chubby but possibly painful to push out. Either way I'll be happy to see you and grateful that you're healthy.

One thing I read that you're developing this week is your sense of hearing loud noises. Our smoke alarm went off a couple of times this week (mommy's cooking) and I was thinking you probably heard that. I'm going to start playing music to you soon so you can start to get some rhythm. I'm also curious to see if you're recognize the songs after you're born.
We had an appointment today and got to hear your heartbeat again. I remember to record it this time so I could hear it over and over again and I LOVE the sound. I can't stop smiling when I listen to it. Last time your heartbeat was in the 160s this time it was 148. You kept swimming away though so we had to chase your little heartbeat around. The nurse said you're very active. We scheduled our next appointment for three weeks from now and we'll find out if you're a boy or a girl! I can't wait!!

People at work say I'm showing now. I think it's cause I was so small to begin with and you have no place to go but out. Oh! I gained 4 pounds this last month!

I'm so overly excited about you and everything about you and it's really feeling more real. My friends tell me you're going to start kicking a lot more and keeping me up and night and stuff but I don't mind... I can't wait! I can't wait to show you off and play with you and kiss your cheeks!

Although you're not even a pound yet I'm already so proud of you! If when you're growing up I act a little crazy, and over protective, and overzealous I'm sorry. But don't worry... You're mom is a little crazy but it's because I love you!

Love,

Mommy

******

Question of the day: Did you play music for your baby while you were pregnant with them? Do you think they remembered any songs after?

For more information about being 16 weeks pregnant visit Pregnancy Corner.

Winner of the Mom-to-be Lamaze gift set according to Random.org: Commenter #37 Mariana! Congrats! Please email me your info to babymakingmachine(at)gmail.com.

You're 17 Weeks and Gave Us a Big Surprise!

Dear Spawnie,

This week, without a doubt I know you are one strong little cookie. I wasn't so sure about your kicks before and people joked it could have been gas but this week I know without a doubt that I feel you kicking... A lot! It's really quite surprising to me actually. You’re kicking right now as I write this out. I say kicking but I guess technically it could be you flinching/ spazing out.

Last week I asked a few people how early they could feel you from the outside and most seemed to say sometime in the 20th weeks. One friend said her husband could listen and hear her baby move before then so I told your daddy to try to listen for you. He couldn’t hear anything but between you and me I don’t think he was trying very hard... And I don’t think he has such good hearing.
A few nights later though I felt you moving and I put my hand over you to see if I could feel you on the outside. To my surprise I could! So I went over to your daddy and had him keep his hand there cause I knew you’d move again and I wanted him to feel it. Once I felt you kick I looked over at your daddy and I saw his face light up. I knew he felt you, his face said it all. He said he did feel you and that it was crazy thinking that you’re actually in there moving around.

Since I'm only 17 weeks along it makes me wonder who big you are in there. I've told you before your dad was 10lbs 2 oz so it makes me think that maybe you'll be bigger than normal. Or perhaps you're just stronger which I think will help you win the Heisman... hehe. Kidding kidding!

I had a root beer the other night and you started moving around like crazy! I hadn’t had much carbonation since being pregnant so I think it was new for you. I am excited to feel you more and more as we get bigger and bigger!

This week your skeleton is changing soft cartilage to bone, and your umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. You weigh about 5 ounces now… About as much as a turnip, and you’re around 5 inches long from head to bottom. You can move your joints, and your sweat glands are starting to develop.Mommy can’t sleep as comfortably anymore. If I try to sleep on my stomach I feel a little queezy, probably because I’m squishing you. If I lay on my sides my hips hurt, I think cause the weight of you pulls me more forward. I’m using a pillow between my knees for now to help but I’m getting a nicer one soon! Don’t worry though; my lack of sleep is totally worth it for you!

I can’t believe we’re almost half way there and get this… Just 12 days until I know if you’re a boy or a girl! I really hope you cooperate for the cameras cause I don’t want to leave until I see what you are!
I really don’t mind either way. If I were to guess based on mommy’s instincts I’d say you’re a girl, but based on all of the tests I’ve taken I’m thinking you’re a boy. Obviously it’s one or the other! I’m just so excited to know so I can start shopping for you. Call me picky but the unisex outfits just aren’t as fun or cute to me. I do have little outfits in mind for you already though on way or another don’t you worry! You’ll be a very stylish baby!

Keep cooking Spawnie, I can’t wait to meet you!

Love,

Mommy

****

A word from my sponsor: To learn more about being 17 weeks pregnant visit Pregnancy Corner.

18 Weeks Pregnant: I Can't Believe It

Dear Spawnie,

You are more than 18 weeks along now. It's really crazy how big you're getting and how quickly this is all going along. We're almost HALF WAY there!! Can you believe it?! I can feel you every day now. I really love it, sometimes you kick harder and longer than other times... Like when I'm at work and reading the news. I'm not sure if you really hate my voice or really like it but you kick a lot when I'm doing that. I laugh to myself when I think about what you must be thinking.

I can't help but wonder if you're strong cause of the vitamins I'm taking. I've been taking them since before I was pregnant with you so I could get my body to stock up on the goods for you. Maybe that's why I can feel you so much already.

Monday your daddy and I find out if you're our son or our daughter. We're very excited to know... Especially me. I can't wait to go out and buy you a little sporty outfit, or a dress. I think I'll go straight to the store after we find out to celebrate.

I already feel a little bad for your siblings after you. I'm so excited and I love you so much already I just feel like you feel complete our family! I hear the first pregnancy is the most exciting. It's hard to imagine being this excited every time. Don't tell your future brother or sisters how excited I am about you ok? They may get jealous!

You are on my mind ALL of the time now! I think about what you're doing, how you're feeling, what I've been feeding you, what you'll look like, how big you're getting, if you'll get here ok... It never ends! I'm just SO EXCITED to meet you and hug you and kiss you, and I can't believe you're actually MINE! It's really crazy to think about it. I love your daddy a lot and it's so cool thinking about you being exactly one half of me and one half your daddy. I hope you get his good looks.

Spawnie, I'm getting huge! I guess that means you are too, but more on that in a moment.

We already have plans for the three of us! Next year, when you're over a year old we want to take you to a football game... BYU vs UT. It's gonna be AWESOME. And we'll get you all dressed up in BYU gear. You need to watch the game if you're going to play it (assuming you're a boy).

You're about 5 inches long now, and you're flexing your joints more, you're also forming this weird skin stuff around you this week to keep you from getting all wrinkly while you're floating around in there.

You're making mommy have to go to the bathroom a lot, and I've been very faint when standing for a long time... I've blacked out twice at work in the past few weeks... But that's another story. The doctors say we're ok, I just need to drink more water and sit down when I feel the symptoms coming on. (Photo from Baby Center)

You're also taking up a lot more space in my stomach now. Last night my stomach was hurting REALLY BAD and I wasn't sure if it was because I was having Braxton Hicks contractions or if you've just pushed my stomach way up to my chest and it was hurting from all of the moving. When I took a picture of my stomach this week I noticed my bump got more stretched out, and it looks like I'm carrying you higher now. According to the wives tales that means you're a girl! We shall see in just 5 days!

I love you Spawnie, keep on growing strong!

Love,

Mommy

***

A word from a sponsor: Learn more about being 18 weeks pregnant from Pregnancy Corner.

Question of the day: Did you feel like your stomach was squished up into your ribs? What did Braxton Hicks contractions feel like ot you and when did you get them?

Getting Spawnie Some Rhythm: Lullabelly Giveaway!

I love all of the youtube videos of cute dancing babies. In case you missed them all here's one of my favorites:

It's kind of a given that my child is going to have to dance around and be cute for me... Cause it's adorable and funny and that's just what babies are suppose to do!... Bounce around and entertain me in their adorable little diaper bottoms!

I'm trying to give Spawnie a head start now by tuning into good music on the radio when I'm driving in the car. I was so excited when I saw my pregnancy update saying that Spawnie could probably hear now! Then I started to crank up the music some more and picture him/her listening to it.

I started to wonder how I could get Spawnie to listen to music more often (I know, for some reason I'm really into this concept) and I didn't dare break my headphones in half trying to fit them across my stomach, but I found this cool prenatal music belt called Lullabelly. You can listen to music and there's a little speaker in the pouch that points towards your belly and plays the music to your baby too!

I read more about pregnancy music and read that it's good for mommy and baby, plus it's a fun way to bond! I've had several friends tell me while they listened to certain songs, or played guitar/sang certain tunes etc. and their baby REMEMBERED them after birth! Well... Recognized at least, and they'd stop crying or quiet down when they'd hear it. Have you heard of that too? I promise I'm not crazy. I really want to test this out on Spawnie!

Lullabelly was nice enough to send me my choice in color for a prenatal music belt and I choose the green even though they have blue and pink too cause I'm still not sure what Spawnie is (MONDAY people... MONDAY!!). Green is more boyish to me still but since I have a feeling Spawnie is a boy I went with it, plus, I'm wearing it not the baby.

I was SO EXCITED. When I got it in the mail. Right away I was impressed with how soft it was and how big the pouch was. My iPhone fits in it fine, though it's a tight squeeze when I zip it up with the adapter and everything.

The strap is celcro so it's very adjustable. I'm VERY small compared to the average user (for now) so I have to more than overlap the straps a little but it stays on just fine. You can wear it over or under your clothing. I prefer under, and since I wear an undershirt anyway, I put it between that and my top.

I've pretty much worn it every day since I bought it. I can't clean without music and it arrived at perfect timing during this nesting spurt I'm going through so I strapped it on and cleaned out my ENTIRE closet! Then I reorganized it to be color-coordinating!

(proof)

I've worn it out when I'm on walks with Snoop. I dunno why but it's more fun and exciting to exercise, clean etc, when I picture Spawnie dancing right along with me.

I seriously LOVE my Lullabelly... And they aren't paying me to say that. It's probably one of my favorite pregnancy items so far. I think partly because I love music so much but I personally have no musical talent. This is a nice way to get Spawnie accustomed to good music but not have to torture him/her with my singing.

More features:

-Plugs into your ipod or Mp3 player

-Encourages learning, language and memory skills

-Play the same music after birth for better sleeping habits

-Speaker projects volume at a safe level (so much so that I couldn't hear it until I put my ear up to it.)

You can BUY a deluxe package Lullabelly for $55. It comes with the band, the removable speaker, the split adapter for your headphones and a pair of headphones! The Standard Package without the adapter and headphones is just $49.

You can WIN a Lullabelly in a color of your choice right here on my blog! Just leave a comment telling me what kind of music you'd listen to on your Lullabelly or what you'd use it for.

Want extra entries? Comment again if you:

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Contest Ends February 9th at 11:59 PM. Good Luck!

This giveaway is a part of my Full Term Of Giveaways! One a week every week until Spawnie arrives!

Disclosure: I was not paid for conducting this review. I was given a Lullabelly only for the purpose of conducting the review and the opinions stated are my own. Thanks Lullabelly for sponsoring the giveaway!