Bradley Class (17 Weeks)

I thought it might be neat to compare 12 weeks to 17 weeks as I was wearing the same outfit...

   

How far along? 17 weeks 

Baby size: An Onion. Averaging 5.1 inches long and weighing 5.9 ounces.

Total weight gain/loss: Roughly 3lbs
Maternity clothes? I don't have many, but my pants don't fit anymore for sure
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Sleeping better this week
Best moment this week:We had our fist Bradley Method Class and we also had a really fun date night on Monday :-)
Miss Anything? not really this week
Movement: I think it's safe to say that I am feeling movement, like tumbling or kart wheels.
Food cravings: I have eaten a lot of grapes this week... I am also trying to stick to the stuff that Bradley suggests so there is no room for cravings.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Bad smells really hit me hard!

Have you started to show yet: Yes and I have started having to pull things over my belly!
Gender Prediction: When I think about the actual baby I always see a girl, but as I am working on nursery/registry stuff I always look for things as if I am expecting a boy...

Symptoms: My fingers are swelling :-(
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? They have been off quite a bit this week, I guess a combination of the heat and pregnancy.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty Happy :-D I will admit that I have had a few melt downs though.
Looking forward to: Family Visits and only 2 weeks until we find out what we are having on August 9th!!!


Bradley Method Class
This week we had our first Bradley Method class. For those of you who don't know, Bradley method is a natural birthing method that focuses on relaxation and the husband as the coach. We will be covering A LOT of material from diet and exercise to the phases of birth. They will teach us how to prepare our bodies now for the rigor of child birth. It is pretty awesome! This week we covered some exercises that prepare your body for labor like squatting, tailor sitting (Indian style with a pillow), and my favorite how to relax... apparently Dr. Bradley was inspired by farm animals who go off on their own and imitate sleep when they are about to give birth. So this week I get to practice being relaxed...and Lucas gets to help (massage!!). I think I am going to enjoy this class! 

Avacado... yes I misspelled Avocado (16 weeks)

How far along? 16 weeks 

Baby size: An Avocado. Averaging 4.5 inches long and weighing 3.5 ounces.

Total weight gain/loss: I think I may have gained a little weight this week, but I am not too sure.
Maternity clothes? Still about the same... comfy loose fitting skirts are my favorite this week.
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: It takes forever for me to fall asleep and I am constantly up and down!
Best moment this week: This week I was able to relax a lot and that was a blessing
Miss Anything? Chai Tea Lattes :-(
Movement: I think so maybe, only I wouldn't describe it as butterflies...
Food cravings: Still loving milk. I have been craving junk. but still trying to avoid it.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Veggies are still hard to eat.

Have you started to show yet: Yes :)
Gender Prediction: hmm.... I am feeling girl again!

Symptoms: Same as usual... the big thing this week is that my body tells me when I need to eat, well it demands that I eat.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On... but my fingers have been swelling at night this week.

Happy or Moody most of the time: This week I have been a little more moody than normal
Looking forward to: Still looking forward to all the things from last week! But Most of them actually happen this week!

I plan to homeschool, but since I can't spell avocado (nor do I ever eat them! and I didn't even draw my avocado this week...) I am thinking I have a bit of studying to do before Baby West needs spelling lessons :-)

Birth Center (15 weeks)

How far along? 15 weeks 

Baby size: An orange. Averaging 4 inches long and weighing 2.5 ounces.

Total weight gain/loss: .7 lbs, basically nothing if I weigh myself in the mornings.
Maternity clothes? I've been sticking to loose fitting clothing or yoga pants, but this week I bought my first official maternity outfit.
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Depends on the night, my dreams are crazy and I am usually up between 4-7 times
Best moment this week: We had our first appointment with the Birth Center, you can read more about that below.
Miss Anything? This week I have been really wanting soda, I dont even drink soda. I have also been dreaming of horseback riding lol
Movement: It's probably too soon, but i know something is going on in there
Food cravings: Milk! I love milk!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Veggies, they are so hard to get down lately.

Have you started to show yet: Yes :) Just a little tiny baby bump!
Gender Prediction:  I honestly have no clue!I have been thinking a lot about a baby boy this week, but hubby said he is leaning girl (the tables have turned)

Symptoms: Not really and bad symptoms, I have been blessed through pregnancy so far.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Feeling pretty happy!
Looking forward to: Helping throw a joint baby shower for two of my best friends, starting our Bradley method class, Our families visiting and ultimately our gender reveal party.... its one busy month!

Birth Center

On Friday we had our first appointment with the Midwives at NOVA Natural Birth Center and we both LOVED it! The staff was so welcoming and caring. We spent 2 hours at our appointment mostly talking and getting to know each other and we weren't rushed. We were loaded up with resources to read and really felt like our baby was important to them and not just another patient. Our midwife Mayann was very supportive and dedicated to making sure that I am staying healthy and growing a healthy baby. PLUS She told me I had good muscle tone (ha!) how could I not love her already!. We are really excited about our upcoming experience with the Birth Center. I really feel like it is the perfect fit for us, I even left with a whole bunch of natural goodies, pregnancy tea, herbal remedies, and homemade soap for my new natural kick :-)

Pregnancy is Turning me into a Hippie (14 Weeks)

How far along?  14 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: back to 2.5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Getting there, but still fitting most clothes
Stretch marks? not yet :-)
Sleep: Depends on the night, sometimes I can't sleep well at all others I sleep like a baby
Best moment this week: This week our Friends the Flowers came to visit and we had a lot of fun, I think my favorite part was making peach icecream together
Miss Anything? I am pretty content, I miss having energy
Movement: 2 weeks is what "they" say
Food cravings: This week I have eaten a lot of Mexican and Pasta.
Anything making you queasy or sick: The heat is the only thing that has made me sick this week.

Have you started to show yet: More and more people are telling me that they can tell...
Gender Prediction: This week is the first time that I really decided that either one would be a blessing, so I am going with boy...this week anyway.
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: The start of growing pains
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Felling happy, but in a needy mood most days
Looking forward to: Our first appointment at NOVA Natural Birth Center tomorrow eeek!


Granola Adventures:
Lately I have been having pressing desires to be more natural. I am not sure where it all started, probably with my decision to do a Natural Birth and exploring the benefits of a drug free labor (unless medically needed of course). As I branched out in my research from birth to pregnancy in general and learned about free-radicals and parabens  in our hair products and cosmetics, I decided to take some baby steps to making a more natural life style. I thought it would be good to share this weeks changes for post-pregnancy purposes to see if these are true convictions or just radical pregnancy hormones. I have a feeling that these choices will last beyond pregnancy though.


This weeks shopping list:
 Yes to Carrots Shampoo and Conditioner

Burt's Bees Chemical Free Sunscreen and Aloe and Linden Flower After Sun Soother
Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Hair Gel : I had to do something for my curls
Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil As recommended by my herbalist Aunt Gloria to use as a lotion

I discovered this site, EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database from one of the girls in my pregnancy forum and I am now in love/obsessed with looking up stuff and the ingredients/chemicals.


I also plan to use cloth diapers (which my Granny is excited about) and make my own baby food... we will see if I actually follow through on that!