24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks

Weight gain? I'm not sure. We don't have a scale at the beach house... Plus this week, I'm not sure if I want to know!

How big is baby? Baby J is likely about 8.5 inches long from head to tushie and 1.5 pounds. My friend Jenn is in school to become a labor and delivery nurse and in one of her classes yesterday, she learned an equation for predicting a baby's adult height based on his parent's height. Our little 8.5 inch mango may grow up to be 6'2"!

Maternity clothes? Everything I brought to the beach house is maternity with the exception of a jacket, 2 undershirts, 4 dresses, 1 pajama shirt, and about 1/2 of my undies. I think I still have a pretty good mix.

Sleep? Sleep has been difficult this week. Aside from the ordinary potty breaks and hip and back discomfort, I miss my body pillow and my comfy bed at home!

Best moment of the week? My baby shower! My other half, Amber, planned an amazing baby shower with the help of my mom, mother-in-law, and her wonderful aunts. We had it at Prego Ristorante in Irvine and it was a perfect venue. We had our own beautiful room and the food was delicious. We had amazing garlic bread, salad, pasta, and tiramisu. The portions were huge and everything was delicious. The service was great too. I love playing games at showers and Amber definitely chose some great ones: guess the nursery rhyme, choosing Baby J's ideal attributes, guessing how much of Baa Baa black sheep's wool (cotton) was in three bags (mason jars) full, and the highlight, nursery rhyme pictionary. Everyone was cracking up playing pictionary! Baby J got spoiled with some wonderful gifts: lots of gift cards, some adorable little outfits and accessories, and a homemade blanket, hoodie towel, scarf, beanie, and mittens. Our little guys is going to be so cute and cozy this winter! It was so wonderful to be able to celebrate with our family and friends on the west coast. I'm so grateful to Amber for planning such a fantastic shower!

Funny moment of the week? Ryan and I have been having a terrible time deciding what to name Baby J. Baby J just won't fly after birth! We put together a list of our favorite names to have our friends and family vote on this week. We're hoping they can help us narrow it down from a top 30 to a top 3, so we can name him one of the top 3 when we see what he looks like. Enabling people to see what we're thinking of has brought about some funny name associations, for example:

Ace = Ace hardware
Bran = Bran flakes
Brock = Brock, sounding like bok bok! Like a chicken!
Calvin = Calvin Klein
Duke = Baby Dooky
Duncan = Duncan Hines
Flint = Flintstones

Symptoms? Back and hip discomfort are in full force this week. I felt like my tail bone was swollen after flying. Aside from that, I feel pretty good and Baby J is becoming more active daily!

What I miss? I used to be able to spend hours laying out, soaking up the sun, but laying out has become very awkward. I can't lay flat on my back because it kills my pelvis, so I have to lay on my side like I'm going to sleep and flip over often. Plus, Ryan won't really let me sit in the sun. This will definitely be my most pale summer.

What I'm looking forward to? Spending the rest of the week with family and friends on the beach! I love vacation!

We'll post new pictures soon!

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 weeks!

Total weight gain? 17 pounds.

How big is baby? About 12 inches from head to heel and he probably weighs 1.1 to 1.3 pounds.



Maternity clothes? We went on a little shopping spree over the weekend so I could get some fall attire. I picked up a few new dresses, tops, and cardigans. I am having the hardest time finding good pants to wear to work! I need a brown pair and a grey pair, a warm coat, and some flat boots, then I will be set with my prego wardrobe basics.

Sleep? Sleep is the trickiest thing. Sometimes, I am able to sleep for three or four hours at a time, but at other times, I am up every hour and a half or I wake up at 4am unable to fall back asleep. I really do feel like this is practice for when the baby arrives, but I wish I could take advantage of these last few months being diaper-free!

Best moment of the week? Today, Baby J experienced his first earthquake! Earthquake? In Washington, DC? Oh yes! Today, we were rocked and rolled with a 5.8 magnitude shaker. I think Baby J sensed it the way dogs do. He went nuts for about 2 hours! It was pretty funny observing my colleagues reacting to their first earthquake. If you didn't know what it was, I know it would be pretty scary, especially in our 10-story glass-walled building when you are on the 9th floor. I share my cubicle with another Cali native and we knew just what to do! We slipped right under our desks, laughing at how familiar it felt and how panicked everyone else was. It was nice to be the one providing comfort to everyone, letting them know that the worst was probably over and teaching them what to do the next time they find themselves in an rumbling situation.

Plus, we learned that Dennis and Courtny are expecting a boy! Our little guys are going to grow up together!!

Funny moment of the week? Well, it had been awhile since it happened and it was bound to happen again sometime... Ryan had to "Montana" me on Saturday. Mott's apple juice was on sale at my grocery store this weekend plus I had a coupon, so I had to get it. I picked the "Natural 100% fresh pressed" version without paying any particular attention to why it was different. I was exhausted from a day of running errands and not in the mood to read labels, plus I am still getting used to Ryan being at the grocery store with me in the first place. As we're walking away from the aisle, Ryan starts asking, "what's the difference between the natural one and the regular one? Why is it darker than the regular one? Aren't all apple juice's pressed? What makes it more natural?" So, I take off ahead of him and reply, "if you're so curious, why don't you do some research, write a report, and then tell me all about it!" Then I got the "Montana" and had to shut up.

Symptoms? Cravings are making an appearance this week. I've been in the mood for pasta, dairy anything, and cereal, cereal, cereal. No weird cravings though, thank goodness! Well, we did have cupcakes for a colleague and I make up a cupcake in my imagination that sounded delicious: pancake cupcake, cream cheese frosting, sprinkled with chocolate covered bacon. I think I would like that anytime though!

What I miss? Being able to shave my legs without adjusting my stomach. It's an awkward angle.

What I'm looking forward to? Seeing our family and friends in a few days! I can predict a lot of belly touches in the next couple of weeks and that is OK with me!

Here's the 23 week bump!

22 Weeks

Ryan started taking paparazzi shots and I was cracking up.



How far along? 22 weeks! 5 1/2 months!

Total weight gain? 16 pounds.

How big is baby? About 12 inches from head to heel and he probably weighs just over a pound.

Maternity clothes? I am grateful I ordered a few pairs of leggings this week because some of my dresses are getting short. For the first time, I'm looking forward to autumn so I can actually be comfortable in the leggings.

Sleep? I can feel my hips spreading as of last weekend. My friend, Bryana, said she can picture Baby J spreading out across my pelvis like he's in a hammock. I imagine he is using my bladder as a pillow, so I'm waking up quite a bit.

Best moment of the week? Hearing Baby J's heartbeat. It really is the best sound I have ever heard. It's staying nice and healthy at a strong 168 beats per minute.

Funny moment of the week? Informing Ryan that I think my butt is getting wider. His favorite part of my anatomy is changing!

Symptoms? My lower back is aching a bit from my widening pelvis. I still have a few bumps from the heat rash I got when the air conditioner was broken in my office last week. Other than that, I'm feeling pretty good. I love feeling this little guy wiggle around in my belly! The strong kicks and punches make me smile every time.

What I miss? Putting on clothes without wondering if they are too short! That refers to tops and bottoms!

What I'm looking forward to? Our friends from work, Joseph and Alice (if you remember, they rescued Ryan when he broke his nose), learned today they are expecting a baby boy! I'm looking forward to the boy's first play date! This Saturday, Dennis and Courtny will find out their baby's gender! They already have the results in an envelope and will open it in front of their family at dinner Saturday. I admire their patience. I know I couldn't wait! I'm so excited to find out of Baby J is going to have buddy or a future arranged marriage! ;-p

Here's the 22 week bump!

Tacos and Baby Clothes

This week we have had two great finds!

Finding authentic Mexican tacos in the DC/Maryland/Virginia has been at the top of our food to-do list since moving away from California. After trying so many hole-in-the-wall restaurants, we finally found the best tacos! And, they're literally on our way home from work at a sweet little taco truck with the friendliest owners ever. These tacos taste like they're straight out of SoCal.



Today, I started Baby J's wardrobe. I'm totally trying to be practical, knowing that babies grow fast and moreover, knowing that our son will probably be tall and is likely to outgrow things quickly. I snagged three sleeper sacks, overalls, three pairs of footie pajamas, and seven short- and long-sleeved onesies for only $10.50! The Goodwill is a goldmine for money-conscious moms! It's all good brands too: Baby Gap, Carter's, Gerber... Our little man is going to be a little stud muffin!

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks! I can't believe we're already in our 6th month.

Total weight gain? 14 pounds.

How big is baby? 11 inches from head to heel!! He's as long as a piece of paper.

Maternity clothes? I have a handful of dresses and some cardigans that aren't maternity, but everything else is.

Sleep? Still sweating buckets... damn you increasing estrogen!

Best moment of the week? Our week was full of great moments! Here are the top three.

Ryan finally felt the baby kick! This week, his little kicks and punches have been getting stronger and stronger every day. By Monday and Tuesday last week, I was certain they would be strong enough for Ryan to feel them and they were. Not 20 minutes later, we could see the kicks! Ryan could see a little spot on my tummy move from across the room. I can't believe I can feel his movements so strongly when he's still going to grow twice as tall as he is now and probably eight times heavier. We definitely have a future athlete on our hands.

Whenever we are in California, we stay with our friends, Dennis and Courtny. We stay with them at Christmas, we get a beach house together in the summer, and we even lived together after college. And, now, our kids will get to grow up together! They announced that they're 13 weeks pregnant!

We went to the driving range Sunday and I had the sweetest picture in my head. I was able to look about 6 years in the future and could imagine Ryan, his dad, his brother, and our son, all at the driving range together. When I told Ryan what I'd pictured, he got the biggest grin. It was so sweet!

Funny moment of the week? Ryan vetoed two outfits this week. Apparently, this belly is doing a great job of making some of my dresses look a bit skanky. I had to order some leggings because I am not ready to give up dresses that actually fit around me!

Symptoms? I have had some super symptoms this week: very vivid dreams, hot flashes, long but thinning hair and flatulence! The dreams are crazy!! They have absolutely nothing to do with anything I do or see during the day and some are kind of creepy. It's hard to believe I am having dreams this vivid, especially when I don't think I'm sleepy enough to get some good z's. Hot flashes are no fun, especially in the middle of the most humid summer I've ever experienced. I had to cut three inches off my hair this week. Boo! It's growing so long, but looked so thin! This shorter 'do should help plump it up a bit. And, oh, the flatulence! My intestines have really stepped it down a notch this week and I have become the queen of burping and, yes, farting. I'm just waiting for my first public slip.

What I miss? Exercising. Seriously. I worked so hard to get in shape to become pregnant and exercising really became a part of my life. I can't believe I haven't had good exercise since April. We exercised on the cruise, went on a good bike ride after getting back, but then the piriformis syndrome flared up and it hurt to exercise and now I'm not allowed to exercise because I have a low placenta. It's frustrating. I feel so lazy!

What I'm looking forward to? We get to hear the heartbeat tomorrow! I get so excited whenever I get to hear him, see him, and feel him wiggle. His little heartbeat is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

Here's the 21 week bump! I definitely look pregnant now!

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 weeks! Also known as 5 months!

Total weight gain? 13 pounds.

How big is baby? 10.5 inches from head to heel!! Baby J is as long as this delicious homegrown cucumber.

Maternity clothes? About 75% of my wardrobe is now maternity.

Sleep? Sleep has been tough because it's so dang hot! Even with the AC on, I'm sweating buckets.

Best moment of the week? Seeing our healthy, handsome, little guy during our ultrasound on Thursday! He's developing just as he should and we can already tell he's going to be a cutie pie!

Funny moment of the week? For the last few months, I would say the majority of our friends predicted we were having a boy, but then suddenly, people started changing their minds. My mom even dreamed about a little girl. The whole time, Ryan had his heart set on a boy. We waited patiently for the point in the ultrasound when baby's gender would be revealed, and when she finally announced it, Ryan yelped and clapped! He just couldn't hide his enthusiasm.

Symptoms? Last week's ultrasound revealed a low placenta. Usually, the embryo attachs high in the uterus and the placenta develops somewhere near the top. In order to prevent the bad symptom of bleeding or even premature labor, I am on pelvic rest for the next 8 weeks. No exercise, no lifting over 5 pounds, and sadly, no hanky panky. Hopefully, as my uterus grows, the placenta will move up so the risk of bleeding is reduced and I can have a natural childbirth as planned. If not, I'll need a scheduled c-section to prevent hemorrhaging.

What I miss? Sleeping without snacks.

What I'm looking forward to? I can't wait until Ryan can feel the baby move. I think it's just amazing to feel him fluttering and kicking. This morning, I woke up at about 3:30am in need of a snack. I had a slice of leftover pizza and then sat on the couch for a few minutes to digest. Suddenly, I felt a push into my hand! It was the first big move I felt from the outside. I waited another couple of minutes and then baby went crazy! Hands and feet were kicking and punching at the same time. I could just imagine him thinking "pizza for breakfast! Yes!" He was having a little party in my tummy.

Here's the 20 week bump!