Wordless Wednesday {Lemon Eater}

18 Week Pregnancy Vlog

At 18 weeks gestation...

... my first trimester symptoms are basically gone.  No more nauseous, aversions, etc.  Now, I am getting tired from walking long distances.  I have some shortness of breath, usually from walking long distances.  I want to sleep more often, and for longer periods of time.  I've had some braxton hicks contractions, but those were as a result of a near accident, and have mostly gone away.  I've had some crazy dreams in the past week, but thankfully the headaches have pretty much gone away.

... Mikey and I were nearly in an accident.  The seat belt pulled across the bottom of my stomach.  Even though I try to wear it as low as I can, across my hips, it rides up. Two different idiot drivers swerved into our lane.  Mikey, who was driving at the time, slammed on the brakes to avoid being hit on my side of the car.  We weren't hit, thank goodness.  After it was all said and done, the bottom of my stomach was sore for about a half an hour, and then it went away.  I didn't think much more of it, until the next morning when I woke up to a braxton hicks contraction.  I didn't start having braxton hicks with Micah until about 26 weeks.  At about 30 weeks, I started being monitored regularly because they were causing changes to my cervix.  When I woke up to that feeling, I was a little worried, but I started drinking water knowing that sometimes dehydration can cause contractions.  As the morning progressed, the braxton hicks contractions came more and more frequently, so I called my doctor's office.  The nurse told me to come in to be checked out.  The doctor checked me, and all was well.  There were no changes.  Everything looked to be closed up tight, and the doctor wasn't worried.  I went home to rest, and haven't felt bad since. I'm hoping to avoid being monitored so often with this pregnancy. 

... went big with my hair.  In case you couldn't tell in the video, I chopped it all off.  After taking the twists out, I realized that my hair wasn't getting any better, and decided to go for broke.  I'm going to start over, and go natural.  Hopefully, I get the kind of results I want.  So far, I'm loving it.

... have bought some more clothes.  Mostly loose fitting tops, and  few dresses.  Nothing else maternity.  I doubt I'll but anything else maternity.  Maternity clothes are too expensive for something that I'm going to wear for a very short amount of time in the grand scheme of things.  Especially because I'm so small naturally.  Buying a larger size in regular clothes works throughout most if not all of my pregnancy. 

...  I'm getting more and more excited to find out if this little one is a boy or girl (hopefully Thursday).  Hopefully the nugget cooperates.  Of course, I really just want a healthy baby, and don't care if I have a boy or girl.  But I'm really interested to know either way.

... weighed in at 118.4, and belly measured at 32 inches around.

Yard Man

We went to a baby shower today. After the festivities were over, the children went out to play.  Micah went out too.  He enjoyed himself.  Especially when he found this toy lawnmower.  I wonder if he'll want to push a lawnmower this badly when he's 15 years old.

Trying to get to the older kids on the trampoline.

He never made it up that hill.

After Daddy chased him down and made him come back from the street.

He also played with some passing puppies that were out for a walk.  Really he chased them down.  I couldn't get the camera up fast enough to take that picture.  I was too busy chasing him to keep him from hurting the puppies or getting hurt himself. 

Naturally

I've been thinking about going natural for a while now.  I believe April 2011 was the last time that I thought about going natural.  I waffled back and forth about doing the big chop, because I realized that if I didn't cut it all off, I would never do it.  Relaxers really are a creamy crack.  My husband was supportive, as always.  By July of 2011, I'd talked myself out of it.  At that point, it had been months since I had had a relaxer, and I couldn't make the final commitment to just cut it off.  And then, I got a relaxer.  I had failed.  Fast forward to the beginning of December 2011.  The last time I had a relaxer, at that time, was sometime during the last week of October 2011.  {I think it was October 28.}  Somehow I ran across videos on YouTube of the natural hair journey of a woman. Of course, that lead to me searching for more videos.  And that lead to me feeling once again that I could do it.

Now let me back up a bit.  Growing up, I had pretty long hair.  I don't remember what my hair texture was like. I know that the decision was made for my hair to be pressed.  By high school I was getting relaxers, not regularly, but often enough for my hair to be "manageable."  Then I went to college, and eventually, I cut my hair and relaxed it more regularly.  That's when stuff started going wonky.  My hair didn't grow back as thick as it had been before.  Time went by, and I would grow my hair, then cut it, then grow it back again.  I really had no interest in doing anything with it, though I did want to look good.  I think it was a combination of laziness, tomboy-ishness (totally a word), and not knowing what to do with it.  Eventually my hair got to the point where it wasn't growing well.  It wouldn't really get as long as it had been in the past, and it was much thinner than it had ever been.  By the time I was done with my schooling and married, I had moved from having a relaxer every six to eight weeks, to having a relaxer every four weeks.  I was killing my hair.  Then my husband and I got married.  Oh, and pregnancy killed it.  My hair broke off really badly during my pregnancy, several times.  It also broke off really badly about two months after I gave birth.  I really was at my wit's end.  If I had thought about it then, or rather been informed, I would have started going natural at that time.  Hindsight is 20/20. 

What was the hold up for going natural?   I've tried a few times before, and never made it.  Mostly, it was a fear of what others would think of me without hair.  My family is really big on a woman's hair being her glory.  My husband doesn't care as long as I'm happy.  I really didn't want to hear lot of negative talk about my decisions with my hair. I must admit I grew up as a people pleaser.  Old habits die hard.  Another stumbling block is that I've always had some length to my hair.  It may have been damaged, but I had hair. Like I said before, in order for me to be successful, I was going to have to cut the relaxed hair off.  I will never make it if I try to transition my hair until I have an "acceptable" length.  And last, but not least.  I have no idea how to do my own hair, and I can't afford to pay someone to do it for me.  This will definitely be a learning process for me.  Mostly though, the answer to that question is fear. 

So why now?  I finally got perspective.  I am going to do it now to get to healthy hair.  I am going to do it now, because I have the support of my husband.  I am going to do it now because I need to be able to look in the mirror and be happy with what I see.  My hair did not make me happy.  I am going to actively work to change that.

What's the plan?  The plan is to...

... learn as much as I can about natural hair. 

... learn about natural hair care products.

... learn about natural hair styling.

... live nappily ever after.

I did it!  I went in, and got the big chop.  I wasn't too sure when I first got out the chair, but by the time I made it home, I loved it.

Boy or Girl? Who Cares?

Before I even got pregnant this go around, I thought about the gender of my next child.  Honestly, I would be happy either way.  When Micah turned about a year old, I started imagining having two boys and a girl. Would I be disappointed to have only boys? NO.  Would I be disappointed to have Micah be the only boy? NO.  Honestly, I would love either gender.  Before Mikey and I even married, I said I wanted only boys.  After getting married, but before having a boy, I realized that having a girl wouldn’t be so bad. (Hopefully she wouldn’t be all wrapped up into pink and girly stuff.  I really wouldn't know what to do with that.)  A part of me wants Micah to have a brother to have a brotherly relationship with.  Mostly, that want is due to my brother.  He was the only boy for many years, and would often say that he had to wait until he went to college to find brothers.  That stuck with me.  I guess what I’m trying to say is boy or girl, when I go in for my anatomy scan on the 26th (or when this stinker is born, if he/she is stubborn) I will be ecstatic whether baby #2 is a boy or a girl.   

*****

That being said, let’s talk about old wive’s tales.  

Heart Rate

If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl.  If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.  Baby Giles #2's heart rate has fluctuated.   At some appointments it was in the 160's and at others it was in the 140's.  I guess that means that #2 is a girl.

Belly

If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl.  If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.   According to this old wive's tale, #2 is a boy.

Ring Test

Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly.  You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth  and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.  

Shape of Mom's Face

When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means you’re going to have a girl.  If your face is long and narrow, it’s a boy.   This one says #2 is a girl.

 Acne

If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. I won't show you the picture, but I had one huge bump that looked like it was made up of three or four smaller bumps all clumped together.  It was horrible.  Needless to say, I'm thinking girl for this old wive's tale.

Cravings

People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy.  If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.  I haven't really had cravings this pregnancy, but if I had to choose, I would say that salty foods sound more appetizing to me.  I guess that means boy.

 

Chinese Gender Chart

The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%.  It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.  The Chinese Gender Chart says #2 is a boy.

Mom's Beauty

Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy.  It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty.  If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy.  My mom, Mikey, and I agree, that I look much the same. I guess that means #2 is a boy.

Dreams of the Baby

If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl.  If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy.  Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.  I haven't had any dreams about this baby.  With Micah, I always dreamed that he was a girl.  My dreams aren't telling me anything for #2.

Morning Sickness

If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy.  If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. This pregnancy has been smooth sailing, so I'm guessing boy.

Headaches

If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.  Lately, I've been having headaches nearly everyday.  I guess that means boy.

That's 6 for boy, and 3 for girls.

*****

So what do you think?  Leave a comment telling whether you think boy or girl and why.  Mikey is definitely in the little girl camp.  I am thinking little boy.  I must admit, though, that Mikey was right about Micah, and I was wrong, but I based my guess on my dreams. 

17 Weeks Pregnancy Vlog

At 17 weeks gestation...

... my symptoms are still minimal.  I get daily reminders that I'm pregnant in the form of kicks from baby #2.  I also get Micah kicks, pokes, and hits too.  I didn't realize how much he pushes off of my stomach to get up or lands on my stomach when playing.  I'm still feeling very tired, even after a full night's rest.  Lately, I've been getting headaches too.  It' almost daily.  I'm not sure what's causing the headaches, but I want them to go away.  I also realized that I had headaches during my pregnancy with Micah as well.  They lasted from roughly 16 weeks to 20 weeks.  Hopefully these headaches will soon be gone.

... I'm very frustrated with my hair.  During my first pregnancy, my hair thinned and broke off really badly.  Once I gave birth, it got worse.  It hasn't gotten any better since then.  As a matter of fact, it's gotten so much worse.  I really don't know what to do with it any more.  

...  maternity clothes are a must.  At least on my bottom half.  I can still fit into quite a few of my regular tops, especially if they aren't too structured.  But all my skirts and pants have to have a maternity or elastic waist.  I prefer dresses most days, and those I still wear in regular sizes. 

...  I weigh in at 118 pounds.  My waist has expanded to 31 1/4 inches.  This nugget is growing.

... I'm so excited for the anatomy scan.  I'm praying for a healthy baby, and excited to find out if this one will be a boy or a girl.  April 26th can't get here fast enough.

Borrowed Shoes

She's Another Year Older

Angel & Angelo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE ANGEL!!!

Micah is on Vacation

Micah visited my aunt and uncle and their family for spring break last week. He seemed to be having lots of fun, and wasn't really worried that mommy and daddy were not around.   I really didn't realize how lively Micah makes the house.  This is the first time that he's been away from me for any length of time, and I missed him a lot.

He went to see the Easter Bunny.

He went to the park.

He went to the library.

He went out to eat.

Like I said, he looks like he had a great time.  Thank you Segres' for making my baby feel like he was one of you.  This week he's hanging out with his Mimi. I don't think he's having as much fun, but he's still getting all kinds of spoiled.

Male Bonding

My boys have been bonding.  I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Micah demonstrating how it's done.

Waiting on Daddy to take his turn.

Spotting, and critiquing daddy's technique.

Deciding which P90X video to start with.

Moving on to hand weights.

16 Weeks

At 16 weeks gestation...

... I am feeling lots of baby movement.  He or she is in there rolling, flipping, and kicking all the time.  I still feel most movement when I'm sitting or laying still.  Also when something rests against belly, I get kicked in that spot.  Micah has been kicked for resting against my belly too.  Even the seat belt has been kicked.

... I had a doctor's appointment last week.  Everything looked great.  I scheduled my anatomy scan for the end of the month.  We should find out whether Baby Giles # 2 is a boy or a girl on the 26th.  Hopefully the baby cooperates.  I also got a reminder that I would have to take the rhogam shot again at about 28 weeks.

... we're hoping for a healthy baby first and foremost.  I must throw that disclaimer out first.  Now on to the question of what do we want; a boy or a girl? Truthfully, it doesn't matter to me.  A part of me wants Micah to have a brotherly relationship.  A part of me wants a girl.  Mikey and most of our family are convinced that this is a girl.  Time will tell.  We'll either find out at the end of the month or September when the baby comes.

... I found that eating sweets causes me to feel bad.  I had a similar reaction to sweets when I was pregnant with Micah.  Anything that can be considered sweet (juice, candy, cake, etc.) causes my blood sugar level to spike and then drop really quickly.  This leaves me feeling really bad, sometimes nauseous.  I've learned to monitor what I eat, and significantly change the amount of sweets that I eat.

... I haven't been feeling as rested after I sleep.  I fall asleep just fine, and usually sleep like a log.  I only wake up to use the bathroom once a night or if Micah cries during the night.  I am going to try going to bed earlier.  Hopefully, that way I'll feel better rested when I wake in the mornings.

... I'm starting to think about names.  We are going to wait until we know it's a boy or girl before we discuss names, but I like to be prepared.  It will probably be a while before we choose a name though.

... don't have any cravings and aversions anymore.  Lately, I've been really indecisive about what I want to eat.  It makes deciding what to eat for lunch very difficult.

... I have developed an outie belly button again.  It caught me completely by surprise.

... measured my baby bump at 30.5 inches, and weigh in at 117.6 pounds.

Easter 2012

 

Happy Easter Day!