19 weeks, 4 days: Are you irritated by kisses tonight?

Oh, the stretching, how awful this feels! I swear my ab muscles are pulled apart already!! It hurts so much on my upper abs, plus I feel like I'm bruised from the inside from all the kicking this crazy kid does! I'm complaining, but I'm still smiling...in reality, I love it all!



Christopher is super sweet. He tucks me into bed every night, and has done so since we started dating. Here are the steps to tucking me into bed:

1. Salina yells, 'Goodnight!' across the house

2. Chris says 'I'm coming!' across the house.

3. Salina crawls into the unmade bed and waits patiently with all the lights still on

4. Chris comes in the room, makes the bed on Salina.

5. Chris kisses Salina's forehead and then her lips.

6. Chris turns the lights off, says 'Goodnight, I love you. Have a good day tomorrow."

7. Salina says 'Goodnight, I love you too."



Well last week, I told him that for no reason at all I am getting irritated by the kissing before bed. So he says that's okay and now this is how the tucking-in goes:



Follow steps 1-4.

Insert new step before 5, we can call it 4P for pregnancy:

4P. Chris asks 'Are you irritated by kisses tonight?" Salina says yes, no, or which kiss she is irritated by (lips or forehead).

Step 5 is modified based on Salina's answers.

Follow steps 6-7.



So cute! I love how understanding he is being with my strange requests and crazy emotions!

19 weeks, 3 days: Trapped!

Oh my, what a week! We had turkey dinner last week, which was very good. It was really great to see Jason! I was so tired after I was done cooking, though. This year Christopher really stepped up and helped out since I couldn't lift the turkey up to clean it, pull it out of the fridge, or put it in the oven. It was fun to prepare some of the dinner together.



I had my final presenatation for Strategy last night. It went really well and I'm looking foward to being done with class next week. My dad and brother are flying out for graduation and I can't wait to see them both!! I honestly can't believe I'll have a masters. Where did the time go?? And what did I do with myself before school started?!?



We had our prenatal appointment on Monday. It was super quick and a waste of time. We were in and out in 30 min. The good news is that I've only gained 5 lbs total--which the doctor said is perfect for how far along I am. It's a good thing the baby has better eating habits than I do, or I'm sure I would be triple that! The baby just doesn't like sugar all that much, so I eat lots of fruit and veggies.



The nurse had a really hard time finding the heart beat this time because the baby kept moving all over. She finally got it--143-145 bpm. The doctor also couldn't believe that I feel movement every day now. The baby is getting stronger all the time (and I love the little animated baby at the top of the blog...it looks so cute now!). I think the kid is doing aerobics or karate in there! Yesterday the baby kicked so hard I sat up straight and took notice. It was almost painful, but more just surprising. So strange to have part of your body move involuntarily.



I think I have opposite of body dysmorphic disorder (and I don't intend to make light of this disorder...I just have no other way to describe it). People with this disorder can get pre-occupied with an imagined problem with their body. I'm the opposite. I think I look completely normal. When I look in the mirror, I see the same Salina I've always seen. It's like I can't see myself pregnant. Well, until yesterday morning. I caught a glimpse of my profile as I walked by the mirror to get in the shower and I had to back track! I thought, that can't possibly be me--that woman definitely looks very pregnant!! Did I just get a belly overnight?? I even used to look at my belly pics without really seeing them, or I guess I didn't see them as me. Not anymore...I'm obsessed with my cute pregnant self now. Especially since it feels more like a pregnant belly--it's getting harder now.



Last night in class for the first time I physically could not bend at the waist. I used to be able to, or at least I still had a range of motion somewhere near my waist. Not anymore, I guess. I dropped something on the floor while I was sitting down and I went to bend over to pick it up. My body just stopped, mid-way. So weird. I had to scoot to the end of my chair and move my legs to pick the item up.



The no bending at the waist got in the way again today! We have to scan our parking passes to get in the parking garage for work and I dropped mine ouside of my car just below my car door. So I opened my car door and realized I couldn't bend down to get it. I also couldn't get out of my car because I couldn't squeeze out with my belly. Good thing I had carpooled with coworkers--one of them got out and got my pass for me. Otherwise I would have been trapped!

19 weeks: Belly Stares

What's happening with the baby:

The baby measures 5.2 to 6 inches from crown to rump and weighs 7 ounces. Skin is developing and transparent, appearing red because the blood vessels are visible through it. Creamy white protective coating, called vermix, begins to develop.



I went out shopping today, just to get out of the house. It was nice since I've stayed home the entire turkey day weekend in hopes of avoiding all the crazy Christmas shopping. That and I was doing lots of homework. Can you believe I only have 2 weeks left?!? I can't wait!



In California, everyone stares. I mean really stares. They stare you up and down and when you look at them, they just continue staring. I guess everyone is really curious about each other. Well, I realized today that I wasn't being stared at anymore...just my belly was!! I've always stared at preganant women, thinking wow, amazing that that can happen--look how pretty they look. Well, now that I'm on the opposite end, it's a strange feeling to just have your belly stared at. Guess I definitely look pregnant!



I had a craving the other night. I tell you, I must stop watching TV. Any time I see a commercial for food, I instantly crave whatever I'm seeing. I've never been this easily manipulated by advertising before! So I send Christopher to the store (he practically begged me to go--seems he thinks my job is to carry the baby and his is to make midnight runs to the store for me). I tell him I really want kit-kats and he asks if there is anything else. Uh, yep, chocolate milk and grape juice, please. He does a double-take, smiles and says uh, okay, be back in a few.



Kit-kats: yum, yum, yum (ate one that night)

Chocolate milk: mmm, not as good as I thought. I had it after lunch the next day and it reminded me too much like Ensure protein drink that I drank in the first trimester to curb the hunger.

Grape juice: Oh. my. gosh. SO GOOD!!! I had a glass with dinner and I don't think anything has tasted so good in my life!!!



Our doctor appointment is tomorrow. Let's see how long I have to wait this time for a 10 min appointment. I think these appointments are a waste of my time!

18 weeks, 2 days: My belly moved!!

I saw the baby move from the outside today!! I also felt it move when my hand was sitting on my belly. It was so amazing!! I can't wait for Christopher to feel it.



We went out to dinner tonight to celebrate and relax, since Christopher had a bad day at work. We went to Claim Jumpers, which for you Coloradans, is a steakhouse with GIANT portions. I mean the plates are more than a foot long and everything is giant sized. It's like eating in the giant sized Mario world!



Pre-pregnancy Claim Jumper meal:

Me: Order baby back ribs and a salad first. Eat the entire salad, then 2 bites of the mashed potatoes, 1 bite of the garlic cheese toast, and 2 ribs. Push my plate away and be stuffed to the max.

Christopher: Order steak, and a cup of soup first. Eat all of the soup, both pieces of the garlic cheese toast, 1 of his cheese potato cakes, and 1/4 of the giant steak.



Post-pregnancy Claim Jumper meal:

Me: Same order as above. Eat entire salad, 75% of the mashed potatoes, both pieces of garlic cheese toast, the entire rack of ribs, and 2 more bites of the potatoes. I began eying Christopher's steak and he quickly says "Back off, you can't have any of mine." He started smiling at me and suddenly I am very aware of how pregnant I must look with an empty plate, fingers dripping with bbq sauce and devouring his steak with my eyes. So funny!

Him: Same ritual as above, while warding me off from stealing his steak.



At any rate, we had a good time and a great meal.



And thanks to soon-to-be Grandma Jacqueline for all the wonderful cards and first baby blanket! You are so thoughtful!



I posted the 18 week belly pic if you're interested.

18 weels, 1 day: Ultrasound

What's happening with the baby:

The baby measures 5.5 to 5.6 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 5.25 ounces. The growth spurt is tapering off, but reflexes are kicking in. It can yawn, stretch, make facial expressions, even frown. Taste buds are beginning to develop and can distinguish between sweet and bitter tastes. The baby will suck if it's lips are touched, and it can swallow, and even get the hiccups. The retinas have become sensitive to light so if a bright light is shined on the mother's abdomen, the baby will move to shield its eyes.



We had our ultrasound today! The heartbeat was 133 bpm. The baby measured a few days ahead, so the estimated due date based on measurements is April 16th--Christopher's birthday!! But, I doubt the doctor will move the official due date since the baby will come when it wants!



The baby was so cute moving all around with it's tiny hands and feet. It took about an hour and we got tons of pictures. And for those of you who are dying to know...we were able to get the money shot--but you'll have to weight until Christmas! (Now I have to do extra proof-reading on the blog to make sure I don't slip!)



Here are some great pictures:



Profile:


Peek-a-boo:


Long legs:

17 weeks, 4 days: Puppies for Sale!

Another weird dream...



I had a dream I was sleeping and I woke up on our couch with a heavy blanket on me. I was very confused and Scout was doing her crazy kangaroo hops all over the living room. I look down, and no more baby bump. I'm also feeling very tired.



Christopher comes walking through the door with our 'bundle of joy'. I realize at some point I have given birth, but I have absolutely no memory of it. I ask him, "Did I give birth?" He said, "Yes, last night. It went really fast and after about 3 hours I brought you home. You fell asleep so I went back to the hospital." I think 'What?!? I don't remember it and I went home 3 hours later? Is that even possible?' He promptly hands me the blanket with our 'bundle of joy' and I open it to find 6 tiny beagle puppies!! Then he takes the blanket and puppies away from me and sets them on the floor. Scout begins licking them and feeding them.



At this point I am so weirded out, but Christopher nonchalantly says "They're all healthy. Scout is a very proud mama and I'm sure she's thankful!" Again, I am so confused and ask "I gave birth to puppies?!? Where's the baby?" Christopher says, "Well sure, Scout can't have puppies of her own! The baby's at the hospital and I'm going back to bring the baby home this afternoon." I ask how I got pregnant with puppies, and he says it was because I kiss Scout all the time. Then he promptly kisses me on the head and leaves, I guess to get our baby!



I think to myself, 'Let me get this straight. I was a surrogate mother for my dog because we got her spayed. I first gave birth to 6 tiny beagle puppies because I kissed my dog too much, then I gave birth to a baby? And I have absolutely no memory of this?!? What the hell is wrong with my husband?"



I woke up very confused and had to go to the bathroom very badly. I think I'm obsessed with my dog. First I breastfed her, and now I'm having her puppies?!?! Enough with the dog already! (By the way, I know for a fact you don't get pregant by kissing too much!)

17 weeks, 3 days: Let's get it on

Some pregnancy books say the baby can hear the outside world now, but some say it won't happen for another couple of weeks. Either the following story is a coincidence, or the baby can hear things now!



I was driving to work today and flipping through the radio stations. I coudn't really find anything I wanted to listen to, especially now that some of the radio stations in CA are changing their music style. I keep forgetting to put CD's in my car, so I usually have to settle for something on the radio and listen to those annoying DJ's. I stopped on the song "Let's get it on", which I wasn't in the mood to listen to. The baby starting groovin' like crazy! Lot's of pokes and wiggles--it made me laugh out loud! Just to see if it was because of the song, I changed the station and sure enough, all quiet on the belly front. I change it back to the song and the kid is a dance machine!!



Of all songs for a baby to like--"Let's get it on"?? I think it's hilarious. I called Christopher to tell him and after he hung up on me (I hope by accident), he called me back. I told him and he started laughing too. I think it could be a boy based on the choice of music, afterall Christopher also loves that song. Of course if the baby is dancing then I would guess it's a girl, since I love to dance! Guess we'll know in about a week!

17 weeks: Just realized *WHERE* babies come from

What's happening to the baby:

The baby measures 4.4 to 4.8 inches from crown to rump and has doubled in weight in the last two weeks, now weighing 3.5 ounces. Fat is beginning to form helping the baby's heat production and metabolism. The lungs are beginning to exhale amniotic fluid, and the cirulatory and urinary systems are working. Hair on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes is filling in.



Have you noticed the animated fetus is getting bigger and not so creepy looking? Pretty cool...except it's poor leg is tangled in the umbilical cord. Oh, and the baby is getting fatter...too bad I can't blame the baby for the extra 3 lbs that showed up over the last week! Yeah, you read that right, 3 lbs in one week!!



Today was very productive. I cleaned the house (really just picked up since the maids came this week), did the laundry, walked the dog, went grocery shopping, finished all of my homework, met with my group for school, got a pedicure, made dinner, and even squeezed in a nap! I feel really good.



I'm so sad...I got my first stretch mark a few days ago. And it's on my boob!!! How unfair is that?!? I swear with the dark, bumpy nipples and now the stretch marks radiating from them, I'm waiting for them to start blinking so as to entice the baby 'here it is, you can't miss me!' Not lovin' this part of pregnancy!



This weekend I really thought about *where* the baby comes from and I don't see how it's going to be possible to squeeze an entire human out of that little thing! I guess my body will figure it out. So I've decided it's time to start preparing myself for the pain of labor:



Yesterday I went and got my first bikini wax while being pregnant. You see, my belly is in the way and I can no longer reach with a razor (how long till I can't shave my legs?!?!). Since I am very girly and firmly believe in grooming myself, I just can't let it get all wild! Especially since the pre-natal vitamins and hormones make all of my body hair grow on super-speed. I've had many bikini waxes and although it's uncomfortable, it's not really that bad. My opinion has completely changed!!! It was so painful I wanted to cry. Apparently the area is a lot more sensitive while being pregnant. So after the 25 minutes of torture, I've now had 2 days of discomfort and pain. No fun. I'm rethinking the whole grooming thing.



You can see the updated belly pic now. I think my belly is changing shape...maybe I lost some bloat and gained some baby?

16 weeks, 3 days: Crazy dreams...

What's happening with the baby:

The baby now measures 4.3 to 4.6 inches crown to rump and weighs 2.8 ounces. Fingernails are well formed and the fine hair, lanugo, may be growing on the head. Arms and legs are moving. The nervous system is functioning and muscles are responding to stimulation from the baby's brain.



I had a dream last night that I had a baby boy! And he was so adorable...just a perfect little angel. He looked like a mix of me and Christopher. He had dark hair, but light eyes and had the surprised/sad look on his face that Christopher sometimes gets. In my dream, I took him to work when he was about 2 months old to meet everyone, but work was more like a ghost town. It was very bizarre and I started to panic that I wouldn't have a job after taking 4 months off from work. It was also extremely hot at work.



My interpretation: I don't know what I'm having. At this point I don't put much stock in my dreams foretelling the future, since I also had a dream that I breastfed our dog!!! (That was just plain scary--all those sharp teeth coming right towards my boob. Almost enough to make me rethink breastfeeding all together!) But he was a cute little boy--and I would be just as happy with a cute little girl! As for the rest of it, I think it's just my fears coming out in my dreams. I'm concerned that I will be viewed differently at work because I am a mom, or I wonder how I will adjust to re-prioritizing my life. All normal I guess. About being hot...I must have slept with too many blankets!



I am also having the weird stretching feeling again in my belly. It feels like I've done 200 situps and all I have to show for it is a bigger baby belly! So uncomfortable. Not much else to report. I wasn't able to take a 16 week belly pic because I had to travel for work. I will take a 17 week one instead.



Also, if you haven't seen the funny Pokeman Card Ebay post, I have a link on my blog. Make sure you read it...it is one of the funniest things I have ever read. I also posted the blog from the mom who made that Ebay post. I would recommend reading her 'Favorite Posts' (link on the right side of her blog), especially the Welcome and Resignation Letter. She is hysterical!

15 weeks, 5 days: Poke, Poke, Poke!

The baby went poke, poke, poke yesterday!!!! It felt like if you put your hand on a bag of water with a goldfish in it. So cool!! Still a little strange because it's new, but I love the poke, poke, poke much better than the flutters. I can't wait to feel it again!



I sent a text message to Christopher, but he left his phone in his car. He called me when he got off work and I could hear the smile in his voice.



Him: So you felt the baby move?

Me: Yep.

Him: That's so cool!

Me: Hopefully by Christmas you'll be able to feel it.

Him: That's so cool! I can't wait!