9 weeks

How far along?  9 weeks
How big is baby? The size of an olive

What’s baby doing this week?

• This is a milestone. She's no longer an embryo -- now she's a fetus!
• She's developing more distinct facial features.
• And she might now have a strong enough heartbeat to be picked up by a fetal doppler

Total weight gain/loss? About a pound up

Symptoms? Still puking, still tired and still up all night to pee. Add to that sciatica, leg cramps and horrible mood swings. It's been rough around here. I'm so tired!
Maternity clothes?  I have been rocking the pants. I can't get my jeans comfortably buttoned anymore. I feel like I am going to either bust at the seams or squish the baby. My shirts are still working for me though.
Stretch marks? No new ones to date!
Sleep?  I could have had a glorious night....but then my husband decided to wake me up at 2:30 and blame me for losing batteries that he had to have at...2:30 in the morning. Then, he woke me up again at 4:00 when he locked himself out of the house. Husbands....Then I woke up at 6 AM because I was having a dream that I donated a lung to a friend and when I woke up in the recovery room I had horrible chest pain and couldn't breathe well. Turns out I just had gurgly heartburn in real life and that kept me awake until 7:30. Then, Nate was up at 8 and here I am.... I love sleep so much and there is just never enough time in the night for it. I'm tired. So, so tired!
Best moment of the week? Nate coming up with names for 'his baby'. He decided on Lucy and Oliver.
Food cravings Still gotta have me some meat! I eat almost exclusively burgers and that chicken noodle soup that comes in the red box.

Movement? Still waiting
Gender? Well, we have decided to keep it a secret! That means after this week I can go ahead and delete this question from our survey and you'll have to wait until after he or she is here to find out!! We are also keeping our baby names a secret too so DON'T ASK! We'll never tell!! And don't try to coax them out of Nathan either because he has his own agenda and you won't get a straight answer anyhow.
Belly button in/out?In

What I miss: I miss sleep, not having a backache, not having to pee all the time, Excedrin, coffee, seafood....the list goes on and on. I am having a tough week! We are headed up to the cabin this week which might be one of the worst places to sleep during pregnancy.Simply because my 5 trips to the bathroom every night turn into my 5 trips to the outhouse, and I have to brave the outdoors which freaks me out. There are bears up there and that's the last place I want to be alone. I made David promise me that he will accompany me to the outhouse all night long because he would feel bad if he allowed his pregnant wife to get mauled by a bear. He agreed.
What I am looking forward to: Three more weeks until I hit the 12 week mark! This is a big day for all preggos. It's the moment that you can finally relax about the possibility of miscarriage. However, it also becomes the last week before I head into the even scarier second trimester. But, one foot in front of the other. I will make it through this one way or another. I am also anticipating my OB appt but I rescheduled it for exactly 12 weeks so I have awhile to go yet.

 Milestones: Well, as you saw above, Junior is now in the fetus club so that's always nice. Otherwise I think this is just a normal old week.

Now onto the belly picture! Ignore the fingerprints again this week. I lied when I said I was going to clean the mirror. Truthfully, I haven't cleaned it once since we moved in and I doubt I will start now:

8 weeks

How far along?  8 weeks!
How big is baby? We hit the inch mark! But-- in keeping with my normal food comparisons, as big as a large raspberry.

What’s baby doing this week? 

• I can't feel it yet, but he/she's moving those arms and legs like crazy!
• Its fingers and toes are now only slightly webbed, and its tail is gone.
• Fun fact: Baby's taste buds are now forming.

Total weight gain/loss?I'm right about where I started

Symptoms? Well, the nausea picked up with a furry. I was spending the better part of my day puking (to include an entire curdled chocolate malt-- that was by far the worst). Then it just vanished. I didn't puke, I wasn't gagging, other than feeling a little unsettled things were good! But of course this was too good to last and the puking came back this morning and left me springing (from a dead sleep) to the bathroom. I'm OK with that though because on my two day puking respite I ended up being more nervous and worried that something was wrong than actually enjoying my vomit free days... It's like when you want your newborn to sleep through the night, and then when they finally do you can't enjoy it because you are awake watching them all night. My boobs are still aching and starting to fill out again. Nowhere near as impressive as they were with Nathan. Although, now that I have nursed them into non-existence I doubt the words "my boobs" and "impressive" will ever belong together in the same sentence again. The insane exhaustion is still my best friend. I am desperately waiting for this to go away. I'll puke my way to 40 weeks-- I don't care, just let me get my brainpower back!!
Maternity clothes?  By the end of the day when my bloat catches up with me I could definitely use some elastic waisted pants but when I wake up in the morning I am still fitting into my clothes-- except my skinnies. Those aren't buttoning.
Stretch marks? No new ones, although I have decided I probably won't get anymore because there is no room left on my stomach for them. Although I better take that back. Now just to spite me they are going to start popping up on my hips and butt.
Sleep?  I am finally able to sleep a little better. I'm not up and awake for the day at 7 anymore (at least not on days I don't have to be). Assuming that I can keep Nathan asleep, I am able to sleep as long as he'll let me. Which usually isn't past 8. However, my son is the killer of napping dreams so by bed time I  pretty much crash.
Best moment of the week? Nathan referring to his "sister" as "my girl". Thought that was so cute. A potential peek into the windows of the future where Nathan is a protective and loving big brother.
Food cravings Meat. I know it's gross. I don't get it either. I have never craved meat a day in my life and in my last two pregnancies I practically became a vegetarian because the mere thought of meat left me running for the toilet. Now, I need a hamburger, or a chunk of meat-- yes, and actual 'chunk' of meat-- to get me through the day. This is revolting to me. The other day on Facebook I was comparing myself to Phoebe in that episode of Friends where although she is a vegetarian she craves meat and has to have it. So she cuts a deal with Joey that he will stop eating meat and let her have his share so that no extra animals die. Now granted, I don't care if an animal dies to fill my stomach, but I also don't want to go through a cow a week!! I will say however, a Big Mac does not constitute a hamburger anymore. I had one yesterday because I didn't want to drive the 15 minutes to Hardees and it was not satisfying. Other than that I am craving Goldfish crackers. They are just so deliciously addicting. I want an over easy egg too but I'm up a creek because I don't know how to make them, and David refuses to make me one as long as I am in the family way.

Movement? From what I read, this kid is a jumping extraordinaire. Obviously I can't feel it yet but OH would I love to get a peek in my uterus. I had my first ultrasound with Nathan at 9 weeks and that kid looked like someone gave him IV Red Bull. He was just freaking out in there. I thought it was so cute and that was the moment that I fell in love with that kid hard. But, knowing what I know now about developing babies, I think this kid already has me hook,line and sinker.
Gender? As I sit here and argue with Nathan about the very real possibility that this might be a boy (and he screams and refuses to believe it) I do think I am back on team blue. I don't know if it's wishful thinking or what but who am I kidding? I don't know what to do with a girl and boys are SO sweet. I just want a whole houseful of little boys.
Labor signs? nope
Belly button in/out?In-- I'm starting to think I should have added these questions in later.

What I miss: Hair dye!!! My roots are awful and the blonde-ish color growing in compared to the black actually looks like I just am missing patches of hair when looked at from a distance. I also miss whitening strips and salicylic acid. I am starting to look like a dirty, frumpy little preggo and there is nothing I can do about it. Only 4 more weeks until I can color my hair though. Can't wait!!
What I am looking forward to: 2nd trimester!! And the return of my energy.

 Milestones: I am officially 1/3 of the way to viability today. The things we PALers grasp at.... Everything is just so scary! Wishing I could be in the 'normal' group that just needs to make it past the scary first trimester-- but I think it's the terrifying second trimester that has my panties in a bundle. I hate it-- so much can go wrong just a few weeks too early to save the baby. Pretty crappy. But, I am not going to worry my frumpy little head about it. God knows what he's doing and I just need to hand this one over to him!

Now for the belly picture--- much more realistic now that my initial water retention has gone away. Ignore the toothpaste and little fingerprints all over the mirror. I have been too lazy to do any extra cleaning  these days. By next week I will try and have it cleaned for the picture.

7 weeks

How far along?  7 weeks!
How big is baby? The size of a blueberry!

What’s baby doing this week? 

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place

Total weight gain/loss? Up about 3 pounds, although I'm sure it's all water weight. I have been taking my weight at all different times of the days.

Symptoms? Whew! Where to start? For starters I have never been so tired in my life. It's making school next to impossible. I am anxious for this to pass. Also, I have morning sickness from hell. It's awful. Some days I can't even hold down a sip of water until noon! Mood swings have started too. I find myself short on patience more often than not.
Maternity clothes?  Just ordered a whole bunch of them today! So excited because I had a coupon for 25% off my Old Navy order plus free shipping. I saved myself almost a hundred bucks! I am still fitting into most of my clothes, although I am not getting my skinnies buttoned anymore.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep?  Great when I'm getting it. The vivid, weird dreams are starting and I find myself awake like clockwork every morning at 7. Also, being up on average 4-6 times a night to pee is taking it's toll.
Best moment of the week? Seeing junior's heartbeat today! Everything looked great in the ultrasound with the exception of an SCH. That made me nervous to hear and I was seriously praying there wouldn't be one when I went in. That's what I had with my last pregnancy that caused the early bleeding. They didn't seem to worry about it though, so I am going to just trust in Lord and keep telling myself that they are very common and just because I had the worst case scenario last time does not mean history will repeat itself.
Food cravings Not much of anything this week. I have been trying to go for the easier on the tummy foods like soup, but no real cravings.

Movement? Only little flickers that I could see on the ultrasound.
Gender? Undecided this week
Labor signs? Nope
Belly button in/out? In

What I miss: Not feeling like a zombie all day long. I'm SO tired!
What I am looking forward to: Feeling movement. That's just my favorite!

 Milestones:First ultrasound

And now to meet the fifth member of our family, and the weekly baby bump picture!!!

6 weeks

How far along? 6 weeks
How big is baby? as big as a sweet pea

What’s baby doing this week? 

Growing like crazy! Baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Those little hands and feet- still webbed like paddles- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as mine!), and blood is starting to circulate.

Total weight gain/loss?Nothing yet

Symptoms? Still exhausted. I finally puked yesterday morning and I spent this morning gagging over the toilet. So, morning sickness might be kicking in after all. Finally! I can't relax in a symptom-free pregnancy!
Maternity clothes?  I have been in a few of my first trimester shirts from when I was pregnant with Nathan, I can wear my jeans with the top button unbuttoned.
Stretch marks? No new ones yet!
Sleep?  Finally getting a little more
Best moment of the week? Nathan was eating an orange and he found a seed in it. He gave it to me and said "Here mom, I found a nut. That's how big my baby brother or sister is this week."
Food cravings Nothing. Starting to lose my appetite.

Movement? Still too early
Gender? Back on team blue.
Labor signs? Nope!

Belly button in/out?In

What I miss: Not being up all night to pee
What I am looking forward to: finding out where that stupid placenta is sitting!!

 Milestones: Made it to six weeks with no bleeding. Baby's heart should be beating!

Time for the belly pic!!

5+4

Well, I'm still pregnant and there are still no problems. I don't know if I really believe it. This is the week where things started to go sour with Noah so I am in a constant worry that I will find myself spotting again and we'll repeat history. I am doing my best to keep my head up but the gloomy "what ifs" always surface eventually.

I have such minimal symptoms that it's almost like I'm not even pregnant. I don't even know how to deal with this since in my first two pregnancies I puked and puked and was sick as a dog. Other than a few bouts of queasiness I have felt fine! I feel like this one is a girl. Obviously the completely different symptoms makes me feel that way but also because a few weeks ago Nathan told me completely out of the blue that "his baby sister would be coming soon". Creepy, right? Well, now he is adamant that he get a sister. I told him that it could be a boy and he was not happy about it. He is refusing to believe it. So, I am hoping for his sake that he gets his sister. As for me, I don't care either way. I just want happy and HEALTHY!

So, just for fun, I figured I would try and keep up with these little surveys every week. I am gonna shoot for Fridays since that's my day off from class, and also the start of my new weeks of pregnancy.

How far along?  5 weeks, 4 days
How big is baby? The size of an Appleseed

What's baby doing this week?  Starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory and digestive)

Total weight gain/loss?  Nothing yet

Symptoms? VERY occasional nausea, exhaustion, cramps,backache and my left boob hurts if I push on it really hard.
Maternity clothes?  A little too soon although if this bloating keeps up I will be in maternity clothes before I know it! There soon will be no hiding it (as if I would want to!!)
Stretch marks? Just the ones from the last couple of times.
Sleep?  What's that? I have been working my tail off and averaging 6 hours of sleep a night. It's downright miserable. BUT, don't worry bloggies, I only have 6 days left at work and then I am going to be a lady of scholarly leisure the rest of my pregnancy.
Best moment of the week?  Nathan was having a fit about how the baby HAD to be a sister. I told him that we didn't get to pick and tried to encourage him to believe that a boy would be just as good. He then told me that he already had a brother and now he wants a sister too. Melted my heart that he remembers his baby brother.
Food cravings: Ice cream which is so bizarre. I don't even like ice cream.

Movement? Still too early 
Gender? Like I said earlier, thinking it's a girl
Labor signs? Ugh! Don't even say that!!
Belly button in/out? Innie

What I miss: Being able to drink beer at the end of a long day at work.
What I am looking forward to: Our first ultrasound on September 7th

Milestones: Made it through the day that I first started bleeding in my last pregnancy. Thank you Jesus! Now to keep it that way!!!

And now for the baby belly picture! And I know I cheated with this week's. This was actually from a couple days ago but my belly looks about the same and there is no way I am getting off the couch to go take another one. Next week I promise to not be so lazy!!!!

Cooking Herman Baby number 3

So...now that my shock is wearing off (somewhat) I can blog with a straight-ish mind.

Anybody that follows me on Facebook knows I have been sick lately. And whatever bug I'm fighting perfectly covered up all my symptoms of pregnancy. I figured the exhaustion was caused by being run down and working so much (and so on so forth). It wasn't until I was standing in Sunday morning church that I thought "maybe" I could be pregnant. I kept getting hot flashes followed by waves of nausea that I have only experienced two other times in my life. Then I nearly passed out when I was leaving the church.

So Nate and I shot down to the Copps Food Market where pregnancy tests were half off (thank you God!) and I figured that I'd pick one up because they were so cheap. Finished up my grocery shopping, went home and put the groceries away then decided to pee on a stick. I instantly got a positive. Thinking that I HAD to be seeing things I called my sister to come confirm the two pink lines. She saw it, I freaked out and then did it two more times. Same story.

It almost killed me waiting to talk to David. I shot him a picture message with the pregnancy test and "Congratulations Daddy" written under it in case he didn't realize what he was looking at. This is the second time that I have gotten a positive pregnancy test while he was gone and he's given me a heart attack waiting to tell him. I don't have the patience for this! He finally called me back about ten hours later sounding dually shocked.  We haven't had much time to talk about it but he sounds happy.

I immediately put in my two weeks notice at work. I am NOT taking any chances. So, my last day of work will be on Sept 2, and my first ultrasound will be on Sept 7th. Until then I will just take this one day at a time. I am already running to the bathroom every ten seconds expecting to be bleeding, or trying not to pick anything up. I have to keep stepping back and telling myself that this is NOT my last pregnancy. Until I hear otherwise I can do things like wash the dishes and pick up toys.

I am cramping quite a bit, but I have to remind myself that part is normal. I'm also tired- but not as bad as in my first two pregnancies. The nausea seems to have kicked in earlier than normal though. Haven't puked yet but I am wondering if this is a sign of a long road ahead of me. Either way I don't care. Bring it on if it means a big, healthy, full-term baby.

ssshhh....it's a secret

Well it happened. Right when we were least expecting it. I ovulated on the one year anniversary of Noah's death, to the date. This is going to be a long and scary road! It's a secret for now so nobody say anything about it on Facebook. We are waiting until my 6 week ultrasound before we announce it to anyone. We are due on April 26th.

Please pray for my sanity, my nerves but most importantly a LONG and BORING pregnancy and a healthy baby.