I have a secret

And I can't tell you guys either! 

Neiner. Neiner. Neiner.

Soooooo...we sorta, kinda, maybe had an ultrasound earlier than expected and we know what we're having. 

Buuuuutttt, I'm not telling anyone until next week. I am determined to surprise my family with the news, so that means you all get to wait too. 

As for other news, Baby Skeletor is moving like crazy lately but DH still hasn't been able to feel. I did learn that I have an anterior placenta so it may be a while before he can feel it too. 

This post is one giant tease so I will leave you with some pics of baby skeletor.

Here's a creepy US pic for you. It freaks me out that you can see baby's eye balls! Crazy! Yet, I love it. 

Temps are in the 60s this week, so me and the furry monster went on a walk at my alma mater yesterday. 

Week 18: Sweet potato. Mmmmmm Thanksgiving feast week!

My mornings: Hello night shift. Goodbye sleep.

My nights: I can go to sleep OK, but it's staying asleep that is a challenge.

 

How far along: 18w,6d

How big is baby: Skeletor is fattening up this week thanks to the holiday meals. Baby is the size of a sweet potato and I ate loads of sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving. Baby weighs about 6.7 ounces and is 5.6 inches.

Weight:

Starting weight: 130

Total weight gain: 14

This week: 144

My official weight at the doctor's appointment last week was 144. With some recent vomiting and stomach issues, my weight has been up and down a couple pounds lately. 

How I’m changing: The child is growing in my boobs. I think my uterus has relocated there.

What I miss: A good night's sleep and warm weather.

Symptoms: Headaches are my main problem right now. They're getting in the way of normal life and making me sick and/or miss work.

Cravings: Another firehouse salad. House dressing. Extra dressing and extra cheese please.

Food Aversions: Nothing.

Highlights this week: I had my 18w OB appointment which was quick. Pee in a cup. Poke my finger. Doppler on the belly and done. I'm glad I remembered to ask the OB about my previous bloodwork (everything was fine except that Antibody N thing but it will have no affect on me or pregnancy) and my frequent migraines. He prescribed a drug that has a sedative, aceptamenophen, and caffeine to help stop a migraine when it first starts. I have used it once this week. It worked OK as far as knocking me out but it's not a miracle drug that completely gets rid of the crippling pain, vomiting, sickness, inability to tolerate light and noises, etc. But at least I got a couple hours of sleep from it.

 

Maternity clothes: Yep. Wearing them more and more. I had to buy some more pants. Despite the dozens of pants that were loaned to me, there were only two pair that were long enough for me. I bought one extra pair that I think should last me through the whole pregnancy. The other two that fit are low panel ones and they are getting uncomfortable as the belly grows.

Stretch marks: None. I think I am getting one on my butt.

Sleep: Ha. Stupid Sleep. My body hates sleep.

Movement: I feel some bubbles at least once a day now. Sometimes more.

Gender: I still think Boy. We did the ring test and it said boy too. We shall see soon.

Labor signs: Nope. Way too soon.

Belly button: I will still be an innie for a while.

What I am looking forward to: I finally get a chance to surprise people with something! My anatomy scan was supposed to be sometime in the middle of the month. Also this month is my family's annual Christmas dinner with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. It's one of the only times we can get all the sides of the family together. With some help from my SIL ::howdy and waves:: we were able to plan the date for Dec 13. SIL and brother always host it at their house. I originally had the ultrasound set for Dec. 16 which is the date that I told my mom and family members. BUuuuutttt, I rescheduled for Dec. 13 and we're now planning on a surprise gender reveal at the party. I will update the blog with the reveal options to get some opinions as we make more plans.

Milestones: Each day and week is another milestone. I am cleaning out the spare room and thinking of nursery ideas.

18 weeks UK hoodie shot! 

  

The best part about today...

I'm pretty sure I am the luckiest pregnant girl EVAR! How awesome is it that I am pregnant on Thanksgiving and Christmas?!? Although I would have loved being pregnant any time of the year, I got extremely lucky that I am out of the first tri and away from the odds of being sick from smells or aversion to certain things. 

I'm also in the nice zone where gaining weight is acceptable and eating isn't painful yet. And whoever created maternity pants needs a gold medal! 

I'm planning my entire outfit based on my stretchiest pants. Woohoo! Bring on the turkey. And the dressing. And the potatoes. Corn! Pie!!!! Cobbler!!! And more importantly, ALL THE LEFTOVERS!!!

(Side note: I just ate a pancake and just blogging about this has made me hungry.) 

My pregnancy is backwards.

You know those classic pregnancy symptoms that most people get in the first tri? Nausea, vomiting, sickness all day, headaches? 

I didn't get any of it. Well except for a few minutes here and there when I didn't eat every other second, I felt sick. I felt faint. Passing out seemed like a good option. 

I lucked out and felt good for the majority of the first tri. Someone forgot to tell my body that the second trimester should be easier. It's the honeymoon of the pregnancy stages. Sickness should be gone. Energy returns. Intervals between pee times are back to normal human standards. That's what they say. "They" who are the experts and listen to all sorts of pregnant women can't be wrong. 

My body laughs at their assumptions and  "they" can kiss my butt. 

The last few weeks have not been as awesome as the first tri. My stomach and my mouth are not speaking to each other. The breakdown in communication between them is only hurting my tummy even more. Now it's hungry. But it can't think of anything it wants to eat. My mouth makes suggestions and in turn my stomach makes my mouth gag. 

My head is also trying to get in on the action and trying to piss off what's left in my stomach. Migraines have been a problem for years. But recently they stopped for several months. I even thought I might get lucky and not get any throughout the pregnancy. Wrong again.

Over the past couple weeks, I've had 3. I can't take my usual Rx and can only drink caffeine, take Tylenol and try to sleep it away. Fortunately my OB gave me a new Rx. I hope it helps so I don't have to call in sick, miss work and projectile vomit all over my bathroom. 

I've heard stories of women vomiting without any warning or gagging over nothing at all. I can now say I've experienced it. Well at least I have some bragging rights now? I guess I should look on the bright side. It's not convenient but neither is needing to pee 8 times a night. That's not even an exaggeration. EIGHT TIMES! My bladder and my body's need for sleep are obviously not communicating either, 

On the bright side, my favorite holiday is coming up. I don't even care if I vomit up turkey, I will eat the stuffing out of it and all the other amazing Thanksgiving foods.

I do admit though that there really isn't better time to be pregnant than at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Eat.All.The.Things!!1!1!! Plus I have giant stretchy pants. I'm going to be well prepared! 

Oh happy day!

I'm calling it. At 17w,5d I officially am sure than I am feeling baby movement! 

As I laid in bed flat on my back this morning, there was distinct bubbly feelings going on. 

It happened about 4-5 times and I was afraid to get up because I was scared it would stop.

I've been feeling a bubble pop here and there every few days for the past couple weeks but this was the first time that I was like "That's definitely it!" 

I can't wait until DH can feel it from the outside. He's excited for it. 

That was the good part of me day. The rest of it went to shat quickly when I got called into work and then dealt with women work drama all day long! But at least work is over and I am getting paid extra. 

Also, someone needs to get me this. KTHXBAI

You know it's bad...

You know it's bad when you need the toilet, trash can and kleenexes to contain all the bodily fluids spewing from you. 

You're welcome for that graphic description, by the way. 

Also, whoever the genius was who said "morning sickness" was only in the first tri or that a migraine is only a headache needs to show up at my house today. I have a set of dull scissors with his testicles name on it. 

17 weeks: Onion. Great, now I want a Blooming Onion.

My mornings: I have never been a morning person. I wake up every day tired. My college roomie used to sing when she was getting ready. My reaction was to plan ways to murder her. 

My nights: Last night I went to bed at 9. I woke up and 10 and proceeded to take a nap every 30 minutes until 4 am. An infant has been sleep habits than me. If I cry it out, will that help me go to sleep? 

 

How far along: 17 weeks, 1d

How big is baby: Skeletor is putting some meat on the bones and is now the size of an onion at 5.1 inches and 5.9 ounces. 

 

Weight:

Starting weight: 130

Total weight gain: 12

This week: 142

How I’m changing: I'm starting to get more of a prominent belly. And I think my boobs are growing again. The largest bra that I have isn't fitting as well. So it looks like I may have to go shopping again soon. 

What I miss: A good night's sleep.

Symptoms: My blood volume is increasing causing more moments of breathlessness and rapid heartbeat. 

 

Cravings: ALL. OF. THE. CARBS!!!!

Food Aversions: Nothing. 

Highlights this week: I got a hands free nursing bra for free. I paid S&H and its a nice little bra. I hope it works well! 

Maternity clothes: Yep. Wearing them more and more. 

Stretch marks: None.

Sleep: Ha. Stupid Sleep. My body hates sleep.

Movement: I feel some bubbles every couple days when I lay still. Nothing that I can identify when I'm moving around though. 

Gender: When I shop for items I am drawn to the girl stuff but I still feel boy most if the time. 

Labor signs: Nope. Way too soon.

Belly button: I will still be an innie for a while.

What I am looking forward to: My OB appointment will be Nov. 25. Then I will get the appt date for my anatomy scan. I can't wait to see the scan and make sure everything is OK plus find out the gender.

Milestones: Nothing too important right now but I was able to get DH to go into BRU with me. He looked so confused and basically told me to take my mom and SIL with me to officially register. His answers to what items to pick were based on cuteness and color. Oh and of course, price. To him, buying the cheapest thing is OK. He didn't understand the importance of some items over others. But at least he's willing to give me full reign over picking out things. 

And now for a visual...