This pregnancy feels like it has flown by so far - it's hard to believe that I'm already 18 weeks along! I want to include the occasional pregnancy update so that I can look back after the baby has come and remember these weeks - months - of anticipation and expecting. So, without further ado...
THE FACTS
When is the baby due? July 9th. I'm currently 18 1/2 weeks pregnant.
When did you find out? We found out on a Monday morning in October, which happened to be the same day that Steve was set to depart for a week+ trip to Israel. I took a test (well, two tests) first thing that morning while Steve was working out and running last-minute errands for his trip. When the second test confirmed that I was pregnant, I crumpled into a happy, weepy mess on the floor praising God for this miracle.
How did you tell Steve? Knowing I had to tell Steve before he left for the week, I texted him that I needed to give him something before his flight. He had no idea what was up, but told me that I could meet him in the parking lot outside of his building before he dashed to the airport. I met him there on my way into the office and shared the news. It was a very special moment that I'm glad we got to share before his big trip.
Greeting Steve upon his arrival back home with a sign: "Welcome Home, Daddy"
Does Lyla seem to know? No way. She's in for a rude awakening come July ;).
Boy or Girl? Girl! We opted to conduct a blood test that confirmed (amongst various chromosomal deficiency tests) that we are having a little girl. I received a call from my doctor late Friday evening before Christmas - I am so grateful to her for taking the time to call before the holiday! It was the best Christmas present. Steve and I both thought initially that we were having a boy, but we are so thrilled to be having a girl.
Do you have any names in mind? Yes - we have settled on a name, which we have shared with close family, but we are waiting (for now, at least) to share with a wider base. Still undecided on middle names, although I think we are down to a short list at this point!
THE FIRST TRIMESTER
My first ultrasound was at 7 weeks, the day before Thanksgiving. Seeing the baby on the screen and - most memorably - hearing her little heart flutter for the first time was an experience I will never forget. Suffice it to say, there were lots of happy tears on my part.
My parents and sister (along with Steve's parents) already knew the big news, but we got to share with my grandma and aunt who were in town for Thanksgiving over Thanksgiving dinner. We promptly made phone calls to other close family to share with them as well.
We went in for another ultrasound at Week 8 to confirm that all was still going well (I had some pregnancy hormone numbers that made us pay special attention early on to make sure the baby was doing okay). As the sonographer told us, the baby both looked like and was the size of a teddy graham. Hah! It's amazing how a baby can grow from such a small start.
By Christmas season, my first trimester pregnancy fatigue was in full swing. I couldn't go to bed early enough - 7:30 was my preferred bedtime! Fortunately, I am blessed to work with a great boss who understood my limitations and allowed me to take it easy(-ier), given that December is the busiest month of the year at my job. I also had day-long nausea starting around Week 8 and lasting through Week 13 or so.
We celebrated Christmas at my parents' house, and shared the gender of the baby with them right before Christmas. My dad was correct in guessing that she was a girl! Santa was good to Baby Simcox and brought her adorable clothes (from her aunt), along with socks and shoes (from my parents). I'll leave it to you to guess which set is from my dad and which is from my mom ;).
After Christmas, we had our 12 week appointment and then headed out to
Hawaii for our vacation with the Simcox family. We shared the baby's gender with the whole family on the last dinner of the trip. Steve's dad was also correct in guessing she was a girl - I guess the grandfathers have a soft spot already for grand-daughters!
13 weeks in Hawaii
SECOND TRIMESTER
My pregnancy symptoms began to subside very soon after entering my second trimester - all of the sudden, I was able to stay up until 9:30 or 10pm again! It was amusing. I completely understand now why women say that the second trimester is the best. I have lots of energy now and my nausea has subsided.
Our last ultrasound was at 16 weeks, two weeks ago, which also included the anatomy ultrasound. It was SO FUN to watch our little girl bounce around, "wave" her fingers, and open/close her mouth (she must be chatty already in the womb, hah!). I could have laid there for hours watching her.
We are already just so smitten.
Baby received full marks at that appointment and the doctor says that all is going well for her and for me so far! We go back in in two weeks for our 20 week appointment and get to do another ultrasound while we are there. I can't wait.
BUMPDATE: WEEK 18 (AND BEFORE)
Baby: Baby is the size of a pear, ~ 6 oz.
Feel any movement? Not yet. My doctor has told me that (particular to me), I will likely not feel the baby move until Week 24 or so. I am trying to be patient!
Symptoms: I have energy throughout the day, but get very tired verrrrry quickly at night. I also have noticed my appetite increasing/decreasing pretty dramatically, depending on the day. I don't eat as much in one sitting, but I want to snack more. Apparently the baby is going through a growth spurt.
One of the more amusing earlier symptoms in this pregnancy included crying in any given movie (I couldn't watch a single Christmas movie without sobbing, including Home Alone and Polar Express).
Food Cravings: This is a fun one. Earlier on in the first trimester, my mom told me a story about how she ate waffles during her pregnancy to deal with morning sickness. Lo and behold, I immediately (and since, pretty much incessantly) craved waffles. Day or night, I'll take 'em. The other biggest ongoing craving is for soft pretzels. The day before Christmas, Steve and I
almost battled the crowds at the mall just to get me an Auntie Anne's pretzel. Now, anytime he travels, he picks one up for me at the airport and brings it home. He's such a sweetie.
This week, I had a terrible craving out of the blue for lemon poppyseed bread. I texted Steve that I was desperate and, during his lunch hour, he found a bakery with lemon poppyseed and brought a piece over to my office, along with flowers. SUCH a sweetie!
Food Aversions: For the longest time, I couldn't stand the thought of Tex-Mex or Texas BBQ. Poor Steve, those are his two favorite food genres! My sense of smell was (and still is) through the roof this pregnancy, so I couldn't even stand to have those food groups in the house. Now, I am pretty much back to normal, although I still steer clear of large plates of BBQ meat (harder than you might think down here in Texas!). And I just can't bring myself to look at guacamole or avocados at all. I am looking forward to when that aversion fades away, because guac is a food staple in Dallas!
Pregnancy Life: I'm working on initial items for the nursery. We have a crib now, and I picked out a changing table and dresser with my mom and sister a couple of weekends ago. I am in maternity pants 100% now and transitioning to maternity for everything else. It's so much more comfortable than squeezing into my regular clothes. I am still spinning at Soul Cycle but I modify my workouts to keep my heart rate down, per my doctor's instructions. I am retiring running for now, since I can't keep my heart rate low enough. That one was tough for me, but I just remind myself that it's worth it for the baby!
Looking Forward To: Our 20-week appointment in two weeks! Some plans are also coming together for baby shower stuff, and I am so looking forward to those as well (although I need to get planning on baby registries. Add it to the list of things to do!). I'm so grateful for friends and family - both near and far - who have gone out of their way to love on me, Steve and the baby so far in this pregnancy. Y'all are the best.
