Belly Pics and a Bumpdate Weeks 4-16

I thought I would post some belly pics and notes about how the first 16 weeks have been going.  Another blog I read did a weekly bumpdate (update on the bump) so I'm going to borrow that term even though I can already see the eye rolling, especially from Jan.  When I told Jake about posting pictures and how things are going each week he thought I was kidding until he saw that I was actually posting about it and calling it that!  But I know they both love me!

Weeks 4-5, October 26th-November 4th, 2014

I feel like I look awful in these pictures but I am still posting them.  Maybe it was because my hair was kinda curled or the lighting but I wish I had better week 4 pics :).

How I am feeling:  I felt pretty normal when I found out I was pregnant. I didn't really have many symptoms while we were in Italy for that first week and a half.  I was tired but we were also on our feet a lot.  I felt a little blah a few times and I was worried about eating food while we were gone.  You aren't supposed to have deli meat or food that is sitting out for hours (like street food and sandwiches) which were super popular on our trip and hard to stay away from, especially since Jake's parents didn't know.
Size of the Baby: Apple Seed, 0.13 inches, less than 0.04 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: The embryo is dividing into three layers of cells.  The top layer will be the central nervous system, the middle layer is the circulatory system and the bottom layer are the lungs, intestines, thyroid and other major internal organs.
Best Moment this Week: Finding out we were PREGNANT!
Food Cravings: Nope
Most Looking Forward To: Seeing the heartbeat on the ultrasound (and the trip to Italy to help keep my mind off having to wait 3 weeks until we could see it).
Thankful for: Getting pregnant again and that we had the chance to do IVF
Milestones: Actually getting pregnant!
Weight Gain/Loss: I gained about a pound while we were gone which is actually pretty impressive considering the amount of gelato I consumed :). (+1 lb total)
Clothing: Regular Clothes
Sleep: Fine
Movement: Nope
Gender: We are not going to find out!  When people hear that we aren't finding out they either love it or hate it.  Pretty strong opinions both ways.  (I have a feeling this is only the beginning of telling people things about the baby and them having strong opinions about it.)  I have always wanted it to be a surprise and especially since it took quite a bit of work to get pregnant it makes me want the surprise even more.  Jake said he would find out if it was up to him (which, let's face it, it really isn't).  I think it is funny that I don't want to find out and he does.  I am a planner and he is spontaneous but with this we are the opposite.  Jake's friend Dave thinks it is so crazy that I don't want to find out and can't believe I'm actually going to be adventurous with this part of my life :).

Week 6: November 5th-November 11th, 2014

For some reason we don't have a picture from this week.  Maybe we were still recovering from our trip to Italy.

How I am feeling: Felt more blah this week.  I didn't really want to think about food.  At times I felt hungry but food didn't sound very good.  Felt kinda bloated and hot.
Size of the Baby: Pea, 0.25 inches long, less than 0.04 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: The baby will triple in size.  Eyes and ears are becoming more developed.  The heart is starting to pump blood.
Best Moment this Week: 
Food Cravings: Wanted protein like nuts, cottage cheese, cheese, and yogurt.
Most Looking Forward To: The ultrasound on November 14th.
Thankful for: No miscarriage signs.
Milestones:
Weight Gain/Loss: Stayed the Same (+1 lbs total)
Clothing: Regular Clothes
Sleep: Started to get tired earlier in the evenings.
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 7: November 12th-November 18th, 2014

We took two pictures this week because the day I wore the dress I had what I'm going to refer to as a "food baby" :).  So the picture in the pink top was more accurate but I forgot to retake a picture with the blueberry representing the baby's size that week.

How I am feeling: TIRED!  I am exhausted by the end of the day and I usually fell asleep on the couch around 8-8:30 which might be normal to some people but it isn't for me.  Food was hard this week.  I'm super sensitive to smells but most of them don't go over very well.  I might feel hungry but once I smell the food or taste it I am done with it.  Bland foods are most appetizing but not very nutritious.  I started getting a little bit of a head cold.  Surprisingly, I was not nauseous at all while working out which made being lazy and skipping my workout hard.  I was exhausted but I knew if I worked out I had a guarantee 45 minutes to an hour of relief from the nausea.  My gag reflex is at an all time high.  I didn't throw up but I was afraid I would especially when brushing my teeth.
Size of the Baby: Blueberry, 0.51 inches, less than 0.04 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week:  The baby's brain is becoming more complex and the face is becoming more defined.  Tiny arms, legs, hands and feet are also just beginning to bud.
Best Moment this Week: Seeing the heartbeat!  We had a follow up ultrasound at our IVF clinic and we got to see the heartbeat.  Most of our appointment was in Swedish because the particular doctor we saw that day likes making us speak or at least listen in Swedish plus she was training someone.  I usually don't mind her speaking in Swedish, I mean we did get free IVF we could at least speak the language, but for this appointment I was really nervous and just wanted to make sure we had a heartbeat.  Thankfully we knew what we didn't want to see from the last one so when we saw something this time we knew it was better. I told Jan, Kelli, Emily and Jami I was pregnant this week over Skype and it was awesome!  We were going to tell our parents but we had to postpone until next week.
Food Cravings: Bland foods and protein
What I Miss: Cookie dough :)
Most Looking Forward To: Telling friends and family and making it past 12 weeks!
Thankful for: A beating heart!
Weight Gain/Loss: About the same or maybe down a pound since food isn't really tasting good and I wasn't craving sweets. (0 lbs total)
Clothing: Normal Clothes
Sleep: Still good but the head cold that started made it a little more challenging.
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 8: November 19th-November, 25th

Jake thought my scarf needed to move for the up close fruit picture and this is where it ended up.

How I am feeling: Feeling nauseous and food doesn't taste good or sound good.  I usually feel good until 10 am and then I start feeling nauseous until late in the evening.  Jake was out of town for work this week which meant I could eat blah food and go to sleep as early as I wanted.  It was awesome!  Felt bigger on November 25th and like my stomach muscles started relaxing.  One night this week I made dinner, took one bite and then ended up on the couch.  It just didn't taste good and I didn't feel good.  Still not nauseous when working out but my workouts are pretty lame since I'm exhausted.  I'm trying to keep my heart rate below 140 which is pretty hard.  Starting to think chewing gum might help me feel less nauseous since I chew gum when I work out but I'm not sure it always makes things better.  I've also noticed that I have a bad taste in my mouth after eating which makes me want to brush my teeth but that usually causes me to gag so it is a hard cycle to get out of.
Size of the Baby: Raspberry, 0.63 inches, 0.04 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: The baby's head is proportionally larger than the rest of the body and the ears and eyelids are developing.  Fingers and toes are developing from the arm and leg buds which now have distinguished wrists and elbows that can even flex.  The baby's heart rate is around 150 beats per minute
Best Moment this Week: Telling our parents the exciting news over Skype and then watching the recordings again just to relive it :).
Most Looking Forward To: Making it to 12 weeks with a healthy baby so we can share our news.
Thankful for: Jake taking great care of me when I felt sick.
Milestones: We had our first midwife appointment this week.  In Sweden, your prenatal care is done by midwives unless there is a complication and then you will see an OB.  The midwife who does your prenatal care does not deliver your baby.  A couple months before you are due you register at a the hospital you want to give birth at and then when you are in labor you call to make sure they have room and if they don't they will send you somewhere else.  Once you arrive to give birth you will get whichever midwife is working that day unless there is a complication and then you'll have an OB taking care of you.  It is different than the US but I know lots of friends who weren't delivered by their doctor so I'm not all that worried about having someone I don't know deliver the baby.  Our first prenatal appointment was on Monday, November 24th.  We went over our medical history, family history and she asked if we had any questions.  She didn't listen to the baby or even confirm the pregnancy but since I had a paper from our IVF clinic telling our due date she didn't really need to.  They took my blood and I gave a urine sample to check for protein.  My next appointment isn't until February 9th when I'm almost 20 weeks.  We are not in Kansas anymore!
Weight Gain/Loss: Still under by about a pound since food isn't really going well. (-1 lbs total)
Clothing: Normal clothes
Sleep: Sleeping has been a little difficult since I had a head cold and was congested but I am still falling asleep really early.
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 9: November 26th-December 2nd, 2014

How I am feeling: Eating is still a struggle.  I made dinner several times this week and then I don't want to eat it.  We had Thanksgiving dinner and then I struggled to enjoy it which wasn't fun.  Gag reflex is at an all time high but I still haven't thrown up.  I've noticed my body takes a while to digest food so I have to be careful not to eat too quickly or lay down too soon after eating.  I have started to have to pee more and usually wake up in the middle of the night and have to go.  I used to think people early in their pregnancy were just crazy thinking they had to pee more because surely the baby isn't taking up that much room yet.  It turns out the blood flow to your uterus increases quite a bit to support the baby and that causes you to have to pee, not because a baby is taking up space.
Size of the Baby: Grape, 0.9 inches, 0.07 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week:  The embryonic tail disappears.  The hands and feet look a lot less like paddles and have more formed fingers and toes.  The eyes are fully developed but are covered by eyelids which are fused shut for the next 16 weeks or so.
Best Moment this Week: We started talking about names this week and it is starting to sink in more.  Jake was saying this week how we should have had a kid when we were in college because then we'd have an 8-10 year old and maybe it would have worked faster.  This is hilarious considering how long it took to convince him to let us start trying in the first place.  Plus, I'm not sure college would have been easy with a baby and we wouldn't have the jobs or lifestyle we have today if we had done that.
Food Cravings: Peanuts,  cheese, mashed potatoes and stuffing leftovers tasted good but Jake left the fridge cracked open during the day which made me worried about eating the leftover turkey.
What I Miss: I miss home.  Thinking about having a baby is making me miss my friends and family a lot.  I want to talk about the baby and shop for the baby and be home to do that but I know I'll be home for Christmas soon.
Most Looking Forward To: Telling friends and family, starting to feel better and get a little belly instead of just looking bloated :).
Thankful for: Morning sickness to help reassure me that things are still healthy.  I asked Emily if I could borrow some of her maternity clothes and she said yes!
Weight Gain/Loss: Down another pound (-2 lbs total)
Clothing: Normal Clothes
Sleep: Better since the head cold is starting to go away.
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 10: December 3rd-December 9th, 2014

I realize black may not be the best color to see a bump but I like wearing colored pants :).  Also, this week the baby is supposed to be the size of a prune but we couldn't find one at the store so Jake made a piece of fudge the size of a baby.  Parenting which him is definitely going to be creative and full of adventure.

How I am feeling: Had a few days of relief from my head cold and then it moved to my chest.  Lots of coughing and gagging and I threw up twice.  I stayed home from school Monday through Thursday which is SO unlike me but being sick and pregnant knocked me out.  You can't really take medicine when you are pregnant especially before 12 weeks so I had to just drink lots of water and try to rest.  I had a low grade fever one night and called the health care line just to see what they suggested since a high fever can be fatal to the baby at this point but after some Tylenol it went down.
Size of the Baby: Prune (or a piece of fudge the correct size), 1.2 inches, 0.14 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week:  This week marks the beginning of a critical period when all the vital organs have formed and are beginning to function.  The baby is also growing tiny nails on the fingers and toes as well as tiny buds for teeth.
Best Moment this Week: 
Food Cravings: 
What I Miss: 
Most Looking Forward To: Not having a head cold or cough anymore.
Thankful for: Being able to take off work and having coworkers cover without having to make lesson plans since it was theme week at school.  Jake did a great job of taking care of me and making sure I was resting, drinking lots of water and not feeling guilty about taking off work.
Weight Gain/Loss: None (Still at -2 lbs total)
Clothing: Normal Clothes
Sleep: Not good.  Really stuffed up and wanted to use nasal spray.  Eventually used it sparingly a couple of nights just to get some relief.
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 11: December 10th-16th, 2014

Apparently I like the purple pants and black shirt combo!  Also, there might be a hint of a bigger bump this week.

How I am feeling: Still getting over my cold.  Didn't feel very nauseous with my cold but once that got better the "morning sickness" came back more.  Lots of coughing and blowing my nose.
Size of the Baby: Lime, 1.6 inches, 0.25 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: This week the baby is developed enough to be called a fetus.  The most critical part of the baby's organ system development is over.  The baby will grow very rapidly and will double in size by next week.  The ears are moving to the side of the head and the reproductive organs are becoming more distinguished.
Best Moment this Week: 
Food Cravings: 
What I Miss: 
Most Looking Forward To: Our 12 week ultrasound is on Friday, December 19th and then we fly home on the 21st!  We get to tell our family and friends in person!
Thankful for: 
Weight Gain/Loss: None (Still at -2 lbs total)
Clothing: Normal Clothes
Sleep: Sleeping improved as breathing through my nose improved.
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 12: December 17th-23rd, 2015

The fruit this week was supposed to be a plum but it was making me frustrated that all the fruit comparisons are a lot wider and heavier than the baby so the only thing it shows is the length.  We decided to find a chili pepper that matched the length and would be closer to the weight of the baby.

How I am feeling: Haven't been getting up in the middle of the night to pee which stresses me out because it makes me think something is wrong with the baby (this happened right before we found out about the miscarriage the first time).  We had an ultrasound this week at the same clinic we went to this summer when it wasn't a positive experience but thankfully this time we had a great technician and everything looked perfect she said!  I started feel less nauseous and not quite as tired about two days before we flew back to Kansas for Christmas.
Size of the Baby: Plum (or a chili pepper), 2.1 inches, 0.49 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: The features on the baby's face are becoming more defined.  The eyes have moved towards the front of the face and then chin and nose have taken more shape.  The baby's tiny fingernails are now well formed on fingers that will soon be able to open and close.  In the baby's brain, synapses are rapidly growing.
Best Moment this Week: The 12 week ultrasound and being home!  We got to see the baby for a long time (15 minutes or so) at our ultrasound.  Jake actually went to the wrong clinic so he was 15 minutes late but they let us wait until he got there to start the appointment.  We also got to hear the heartbeat for the first time.  I also made an appointment with my OBGYN in KC and had an ultrasound done there because I didn't realize they would do one in Sweden.  My friend Jan went with me to the ultrasound and it was a lot of fun.  It was so strange seeing the baby moving all around and yet not feeling a thing.  We got to see both sides of the brain at the ultrasound in Stockholm as well as the heart and lots of other body parts.  We were able to start telling our friends and family in person which was awesome!
Food Cravings: Mi Ranchito since I can finally have it!  I have also been wanting some sour candy.
What I Miss: Nothin'!
Most Looking Forward To: Seeing all of our friends this week and telling them about the baby.  Hanging out with my roommates and getting advice from them.  Going through Emily's maternity clothes!
Thankful for: Feeling better and less tired.  Being able to tell friends and family in person and eat food without feeling nauseous.
Weight Gain/Loss: None (Still at -2 lbs total)
Clothing: Normal Clothes
Sleep: Great since it was in our huge queen size bed at our house in Kansas!
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 13: December 24th-December 30th, 2014

No official belly bump pic this week but this is on the 24th which is when I was 13 weeks pregnant.

 

You can't see my bump but I love these girls and their kiddos.  Can't wait to add one more to this bunch!

How I am feeling: Not really nauseous at all or as tired even considering the jet lag and nonstop activities since we landed.  I started waking up with a few headaches.
Size of the Baby: Peach, 2.9 inches, 0.81 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: Up until now the baby's head has been proportionally larger than the rest of the body but around this time the baby's body will start to catch up to the size of the head.  The baby is able to move and flex the arms and legs, but I won't be able to feel the movement until later.
Best Moment this Week: Seeing my roommates and my Rex friends.  I had a great time catching up with my roommates this week.
Food Cravings: All my favorite foods that I can't get in Stockholm (Mi Ranchito, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Taco Shop, Iron Horse, etc).
What I Miss: 
Most Looking Forward To: Continuing to see all of our friends and family!
Thankful for: Friends who go out of their way during their busy Christmas schedule to hang out with us.  I know it isn't always easy to fit us in but it sure makes me feel loved!
Weight Gain/Loss: Didn't weigh myself at home but I tried hard not to over indulge even though the food I was eating wasn't very healthy.
Clothing: Normal Clothes
Sleep: Great!  Queen size beds are awesome!  Beds that don't roll to the middle are even more awesome!
Movement: Nope
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 14: December 31st-January 6th, 2015

Didn't take an official belly bump picture this week but I didn't get to watch the K-State football game at a regular time with some awesome friends!  I was SO excited!

How I am feeling: Pretty good.  Still getting headaches and I thought I felt the baby move but it is really early.  Felt like popping popcorn or gas (isn't pregnancy glamorous).  Felt and saw a pretty big bulge in my stomach when I laid on the couch one night which freaked me out.  The baby must have been turning or something.
Size of the Baby: Lemon, 3.4 inches, 1.5 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: The baby's well-defined face can also make expressions like a squint or a frown.  Some babies may even start growing hair on the head or on the face, such as eyebrows.  If the baby is a girl her eggs will have already developed inside her ovaries (how crazy is that!).  If I am having a boy, his prostate gland is developing.
Best Moment this Week: Possibly feeling the baby move.  Seeing the rest of our friends before we flew back to Stockholm.  Jake came home with some sour candy since I had mentioned I had wanted some before we went home for Christmas.  It was really thoughtful.
Food Cravings: Sour Candy
What I Miss: 
Most Looking Forward To: 
Thankful for: A great time at home when I felt good and not tired. A safe trip back to Stockholm.
Weight Gain/Loss: Didn't weigh myself this week.
Clothing: Still in normal clothes.
Sleep: Good but worried about having to start figuring out how to not sleep on my back.
Movement: I think so . . .  felt like popcorn popping and I only felt it a few times when I was sitting down.
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 15: January 7th-January 13th, 2015

How I am feeling: Haven't had headaches and I'm not nauseous.  My normal eating habits are back and I'm starting to want to eat sweets again.
Size of the Baby: Orange, 4.0 inches, 2.5 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: The hair on the baby's head is growing.  Around the body, there's still fine hair (lanugo) to protect against being constantly exposed to the amniotic fluid.  The baby's skin is thin and nearly translucent.  Some babies may even be starting to suck their thumb around this time.
Best Moment this Week:  I felt the baby move!  It wasn't a big movement but it was enough to be sure that it was the baby and not just gas.  Made the news Facebook official!  Jake thought I should have titled the blog "Knocked Up by a Needle" since we did IVF.  I told the staff at school I was pregnant which was a lot of fun.  I think I underestimated how much fun it will be to have other people see my belly grow other than just Jake.
Food Cravings: Kind of wanting salty things.  Sweets sound good but afterwards they leave a bad taste in my mouth.
What I Miss: Cookie Dough (I'm guessing this will continue until I give birth and can eat a spoonful again.)
Most Looking Forward To: Really feeling the baby move to see if these other feels are actually the baby.  Getting a bigger bump and the 19 week ultrasound.
Thankful for: The news not being spoiled before I could share and being able to tell others about our struggle to hopefully encourage them.
Weight Gain/Loss: Up 1 pound this week (-1 pounds from my total starting weight)
Clothing: Still wearing normal clothes but I did do the hair tie trick with my pants while I was watching a movie this weekend just to be a little more comfortable.
Sleep: Good
Movement: On January 13th after dinner without a doubt I felt the baby move.  It was awesome!
Gender: It is a surprise!

Week 16: January 14th-January 20th, 2015

I felt like I officially had a bump this week.  I was also 4 months pregnant and could wear my awesome new shirt from Angela!

How I am feeling: I feel great!  Feeling the baby move is awesome and reassuring.
Size of the Baby: Avocado, 4.6 inches, 3.5 oz
What is the Baby up to this Week: This week the baby's limbs are much more developed, legs and arms are longer and are becoming more controlled in movement.  The baby's skeletal system is developing more as calcium is deposited onto the bones.  Over the next couple of weeks the baby's weight will double.
Best Moment this Week: I felt lots of movement on January 19th.  On my way to school on January 16th, I was thinking about how the baby mostly moves at night when I'm sitting down and I usually don't feel it in the morning.  I was thinking that was a good thing since I like to sleep in but then less than two minutes later I felt four distinct kicks or elbows saying "yeah right mom, that isn't going to happen."  Maybe sleeping in is wishful thinking but the kicks sure bring a smile to my face.  Jake is reading a baby book and loving it.  He is learning all about how to swaddle babies and calm them down.  I posted about our struggle to get pregnant and got lots of encouraging comments and messages from others who are also walking down that hard road but hopefully they felt encouraged.  We also did some stroller shopping over the weekend!
Food Cravings: Sour candy
What I Miss: 
Most Looking Forward To: Our 19 week ultrasound.
Thankful for: Sharing about our struggle and getting so many encouraging comments.  Also, talking with several people about their struggles and hopefully encouraging them along the way.
Weight Gain/Loss: Up one pound so now back to where I started at the beginning of the pregnancy.
Clothing: Used the hair tie trick and the belly belt (pants expander that my mom bought me) this week.
Sleep: Figuring out how to sleep with the maternity pillow and still leave room in the bed for Jake :).
Movement: Yep!  Still mostly when I'm sitting down but it is more consistent now!
Gender: It is a surprise!

Hope you enjoyed reading our weekly updates.  I'm hoping to post every couple of week so there shouldn't be so much to read next time.