Chris and I have started a new blog/website for all things baby. From photos of the baby and me, to products we've researched and liked. So from now on I'll keep my entries more about my experiences and feelings and leave the rest to the other site. So check out how it is nowadays with the Dooley's!
I think it was on February 8th that I first felt a new sensation in my lower abdomin. It wasn't pain, not gas, just a tiny little rumbling felt from the inside. I started to pay more attention throughout the day, suspecting that the tiny baby finally has enough strength to kick hard enough for me to feel.
My belly now feels bigger than ever. For the first time someone I didn't share the pregnancy news asked me "So how far along are you?" instead of just assuming I just had a big lunch.
My congestion and allergies has gotten worse too, even though all the books say that will happen. They don't tell you that you better hold your belly tight when you sneeze or it'll feel like it's going to pop. It really doesn't help when I sneeze at least 4,5 times in a row. And starting to get bloody noses from the constant nose blowing. I purchased a second humidifier with warm mist (The first one with cool mist felt more like a cold fan, I needed the visual of mist actually coming out to believe it's working). It seems to be helping, at least the bloody nose seems to have stopped.
As the days went by, the baby's movement seemed more obvious. I was able to hold Chris's hand to the belly and wait for the next kick. It's funny to imagine how the baby is trying to get comfortable inside.
Maybe next time we'll actually be able to see the movement from the surface of the skin! That'll be wild.
After waiting 4 weeks for our latest doctor's appointment, and one trip to Target to pick up a VHS tape (which I found out you can't just buy one, we now have four 6-hour-long video tapes and no VCR to play them on) We present...drum roll please.....the 16-Week Ultrasound movie. (please turn off your cell phone, thank you!)
How amazing was that! I can't believe it's grown so much...well, then again I've put on about 10 lbs.
The last 4 weeks has been good. The nausea went away shortly after 12 weeks. My energy level is pretty much back to normal so I feel like I can be more productive again. The only craving I had for red meat (cooked well-done) has subsided. And my mind is working clear enough to tackle some of our bills and taxes that have been somewhat neglected over the past few months due to my "baby brain".
The only thing that hasn't changed is the number of times I need to go to the bathroom. It seems the extra room the baby needs is exactly where my bladder is. I get up as often as 4 times in the middle of the night. And to help with getting more comfortable at night. I bought a body pillow with an ultra-suede cover to hug when I go to sleep. The latest challenge is to only sleep on my side because sleeping on the back isn't good for the blood circulation to the baby. So I'm pretty much sleeping in a pillow fort.
Chris and I have also been diligent with our morning walks up to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, even when it's 35 degrees out and foggy. We've found that we function so much better throughout the day on days when we do get out of bed when the sun is barely up. The hot drinks and a warmed up butter croissant are great motivators.
We're scheduled in a few weeks for the "BIG" ultrasound at another facility. It'll be a more powerful machine that will check all the organs and blood flow for the baby. We hope you'll come back for the sequal.
