17 Weeks

Statistics:
17 weeks
Starting Weight: 135
Current Weight: 148 (Depressing)

I was hoping to post a belly picture with this post, but the card to my camera doesn't want to cooperate with my computer. I know, it's disappointing. My camera is on its way out the door anyways, so maybe I will be able to get a new one before we leave for Greer in 3 weeks.

So what's new since my last post? Well, my belly is getting much bigger, much faster than I recall with my last two pregnancies. Unfortunately so are my thighs. Such is life I suppose. I really don't want to sound like I'm complaining because I know that weight gain during pregnancy is to be expected. I just hate taking it all off afterwards, as I was not blessed with the genetics of having the pounds just melt away upon delivery. And I also did not experience the whole "you lose more weight when you breastfeed" thing. I actually lost weight a lot more quickly after I stopped breastfeeding Payslie.

Anyways, I have been feeling flutters off and on for about the last week. I have to be pretty still to feel them, which doesn't happen often when you have a 2 year old keeping you on your toes. Feeling those tiny movements reminds me that there is indeed new life in me. I think it's one of the greatest feelings in the world. Some days I will feel them more than others, but I also know at this stage, feeling movement is largely based on where the baby is positioned in my uterus (more likely to feel movement if the baby is facing toward my front rather than my back).

My last appointment with my midwife was two weeks ago at 15 weeks. The baby was measuring one week ahead, at 16 weeks, and was estimated to be about 5 ounces. All that matters to me is he/she is growing and is healthy. My next appointment will be at 19 weeks. I am still adamant that I do not want to find out the baby's sex. I figure either way I will love him or her, and I'm ready for a surprise the third time around. :)

I have started trying to sleep on my sides as I am told this is what's best for my circulation, but it's very difficult when you are used to falling asleep on your back, and somehow end up on your stomach. As I get further along in the pregnancy, I find myself trying to squeeze in as much sleep as I can. Not that I can "store it up," but as I get bigger, I am reminded of the fact that I NEVER knew what sleep deprivation was until those first few weeks with Payslie. Parents, you all know what I'm talking about.

I selfishly continue to pray that this baby has a personality similar to Payslie's. Cody and I have been extremely spoiled. Spoiled equals: only getting up once during the night by 5 weeks, sleeping through the night (9 hour stretches) at 3 months, travels well, falls asleep easily in her carseat, remained asleep if we took her into noisy atmospheres (i.e. restaurants), loved her swing, cried only to eat, sleep or poopy diapers, no problem being left in the care of others, easily entertained her self.....and even now as a 2 year old, easily goes to sleep and continues to take 3 hour afternoon naps. Yes, I am incredibly spoiled and I would love to think it's a result of my awesome parenting skills, but somehow I don't think that's the case. We shall see...

On a side note, we had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Cody and I attended a beautiful wedding (my first time as a bridesmaid) for my friend Ashley in Newport Beach. We had a fabulous time and it was so nice to get away from this crazy heat and see some of my old friends, as well as my sister and her boyfriend Adrian. We returned home on July 3 and went straight to a party hosted by our friends Andy and Lindsay. With the exception of the dust storm that rolled into town, it was great. They live close to the airport here in Wickenburg, which is where the annual 4th of July fireworks are launched from so we had a perfect view that evening. Oh, and Payslie is still talking about how much she liked the fireworks.

So because my camera is being so crazy, I will post a picture from the wedding (you can slightly see my bump) and slso one from the Huber's 4th of July party.