14 weeks

How far along: 14 weeks! Fruit Comparison: Lemon Total weight gain: 3 pounds Maternity clothes: I bought a pair of maternity jeans and man are they comfortable. I may just have to continue wearing them after the pregnancy. They don't have a zipper or a button, so there's nothing to forget after going to the bathroom! Sleep: Great sleep this week, with showering before bed and using a special Bath and Body Works Sleep Body Wash that is Honey-Vanilla scented... Mmm.. Best moment of this week: Having Matt put his hand on my belly and say, "I love you baby." Miss anything: Still dairy, but getting more and more creative with recipes.  Movement: Still nothing noticeable. Food cravings: Berry Smoothies, Chick-Fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. Have you started to show yet: Definitely more at the end of the day after a full day of eating. :)  - but still nothing that looks too pregnant, more pudgy. Gender: Oh you know, just a boy or a girl. Belly button in or out: Nothing has changed in this department still. Wedding rings on or off: On. Looking forward to: My 16 week appointment and hearing updates on baby Roth.

13 weeks

How far along: 13 weeks! Fruit Comparison: Peach Total weight gain: 3 pounds Maternity clothes: Just a few long sleeve shirts from Gap that are super comfy, but for no other real purpose. Pants and shirts fit well on most days, but things are starting to get a little more snug, Sleep: I've had a great week of sleep overall! I usually am able to go to the bathroom once before bed, and won't have to get up during the night. Much better than early on in the pregnancy. Best moment of this week: Receiving a sweet package in the mail from our friends in Chattanooga that has two really cute onesies from Gap, one says, "I love Mommy." and the other says, "I love Daddy." Miss anything: Dairy - since being pregnant my dairy allergy has been aggravated hence making me unable to eat any kind of dairy product without getting bronchitis type symptoms. Ugh. Movement: None that I can feel at this point. Food cravings: Smoothies, Cranberry Sauce, Salad with cut up apples, almonds and red wine vinaigrette dressing Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. Have you started to show yet: Just a little bulge. Gender: No guesses really at this point - just keep on growing little one! Belly button in or out: Nothing has changed in this department yet. Wedding rings on or off: On. Looking forward to: Feeling movement and seeing my belly grow. 

Ultrasound Update

8 week babe

This picture above is from the first prenatal appointment at 8 weeks, where Matt was in attendance and we were both able to see the first image of Baby Roth together. It was such a powerful experience that we both will never forget, as we were amazed that this was a life that God helped us create as a couple. Our wonderful nurse practicioner found the heartbeat of the baby quickly and it was at 160 bpm, which is normal at this point in the pregnancy.

Cozy 12 week babe

During my 12 week appointment with my doctor, she use the doppler to take the heartbeat which again showed 160 bpm, just like the previous appointment, which signifies healthy baby! Although this was incredibly exciting to know, I was still curious as to what he/she was looking like at this point. Luckily, I had another appointment immediately after this one at the University of Pennsylvania where I am participating in a NuMom2B study which studies predictors and causes of adverse outcomes during pregnancy and the information will be used to catch problems sooner in the future with new mothers. I am excited to participate for many reasons. One, being that I will be able to help provide information that may save a baby's precious life one day. Two, being that I will receive extra information and ultrasounds of my baby through three appointments that are scheduled when it works for me. Lastly, three, being that I will receive financial compensation for each appointment that I go to and extra compensation for participating in a sleep study portion. So, as mentioned before, I had another appointment after my 12 week appointment with the U of P, which is where I received these incredible ultrasound photos that the research assistant so thoughtfully and carefully took the time to do. It truly is incredible that the first photo at 8 weeks shows our baby to look like a jelly bean and 4 weeks later it has visible arms, legs, hands, fingers, toes, feet, a brain with two hemispheres(!!!), facial features, and the list goes on and on. What is taking place in my body is nothing short of a miracle and for me to be entrusted to take care of this beautiful baby is undeserved. All this to say, I am thankful.

Hi everyone!

Are you ready for this?