18 weeks - Did we make a he or a she?

If you look carefully in the third picture below... you can see that... it's a.... BOY!

 

How far along: 18 weeks and 5 days. Fruit/Vegetable Comparison and Size: Sweet Potato - about 5 1/2 inches Baby's Weight: 11 ounces Total weight gain: 9 lbs. Exercise: 0 gym days, busy week! 1 prenatal yoga class  Maternity clothes: It's all I wear! I can still pull off regular sweaters paired with a maternity tank top for some added length, so I have a few options left in my closet from pre-pregnancy! Sleep: A few nights of difficult sleep, waking up because of uncomfortable positioning. I'm not unable to sleep on my back and stomach so I feel like I'm ultra aware of making sure that I'm sleeping on my sides, which keeps me in a semi-awake state. Best moment of this week: Seeing the sweet face of our baby and learning that "it" is a BOY!!  Miss anything: Lifting heavy things Movement: Definitely more often, and visible from the outside if I'm watching my bare belly. So cool!  Food cravings: English muffins with butter and raspberry jam Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. Have you started to show yet: Yes, definitely more noticeable, but not quite round yet. Gender: BOY!! Belly button in or out: It's changing shape, but it's still in. Wedding rings on or off: On. Looking forward to: Anatomy Scan appointment on Monday to see if baby boy has all the necessary body parts.

17 weeks - A Mixture of Old Wive's Tales

Let's start off with some Old Wive's Tales for determining gender just for fun... If carrying low, it's a boy/If carrying high, it's a girl:  Low, I think? - We'll just say boy. Dry hands - boy: Well it is winter, and my hands have been exceptionally dry lately - Boy. Take off your wedding ring, tie it to a piece of string, and hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle, you are promised a boy; back and forth indicates a girl.: Back and forth - must be a girl! ;) If the baby's heartbeat is under 140bpm it's a boy, if it's above 140bpm it's a girl: It's been 154 or higher each time - Girl! Craving sweets, it's a girl. Craving sour or salty, it's a boy.: Boy! Chinese Birth Chart - http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/PredictSex.htm - It's a boy! Morning Sickness - if you are nauseous often in the first trimester, then it's a girl, no nausea, boy.: Boy!
Well folks, that's 5 boys and 2 girls, but if you think you might have a hunch, take our poll at the top of the page!
How far along: 17 weeks and 5 days. Fruit/Vegetable Comparison and Size: Onion - about 5 inches Total weight gain: 8 lbs. Exercise: 3 days at the gym walking 30 minutes on treadmill, 1 prenatal yoga class  Maternity clothes: This week I have relied solely on maternity clothes as under layers and pre-pregnancy clothes for top layers. Maternity jeans are a must, and I have realized that I will need a pair of maternity leggings or tights to wear with dresses. I felt like I was being cut in half by my tights this week, and leggings are just a little too snug to be comfortable. Sleep: Overall, still a steady sleeper. Best moment of this week: Matt being able to feel a tiny kick through my belly when we were laying quietly in bed. Miss anything: Not currently! Movement: Definitely feeling some movement this week, not super frequently, and I can't really determine which body parts yet, but it's happening! I feel it mostly in the evening while I'm laying on the couch, and sometimes right after I have eaten. I guess little boy or girl is telling me that they like to eat like their Mama. :) Food cravings: Herr's Jalapeno Chips Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing at all! Yay! Have you started to show yet: I think last week may have been a fluke, because I definitely don't look like I did in that picture, so I may have just had a big meal contributing to that baby bump. :) However, I am showing, but it depends on what time of day. Although, when I go to the gym and I'm wearing a snug fitting shirt, I'm sure most people think that I'm just trying to shed some pounds. Gender: Boy? Girl? I have no clue, no signs point to anything in my mind.. but next Friday we will truly know! Hooray! Symptoms: Dry eyes, and posterior pelvis pain that is often worst at the end of the day, but does feel better after my weekly prenatal yoga class. Belly button in or out: It's changing shape, but it's still in. Wedding rings on or off: On. Looking forward to: Seeing my baby's sweet face and knowing that it has Matt and I both incorporated in it's entire being.

16 weeks - There's definitely a baby in there!

Did the baby just double in size??

How far along: 16 weeks and 5 days. Fruit Comparison and Size: Avocado - about 4 1/2 inches Total weight gain: 7 lbs. Exercise: 3 days at the gym walking 30 minutes on treadmill, 1 prenatal yoga class Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity jeans mainly, with a couple of regular pairs that I have a rubber band around the button and through the loop hole. I found some great sales at Old Navy the other day, where I found this dress above as well as some other summer items so I'm prepared for my monster belly in June and July. Sleep: No problems here, I really think the nighttime showers are helpful still. Best moment of this week: Finding out the gender of my dear friend's baby and hearing all about her ultrasound appointment over the phone on Thursday night. It made me so excited for when we find out! Miss anything: This morning I wanted to do a cartwheel or a handstand, but thought it wouldn't be a good idea. That is all I miss right now. :) Movement: Maybe? I feel little bubbles? or something along those lines at different times of day, but not sure if that is just digestion or baby Roth. We'll see! Food cravings: The elusive maple bar donut, which can not be found in Philadelphia. Anything making you queasy or sick: Well, earlier this week I was eating a banana and bit into a bruised part and started to gag. That was pretty gross, but nothing other than that. Have you started to show yet: A little more round each day, I love it! Gender: Boy? I have no real facts to base it on. Next week I'll do all of the old wive's tales to see what signs point to. Belly button in or out: I feel like I can see a little bit more of the inside of my belly button than before, but it's definitely not poking out. Wedding rings on or off: On. Looking forward to: Feeling baby Roth move and February 22nd, when we find out if Baby Roth is a boy or a girl!!!

15 weeks - Woo!

How far along: 15 weeks and 5 days. Fruit Comparison: Apple Total weight gain: 5 lbs. Maternity clothes: Starting to notice that my pants are a little snug when I'm sitting on the ground with 3 and 4 year olds most of the day. Slowly moving my way up to maternity pants.  Sleep: Weird dreams about the most random events and people, but other than that I've been sleeping well. Best moment of this week: Having some of my students put their hands and ears to my belly without prompting to see if they could feel the baby. Also, having my 16 week appointment on Thursday where I got to hear the sweet heartbeat again. 154 bpm, still sounding good. Miss anything: Hawaiian Pizza and Warm Sub Sandwiches (because of the ham). Movement: Still nothing noticeable, but hopefully soon! Food cravings: Applesauce, GiGi's Wedding Cake Cupcake (only in Chattanooga though) - To curb this craving, I made a batch of cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing though I think I may need to share... Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I haven't eaten enough, had a little scare last Sunday when I came downstairs around breakfast and felt light headed and dizzy because my body needed food. Needless to say, we are well stocked now, so hopefully that won't happen again. Have you started to show yet: A little more round each day, I love it! Gender: Well, if I get to see a tiny baby wear this BabyGap swimsuit this summer, then I hope it's a girl! 

Belly button in or out: Nothing new here. Wedding rings on or off: On. Looking forward to: February 22nd, when we find out if Baby Roth is a boy or a girl!!!

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!