This is my first weekly update since we made it known we were expecting. I haven’t had time to blog on a “weekly update” until now, but with summer here and no work, I should be able to update weekly or at least every other week. Hopefully if you’re reading this, you’re interested in my posts and not annoyed. 🙂 I have had so many great responses, so I’m really glad I’m blogging. It’s good to be in this with others…I have the best friends and family!
Symptoms: I have been blessed so far, but am still very tired (needing at least 9-9.5 hours of sleep). If I get less than that, I usually have to take a nap. I get random cramps in abdomen (belly is growing I guess). Skin has definitely been worse – can’t seem to keep a clear face. My teeth are more sensitive. I go to my dentist next week so hopefully all is good. I don’t really believe too much in “cravings” because I’ve always had cravings even before pregnancy, but I have noticed I like anything prepared outside of my home. I don’t know if the preparing it makes me grossed out or what, but my appetite decreases if I make dinner usually. The worst has been chicken! I have leaned more towards salty/meaty foods than sugar. I love hamburgers, but I really liked those things before so who knows…
So overall things are going really well! Of course I always get nervous about my doctor’s appointments because you really don’t know how things are going until you get there and are reassured they are ok. I felt like I haven’t really been growing as some people do, so I was worried that the baby wasn’t growing. Well I retract that statement after I just saw my 16 week picture compared to 15 weeks (picture below). Holy cow, that baby better be a lot bigger otherwise I need to lay off the burgers. 🙂 Anyway, our appointment was very short. They first gave me some info on Rh Negative mothers (my blood type is negative), which really only means I have to get a shot at 28 weeks and nothing to be scared about. I did the normal blood pressure, weight, and urine sample. All was good, which was comforting because I thought I had gained too much weight for such little growth, but the nurse said it was perfect. I’m not worried about gaining weight at all, but want to make sure it’s healthy baby weight and not “I’m pregnant, I can eat whatever” weight. So that made me feel better. We got to hear the heart beat and it was the COOLEST thing. Right when he pressed the doppler against my belly, you could hear the heart beating. The heart beat was 160, so it has stayed between 156-164 all three visits. Next time we go in, we will get to find out the sex of the baby! I told my doctor I had a hunch it was a boy and he said he thought it was a girl. Let me preface this with the fact that my doc is a huge jokester. I asked him what made him think it was a girl and he said, “I always guess a girl. That way I don’t forget what I guessed and if I’m going to be 50% correct anyway, I might as well pick one sex.” Haha…so we’ll see. It’s cool to hear what people think I’m having. I’ve always pictured myself with 2 boys, but of course I want a girl at some point. I really don’t care what this first one is because I do want both. Here is a picture of me at 16 weeks (this is at night so of course a little more “fuller” than usual – all photos are on my facebook).
On another note, I mentioned above that I get worried before doctor’s appointments, and let’s be honest, all the time about whether things are ok are not. Well, I just started this Bible study that I’ve done the past 2 summers with some ladies from Denton (my aunt lives there) and the lesson was perfect for me in this time in my life. We’re reading the book “Loving God with All Your Mind” by Elizabeth George. The lesson we covered today was about “knowing what is TRUE” and taking captive our thoughts so they are holy and pure to the Lord. When those thoughts of worry come to mind, I can ask myself what is true? What is true is that I’m pregnant TODAY and things are well TODAY. Tomorrow is another day. The Lord knows the plans for me, plans to give me hope and a future. So no need to worry about it. It’s not going to change anything except fill my mind with negative thoughts, which are unpleasing to the Lord. Luckily I have a husband who also encourages me when those thoughts start to creep in. I also read some encouraging verses that spoke about his love for me. I am a daughter in Christ and I trust he will provide and lead me down the path that is right for His glory! Definitely difficult at times, but it gives me a peace to know He is taking care of me.
Oh and another side note: I always hated when I asked someone how far along they were and they told me in weeks. Well, if you haven’t had a baby before weeks doesn’t really make sense, so I always tell people in weeks and months. 🙂 Hence, the reason I put months in my title!
You're looking great, Liv! The sonographer thought Peyton was a girl, so never believe their "guesses". Could be the opposite! Keep blogging— this is getting my baby fill in for now since we don't plan on having another one for a while!
Something I got when I was pregnant, but wasn't in the stage to where I could buy maternity clothes, was a " belly band". I dont know if you've heard of them but you can get them at Target or any maternity store. It's a band that goes at the top of your regular pants. You can still wear your same jeans(unbuttoned), and the belly band keeps them up. I didn't get into maternity clothes until 5 1/2-6 months and the belly band was so helpful! It can show but people just think it's an undershirt!
Love reading the updates Olivia! Keep 'em coming! I was just like you in that I didn't want to eat much of what I ate – I think it was smelling it for so long, made me loose my appetite. I never had the chicken issue, but everyone I know couldn't stand it like you! Isn't it crazy/fun/awesome how your body responds to something sooo teeny tiny inside of you?! Thanks for your thoughts!