17 Weeks

An onion? My baby is the size of an onion? Gross. What about a grapefruit? An onion varies in size depending on what kind of onion. Is it the size of a yellow onion? A red onion? Shallot? Nugget measures 5.1 inches (that is a HUGE onion!) and weighing 5.9 ounces.

The Nugget's cartilage is turning to bone (where it's supposed to), putting on some fat (at least I'm not the only one!) and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker (the better to flush his/her waste back to me with).

Pregnancy Symptoms from TheBump.com
-Things leaking out of me...sweat, mucus, censored - Well I have had a super stuffy nose. I wake up in the morning unable to breath and/or with bloody noses.
-Itchy boobs and bump - I have forever been excited when my boobs itch because I learned in the locker room at Rectory School when I was 13 that itchy boobs means they're growing. So yeah! My bump isn't itching...but it's also not much of a bump. I have been moisturizing a lot so I'm sure that's helping. Side note - I tried to find a cocoa butter than did not have the litany of nasty stuff most lotions have and I was unsuccessful...probably because my local shopping options aren't very progressive. I need to locate a fancy lotion stat.
- Rapid Weight Gain - "You've probably gained 5 to 10 pounds by now" - By "now" do you mean a month ago? Then, yes! I have had rapid weight gain. I get weighed tonight people...if I gained more than 5 pounds more I'm losing it. I blame PART of my gain on JD...he encourages me to indulge in a cookie if I want one (and rightfully so, if he didn't I'd probably bite his head off)
- Weird Dreams - Ohhhhh nelly. Why yes, I have had the weirdest dreams. Last night I dreamed I was in Central America somewhere, alone, driving my sister's old Hyundai Santa Fe along a deserted, single lane dirt road. There were Man birds everywhere! (These are Australian birds, formally known as Cassowarys)

 They weren't afraid of the car so I had to keep honking. I came to a chain link gate. I drove through and all of a sudden I was walking through a field. I came to another gate, decided it was getting dark and I should head back. All of a sudden, I'm riding a bike. I'm about 50 yards from the gate (and hopefully my car) when I look down and there is a LION trotting next to me, growling. (Now I'm not sure if you are familiar with lion, but they live in Africa, not Central America (Although I wouldn't put it past Central America to have wandering lions)). Needless to say, I wake up. Roll over and wake up JD. I don't go back to sleep for the rest of the night.

Overall Week 17 symptoms are not bad at all.

We had a Dr. visit this evening. While I appreciate that the office is open late one night a week to accommodate us working folk, I am always waiting at least 30 minutes before I get taken in by the nurse, and I can finally pee! I digress...tonight we heard the heart beat again! It was amazing. The little nugget was swimming all over the place. The nurse had to keep moving the stick (no idea what it's actually called) to find him/her. It also kept getting quiet and then loud...so funny.
I lost 3 pounds. Relieved and then concerned...no one loses weight when they're pregnant. But I've been assured its perfectly fine. "The baby takes what it needs". Ok Doc. Does this mean I can start eating french fries again??
P-O-T-A-T-O!
Actually, the reason I probably lost weight was because I didn't eat in the dining hall at work for 2 weeks because it was closed...it's like an all you can eat buffet...and I eat all I can eat.

What started off as a craving, might just kill me. I managed to only eat half of one roll today...so far. Sweet Tarts...NOT to be confused with Sweethearts (those are nasty), are my new thing. Sure they might give me gestational diabetes but they are so good! Crossing my fingers they finally listened and got rid of the yellow flavor because I haven't found one yet. In all seriousness I should probably stop eating them...I just read the ingredients:
-Dextrose
-Maltodextrin
-Malic Acid
- And lots and lots of color dyes

My wonderful hubby is busy cooking a delicious, healthy dinner for us. Chicken, rice and kale. I loovveee kale. I made a bomb-ass pasta dish last night that featured kale...so I have at least one of my mother's amazing talents.

Enjoy this bump photo.

And this...

He had no idea the Dorito was stuck to him...amazing.

16 Weeks

4 months down...5 to go! 
So the Nugget is now the size of an Avocado...yum I love avocados! I've been putting a few slices on my egg sandwich, but I'm really craving some yummy guacamole...the kind they make at your table at a fancy Mexican restaurant...the spicier the better! Alas, Webster is seriously lacking authentic ethnic foods.
Back to the Nugget...it is 4.6 inches long (or so) and weighs about 3.5 ounces. In the next couple weeks it will double in weight. 

Around this time other mothers claim that their hair is more lustrous and their skin more radiant. Well my hair is more gray than ever. Its flat and dull. My skin has NEVER been this bad. I'm not sure what else I can do. 

On the cool side...the baby should start to hear my voice. That is pretty incredible. This means I have to start watching what I say! No more road rage in the car. I'll just silently flip someone the bird instead of translating. 
It is a great excuse to sing and play music more. Hopefully our Nugget will be able to appreciate not just Jam Bands, but discover that there are other genres of music! (Sorry JD)

Pregnancy Symptoms to Expect from TheBump.com
Back Aches - Yes, have those. They go from mid-back to way lower back. Sometimes I'm just minding my own business walking and a pain will shoot down my back. Feels great. I may not be exercising as much as I should, but I'm in shape(ish)! 
Bigger Boobs - Had them 3 months ago.
Constipation - Nope, just keep drinking plenty of water and eat some roughage.
Forgetfulness - A.K.A. Pregnancy Brain - This is a doozy! (Did I spell that right?) The other morning I was making eggs. I needed more butter and the butter dish was fresh out. So I opened a new stick and instead of putting it in the butter dish, I dropped it in the pan, that was hot. Luckily, I caught my mistake quickly. Those would have been some rich eggs! Other than that, I haven't forgotten where I live or anything extreme, but I do have a tendency to continuously knock things off the counter when I'm getting ready in the morning or when cooking.
Faster Nail Growth - No, but they are brittle and break constantly.
Dry, itchy eyes - Nope, but I am getting odd hot flashes.
Glowing Skin - Stop taunting me! No my skin is not glowing...enough already.

I am noticing my bump is growing...either that or I ate pasta a few too many times this past month. Can't wait to get weighed next week...should be interesting. 

Enjoy the photo of my bump...there were three versions. One where I was clearly sucking in, one where I was sort of sucking in, and finally JD made me take one au natural. This is the photo I chose to post. 
You're Welcome.

xoxo
Schrogers

15 Weeks

Well here we are at Week 15. 
Nugget is now the size of a navel orange (I LOVE that the size of the baby is compared to food).

My jeans are just about too tight...really looking forward to maternity jeans. And my new maternity clothes that Jurve bought for me. Everything is so cute and comfy and now it just needs to be SPRING and hover around 50 degrees for more than 1 in every 7 days.

"You may be a little short of breath"...excuse me, I have been short of breath this whole time! Now at least I can blame it on the fetus. 

About this time I should start to feel the baby move...it has been described as a flutter that I may mistake for a rumble in the tummy. Well I'm excited to report that this morning I either was digesting my breakfast or I felt the baby move! It was surreal and I'm still not quite sure I felt what I think I felt...but JD said we are counting it as feeling the baby move! Done.

On my To Do list from The Bump I am supposed to be doing some prenatal pampering. 
Babymoon: Scheduled! California here we come! 48 days!
Maternity Photos: At this point there isn't a whole lot to look at...maybe in a couple months
Healthy Food Delivery: Um, thanks but I'm not a dummy...I know what to eat during pregnancy. I don't need to spend absurd amounts of money on food delivery...which, let's be honest, probably doesn't deliver to Webster. Now if Domino's had a healthy menu we'd be in business.
Prenatal Spas: YES PLEASE! Of course these cost an arm and a leg...I'm happy to have my hubby rub my back before bed.
Baby Planner: Oh of course! Obviously you should hire a Baby Planner...because why put any effort into planning something that is incredibly special and important when you can hire a complete stranger to do it! Oy people...my baby planner is Jurve. And they rule. 

Funny story from the past week: I was wearing a pear of brown pants that have a button on the inside of the waist and then the tab has 2 small snaps to complete the waist function. I was sitting at my desk, took a deep breath and let my belly out a bit to relax...and the snaps unsnapped. And it was pretty loud...good thing there are 2 other pregnant ladies here so I wasn't mortified! 

2 more weeks to go until we see the Doc again...although its another boring appointment. I can't wait for the Week 21 appointment when we get to see the baby again on the fancy ultrasound machine! 

Til next week...or the button on my jeans pops off and takes out someone's eye. 

LOVE,
The Rogers Three

14 Weeks

It's been a while! Well we are officially at 14 weeks and the whole wide world knows...including everyone on campus. 
Now that I'm busting out of my pre-pregnancy clothes its time to do a little maternity shopping...I desperately need jeans and leggings with the high waist...my belly doesn't like being constricted. 
Starting to do some baby gear research...found a brand new Bob someone bought with matching car seat they are selling for $400...seriously? If those tags are still on it...score! 
Gave JD a heart attack when I showed him how much cribs are from Pottery Barn kids...maybe we can find out the legal specs and have Uncle Todd make us one...or any other willing participants.
Speaking of JD the ole' boy is off crutches and hobbling around on his funny looking medical geisha sandal...and a cane. Belly bump photo will come soon! 
xo
The Schrogers