Weeks 21-24 (Month 5): Papaya

"Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop."

Well, it looks like these weekly updates are going to turn into monthly updates since Baby Tristan won't be growing as rapidly at this point. I'll still continue to post though. =)

My little guy is now the size of a papaya. It's so exciting. His little face is fully formed, he can grimace, yawn, taste, and touch. I watched a video on babycenter.com and apparently he can touch his face and play with the umbilical cord if he wants to. I hope he doesn't get too carried away though. LOL!

He's starting to develop his sleep cycles now. I hope that his sleep cycles continue this way once he is born. He sleeps all through the night. The only thing that wakes me up are these terrible calf cramps that I get. They are apparently from a potassium deficiency so I'm going to eat more potassium enriched foods to see if it helps because damn, they hurt!

I have a couple of stretch marks now. *cries* They aren't on my tummy though. They are on my thighs and ass of all places. Yuck! I've been really diligent about applying cocoa butter with vitamin E, but I still got a couple. They are small, but they are dark and ugly. =( I hope they will go away after Tristan is born, or at least become lighter so they are not as noticeable. I hate stretch marks.

Other than that everything is going great. Tristan and I are both healthy and my pregnancy is normal thus far. Keep hoping and praying that I'll carry full term and that Tristan will be born healthy. Thanks all! =)

Finally...Ultrasound Pics!!!

Sorry it took so long to post these. The first three are at 10 weeks 4 days gestation. The last three are at 19 weeks 4 days gestation, and yes, the gender money shot is in there. LOL! Enjoy!

20 Week Baby Bump

Here are some pics of my 20 week bump. I'm finally starting to look pregnant and not just fat! LOL! =)

21 Weeks~Banana

"Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch."

Okay, I'm assuming this size chart goes my length and not roundness because there is no way a banana is bigger than a cantaloupe in that sense. LOL! Now that I'm over the halfway mark the measurements of Tristan changed from head to rump to head to toe! Right now he is about 10.5 inches long and about 3/4 of a pound!

I feel Tristan move inside of me everyday now. I'm starting to become more familiar with his patterns. I'm hoping he'll be one of those babies that likes to sleep at night because that is when he is the most quiet currently. LOL! He is extremely active during the day. He hasn't made it above my belly button yet. He is still sitting pretty low. He loves to kick and punch my bladder and cervix! Ow, baby Tristan! Oh, well. At least I know he is healthy and that he is doing okay.

Robbie and I keep joking that Tristan is going to be a boxer because he had his little hands clenched into fists throughout the majority of the ultrasound and he seemed to favor punching over kicking in there. LOL! I can't wait to meet him. 21 weeks down 19 weeks to go! =)

My Son Has A Name!

Our son's name will be...

Tristan Jude Randall

20 Weeks~Cantaloupe

"Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!"

Wow, the last couple of descriptions with my weekly updates have been kind of gross. LOL! They should put something exciting in there like I am officially halfway done with my pregnancy! 20 weeks down, 20 weeks to go!!!

I can't believe how fast the time is going by. I haven't even bought anything for my baby yet! Although, I guess I really couldn't since I didn't know what we were having, but now I do!!! I can't wait to go register for my baby shower and buy all of the cute boy stuff I've seen at Target and Babies R Us!

I still haven't decided what theme I want to do the nursery in yet. I saw this really cute bedding at Babies R Us that was blue and white and had little, green frogs on it. The baby's room is already painted green, so maybe I'll do a frog theme. What do you think?

I can't believe my little guy is the size of a cantaloupe! That blows my mind! I'm so sorry I haven't posted ultrasound pics yet. We don't have a scanner and I haven't had a chance to go over to my in-laws to use theirs yet. I will get them on here a.s.a.p. though. LOL!

I'm so happy that our little boy is active and healthy. I feel so blessed. =)

IT'S A...............

BOY!!!!! We are so excited!!! I thought for sure it was a girl, but the important thing is that Robbie and I both got what we wanted. He wanted a son and I wanted a healthy baby. The doctor said that everything looks normal, that the baby is thriving, and that he is very healthy.

He is definitely a little wiggler. The ultrasound tech could only get three good still shots of him because he wouldn't stay in one place for five seconds. LOL! It was so amazing. I got to see his little face, little hands, little feet. They showed us each part of his anatomy and let us know that all of the organs are functioning like they are supposed to.

I'll post the ultrasound pics soon so you can see what my sweet baby boy looks like. We haven't decided on a name for our little guy yet, but we do have some ideas. I'll let you all know once we decide. =)

I'm so thrilled that he is doing so well. Words can't describe my happiness. =)

Tomorrow is the Day!

Less than 24 hours and I will know the sex of my baby. My appointment is at 8:45 tomorrow morning. I won't be able to post it until I get back from work since my job decided to block this site, but I'll post it as soon as I get home. I'm so excited! =)

19 Weeks~Mango

"Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature."

Okay, I think they could have come up with something a little more exciting than this. LOL, but oh well I guess. I'm 19 weeks pregnant and my baby is now the size of a mango! Holy shit! He or she is getting so big! Just four more days, guys. Only four more days and I will be able to post the sex of my little one! I feel like it's taken forever to get to this point.

I've been a little worried about my babe having his or her legs crossed. We wouldn't know the gender if that's the case, but this baby moves around so much I don't think it will be too much of a problem. LOL! It's the most wonderful feeling in the world. I can't wait to see the babe again! Last time I saw it I was 10 and 1/2 weeks pregnant and it was just a little bean.

I've been getting leg cramps lately and that is a common pregnancy symptom, but damn it hurts! I hope it doesn't last for too long. Anyway, thanks for reading. I know I probably bore you all with my weekly preggo updates, but I'm really excited. =)

Get Together At My House!

Hi Friends!

I know it's really short notice, so if you can't make it I totally understand; however we are having a get together tomorrow night at our new house. It's like a housewarming party kind of, sort of, but not really. Nothing crazy. Just a few friends, some drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and a good time!

I'm hoping I can get some girls to come out to the shin dig because so far it's just one, big sausage fest. LOL! Come if you can, if not I'll forgive you. It will be fun! =)