Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The First 16 Weeks

Last Friday marked 16 weeks of pregnancy! Since it was an Internet secret until last week, here's what's been happening...

We weren't trying to get pregnant necessarily, but we weren't not trying to get pregnant. So while there was a good amount of shock that it actually happened, it wasn't that surprising when the pee stick said "pregnant" on October 30.

Much to my joy, when I called to schedule a doctor's appointment, they said they could get me in the next week, which was only 5 weeks. I was still unsure when I wanted to start telling people but after the appointment it seemed time to notify immediate family. That and I knew I wanted everyone to know by Thanksgiving because I hate big announcements like that, no matter how happy.

We just kind of showed up at our parents' houses and told them. It was fairly anti-climatic. They kind of guessed what was coming since we just showed up out of the blue. Especially my parents, since we drove two hours to see them on a Monday night. Everyone is ridiculously excited, sometimes overwhelmingly so. Nugget (better than "it" until we find out gender) will be everyone's first grandchild and 3/4 of our grandparents' first great-grandchild. And for my grandma who already has great-grandkids, this will be the first one in-state.

bump update wks11-12


I felt perpetually a little nauseous for about two weeks around Thanksgiving (Fortunately that didn't keep me from eating turkey. I just had to keep eating the saltines between turkeys.), but have been doing mostly okay since then. I'm still prone to more nausea than pre-pregnancy, but am fine most of the time. I've only vomited twice so I consider than I win. And only 1 really bad headache, but those are becoming the more predominant situation.

Considering I've always been prone to sporadic food cravings, I'm not sure how much of this is pregnancy or just me being me, but in the past few days I've wanted a lot of peppercinis. I have also longed for Panera's Greek salad (with Parmesan instead of feta) and French onion soup. Tragically, I have a huge, unsatisfiable (for another 6 months) longing for Dragon King's Daughter Sushi and the Banshee roll (cream cheese, garlic, avocado, salmon and basil outside). In the meantime I'll have to settle for some cooked sushi, but it's not the same. I've already checked with my doctor that I can eat raw fish while breastfeeding and I might make Lee stop and pick us up some on the way home from the hospital. Unless anyone wants to bring me some to the hospital, which means I will love you second best, right after Nugget.

bump update wks13-14


Yes we will find out the sex of the baby in about another month. Elizabeth (possibly Elizabeth Ann) for a girl (This has been my plan since 1998 when I read Pride and Prejudice the first time.) and Albert Lee Earley V for a boy. We're still debating what we want to call Albert, so if you have any good nicknames, do share. We would go with Albie, but Albie Earley is just too cruel. Especially since if he takes after his father, he'll be genetically disposed to be late. Hal is currently in the lead.

Hmm...am I leaving anything out? I currently have no "feeling" about if we're having a boy or girl, and while I've always really wanted a girl, lately find I don't care as much. Oddly enough, I have the boy nursery idea much better planned out (light blue, red and white nautical theme) than the girl nursery (Peach and gray? Pink and yellow? Paris? Purple and gray? Tea party? Flowers?) I will hopefully breastfeed (unless it proves physically impossible) and want to cloth diaper. I've decided to switch from an OB to a Certified Nurse Midwife (still giving birth in a hospital!) since I'm hoping to do this with as few medical interventions as possible. I'm still debating on if I want to take Bradley or Lamaze classes and I'll picking a doula soon.

bump update wks15-16
It looks like I shrunk back down some. Is that possible?


Yay for finally sharing all of that! Feel free to share any advice (Especially on products. Is an Ergo truly the superior toting device? What's a good breast pump/car seat/crib/stroller?) and let me know if there's anything else you're curious about!

24 comments:

Shannan said...

When you said that it looked like you shrunk from week 15 to week 16 some of that could be bloat. There were times when I was pregnant with Randi that I thought I looked bigger in one picture and then the next week looked smaller. Congrats and I think you should use a nickname of Al.

hannahammonds said...

You probably didn't shrink, but the baby moves! How exciting that you guys are having a baby - they are awesome! And go breastfeeding! It can be tough at first but totally worth it in the end. However, if for somereason you can't it not anything to worry about. I love cloth diapering too! Good luck!
No idea about nicknames.

Caitlin said...

I still maintain that Albert is cute and that I knew a popular boy in high school named Albert. Just saying.

Is it the angle you're standing in that makes it look smaller at 16 weeks? I don't know. But I thought you looked smaller before I read the caption. Strange.

Dawn said...

Ergo is the best carrier, by far! I've had a Bjorn, sling, Moby (which is awesome when they're tiny and cuddly), and an Ella Roo (side carrier only). I never tried a ring sling but they look equally cuddly and easier than a Moby when they're tiny. But the ERGO is our favorite...completely saves your back by putting the weight on your hips like a good hiking pack, which is especially important as they grow and get heavier!

I've also had 4 strollers...I'm a bit of a junkie. Chico travel system (Cortina stroller) was okay, but Sam outgrew it quickly with the "wing back" style when it sits up. Umbrella stroller (Uppababy G-Luxe) is nice for a lightweight, but Sam hated it because of the plastic wheels that magnify every bump or crack you roll over. Jogging stroller (Babytrend Expedition) is nice...Sam loves it...easy to push. But not good for putting in the car....use it for only home-based on-foot outings. And our newest and most favorite of all: Baby Jogger City Select. The baby can face you or out, you can get a bassinet attachment or attachment for the infant carrier seat instead of the stroller seat on the frame; the basket is HUGE; the wheels are great to absorb jolty cracks and bumps on walks; it folds up super compact and easily! It also has a 2nd seat attachment kit available to become a double with the footprint of only a single stroller!

I'm not an expert on breastfeeding or pumps as it was physically impossible for me, but dang it if I'm not quite versed on trying everything you can to make it work. But, unlike me, you'll have some support if it doesn't work out, too :)

I'm so happy for you, dearest Katie! You will be a champion mama!

Is there a reason Albert is not an option in itself instead of a nickname? Always liked that name...very upstanding :)

Catie Schutte said...

Totally possible for you to shrink back :) a lot depends on the position of the baby. I am super excited for you! Can't wait to find out what "Nugget" is. I am impressed that you already have names picked out. You will be such a wonderful mom!

Ashley Colagross said...

I think it's cute Zoey looks like she knows what's going on in the 16 week pic. Has she done anything to tell you she knows?

Steph H said...

Congrats you two! I somehow missed your announcement on facebook, wasn't on much last Tues, prob why, belated congrats!

Yay for not being that sick and looking lovely. My friend is currently having the pregnancy from hell. She had to give up work, has beenhospitalised for a lot of it etc - basically the baby sucking all her energy and leaving her with nothing due to some underlying medical condition, so its nice to hear someone having a much better time!

If you were in the UK I could point you in right direction for lots of baby stuff but since you're in USA I'm pretty useless. My sister, boss and best friend have all had babies in last two years, so although I am childless I've lived through and been the personal shopper for many a pregnancy lol.

I don't know if you have it in US but Silver Cross prams are the brand ppl over hear swear by for build quality, classic styling, comfort etc etc, unless you want something much funkier.

Yay for Pride and Prejudice name :), and yes Albert or Al are lovely on their own.

Congrats again - will look forward to reading all your news xoxo

Katie Earley said...

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who "shrinks" from time to time! And congrats on your new baby! We're so excited for you guys!

Katie Earley said...

I've heard that if I can make it through the first three weeks of breastfeeding then I should be good to go, so fingers crossed! Do you have any cloth diaper systems you recommend? The inserts have sounded nice lately, but it seems like one of those things where I'll just have to try a few different ones and see what works.

Katie Earley said...

Today I think I'm leaning toward Albert again, so yay? And I'm thinking the size change might be angle, shirt, bloating or baby moving.

Katie Earley said...

Thanks!

Katie Earley said...

Thanks for all the suggestions! I walk into Babies 'R Us and my brain just explodes. Especially when you get into the higher-ticket more important items (car seats!).
Albert is an option, but I waffle back and forth on how much I like it. I'm liking it better today. We'll see. It might not even matter in a few weeks. ;)

Katie Earley said...

I don't think Zoey actually knows yet. She follows me around like that most of the time. And she was probably very concerned for my safety with Lee pointing something at me. She's still a little leery of him. ;)

Katie Earley said...

Thanks Steph! We are so excited! I don't think we Silver Cross here. Graco tends to be the main brand for baby items, but it's so overwhelming. I hope your friend starts feeling better soon! At least once it's over she'll have a sweet little baby!

Rachael D said...

Hey Katie! Big congrats to you and Lee! Thought about the nickname - I have a cousin who is the 5th and we all call him Quincy. A nice change from the typical name and there's still a reason for it.

Good luck with everything!

Katie Earley said...

Thanks Rachel! We haven't even thought of Quincy! We'll add it to the list.

Han said...

I started reading this post yesterday on my phone stood in the middle of the church kitchen so I didn't get back to commenting properly. Hello! At least you have a proper bump - my friend looked like she just had a big lunch for a few weeks hehe

Katie Earley said...

Haha! I don't mind the bump but have been dreading that I would just look pudgy for months. Fortunately I think he/she is making a nice little bump so I look possibly pregnant. ;)

Kimbrough said...

While I dont know nothing 'bout birthin' no babies (and hope to never!) I do have 2 friends who successfully did the Bradley method and L=O-V-E-D it!

I also have a friend who is pregnant with twins (yikes!) and she made a special appointment with her doctor just to see what kinds of sushi she could eat whilst pregnant. It's one of the reasons why we're friends.

If you have to go the V route, I personally like Bert. Or Albert. Though Bert Earley doesn't roll off the tongue too easily does it? Hmm. Then you're left with NO other option than to call him Wildcats. :-)

Katie Earley said...

I know I can eat cooked sushi, and certain high quality raw sushi, but I'm too lazy to figure out the raw sushi and will just tough it out until July. And sadly, since Lee's a UofL fan, I doubt the "Wildcats" nickname would go over well, but maybe I can do some brainwashing once the baby's old enough. ;)

Rebecca S said...

This all makes me terrified. Babies sound so incredibly expensive, and I'm so not ready to give up clothes, travel, and take-out. Guess I'll just keep depleting the egg supply. :-(

Gonna be honest, I like just plain Albert. And then if you end up with a girl and a boy, Albert and Elizabeth sounds sweeter than Hal and Elizabeth. He can always shorten it later in life.

Katie Earley said...

You have plenty of time to have babies. And honestly, affording baby doesn't scare me nearly as much as affording a four-year old or more than one kid, so we've got some time. ;)

I'm trying really hard to like Albert, but all I hear in my head is Michael Scott calling Jim "Fat Halpert". And of course, "Hey! Hey! Hey!" My current plan of action is to think pink. ;)

Sarah said...

Congratulations!! I know that I'm a little late to comment on this one, but I can't wait to read about how having a doula and a nurse midwife goes! I hope to participate in those whenever I get pregnant (yep, want kids! All my baby alarms have been going off recently, Jenny A. W. tells me it's happening to a lot of her friends).

I don't know about any breast pumps or things like that, but I have seen many moms happy with the Bob strollers, especially the Bob Revolution. It's expensive and a bit heavy, so it's not for everyone, but it's a bomb-proof stroller with wheels capable of going on walking trails with various surfaces and the front wheel rotates- which makes a huge difference in steering. Just a thought!

Good choices on the names! Elizabeth and Anne are my favorites for girls, too (Anne with an "e" runs in the family, which is why I spell it that way).

Katie Earley said...

Thanks! It's lovely to hear from you! I will definitely share the birth story here when it happens but I lovelovelove my midwives and doula so far! I strongly recommend them! (In general, not just them as specific individuals. Have you seen the Business of Being Born? Brilliant!) I have heard good things about the Bob strollers but we wound up going with a Baby Trend Expedition. It got pretty good reviews so I've got my fingers crossed it will work well for us!