20 weeks!! Half Baked!

Hope you all had a great long weekend!  We traveled to Billings for Chad's cousin's high school graduation-- just over 1000 miles in the car!  Thank you sea bands, ginger gum, and my bucket just in case =)  That's why my update is a few days late =)

According to The Bump Baby Hoff weighs about 10.2 ounces and measures about 6.5 inches.  He's got working taste buds! He's also gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day -- that's significantly more than before----I guess I better kick my liquid intake up!!!

How far along? 20w2d
Total weight gain: 9 lbs as of last appointment (next appt is June 4!)
Maternity clothes? Some maternity shirts mixed with regular and my beband.

Stretch marks? none that I can tell
Sleep: still averaging about 5-6 hours a night
Best moment this week: The grass has started growing in the backyard and we got baby Hoff's bedding ordered!
Miss Anything? Being able to quickly get dressed in the a.m.
Movement: dance party central!
Food cravings: Oatmeal raisin cookies and gummy candies...
Anything making you queasy or sick: chicken
Gender: still Team Green for now!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: tired, small spurts of energy, sore belly (muscles are sore--stretching far!), constipation (fun, right?), and indigestion
Belly Button in or out? half in--half out...quickly becoming an outie
Wedding rings on or off? On! but it's a little tight in the morning.  My hands are swelling during the night
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy!
Looking forward to: getting the house put back together!
How are you feeling?  Uncomfortable some days.  Baby Hoff did NOT like the car trip we took this past weekend to Billings.  He took residence in my left side and REFUSES to move so I'm pretty uncomfortable.  I'm also a little stressed about next school year--but SO relieved that I'm done with this past year. 


Thanks to everyone who shared that I'm not crazy =) and that they felt the same way.  It's nice to know that I'm not the only one.  Oh, and I must clarify that one person did tell me about the emotional mess your body image goes through =) 

Here's the weekly picture from today (Tuesday--two days late):

19 weeks--Mango Tango!

Baby Hoff is the size of a Mango! At about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces. 

 

How far along? 19w1d
Total weight gain: 9 lbs as of last appointment (next appt is June 4!)
Maternity clothes? Not yet, but soon!

Stretch marks? none that I can tell
Sleep: still averaging about 5-6 hours a night
Best moment this week: Not baby related--the basement is construction guy free!
Miss Anything? Being able to quickly get dressed in the a.m.
Movement: dance party central!
Food cravings: chips--keepin' it real with the baked version haha
Anything making you queasy or sick: Raw meat
Gender: Team Green for now!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: tired, small spurts of energy, sore belly (muscles are sore--stretching far!)
Belly Button in or out? half in--half out
Wedding rings on or off? On! but it's a little tight in the morning.  My hands are swelling during the night
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'd say I was pretty happy this week (unless you count me being upset at the construction people from across the way.....)
Looking forward to: Summer =) 5 days left of school!
How are you feeling?  I'm adding this question.  I feel huge, even though I KNOW I'M NOT. Seriously though when you go from having an indented belly for 26 years of your life to this, it's a roller coaster of emotions.  I'm laughing at the numbers on the scale because I think it's great that I've never seen them before, it's just what I look like in the mirror that bothers me.  No one ever told me I would feel this way and quite frankly I've never heard any one mention themselves feeling this way.  It's not something I'm going to bottle up because it's an honest feeling.  I LOVE that I can feel baby Hoff dancing around in there and I know growing is a part of the process, but it just sort of came all at once and I wasn't ready for it.  But, alas, I am starting to love it =)   Don't laugh at my feelings or tell me I'm crazy, because that is why people don't open up and express things like this and if you so choose to talk about me like that they you really aren't being a support friend, relative, or person and I don't need you in my life =)  It's not healthy to keep things in--and maybe, just maybe someone can relate to me and know that it's okay to feel this way. 

Here's the weekly pictures from today (Monday--one day late):

 

So, I used my phone this a.m. after letting it charge ALL NIGHT (when I went to bed I had 2 green bars) and I woke up to "you have 3% battery left" and my alarm that WOULD NOT SHUT OFF without shutting my phone off!  I thought it would be nice and work today since yesterday it was pretty generous, but NO. So, off to Verizon I go to get a new phone after work.  LAME.

Finished!

The basement (family room, bedroom, and bathroom...we haven't tackled the laundry room yet) was finished last night! The pictures really don't do it justice. Time to decorate!  

    

Basement Progress

We are in the final stages of the basement (FINALLY)!  

This week: Tile, carpet, finish painting, finish all closets, final plumbing, and final electrical!  The cleaning lady is scheduled for Friday so they HAVE To be done by Thursday evening =) =)

The new furniture will be delivered on Friday night and the stuff that's in the living room now is going downstairs while the upstairs gets a face lift =)  I am excited to spend next weekend decluttering the upstairs and putting the house together FINALLY in the weeks to come!!!!  I could not be more excited!  

Chad picked out the paint, carpet, tile, and grout....so far so good.... 

They started painting and will finish that all up probably on Monday or Tuesday.  Tile was supposed to go in today...so we will see it the tile guy shows up...  The carpet is set to go in on Wednesday and the bathroom vanity same, with final plumbing and electrical quickly following. 
Every room is going to have the same color down there for now.  The bedroom MIGHT get repainted in a few YEARS, but it's easiest for now to just have them paint all one color. It looks kind of dark in the pictures but the gray really isn't too bad down there!  Chad wanted to go with a Steelers theme (go figure right?) so we will hang Nice memorabilia and it'll get finished slowly.   

Here are a few pictures of the basement thus far:

Looking toward the stairs from the back.....

From the stairs looking toward the back

Closet =)

Basement bathroom right...

Basement bathroom left

Basement bedroom...closet moved =)

Oh, and from the top of the stairwell

18 weeks! --What a sweet potato!

We've hit 18 weeks! According to The Bump Baby Hoff is about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and keeps on growing rapidly.

How far along? 18 weeks
Total weight gain: 9 lbs as of last appointment
Maternity clothes? Not yet...I have retired quite a few pairs of pants AND shirts in the last two weeks.......  Still using the rubber band trick as much as possible, purchased a Beband for the bottoms that still work, and wearing skirts!
Stretch marks? not yet
Sleep: becoming less and less =( I've been waking up to use the the bathroom more and and because I'm just not comfortable.
Best moment this week: Watching Chad's face when he got to feel Baby Hoff kick for the first time.
Miss Anything? Being able to quickly get dressed in the a.m.
Movement: Yep! Lots of kicks going on (I'm assuming they are kicks anyhow!) And what feels like a dance party =)
Food cravings: granola bars and as always CHIPS
Anything making you queasy or sick: Raw meat
Gender: Team Green for now!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: tired, small spurts of energy, constant bloody nose (which has been the whole time, just getting annoying)
Belly Button in or out? in...but it wasn't too deep to begin with so it's starting to come out!
Wedding rings on or off? On! However, I need to get them cleaned because I've been getting a small rash when I wear them! They are dirty!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy with a little moody on the side =)
Looking forward to: Summer =) 

Here's the weekly pictures from today:

...17 weeks..

We had a doctors appointment today so I wanted to wait to post until then! Appointment went great! Baby Hoff has a hb of 147 still (147 at roughly 7 weeks, 144 earlier this week, and 147 today).  Our normal OB had her baby so we were scheduled with her husband today and he was just as awesome as she is.  He joked around with us and took the time to answer the questions I had, it was great.

So, according to The Bump Baby Hoff is working on getting stronger.  His rubbery cartilage is starting to turn into bone and he's putting on some fat!  He is about about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces.

Three weeks away from being halfway done!  The Bump tells me to "try not to do it all alone, ask for help!"  Well you know me! I don't ask for help =)

How far along? 17 weeks
Total weight gain: 9 lbs =)
Maternity clothes? Not yet...although I have retired quite a few pairs of pants in the last two weeks....and also split a few pairs....sooo maternity wardrobe may be starting a little sooner than anticipated.  Still using the rubber band trick as much as possible and wearing skirts!
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: The past week was rough, so didn't get as much as I would have liked to, but averaged about 5 hours a night if I was lucky....I'm sleeping lighter--I think because I'm awaiting a phone call or text =( but trying hard to sleep as soundly as possible.
Best moment this week: I *THINK* I felt a few kicks this week!  I've been feeling him move around for a few weeks sporadically now, but if Sadie lays on my stomach where he is, I feel tons of taps!!
Miss Anything? Being able to quickly get dressed in the a.m.
Movement: See best moment of the week!
Food cravings: Mac-n-Cheese was yesterday!  and apparently fruit loops!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Raw meat has been bothering me lately.
Gender: Team Green for now! Who knows, maybe I can talk Chad into staying Team Green until October!!!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: tired, not as nauseous, hungry.....
Belly Button in or out? in...but it wasn't too deep to begin with so it's starting to come out!
Wedding rings on or off? On! However, I need to get them cleaned because I've been getting a small rash when I wear them! They are dirty!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy AND Moody.
Looking forward to: Summer =)

And here is my weekly picture from yesterday....17 weeks exactly!

And one from Thursday

Progress

One carpenter spent a day and a half working in the basement! He got all the doors hung and all of the trim work done (except for in the bathroom because the people laying the tile want to do that first I guess)!!  YAHOO! Tonight when he left he said that it was ready for paint tomorrow (ha, if they show up and if the texture gets fixed first!)....so we will see.  He and another guy should be back tomorrow to work on the closets upstairs...I HOPE!  I am sooooooo looking forward to hanging up clothes finally and not living out of totes!  I'll post a picture of the progress tomorrow, painted or not =)  Once the closests are finished I can put a few more totes full away also (linens, bathroom stuff, all those extras!). 

I received an email from our landscaper too, he thought they might be able to start work this week on the backyard! YAH!  Which means we *should* have a nice lawn come July...I think? 

Sadie

Old Wives Tales and Sex of Baby

Old Wives Tale #1: Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy. (First time we heard the babies heartbeat it was at 147 bpm. Tuesday it was 144 bpm)
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #2: Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #3: Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.
Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #4: Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.  
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #5: Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.  (I want both!)
Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #6: Skin under Left Eye
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl.
 Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #7: Time of Conception
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be.
 Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #8: Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl. I think it’s too early for me to tell on this one. (Well, as far as I know I'm only gaining in the torso, legs seem to be the same)  
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #9: Moodiness and a Little Pecker (this one is odd, but funny)
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you.
 Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #10: Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.  (If I use normal age, GIRL; If  I use lunar age, BOY)
Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #11: Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, a little boy it is. (I've heard it from others, however I'm not feeling it..)
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #12: Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #13: Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #14: Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #15: Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.  
Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE......

Old Wives Tale #16: Breast Test
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy.  
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #17: What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.  
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #18: Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #19: Areolae
If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy. If they haven't, its a girl. Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #20: Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #21: Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #22: Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.  
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #23: Baby Names
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #24: Urine
What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl.  (Really? This one is hard b/c it depends on how much water you've consumed!)
Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

RESULTS:

Boy: 10

Girl: 7

Inconclusive: 7

Source list for Questions