Let's talk Details!

How far along: 22 weeks/1 day

Total weight gain: 14 pounds (That's up 2 pounds since last week! Eeeeek! But in my defense, Little Lima Bean now weighs a POUND on her own, so it's not all me!)

Maternity clothes: Wearing my two black maternity pants a lot, plus a new maternity black skirt from Target! Also, I got a super comfy bright green tee from Lululemon that is not maternity, but is stretchy and long so it works perfectly! Wore that with my black skirt and a cute black jacket (that no longer buttons) for a hip look on Tuesday. I also wore my cute navy blue J Crew dress with a chic white jacket to brunch with my friend Vanilla Bean on Saturday! Yay to being stylish with a bump!

Stretch marks: No.

Main symptoms: Don't laugh, but I think I'm drooling. At night. Don't tell Papa Bean, I don't think he's noticed yet! Also this past week, I've been extra forgetful.

Exercise: Prenatal yoga on Sunday; did small-weight arm exercises and leg lifts on Tuesday; 1 hour on the ellyptical machine Wednesday night while watching the American Idol results show.

Best moment of the week: We had a great weekend, starting with seeing an old friend for drinks on Friday and seeing the Studio Theater play "Rock 'n Roll" and then a fabulous brunch on Saturday and watching baseball with friends at Stoney's that afternoon. Chill and fun.

Movement: Little Lima is quite active these days, swooshing or kicking me daily! This past week, I felt her while I was listening to an argument at the U.S. Supreme Court, attending a briefing at the Old Executive Building adjacent to the White House with a senior Obama adviser and just today at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol. It's funny to think of all the cool places Little Lima has already been.

Food cravings: Fruit popsicles. They are delish and oooooh so healthy too! Got a stash and have been enjoying one a night. Papa Bean love them too!

Gender: Expecting a little lady in four months!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Nothing comes to mind this week...

What I am looking forward to: Having a house so I can start decorating the nursery!

Weekly wisdom: Etsy.com is a GREAT place to find unique and creative baby toys, decor and nursery items!

Milestones: This week marks the start of the 6th month of pregnancy!

22 weeks down, only 18 to go!

Week 22 means that I am now in my 6th month of pregnancy! And, yes, that means I have four more months to go. I am already showing quite a bit and wondering just how much bigger I will get! Eeeeeek!

In the meantime, baby is about the size of a papaya!


Some more things to keep in mind:

• 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! (Source: The Bump)


• She is becoming plumper as her fat is being laid down at a high rate, but her skin is still wrinkled and reddish. The wrinkled and loose appearance of her skin is due to the faster production of her skin than the fat that fills it out. The reddish appearance of her skin is due to the deposition of pigment as her skin loses its translucent appearance.


• Your baby can kick and punch vigorously by now, but she may also be gently feeling the umbilical cord and rubbing her hands and face against the inside membrane of the amniotic sac that holds her. (I feel her kicking!)


• She is still swallowing amniotic fluid, which provides an important nutritional supplement to the nutrition she gets via the placenta, and is passing some of it as urine. The swallowing of the amniotic fluid may cause your baby to get the hiccups and you may even be able to feel this as her body jumps inside yours. (Wow, that is so cool!)

Baby Bedding Galore!

A fellow pregnant friend of mine just asked folks on Facebook for suggestions on baby bedding. My goodness was that opening a can of worms! There are SO MANY choices!

Some suggestions she got:

• One of a Kind (not rated)
  
• JoJo Bedding (B)
  
• Pottery Barn Kids (C+)
  
• Kidegories (not rated)
  
• From me: Restoration Hardware (A-), Land of Nod (A-), Picci (B+) and Baby Gap (A-)
  

My trusty Baby Bargains book rates them all, not that that helps narrow down the list!

The book says that for good bedding at a low price, go for Cotton Tale (A), Amy Coe at Target (A-) and George at Wal-Mart (A-). If you can spend more, check out Picci (my personal favorite!), Sumersault (A) or California Kids (A). Or, if money is no object, go for Navas (B).

For organic bedding, BB suggests Summer Infant, Kids Line (B) or Baby Gap's organic line.

So, um, what?

The book says this:

"There's no law that says you have to buy an entire bedding set for your nursery -- we found that all baby really needs is a set of sheets and a good cotton blanket. Catalogs/web sites like Lands End and Baby Gap sell affordable (yet high-quality) basics like sheets ($19 to $32) and blankets ($15 to $30). Instead of spending $300 to $500 on bedding sets with ridiculous items like pillows and diper stackers, use creative solutions (like wall decals) to decorate the nursery and leave the crib simple."

The book also boils it down to this handy (and short) list of what to buy:

• 3-4 fitted sheets in all cotton with a high thread and elastic all around the edges
  
• Mattress pad or sheet protector (you know, to prevent a mess)
  
• Thin blanket or sleepsack
  

What not to buy:

• Diaper stackers
  
• Pillows for the crib (dangerous)
  
• Bumper for the crib (dangerous)
  
• Canopies
  
• All white sheets (baby's are messy, or so we hear)
  
• Sleep positioners
  
• Quilts or heavily padded blankets (dangerous)
  

So where does that leave me?

Remember that I am planning to get this crib and paint the walls green/white. I really liked these two bedding sets from Picci, but they cost $300 to $400 and include things like crib bumpers that I don't want. I can't seem to find them ala carte, so I have decided to forgo their cuteness. Next, I really liked the organic bedding at Baby Gap! But the colors are a little too pastel for my taste.

So here's what I am thinking about...

• 2 ecru fitted sheets from Baby Gap ($15.60 x 2)
  
• 2 Amy Butler lime moon polka dot sheets ($75 for sheets, crib skirt)
  
• 1 Amy Butler pink lotus crib skirt (see above)
  
• 1 adorable pink bird fleece blanket from Baby Gap ($23.20)
  
• 1 Amy Butler pink lotus pillow for the rocking chair ($11)
  
• A sleepsack or two ($20 each)
  

TOTAL: $160 (Not bad! Baby Bargains suggests a budget of $158)

Lima Bean as a future Lawyer?

Today, baby Lima Bean made her first visit to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments made over a Cincinnati murder case.

She was well behaved for the most part and respected the decorum of the court. But then she started kicking vehemently as the respondent's lawyer finished his argument. I could see my belly move!

So either she thought the lawyer's argument was completely ridiculous, as the justices seemed to think because they grilled him pretty harshly, or she really likes the law and wants to be a lawyer like her daddy and granddaddy.

Papa Bean's response, via e-mail: "Or maybe she wants to be an actress who plays a lawyer."

Holy Cute Baby Toys!

Bean bags, cloth blocks, stacking rings, play balls, stuffed animals... Wow! These are all from Etsy.com, where you can find handmade baby toys that are cheaper than Pottery Barn and oooooh sooooo much cuter! Don't worry, I am exercising extreme restraint... I have only purchased a few!

Nursery ideas!

The walls: light lime green, with white trim.

The crib: dark brown wooden crib (Graco Lauren?)

The dresser, changing table: dark brown wooden dresser that we already own with changing pat on top.

The bedding: Green, white and brown colors... Loving the Picci sets! But they aren't sold ala carte and I don't want bumpers...

The rocker: white, khaki or lime green upolstered glider rocker (Little Castle?)

The lamp: Silver lamp. Or the green beaded oneI got me years ago?
The wall art: Dark wooden frames with white mattes and 8x10 photos of PINK flowers?

Here are some inspiration pictures:

Do you see it? Can you visualize it?

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 21 weeks/2 days

Total weight gain: 12 pounds (up 1 pound since last week!)

Maternity clothes: Finally, we have some warm weather in Washington! So I am wearing today this totally cute maternity dress from Target. I am waiting to wear a black maternity skirt I got on clearance from Target and this cute J Crew skirt/dress from Hawaii Grandma Bean!

Stretch marks: No.

Main symptoms: Sort of tired a lot. Frequent bathroom breaks. Bigger. Harder to lean over and tie my shoes. Dry skin. Getting kicked in the abs a lot!

Exercise: Walked to the Lupus Walk last weekend.

Best moment of the week: We just got our wedding DVD in the mail! So we watched it last night... Amazing. Can't believe I was that skinny. The ceremony was great. We both got emotional watching it and Little Lima kicked me so I think she wants to see it someday!

Movement: Yes! Feeling Little Lima daily now! Mostly in the evenings, but also during the day when I am sitting at the computer and typing. Wonder what she thinks of the sound of me typing. Any time I eat, she starts Usually after I eat or when I am still, like sitting at my desk or reading in bed at night. It's great!

Food cravings: Bagels. Decaf Lattes. Virgin margaritas (might have to get this book!)

Gender: Papa Bean's little princess is on her way!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Being able to tie my shoes and walk around without waddling.

What I am looking forward to: Having Papa Bean tie my shoes for me. Hee!

Weekly wisdom: Pregnancy pillows are the bomb.

Milestones: Put an offer in on a house! Waiting to see if it's accepted. Researched cribs, mattresses, bedding and glider rockers! Planning to visit Great Beginnings this weekend. More to come on the nursury purchases I am planning to make!

21 weeks down, 19 to go!

So this week Little Lady Lima is about the size of a banana. That doesn't really make sense to me because the cantaloupe last week sure looked bigger! 

Regardless, she is growing in weight (not quite a pound yet!) and length and I am feeling her kicks all day long! 

Here is the fruit shot: 

So what else is happening with our baby? 

• Eyebrows have developed!

• Her senses are developing, especially her sense of touch. She can feel her face and stroke her arms and legs! Just wait until Papa Bean introduces her to back scratching and Momma Bean introduces her to massage at our mother/daughter spa day!

• And this is interesting: Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid! That means that you should think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own meals... I guess our little girl will love chocolate, ice cream and pizza. :-)

The baby crib hunt has started!

And ended. I hope!

Without even stepping foot into Babys "R" Us or any of those insane baby mega-stores, I think I have already found what to get - the Graco Lauren crib, which goes for $150-200! It's safe, stylish, affordable, and recommended by the authors of Baby Bargains. Perfect!

This book, Baby Bargains, is now in its 8th edition, which just came out this year. It is a 600-page long manual that guides new parents through the maze of baby equipment shopping by telling you which things you need (crib, dresser that doubles as a changing table, glider rocker), which things are a waste of money (stand-alone changing table, diaper stacker) and which brands are the best.

According to this book, I really need to get a jump on ordering baby furniture, like the crib, because it could take weeks for these items to be delivered. So I am reading all about baby cribs, which come in all sorts of colors and styles.

In terms of cribs, they give furniture from high-end stores like Pottery Barn (Grade: C), Restoration Hardware (Grade: C) and Baby Gap (Grade: F) horrible marks for selling trendy cribs that are poorly made (particle board) at exorbetant prices.

For quality and value, they recommend cribs made by Munire, Westwood and Creations. But the best budget crib is the Graco Lauren or Graco Sarah, which is actually made by Bonavita. The same cribs are also sold under the brand Babi Italia, Scandi and Europa Baby.

Basically there are static cribs and cribs with drop-side rails or fold-down rails. The authors of Baby Bargains recommend AGAINST fold-down rails because older babies can use the edge of the rail to climb out of the crib. But static cribs are hard to put a sleeping baby into. So I'm going to go with a drop-side rail. (For a static crib, the authors of Baby Bargains actually recommend the Gulliver crib from IKEA, which is only $99!)

Another consideration in crib shopping is whether or not you want a convertible crib. A what? Yes, many cribs now days can be converted from a crib to a toddler bed to a full or queen-size bed. I suppose your kids could even take their crib to college and beyond... Um, yeah.

(If you read this far, I'm impressed! Bet you didn't know crib shopping could be this complicated...)

But, seriously, is a $99 or $200 crib really as good as a $999 or $1,200 crib? Actually, yes. All cribs sold in the U.S. must conform to the same set of safety standards. And when it really comes down to it, isn't safety the most important element in a crib? So as long as you stick to an all-wood crib that is stable and purchased new (buying a crib is NOT a place where you can save money at garage sales), it should be just fine.

Now the only thing left to go see the Graco Lauren crib in person and then decide is WHICH color to get it in?! Espresso, Walnut, Natural or White?

Another Great Weekend

Looks like springtime is coming to Washington! We had a wonderful weekend. The weather was amazing. It got up into the 70s and we enjoyed lots of sunshine!

We got up early on Saturday and walked downtown to volunteer with One Brick at the annual 2-mile Walk for Lupus event. We helped set up, manned the registration table and handed out water bottles to walkers as they finished! It was a beautiful day and a great event.

Update: Photos have been posted from the event! Many of them show Papa Bean carrying tables, pointing and cracking jokes. See if you can find all 8 photos of him!

Afterward, we headed up to Northwest D.C. and Bethesda, Md., to tour houses with our Realtor. We spent Sunday visiting more houses in the Bethesda area and going back to our favorites. We are zeroing in on a choice!

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 20 weeks/3 days

Total weight gain: 11 pounds (up 1 pound since last week!)

Maternity clothes: Oh yeeeeeah. Got the GAP maternity pants but only like one pair, so am returning the other. It's really hard to find comfy work pants! So far my Target and Ann Taylor LOFT pants are my faves! I also just ordered a bunch of maternity tops from Target that were on clearance, free shipping and buy 2 get 1 free! I got 13 tops for $100! Go me..... Plus, I go this totally cute top that I am wearing today! Love it!

Stretch marks: No.

Main symptoms: Bigger belly. Still sort of tired. Bathroom trips have picked up again! Arg!

Exercise: Prenatal yoga on Sunday.

Best moment of the week: Finding out that we have a little princess on her way! And seeing her on the sonogram screen. She's already soooo cute!

Movement: Definitely feeling baby Lima! Usually after I eat or when I am still, like sitting at my desk or reading in bed at night. It's great!

Food cravings: Frozen fruit bars! Cookies! More cereal!

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Being skinny! Hahaha. Maybe I'll get this T-shirt!

What I am looking forward to: Being really, really big and pregnant!

Weekly wisdom: Target is the way to go on maternity clothes!

Milestones: Found out that Lima is a girl! Had our Week 20 sonogram and appointment. Finally caved in and got some pregnancy pillows. Also purchased two new books, Baby Bargains and The Happiest Baby on the Block. Reviews to come!

Papa Bean just felt Lima kick!

Just now... I was sitting at the computer in our bedroom listening to Bruce Springsteen singing "Growing' Up" and "Janey Don't You Loose Heart" when I started to feel a series of kicks or pulses in my lower abdomen.

Excited to feel Lima Bean, I rolled up my shirt and started watching my belly. Then I saw a definite movement! Startled, I yelled for Papa Bean to come quickly! He was in the other room watching TV and came running.

I told him to stand behind me and look down at my belly and see if he could see the same twitching that I was seeing in my lower abdomen. Then he saw it! Excited, he put his hand on my belly and his eyes widened as he FELT it too! 

Yay for Lima! Way to kick, little gal! Maybe we've got a little soccer player in here! At least we know she's becoming a big-time Bruce fan! 

20 weeks down ... 20 to go!

I can't believe we're already at the halfway point! Yay!

Well baby Lima has been growing and she is now the size of a CANTALOUPE! That is a little freaky because, wow, those things are BIG! My belly has been sticking out a little more, so I'll have to work on getting an updated bump photo to share.

In the meantime, here is the fruit pic:


So what's going on with Little Lima? Lots!

• She can now respond to external sounds, such as the music I am listening to or my voice. So Papa Bean has taken to saying goodbye to me in the morning and then leaning down and saying goodbye to his little princess too! Yes, we are those silly parents-to-be!


• She can now grip with her fists. So, watch out to any bullies on the playground!


• Toenails and scalp hair are growing, which is good since we'll need both in order to do a mother-daughter spa day to get our hair and nails done...


• And this coming week, she is developing taste buds on her tongue, so in 21 years we can enjoy some nice wine and champagne at our mother-daugher spa day. Or, am I getting ahead of myself?


• Lima's digestive system is now so advanced that she can absorb water and sugar from the amniotic fluid... That must come first. Then wine. In, you know, 2030.


• Finally, this is pretty cool: By now we could hear her swoosh-swoosh heartbeat with a stethoscope!

Ooooh, I want a stethoscope so bad!!!

Re-cap of our 20-Week Appointment

Yesterday's news cycle was dominated by the announcement that we're having a girl! But I wanted to get back to the appointment to share some other details from our big day.

First of all, we're at the HALFWAY POINT! Pregnancy is 40 weeks, so I am half done growing our daughter! Of course, I didn't know I was pregnant until Week 5, so this half will seem longer. And, I'll LOOK more pregnant this half. But still. Yay!

Back to the appointment.

I weighed in at +11 pounds since my first appointment. My doctor said that usually women gain about 10 in their first 20 weeks and then about 20 pounds in their second 20 weeks. So I'm right on track with the weight gain. But now I'm starting to think about the 30 pounds that I'll eventually be carrying and it's freaking me out! Eeeeek!

Also, if you recall, last appointment, my blood sugar spiked, but I had just eaten. This time I ate a full two hours beforehand, so it came out normal. Good sign. Don't want to get gestational diabetes! And my blood pressure was also normal, too.

I discussed running (well, slow jogging and walking) with my doctor and he said he sees no reason for me to discontinue this. However, after the recent Cherry Blossom Ten Miler, I have decided to cut back to short jogs and lay off the distances.

Finally, have I mentioned here yet that I have fibroids? I didn't know until our first ultrasound, which my doctor says is a good thing because that means they weren't a problem either in comfort or in conception. During the ultrasound, the technician said one of them is a little bigger, but that's normal. She also said one of them has moved to the side and should no longer be blocking the birth canal, which is good news. I'll have more ultrasounds as I progress to check on these. But, really, it'll just be cool to see more pictures of Lima!

Now back to the gender news.

We're super excited for a little girl! Papa Bean says he knew I was growing a girl the whole time! He says it's his destiny to be surrounded by women. Ha! But I have to say that I'm a little surprised! Since I had no morning sickness and my pregnancy has been pretty easy so far, I figured it had to be a boy. I thought girls would be more difficult!

Well, as it turns out, maybe that's not the case. Our ultrasound technician said that our baby's demeanor suggested that she was a girl even before we got a look at her, um, stuff. She said our baby shows a very calm and laid back manner, as opposed to a boy, who might be flipping, bouncing, jumping and basically rough-housing around my uterus!

Papa Bean says it's only a manner of time before this laid-back baby turns into a diva, however. So we'll see if it's possible to raise a laid-back girl. Maybe? Until she turns 13?

Also during the ultrasound we saw her playing and sucking on her fingers, so cute! My mom, who is an OT, says that shows that even early on she knows how to entertain herself and keep herself busy. I did some looking and finger sucking does appear to be a sign of a baby who knows how to soothe themselves. This is a good sign both cognitively and temperamently!

Papa Bean is convinced that she'll either be the first female member of the Yankees (how about the name "Dereka"?) or the first female president.

Oh, and in terms of houses, we now have new criteria. Papa Bean says there is NO WAY are we getting a place with our room on a separate floor than hers and her room must be on the 2nd level. You know, so that boys can't sneak in and date her. Because, like, that's what infants do, apparently!

Lima Bean is a ... GIRL!

We just had our 20-week doctor's appointment today and from the view we had... We've got a little lady in here!

Everything measured normal: her brain, her head, her spine, her heart, kidneys, she's got two arms and two legs... Strong heartbeat. Everything is looking great!

Below are some more photos of our little princess... She's in the same position as the baby girl in the image above.

Except our little darling appears to be fascinated by her hands! It was a trip watching her on the sonogram screen because it looked like instead of sucking her thumb, she was going straight for her whole hands, both of them!

Methinks this one will be way into manicures. Oh yeah...

It's a ...

........ Boy or a Girl? Your last chance to vote in the poll (right) or leave a guess in the comment section!

We find out at our big ultrasound this afternoon what the sex is, assuming Lima Bean isn't shy and shows us his or her stuff!

(You can tease Lima Bean later that you knew him or her way back when we were talking about his or her private parts on the Internet. Oh, the scandal!)

In the meantime, to aid in your guesses, here is some random information:

• I did not experience morning sickness; my face has not broken out
• I have gained about 10 pounds and it's all in my belly
• It's too early to say if I'm carrying high or carrying everywhere though
• I crave BOTH sweet stuff (frozen yogurt! OJ!) and salty foods (nuts! cheese! meat!)
• The Chinese gender chart says I'm having a boy (age 32; conceived mid-Dec)
• But if you go by lunar months, then the Chinese chart says it's a girl!
• According to this quiz, we have a 76 percent chance of having a boy...
• But according to this chart, we have a 56 percent chance of having a girl!
• Papa Bean's dad sired a girl first, then a boy; his maternal grandfather had a boy first, then a girl; his paternal grandfather sired two boys, then a girl.

And all that means... I give up! I have no clue!

But I do know that if you make a guess you have a 50 percent chance of being right, which Papa Bean says is actually pretty good odds.

So guess away! And check back here later for an update!

Holy Cuteness!

It finally happened. I have become obesessed with baby clothes! The onesies, the bibs, the hats, booties... They're just too adorable!

And I have to say, I don't think that girls clothes take the cake on cuteness. There is a wealth of totally adorable baby boy clothes too. Of course, if we have a boy, there may be a limit to how cute Papa Bean will let me dress Lima Bean. And a girl? Don't think she'll be all in pink. Girls can wear other colors too!

So in the run-up to tomorrow's big appointment, where we find out of Lima Bean is a boy or a girl (have you voted yet?!) I present to you some totally adorable clothes for both boys and girls:

Which line will Lima Bean be wearing? Stay tuned... We find out tomorrow!

If Lima Bean is a girl... She'll be decked out in these totally cute outfits!

But if Lima Bean is a boy... He'll rock out to these totally smart looks!

And just like that - We've got a mover in here!

For most of the last week, I have been wondering whether the weird, occasional things I was feeling were Lima Bean or if it was just gas or my imagination.

Well, folks, I am now pretty certain that it is indeed Baby Bean kicking and flip-flopping around in there!

This certainty started on Friday and has continued throughout the weekend. Even this afternoon at work and now as I sit down to type, I feel the little sucker doing something in there.

Usually it's at night when I'm laying in bed reading. Or when I am sitting at the computer. And definitely after a big meal! Tonight I made butternut squash pizza and Bean is now having a field day with it!

But the movement is hard to describe. Sometimes if feels like a fish is swimming in my stomach. I imagine that a round glass bowl is in my belly and there is a gold fish fluttering about.

Other times, it feels like a my stomach turning over. It's similar to what you would feel on a roller coaster. It definitely feels like something (Lima Bean, I presume?) wriggling around or flipping around.

And if I'm really still, I swear I can see my stomach ripple! Papa Bean tried looking at my belly on Friday and I think he saw it twitch too.

I can't wait to see Lima Bean on the big screen at Wednesday's ultrasound!

And I can't wait for Papa Bean to be able to feel Bean moving for himself. Kick, baby, kick!

Jewelry counts as maternity clothes, right?

Maternity clothes may be comfortable, but they aren't exactly the most fashionable styles out there.

Don't get my wrong, some items are very cute. But with a growing midsection, there is a limit to how much you can change things up.

Enter jewelry.

One new piece can really spice up a wardrobe! It can inject color and a whimsical fun that pulls the new look together.

So my new obsession, if you want to call it that, is finding the cutest most inexpensive pieces I can. And it's working - I've gotten compliments on all my new necklaces!

My first purchase was this handmade one-of-a-kind porcelain pendant with a lady's face hand painted with black underglaze. A clear glaze was applied over the painting and the piece was high fired to set it. It measures 2" by 1 1/2 " and came with the chain. Cost: $20

My second buy was a sort of group purchase... I really like this style of necklace but couldn't decide which one to buy! This olive green Czech glass bead necklace includes an irresistible collection of vintage wildflowers resting on an antiqued brass filigree for a really original look. Cost: $35

I got a similar necklace with a bright red poppy set against black faceted Czech beads on the brass chain. Cost: $33; Matching ring: $8

I ended up wearing both pieces to my friend's wedding last week, the green necklace to the ceremony with the pink dress and the black one (with the matching ring) with my long black dress to the reception. I got several compliments on each piece!

My most recent purchase was by far the cheapest! I couldn't resist the adorable bird motif that has become all the rage of late. It goes perfectly with jeans and I get compliments whenever I wear it! Cost: $6.50

Now, if you think these handmade items are adorable... Just wait until you see the adorable baby onesies and bibs that I am drooling over. More on that later!

We are #44 on The List

When Papa Bean suggested way back on Week 13 that we get on the wait list for the day care facility at his office, I admit, I thought he was a little nuts. Sign up for day care for a baby who won't even be born for another 6 months? Insanity!

But, apparently, that's what you do.

So we are on the wait list for the Bright Horizons day care center at his office. There are six siblings on the wait list, who get in first. Then there are 50-something other babies on the wait list and we are #44. Some people on the wait list (two that we know of personally) are only on the list as a back up. Considering that we probably won't need care until January, we should be OK.

So on Thursday, we took a tour of the facility so that I could see where we are planning to send Lima Bean every day. Here are some observations and things that we learned:

• Security is intense. Visitors must show a government I.D. to get in the door, then show it again at the desk and have your photo taken for a temporary badge. Parents are welcome to drop by anytime, without an appointment. And once you are accepted and your child starts at the center, you can undergo security clearance to get a permanent pass.

• The center just opened a little more than a year ago, so it's very nice and new. A definite plus. Plus it's on the ground floor, has an outside playground and lots of windows with lots of light. The infants go outside for occasional stroller rides. Otherwise, they play and nap in their areas with the caregivers.

• Speaking of caregivers, according to D.C. law there is a maximum of four babies for every caregiver. And there must always be two caregivers present in the room, even if there is only one baby.

• The infant area is for children aged 6 weeks to 1 year old. There are 16 spots for infants and the area is divided in half so that eight babies are on the right side and eight are on the left. On each side is a play area next to a sleeping room in which each infant has their own crib, identified by their name and a photo. In between the two infant areas is a kitchen and two changing tables.

• The infant area is a no-shoe environment in which everyone must wear house shoes or disposable booties that cover their shoes/socks. And everyone who enters must wash their hands immediately using the hand sanitizer.

• For food, parents can look at the menu of provided food and select what their child will eat. Or, they can prepare and send their own food for their child to eat. For babies, you can send formula milk or breast milk, up to you. Breast milk is kept in a separate fridge and each bottle is labeled with the child's name, photo and a color tape that assigned to them to make it easier to identify who gets what.

• Each baby also has a cubby hole where parents can keep an extra change of clothes or other supplies. Parents supply the diapers and they can be either disposable or cloth, whatever you prefer.

• The caregivers keep a portfolio/journal for each baby where they note any observations for the parents and include photos for the parents to enjoy. Also, every day, a log (below) is filled out that tells you what time the baby ate, what they ate, what time they slept, and when they were changed, and anything else that happened.

• The caregivers try to put the babies down for naps on your preferred schedule, but that doesn't always happen. They always lay the baby down on their back. If the baby is able to roll over, that is noted on their sheet so that they'll know that a baby found on their stomach rolled over. They don't go around turning the babies over to their back though.

• The babies will move up at about age 1, depending on the openings. When they move up, they center tries to get them all on the same nap schedule. The next group is made up of toddlers who are age 1 and 2. There are toilets for them to explore but some don't get potty trained until later. But if they want to learn, they can learn.

• The next group is the children age 3 up to age 5. They go for walks and play in the playground and have a computer and arts and crafts. The children leave the center around this time for preschool and/or kindergarten.

All in all, we were very impressed with the center and I think it'll be a good place for Lima Bean to spend his or her days. It's a definite bonus that it's right downstairs from Papa Bean's office because that will make dropping off and picking up much easier. Plus, he can go visit anytime!

So, in retrospect, it was a good thing that we signed up at Week 13. I just hope that we signed up in time! But, really, it would have been strange to sign up any earlier. (The other couple on the tour with us isn't even pregnant yet!)

I'm all for planning ahead, but paying $100 to get on the wait list before I was even pregnant? Um, overkill.

Gifts from Cousin Jessie!

What a wonderful surprise! We got a notice that a package from Cousin Jessie was waiting for us at the Post Office. I picked up the box and couldn't wait to open it up to see what was inside!

The box included this handwritten note:

And look at all these goodies for the baby!

An adorable onesie... A collection of baby legos, my favorite toy ever! And some baby spoons, forks and a sippy cup! Thank you, Cousin Jessie! This is an awesome gift! You will be such a great big cousin. :-)

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 19 weeks/ 1 day

Total weight gain: 10-13 pounds (up 2 1/2 pounds since last week! Eeeek!)

Maternity clothes: Maternity pants and tops are becoming more and more comfortable and a necessity. I just ordered two new maternity pants from GAP. Hope they fit!

Stretch marks: No.

Main symptoms: Tired. Spacey. A protruding belly.

Exercise: Ran the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler on Sunday and then did prenatal yoga.

Best moment of the week: So many! Attending a good friend's wedding, taking Lima Bean on the Cherry Blossom run, and enjoying a great Passover seder with good friends.

Movement: Feeling small "flutters" of movement but still not sure what it is!

Food cravings: Cereal, almonds, chocolate, red meat (had to have fajitas last Friday!)

Gender: You all are pretty split on whether Lima Bean is a boy or a girl! Interesting. Less than a week until we find out!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Being able to wear more clothes in my closet and my cute dresses.

What I am looking forward to: Being able to take Lima Bean out in a jogging stroller!

Weekly wisdom: Enjoy every day because this pregnancy is going by so quickly! Let's see if I still think that at 30 weeks...

Milestones: Our condo is under contract and has passed inspection! Now, we just gotta buy a house... and a car... and a crib. But one thing at a time!

19 weeks down ... Only 21 weeks to go!

One more week until we hit the halfway point! Isn't that crazy? According to my books, Lima Bean is 6 inches long and weighs a half a pound! Wow! And all the books seem to agree that he or she is now the size of a large mango. See picture below.

So what's going on with Lima Bean? Well, as I noted last week, teeth buds are forming and hair is sprouting. 

And Lima Bean can now recognize my voice, and we hope Papa Bean's voice too! But we watch so much American Idol that I'm worried Bean might think Papa Bean can sing. We are crossing our fingers that the vocal limitations of either of us will not pass to Bean and somehow, some way we'll end up with a singing baby!

Also this week, Lima Bean can now have a bowel movement. If Bean's a boy, he will forever talk about such movements and their greatness. If Bean's a girl, she will be happy to be regular. Luckily, all this baby poo, called "meconium," won't come out until after birth. We. Can't. Wait. Ugh.

Finally, Lima Bean is now covered in a waxy protective coating called the "vernix caseosa," which protects his or her skin from the amniotic fluid. Without this protection, Bean would come out all wrinkly. Just imagine soaking in a bath tub for 4 months and imagine how wrinkled your skin would be!

The picture above left is how things should be looking about now.

What we're reading

Those who know me probably wouldn't be surprised to find stacks of pregnancy books lying around our condo. And it's true, when I start something, I like to be thorough in my learning! 

So it's about time I let you all know what I'm reading. 

We have five books: four for me and one for Papa Bean. I plan to order more, but for now, these books have kept us entertained and informed about all the ins and outs of pregnancy!

The first two books are both comprehensive reference guides to pregnancy. I could have ordered just one, but I couldn't decide. In the end, I am glad that I have both because they are a little different in their approach and, taken together, really contain everything you might need.

What to Expect When You're Expecting

The index on this book is great! When I had the stomach flu, this was the one place where I found the information I needed when I needed it (while I was waiting anxiously for my doctor to call me back). The chapters are long and filled with good details. I don't like how it's broken into months and not weeks and I'd like more details on the baby's growth each week. 

Your Pregnancy: Week by Week

I love reading this book every Wednesday, which is the day we officially "turn" another week along! I also love the descriptions and how the chapters are easy to digest and marked week by week. Plus, the book offers a new exercise for pregnant moms each week and tons of "Dad Tips." It doesn't have quite the breadth of information as "What to Expect," so I am glad I have both.

The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy

I am three-fourths of my way through this book and it's a stitch! The author cracks me up and I certainly appreciate her candor. I don't agree with everything she says (she's not a fan of exercising while pregnant because you're going to get fat anyway), but I appreciate her perspective. It's not a comprehensive guide, but it's fun to read and compliments the more serious guides. 

Belly Laughs

I am also about three-fourths of my way through this book and I love it! The chapters are very short and you could finish this in one sitting easily. I am reading it like eating a chocolate cake - one or two chapters at a time to make it last longer. It's hilarious! I love McCarthy's stories, like her hot tub scare and peeing on the side of the road. They leave me shocked and laughing out loud!

My Boys Can Swim!

This is the book that Papa Bean picked out. It's a short read that is not comprehensive and dwells on odd things, like weird baby names. But then, it's written by a guy for guys! It also has details about what we women are going through, so that's good. Papa Bean seems to like it and I hear him laughing when he's reading it, always a good sign.

Like I said, I am collecting a list of baby books that I plan to order, such as Baby Bargains, Eating Well When You're Expecting, Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads, and Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. It never ends! 

If anyone has recommendations for additional books, you know that I'm all ears! (er, eyes)

Running with Lima Bean!

Sunday was a beautiful day in Washington. The sun was out, the cherry blossoms were abloom. It was a perfect day for a long walk (er, jog) around the city!

So with Lima Bean safely packed away in my snug yoga pants, I donned my cutest Lululemon gear and took off for the National Mall for the annual Cherry Blossom Ten Mile race.

I met my co-worker at the start and we took off around 8 a.m., running what my Garmin watch said was a solid 10:50 minutes-per-mile pace.

To put that in perspective, that pace is slower than my personal best 9:36 min/mile pace that I set for the Army Ten-Miler last year and even slower than the 10:08 min/mile pace that I ran on my first Cherry Blossom Ten Miler in 2007.

Still, I wasn't shooting for a 10:50 min/mile finish. So after two miles, I told my friend to go on without me. I was going to take it slower. She surged ahead and ended up making her goal of maintaining a 10:30 pace and finishing under two hours!

Not me. Not this year. I was not running for time. I was running to enjoy the day and show Lima Bean the joys of running. I have heard that babies fall asleep to the rhythmetic motion of your gate and that the motion can be soothing to them.

Of course, I checked with my doctor before running. She said that as long as I was a runner before I became pregnant, I could safely continue. She warned that my joints might be looser and I might get to a point when it would be too uncomfortable for me to run. But until then, it's healthy for me and the baby to get regular exercise.

There are many articles out there about running while pregnant. Here are a few that I would recommend: Runner's World, Running and Pregnancy, BabyFit.com article, and BabyCener.com piece.

Back to the race at hand.

I knew that runners had 2 hours and 20 minutes to finish the race. That means that as long as you maintain a pace better than 14 minutes a mile, you're golden. Walking usually takes about 15 minutes per mile, so I knew that I couldn't walk the whole thing. But I could run very, very slowly and take frequent breaks and still finish before the cut-off.

And if I didn't feel like finishing? Well, I had $20 in my pocket to pay for a cab. And I carried my cell phone with me too (at Papa Bean's request).

So I took my time and plodded along. I stopped at all the water stops to make sure I was properly hydrated. I even stopped around Mile 7 to dart into a porta potty! I walked some. I jogged some. I found myself "running" with a back-of-the-pack crew that I don't usually see in races.

In the end, I finished the race in 2:04:31 with an average pace of 12:28 minutes/mile. I met up with my co-workers afterward and one of them teased me that I had not even broken a sweat! It was true. I was running so slowly that my cheeks weren't even red!

I am looking forward to running this race next year, or maybe doing another marathon - at a faster pace. I hope running will help me get back into shape after Lima Bean arrives. I especially can't wait to get a jogging stroller so Lima Bean can come with me on training runs!

But, as with everything, Lima Bean does change things.

As I ran, I saw two little boys along the route holding up a homemade sign that said "Run, Mommy, Run." I couldn't help smiling. I hope someday Lima Bean will look forward to coming out to cheer me on.

I also saw a woman running with her young daughter. It reminded me of the 8-mile Great Aloha Run/Walk that my dad took me on when I was seven years old. As I ran past them, I smiled to myself wondering if Lima Bean will one day run a race with me.

Because in the end, running a race, like life, is more about the experience along the way than the finish. I hope Lima Bean can someday enjoy and appreciate both!

Fabulous Wedding Fun

Some more photos of Papa Bean and me, both taken on Saturday at the ceremony & reception of a good friend's wedding! It was a beautiful day and a gorgeous wedding. Note my new haircut - I chopped 5 inches off!

And, since I was unable to partake in the wine, champagne and signature "cherry blossom" cocktail, I helped myself to THREE of these scrumptious chocolate-covered strawberries! I also enjoyed a slice of the delicious chocolate wedding cake, and had a bite of Papa Bean's too!

What can I say, Lima Bean had a bit of a chocolate craving... ;-)

Good news on our AFP test!

My doctor's office just called this week to tell me the result of the test they ran on the blood they took from me during our appointment last week. And it's good news!

The results from my AFP Test were negative, meaning I have normal levels!

This test measures the amount of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) produced by Lima Bean's liver and passed into my bloodstream. High levels of AFP may suggest the possibility of a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida or anencephaly (a serious central-nervous-system defect). Low levels of AFP could indicate Down syndrome.

During last week's appointment, I went over the list of everything I have been tested for. Here goes:

All pregnant women are routinely tested for all STDs, such as Hepatitis-B, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and HIV. Not surprisingly, I was found negative for all of them.

My urine culture and pap smear came back normal and the level of hemoglobin in my blood, which tests for anemia, is also normal. Additionally, I was found to have a normal Rh status and an O+ blood type. And I'm immune to Rubella. So all that's good stuff.

Our first big round of testing was at Week 12 when we went in for my First-Trimester Screening, which includes an NT Scan and a blood test. The NT Scan involves an ultrasound in which a technician measures a thin layer of fluid that accumulates in the back of the baby's neck, called nuchal translucency (NT). Increased fluid could indicate an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, congenital heart defects or other genetic disorders. The blood test, combined with the NT measurement and the mother's age (32) can provide a risk assessment for Down syndrome and trisomy 18. My risk came back as being 1 in 10,000 which is the best risk assessment you can get! So that's good stuff too!

I was then tested at Week 13 for Cystic Fibrosis and that test came back negative, another good thing!

Due to the good results from the First-Trimester Screening and NT Scan, the fact that I am under 35 years of age and not of Sephardic Jewish descent (so the chance of my carrying Tay-Sachs is nearly nonexistent), we decided to forgo Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) and Amniocentesis, which are both invasive tests that could have a 1 in 200 rate of causing a miscarriage.

Our next test is a Level 2 ultrasound on April 15th! This is a routine test, also called an "anatomy scan," in which the doctor can check the baby's development. It allows the doctor to measure the size of the baby and check out all the major organs, such as... THE SEX OF THE BABY! We can't wait.

In short, everything has been progressing normally and all the tests that we've had have been great. We feel blessed and are looking forward to meeting our fabulous little Lima Bean!

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 18 weeks/ 1 day

Total weight gain: 7 1/2 to 10 1/2 pounds (+ 1/2 pounds since last week)

Maternity clothes: Still wearing bella bands over my existing jeans and two pairs of work pants. Now wearing my Ann Taylor LOFT maternity pangs often. Also, wearing my new black dress maternity pants, yoga pants and casual khaki capri pants from Target. I need to get more maternity pants, they are MUCH more comfortable!

Stretch marks: Nope.

Main symptoms: Having to go to the bathroom all the time is back. Hair is soooo long. Belly continues to grow, little by little!

Exercise: Ran 5 miles and did prenatal yoga on Sunday!

Best moment of the week: Our fabulous dinner with Papa Bean and Grandma Bean at Obelisk. A night to remember!

Movement: Still feeling air bubbles and other weird things in my belly but not sure yet if it's Lima Bean or not.

Food cravings: CHOCOLATE! Thank you to everyone who sent chocolate-covered mac nut candies. YUM!

Gender: Wow, we now have 13 votes! Only 13 days left before we find out! For those of you who are of the betting kind, you should leave a comment below with your guess so that you are on record with it and can earn bragging rights if you guess correctly!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in!

What I miss: Not being able to eat goat cheese and pigs in a blanket apps at events.

What I am looking forward to: BOY or GIRL? I can't WAIT to find out!

Weekly wisdom: Have heard about a book called Baby Bargains that is supposed to be GREAT for when you are making purchases... Almost at that point! (Note that the 8th Edition JUST came out with updates for 2009.)

Milestones: Put our condo on the market, held our open houses and are now considering TWO offers! Updates to come... Cross your fingers!

18 Weeks down ... Only 22 to go!

Our sweet Lima Bean is now the size of a Sweet Potato! We sure hope he or she is a lot cuter.

And according to one book, my uterus is now the size of a cantaloupe!

So, here, below, is a closer look at our Sweet Potato in my Cantaloupe... Wait, that doesn't sound right.

But one things' for sure: It's getting tight in there! (Actually, there should be enough room for Lima Bean to do summersaults...)

During the 18th Week, several things happened that are interesting:

Lima Bean developed sweat glands! Or, if she's a girl, she developed a way to "glisten."

As we've already shared, Lima Bean is now able to discern light and loud noises. But this is rather cool: "If you let the sun shine on your belly, your baby may be able to perceive a warm red glow." Wait until Lima Bean sees the glow from the beach in Ocean City!

In the coming 19th Week, here are a few cool things:

The buds for the permanent teeth are forming behind those that have already developed for the baby teeth.

And, Lima Bean's tiny baby foot is now an inch long! We'll have to remind him or her of that someday when they're out shopping for adult-size running shoes. (Because, Lima Bean will be a runner, whether it's marathons or running bases on a baseball diamond! We hope...)

Finally, this is awesome: "Your baby can hear your voice and recognize it."