All About Alexa at 18 Months!

Another month, and another update of our growing gal! This month, we had an appointment with her doctor. But unlike past visits, she now KNOWS that a shot is coming and was NOT HAPPY. We couldn't even get her to sit on the scale! Poor baby. I had to hold her and step on a scale, then subtract my weight. It was also very hard to measure her length and head circumference! Here are the photos of our growing girl, with her height and weight updates below. She remains consistently in the 25th percentile.

Height:

Birth: 19 3/4"

1 month: 21 3/4"

2 months: 23"

4 months: 24"

6 months: 25 1/2"

9 months: 27"

12 months: 28.5"

15 months: 29.5"

18 months: 31"

Weight:

Birth: 7 lbs, 12 oz

1 month: 9 lbs, 7 oz

2 months: 11 lbs, 5 oz

3 months: 12 lbs, 3 oz

4 months: 13 lbs, 10 oz

5 months: 14 lbs, 6 oz

6 monhts: 14 lbs, 13 oz

7 months: 15 lbs, 4 oz

8 months: 16 lbs, 1 oz

9 months: 16 lbs, 12 oz

11 months: 19 lbs, 3 oz

12 months: 19 lbs, 13 oz

15 months: 21 lbs, 13 oz

18 months: 23 lbs

And now... All about Alexa at 18 Months: 

• Alexa's vocabulary continues to grow. She delighted her daycare teacher by saying her name, Chi Chi. She repeats words after us and can point to certain items in her word book. She also has begun to understand how to ask for things, like "water" or "money" (muffin). 
• And, to our delight, she says "please" and her version of "thank you."
• Related, Alexa can now tell you what nearly every animal says! Lion? Roar. Cat? Meeeu. Dog? Woof. Horse? Nay. Pig? Uck. Sheep? Baa. Cow? Boo. (Yes, boo, not moo, not sure why!)
• And, as you might imagine, she has JUST STARTED to combine words, like "Happy Bebe"!
• Alexa continues to love the color and word "purple." She can also say "yellow" and "blue" but her first answer when asked what color something is is always purple! (Northwestern Wildcat at heart?)
• Alexa gives hugs when asked and it's the Best. Thing. Ever.
• Alexa knows that her pacifiers are only for her crib. When we hold her over the crib and tell her to put them back, she drops the ones in her hands and spits the one in her mouth out. Ha!
• She has learned to use a fork and loves it! Especially when eating pasta. But don't try to spear a pasta with the fork for her. She'll bang the fork to get it off. ONLY FOOD THAT SHE SPEARS HERSELF will be eaten. So don't even try!
• Alexa continues to love books. Her favorite kinds, if anyone wants to buy her books, are ones with flaps that she can open. Like this one, this one and this one. 
• Alexa has TWO new teeth! She already had two on the bottom, in front. Now she has four! Total teeth count is now up to 12. Four on top, four on bottom and four molars. Yay!
• Finally, Alexa says both "Hi" and "Buh-bye." It's adorable! Her teachers at daycare say that on buggy walks in the neighborhood, Alexa will tell everyone they pass "Hi" and then "Buy-bye." So cute! It's not so cute, however, when we're in the middle of a conversation with a neighbor or friend and she gets bored and interrupts us with "Buy-bye" and a wave of her hand. It's like... Uh, sorry!

And on that note... Buy-bye!

Let's talk details!

How far along: 39 weeks/1 day (less than a week to go!)

Total weight gain: 34 pounds (up 1 pound from last week)

Maternity clothes: I have 7 dresses that I rotate. I also wear my yoga capri pants and pj pants. And that is about it. Can't wait for my old clothes to fit again!

Main symptoms: My. Big. Belly. It gets in the way of nearly everything I do. And it makesmy back hurt a little and I get tired and gassy. But other than that, nothing else...
Exercise: Stretching, bouncing on exercise ball, kegels, walking.

Best moment: Spending a relaxing Sunday with Papa Bean in downtown Bethesda where I got my hair cut and a mani/pedi! All ready for the big day!

Movement: Still VERY active in there! She is still head down, which is good. But with less room, the movements are more controlled rippeling and less crazy undulating.

Food cravings: Orange juice and cold fruit smoothies.

Gender: DEFINITELY A GIRL! We asked the new sonogram technician at our Week 38 ultrasound and he said for sure a girl. So we now have THREE DIFFERENT sonogram technicians telling us girl. If they are ALL wrong, that will be quite a shocker!

Labor signs: Still NONE! No Braxton Hicks contractions either! I am 1 cm dilated and 25% effaced, which is what I was last week. So, basically, we got nothing goning on here...

Belly button in or out? OUT. Totally. It's not too bad, but it is definitely OUT. Kinda weird...

What I miss: Red red wine... And my waist line.

What I am looking forward to: Baby's arrival! Any time now! Oh, and also my parents arrival on Friday, in anticipation of baby's arrival!

Weekly wisdom: Some of the baby stuff that we purchased, based on recommendations in books and at the store, has turned out to be possibly unsafe: breathable bumpers, Ultimate crib sheets, infant head rest for car seat. So, keep things in the packaging and keep your receipts and always do your homework! We might end up doing a few returns...

Milestones: We got our car seat installed! We took the babycare skills class at Sibley Hospital! I washed most baby bedding, swaddling blankets, burp clothes and newborn clothes! Papa Bean set up all our Pack 'n Play, Swing and Infant Bouncer! We got a beautiful outfit to take baby home in and Papa Bean ordered me a gorgeous Kate Spade diaper bag! We also took some maternity pictures... And our crib has finally been delivered! We now have sheets, towels, pillows, lamps and other things in our guest rooms and extra toilet paper downstairs. We are pretty much ready!

Let's talk details!

How far along: 36 weeks/1 day

Total weight gain: 31 pounds

Maternity clothes: Dresses & skirts for work, yoga pants with comfy tops on weekends! I also recently made a stop at Motherhood Maternity to pick up some nursing nightgowns and tops. Got a great selection of comfy clothes for the hospital and afterward. Plus, I spoiled myself a little by getting some really soft cashmere house shoes from the Restoration Hardware outlet!

Main symptoms: My ever protruding belly continues to be my biggest symptom! I have occasional back pain, but it's not bad. I forget things and am clumsy. I waddle. It's hard to bend over to pick up things on the ground. I am HEAVY! Still sleeping through the night and still no Braxton Hicks contractions or swelling. So... So far so good!

Exercise: Do Kegels count?

Best moment: Relaxing in our amazingly comfortable glider rocker chair in the newly painted nursery, surverying how the room looks and how soon it'll be filled with the sounds of a baby!

Movement: Baby Bean is very active! She thinks she is a gymnist like her Aunt Jen. Because she moves constantly! Sitting at work, she moves around. When I lay down to read at night, she moves some more. And you can SEE her move too! My belly undulates in waves. It's pretty funny to watch!

Food cravings: Popsicles. Fajitas. Bagels. Chocolate-covered toffee mac nuts. Strawberry-banana smoothies. Cereal. Did I mention chocolate?

Gender: Still going on the assumption that we've got a little girl on her way... But now I am starting to second guess it again! What if we get a surprise boy in the delivery room? Well I did an assessment of all the stuff we have and most things are gender neutral... Just the clothes and pink accents that would have to be replaced! But, what an ordeal that would be!

Labor signs: Still none. And at my doctor appointment yesterday, I was told no progress. So that is good. All is well in pregnancy land for now!

Belly button in or out? Still in, but it does show through my clothes a little, which is weird. Is it supposed to actually POP out? Because that would be weird. I'm thinking it's not going to if it hasn't by now?

What I miss: M-A-R-G-A-R-I-T-A-S!!!!!!!!!

What I am looking forward to: Having our crib delivered! Putting up the art on the walls of the nursery... And curtains! The nursery is coming along, just a few more touches and it'll be ready! Excited to finish...

Weekly wisdom: Check out the right side of this blog. I discovered this past week three different sites where you can sign up for daily e-mails alerting you to DEALS on baby stuff! Another way to get good deals is to visit the outlets!

Milestones: Nursery and several other rooms in our house have been cleared of wallpaper and painted! We have our dining room table and chairs! Got a great patio table and umbrella! We have chosen our pediatrician practice! Almost ready...

34 weeks down, only 6 to go!

If Baby Lima Bean, bless her little heart, goes full term (pleeeease!) then I've got a month and a half left! But if Baby Bean decides to buck her momma's advice and come early, I might have ONLY THREE WEEKS LEFT!

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

The good news is that there is no news. We had our Week 34 sonogram and doctor's visit today and Lima Bean is measuring a full FIVE POUNDS! She is now in the 40th percentile as far as size, so that is good. My belly and weight are also perfectly on track.

Still, my baby is FIVE POUNDS?! No wonder momma has gained so much. (I'm up 30 pounds. Still under the recommended weight limit. And I started out small-ish. Remember me at our wedding? I was so skinny I could have disappeared!)

Side thought: Someday when she is older, I will remind Baby Lima Bean that she once weighed no more than my girlie 5-pound weights. And she will roll her eyes at me. And I will realize that I have become THAT mother. Kill me now.

No fruit picture this week because Baby Bean is still the size of a honeydew melon. I can't wait until she hits watermelon status in a few weeks. Now, come on, is that a necessary mental image? Really. I told Papa Bean today that the next time he tells a pregnant woman that she looks like she is going to pop any day when she is only 7 months along that I will bop him on the head.

Note to men: If a woman LOOKS pregnant, most of you know well enough NOT to open your mouth, because what if she isn't? The same goes for a women who LOOKS like she is about to pop. You do not need to tell her that she has gotten HUGE and that the baby must be due ANY DAY. Because if she still has a MONTH AND A HALF TO GO, she will kill you. Word to the wise.

And now, here are some new pictures of our darling little five pounder. The first two shots show her profile and right hand, which she kept sucking on. The last shot is looking down at her face. I sure hope she doesn't really LOOK like an alien. That would be so hard to explain to Papa Bean. Your daughter is green and glowing because.............

30 weeks down, only 10 to go!

Today was our Week 30 doctor's appointment and sonogram, and everything is looking good! To start out, here is a shot of my belly taken this morning on our way to the doctor's office. I am getting bigger and bigger! It's, um, mostly my belly.

Here are the highlights from our appointment:

-- Baby Lima Bean weighs 2 pounds and 14 ounces and is in the 31 percentile for her size, meaning that she is larger than 31% of babies at this point and smaller than 69% of babies at this point. My doctor said this is perfect!

-- Fibroids are the same, unchanged. They do not appear to be impeding the growth of the baby or affecting her in any way. Also, although it's too early to tell for sure, they are not indicating a definite c-section at this time. We'll know more at my next sonogram at 34 weeks. Good news!

-- At this particular appointment, baby was breach, meaning butt down and head up. However, she doesn't need to be in "position" with her head down until 36 weeks, so anything can happen and we'll deal with that situation when we get there, my doctor said.

-- I weighed in at +24.5 pounds since my first appointment. Eeek! My doctor says that I am right on target, but to keep an eye on things so that hopefully I will gain only another 10 pounds before delivery.

Now, what you have all been waiting for, new pictures of Baby Lima Bean! This first shot is of her foot! You can see all of her toes!

This next shot is of her face, taken from above looking down:

And this final shot is one of five similar profile shots taken today:

We have one more picture, but we have decided, for her privacy, not to post it online. The picture confirms without a shadow of a doubt that Baby Lima Bean is a GIRL! Today, we saw a different sonogram technician than we have in the past, so we now have two different people who have checked and confirmed that we have a little girl on her way! Let the pink times roll!

Finally, we have something special to share with you today... Using our camera, Papa Bean was able to video Baby Lima Bean's movements on the sonogram! This short 26-second movie starts off looking down at her face, then switches to a profile shot where you can see her put her hands in her mouth and then yawn. So cute!

Update:

You can now watch this video in a larger format on YouTube!

Let's talk details!

How far along: 28 weeks/1 day

Total weight gain: 21 pounds

Maternity clothes: Skirts! Dresses! Yoga pants! Anything loose and comfortable.

Main symptoms: One pregnancy-related symptom that I have been experiencing is that my gums have been very tender (bleed when I brush). So I went to the dentist this week and got a good thorough cleaning! They have been much better when I brush lately! I go back next week for a follow-up visit with the dentist.

Exercise: Prenatal yoga last Sunday! Then long walk with Papa Bean and Ruben the Dog!

Best moment: Earlier today, Papa Bean got to use the fetal monitor on my belly to hear Lima Bean's heartbeat! It was so funny. The nurse let him hold the wand and showed him how to hold it on my belly. He found her strong heartbeat on his first try!

Movement: Lots of it! She kicks. She twitches. She sticks her butt up so that one side of my belly sticks up and I look lopsided. Also, I think she also gets the hiccups sometimes!

Food cravings: A new gelato/sorbet store opened up across the street from us and we have become regulars!

Gender: GIRL! Unless the sono technician is wrong... I might ask her at our next sonogram to check again! FYI, our next sonogram is in two weeks, on June 25.

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in, but getting very very very shallow! Eeek! Stay in. Stay in. Stay in.

What I miss: Running. Being skinny!

What I am looking forward to: Moving into our new home! And, my baby shower!

Weekly wisdom: Exercise balls are supposed to be great for labor (bring your own to the hospital) and rocking the baby. So I just ordered one!

Milestones: So many! Since my last update, we have closed on selling our condo. We have closed on buying our house. We have bought a car! I have registered. I have ordered the crib & glider rocker chair. And we attended our birth class at Sibley Memorial Hospital last weekend! Plus, we had a doctor's appointment today during which I took the glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes. More on the registry and birth class to come in future posts... And I find out the results of the glucose test on Monday!

Let's talk details!

How far along: 26 weeks/1 day

Total weight gain: 16 pounds

Maternity clothes: Oh yes, daily. My pre-pregnancy pants absolutely do NOT fit. Sad! But the day I went to the White House last week, I wore the maternity black top with a tan pre-pregnancy pencil skirt and a bella band. Slowly, however, even my maternity pants are starting to get tight... I fear I might have to buy another round of maternity clothing. Uggg.

Main symptoms: Huge belly. Absentmindedness. Gassy. Lots of bathroom trips.

Exercise: Walking. Have been taking it easy, on doctor's orders. Just walking tires me out now!

Best moment: Seeing Lima Bean on the ultrasound last week! She is as cute as ever!

Movement: All the time. She kicks, rolls over, everything. The movement is different now, more jerky than before. My doctor said it's because she's running out of space to jump around in there.

Food cravings: Banana smoothies! PB&J sandwiches. Chocolate.

Gender: Expecting a little lady!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in. Praying it stays in...

What I miss: I got a brief reprive this past weekend in Vegas! My doctor told me that being as far along as I am, it would be OK to have a glass of wine and a couple pieces of sushi! Yum! I'm not making this a habit, but it sure was nice to enjoy one night. :-)

What I am looking forward to: Buying a car! We are going to test drive some models we like this weekend. We are also planning to stop by a couple baby stores so we can get ready to decorate the nursery!

Weekly wisdom: For the airplane this past weekend, I picked up copies of Fit Pregnancy and Parents magazines... Great articles with lots of great tips!

Milestones: We're now in double digits - only 97 days to go! Also, our baby is now viable, meaning that she could survive if born premature.

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 24 weeks/1 day

Total weight gain: 13 pounds (That's down a pound. Weighed at my doctor's office on Wednesday. Hmmm.)

Maternity clothes: Oh yes, daily. Although I did wear one outfit last week that was made up of completely non-maternity clothing and was very proud.

Stretch marks: No.

Main symptoms: Forgetful. Big belly. In this past week, discomfort and backache from fibroids.

Exercise: Prenatal yoga and walk with Papa Bean and Ruben the Dog on Sunday; did an hour on the ellypitcal machine last week during American Idol.

Best moment: We bought a house! Yay!

Movement: Lima has been moving daily, kicking or turning over or just doing something that makes my belly jump and shift. It's fun to feel, watch and let Papa Bean feel too!

Food cravings: Frozen yogurt, smoothies, fruit popsicles, bagles, pita and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Gender: Es una seniorita!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Soft cheese! Love goat cheese on my salad and brie at events like the White House Correspondent's Dinner!

What I am looking forward to: So many things... Bruce concert on Monday! Seeing Lima Bean during another ultrasound on Wednesday! Buying a car! Moving into our house so I can decorate the nursery!

Weekly wisdom: Check out Nymbler, an amazing baby naming tool that suggests names based on other names you like!

Milestones: Bought a house! That is HUGE! We also have started asking around and looking into pediatricians! Now that we have a house, we can focus on finding doctors who are nearby.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Let's talk Details!

How far along: 17 weeks/ 2 days

Total weight gain: + 7-10 pounds (up 1 pound from last week!)

Maternity Clothes: STILL wearing bella bands over my existing pants, which are totally unzipped. Eeeek! My Ann Taylor LOFT maternity pants have become a twice-weekly favorite... NEED more maternity pants ASAP! Still doing OK with regular tops and sweaters.

Stretch marks? Nope

Main symptoms: My co-worker shrieked this week that I "popped." Not sure if I have, but my belly is getting more noticeable. Having WEIRD dreams. Still pretty forgetful. Bouts of being emotional. Hair and nails growing very fast, strong.

Exercise: Barre Technique class with weights and leg lifts on Thursday! Prenatal yoga on Sunday.

Best moment of the week: Hearing Lima Bean's heartbeat at our doctor's appointment yesterday! It was strong and loud and made us proud!

Movement: Maybe, but not sure. Have felt weird feelings in my tummy that remind me of being on a roller coaster...

Food cravings: Still frozen yogurt and ice cream. And almonds. Apple sauce. Cereal. Rice with tomato sauce. Have I mentioned frozen yogurt?

Gender: We find out on APRIL 15th! So get your vote in early... :-)

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Running hard and racing in races. Passed on running in the National Half Marathon last weekend and was sad to miss the fun, especially since my friend Judes came down from Boston to run the race with me!

What I am looking forward to: Finding out if Lima Bean is a boy or a girl!

Weekly wisdom: Discovered The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington, which offers FREE breastfeeding classes to expecting moms!

Milestones: Sent in our check and registration form to sign up for the July 12 Childbirth Education class at Sibley Hospital!

Houston ... We have a heartbeat!

Yes, yes, we have already heard Lima Bean's heartbeat. But today's Week 17 appointment with our doctor was the first time we have head the heartbeat since our last appointment on Feb. 25. That's FOUR WEEKS ago!

Since Lima Bean entered our lives, we have not gone THAT LONG without hearing bean's little heartbeat. It felt like forever waiting, but it was all worth it today.

It took our doctor just a few seconds to find the heartbeat with a handheld doppler because she said the baby must be moving around. But when she found it, we could hear it loud and clear: thump-thump, thump-thump. She said it sounded strong and about 150 beats per minute, which is what it's supposed to be!

She also said my uterus is in the right place and feels normal. It's about an inch or two below my belly button. (Yes, I still have one!)

Plus, my blood pressure was normal and my weight gain is also on target. I am up 3 pounds since our last appointment, giving me a total gain of 7-10 pounds since getting knocked up.

When I stepped on the scale, though, it seemed for a second like I might have massivly overeaten it in the last few weeks as the scale seemed to say I was weighing in a good 20-30 pounds over my last week's weight. Eeeeeeek! But that was just Papa Bean tipping the scale behind me and the nurse! Funny guy, that Papa Bean.

The only minor concern was a spike of sugar in my urine, but my doctor said that could have been caused by the Starbucks decaf latte and sandwich that Papa Bean got for me right before the appointment. I'll need to watch what I eat right before coming in next time. And, generally, eat healthy and continue to exercise so that I can avoid gestational diabetes, which is common in pregnancy but not ideal. I'll be tested for it later on, between the 24th and 28th weeks.

Finally, I gave MORE blood (two vials!) for yet another prenatal test. I'll do a run-down of all the tests I've had to date in another post. But the one I did this time is called the AFT, which measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in my blood to rule out spina bifida and anencephaly. I should have the results next week.

Meanwhile, our next appointment is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, April 15. Tax day! So, mark your calendars, because that's the day that we get the BIG ULTRASOUND during which we find out how many arms and legs Lima Bean has... And whether the bean is a "he" or a "she"!!!

Start placing your bets today...

Let's Talk Details!

How far along: 16 weeks/ 1 day

Total weight gain: + 6-9 pounds (up 2 pounds from last week. eeeek!)

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing bella bands over my existing pants, although they are now completely unzipped. My Ann Taylor maternity pants are quickly becoming a favorite... Might need a few more maternity pants soon!

Stretch marks? Still in the clear.

Main symptoms: My slowly growing belly is pretty much it. And I can be terribly forgetful sometimes. Post-its have become my new best friend.

Exercise: Prenatal yoga on Sunday.

Best moment of the week: Telling my friend since preschool, Tina Bean, about our news!

Movement: Is it gas or is it Lima Bean? That is the question...

Food cravings: Yogurt. Ice cream. Almonds. Chocolate. Specifically, chocolate and toffee covered macadamia nut candies from Hawaii. (Hint! Hint!)

Gender: Only FIVE people have voted in the poll?!?! Come on guys... You are running out of time!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Soft cheeses like gorgonzola or goat cheese or brie... Yum!

What I am looking forward to: Our next prenatal appointment next week, on March 25th!

Weekly wisdom: Chewing gum, especialy tropical flavors, is great for inbetween meals.

Milestones: Signed up for a 6-week prenatal yoga class.

Let's Talk Details

How far along: 15 weeks/ 1 day

Total weight gain: +4-7 pounds (no change from last week because I lost 3 pounds from a nasty stomach flu on Friday, then promptly gained 3 pounds back a few days later.)

Maternity Clothes: Just wore my new Ann Taylor Loft maternity pants and although they are a little loose, they are super comfy! I also wore my new v-neck red top from A Pea in a Pod over the weekend because it's long enough to cover my unzipped jeans. Most days, I wear bella bands over my regular pants though. 

Stretch marks? Nope. Nada. None.

Main symptoms: I'm starting to love the 2nd Trimester! Not as many bathroom trips, not as tired, no more heartburn or dizzy spells and less nausea! Hurray! 

Exercise: An hour on the elliptical machine last Wednesday, prenatal yoga on Sunday and an hour of running/walking on the treadmill on Tuesday. Plus, we walked from our place to Georgetown and back (4 miles) on Saturday while the painter was at our place.

Best moment of the week: Papa Bean singing Roy Orbison's "Anything you want, you got it, baaaaaby!" to my tummy. So cute!

Movement: Tons, but unfortunately I'm not feeling anything yet! 

Food cravings: I have been loving toasted pita with cheddar cheese, just like when I was a kid.

Gender: Still no idea, but I have a feeling...

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in, but I noticed this week to my amazement that it's not as DEEP as it used to be. Hmmm.

What I miss: OK, fine, I'd sure like a margarita! 

What I am looking forward to: Having enough of a belly that people get out of my way and offer me a seat when I get on a crowded bus. Hee hee.

Weekly wisdom: Ice cream or frozen yogurt can solve just about any problem!

Milestones: Got information on a labor class at the JCC in June and a childbirth classes at Sibley Hospital in July, both of which we are planning to sign up for; tried my first prenatal yoga class on Sunday.

Let's talk Details

Below is a list that I hope will become somewhat of a weekly check-in on my symptoms and details. You know, because I know you re all on the edge of your seat to find out the status of my belly button. Here goes...

How far along: 14 weeks/ 1 day

Total weight gain: + 4-7 pounds

Maternity clothes? Still using Bella Bands on pants but just purchased a few tops. Also, just yesterday ordered a pair of black maternity pants from Ann Taylor Loft.

Stretch marks? Nope, but I'm itchy all over. Will be going through my Arbonne lotion in no time!

Main symptoms: Still going to the bathroom a lot and very burpy, but not as tired, and not as much heartburn or dizzy spells. Slight nausea in the mornings before I get food in my belly.

Exercise: Ran a slow and easy 6 miles on Sunday.

Best moment this week: Hearing Lima Bean's heartbeat via doppler at my doctor's office. Last visit was on Feb. 25, so exactly a week ago.

Movement: Not yet.

Food cravings: Frozen yogurt from Yogato!

Gender: We have no clue... But we have our guesses! Our family members do too!

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: This is unbelievable but I have lost my appetite for sushi or wine, so I am not missing much right now!

What I am looking forward to: Having a cute obviously pregnant belly so that people don't look at me like I am a cow when I go to the gym!

Weekly wisdom: Take it one day at a time...

Milestones: Put Lima Bean on the waiting list for daycare and started this blog!