At the turning point

Week 16, which I am approaching, is called the "turning point" because that's when you are supposed to turn over in bed (or during yoga) and lay on your side.

Lying flat on your back puts extra pressure on the aorta and vena cava. Not really sure what those are, but putting pressure on them can result in reduced blood flow to your baby, which is a bad thing!

Since I usually sleep on my side, I didn't think this would be a problem. However, lately, the only position I've wanted to sleep in is on my back! Obviously I wouldn't do that on purpose, but who knows what happens when you are sleeping.

So I was woken up one night by Papa Bean shaking me and saying urgently: Turn over! Turn over! You're on our back!

Since then, I have taken to sleeping with a pillow between my knees. I use the "cushie" pillow that is made for air travel. However, there are a vast array of maternity pillows out there, from the ever popular Boppy to full body pillows and smaller wedges.

Since it turns out that Amazon carries Boppy pillows, we might have to order one - or two. Because I'm sure if I start using one, Papa Bean will want one too!

Update: I just learned in prenatal yoga class that it's not just sleeping on any side. You're supposed to sleep on the LEFT side because the aorta and vena cava are on the right side. Well, that makes it difficult! I always sleep on my RIGHT side! Doh!

Another Update: I asked my doctor about this at our March 25 appointment and she said not to worry, sleeping on either side is fine. Also, she said that if I want to sleep on my back I can just stick a pillow under one side of my back so that I'm uneven. But she said it's not a huge concern until I'm farther along, like 23 weeks or so. Whew!

More prenatal yoga

I didn't decide until the very last minute (6:20 p.m.) whether to sign up for the Candlelight Prenatal Yoga Series, which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. every Sunday.

But I'm so glad I did! 

Here is the description of the class: This 6-week series will nurture expectant mothers during their magical journey. In class, you will learn to use yoga's mind/body awareness to connect with your own innate wisdom, body and your growing baby. Our warm and supportive community will allow you to freely discuss any issues, from discomforts and concerns to the wonderful new changes your body and baby are experiencing. 

I really enjoyed this class! It was taught by a different teacher than last week and I definitely felt like it was more focused and challenging, while also very educational. The teacher explained what poses we could do and ways to modify traditional poses to make them pregnant-friendly.

Also, at the end of the class, one question from another women in the class about signing up for daycare led to an impromptu discussion with all the other pregnant yoginis, most of which live nearby. It was really nice to meet and talk with other women who are also going through the same things I am! We plan to exchange e-mails so we can keep in touch throughout the week.

There were seven of us in class, ranging in progress: one is 15 weeks, then me at 15 1/2 weeks, then one is 17 weeks, one is 18 weeks, one is 23 weeks, one is 27 weeks and one is 32 weeks. At least two of them are also planning to deliver at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

Looking forward to next Sunday!

Finally ... Some photos of me

So these aren't exactly "bump" shots but these photos should give you a pretty good idea of what I am looking like these days. These photos were all taken on Saturday (Week 15, Day 3).

The first one is of me in a super comfortable baby doll dress from H&M ($29.99) that I wore to a friend's wedding shower.

Much to my surprise, no one seemed to notice my MASSIVE waistline. I assume they figured I had put on a few since I clearly did hold back on the cake and cookies...

After the shower, I changed into a second outfit for dinner with the girls.

These are the black maternity pants from Ann Taylor Loft, which look totally normal but are super comfy. The top is another fabu H&M find ($19.99) that totally hides my tiny pooch!

After dinner with the girls, I met Papa Bean and some friends, we'll call them Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Bean, out at a club called Lux Lounge for a birthday shindig.

I sipped on club soda with lime and was not nearly as tired as I was during the inaugural weekend parties, which were back in the exhausting days of the 1st Tri. Loving the 2nd Tri energy!

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.

Today is ... 15 Weeks!

Another week down, only 25 more to go! This means that we have two weeks to go until our next prenatal appointment, so that is something to look forward to.

Lima Bean is now 4 to 4 1/2 inches long, or about the size of a naval orange! Translation for guys: About the size of a softball. Bean now weighs 2-3 ounces.

A few fascinating facts:

By now, Lima Bean has the coordination, strength and smarts to wriggle his or her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb! However, we already saw Lima Bean already sucking his or her thumb at our last ultrasound, so it appears that our little bean is ahead of the curve.

Also, although I am still not feeling anything, the books tell me that Lima Bean is certainly getting a workout in there - kicking, flexing and moving those arms and legs. That's because Bean can now bend his or her arms at the elbows and wrists and make tiny fists with his or her hands. (A little fighter!)

And finally, if Lima Bean were to get an X-Ray right now, his or her skeleton would be visible!

Pretty cool stuff.

More about my development and status of my belly button tomorrow.

My first pair of maternity pants!

They have arrived. And they are sooooo comfy!

Let me describe: They are pull-up work pants from Ann Taylor Loft with a soft cotton midsection like flannel pajamas! I don't want to take them off!

In fact, I might wear these forever. Why on earth have a button and zipper when you can wear these comfy delights? Flat tummies are so overrated.

On a related topic...

So I was at the White House today, and as I was going through security, I beeped. So the guard waived his magnetic wand over me as I stood with my arms outstretched. And as the wand passed over my belly, it beeped.

So he says to me, "Is there metal there? Like, are you wearing a belt?"

So, I say, without thinking, "I have a metal safety pin holding up my pants?"

He takes a double take at my pooch belly, turns red, and says: "OK, uh, you are free to go."

I wonder what else Lima Bean can sneak into the White House! By the way, this is Baby Bean's fourth trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Took my first prenatal yoga class

This afternoon, I finally worked up the courage to check out the prenatal yoga class at Flow Yoga Center, the studio across the street from our condo. I have been practicing yoga there for about four years, so I was curious if I would get any looks walking into class with my little pooch of a belly hanging over my cute Lululemon yoga pants.

To my surprise, my "pooch" was NOTHING compared to what most of the other women in class were showing off! There were 10 of us and -- other than one woman who was 11 Weeks along and not showing yet -- everyone else looked pretty close to popping.

So, needless to say, the class moved a bit slow. It was kind of like a stretch class. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. It might be great when I'm a little farther along and having trouble doing much else? Still, there were some very cool elements to the class.

I liked how at the start of the class our instructor told everyone to put one hand on our heart and one hand on our belly to connect our beating heart with that of our baby's.

And it was interesting how at the end of class we did some chants because supposedly the vibrations are soothing to the baby. I wonder if any of the ladies who were father along felt any movement or kicks when we did that?

The class meets every Sunday at 3:30 p.m. I'd like to try it again with the regular instructor (today we had a sub) and see what she's like.

Another option is to sign up for a 6-week candlelight pre-natal yoga series (with the regular instructor) that will meet every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (Cost $108)

Considering that we're pretty busy on most Sundays going to open houses, this might be a nice option. I also like how it would be the same group of women each week so that you are practicing with more of a community than on a drop-in basis.

As always, let me know what everyone thinks! As you were.

Where would Lima Bean like to grow up?

Just back from another day of looking at open houses. Saw some good ones!

We are getting our Logan Circle condo painted and ready to list while also looking around at what houses are available in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Md.

We are looking at bigger condos in the city as well, but it sure would be nice to have a big back yard!

Lima Bean has 5% chance of green eyes

Just for kicks, I went ahead and tried this nifty tool for computing the color of your child's eyes.

Now, we all know, Lima Bean will most likely have brown eyes. I have brown eyes. Papa Bean has brown eyes. My parents have brown eyes. His parents have brown eyes. I don't think there is a blue-eyed person in either of our families!

And this test confirms that, giving Lima Bean a 92.5% chance of having brown eyes.

But what's interesting is that it also gives Lima Bean a 5.5% chance of having GREEN eyes! And, get this, a 1.8% chance of having BLUE eyes!

No kidding.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see ...

U P D A T E ! !

Since writing this blog, I have learned that Papa Bean's grandfather, Gramps, had GREEN eyes! So... There is hope for Lima Bean getting some green stunners. 

However, as my source pointed out, Papa Bean's brother-in-law has blue eyes but our niece and nephew both have brown eyes, just like Papa Bean's sister.

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!

Today is ... 14 Weeks!

It feels like time is crawling and then all of a sudden, boom! We're at 14 weeks already! I know, I know, considering that a full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks long, I still have a looooong way to go. But this is an exciting milestone because I am now fully into the 2nd Trimester!

Lima Bean is now a 12-week-old fetus who is (as the photo below indicates) the size of a lemon. Or, about the size of a clenched fist. From crown to rump, he/she measures 3 1/2 to 4 inches.

Two very important developments are taking place that I want to point out:

First is the development of vocal cords! That actually started last week but is continuing this week. To aid in their development, we have been playing music (Bruce, duh) in hopes of influencing his or her future voice. Give us a few years and we'll show you the next American Idol!

However, starting this week, Baby Bean is moving away from loud noise or light near my tummy, so we have banned all Britney Spears songs.

The second exciting thing happening this week in Lima Bean's world is hair! And lots of it! On top of his or her adorable head, he or she may actually be sprouting a new do! Eyebrow hair is also starting to fill in.

And because fashion is reserved for the land of the born, Lima Bean is now covered in body hair called lanugo. This is a temporary coating, like a furry blanket, that will keep bean warm until he or she gets some baby fat.

Finally, according to one source, this is the week that if we had our own sonogram machine, we would be able to see if Lima Bean is a boy or a girl.

Unfortunately, we are not TomKat so we will have to wait. Our next appointment is scheduled for March 25, although we might not get another ultrasound until next month.

Bring on the Maternity Clothes

I'm not really at the point yet where I NEED maternity clothes, but I went shopping Sunday with a good friend to try stuff on and see what's out there. You know, so I can order online or via eBay... It was fun but really weird! I still can't believe this is happening!

First stop: A Pea in a Pod. Fabulous clothing! Super cute stuff, especially the dresses. But, oh my goodness, watch your wallet!

I tried on some designer jeans that you, um, pull up. Love it. But why do they still cost the same as non-maternity designer jeans?! One word: eBay.

Right now, I'm still wearing most of my regular jeans and pants, unbuttoned, with the help of a Bella Band. I have the bands in white, black and chocolate brown. They rock.

However, I can't wait to wear some of the maternity stuff when (please, please!) I get a cute basketball belly. Right now, with my almost-Week 14 bloat, it just looks like I ate too much over the holildays.

Still, after trying on several cute dresses (love the new kelly green this season!) and a slew of jeans I did manage to purchase a cute red v-neck top and super comfy (and bigger!) bra from Spanx. Bra-llelujah!

Second stop: Motherhood Maternity. Also cute stuff! Not quite as stunning as the stuff at A Pea in a Pod but OMG soooo much more affordable. Think Express vs. BCBG. Bypass a few questionable items and look for the goodies.

I tried on a ton and ended up with a great black dress for work (only $30!) and a couple cute tops, like the lavender one above.

Now if only my belly would emerge and give me the opportunity to show them off!

The. Cutest. Pictures. Ever.

I have seen ultrasound photos on Web sites before, but I have to say... These photos of our kicking Lima Bean have got to be - hands down - the most adorable ultrasound photos ever! 

That bodes well for the looks of our Baby Bean, if he or she is already taking stunning ultrasound pics, don't ya think?

These shots came from our NT Scan on Feb. 17 - our one-year wedding anniversary! At this point, I was at Week 11/Day 6. 

If you look at the left part of the photos, you can see Lima Bean's legs kicking against me and up in the air. Yes, those are legs, you are not seeing proof that we have a boy... That would be a little too impressive, even for our Super Lima Bean Baby!

It was an exciting ultrasound as Lima Bean put on quite a show, kicking itself off the sides of my ute and flipping round. We think this could be the early signs of an Olympic athlete! 

Is Lima Bean a boy or a girl?

Funny thing is, little Lima Bean is the only one who knows the answer to that question right now. And even funnier, Baby Bean most likely does not even know that the other sex even exists! (There was a day...)

As you all know, the sex of a baby is determined at the moment of conception by the father. So, whether we have a boy or a girl, you can blame - or congratulate - Papa Bean!

After conception, the ball of cells that turns into an embryo looks about the same whether it's a boy or a girl. It isn't until Week 8 that the magic starts happening. By Week 8, Lima Bean's genitals began development, although they are difficult to identify this early on.

At Week 10, Lima Bean officially graduated from the embryonic period and became a fetus. Bones and cartilage began to form, elbows on little Lima Bean's arms started working and tiny buds of baby teeth started forming under the gums.

Farther down, Lima Bean's stomach started producing digestive juices and the kidneys started producing - get this - urine! If Lima Bean is a boy, then by this time he had already started producing testosterone (boys will be boys, even this early on!)

If Lima Bean is a girl, then by Week 11, she already started developing ovaries!

And by Week 12, the pituitary gland at the base of the brain already started producing hormones - so that Lima Bean will one day be able to make babies of his or her own!

Unreal.

All this before we, the parents, even get to find out whether Lima Bean is a boy or a girl!

By the way, if you have not voted yet, what are you waiting for?! We should be able to find out the sex by Week 20, so considering that we are at Week 13/Day 4 right now, you have about a month and a half to register your guesses!

In the meantime, we can't help trying to figure out on our own whether Lima Bean is a boy or a girl...

According to the Chinese conception gender chart, we're having a boy! But according to this version of the Chinese conception chart, using lunar months, we are having a girl!

According to this quiz, we have a 76 percent chance of having a boy! According to this chart, however, my age means that we have a 58 percent chance of having a girl!

Let the guessing begin!