and we have a name :) :)

Baby Palmer officially has a name!!! (okay she will once she's born ROFL. . but you know what i mean :) )

her name will be



Ellery Rose Palmer

:)

{19 weeks}

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born.

How your life's changing: You're just a week shy of the halfway mark. You may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen (perhaps extending to your groin) or even a quick, sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides, especially when you change position or at the end of an active day. This is round ligament pain, and it's caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus. It's nothing to be alarmed about, but if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes persistent and severe, call your practitioner.You may also have noticed some skin changes lately. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from increased estrogen. Patches of darkened skin are also common during pregnancy. When they show up around your upper lip, upper cheeks and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may see these splotches on your arms or other areas that have been exposed to the sun. Your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva may also darken during pregnancy. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line." All of this darkening is due to a temporary increase in melanin, the substance that colors your hair, skin, and eyes. For most women, these darkened spots will fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

It's a........

GIRL :) :) :) :)

yay!!!

our little princess was cooperative yesterday (reasonably LOL). The ultrasound tech was unable to get some of the pictures that she needed of her heart so we'll have to have another ultrasound on September 25th.

But everything's fine and all the requisite parts are where they should be. . .so that's good :)

Her heartbeat was slow yesterday. . only 126. . .so I think she was asleep ROFL :)

anyway. . that's the news. .

my AFP test was all fine . .next month i have my gestational diabetes test. . fun stuff. . oh and i haven't gained any weight this month :). . .good news all around!!!

8.5 hours

08/28/06
7:10 a.m.

Hey there little baby,

Today's the day. . . . the day that Mommy and Daddy (but mostly Mommy) have been anxiously waiting for, well, since we knew you were coming.

Our appointment is about 8.5 hours from now. . . .Mommy is sitting at work wondering how I'm going to be able to make it through. I'm so anxious and excited (but mostly excited :) ). I can't wait to see you again. . and I know Daddy feels the same way. What was Mommy thinking making the appointment so late in day anyway???!!!??

All weekend my mind has been wandering . . . are you a little boy or a little girl?? I have a feeling that you're a little boy. . .which is totally fine by me. . I keep asking Daddy what he thinks. . but he doesn't have ANY idea - silly Daddy!

It doesn't matter anymore if you're a boy or a girl, we just want you to be healthy. Your names (hehe) are all picked out, and tonight, once we know, we'll start calling you the right one. We can't wait until January, for you to make your big appearance!!

Just be cooperative this afternoon little jellybean. . . that's all we ask!!!

Lots of love,
Mommy.

We're all registered!!!

YAY!!!!! Yesterday we spent a little over an hour at Babies R Us in Salem, NH and registered.

We had gone about 2 weeks ago to "check things out" and decide which stroller etc. that we wanted, we figured it would make the actual registering process less overwhelming. I'm glad we did it because even after knowing a lot. .I was still VERY overwhelmed by it all.

So. . here's the link to our registry. If you check it out and notice anything missing. ..please leave a comment. ..as first time parents we're pretty clueless ROFL so it would be appreciated.

http://tinyurl.com/opq4s

on the topic of food

I wanted to get some of this stuff down while I'm thinking about it (er, I mean working, hahahaha)

I'm 18 weeks, 3 days pregnant and honestly I haven't had any real cravings. My big "problem" is if someone mentions something or I SMELL something, I INSTANTLY want it. .and I honestly feel like the world could end if I don't get whatever it is!

I've had some food "kicks" but I am not eating anything that I wouldnt' normally eat - wonder if it's because I'm not picky ROFL

I do consistantly buy and eat: fresh pineapple, pickles (in fact I've eaten so much of both, NOT at the same time, that I've given myself sores in my mouth .. . owie :) ), pop tarts. . . . hmm I think that's it. . I can't really think of anything else. I want mexican food all the time . . but again. . i would normally eat ALL of those things (except the pop tarts - that one is a little odd).

Mostly though I just feel hungry a lot ROFL. . .so I eat. I try to make good choices but the occasional candy bar and/or bowl of ice cream sneaks in. . .(okay . . okay. . more than occasional ROFL)

18 weeks {and baby has somewhere to sleep}

How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life's changing: Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline increase. Look for specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.You may have heard that it's best to lie on your left side during your last two trimesters. Here's why: When you lie on your back, your uterus can compress your pelvic veins — in particular, the inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your left side helps remove this pressure. Try placing a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during your second trimester your blood pressure is probably lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.If you haven't already, you'll probably have an ultrasound done sometime this trimester (usually between 16 and 20 weeks). This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking her thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

_______________________

we got our crib last night :) very exciting. .baby now has someplace to sleep

I'm feeling more and more like this baby is a boy. .not sure why. . but I guess we'll see if I'm right on Monday (hopefully)

:)

so baby....

Friday night (08/18/06) I had a dream you were a boy......hmmmm I wonder if I'm right.

we find out a week from today. . Mommy just might go CRAZY from waiting!!!!!!

<3

The Very Quiet Catepillar by Eric Carle

Is apparently your first book baby.

Daddy read it to you the other night (Tuesday August 15). Until we get another one he'll keep reading it to you :)

It's a very cute story. . I can't wait till you can actually see the illustrations in the book

Daddy and I want to read to you all the time because we want you to love reading as much as we do!!!

17 week picture. .

so you can all (yeah my 2 readers) see that i don't look pregnant ROFL

17 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

• Note: Experts say every baby develops differently — even in the womb. This developmental information is designed to give you a general idea of how your baby is growing.

How your life's changing: With more weight up high and out in front of your body, you may feel a bit off-balance as you walk around. Store away your high heels and wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble.You're likely to feel protective of your tummy, and that's good. Trauma to your abdomen could be harmful to your baby and dangerous to you, so be sure to buckle up when you're driving. Keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly and very snug across your hips for maximum protection

___________________

wow. .17 weeks already. . I can't believe it. However. .I still don't look pregnant. .. just FAT :( it makes me sad. .and I know I shouldn't be sad b/c I have a little baby inside. . but I wanted the cute pregnant belly everyone gets. . . .everyone but me :( . . yes. . i'm feeling sorry for myself right now :(

SHOPPING!!!

Okay. . . those of you who know me well enough know that there's nothing better for me than shopping. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE to shop :)

John and I decided to get out of the "sick bay" yesterday, aka our house, where I've been fighting the most awful summer cold, and head to Babies R Us for some reconnaissance work.

We decided to hold off on registering until after the 28th when we'll (hopefully) find out the sex of this little jelly bean. Honestly it's not going to matter much. . because with the exception of bedding we've chosen pretty gender neutral stuff :).

Babies R Us is quite the overwhelming place . . . .and poor John. .he was SO out of his element. He only briefly stepped back into his element a few times: checking out all the functions of the fancy strollers. . and looking at monitors AKA the only electronics in the place.

HOWEVER. .he was a good sport as I asked his opinion of swings (didn't care), exersaucers (ditto), and jumparoos (he wanted to know where the heck we'd put that LOL).

We pretty much picked everything out, which is pretty exciting. I like all our choices and am now debating if our "boy" bedding is too boyish to use for a girl ROFL. . .after seeing it in person I'm totally in LOVE with it :) :)

so that was our baby related adventure this weekend. . . and man. . there were a LOT of people there ROFL

Dear Baby ....

( I wrote this at work on Friday the 11th. . I just haven't had time to upload it here LOL - I've had an awful summer cold)

Dear Baby,

I felt you move last night for the first time. ..at least. . I think I did. Being a first time mommy I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be feeling but I'm pretty sure it was you. It was a weird "popcorn popping" sensation.....but I only felt you once. . and not since.

I called Daddy in right away and told him and we both just smiled at each other. I wish I felt you more often. .and I wish Daddy could feel you too. . . . but all in time. .right my little jellybean???

It was pretty amazing. . . obviously i KNOW that you're in there swimming around, but to feel confirmation of it....wow.....

I told Nanny on Friday and she started crying on the phone. .. silly Nanny!!! :)

Mommy and Daddy love you very much baby. . so get wiggling!!!!!

{16 weeks}

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

How your life's changing: Have people been telling you how wonderful you look? The "glow of pregnancy" is real, thanks to increased blood flow to the skin. You may be enjoying yourself more, too, now that your hormones have stabilized and nausea has eased up. You're also probably less anxious about something happening to your baby (the risk of miscarriage drops dramatically after the 14th week) which likely adds to your overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, most don't until about 18 weeks or more. If this is your first baby, don't be too anxious — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so. The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll start to feel unmistakably like kicks.

_______________

people keep asking if I have felt the baby yet. . .I honestly have no earthly idea!!! :) Hopefully soon!!

25 great things about being pregnant

forwarded by Kerrin (or Auntie Kerrin to you baby :) )

1. You're guaranteed to stop traffic whenever you cross the street.

2. People look at your stomach and can't help smiling, as if the mere thought of your being pregnant has actually made their day a little bit brighter.

3. You can eat a whole pint of chocolate-chunk ice cream and not feel guilty. Every night.

4. You can -- no, you must! --take naps. Lots of them.

5. Getting to name another human being.

6. Watching your husband turn into a father when he kisses your belly good night, reads to the baby in utero, or stays up until 3:00 a.m. putting the crib together -- just in case the baby decides to come eight weeks early.

7. Sex: For once in your life, you're neither worried about getting pregnant nor trying to get pregnant. You can have sex just for the pure fun of it.

8. Buying a bathing suit. It's not about hiding your flaws; it's about flaunting your belly.

9. Those wild, intense, amazing pregnancy dreams in which every remote person from your past makes some sort of appearance. None of these dreams can even begin to be analyzed or understood.

10. The amazing anticipation. It's like all your previous birthdays and holidays rolled into one.

11. Imagining the possibilities.

12. More personal space! And you have no qualms about claiming it.

13. You eat healthier, drink more water, and carefully read ingredient labels. Suddenly, it matters more to you what you put in your body.

14. In the middle of a boring meeting at work or a meaningless argument, you feel your baby squirming inside you and the sensation takes you away. It's your own secret communication.

15. Getting to hear the swish swish swish of your baby's heartbeat on the Doppler.

16. Playing "Guess the part sticking out," usually at bedtime, when your baby starts moving furniture around or whatever it is he does in there.

17. The extra attention you get from everyone -- your husband gives you more foot rubs, and your friends call to check in more often. Neighbors offer to help; coworkers volunteer to get lunch for you; little presents (a bottle of water, an afternoon snack) mysteriously show up on your desk.

18. The pregnancy beauty package: thick, silky hair; long, strong nails; beautiful skin; big boobs.

19. Getting to skip to the front of the line in public rest rooms.

20. Shopping for a person you haven't met yet: tiny clothes, all-new furniture, and adorable room decorations.

21. Dreaming about the first time someone calls you "Mommy" and the first time you hear someone call your husband "Daddy."

22. Baby showers! They remind you how special your friends and family think you are.

23. A continuous sense of accomplishment. You can answer "What did you do today?" with cool things like "I made ears" or simply "I'm making a person. What did you do?"

24. Spending immeasurable amounts of time trying to remember all those nursery rhymes, children's songs, and lullabies.

25. Knowing that all the bad stuff -- the heartburn, swollen ankles, backaches, and the rest -- doesn't last forever. And that in the end, it's all worth it.

__________________

let's see. . #2 - definately not. . i just look fat(ter)

#17 and #18 are definately NOT happening at ALL!!!

but #25 is 100% right!!!

In Between

A good title for where I am right now. . .16 weeks today (whoa) and I'm still not pregnant looking. . .I just look fat(ter) :)

my shirts are starting to get too clingy/tight in the belly . . but maternity shirts don't look quite right (although I can get away with v-neck t-shirts from motherhood b/c they look like regular t-shirts :)

my pants are too tight. . but the next size up (in regular plus size) is too big. . . . i guess my waist isn't getting bigger but my belly is??? who the heck knows....

another in between thing - John and I are starting to make some preliminary decisions about strollers (or travel systems), car seats and all that fun baby stuff :) but we decided to wait until our big ultrasound (the 28th for those of you keeping track) to go ahead and register so that we can add the bedding we've chosen and stuff all at the same time.

We have the bedding all picked out - one for if it's a blue Palmer and one if it's a pink Palmer :) so well shall see

anyway. . I'm kinda in a funk about in between. .but I'll get through it!

oh. . and no movement yet. .. people keep saying I should feel something - not yet though :(

15 weeks

from babycenter:

How your baby's growing: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the gender depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)

How your life's changing: You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now. If it's a little more or less, don't worry too much. Every woman gains weight at a different rate. While you're well into the swing of being pregnant, you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for example, you can probably chalk it up to your pregnancy. That's because increased estrogen can cause swelling in the mucous membranes and possibly the production of more mucus. Your blood volume is increasing, too, which causes your blood vessels to expand, including those in your nose. (You may get occasional nosebleeds as a result.) And because pregnancy alters your immune system and makes you more susceptible to certain infections, it might just be that you have a cold or allergies. In any case, make sure you stay away from irritants, like cigarette smoke, aerosols, and alcohol. To soothe your nostrils, use a humidifier or vaporizer at night, and drink plenty of fluids. You can also try over-the-counter saline drops or a buffered saline nasal spray. (If you're truly miserable, ask your doctor or midwife if it's okay to take decongestant medication.)Don't worry if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about the baby's health and how they'll cope as new parents. But with minimal physical discomfort and renewed energy, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women, so try to enjoy it!

_____________

interesting about the nose thing. . that's totally been happening to me all the time and I assumed it was weather ... .it being a side-effect (if you will) of pregnancy didn't even cross my mind..... :)

as promised. . .baby palmer for your viewing pleasure

:) :)

soo....we had another appointment yesterday

let's see.....I have gained four pounds (blech). . . . my blood pressure is 120/80 (or 82 - she said it was fine whatever it was LOL)

They took my blood for the AFP test yesterday. . .I'm trying not to think about it because then I will worry. . but I'm sure it'll be fine :)

pretty easy appointment.. . dr. freedman was glad to see my flu hadn't cost me any weight (oh PUHLEASE is that really a worry LOL). . .and I didn't have any questions for him. . so off to the ultrasound room we went (I LOVE LOVE LOVE him for this reason. . .John and I get to see our baby everytime :) )

Baby Palmer was jumping all around in there. . he/she waved at us!!! It was freakin' amazing to see a BABY in there this time as opposed to the grey blob we've been seeing.

It's funny. . i always thought i'd be like Rachel on Friend's (remember she couldn't see anything on the ultrasound and was all upset) b/c normally I look at someone else's ultrasound and unless there's an arrow (okay i'm exaggerating a LITTLE lol) I can't see anything....but there was NO problem for me identifying that baby of mine :) must be a mommy thing!!!

Dr. Freedman measured his/her leg ... apparently to make sure the baby's growing on schedule. . which he/she is :)

all is well. .heartbeat strong at 160. ..although he made sure to tell me it means NOTHING lol but I still like to know

the BIG ultrasound is scheduled for August 28 at 3:30. .. .I wish it were here already!! I want to know what "flavor" this baby is. . . hehehehe :)

I have a great ultrasound picture and I will post it later b/c it has to be scanned in!!!