Pregnancy Update Week 15-16: Our Dill Pickle, Weight Gain, and My Husband

The second trimester has been GREAT so far!  Here is my 15-16 week update on mom, dad, and our little boy.

How is baby boy doing?  Baby boy is the size of a dill pickle!  He is moving like crazy, waving his hands, making faces, and his precious heart is pumping 24 quarts of blood every day. He can now sense light, so if I shine a flashlight on my tummy he will move and turn away from it.  He can also hear my heartbeat, our voices, and music, so I love talking to him throughout the day.  Our doctor said that in just two weeks he will be fully formed and all he will need to do is grow grow grow!

Total weight gain/loss?  I'll be real honest here. Yesterday's weigh-in at my 16 week appointment had me in tears.  Yes, I was the pregnant lady who was crying as she got off the scale.   I was +7lbs from my pre pregnancy weight. I don't think I'm fat by any means, but it was a super sudden jump, and I've never weighed this much.  It made me scared for what's to come. Yeah, I might be a little crazy, but I know I'm not the only one who has dealt with this.  Adjusting is a process!

Maternity clothes?  There's no way my normal jeans will button, so I've been using a Belly Band around my waist/hips to keep them up without having to zipper/button them.  Luckily it's been sunny and 70's-80's here in San Diego, so dress season has arrived!  I'm so relieved.  Dresses are 1000x more comfortable and right now more comfort equals a better mood.

Sleep?  It's been AMAZING.  I don't think my husband has much room left in our bed with all my pillows, but the sleep has been glorious nonetheless.   I see a King size in our future.

Best moment these weeks?  Our 16 week ultrasound was incredible.  I was really nervous going into this appointment because I had felt our baby move twice two weeks ago but I hadn't felt anything since then.  My first time mom paranoia combined with the miscarriage in our last pregnancy had me fearing the worst.  But when the doctor showed us our little boy on the screen a sense of peace washed over me.  He looked like a real baby!  He was waving at us and we could see so much detail... his cute little ribs and spinal cord and his beating heart.  He is perfect.



Symptoms?  Headaches, daily exhaustion, and uncontrollable hunger.  This is a total breeze compared to the first trimester nausea.

Food cravings?  Wentzel's Pretzels (seriously), Panera Chinese Citrus Cashew & Chicken salads, corn on the cob, and fruit... all the fruit, please!

What I miss?  Nothing!  I was never really an alcohol or sushi girl, so I haven't had to give up very much during this pregnancy... except for Diet Coke.  That's a toughie.

What I'm looking forward to?  I am so excited to feel strong kicks, but I'm even more excited for my husband to feel them.  I'm also excited for when we choose his name! Wes and I are brainstorming ideas and it's so much fun.

Bump? My bump is starting to round out, and I'm so excited!  I cannot wait to style it in cute fitted tops and dresses.

How is my husband holding up?  My husband says that the pregnancy has gotten better for him in these past two weeks, too!  He is relieved that I'm no longer feeling sick all of the time, and he legitimately said that I've been less emotional than he expected me to be (wait, what!?). I think both of those factors took a toll on him earlier in the pregnancy, so I'm glad he's getting a break!  He deserves it.  From my perspective my husband has been a total SAINT, completely selfless, always thinking of ways to help me get through the day whether that means helping me with my Etsy shop, sending me a surprise Edible Arrangements fruit bouquet, cleaning the house, filling up my car with gas, or giving me a Panera gift card so that I will be more likely to go out for lunch.  He thinks of everything.  Seeing how Wes handles me, our challenges, and our decisions makes me so happy that we are having a son. I would be so proud to have our son turn out like Wes.

Love,

Mama Dylan 

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 13-14

It's officially the second trimester! YAY!  Baby boy has been growing, and BOY can I tell!  Here is my 13-14 week update.   I will try to stick to updates every 2 weeks.

How's mom?  

Nausea has eased up and now it's more of an annoying mosquito in the background than a bee sitting on my arm.  Basically, I'm managing.

The exhaustion, however, is another level.  It probably doesn't help that I've had ~70 items ordered this past week on my store, Begonia Rose Co.... but they say entrepreneurs are the only people who work 80 hours a week to avoid working 40 hours a week.   Sounds about right.  Luckily my husband has been a LIFESAVER and eagerly helps me every night when he gets home from work.

I gained 3 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. Maybe it was the McDonald's double hamburgers or maybe it was the Girl Scout cookies, but I'm realizing that these pounds are here to stay.  It's slightly uncomfortable since I've weighed the exact same for about 8 years, but I'm mentally adjusting.

I officially have two stretch marks.... on my butt.  I'm telling myself that these were preexisting from my days of gymnastics, dance, and sprinting.  Regardless, I'm now using coconut oil all over every night after I shower.  Hashtag booty gains?

My favorite pregnancy craving that I could eat for EVERY meal is Panera's "Chinese Citrus Cashew Salad with Chicken."   Get it before it's gone, people! It's incredible.  Order the sauce and the dressing on the side because otherwise it comes with a lot.

My little baby bump has grown a lot, but I'm still wearing my non-maternity clothes... barely.   I am so excited for the weather to warm up so I can pack up my jeans.    I'll probably regret saying that when I'm 8 months pregnant in July.  However, I did just purchase two dresses from Asos maternity that I am super excited about! They're both midi-length and I think I'll be able to wear the blue one postpartum, too, since it's super flowy.  Great deals, too!   Check out the red dress here and the blue dress here. 




How's baby?  

Baby boy is now the size of your fist!  WOW!  Other apps say he is the size of an apple or a peach, roughly about 3.5 to 4 inches long.   His weight doubles every week.   Holy buckets!

Baby boy is also moving a TON and I felt him rotating around for the first time!  It made everything feel so much more real.   I told my husband it felt like rice krispies snapping, crackling and popping all at once.   I cannot wait until my husband can feel him, too.

Baby's body is now becoming more proportional with his arms and legs lengthening.  He is also testing out his facial muscles, making faces and even sucking his thumb!

What are some 2nd Trimester goals?  

1.  Remember to pray for baby boy throughout the day.

2. Focus on nutrients and food groups.

3.  Get back in the gym now that I'm not as nauseous.

4. Get more sleep so I can do #3.

5. Plan a romantic trip with my husband.

6. Shop for great deals on baby gear.

7. Sign up for classes on infant care, breastfeeding and child birth.   We will probably take these early/mid-3rd trimester.

Love,

Mama Dylan 

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