Using the bathroom a few times a night has been the norm for me the last couple of months. In fact, using the bathroom quite frequently during the day has been pretty constant as well- almost embarrassing. Lately I've been thinking that maybe all of this waking up in the middle of the night every night is nature's way of preparing me for getting up with a little baby during the night. Then, just last night I realized that I am almost on a 'pee schedule'. On my way to the bathroom I always take a look at the clock next to the bed and it is around 2:30 AM for the first bathroom break and about 6:30 AM for the second. I've gotten down to about two a night, sometimes more. My record earlier in the pregnancy was 5 times in one night! 

Now if my body is waking me up at about

 4 hour intervals to use the bathroom, I just can't help but wonder if it is giving me practice for the main event. Additionally, wouldn't it be great if the baby would also get used to the 2:30 and 6:30 AM bathroom breaks too? Then, when they are born they will already be on a feeding schedule from practicing in the womb. That would be sweet!

Here I am at 16 weeks pregnant. The baby bump is growing and I have a tough time fitting into my pre-pregnancy pants and buttoning them. I got a pair of maternity pants from my parents for Christmas but I need to go shopping soon. I also bought a 'Be Band' online to keep the pants closed up front and to prevent exposure of the plumber's crack when wearing my regular size 8 jeans. I haven't got it yet and yesterday my Dad was teasing me about showcasing the plumber's crack while working on the master bath remodel. Hopefully when we are done with the bathroom upgrade I will have time to go try on some maternity clothing before going back to work.

Gingerbread house

I promised my nephews Mason and Silas that I would post a photo of the gingerbread house that I made in my kindergarten class last week. We made it out of a milk carton.  :)

Reese

For those of you that haven't met him this is Reese.  He is half beagle and half chihuahua, a stone cold pimp, master beggar, and smarter than 47% of human beings.  The reason his dad is putting him on this blog is because he is going to show the new baby the ways of the street, much like my 100 lbs yellow labrador Mac did when I was a tyke.

Baby Bump

At about 14 to 15 weeks, I am starting to show and you can see a little baby bump. The last couple of days at work, I have not been able to button up my pants completely and have had to use the hair tie through the hole and around the button trick to keep them secure. Today I will go out and get a Bella Band which will keep the pants closed up top and keep me in my regular clothes a little longer. The picture to the right was taken at exactly 15 weeks on 12-19-08.

The last few days at school have been very crazy. My class made gingerbread houses, little snowmen, had a pajama day, and a holiday party. They ate so much sugar and were beyond hyperactive. It was fun but very hectic with all of the children's excitement and being on rainy day schedule almost all week. I'm so thankful that I now have two full weeks off from work to catch up on things that I've been behind on at home. I'm hoping to start baby-proofing the house over break and hopefully fix the rotting wood floor in the master bathroom with my mom's help. We also will be spending time with family which is always nice. 

Second Trimester @ 14 weeks

Someplace between weeks 13 and 14, a small baby bump has started to show! I'm not in maternity clothes yet, but probably will be soon. Baby Camp is about the size of a lemon or about 3.4 in. and weighs about 1.5 oz. 

We are now in the second trimester and still feeling good. So far, we've had a really easy pregnancy.  I am grateful but can't help but wonder if it will continue into the labor part. I hope it will. 

 I have been taking my prenatal vitamins and eating healthy. I try to make sure I eat enough foods with vitamin C, iron, protein, and calcium. Once in a while I have felt light-headed, short of breath, and had a headache, but nothing more serious than that. I have had to use the bathroom constantly, but have been drinking at least 100 ounces of water as my doctor advised. I really can't complain. Baby Camp has been good to me!

Coco butter & kids at school

Early in the week this week Lou was going to the grocery store and asked if I needed anything. I had a list of things to get ready before he even asked. One of the things that I wanted to pick up was coco butter to rub on my growing belly. I have heard/read that it can prevent stretch marks. So Lou goes to the grocery store and is searching for coco butter. He thought I wanted actual butter to rub on myself and was looking around the butter and margarine before he finally asked a female associate to help him. He found it in the lotion isle, but I got a kick out of Louie thinking that I would actually rub butter on my stomach.  

One more event I found funny this week was on Thursday when I told my students that I was expecting.  "Boys and girls, I have some exciting news. Mrs. Camp is pregnant." Little Olivia was the first to react and she let out a big, "Ewwwwwww!" I had to laugh that it was her first response. Especially considering that her mom is pregnant too.  :) My kinders asked a few more questions after I told them, but the curiosity was short lived and we soon moved on with other class news. I loved the ewww though!

Baby Camp's 12 week ultrasound

Today Lou and I went to Dr. Hunt's office for an ultrasound. The baby has grown so much since the end of October. The baby now really looks like a baby! Baby Camp was upside down for most of the ultrasound and didn't want to show us much of his/her face today, but we loved seeing the headstands and seeing baby move arms, feet, hands, and body all around! 

We saw two hands, two feet, a spine, ribs, a bladder, a stomach, two hemispheres of the brain, a heart, a nose, a mouth, shoulders, a neck, and a cute little butt! We also saw the placenta and umbilical cord. The ultrasound tech also made a prediction on the baby's sex, but it is to soon to confirm and we are keeping it between Mom and Dad only! The sex will be more apparent at the 18 week ultrasound we will have on Jan. 15. 

The two of the photos show a 3-d view of Baby Camp's backside and side. Baby was being camera shy today and we couldn't get them to roll over. In one photo you can see the umbilical cord but not quite the face! 

In the third photo the baby sat still long enough to take a few profile shots. So cute with the hands up by the face!

Baby Camp's heart rate was at 167 beats per minute and the crown to rump (head to bottom) measurement was 6.49 cm. The ultrasound measurements estimated that we are at 12 weeks and 6 days along. This means that we would then be due on June 12, not June 15. I am starting to get a small bump and although I have not gained any weight (despite all of the yummy food I've been eating for Thanksgiving and other family gatherings), my clothes are getting tighter around the waist. Lately, I have been craving peanut butter and still making an effort to eat well and take good care of myself. Today seeing our baby in action and knowing that everything looks healthy was absolutely amazing! I don't think this day could have gotten any better!

Visit to Sedona

Yesterday was were in Sedona visiting Mama Sue and Daddy Lou. We love going up there as it reminds us of getting married there, not to mention it is truly a magical place. It was the most beautiful fall weather. We sat outside and played Euchre for hours. Mama Sue and Daddy Lou kicked my and Lou's butts the first match. Susie and Louie then snuck by Daddy Lou and I in the last tie breaker match to win. It was good fun. 

We continued to get some predictions on Baby Camp's sex. Both Lou's parents said they thought the baby was a boy. Mama Sue said she meditates and prays for the baby and she sees a boy when she meditates. Daddy Lou made his prediction using the family tree and history of boys and girls already in the family. Either way, we all decided we would be happy and hope our baby is healthy. 

On our hour and a half drive up to Sedona I was reading aloud from The Baby Bible. We learned some fascinating information about the pregnancy. We got a little refresher on how the sex of the baby is determined, how my body is changing and will continue to change, and on the growth of the baby. We are now are 12 weeks along and the baby is almost fully developed. All organs are functioning but continuing to grow- especially the brain. The baby has hair, nails, tooth buds, irises to protect it's eyes from light. The fingers and toes have separated and the pituitary gland is now producing hormones. The book says Baby Camp can smile, frown, suck it's thumb, and yawn. He or she is about the size of a plum or about two and a half inches long and weighs about a half of an ounce. It's pretty amazing to think about!

'Tis the season

Thanksgiving was very nice. It was so great to be with family and friends. Some family (Mom Grandma Josie) encouraged us to find out the sex of Baby Camp. Others say wait (Aunt Paula). We are still not sure what we will do yet. Lou is pushing toward finding out. I'm more up for the surprise. We will see. We were trying to get people to guess the sex. I just remember Paula saying boy, Nabeel's Dad saying girl. I'll ask my folks and brother tonight again at dinner. What do you think baby's sex is? 

The Christmas decorations are going up. Lou made me wait until after Thanksgiving to put them up. So, rather than going out shopping on black Friday, I'm about to put up our tree and many of the holiday decorations I've began to collect over the last few holidays. The lights on the house will be next. 

I also ran the idea of hosting a get-together pot luck after Christmas with our neighbors past Louie. He said he thought it was a good idea. I'm looking forward to it. We have cool neighbors and we haven't got to all hang out since my graduation party in July. Plus I love entertaining! 

Home alone again

Feeling lonely and emotional tonight. I've been sick for a week now and the doctor finally gave me some antibiotics that were safe for me to take while pregnant. I'm home trying to feel better. Plus I've found the bar scene I used to do is just not the place for me anymore. I'm feeling alone in this change of lifestyle. Maybe it is me feeling sick, maybe hormones, maybe something else, but I've been more emotional this week than ever and its no fun. 

I never had a fever so I was at work all week though I was not feeling a better.  One day this week I had a hot flash. I was reading a story to the students and all of the sudden I started to sweat profusely. I thought for sure it was a fever coming on. The kids suggested I see the nurse and I did just that to make sure I wasn't getting a temperature. They were cute- so concerned for their teacher. It wasn't a fever, but later I read that pregnant women can get hot flashes. 

I'm going to sleep for a few hours now. I told my brother I'd pick up Mom and Dad at the airport at midnight. I wanted to do something nice for Bill and distract myself from feeling sad. I have to get myself in a more positive mood swing here.  

Since we've been pregnant, here's what we've done...

Family

When I think of the holidays, I think about being with family. Thanksgiving is in a few days and Christmas is approaching soon. I'm excited to spend that time with our families. Lou and I agree that being with family seems to more important than ever. We both have been blesses with such awesome parents. We know we have big shoes to fill! I really trust their experience and wisdom. They have been there and done that. I know I am going to want and need their help when our baby is born. We really look forward to sharing this experience with family near and far! 

Sick Mama

I have been feeling sick since Wednesday. A few students in my class have been sick, one with strep throat. As soon as I found out strep was going around my school I went to see my doctor. The doctor said I don't appear to have strep but took a culture anyway. I have not heard back from the lab. Right now I think it is just a head cold, stuffy, sinus pressure, sneezy, sore throat from drainage, etc. The doctor told me even if I did have an infection, I shouldn't take antibiotics until the second trimester. I've just been trying to rest and get better. Dr. Hunt warned me that pregnant women can get sick easily because the baby takes all of the mother's immunity. Although I got a flu shot, I still need to be careful. I talked to my kiddos about germs and how we spread them. Before we left school on Friday we had a cleaning party and washed down everything in our classroom. I will be doing my best to stay healthy for me and baby. 

Ten weeks and going strong...

At ten weeks I'm feeling healthy and happy. The thought of growing a baby inside me amazes me. I went to sleep thinking about our little pea and fell asleep with a smile last night. Though my slumber was brief. I was soon woke up to pick up Daddy from Rosie's again. I have been officially filling the role of the designated driver. I don't mind though, I'd rather drop him off and pick him up than have him drink and drive or pay for a cab. It was tough to get out of bed at 2 am. I think I got a photo radar ticket last night too. I went to make a right hand turn on a red light and saw a flash. Just what I need! We will see what happens.

Ticket or no ticket, I'm way excited for baby. I got to feed and hold Tina and Brett's newborn baby Addison last night and they sure make parenting look easy. They have the best baby ever. In the 8 or 9 hours we were there she didn't cry once. She was so calm and cute! I want one! I could have looked at her and watched her all night.

Daddy Lou 2

Well we call my dad, your grandpa, Big Daddy Lou.  Guess that makes me, Lou IV, also Big Daddy Lou 2.  And I am pumped and looking forward to meeting you.

Saving for Baby Camp

I started a savings account online for Baby Camp yesterday. From what I know, babies can be expensive and I want to make sure we are prepared. I put half of my last pay check into an account earning about 3.2% interest- way more than local banks! I read babies cost more than $100,000 from birth to age 18- before college. It is somewhat unnerving to think about all of the costs ahead. Somehow we will make it work. I just hope we can afford for me to be a stay at home Mom until the kids go to school, then I can go back to teaching. Now that I have my real estate license, I could also earn some income while being a stay at home Mom by helping friends and family to buy and/or sell property. Never too early to start planning ahead!

Headaches!

The headaches I've had the last two days have not been fun, especially while teaching. Today the headache came at about 1:00 and I was desperately trying to think of how to keep the noise level down in my classroom. Needless to say, I teach Kindergarten and there is no such thing! As soon as I could I came home and took a nap and some Tylenol. It worked and I'm feeling way better but I did have to miss Girls Night Out tonight.

After talking to Lou, I think we figured out that I had my first migraine headache today. At lunchtime today I called him because I had felt like I looked at a bright light and it wasn't going away. There was a bright spot in my vision and it was tough to see around- it made me feel dizzy. It went away after half hour, but then I notice my left arm and hand go numb and tingly. That's when I called Lou. I was freaked out! Soon after I got a few hot flashes and then I got the headache. It was tough to teach and I went home right away to get some rest. I'm going to have to get some Tylenol to keep in my desk just in case it happens again.

Telling Daddy the News

As I was talking to a friend tonight I realized that I left out an important part of how we got to nine weeks: how I told Lou the big news. I had taken about four home pregnancy tests and I swore there was a faint line. Everything I read said a line was a line, so I put on the shirt that I had purchased in advance and waited for Lou to come home. When he came in he complimented me and said the shirt looked good on me, but he didn't read it. He went about the usual business, a hug and a kiss for the wife, then he stepped back and read it. "Daddy did it!" He asked me what that meant. I told him to think about it. Then, it dawned on him. He got a huge smile across his face and he asked me if I was serious. We hugged and kissed some more. I showed him the stash of tests and told him I thought we were but wanted a second opinion. He thought he saw a faint line too. We went to one of our favorite local restaurants to celebrate, Sierra Bonita Grill. Then next morning I woke up super early and bought a digital home pregnancy test. It said pregnant. There was no mistaking that! We were going to be parents!

Halloween fun

I carved a pumpkin and put it right in front of my belly around 6 weeks. It won't be long until the belly grows to look like the pumpkin I put out in front of me.  :)

Nine weeks pregnant today!

Mom and Dad to-be are getting more and more excited to meet you Baby Camp. You have already grown from the size of a poppyseed at week 3 and 4, apple seed at week 5, to the size of a sweet pea at week 6, blueberry at week 7, raspberry at week 8, and an olive at week 9! It's amazing how fast Baby Camp is growing each week. 

The photo to the right is me at four weeks pregnant.

The photo below shows the embryo at five weeks. Baby Camp measured .3 cm from crown to rump (head to bottom). 

On Halloween we went to Dr. Hunt's office for our second ultrasound. The first one we had at 5 weeks did not show us your heartbeat, but the last one at 7 weeks showed us your little flashing heartbeat. It was beating at 156 bpm. It brought a tear to my eye. This pregnancy now seems so much more real! Now I can stop worrying so much. 

Here is a photo taken at seven weeks on Halloween 2008. Baby Camp measured 1.3 cm crown to rump and had a heartbeat of 156 bpm. The heartbeat was a little flashing gray area. 

Mom has stayed about the same size with some bloat. No weight gain yet. Prenatal vitamins are tough on digestion and it slows down a lot. Going to the bathroom regularly is no longer a luxury. This last week gas has been god awful! I almost didn't want to go in public over the last weekend! Then there is peeing... I've become a pee factory and am constantly going. Dr. Hunt didn't help my shrinking bladder by instructing me to drink 100 ounces of water a day! I broke a record about a week and half ago and went five times during the night! Now there are some perks too. My chest has grown and I'm going to have to go bra shopping soon I think. My sense of smell is incredible! I can smell things from far away with amazing potency.  The best news is that I have zero morning sickness. Thank you, thank you, thank you God! I hear it is horrible. 

I am exercising regularly, mostly walking with Reese because running has started to pull on the joints in my knees. Still also playing competitive sand volleyball. Dr. Hunt gave me the okay to play until 20 weeks. Does teaching Kindergarten count as exercise too? I've been eating healthier too. Lots of fruits, veggies, and protein. I cut out caffeine, alcohol, and most transfat. I have also been trying to eat organic grown foods too.   

Lou and I both have been reading a lot about what to expect online and in books from the library. I'm on my second book and Lou finished the book I bought him in one day! It is quite amazing what the body does. I am a gestating goddess! 

We can't wait for Baby Camp. Preparing will be fun. Our office will eventually become a nursery. We are excited and ready as we will ever be to be parents. What a great adventure we anticipate ahead!

The picture to the left was taken on Lou's 33rd birthday at eight and a half weeks.