Week 17
Baby H is the size of an onion.

17 weeks, 2 days. Baby H is developing fingerprints and I should be able to feel his/her movements soon!

Baby H is about 5" long. In the next few weeks he/she will fatten up and triple in weight!

Derby on Park's Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit:Derby on Park Facebook Page (2015).

How far along? 17 Weeks

Maternity clothes: It's tempting to binge shop, but I'll only need these clothes for the next seven or eight months, so I'm trying to be practical. My favorite clothing item right now is my black patterned maternity shorts, which might just be because they have the most comfortable waistband in existence. Will anyone call me out if I wear these things every day?

Stretch marks? So far so good...

Sleep: I recently came across the saying, "I don't want to sleep like a baby, I want to sleep like my husband" which is so true. Gabe passes out so easily. My nights are spent switching back and forth between my left and right sides because I can't seem to get comfortable regardless as to what position I'm laying in. For the meantime, naps on the couch are getting me through the day. 

Best moment this week: 

Hearing the baby's heartbeat at my unexpected doctor's appointment. On the way to work Tuesday someone rear-ended my car and I was really worried about the baby being okay. Thankfully, I wasn't hurt and I got into the OB the same day. After several hours at the doctor, a doplar scan, a series of blood work, and a few days of rest it seems like everything is going to be okay. Little Baby H is a trooper (aka stubborn), just like us :-) 

Miss Anything? Tea. It keeps getting hotter and water is refreshing and all, but I miss iced tea. I guess I could have a little, but between the caffeine and worrying about which herbs are in each blend tea looses its appeal. 

Movement: ? 

Food cravings: Enchiladas for me (again). All my cravings this week have been savory, which seems to be a continuing trend. The seriously good shrimp and grits I had at our family brunch in Jacksonville this past weekend perfectly hit the spot. Just writing about those shrimp and grits makes me want to drive to Jax for them again! Could all these salty food cravings mean we're having a boy?

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really, I feel healthy and full of energy! Besides the lack of sleep, the 2nd trimester is wonderful! 

Gender: We're happy as long as our little bean is healthy and happy. That being said the following list is pretty fun:

Old Wives Tale #1: Heart Rate 
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy. (During the first ultrasound the baby's heartbeat it was at 168 bpm)
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #2: Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy. 
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #3: Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle. 
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #4: Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones. 
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #5: Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl. 
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #6: Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived. 
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #7: Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, a little boy it is. Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #8: Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having. (I keep dreaming the baby is a girl) 

Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #9: Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy. 
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #10: Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.
Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #11: Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.
 Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #12: Breast Test
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy.  

Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #13: What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having. 
Prediction outcome: GIRL 

Old Wives Tale #14: Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. 
Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #15: Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy. 
Prediction outcome:BOY

Total: GIRL 10
           BOY    5
Gender Prediction: GIRL! Is our little one a Lorelai or Max? We'll see very soon!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Hunger, slight backaches, growing belly :-) 

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On- for now. Gabe spoiled me with my combination anniversary/push gift and got me a new ring to wear in place of my wedding bands. We ordered my new ring this week and it should come in around the middle of June. I can hardly wait! As much as it saddens me not to be able to wear my rings, I don't want to be stubborn and have them get stuck on/have to get them cut off. Plus, the one we found is gorgeous! Even though my fingers are swelling, they're still a whole size smaller than the standard ring size at the Jewelry store, so we had to send my new ring out to get sized. I'm so excited to be able to wear a wedding band without worrying about my fingers swelling up. The slogan for pregnancy should be "Everything grows."

Isn't it gorgeous?! Gabe sure knows how to spoil me!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Ecstatic!

Looking forward to: Summer vacation, it's finally here! Time to nest, craft, and relax with Gabe during our last few months before we become parents.