Another week in the books and it was a GREAT week at that.  Not only did we celebrate the big HALFWAY mark but Russell finally got to feel baby Ryan reallllly kick.  And so did Buddy. 

Just to know that Russell is able to finally feel what I have been feeling for several weeks is so wonderful and helps him to really relate and connect to the pregnancy.  As for baby Ryan, this week he has really shown me his kicking/moving skills and he is moving constantly with some strong movements :)

I had a great 20 week appt. and the doc re-confirmed he is a boy (yes, I did have them double check for my peace of mind) and my placenta issue has RESOLVED and I am back to not being in a cage.  First thing I did when I got home was get a workout in....and then I paid for it later in soreness but I was happy.

We fly out this afternoon to head to Notre Dame for the weekend for the first football game of the season and man am I looking forward to a long vacation weekend :)

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Aug. 29

How far along?: 20 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: I am exactly the same as last week so still only 8lbs up.

Maternity clothes?:   Still pretty 50/50.  Definitely maternity on the bottoms for work and work dresses but still having some success in the non-maternity tops that are a loose fit. 

Sleep: Doing pretty good except this weekend when I slept wrong on my neck and couldn’t move it all weekend….that was some intense pain there. 

Best moment of the week:  Having Russell able to FINALLY feel baby Ryan kick!  Russell was shocked when it happened and I just laughed.  Then later that night Buddy had his head on my belly sleeping and Ryan started kicking….every time he would kick, Buddy would open his eyes wide and look at me J  I kept telling him “It’s not me waking you, it’s your brother!”

Movement: Baby Ryan gets super excited when momma eats and he gets his hands and feel moving for a little while.  And boy is he getting strong! I am just excited Russell can feel him move now.

Food Cravings: A cookie with glass of milk before bed J  But don’t worry, it’s a whole wheat dark chocolate chip cookie from Fresh Market with almond milk…gotta try and keep it as healthy as possible.

Gender: Little man

Belly Button: Still hanging in there J

Stretchmarks?:  Nope.

What I miss:  Not a thing.   This is such an amazing experience!

What I am looking forward to: Some vacation days coming up this week and again in 2 more weeks!

Weekly Wisdom: Baby Ryan is the size of a banana!  And his taste buds are at work.  Hmmm, is that way he got all kicky when I was eating anything sweet J  Someone must already have a sweet tooth.

Milestones: Getting over the ½ mark!  Annnnnd, my placenta issue (still gross word) has resolved and I am off rest and can start exercising again!  I am so excited to be able to get back at it!  (Don’t worry, safety first)


Have a fantastic Labor Day weekend!

XOXOX, Sherri

20 week belly :)

Our last ultrasound until the very end when we get to hold him...bittersweet

And check that chin out!  I think he gets that from Russell :)

Survey Says: 19 weeks preggers

Holla!  Another week down.  Getting so freaking pumped that tomorrow I will be 20 weeks and OFFICIALLY halfway there to meeting my handsome baby boy :)

This week has been pretty decent but just seemed to draggggg on.  I think it didn't help knowing next week was going to be a short week since Russell, his dad, and I will be flying out to Notre Dame for the first football game of the season.  I am super pumped not just about the game, but FINALLY having some vacay days off and a lonnng Labor Day weekend.

Oh and baby Ryan is going to get the HOOK UP on Notre Dame gear.  Yes, Russell and I already are discussing his future as a Notre Dame football player.  Poor Ryan, he has no chance of being a football fan of any other team....and yet, I am okay with that!


Here is the week 19 recap..enjoy :)

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Aug. 23

How far along?: 19 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss:  Ummm, so I am kinda blown away that I gained 3lbs since last week.  Granted I am still doing great weight gain wise but damn!  Granted, my appetite picked up like whoa and my belly has gotten bigger but I was a little shocked.  I am just hoping for no more consecutive 3lb-ers each week.  Lets just stick to the 1lb a week deal.   Hmmmm.  Total is at 8lbs now.

Maternity clothes?:  I am about 50/50….Mostly maternity on my bottoms.

Sleep:  For a couple days this week I tossed and turned bc little babe decided to kick at night but I honestly didn’t mind at all. 

Best moment of the week:  Found out Ryan really likes chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream J  I ate it and his kicks went crazy, hahaa.

Movement:  I feel him every day now but not all day long but he is getting stronger.

Food Cravings:  Good lord.  If you read the “weigh gain/loss” section you will see that food was my friend this past week.  Cravings were all over the place.  From crab dip to chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, food was my frienemy.  Good thing I was also eating lots of fruits,  Kiwi and Peaches have helped.

Gender:  Little man.

Belly Button: Still hanging in there.

Stretchmarks?:  Nope

What I miss:  All my friends and family back home in VA.  I just want to go see everyone!

What I am looking forward to: Doc appt on Monday to see if the placenta issue has resolved or if I am still on rest.  But I do get to see my little man during the ultrasound so yay for that!

Weekly Wisdom: Ryan is the size of a mango!  Grow baby grow!

Milestones: I don’t think there was really a “milestone” this week but it was all in all a great week.

Until next time folks!

XOXOX, Sherri

Survey Says: 18 weeks preggers

Another week on the books.  Hard to believe tomorrow I will be 19 weeks and just 1 week shy of the halfway mark!  Not too much longer and Russell and I can meet our little man and start an amazing new chapter together.  And then we get to say goodbye to sleep...

We are 2 weeks shy of our Notre Dame trip to head to the first football game of the season and boy am I excited.  I  haven't had any "vacation" days off since I started work in Feb. so I have been a little burnt out lately.  I can use a little fun and excitement away from work!

Here is this week's recap:

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Aug. 16

How far along?: 18 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: Lost .5 this week so now totaling 5lbs.  I have a feeling it’s because I have slowed down on the chips. Nom, nom, nom…

Maternity clothes?:  50/50 at this point although I spent a hour this weekend rummaging through my closet to pick out ANY pre-preggers that would fit and I barely found 4 things that would work.  I don’t want to buy any more maternity though until more Fall attire hits the shelves since my biggest belly months will be fall/winter.

Sleep:  I am sleeping pretty good but feel like I should be hitting the bed even earlier now.  I am not as tired throughout the day as I was in the 1^st trimester but in the evenings I am drag-g-ing.

Best moment of the week:  Feeling more of Ryan’s little movements J  It feels like bubbles or someone is softly plucking me from the inside out.  I can’t wait until they are stronger for Russell to feel.

Movement: See above.  Although Tuesday night I felt A LOT of little plucking activity going on like he was doing flips J

Food Cravings:  No hardcore cravings that are consistent.  They are all over the board.  One day its Chipotle, the next is York Peppermint Patties…  Nothing that is sticking with me.

 Gender:  Boy J

 Belly Button: Still deep and not looking like it will poke out any time soon.

Stretchmarks?:  Not yet. (fingers will continue to remain crossed)

What I miss:  I really miss being active and being able to work out but I am still on rest until further notice so if that means I have a safe baby then I will try to embrace it J

What I am looking forward to: Going back to the doc in 2 weeks for another appt to see Ryan and how my placenta (still grossed out by this word) is doing.

Weekly Wisdom: Ryan is the size of a sweet potato and he likes to pass his hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing…so cute!

Milestones: The nursery is OFFICIALLY painted and looks perfect.  Now all we have to do is add the white chair molding then the furniture and other fun can begin.  I think we did finally choose the furniture we want and man that was a tough decision…now on to getting it ordered and put together.

Have a great weekend everyone!
XOXO, Sherri

Survey Says: 17 weeks preggers

Well folks, its another week down on the books and now I am only 2 weeks shy of my halfway mark!  The belly is making its presence known everyday and so is my appetite.  Still getting used to this whole not working out thing.  If you know me, then you know I don't do well just sitting still.  Its a great habit for me to learn but a tough adjustment for sure.

This weekend we get Russell's dad in town and I think Russell and his dad will be finishing the painting and adding the chair railing to the room.  Yay!


With me being 18 weeks tomorrow here is this past week's info:

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Aug. 8

How far along?: 17 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss:   This week there was a lot of growth and there was about a 1 to 1.5lb gain.  It was a rollercoaster all week.

Maternity clothes?:  I can still squeeze into a TINY few pieces of work pre-preg clothes but my options are very limited.  I am still okay on the weekends thanks to summer dresses but with fall on the radar, a few purchases will be made.  On a side note, the GAP had a HUGE sale going on at our mall in their maternity session so this momma got HOOKED UP with some comfy active wear and work pants.  SCORE!

Sleep:   Buddy was sick the first half of this week and slept with Russell and myself for closer observation so our sleep was pretty rough with Buddy walking around on the bed in the middle of the night.  Once the Budster started feeling a bit better and slept in his usual area of the house, the snoozing got much better.

Best moment of the week:  I could have sworn I felt tiny bubbles below my belly button twice this week which made me all giddy.  It was very random but not the typical gas bubbles (when you are pregnant you will know what I mean) that I feel.  Now I am ready for the steady movements and kicks J

Movement: See above J

Food Cravings:  I don’t have a particular craving right now but I CRAVE my fat free organic milk in the mornings and OJ on the way to work.

Gender:  BOY J  I am thinking of removing this question since the world knows now.

Belly Button: Still in

Stretchmarks?:  Nope.  I have some gooood belly butter J

What I miss:  Earlier this week I really wanted a cold cut sub and realized no cold cuts until after the pregnancy.  I was a tad disappointed but nothing I am really missing this week except being able to walk and stay active.  It’s a no no until my low-lying placenta (HOPEFULLY) fixes itself.  Keep your fingers crossed and prayers coming J

What I am looking forward to:  Russell and I have 2 trips coming up in the next 3-4 weeks so I am so excited to get away and have a mental break from work and more fun J

Weekly Wisdom: Ryan is the size of an onion! And he is starting to develop fat under his skin so he can be a chunky little fella.

Milestones:  Feeling those inconsistent but they were there tiny bubbles that I think was baby Ryan saying hello.

Have a great week everyone!

XOXO, Sherri

My wonderful hubby taking control of painting Ryan's room.

Hello little belly!

Currently

Found this on a blog I read and thought it looked fun...

Watching: Dance Moms, So You Think You Can Dance, Sister Wives, Keeping Up with the Kardashians (do you see this reality TV trend....I am a reality tv junkie).

Listening to: For some reason I am loving Justin Timerlake/Jay-Z's song "Holy Grail."  I catch myself semi dancing to it at work.

Thinking about: How my weight has really decided to creep up this week :(  It might be the fact that I went WAYYY overboard at Buffalo Wild Wings last night.

Trying to figure out: How I am going to keep myself from eating everything in sight!  I want to remain sensible, especially since I am on "pelvic rest" and no exercise but man this baby is growing like a weed and I am hungry constantly. 

Looking forward to: We have 2 mini vacations coming up in the next 3-4 weeks and I am STOKED to get out of the office and relax.

Reading: I just finished reading Hoda Kotb's book Ten Years Later.  So inspirational!  Now I am just reading tons of baby blogs and the What to Expect When Expecting Book.

 

 

Making me happy: My wonderful husband who offered out of nowhere this past weekend to start painting our nursery, my sweet little pup Buddy who will be a great big brother, baby Ryan for finally making some tiny movement in my belly this week, Blue Bell Coconut Fudge icecream, my new Hourglass Veil make up primer (seriously just changed my life), and our wonderful friends and family who have been so supportive of our newest adventure growing in my belly.

16 weeks preggers and IT'S A BOY!

It was a great but week in the Schwartz household!  We finally got the terrific news that I have a baby BOY in my belly! 

On another note my placenta decided to be a party pooper and the doc is watching me p-retty closely.  Basically, my placenta is not exactly in the right spot and is too close to my cervix...meaning if it stays there Ryan will have no way to come out except c-section and I could develop bleeding early which result in a possible earlier than expected delivery if it can't be stopped.  If the bleeding does stop then I would be on bed rest until 37 weeks before they go ahead and get Ryan out before my body tried to naturally deliver him.

Good news is that my placenta (such a creepy word) DOES have a good chance of moving to a better position during my continued week to week growth...BUT until then, I am on "pelvic rest" (no exercise, no lifting, no straining, no crazy stretch or reaching, and no husband/wife activity) until this fixes itself.  Please keep your fingers crossed that this does fix itself becuase when I go back to the doc in 4 weeks to check, I would LOVE to be told I can go back to exercising and not sitting on my butt. 

I am not even going to focus on the "bad" if this doesn't fix itself until we get to that point in another month or so when we know for sure it is there to stay.

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Aug. 1

How far along?: 16 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss:  Up another LB.  Totaling at about 4 LB gain in the last 16 weeks.  But with this whole "pelvic rest" and no exercise allowed thing you should start to see the numbers go up now :(

Maternity clothes?:   Mostly no.  Still fitting in my flowy dresses and using the belly band.

Sleep:  I was so excited for the first few days of the week leading up to my appt on Monday that I didn’t get much sleep.  Now I am sleeping like a baby trying to catch up.

Best moment of the week: Getting an EARLY surprise to find out we are having a BOY!!  The doc was not expecting to be able to get a clear look until my 20 week appt but my little boy had his legs wide open demanding we know he was a BOY!  I screamed it out as soon as I saw it, it was clear as day and then started crying with excitement.  I have never seen Russell smiling as big as he did when he realized it was a boy.

Movement: Any time now J

Food Cravings:  No real cravings this week except wanting to drink lots of milk and OJ.

Gender: We have a very active baby BOY!  I can’t wait to hold Ryan Perry Schwartz!

 Belly Button: Still hanging in there.

Stretchmarks?:  No but my skin is getting itchy.

What I miss:  Getting great workouts in where I am exhausted!  The doctor noticed I have a low-lying placenta right now so they are watching me closely.  I go back in 4 weeks to see if the placenta has started moving up to where it should be.  I am now on “pelvic rest” and told to “take it easy” simply meaning very light activity and no heavy lifting, straining, or anything that might make me contract.  If the placenta has moved up in the next 4 weeks then we are in the clear and I am off “rest” but if not, they will continue to have me on “pelvic rest” and watch it.  If my 28 weeks the placenta is still too low then the doc will go ahead and make the call that baby Ryan will be scheduled C-section a few weeks earlier than his due date.  Probably around 37 weeks to make sure I do not go into labor naturally.  Way to go placenta…ruin everything!

What I am looking forward to: Crossing fingers and praying that my placenta moves right on up.  I am ready to hear good news in 4 more weeks and get off this “pelvic rest” and start feeling like I can walk and do light weights without worrying!

Weekly Wisdom:  Little babe is the size of an avocado.  There is no hair on that tiny head yet but the hair pattern is starting to form and he/she is becoming more coordinated with their movements.  Oh and Baby Ryan realllllly loves to suck his thumb already.  He had his hand in his mouth the entire ultrasound and was already an overachiever by trying to suck both thumbs at the same time.

Milestones: Finally found our baby’s gender out J

Baby Ryan already showing me he is a thumb sucker!