Finally got pic to upload

My 16 week bump pic and some other fun ones from the past week!

Next doctor appt. in 3 days :)

17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks 2 day
Total weight gain/loss: 3 - 5 lbs
Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity clothes. Also just bought 2 new bathing suits for summer and two pairs of maternity shorts. (scary)
Sleep: Sleep isn't too bad if Emma sleeps well. I'm sure all you mommies and daddies can understand that. I haven't been waking up to specifically pee lately, but if I wake up for any reason or stand up, I MUST PEE!
Best moment this week: At this time with the last baby we were getting ready to go to riviera maya!  This time around I could use another vaca!
Movement: I can feel the little bubble moving around in there every now and again.  I'm excited for outside belly movements, but I know I'll be rethinking that as I get jabbed in the ribs in a few months.
Food cravings: I wish!  Nothing sounds good most days.
Labor Signs: nope.
Belly Button in or out: innie.
What I miss: Wine to help me relax after a stressful day!
What I am looking forward to: Feeling baby move on the outside and FINDING OUT THE GENDER!
Weekly Wisdom: Relax and Enjoy! as always :)

Internet Info: Try not to get freaked out by the numbers on your scale. At 17 weeks, baby’s working on getting stronger, and your body’s working on getting bigger. That means putting on some pounds and -- we hate to break it to you -- getting some stretch marks. Make sure you document your growing bump by taking lots of photos. Sure, you might not always feel so pretty, but one day you’re going to look back at pregnancy and reminisce (really -- we promise). You’ll also want to start figuring out some plans, like whether or not you’re going to find out baby’s gender (you should be able to soon!), and what kind of childbirth class you’d like to take. As you start making these decisions, the pregnancy will feel even more real, which is probably super exciting, but part of you is probably feeling a little nervous. After all, you’re at week 17; that’s almost halfway there and there’s still a lot left to do. Chill! You’ll get it done. Just remember not to try to do it all yourself -- ask for help!



your baby's the size of an onion!
Baby continues to beef up. Now she's about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces.

Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.
And she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.
She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.

I did take a pic of my belly at 16 weeks, but for some reason I can't see it when I try to download photos.  Instead here are some of my little jelly bean. :)

15 Weeks and 4 Days

How far along: 15 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: 2 - 5 lbs. Don't really think I've gained anything since my last appt, but popping out!

Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity clothes 

Sleep: Sleep is good, just wake up around 2-3am every morning to pee and hear emma rustling around. 

Best moment this week: Emma's 1st Birthday of Course!

Movement: not yet, but I hear you can feel it earlier the second time around, so hoping for an early kick or two soon!

Food cravings: Haven't been having too many, however last night I got Lebanese Taverna and I ate more than I've eaten for dinner in the last 3 nights combined!  IT"S SO GOOD!!!!  Tried to get Emma to try something, but she simply picks it up and slyly moves her arm over and drops it on the floor like no one can see.

Labor Signs: nope.

Belly Button in or out: innie.

What I miss: Wine and Beer.  We went for a walk outside in the shopping center this weekend and people were just sitting around drinking outside and it made me miss those carefree days!

What I am looking forward to: Easter weekend and hopefully getting Emma in her cute little dress

Weekly Wisdom:  Relax and Enjoy! as always :)

Baby is the size of a navel orange!

The average fetus at 15 weeks weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 4 inches -- and his proportions are becoming even more normal, since his legs now out measure his arms.

Emma's 12 Month (ONE YEAR!) Update

Height/Weight: Emma weighs 21 lbs 10 oz about lbs and is about 30.5 inches in height. She's in the 90th percentile for her age :) 

Routine: Her daily routine during the week consists of waking up around 6am, having a bottle (we just switched to whole milk which seems to be going quite well), then it's off to daycare.  She loves her daycare friends and playing all day. 

Sleeping: Emma is sleeping through the night, but sometimes does wake up earlier than we'd like, around 5am.  She goes down around 7 - 730pm every night, although her first round of ice cream kept her up until about 845 when the sugar rush finally wore off.  In terms of naps, on an ideal day she will go down from about 9 - 1130am and 2 - 330pm.  

Eating: Emma is eating all kinds of foods these days, although some days she doesn't like something that she loved the day before.  She love spaghetti, grilled cheese and muffins the most.  She loves cheese and every fruit, but has started to push veggies away.  She LOVED her cake at her birthday, but not sure the next time we'll give her sweets :)  Yesterday we sent her to daycare with beefaroni (fail), then DH brought in spaghetti and she wouldn't eat that either, so I wouldn't say she's a picky eater, just moody :)

Sizes: Emma is wearing 12-18 months clothing and size 3 diapers, however we just bought size 4 diapers this week, as the 3's are starting to get tight on those baby thighs.  We're still using Pampers Swaddlers and we have always been happy with those!

Milestones

• She is now WALKING!! She walks all over the place.  Not all the time, but she constantly gets up and likes to try and walk, but still falls.  She walked about 15 steps to me this morning.

• Obviously along with walking she has been standing on her own for much longer, she is very sturdy when she's playing with her kitchen or her walkers on her feet.
• She waves more when we say bye bye and she claps if you clap.  She also loves making her Indian call noises with her mouth (don't know a better way to describe it).

• We also put her facing forward in her carseat. She definitely meets the weight/height criteria and she seems to love it.  I have two different car seats (1 in each car), but I love this one, because it gives her a little "pillow" when she falls asleep, and I like the safety feature of the front protection.

All in all she seems to be right on track.  She's ahead in some things with 1 year olds in her class and a little behind in others, which I think is just perfect.  I'm trying so hard to enjoy my baby girl while she's a baby and while she's my only baby.  We only have 5 months left of that stage!

Until next time........

Emma's 1st BIRTHDAY

Emma had her birthday party at school on Friday.  It was so cute and perfect.  I've never seen a baby go after a blueberry muffin so ferociously, but Emma certainly got us excited for how she would react to icing and cake on Saturday.

Saturday was nothing but rainbows and smiles all around!  We decorated the house with multi-colored EVERYTHING and the cake event was nothing but spectacular! All in all the day was perfect.  Family all around and it seemed like everyone had a great time.  it was also 75 and sunny, so that always helps.

Dear Emma.....

Dear Emma,

My dear Emma Jean.  Throughout my life I've know fear, love, heartache, anger, joy and every other emotion. Since you have come into my life I know now that those feelings of emotion were but a fraction of what I could really feel.

The day you were born was a blur and the most clear day of my life at the same time. The fear I felt as they rolled me into that operating room was the most intense fear I had ever felt for many reasons, but mostly because I was worried for you, my little love bug. Not being in control is not one of momma's strong suits.  But after the amazing doctor's did their job, you were lifted into the air for me to see you in all your grossiness glory :)  It seemed like forever and a day for them to clean you up and wrap you tight but in an instant you were placed on my chest and I got to touch you for the first time.  Talk about feeling love and joy at the same time.  My perfect little angel was everything I imagined and more.

Your daddy and I were instantly in love with you and this past year has been nothing short of amazing.

 

You are so smart and funny and happy.  You have your daddy wrapped around each of your little fingers and I have to say I'm not far behind. You can walk a few steps and you love to babble.  You love to say dada all the time and even though I wanna hear momma, I love to hear your voice say anything.  You're eating everything from strawberries to chicken parm to baby belle cheese, but your favorite is really getting messy with spaghetti.

Your personality is ridiculously amazing.  You love to share whatever you're holding with mommy and daddy, including half chewed food. (no thanks).  You love your morning and evening special time with either of us while you have your bottle and your laugh is contagious. You love climbing stairs and you love opening cabinets.

Not all is roses however.  We've also learned how to overcome obstacles with you and no one has been a better teacher of patience with mommy than her Emma Jean. Mommy felt like she cut your finger off when she snipped your while trimming your nails.  Daddy had a heart attack when you bit through the Desitin and ate it and every time you fall mommy and daddy have to comfort each other more than you.  Bathtime has gone from favorite time to torture for you, but we are all learning together.

I hope nothing but happiness and giggles for you and although I know it's unattainable, I'm going to do my absolute best to get you as close to it as I can.

I love you with all of my heart, soul and the rest of my being.

~ Your Momma