Week 19/40

Week 19 has been amazing! The intense cramping and pulling from last week has calmed down and I finally felt the baby move! I have had trouble feeling the baby since I have an anterior placenta. This is when your placenta is located at the front of your uterus instead of the back, which is called a posterior placenta. Having an anterior placenta is not dangerous in any way unless it does not move in time for the birth. If it is blocking the baby's way out, there will be trouble. We have lots of time for it to move to the back, so I am not worried about it yet.

The first baby movements I felt were soft kicks or punches in my lower left abdomen. After feeling these very obvious baby movements, I can now be certain things I have felt in the previous couple weeks were also the baby. It was so hard to tell because the kicks and punches were so faint and few. I really hope the placenta moves out of the way soon, Andy is anxious to feel the baby (as am I)!

Beyond the continual bodily changes, Andy and I have been starting to get serious about gathering baby gear! My wonderful mother and father have given us an awesome stroller and car seat (where we will put them in the apartment is still a mystery)! We also selected a rocking chair and a bench that we will be ordering next week. I am so excited we have finally started preparing our home for our new little one. I just know the baby is going to love it! We have also been busy helping plan our baby shower my family is hosting. Grace just finished designing an AMAZING invite for the event! It is so cute and is making me even more excited for the celebration!

Baby Nursery Wish List

Andy and I have been conducting tons of research on the latest and greatest baby products. We are both really into living as environmentally friendly as possible and we want to make sure our baby enjoys the comforts of this lifestyle. Many of the products below are made from organic materials, all natural materials, BPA and PVC free plastics (if we can't find an equivalent that is non-plastic), manufactured locally, etc... Most of the items listed are big items. Of course, we will need lots of small, everyday items like: organic clothing, Seventh Generation baby diapers, Thymes baby bath products, and I am sure a lot of other things I am forgetting!

Life Factory BPA-Free, PVC-Free, and Phthalate-Free Glass Baby Bottles
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $15-18
http://www.lifefactory.com/baby.html

Parade Organic Baby Kimono Gowns
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $19
http://parade.ca/collections/kimono-gowns

Parade Organic Baby Kimono Onesies
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $22
http://parade.ca/collections/nickname-onesies

Parade Organic Baby Kimono Footies
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $29
http://parade.ca/collections/kimono-rompers

JJ Cole Diaper and Wipe Pod
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $18
http://jjcolecollections.com/diapers-wipes-pod

JJ Cole Satchel Diaper Bag "Cafe"
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $90
http://jjcolecollections.com/satchel-bag

JJ Cole Diaper and Wipe Caddy
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $30
http://jjcolecollections.com/diapers-wipes-caddy

JJ Cole 11"x11" Tall Storage Boxes
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $30
http://jjcolecollections.com/storage-boxes

JJ Cole Broadway Stroller
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $450
http://jjcolecollections.com/broadway-stroller

JJ Cole Newport Car Seat
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $200
http://jjcolecollections.com/newport-car-seat

JJ Cole Broadway Color Swap Canopy "Stone"
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $30
http://jjcolecollections.com/broadway-color-swap-canopy

JJ Cole Newport Color Swap "Stone"
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $25
http://http://jjcolecollections.com/newport-color-swap-canopy

JJ Cole Head Support
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $19
http://jjcolecollections.com/head-support

JJ Cole Blanket "Gray/Green"
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $30
http://jjcolecollections.com/blanket

JJ Cole Nursing & Feeding Pillow "Ash Woodland"
Purchasing location(s): Aitkin Flowers & Gifts
Approx. price: $30
http://jjcolecollections.com/new

Storksak Men's Diaper Bag "Jamie, Black"
Purchasing location(s): Online
Approx. price: $230
http://www.storksak.com/product.php?shopprodid=99&variantid=159

VIPP Trash Bin/Diaper Pail Medium "White"
Purchasing location(s): Bed, Bath, & Beyond
Approx. price: $320
http://www.dwr.com/product/vipp-trash-bin-medium.do?sortby=ourPicks

Medela Pump In Style Advance To-Go Tote Breast Pump
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $300
http://store.pacifieronline.com/med57027.html

Baby Puj Tub
Purchasing location(s): Online
Approx. price: $40
http://gogobabygear.com/item_819/Puj-Tub-Baby-Bath.htm

Maclaren Baby Bouncer/Lounger
Purchasing location(s): Maclaren
Approx. price: $50
http://www.shopmaclarenbaby.com/products/Vida-Bouncer.html

BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance Organic
Purchasing location(s): Online
Approx. price: $160
http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/bouncers/babysitter-balance-organic

BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Synergy "White"
Purchasing location(s): Online
Approx. price: $130
http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/baby-carriers/baby-carrier-synergy/synergy/

Oeuf Sparrow Baby Crib "White"
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $730
http://www.oeufnyc.com/sparrowcrib.aspx#section=overview

Oeuf Changing Station "Birch"
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $255
http://www.oeufnyc.com/oeufchangingstation.aspx#section=details

Dwell Studio Nursery Collection "Woodland"
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $34-$192
http://www.dwellstudio.com/designer-baby-boutique/dwellstudio-collections/woodland-tumble.html

Dwell Studio Hooded Towel "Woodland"
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $52
http://www.dwellstudio.com/designer-baby-boutique/dwellstudio-collections/woodland-tumble.html

Dwell Studio Bib Set "Woodland"
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $35
http://www.dwellstudio.com/designer-baby-boutique/dwellstudio-collections/woodland-tumble.html

Dwell Studio Embroidered Bib "Woodland"
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $20
http://www.dwellstudio.com/designer-baby-boutique/dwellstudio-collections/woodland-tumble.html

Dwell Studio Organic Layette
Purchasing location(s): Pacifier
Approx. price: $22-$34
http://www.dwellstudio.com/designer-baby-boutique/organic-baby-clothing.html

Restoration Hardware Moses Basket Heirloom Ivory Bedding & Ash Basket Set
Purchasing location(s): Online
Approx. price: $189
http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=rhbc_prod227281&categoryId=rhbc_cat102128

Restoration Hardware Moses Basket Stand "Antique Oak"
Purchasing location(s): Online
Approx. price: $79
http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=rhbc_prod241303&categoryId=rhbc_cat102128

Whole Foods Gift Card
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/giftcards/
Bed, Bath, & Beyond Gift Card
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/GiftCardHome.asp?
Both of these stores are located near our house and have lots of baby supplies.

Week 18/40

During week 18, I could feel my uterus growing (you can see it in the photos too)! Similar to the first few weeks of my pregnancy, I had a lot of intense cramping and pulling in my abdomen. This baby just keeps getting bigger! Also, in week 18, we started swimming in our building's lane pool for additional exercise. I already do 30 minutes of aerobics each morning, Monday through Friday, and walk around Manhattan a ton. My goal is to stay in shape and to build up my muscles in my lower body, so I am 100% ready for the labor.

Our New York by Gehry Apartment/Home

This post is for those who have not had a chance to come visit us in New York, yet. It is an update from our last post, Our New York, NY Apartment & Neighborhood, which featured our new, empty apartment and our air mattress! Thankfully, we now have our furniture and accessories from Minneapolis and a few new things.

The door on the far wall is our front door. The first door on the left is a coat closet and the second door on the left is the restroom.

As you can see, we have a major problem with kitchen storage. Andy and I are gourmet home cooks and we have a ton of kitchen supplies. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of room to store these. There is also not a lot of work space on the counter. Cooking our favorite meals in this cramped space has been a real challenge.

Our second favorite part of this apartment is the washer and dryer (our first favorite is the sunny south facing window with a great view). We are so glad we don't have to haul our laundry to another location! We did that at our 301 apartment in college and it sucked!

I love the built-in cabinet on the left. We are able to store so much in there!

Our living space is pretty tight, but has been working okay. The thing that bothers me the most is that we use are bed for sitting, studying, storing, etc... I hate that. Beds should be for night time only.

Overall, the space is working alright. We still want to get a bench for the end of the bed. We want to put storage bins under it for baby supplies and a changing tray on top of it. The "nursery" will end up being somewhere by the window. We would like to get a rocking chair, but I am unsure if we would be able to handle the space getting any tighter. Luckily, we will only be in this apartment for 3 months after the baby is born. We will plan on using a Moses basket or bassinet for the baby to sleep in until we move. Once we have a larger space, we would like to get a crib.

Now that we have been here for 6 months, we have decided we don't like studio living. We are really hoping to find at least a 1 bedroom apartment when our lease is up. A 2 bedroom apartment would be ideal, but in Manhattan, this means big bucks or really nasty living conditions. We will see what we can find! For now, I am just happy we have furniture again!

Week 17/40

During week 17, my belly looks about the same as week 16. We have been writing in a journal about our pregnancy experiences. This week we each wrote our first letter to the baby. It was a very exciting night, thinking about what we wanted to say and share. Andy brought me home more flowers, you can see them in the background. Just lovely!

Week 16/40

I think it is safe to say that at week 16 my pregnancy is obvious! I officially have started to wear leggings almost every day. I have gained 4 lbs. and already my clothes feel too tight. Andy and I finally broke down and went shopping for a few new items that I could comfortably fit in. Beyond having nothing to wear, I continue to feel really great! I still do not feel the baby move. My Dr. said since the baby has tucked itself behind the placenta, I may not feel anything until week 20.

We continue to become more and more thrilled with the whole process! We look forward to visiting our friends and family in April and celebrating our pregnancy with them! We also can't wait to find out the gender in early March! We think it is a boy, but since we think that... I am sure it will probably be a girl! Either way, we are so excited to finally know!

Week 15/40

Week 14/40

Week 13/40 Ultrasound

At week 13, the fetus continues to develop more baby-like features and is about 3 inches in length (head to rump). It's genitals are also starting to become visible... what will it be!? Boy or girl!?

Week 13/40

Week 13 is officially the 2nd trimester! With this transition, I am starting to see major changes with my body. Each day my body changes, I become more excited for the baby growing inside me. The love I feel in my heart is overwhelming! Andy is also becoming more and more ecstatic. He is constantly buying me flowers and showing his affection so sweetly. We are both so thankful everything has been going so well!

Week 12/40 Ultrasound

This is not the greatest photo, but at 12 weeks the embryo has become a fetus and is about 3 inches long! Again, it amazes me how fast this baby grows. During this ultrasound, I was able to see the baby move. In fact, every time I giggled the baby would hop up and down. It was a really magical moment. As the fetus grows, I feel more and more excited about motherhood and about introducing our baby to the world.

Week 12/40

During week 12, I finally started to see my belly becoming more "pregnant" looking. After a big meal, it would protrude outward quite a bit. I also started to gain weight.

Week 12 is the end of the 1st trimester, I can't believe how fast it went. I have been really lucky and have not experienced a lot of pregnancy symptoms. The first couple weeks I felt nauseated when hungry and exhausted throughout the day, but that quickly subsided. Beyond cramping, thirst for water, and the constant need to urinate (of course), I have felt really great!

Week 11/40

During week 11, my pregnancy continued to become more noticeable. At this point, I couldn't button any of my pants. I still hadn't gained any weight, but my growing lower abdomen continued to protrude. During the entirety of my pregnancy, I have had a lot of cramping and pulling sensations in my lower abdomen, evidence of its growth. During these early weeks, the cramps were more intense.

Week 10/40

Sorry these pictures are not the greatest. We have issues with lighting in our house, it is always too much or too little. Also, we really don't have a good backdrop anywhere in our little box. We are doing the best we can!

Week 9/40 Ultrasound

In just one week the embryo has grown 1/2" and is now approximately 1" in length. The cavity you see in the picture is the brain forming. Hands and feet are also starting to become distinguishable. Overall, the embryo is starting to take on more baby-like features.