Twenty-Three to go....

Today marks 15 weeks. My once-a-month phone counselor (really love her!) said she couldn't believe I'm already here and frankly, neither can I. She then went on to say I was over a major hump, and though I know 'statistically' I am, that doesn't necessarily make me breathe so much easier.

I just can't get a good handle on time. It seems like 15 weeks has just FLOWN by...and then I feel like my life has been in some sort of suspension for the last 8 months. We have twenty-three weeks left, which sounds like a lot...but in light of the fact that we're already at 15, it doesn't really. I think having weekly doctor's visits helps make it seem like the time is going by quickly. Once we hit 24 weeks, we'll see Dr. Sweeney once a week and then I really think it will fly.

I actually am back down a pound or so...about 98. Net gain so far at 15 weeks is -2 pounds. I know this really worries mom :), but honestly, I'm fine and so is Luke!! Lots of women lose weight in the beginning and though nothing is really appealing to me, I'm making sure that I am eating and getting nutritional value from everything. I have to say that V8-Fusion is my new favorite thing because I can drink that all day and get lots of fruit and veggie servings. I also make sure I get good amounts of protein every day, as well as calcium (love it in my grape juice!), iron and my Omega-3s and DHAs, so I think baby is doing just fine. Like Dr. Shonekan says, he gets everything HE needs...when I don't eat much, it's ME who suffers--tired, no energy, etc!!

Fine with me. All I have to do is let this baby grow and thrive and I love that luxury.

I DO have a sinus infection, though. This cold is no longer just that. I've been trying to avoid medicine at all cost, but honestly, I know a Z-pac is fine and I'd rather not have an infection get out of hand...that's just worse (and really makes me even more miserable). I know we've been having record heat, but honestly, I've just been mostly taking it easy in bed or in the house at the very least, so I can't even complain much about it!

I don't mind the heat, though anyway.

John offered Taco Bell yesterday and I said, "No," in favor of beef lo mein and an egg roll. This boy cracks me up! Still loving the candy and junk, and John made a homemade Oreo blizzard last night that rocked!

John's on the boat this week and next, and so he'll miss two appointments. I know he hates that, but I take the little Flip and he doesn't miss anything, really! He's doing night flights, which worry me, but at least there's a full moon for a few days and that makes it easier for him.

Still pretty sure he's a boy--I know that 14 weeks could still be a bit early, but several studies show that by 14 weeks, skilled and trained techs and doctors can make predictions with 98% accuracy.

That said, Dr. Sweeney DID say he was not 100% sure and would feel 100% sure next Monday at 16 weeks. I have to say that if Luke DOES turn out to be a girl after all, I might be a little worried with THAT thing!

John and I are pretty sure, though, as was Dr. Sweeney.

Emotions are all over the place. To be expected, I think.

We booked a cruise out of Baltimore for Labor Day and a few days past. John has been working REALLY hard and has been burning the candle at both ends. I feel really sorry for him a lot of the time because as I said, my main job is just hanging around and taking care of myself for the baby. He's been so busy and swamped--he needs to just have the opportunity to lay around and let others take care of him. If you knew him, and how ACTIVE he was ALL THE TIME, you'd really understand the significance of him needing to just be forced to RELAX, and it being HIS idea! I'm psyched!! It will make August fly by as well!

Here's what's going on with the little one this week...probably no pictures because John's out til Friday evening, but maybe something when he gets home. Definitely in all maternity clothes now!

Week Fifteen: Bones and muscles grow
You are 15 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 13 weeks) Baby is now over 4 inches (10cm) long and weighs about 2.5 ounces (75 grams). He or she can move its arms and make a fist. Fingernails and toenails are present. Baby's skin is still very thin. Your baby's legs have grown longer than the arms and the body is now longer than the head. The bone and marrow that make up your baby's skeletal system are continuing to develop this week. The bones and muscles are continuing to grow. You may begin to feel some fluttering movements as baby kicks, twists and turns; but don't panic if you don't feel movement yet. Their ears are nearly in position, and the three tiny bones in his middle ear have begun to harden. By the end of the week, the roof of your baby's mouth will be completely formed. The fetus has an adult's taste buds and may be able to savor the mother's meals. The baby's thin skin is covered with ultra fine, downy hair that usually disappears before birth. The fetal crown to rump length by this week of pregnancy is 4 to 4.5 inches (100 to 115mm). The fetus weighs about 2.5 ounces (75g). It's close to the size of a softball.