16 weeks & 17 weeks

I'm behind once again...


How far along: 16 weeks (Sept. 6th) and 17 weeks (Sept. 13th)

Baby size: 16 weeks - and avocado, 17 weeks - an onion

Total weight gain/loss: And the weight gain begins... +1 lb.

Sleep: OK... still need to get one of those body pillows

Movement: Yes and getting stronger every day... I love feeling the little pokes and flips and wriggles :)

Food cravings/aversions: Hmmm... the "bad" food cravings have begun... chocolate gelato, for one. I let myself have a small bowl every other night. I've gotten back into cooking, and have made some yummy stuff recently... I need to do another food blog post over on the Congdon Chronicles!

Pregnancy symptoms: I got my headaches under control... my midwife told me to eat more protein and sure enough that was the problem. I've been have round ligament pains (ligaments stretching) and cramping every now and then - I think the cramping is Braxton Hicks contractions beginning. The cramping woke me up one morning and was quite painful so I called my midwife and she told me not to worry unless they continued for longer than an hour or two. But they went away... I just lay down and drank lots of water. Other than that, I've just been dealing with the usual pregnant sluggish digestive system*yay*... lots of fiber and nutritious food for me!

What I miss: Sushi, and the occasional glass of wine.

What I'm looking forward to: Finding out whether Baby Congdon is a boy or a girl! Soon!

Milestones: For baby - he/she has mastered the sucking, swallowing, and blinking reflexes! For me - the baby bump really started popping out over the past couple of weeks!

Best moment of this week: Well I got to have another appointment since I switched over from my OB-GYN to a birthing center with midwives... and I heard baby's heartbeat again. That's always reassuring and exciting :) I also just felt a big sense of relief about switching over... the midwives are more invested in each patient and I felt much more comfortable. (I'll probably write a whole post about why I switched over and chose natural childbirth etc.).

Pregnancy moments with the hubby: I called to set up our birthing classes (Bradley method), which start on October 29th... we meet as a couple with a small group and instructor for ten Saturdays, two hours each time. I told Thomas and he was in shock... "Why on earth do we need THAT much time?!"... I replied by saying "You're not the one who has to figure out how to get this baby out of me, and manage the pain without drugs! I'll take all the time and help I can get!"

{yummy avocado pasta}

I found this idea on Pinterest a few weeks ago and adapted it a bit.

It is sooooo good, especially if you love avocados like Thomas and I do.

Recipe:

1 and 1/2 or 2 medium/large avocados

1 lemon, juiced (and zest for garnish)

1-3 garlic cloves (depending on how garlicky you like it)

Salt, to taste

A handful of fresh basil leaves

1 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

6-8 oz of pasta, cooked (I used whole-wheat capellini)

NOTE: keep the avocado pits!

Instructions:

First, put water on to cook the pasta (everyone knows how to cook pasta, right?).

While that is happening, put the rest of the ingredients (except the black pepper and lemon zest) into a blender/food processor and and blend until smooth and creamy.

When the pasta is done, thoroughly drain it and then stir in the avocado sauce... top with freshly ground pepper and lemon zest... and serve immediately.

NOTE: This pasta does NOT reheat well because of the avocado, BUT if you store the leftovers WITH the avocado pits in a sealed container in the fridge, it will taste good COLD the next day.

Thomas and I like to eat it with portabella mushrooms.

I saute them in a little bit of oil (and salt and pepper) until the mushroom juices start coming out, then I pour in some red wine and continue cooking until the liquids are mostly evaporated.

And then, we eat :)

Also, there is another Congdon reunion post coming, I promise... there are just SO many pictures to sort through!

15 weeks

15 weeks seemed so far away when I was newly pregnant... now time is just rushing by!

How far along: 15 weeks today!

Baby size: A navel orange... 4+ inches long!

Total weight gain/loss: No gain or loss so far.

Sleep: Getting a little worse... I wake up with back pain. I need to get one of those body pillow things.

Movement: I think so! Just some little flutters :) Can't wait for more!

Food cravings/aversions: I've been really into bread this week. So much so that I made a loaf of French bread last night at 10pm. And then ate half of it... :)

Pregnancy symptoms: I've been getting headaches this week, which is unusual for me. I hardly ever get headaches. I really have to watch that I'm drinking enough water otherwise the headache kicks in and it's hard to get rid of. Also, I've had a couple of almost leg cramps... so far I've been able to catch them right before they happen and stretch out my calf.

What I miss: Sushi, and the occasional glass of wine.

What I'm looking forward to: More baby movement!

Milestones: I just think that baby is getting so big! 4+ inches seems huge to me... haha... I know he/she will get much bigger, but right now 4 inches sounds really big :)

Best moment of this week: I had my 15-week appointment and got to hear the baby's heartbeat again! It was really loud and strong (150bpm) this time, and the nurse picked it up as soon as she put the Doppler machine on my stomach. Last time I was only 11 weeks and it was a little harder to find. The baby is so much higher up now... no wonder I'm starting to get a little baby bump!

Pregnancy moments with the hubby: Now that I'm feeling little baby flutters, Thomas is determined to feel them too... he keeps trying, but I think it's going to be a while before baby is strong enough to kick through my stomach! He was poking my stomach last night trying to get baby to kick back. Haha :)