19 weeks

Jason and I are now 19 1/2 weeks...so close to being half way to the finish line! I am feeling very good these days with mild to moderate fatigue. I have felt the fluttering of the baby for 3 weeks now, but recently started feeling more than a flutter. The baby is becoming more real as I feel these sensations of movement. Urinating has definitely increased. I know where everyone's bathrooms are...JC Penneys, Kohl's, Wal-Mart, Kroger's, Target, etc.! Jason and I have been to Target to get ideas on baby items we may be registering for...WOW there is a lot of stuff for babies. We are also reading up on Consumer Reports on these baby items. We are currently reading The Baby Whisperer and The Happiest Baby on the Block. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to let us know!! We know this baby will not be coming with a manual, so we are trying to be as prepared as possible. Our next appointment is on June 5th to look at the anatomy. Fingers, toes, heart, brain, bladder, stomach, and yes...genitalia, but this mommy and daddy are not going to watch because we want it to be a surprise!! My alpha fetal protein test was negative from last visit, which means that we are not at increased risk for spina bifida with the baby. We will follow up with the ultrasound video for our next visit.

17 weeks

We are now 17 weeks and my appointment today went well! My belly bump is measuring 17 cm, which means we really are right on track with 17 weeks along!! The nurse did the fetal doppler in the office today and the heart rate of Baby K is 155 bpm. During the doppler, there were a few extra wooshing noises...she said the baby was kicking. What an active gymnast! At the next appointment we will have another ultrasound to make sure all the anatomy is okay. We are not finding out the sex of the baby because we want it to be a surprise for everyone, including us. Gender neutral until October! I am still feeling tired and still having very vivid, scary dreams. The doctor has assured me this is related to hormones. A new sensation occurred yesterday--intense right lower abdominal pain. I immediately layed down and examined my belly to make sure it wasn't appendicitis(the PA in me). Eventually, the pain went away. Us Kapplingers were thinking gas; however, the doctor said that my ligaments are stretching, which is normal. According to the books, our baby is now emptying it's bladder every 40-45 minutes, it is forming fingerprints, and the ears have moved from the neck to the head. The estimated weight is 5 ounces and length is between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 inches crown to rump. Impressive!