21 Weeks...and test results

How far along? 21 weeks

Total Weight Gain: 9lbs

Maternity Clothes? Yes, mostly all now.  Still wearing some bigger sweaters because I refuse to buy winter maternity clothes because I'm not supposed to be pregnant in the winter ;)

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: Still been doing pretty well.  Wake up a little more with being on my back which is starting to be painful (but probably good so I dont stay there to long).

Best Moment this Week:  Seeing our little somebody is a BOY. We are going to have a son!  It is amazing to keep saying it.  

We did get to do some shopping for Nolan which made boy so much more real.  Let's just say--This girl is crazy about a sharp dressed little man!  (haha, now the song is stuck in your head)

We also got amazing news on Tuesday.  Our tests are in and they are negative.  This means Nolan's DNA shows no chromosomal abnormalities (including Down Syndrome). We are so happy that our little boy will be healthy. There are no words for the relief the two of us are feeling!

Miss Anything? Being able to pluck my eyebrows.   I cant reach the mirror anymore.  I am going to have to purchase a mirror for the back of our bathroom door so I can get closer....

Movement: Yes!  At the reveal, I felt my stomach get really hard and as I put my hand on it, I felt a butt or head roll across/fill my hand and then slide away!  It was so amazing.  I feel quite a bit of movement all through out the day....and it's getting stronger.

Food Craving? no

Anything making you queasy or sick? Sunday morning, Alex and I were walking the dogs to my parents for breakfast.  We let the dogs off their leashes at the end of their driveway so they could run up to the house.  They decided to stop in the middle of the yard and eat something.  I dont know what it was, but I know it was most likely something dead that had been there all winter.   I got so nauseous I threw up the second I got in the door, then again down the hall.  Don't worry, I felt completely fine afterwards and ate 2 Eggs Benedict.  

Have you started to show yet? Yes, but I do have people say I am tiny and not even showing at all, until I turn....from the side I have a bump.  It is getting bigger daily though!  My little 4 year old friend made sure to remind me when he stated, "Whoa, Mrs. Gloudemans, I see your baby is growing big!"  At least he specified it was the baby!

Bellybutton in or out? Inching it's way out!

Gender Prediction: No more predicting....IT'S A BOY!  Nolan Alex Gloudemans

Wedding Rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy

Looking forward to: Enjoying the movement, the day dreaming about our little boy, and maybe a little shopping....
Also, we are looking forward to our doctor's appointment on Tuesday to hear that everything is ok and just double check that information!

Labor Signs? no, but Braxton hicks maybe?  A cousin did say she started getting braxton hicks that started at 24 weeks and went through to she delivered....she said the doctor just told her to drink more water, when you are hydrated they are better.  I KNOW I don't drink enough water so that is very likely.  I will definitely mention it to the doctor, and drink a lot more water.  

Anything Else? The name.  We are so proud of the name we chose for our son.  Nolan was my grandfather Nolen Chew Sr, my uncle Nolen Chew, and my aunt NoLynn Chew.  We are so proud to pass on the family name.  Alex is obviously after Alex...it is a family tradition for the Gloudemans to name their first born son after their dad.  We are so happy to be welcoming our wonderful, adorable, son, Nolan Alex Gloudemans in August!

It's a.....

Our friends, the Poppe's, received the envelope on Monday night and prepared the box we made the weekend before.  We tested the rope, the ability to keep the confetti in, and such before bringing them box. They filled the box and we were very careful not to talk to them all week. ;)

On Saturday we had 35 of our family and friends join us in our house to eat, socialize, and pull the cord!  We were so excited!  My heart was beating so fast!

And it's a......BOY!

We are excited to meet our son: Nolan Alex Gloudemans in August.  

The name, Nolan, was my Grandpa Chew, my uncle, and even my aunt's name.  They all spelled it differently (Nolen Sr. Nolen Jr. and Nolynn).  We are so excited to carry on the family name and meet our little guy!

20 Weeks

It has been a very emotional week this week!  Feeling our baby move and seeing our baby on the ultra sound was amazing.  We loved every minute of movement, and picture of every body part that was all measuring correctly and there.  We could not believe how awesome the experience was.

We went to see the Dr. post ultrasound.  He reiterated that things were measuring well, the only "interesting thing" he found was a spot on our babies heart that was showing up as bright as bone when looking at the films.  After researching it it is really called: "Echogenic intraventricular focus (EIF) — a bright spot on the baby’s heart, which could come from calcium deposits."  Ok a spot on the heart, we can deal with that since all 4 ventricles were there and all else appeared well. Then, he continued to give us more information.  

These spots are a soft indicator for downs syndrome.  "A soft marker is “soft” because it’s simply not a very reliable indicator of Down syndrome."  "These markers are not problems in and of themselves: They’ve just been shown to turn up more often in fetuses with Down syndrome. But false positives are extremely common, and markers will be found in a whopping 11 percent babies who don’t have Down syndrome."  Hearing these numbers are both terrifying and a relief.  Our baby has a mark on it's heart that could mean downs but it also could be absolutely nothing. 

They have this AWESOME new test that is apparently a new wave of prenatal medicine. With a simple run-of-the-mill blood draw in the normal crook of your arm, they can separate the mother's DNA from the babies!  HOW COOL IS THAT!?!?  The procedure, according to my doctor, is on its way to replacing amniocentesis (thank goodness!)  They did the blood draw and have results in about a week.  We will know in about a week if our baby has downs or not.

The thing is, absolutely no matter what, we were going to love this baby.  Absolutely no matter what, we were going to be ecstatic for his/her entry into the world.  We were going to be the best parents we could be no matter what, but it was still so overwhelmingly scary. The unknown.  We thought not knowing the gender was hard, wow- this was a tough one.  We knew God would not give us more than we could handle and if He decided we were chosen for a journey with a child that happened to have downs, we would do the best we could to be great at it, but that doesn't take the fear away.

Going to work on Tuesday was rough.  I was crying on my way to work, I was crying at work, I was crying every time I had to tell someone (simply because my tear stained eyes wouldn't go away so I had to explain myself).  By the time people knew, more prayers were given, confirmation that all would be ok regardless, and I had time to tell my story, take some deep breaths and still feel the kicks growing stronger in my belly, I was fine.  I have been fine since.  All is going to be fine.  I don't know what it entails and I won't until the blood test results come in, but regardless, things are going to be fine.

So now that I have made it through the research, the tears, the happiness, and the love of my husband and unborn child, I am on the exciting journey of cleaning my house to prep for the gender reveal this weekend.  OUR babies gender reveal.  The excitement brings me to a whole new level of tears!

(my info on soft indicators was found here)

How far along?  20 Weeks, half way!
Total Weight Gain: 9 lbs (3 since last Thursday's weigh in)
Maternity Clothes? yes, moving into them in all areas
Stretch Marks? not yet
Sleep: Actually doing pretty good, thank goodness.
Best Moment this Week: Seeing our baby, 4D ultrasounds are amazing!!!  I think it looks like Alex!
Miss Anything? not really
Movement: yes, and growing stronger.  I actually even saw 
Food Craving? none really
Anything making you queasy or sick? doing pretty good but some mornings are sketchy after the vitamin... I just eat more then.
Have you started to show yet? yes!  Actually I popped Monday morning but Alex didn't see me leave for work.  When he showed up just a tad late for our ultrasound, I was already on the table (they were only checking ovaries, they promised only me-no baby parts until he got there). He walked in and actually second guessed himself and thought he walked in the wrong room because my belly had grown that much!  It still sticks out when I lay on my back.  I am so happy to see my beautiful baby is growing more and more every day that I am so excited about this belly!
Bellybutton in or out? In, but on its way out!
Gender Prediction: I honestly will be surprised either way as I keep getting gut feelings both ways.  That being said, If I see pink this weekend, it would surprise me more than if I see blue!
Wedding Rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time? I feel this week makes it rough to answer, but I was happy most of it besides the day-long bought of tears on Tuesday.
Looking forward to: THE GENDER REVEAL IN 2 DAYS!  I can wait to find out if we are having a son or a daughter!

I think baby looks like Alex here.
That is the knee on the far right, baby all curled up!

I think baby looks the most like Alex here.
That is the knee on the far right, baby all curled up!

A perfect little foot!  Both feet have all 5 toes, and
both hands have all fingers and thumbs!

Baby is a gymnast like mommy!  Feet way up by its head!
Want to see something entertaining? Show this picture
to a group of 4 year olds and they all start laying on the
floor reenacting this position!

19 Weeks

How far along? 19 weeks

I had a severe cold this week and I just let it go because I never had a fever or anything that sparked calling the doctor, but I was coughing up a lung.  Thursday morning I woke up and cold was MUCH better but I had what felt like a side ache. It lasted about 4 hours so I called the Doctor and told them I was 19 weeks and I'm sure the pain was stretching and the cold/coughing but wanted to check in. 

The nurse took some notes and consulted with the Dr. and the decided they wanted me to come in for an ultrasound and to check my cervix is long enough and closed. I found a sub for after school care, called Alex from at work and asked him to get out a little earlier and if we could drive together, he asked my mom to pick up our dogs and feed and let them out, then we hurried to the doctor in Neenah, and it became hurry up and wait. We waited an hour and a half for an ultrasound.  My cervix is 1/2 an inch longer than they need to see so I was safe there and my cervix is completely closed. Turns out I was right it was just the coughing and stretching but doctor said he was still glad he checked. I was the third person he had seen that day for the same thing.  I am also on a Z-pac to make sure the cough is not bacterial and playing it safe.

Baby hiding his/her face but
at least we know it has one
ear, 1 elbow, & 1 set of ribs.
You can kind of see the fingers
dangling down by the elbow.

Hand up by the head.  You can
see the eye socket and a bit
of the nose.

 Total Weight Gain: 6.5 lbs

Maternity Clothes? starting to wear shirts now, but can still fit into some looser clothing

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: doing pretty good actually.  My cold made it rough, but I survived.

Best Moment this Week: Seeing baby on the ultra sound and seeing Alex's face when he felt baby for the first time. Brings me to tears thinking about Alex's reaction....every time.

Miss Anything? doing pretty good

Movement: Yes!  Alex loved feeling it too!  Still tiny little taps, but we are enjoying it so much!

Food Craving? no

Anything making you queasy or sick? no
Have you started to show yet? yes
Bellybutton in or out? moving its way out, but still tucked in for now.
Gender Prediction: Gender predictors say girl, wives tales say both boy and girl but more towards boy, and my gut says boy.  We shall see next weekend!
Wedding Rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time? I was very upset driving to the Dr. even though I had a feeling everything was fine, I would go through these waves of panic, then be fine, and panic again.  I do find myself feeling sappier and crying at things like the ultrasound, Alex's emotions to the pregnancy, and just being with my husband in general.
Looking forward to: The next ultrasound on Monday, getting more pictures, and having the gender party with our friends and family next weekend.  I am just so in love with this man in my life and the baby in my belly I just cannot wait for this whole experience to continue.

Crib is up!

18 Weeks

How far along? 18 weeks
Total Weight Gain: I only weigh myself at the doctor...it was 5 lbs at week 16
Maternity Clothes? Not shirts yet, but we are getting close!
Stretch Marks? nope
Sleep: been pretty good.  I have been sleeping with a pillow under my head, in my arms, and between my legs.  I then have the pregnancy wedge behind me to keep me from tipping over and if I do tip over my back is angled.  Not as great as it used to be, but probably as good as it is going to get!
Best Moment this Week: feeling what I am 99% sure is movement!  It is so crazy to FEEL the life inside me.
Miss Anything? Not really, doing pretty good this week!
Movement: I am pretty sure!  I have had the same feeling in the same area of my abdomen on both sides so I am thinking it is the real deal! 
Food Craving? Nothing this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Mornings.  I for some reason, get nauseous every day at 8:15 this week, which is rough because that is morning circle in 4k.  Try singing the morning song when all you want to do is clamp your mouth shut!  ugh!  It goes away quickly and with water and granola so far though, which is nice.
Have you started to show yet? yes
Bellybutton in or out? it is still an innie, but getting closer to outie every week!
Gender Prediction: now I am back on the 50/50 train! We shall see in 2 weeks from Saturday!
Wedding Rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time? This week was much better. I did very well...except when I went to get a second cart at Menards and came back to find Alex gone (he went to find peg board while I was gone).  I welled up in tears ridiculously as I sat with my empty cart and no purse or phone looking like a dork til he came back.
Looking forward to: felling more movement and stronger movements.  I cannot wait to see the ultra sound in a week and a half!  
Anything Else? The move has gone well and has pretty much wrapped up.  It is looking good!  Pictures are about ready to be posted, keep an eye out!

The Move (part 1)

Our bags are packed, we are getting ready to go!

We have the final walk through today at 10, closing at 1, and we can get in at 3!  We cannot wait to get started!

Before Photos:

living room

Fire place and reading nook 

Stairs, garage entrance, bathroom, coat closet, wall the TV is on.

Entering the dining room/kitchen 

Kitchen

Back Yard

No pictures of upstairs as the guy was cleaning the carpets at the time.

I can honestly say I have NEVER felt the exhaustion I have felt this week.  It started with when we got in on Friday.  The previous owners were supposed to leave the paint colors, but upon starting the touch ups upstairs, it was discovered they left a primer instead of the upstairs paint color so we could not paint the rooms.  This means that the moving crew was still coming Saturday but we could not have the walls painted first.

The moving commences all day on Saturday and pretty much everything was moved over.  We fell into bed on Saturday after hours and hours of moving.  We slept at the old house and cuddled with the dogs getting ready for the new home the next day.

We woke up early on Sunday to get started on moving, cleaning, and painting.  Alex enjoyed cuddling with the dogs in the bed one last time as the dogs will not be allowed in bed or bedroom in the new house.

Sunday was spent all day unpacking the boxes that did get moved, and painting and painting and unpacking. It was VERY late on Sunday by the time we got in bed.

Once the week started, we left for work, worked all day, got out of work as soon as we could, came home, work on the house until 11ish, and then fall into bed to do it again.

By Thursday (today), we have hit our walls.  We both took the night off from everything and rested, watched tv, went to diner, took our weekly picture (yay), and watched more tv.  I unpacked a couple boxes and was in bed at a normal time.  FINALLY!

The unpacking had almost all wrapped up, things are going on the walls, and after pictures should be ready this weekend!

The plus side? The closets and drawers are done!  I love my color coded systems.  

17 Weeks

How far along? 17 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 5 lbs
Maternity Clothes? Still wearing my maternity jeans and work pants and leggings, but only certain leggings work now.  Shirts are still pretty good, though some of the tighter or less stretchy ones are slowly being put into boxes.
Stretch Marks? not yet
Sleep: Getting better, but with the move, I hit the pillow and then the morning alarm is waking me up.  Hopefully a normal bed time will help me resume normal sleep....only better.
Best Moment this Week: Moving in, seeing the nursery, touching up the nursery, and accidentally buying the crib!  Alex and I went to buy the stuff we needed for the house and happened to walk by the baby section of Shopko.  We walked past the exact crib style I wanted, and upon walking up to it, it was on CLEARANCE...for under $100! yay new crib!
Miss Anything? Energy
Movement: Maybe!  I leaned on the counter on Friday to put my mascara and I felt something funny on the exact spot the doctor heard the strongest heartbeat.  Then, a couple times when going to bed I felt a little flutter.... sometimes my stomach twitches when I am tired and I have been the MOST tired I have EVER felt this week so it could be that, but I am optimistic!
Food Craving? I've "needed" noodles whole grain tuscan linguine twice this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Doing pretty good.  I was pretty sick this morning so I had to go visit the office and ask if they had any mints hiding. Thank goodness they did, that and 3 breakfasts and I felt a little better!
Have you started to show yet? yes.  In looking at pictures this bump looks different than a couple weeks ago, so I think it is a real bump!
Bellybutton in or out? Still in but it is starting to look different, which is making Alex laugh at me.
Gender Prediction: I am leaning on boy still. I feel a lot of pressure pretty low, baby was on the right and heartbeat was 147 so I am still leaning that way. We find out in 3 weeks 2 days!
Wedding Rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? This week was rough. I am so tired and I am just hitting a point I do not have control of my emotions.  I have cried, yelled, and cried, and yelled.  Doing better as the week is winding down though!
Looking forward to: Gender Reveal, settling into this house and making it our HOME.