Katie at 18 weeks (all kinds of stuff happening!)

Here is a side view of my belly at 18 weeks. I opted for my photographer/co-worker Alyson not to include my face as I am still pretty sick and I look like I just crawled out of a cave. I've had a sinus infection for over a week that will not go away and despite my many efforts to tell myself that my morning/constant sickness was starting to subside ... throwing up in my kitchen sink is still a weekly routine.

Much has happened since week 17 ... the biggest news is that we had our ultrasound. I wasn't really that anxious until we were sitting in that waiting room. I swear we sat there for 3 hours (though it was only 30 minutes). As soon as the tech turned on the monitor we immediately saw the baby! It was really so cool! The head looked so big and I just tried to lay there and relax. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen for 2 seconds. It made everything so real to both of us. The tech did the measurements and then tried to find out if we had a blue or a pink bun in the oven but the baby wouldn't cooperate! We saw lots of kicking and movement but the legs were tucked into the chest so the tech had to poke around to get the baby to move. She kept saying "C'mon little one, show us". I didn't really feel the movement but Scott and I could both see everything very clearly. we could almost count the toes and fingers! Finally the little one rotated and the tech said "Oh yeah, that's a boy". Then I looked away from the screen just to see Scott's face. We were both excited! I kept asking if she was sure it was a boy and she said she would be shocked if he came out a girl! She gave us the first pictures of our son (so cool to say that) and we were on our way! We went straight to the hospital to tell my Mom in person. When we walked into the OR unit she had her back to us and I just laid the pictures down on the table in front of her. She turned around and said "I kept wondering why you hadn't called me yet!" Then she said "Well? What is it?" and I said "Just look through the pictures, you'll be able to see on the last one!" She said What? You're not going to tell me? I have to wait?!!" It was so fun to be able to tell her in person. When she got to the last picture I said meet your grandson ... Beckton James Kenney!

Here he is! His very first picture. Below you can see his profile (forehead, nose, mouth).

Below is a picture of his little feet.

This one is a little harder to see .. but it shows that he really is a "he"! This is a picture of his bottom and you can see one leg at the top of the picture, the other leg is curled up (can't see). In the middle is a little something...
So we had an ultrasound, we're having a baby boy, his name is Beckton James and I'm finally feeling him move! Friday December 5th I was just dozing off when I felt the tiniest little thud. Then a few moments later .. another one. I finally feel him moving around in there and it is pretty darn cool. The movements are tiny but I can certainly tell that it's him and it makes me happy.

Katie at 17 weeks! (I gained 1 pound!)

Here I am at 17 weeks. I forgot to take a picture at 16 weeks so hopefully I look a little bit bigger than week 15! Things are going well ... the medication for naseua is working! I still have my moments of feeling not so great but I'm hoping to get better. Today (Tuesday 11/25) Scott and I had our 17 week appointment! It was great! The doctor let us both listen to the heartbeat and we heard it right away. It was very strong and it made Scott and I smile. Then we found out that I had gained 1 whole pound! That's better than nothing so I am excited. The doctor also mentioned that all my tests were normal and everything looked and sounded great for 17 weeks. It was a very reassuring appointment! The best news? We get to do our first ultrasound even earlier than expected ... next week!

I also started buying the decor for the baby room (neutral for a girl or boy) and so that's getting me really excited as well!



This is the first official picture that I've taken of the bare belly!

Katie at 15 weeks (The camera adds 10 pounds!)

Somehow amidst being sick and not gaining any weight, I look like I've gained weight! I've convinced myself that it's the sweater and not me ... I think I'll be saying that for the next 5 months! This week the baby is about the size of an apple and maybe that's why I like applesauce so much! It seems to be one of the only things I can keep down on a regular basis. So I probably answered any lingering questions about am I still sick. Unfortunately, yes. My poor Mom was sick all 9 months with my sister and I both so I think I'm in for the long haul. Thanks Mom!

This week I bought myself some maternity pants and I love them! They are super comfy and surprisingly cute. No one can even tell at work except when I show them and then everyone laughs. This weekend I also went to my third baby shower during my pregnancy. The first shower was back in September for my friend Jen (although I didn't know I was pregnant at the time I sure was interested in all the gifts!) The second shower I hosted for my friend Rachel also in September, that one was lots of fun. The third was for my friend Katie and it really put me in a good mood. I've been so sick lately that it's been hard to feel upbeat but Saturday was just great.
Last but certainly not least, Scott told me that I look great and the only thing growing is my belly and my butt. What???? My butt is not growing! Not yet anyway! Wow, he's dead!

Katie at 14 weeks (sick but wanting ice cream and pickles)

Well, big shock ... I'm still sick. I just keep hoping that it will go away and I can have that blissful second trimester that I keep reading about, but so far I'm just sick. I'm definitely starting to show; those at work that know I'm pregnant often comment on my little belly, which I think is exciting. I'm still not into maternity clothes yet but my Mom bought me my first super cute maternity shirt and I cannot wait to wear it! There's really not much new happening, Scott and I are just trying to keep things under control with the house, the dogs, work, his school and of course me being miserable most of the time. The other night I did venture out of the house for dinner with Scott, Ryan and Marisa and when the server took my order I asked for a milkshake and a hamburger with extra pickles and pickles on the side. She kinda looked at me and said "ice cream and pickles?" I thought that craving was an old wives tale but apparently it's true! This week, I also set aside some time to clean out the baby room which is a complete disaster. It was becoming quite embarrassing when people said "which room will be the baby room?" and when we showed them we couldn't even open the door all the way. So, I'm officially in organization mode (when I'm not throwing up).

Katie at 13 weeks

Here I am at the end of my 13th week! It's so neat to see the difference from week to week. Most people can't tell a difference but these pictures certainly help! Despite being sicker than ever this week I am excited to enter my second trimester. I've been thinking a lot about the baby room such as colors and decorations ... that keeps my spirits way up when I'm feeling bad.

Can you tell that I'm not feeling particularly well by my expression?!

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who has wished us well during the pregnancy! We've received many cards, gifts, e-mails, phone calls, get well wishes etc. Thank you everyone ...

I'd especially like to thank my amazing husband who has unfortunately had to assume the role of Mr. Mom. Lately, I've been so sick that he's had to take care of everything from bathing the dogs, to cooking, cleaning, yardwork and dealing with my misery. Add that to being a full-time employee and student and I'm lucky he hasn't thrown his hands up and said "screw this!" I feel blessed to have married him and I only hope that I will feel better soon and be able to help!

My other BIG thank you goes to my Mom (who in my opinion and my sisters) is probably the best Mom ever. Not only does she give super advice, she often shares my old baby items so that I can reminisce and try to incorporate into the nursery (such as my old receiving blankets, my hospital bracelets etc.), she also brings by food and has Scott and I over often, makes special shopping trips for me, and lately she's even helped clean my house!

I'm officially at week 13 but this week is tougher than ever. I'm really sick, stressed out and completely overwhelmed. At my doctors appointment today - The doctor and I discussed how I still have not gained one single pound, how it's strange to be sick now worse than ever, and how if I don't chill out my stress and health could affect the baby (so she has me off work for 3 days). The Good news - I was able to hear the heartbeat, she says the baby is growing at a normal rate and I got a prescription for sickness. So here's to my second trimester - in hopes that it's a good one!

Katie at 12 Weeks -

Now I look a little more like a pregnant girl! I really think that's the baby and not the bloat! From what I've read the baby is a little larger than the size of a lime this week! I'm still sick unfortunately but the books say being sick is generally a good sign so I'm powering through. Looking forward to my doctor appointment next week as I'll almost be in my second trimester!