Old Wives Tales

We are getting closer and closer to finding out what our little baby is so I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the old wives tales.

Ring Test- Loop your wedding ring in a piece of thread and let it dangle over your belly. If the rings swings in a back and forth motion, it's a girl. If the ring moves in a circular motion, paint the room blue.

          Prediction: BOY (The ring moved quickly in large circles.)

Heart Rate- A heart rate over 140 beats per minute(bpm), it's a girl. A boy's heartbeat is slower.

          Prediction: GIRL (Last two heartbeat checks...158 bpm and 153 bpm.)

Mayan Tale- The Mayan tale adds the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is an even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on way.

          Prediction: GIRL (31+2013=2044)

Face- If your face swells and gets rounder, it's a girl. Long and narrow face, a boy.

          Prediction: BOY (I wouldn't say my face is long but I don't feel like it's rounder.)

Cravings- If you crave salty foods it's a boy. If you crave sweets then it's a girl.

          Prediction: GIRL (I am craving candy, cookies, sweet treats, and of course chocolate.)

Morning Sickness- No morning sickness, it's a boy. A girl if you were sick or nauseous during your pregnancy.

          Prediction: BOY (During the first trimester I was nauseous a few times but only when I was hungry. I had to get used to the fact I needed to eat more times during the day. I have never been sick or nauseous over a period of time.)

Chinese Gender Prediction- This age-old calendar predicts gender based on month of conception and your age.

          Prediction: GIRL

Body Clues- Legends say that if you are having a little girl, she'll steal your beauty. So, if you've got acne and other not-so-pretty skin blemishes, you've got a little princess coming your way. Dry hands and cold feet are signs of a boy.

          Prediction: BOY (Based on the first part of this tale, my face has been pretty clear for the past few months. It's summertime so the chance of my feet being cold is unlikely but I do feel like my hands have been drier than normal.)

The Eye Test- When the "V" or "branches" appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a "V" or "branches" in the white part, you're having a girl.

          Prediction: GIRL (Not really sure if I understand the talk of "V" and "branches" but comparing my left eye to my right I do have two little veins that form something that looks like an upside-down "V.")

Urine Test- What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl.

          Prediction: GIRL

Sleep- If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she's having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she's having a girl.

          Prediction: GIRL (I have been falling asleep on my right side.)

Hair: If you have more hair on your legs than normal, you're having a boy.

          Prediction: BOY (I have said from the beginning I seriously feel like my leg hair is growing at super speed.)

5 predicted BOY   7 predicted GIRL

Take a Guess!!

In the next few weeks we are going to find out if we are having a BOY or a GIRL. Just for fun we would love to know what you think. Take a minute and answer the poll question on the right side of the blog.

*If you are on your phone, scroll down to "View Web Version."

Baby Wood Update- Week 16

Hello month 5!!! I can't even believe it. Anyone who says the second trimester goes quickly is totally right. Here is a little chalkboard tracker REVIEW OF MONTH 4

This week was so busy. I spent just about every day at work preparing my classroom. I definitely put in some long hours but I am hoping the more I do now the less I have to do when I return to work after the baby is born. This week my little bump has really popped out too. It is feeling more like a baby bump instead of some pudge around my belly.

I looked down in the car one day this past week and this is what I saw. : )

People have been incredible generous and sweet to Nick and I. We have the best friends and family!! My friend Jess gave us our first little onesie, my mom-mom took me maternity clothes shopping, and my parents had a little "congratulations" picnic for us over the weekend. There are no words to express how thankful we are for everyone. This little baby is going to be so loved. We just couldn't ask for anything more!!

Baby Wood's First Onesie

How far along?: 16 weeks
Total weight gain: (Started at 120lbs) 130lbs...I really can't believe this!!!
Maternity clothes? Basically a new wardrobe. I put away a majority of my regular clothes. Since then, I have been wearing comfy clothes and long dresses but with school starting I needed something to wear. I am pretty much set for the rest of the pregnancy except for some odds and ends I might need when it gets colder. My mom-mom completely spoiled me. We went crazy at Kohls and Sears. I now have dress pants, skinny pants, jeans, some tops, a couple tunics and dresses, and a cardigan. I also picked up a tank top and another pair of leggings from Macys. My hope is to pick up some more tank tops, cardigans, and a couple long necklaces before school starts.  
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: Sleeping pretty good. I am completely EXHAUSTED by the end of the day.
Best moment this week: Getting my classroom prepared for the year and my little bump growing.
Gender: I think girl. Nick thinks boy.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.
Food cravings: Nothing this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On...but I have been getting into a habit of taking it off before I go to bed.
Mood: Felt pretty good all week.
Looking forward to: Anatomy Ultrasound a the end of September. CAN'T WAIT!!!
Fun Facts:

• The baby is the size of an avocado.
• It is about 4.6 inches long and 3.5 ounces.
• Baby Wood can now hear my voice because of the development of 3 tiny bones in the ears.
• This little one is growing hair, lashes, and eyebrows.
• Taste buds are forming. 

Baby Wood Update- Week 15

How far along?: 15 weeks
Total weight gain: (Started at 120lbs) 129lbs
Maternity clothes? Nothing new
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: I have been getting ready to go back to school so by the end of the day I am exhausted. Sleep is finally happening again.
Best moment this week: Seeing people at work and telling people who still didn't know.
Gender: Sometimes I think girl and sometimes I think boy. Nick always thinks boy.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.
Food cravings: Sweets (candy/chocolate) and for some reason gumballs.
Anything making you queasy or sick: My new prenatal vitamin.
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On
Mood: Oh...I was a little bitchy this week. (Sorry Nick!!!)
Looking forward to: Anatomy Ultrasound a the end of September.
Fun Facts:

• The baby is the size of a navel orange.
• Can't feel it, but the baby is squirming a ton!!
• Baby Wood can hiccup now.
• Joints and limbs can move all around now.

Baby Wood Update- Week 14

How far along?: 14 weeks
Total weight gain: (Started at 120lbs) 128lbs - seems like a lot to me but the doctor said this was right on track.
Maternity clothes? No new maternity clothes but when we came back from the beach we went out and purchased a body pillow. I don't use it constantly but it is a tremendous help on the nights I can't get comfortable.
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: The beginning of the week was a little rough but it got a little better by the end.
Best moment this week: Hearing Baby W's heartbeat!!! 153 bpm
Gender: A little too early to tell. I seriously can't make up my mind. I go back and forth everyday. Nick always thinks boy.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.
Food cravings: Breakfast food. It isn't really a craving but after our doctors appointment I was given a list of foods that are okay to eat...one was coffee (1 cup a day) and the second was tuna fish (no more that 8oz.). I enjoyed both this week!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: All good this week!!
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On
Mood: A little frustrated and bitchy at times.
Looking forward to: Anatomy ultrasound at the end of September
Fun Facts:

• Baby Wood is the size of a lemon.
• He/She is about 3.4 inches long and about 1.5 ounces.
• Baby W is sucking its thumb and wiggling its toes.
• Kidneys are making urine, and the liver and spleen are doing their jobs.
• Lanugo (thin peach-fuzz-like hair) is growing all over baby's body which will help to keep it warm

First OB Appointment

On August 8th we had our first appointment with a new OB practice. We decided after a lot of thinking to transfer hospitals. It was a hard decision because our fertility specialist really wanted us to stay within Crozer so they would have contact and also because Crozer has a Level 3 NICU. After our past experience within the hospital (Not the fertility practice. We loved them.), we just really felt transferring to Riddle was our best choice.

When we arrived, as with any doctors office, there was a lot of waiting. The receptionists were very nice which I feel is the first sign of a good office. My name was called and a medical assistant took my weight and a urine sample. Then we headed back to an exam room where she asked Nick and I a bunch of questions about our family history, medical issues, and of course some things about the fertility treatments.

After a lot of talking, I changed into a gown and waited for the doctor. When she came in I noticed right off the bat she wasn't a cheerful, joke around kind of gal. She was very kind but all business. However, with that said, she was incredibly nice and you could tell she was listening to everything I was saying. I had a regular annual exam. Then she checked my uterus (I think?). She said this was the last internal exam I will have until 36 weeks.

Then, for the best part of the appointment, we listened to the baby's heartbeat. It sounded amazing!!! 153bpm. The doctor said this was perfect. As we were listening to the heartbeat, every few seconds there would be a bump. The doctor laughed a little bit and commented on how active the baby was. The baby was moving all around. Oh boy...I am going to be in for it once I start feeling those kicks and jabs. : )

It was a very good appointment and I felt very good about our decision to switch. Before we left I asked about a new prescription for the prenatal vitamin and folic acid. She said there was no need to take the folic acid anymore and she gave me at least five different types of prenatal vitamins to try out.

My next appointment is on September 3rd with another doctor in the practice. During this appointment we will be getting our ultrasound script for the Anatomy Check!!!! Is it a boy? Is it a girl?? We should know by the end of the month. Yay!!

Babymoon

Nick and I went on a little Babymoon to Atlantic City. It was the first time I had been there on a vacation. We had the best time! It was exactly what we needed after the stress of the past year. We stayed at the Tropicana. It is amazing how they can pack so much into the hotels down down. Everything you need is in one place.

Since we were only there a couple days time seriously went by so fast. We ate a lot, gambled a little, and spent the day at the beach which was amazing!! With school coming up I know time is going to go quickly and with our schedules getaways are going to be rare, so this was perfect and just what we needed.

Baby Wood Update- Week 13

How far along?: 13 weeks
Total weight gain: (Started at 120lbs) 125lbs
Maternity clothes? Same as last week.
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: I've really been trying to get myself on a schedule. I have also found if I read before bed instead of watching TV I actually fall asleep. I am looking into getting a pregnancy pillow.
Best moment this week: We have shared our news with the world via good ole Facebook. I was more nervous putting something on there then I was telling our families.
Gender: A little too early to tell. I was feeling girl but recently I have been thinking more boy. Nick always thinks boy.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.
Food cravings: Breakfast food... which is weird since I don't eat big breakfasts that often. Waffles, french toast, pancakes, and hash browns sounds delish!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: All good this week!!
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On
Mood: Overall I am feeling pretty good. Little moments of irritability.
Looking forward to: (a) Mini- Babymoon to Atlantic City. Early I know, but the chances of us actually going away during the school year are slim. (b) First OB appointment on August 8th.
Fun Facts:

• Baby Wood is about 2.9 inches long and weighs about .81 ounces.
• Vocal cords and teeth are forming.
• Baby already had finger prints.
• Its intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to its tiny tummy.
• Baby Wood's head is now 1/3 the size of its body.