Week 15 Update

Hello second trimester!!!! It took about a week, but the 2nd trimester has been soooo much better than the first!! I still have to take 1/2 a Zofran occasionally, but compared to before, that's nothing!!
For a fun change, here's what 3D Pregnancy has to say about week 15!
The initial shock has probably started to wear off by now and you're getting comfortable with this whole pregnancy thing. Soooo, now what? Thumb twiddling? Finger tapping? Welcome to the waiting game. Lucky for you, there's always something you can be doing/planning/obsessing over while you're pregnant. But why not wait on that and just enjoy the peace and quiet?

Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...
What You're Thinking: "Why does this feel like it's going so fast and yet so slow all at the same time?" 

Your Body
Your energy may have returned but that doesn't mean you should be hitting the clubs until 4:00 AM every night. With a baby growing inside you, sleep is one thing that you can't go without. Try these tricks to ensure you beat up the sheets.

If your growing belly is getting in the way of a good night's sleep, surround yourself with pillows to make for an extra-comfy nest effect. Sometimes room temperature can affect sleep, so make sure that your air conditioner is cranked up if you're feeling too hot.

Some sleeping positions are more comfortable than others for pregnant woman, like the "I'm just going to pass out on the La-Z-Boy" position. And get comfy sleeping on your left side while you're preggers: It's what the docs recommend to keep the blood flowing full steam ahead between you and the tadpole. 

Your Baby
Although many women don't start feeling the baby move until the 17th week (or later), your baby has been having his own party in the amniotic sac he calls home. If you feel a little flutter in your belly this week, don't discount it as gas or hunger. It could be your babe banging around. Here's more to look forward to:

Baby's head is now resting on his well-formed neck instead of directly on his shoulders like Igor. He's beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes this week. (All the better to give you that "Mom, you're crazy" look when he's a teenager.) The hair on the head also begins to grow and, with some creative styling, you'll be able to turn those locks into a Maddox Jolie-Pitt faux-hawk some day. 

Although baby's eyes are sealed shut, he's now able to sense light. His eyes and ears finally look like real baby features now. As your baby practices sucking and swallowing actions, he may actually hiccup. You'll know he's had one too many shots of amniotic fluid by the steady thump-thump you feel. 

Over the next month, baby will grow faster than ever, so make sure you load up on enough nutritious food and fluids to support his growth. Your baby now measures nearly 4 inches, about the size of a Kit Kat "finger" (regular-size, not the Big one you get at the movies), and weighs almost 2 ounces. 

Your Life
Along with being pregnant comes a little sign on your forehead that reads "sucker." At least that's the way the marketing world sees it. Walk into a mega–baby emporium and you'll be bombarded with 8,000 things you must buy for your baby right now. Don't fall for the propaganda! Your baby needs only a limited number of basics to make it through the first year. 

Start by hitting up your friends, coworkers and family members for tips on what they used until they wore it out and what sat in the closet until yard-sale time. If you're lucky, they may offer to let you borrow (or even cheaply buy) their old stuff. 

If your heart's not set on brand-spanking-new, save some cash by checking the classified ads and Craigslist for stellar baby buys. You'd be surprised how quickly and cheaply people are willing to get rid of their baby gear. 

Before you head to the stores, enlist the help of a trusted mommy friend to help keep you organized (and a little more immune to buying overload). 

All the shopping you do doesn't have to be about the baby. Next time you're out browsing, make it about you (or at least about somebody besides the Mini). Buy yourself flowers, a new lipstick, a throw pillow, a macramé hanging plant holder, whatever. As long as it doesn't have any yellow duckies on it, it's fair game.
Weekly Update: How far along?  15 Weeks 1 day
Total weight gain:  I have no idea! I haven't weighed myself, but I don't feel like I've gained anything. 
Maternity clothes? Pants still fit...some shirts are getting a little tight below the belly button, but maternity pants are UBER comfy...especially if I fold the band down halfway. Other wise it rolls...and that's annoying!
Stretch marks?  I have a couple of smaller, not-quite-so-redish ones right around my hip bones. Nothing too serious though. 
Sleep:  Sleeping pretty well. I've been having a decent amount of lower back pain and I've found that sleeping with a pillow between my legs. It's kind of annoying because I get HOT and it's hard to turn over...but the payoff of not having back pain most of the next day is a great trade off!
Best moment this week:  We started our registry at Baby's R Us!!! Extremely overwhelming and exciting all at the same time! So many decisions to be made! We also started taking pictures (ugh!). Not the greatest picture...but here I am at 15 weeks! I look forward to pictures in the future to compare it to!

Miss Anything?  Energy! The nausea has settled down (thank the LORD!) but I just don't have the same kind of energy that I used to. I think I just need to work back up to it after nearly 2 months on the couch! 
Movement:  I think I felt the baby a few days ago when I was laying on my back in bed getting ready to go to sleep. Haven't felt anything since...but I'm looking forward to it!!
Food cravings:  Fresh food! Salad, fruit, yogurt....SUSHI!!!! I can't WAIT to have sushi again!
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Chicken...sometimes other random things, but the nausea has really settled down!!
Gender prediction: Friends who have seen my picture say I look like a girl. We shall see! April 11th is our gender ultrasound!
Labor Signs:  Nope
Symptoms:  Tender belly...starting to stick out a little. I get fatigued pretty easily. 
Belly Button in or out?  In.
Wedding rings on or off?  On.
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Thrilled...and overwhelmed! Looking forward to: Getting caught up on housework and picking back up on projects that need to get done before the baby gets here! Also...finding out what we're having! We find out in 3 weeks and 3 days!!