MORNING SICKNESS VS ALL DAY SICKNESS

Most of the time, I feel pretty good. Sporadically, throughout the day, I feel like garbage. I just have general nausea and a plan icky feeling. But mornings???? I feel like I partied with the best of them and I lost!!! I figured out that I feel worse on the mornings that I took my pre-natals before bed, but even when I haven't, I still feel crummy!!! I am not throwing up, thank God. But, I am sooooooooo looking forward to moving beyond this "happy" phase. I'm still super ridiculously tired all the time and trying to make it on 4 hours of sleep a night is not cutting it. Even on the nights that I manage to get 7 or 8 I still feel wiped out. I long for a blissful 12 hour stretch!!!! OH how sweet that would be.

WE SCHEDULED OUR GENDER DETERMINATION ULTRASOUND

We are set to find out the sex of the newest Koiter on September 4, 2010!!! We are lucky enough to be working with the very experienced Sonographer Lisa Bones of Stork Vision in Valencia!!!! She comes highly recommended by many people, including our midwife, and she is certain that she will be able to tell us whether or not we are having a boy or a girl at 15 weeks!!!! We are absoultely freaking excited to know and can't wait to find out!!!! YIPPEEEEE!!!

WE'VE SCHEDULED OUR FIRST TRIMESTER SCREENING

We had such a great first experience with Dr. Platt at The Center for Fetal Medicine in Los Angeles that we have opted to use him again. We are scheduled to have our First Trimester Screening and Ultrasound on August 5, 2010 at 11.5 weeks. The screening involves genetic testing (maternal blood test) and counseling. If they find anything unusual we will do more testing, if not, we continue on our merry way. With Miles, we passed all the screenings with flying colors. They will also perform our first abdominal ultrasound, where they will measure all of the baby's bits and pieces to determine whether or not he/she is growing properly and to eliminate the possibility of downs or other defects. The whole experience with Miles was absolutely wonderful. We never imagined that the ultrasound would reveal a fully formed baby. What a treat it was to get to see our little boy at such an early age. He was such a mover even then. We were also able to get a good luck at his "boy parts" although the doctor insisted it was too early to tell. We knew. He totally had a package!!!! So, now we are excited to get to experience the same thing all over again with baby number 2!!! We cannot wait to see the newest bundle of joy!!!

7 WEEKS PREGNANT -- OUR SWEET LIL' BLUEBERRY

How your baby's growing:

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

WORKING ON MY FITNESS

I swear that my post partum recovery, after Miles, was so fast because I continued to workout up until 36 weeks pregnant. We still walked 2-3 miles a day up until I gave birth. In fact, I think we walked 2-3 miles while I was in labor -- up and down stairs. Hardcore!!!! The point being -- with what I know now -- I plan to workout, once again through this pregnancy. Jason has been a dedicated partner and trainer, and we are still kicking booty in the fitness department. It has never been more difficult, though, and Jason really has his work cut out for him when it comes to motivating me to get moving. I really would rather sleep. Oh sweet sleep. But, I know, it is good for me and it is good for the baby. I am soooooooo hoping for a similar recovery this time around, especially having a toddler and a newborn to care for. I will need all of the strength I can get!!!! BTW -- yep -- that's totally my lil' baby bump!!!

FEELING OH SOOOOOOO TIRED

6 weeks under the old belt and boy do I feel exhausted. I have no energy and no desire to do anything more than the bare BARE minimum. First Trimester fatigue was a big symptom that I suffered while pregnant with Miles, and this pregnancy is no exception. There are, of course, way worse symptoms to be complaining of, and I do count myself very lucky, but I'm still freaking tired!!! I'm looking forward to the energy rush that comes with the second trimester. At the very least I'd love to be able to make it through a workout without feeling like I'm going fall asleep mid pushup. Aside from the fatigue, I'm still experiencing mild nausea every now and then, I've had some hormonal breakouts, and my feet already swelled, today, for the first time. The swelling could totally have been prevented if I had been a smart pregnant gal and not worn my super stilleto wedges!!!! Duh. So, now I know (or remember) pregnant gals should wear shoes appropriate for pregnancy -- or just walk around bare foot(;0). Anything else??? Well -- I'm convinced we're having a girl, because the thighs and booty have already started to -- ummmm -- spread. Jason thinks I'm crazy, but I swear that I am already starting to put on some poundage below the waist. We won't know for sure for several weeks, though. And yes -- the belly is still popping out like mad!!!! It's all a part of the beauty of growing a tiny little bebe!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYA!!!!!

6 WEEKS PREGNANT -- OUR LITTLE LENTIL

How your baby's growing:
This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil.

L

THE NAME GAME

We are 6 weeks pregnant and are officially 9 weeks from finding out the baby's gender. So, we have decided to start a little game. Every 2 and 1/2 weeks (starting now)we will reveal one letter from the name/s that we have chosen. By week 15 you will have received 5 of the 6 letters. We will add a bonus and reveal this -- the name we have chosen will be used whether or not the baby is a boy or a girl. We will spell the name a little differently for a girl ( a one letter variation)and they each have a different middle name. We'll reveal the middle name once we find out the gender!!! So, let the games begin.

IT'S THE STUPENDOUS SNUGGLY SNOOGLE!!!

Hip hip hooray for my favorite company ever, Leachco!!! Jason gave me the Leachco All Nighter for Valentine's Day when I was pregnant with Miles, and it was the best body pillow in the history of all body pillows. The best on all of the planets. In all of the galaxies. Until. UNTIL -- the SNOOGLE!!! That's right, unlike the All Nighter, which was shaped like a J, the Snoogle is shaped like an O with ends that don't attach. I would not have made it through pregnancy number 1 without that All Nighter, but let me tell you how great it is to have the option to toss and turn whichever direction I feel like. No need to readjust the pillow when I move -- it's already done. I love this thing so much. It arrived today and I literally tore open the box and ran to the bedroom to try it out. I fell asleep within minutes. Slept for an hour. Just wait until my belly is big enough to rest on this Snuggly little Snoogle. Everyone pregnant woman deserves the opportunity to snuggle up to a snoogle!!! LOL.

I'VE ALREADY "POPPED"

I haven't taken a picture yet, we're holding out for the 8 week photo, but my belly has definitely popped!!! It's soooooooo early compared to when I popped with Miles, but I already look like I am about 3 months pregnant. We were going through our past belly photos and I feel like I look about 16 weeks pregnant, but my mom and Jason insist that it's more like 12 weeks. Either way -- I've read that this is totally the norm. I guess my body already knows the drill. It's so cool. I remember "suffering" through the anticipation of looking pregnant. I couldn't wait to have that glorious belly!!! And now??? No waiting. At 5 and 1/2 weeks I have a sweet little baby bump. Although, I did startle at the thought that maybe I'm showing so early due to twins!!!! Highly doubtful...;0)

CELEBRATING FATHER'S DAY WITH ONE ON THE WAY -- AGAIN

We were blessed last year, by being able to celebrate Expectant Mother's Day and Expectant Father's Day. This year we are doubly blessed to celebrate Father's Day with our beautiful little man, as well as, with our yummy little sesame seed. We planned a lovely brunch at Le Chene with the entire family, then reserved the rest of the day for just us, Miles, and Baby Sesame Seed. Jason and Miles both enjoyed a very restful afternoon nap, while momma made sure to get the dinner's made for the week, and watered the lawn and garden. Afterward, we all enjoyed some shopping, a long family walk, and a super fun-filled bath time!!! Jason always does the bath time. It's one of the things that makes him the super best daddy in all the world. I wish there were more days dedicated to saying thank you to the best guy in our lives -- Jay Jay aka Daddy!!! What can I say??? We would be lost without that guy!!! And it feels doubly good to know that it's that same Jay Jay -- that same Daddy -- that will be by my side -- our side -- welcoming the newest edition of the family into the world in February. Wow. Love you baby.

5 WEEKS PREGNANT -- OUR YUMMY LIL' SESAME SEED

How your baby's growing:
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

WE HAVE PICKED THE NAMES!!!

We have always been super efficient about baby names. With Miles, we had his named picked out before we knew what the sex was. And now, at 5 weeks pregnant, we have a name picked out for either sex. We are so excited about our name choices, and can't wait to share them with everybody -- SOON. We decided that we would wait until we find out the sex before we spill the beans. Sorry -- let's just say that we had one name in particular that we really loved so we found a way to make it work for a boy or a girl!!! Lots of love!!!

MIDWIFE + MAMA TO BE = REUNITED!!!

"Reunited and it feels so good....reunited......" That's right -- Renee and Amanda are back. Team "Deliver dat Baby at Home"!!! I am so excited that Renee is going to be our midwife through pegnancy number 2. She provided us with the best prenatal care and delivery!!! Miles and I were in such great hands with Renee, and we plan on delivering baby number 2 the same way!!! This time, however, Renee has opened her birth center and the prenatal appointments will take place there instead of in our home. I'll admit, I was bummed about that one. Every appointment we had, every blood draw, all of the tests and procedures (except for ultrasounds) she did in the comfort of our own home. We never had to drive anywhere. Of course, I am super excited to see Renee's new birth center, so it evens out. We will, of course, still be having the baby at home au naturale!!!! Yippeeeee!