Little Baby Lump

I was horrified (yet completely entertained) to come across this amazingly funny blog, “Cake Wrecks,” thanks to a tweet by my buddy, Laura today.  The blog features professional cakes that have gone “horribly, hilariously wrong.”  Definitely check it out.

What caught my eye most was the series of “baby bum”and pregnant belly cakes highlighted in the blog’s August 11th post.  Could they be more ridiculous?  Please, friends, don’t ever buy me one of these – not even as a joke.  They’re creepy.

Oven Timer: 18 weeks, 4 days

I had a fun little pregnancy milestone today: I broke out and wore my maternity jeans for the first time.  Let me tell you – you’ve been missing out.  I can’t stress how incredibly comfortable maternity pants are.

I actually encourage every woman to invest in a pair for the sole purpose of wearing during major food consumption holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Super Bowl.  Not a huge investment either – I bought mine on sale for only $14.99 at Old Navy (be careful though; not all Old Navy stores have maternity sections).  I bet you it’d be completely worth your money.  No need to unbutton your pants when your waste band stretches to accommodate your growing belly – whether it be full of baby or full or turkey.  Just a thought.

I’m also 18 weeks today, which means Baby Lump weighs between five to seven ounces and is almost six inches long.  To stick with the food metaphor, this means he/she is about the size of a deli pickle.

Why do I have a craving for ice cream all of a sudden?  I kid, I kid.  ;o)

Oven Timer: 18 weeks

I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little tough being preggers when most of my friends aren’t even so much as thinking about babies.  I’m at an age where my peers are most concerned with adjusting to post-college life; they’re struggling with questions about careers, not childcare.  And while my friends have been nothing but supportive (I already have a pretty impressive army of extremely anxious babysitters), it’s understandable that it’s difficult for them to relate.

Here’s where the Internet comes in!  I’m so lucky to have grown up as a “digital native” and have access to so many wonderful online resources.  I always knew there was a social network out there for practically anyone, so it was no surprise when I discovered Baby-Gaga, an online community for expectant and current parents.

The best thing about Baby-Gaga is the overwhelming number of young, soon-to-be mothers like me who populate it.  Most are in their early- to mid-twenties, with many even in their teens.  For me, it’s been evolving into an excellent support system.  I can search for mothers by due date, age, location, and members often share advice, sonograms and general pre-motherhood concerns.

Currently, I’m on a hot pursuit to find the perfect “due date buddy.” Wish me luck!

Oven Timer: 17 weeks, 4 days

baby lump's head/brain

On Monday I had my second ultrasound, and I’m happy to report James and I were able to stick to our guns and deny the opportunity to find out baby lump’s sex.  Although I’m not sure how well James would’ve done on his own – he got kind of excited when the technician mistakenly said “And those are his legs … ummm or hers!”

An easy enough slip-up, I’m sure.  It’s much easier to say “his” than “the baby’s” all the time.  Plus, I’m pretty sure they’re not really allowed to address the baby as “it.”  I bet that has some kind of controversial connotation.  You know, the whole “is a fetus really a person yet?” argument.

Anyway, I’m also happy to report that (as far as they can tell via ultrasound) Baby Lump is completely happy and healthy (okay – I added the happy part).  James and I could see all of the bones (fingers, toes, spine, ribs, etc.) as well as the eyes, kidneys, brain, stomach and beating little heart (132 beats/minute – normal!).  It was pretty amazing, to say the least.

I asked the technician how big the baby is at this point, but he said it’s tough to tell since he/she is confined to the womb and can’t exactly stretch out straight.  However, all the week-by-week pregnancy sites I visit tell me the baby is approximately five inches long – “about the size of the baked potato.”  It’s funny how many of these sites use food – often fruit – as a means of measurement.  I swear, a few weeks ago the baby was the size of a peach.

Check out the “Sonograms” page for more baby pictures!

Oven Timer: 17 weeks, 2 days