16 Week Baby Update

The Baby Bump at 16 weeks

I am 16 weeks preggers today! It is crazy how much faster things seem to be happening this time around. I feel like I blink and another week goes by. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and all is well with Baby Shaw. I got to hear the heartbeat (always a great sound), and it was 156 bpm. I had to have all of my blood work done yesterday also. Well, as many of you know, I am a HUGE chicken when it comes to blood work. I avoid it like the plague and have been dreading the multiple samples of blood that I knew they would have to take. I told Nick that I would rather go through labor and delivery ten times than have my blood drawn. Dramatic? Yes, I told you I am a wimp. Anyway, you'll be happy to know that I survived the dreaded ordeal. Hopefully no more blood for at least a few months.

In other baby news, my baby bump has popped out. Actually, it happened right around 14 weeks. I had always heard that you start showing a lot sooner with baby #2, but I was a little sad when I had to break out the maternity pants a couple of weeks ago. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my elastic waistbands, but I just felt chubby having to put them on so soon. The books, my friends, and my doctor all assure me that this is normal. Another thing that shocked me was that I have already put on five pounds. I don't' think I had put one pound on with Charlie at this point. It might have something to do with the fact that I am craving all unhealthily foods. I want to eat things that are salty, sour, and sweet. Recently, I have been munching on Sour Skittles and Sour Patch Kids and eating flavored pretzels and Ramen Noodles. I am still iffy with meat, and I could care less to ever eat another vegetable unless it is in a salad. I know I need to be better, but it is so hard sometimes when some foods make me want to vomit and others sound like the best thing I have ever had.

Our next prenatal appointment is scheduled for 9/9/09, and that is when we will have the ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby. Even though we are pretty sure it is a boy, there is always a chance that we will hear the words, "It's a girl!" I am really excited to know for sure so that I can start calling the baby by name and beginning the fun process of decorating a new nursery.