Xmas in Tahoe

14 weeks !

This morning reaches the 14 week mark! I still can't believe how fast time is flying by! Yesterday we had our 12-14 week screening ultrasound, and it definitely made everything seem so much more real. We got to watch our baby on the screen for about 15-20 minutes. He/she was in there squirming around, waving his hands, and even sucking on his thumb! It was TOO cute. Bryan almost mistook a foot for a you-know-what (JK.... kinda....!!) ..... but the ultrasound tech said we won't be able to tell the sex until our next appointment in January.... the suspense is KILLING me! We also spent some time yesterday picking out possible baby furniture that we like, and I think we decided on the crib that we want =) Everything looks good and we are super happy!!!! Stay tuned..... <3

Our baby's little hand on its way back up to its mouth.....

How your baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

Here is the crib that we decided on from Pottery Barn........

13 weeks 2 days

13 Weeks Today!

Say bye bye to the first trimester!! I can't believe how fast that flew by! Movin' on into week 13. When I get back from Argentina, we have our 14 week ultrasound on Monday the 12th ... can't wait to see what our baby is up to in there!

How your baby's growing:

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. More good news: Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift around this time. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow

3 Questions about eating for two

Q1.

How much more should I be eating every day?

You need only 300 or so extra calories a day when you're pregnant. Make those calories count: Skip the junk food and have a glass of milk and a couple of slices of whole-wheat toast instead.

Don't get too hung up on numbers, though. As long as you're making healthy food choices and your provider is happy with your weight gain, there's no need to agonize over calories.

Q2.

What are some important nutrients?

Protein, iron, and calcium are three nutrients you need now to keep you healthy and fuel your baby's development.

Protein: Aim for 71 grams a day. Lean meats, eggs, and dairy products, as well as nuts, beans, and soy products like tofu, are all good sources. Three servings a day should help you meet your goal. Fish is a good source of protein (as well as vital omega-3 fatty acids), but because of concerns about contamination, experts debate how much and what type of fish you should eat.

Iron: Getting 27 milligrams of iron every day is especially important to help ward off iron-deficiency anemia, a common problem among pregnant women. Iron found in animal products (called heme iron) is absorbed more easily by your body than iron found in plants (nonheme iron). The best source? Lean red meat. If you're a vegetarian or can't stomach meat, you can get some iron from vegetables such as spinach and legumes like lentils. It can be tough to get enough iron from these sources, though, so your provider may recommend an iron supplement. (Hint: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of nonheme iron, so eat foods rich in vitamin C — such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and sweet peppers — at the same time you eat non-meat iron-rich foods, or down your iron supplement with a glass of orange juice.)

Calcium: Four servings a day of dairy products will help you get the 1,000 mg of calciumyou need (1,300 mg if you're 18 or younger). Your baby needs calcium for the formation of his bones and teeth. If you don't get enough of this nutrient, he'll take what he needs from your body and you'll lose calcium stored in your bones.

Q3.

If I'm already taking a prenatal vitamin, do I need to pay much attention to what I eat?

Yes! While a prenatal vitamin can help fill in any nutritional gaps in your diet, it isn't meant to take the place of healthy eating. For one thing, prenatal vitamins don't have the full day's supply of the calcium you need right now. For another, it's important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for fiber — for aiding digestion and avoiding constipation, a common pregnancy complaint. In fact, if you're a healthy woman who's well informed about nutrition, eats a balanced diet, and has no specific risk factors, not all experts agree that you even need to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement. However, all agree that you need to take folic acid supplements before conception and during the first trimester, and many believe it's important to take iron in the second and third trimesters.

• Most healthcare providers recommend taking a vitamin supplement from the time you decide to start trying to get pregnant through the end your pregnancy. Are you taking a prenatal vitamin?

<3

Photo Update

Alba (my dad's aunt) and Gabriela (my dad's cousin) gave us some gifts for the baby yesterday at our family Asado (BBQ).....

Mom and I were lunching at the Yardhouse in San Jose looking through our Baby Name book, and the waitress brought this over. I thought she was bringing over birthday cake at first and look all confused! How sweet!

This is me and my dad lunching at a cute cafe in Buenos Aires... the empanadas here were by the far the BEST of any others we have tried so far on our trip.... and we've tried quite a few!! =) That's also a picture of the "small" Quilmes that came with his lunch.

Santana Row for Jenn's birthday dinner at Yardhouse. 

Mom and I went X-mas shopping, and stumbled upon some cute outfits for Quinny and Lacie. A photo shoot followed, obviously. 

Cute ornament that Jen got for us for our first Christmas! We can't wait to hang it on our tree! This is a Christmas that we will never forget .....

Ultrasound Jan. 17th

Hey guys, 

Just wanted to let you know that we have our ultrasound to (hopefully) find out if we are having a boy or girl on January 17th at 9:20am. The appointment is at Obstetrix in Campbell. The address is 900 E. Hamilton Avenue #220 in Campbell. I want everyone to be able to come!! If you can and want to, please do. I don't want anyone to feel left out..... but of course if you can't make it, we will call and let you guys know the news ASAP! So don't feel left out! We love you ALL!!! We were going to be finding out earlier.... but Gramma Cathy...... or "Mimi" - excuse me =) - will not be back from Paris until the 16th..... and we couldn't find out without her!!! 

I am taking off to Argentina this morning... but I will blog about the trip and post some pictures up here! XOXO 

Love, 

Mel 

12 weeks!! Almost done with first trimester!!

How your baby's growing:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently, even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

You may begin to feel heartburn (also called acid indigestion), a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat. Many women get heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, and those who've previously had bouts of heartburn may find that it gets worse. During pregnancy, the placenta produces a lot of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Particularly when you're lying down, gastric acid can seep back up the pipe, which causes the uncomfortable burning sensation. For many women the problem doesn't begin (or get worse) until later in pregnancy, when your growing uterus starts to push up on your stomach. The discomfort may range from mildly annoying to intense and distracting.Your uterus has grown to the point where your healthcare provider can now feel the top of it (the fundus) low in your abdomen, just above your pubic bone. You may already be into maternity clothes, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. If you're still fairly small and not yet ready for maternity clothes, you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing.

11 weeks today!!

Hey guys! We are now at the 11 week mark! Things are finally starting to feel real!! We have another doctor appointment tomorrow morning, and then at our next appointment, I am pretty sure we get to find out the SEX! We definitely want to know and are so excited to find out...... what do you guys think we will be having!? And do you want to know!?

Xo,

Mel and Bry

How your baby's growing:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Don't worry if nausea has made it impossible for you to eat a wide variety of healthy foods or if you haven't put on much weight yet (most women gain just 2 to 5 pounds during the first trimester). Your appetite will likely return soon, and you'll start to gain about a pound a week.If you're like most women, you're feeling a bit more energetic now and your nausea may be starting to wane. Unfortunately, you may also be suffering from constipation (caused by hormonal changes, which can slow digestion) and heartburn (hormones again, relaxing the valve between your stomach and esophagus). Just remember, all this discomfort is for a good cause.

Learn which of your symptoms are normal and which are a sign that something might be wrong. You're probably also wondering things like, Can I keep going to dance class? Could the air bags in my car hurt my baby? Which cold medications are safe to take now? Find out what's safe and what's not during pregnancy.

Avoid the wait "After my first couple of trips to the doctor, where I sat for long periods in the waiting room, I learned to schedule my prenatal checkups for first thing in the morning or the first appointment after lunch — when there's no backlog of patients to get through and thus little or no wait." — V.W.B.

3 Questions About... Pregnancy food safety

You've probably heard lots of warnings about risky foods during pregnancy. While it's true that some foods do pose a potential risk to your baby, the vast majority are safe and the risk of developing a food-related pregnancy complication is very low. Here's the bottom line on food safety so you can make wise choices without needless worry.

Q1.

What foods should I stay away from during pregnancy?
Some types of seafood are a concern during pregnancy because they may contain significant levels of pollutants such as methylmercury, which may cause harm to a child's developing brain. On the other hand, there are benefits to eating seafood: It's a good source of protein and the primary source of certain omega-3 fatty acids that may benefit your baby's vision and brain development. The key is to choose those fish with the lowest levels of contaminants and eat them in moderation.

To minimize your exposure to methylmercury, the Food and Drug Administration advises that you completely avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (also called golden or white snapper). The agency says that pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces (about two servings) a week of other cooked commercially caught fish. However, this should include no more than 6 ounces of albacore ("white") tuna or tuna steaks, which contain more mercury than canned light tuna. Some experts think this threshold is too high and recommend limiting tuna consumption to no more than 6 ounces of canned light tuna and avoiding other tuna altogether.

Also, never eat any fish caught by family or friends without first checking with local health advisories to make sure the fish isn't from waters with unsafe levels of mercury and other pollutants. Finally, avoid raw or undercooked fish (including uncooked smoked or pickled fish) when you're pregnant. It may harbor bacteria or parasites that could make you sick and possibly affect your developing baby.

Others foods to avoid include unpasteurized soft cheese, refrigerated pâté, raw or undercooked meat and poultry, cold deli meats, and foods that contain raw eggs (such as Caesar salad dressing, hollandaise sauce, and cookie batter) because they may contain harmful bacteria.

Q2.

What drinks should I avoid?

Alcohol is the main offender during pregnancy. It travels quickly from your bloodstream to your baby, and even one drink a day can increase your baby's risk of a problem. There's no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, so it's best to avoid it completely. The other drinks to steer clear of are unpasteurized juice and milk, and eggnog. There's a slight risk that these beverages could contain E. coli or other bacteria that could harm you and your baby.

While you may have heard that caffeine is another big no-no during pregnancy, it's actually okay in moderation. After years of controversy, most researchers now believe that, although caffeine does cross the placenta, moderate amounts (less than 300 milligrams a day) won't harm your baby. That's about what you'd get from two to three 8-ounce cups of coffee. (However, you could get that much from just one 8-ounce cup if it's brewed very strong.) And be aware that caffeine lurks in other places, such as chocolate, tea, cola, and many other soft drinks.

Q3.

How can I protect myself from food poisoning? • Cook all meat, poultry, and fish thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to test the internal temperature of meat, or cook it until it's no longer pink in the middle.

• Don't eat cold cuts or deli meat, refrigerated pâté or meat spreads, or refrigerated smoked or pickled fish unless they're cooked until they're steaming hot (say, on a pizza or in a casserole or hot sandwich).
• Don't leave leftovers out for more than two hours. Reheat them until steaming before you eat them.
• Keep uncooked meat separate from other foods.
• Thoroughly wash or peel all your fruits and vegetables.
• Use hot soapy water to wash your hands — and any surface that comes in contact with unwashed produce; uncooked meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs; hot dogs; and deli meat — before you touch clean produce or cooked meat so you don't contaminate your food.
• Consume perishable and ready-to-eat food as soon as possible after you buy it, especially once you've opened the package, even if it hasn't yet passed the "use-by" date. The use-by date refers to unopened products.

For more information, see BabyCenter's complete guide to what's safe to eat and drink.

This Week's Activity:

Reach out to other moms — including your own. Women who've already made the transition to motherhood can offer good advice, a comforting shoulder, and the camaraderie of shared experiences. If you and your mother have a good relationship, she may be the best source of support. In fact, many women find pregnancy brings them closer to their own mom. If you don't know where to start the conversation, ask your mom or a friend to tell you about her best and worst pregnancy memories.

10 weeks in the morning!!

Hey guys,

I got a little anxious and wanted to post the update tonight, even though we technically are not ten weeks until tomorrow.... it's too exciting!! The little peanut is now about the size of a prune..... as for me.... I am still pretty tired.... and pretty hungry! I'm not the only one whose hungry.... Bryan claims he's put on about five pounds and "can see it in his face"......! Too funny. Love you guys..... will keep you updated as much as possible!

-Mel and Bry

How your baby's growing:

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Before you got pregnant, your uterus was the size of a small pear. By this week, it's as big as a grapefruit. You may or may not be ready for maternity wear now. Even if you're not there yet, your regular clothes are probably feeling uncomfortably tight and your blossoming breasts are straining the seams of your bra. The thickening in your midsection is most likely due to slight weight gain and bloating. If you're between regular and maternity clothes, pants and skirts with forgiving elastic waistbands (or low-rise waistlines that sit below your belly) will provide some much-needed comfort.

At your next prenatal visit, you may be able to hear your baby's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler stethoscope, a handheld ultrasound device that your practitioner places on your belly. Many women say that the beating of their baby's tiny heart sounded like the thunder of galloping horses and hearing it for the first time was very moving.

Depending on your level of fitness, you can most likely participate in a wide range of activities during pregnancy. Swimming and walking are excellent choices for the whole nine months. Exercise promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance — three qualities that can help you carry the weight you gain during pregnancy, prepare you for the physical stress of labor, and make it easier to get back into shape after your baby is born. (Unfortunately, there's no evidence that regular exercise shortens labor.)

9 weeks today

How your baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

See what's going on in your uterus this week.

How your life's changing:

You still may not look pregnant even if your waist is thickening a bit. You probably feel pregnant, though. Not only are morning sickness and other physical symptoms out in full force for most women, but you may feel like an emotional pinball as well.

Mood swings are common now — it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. Try to cut yourself some slack. Most women find that moodiness flares up at around six to ten weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as pregnancy winds to a close.

I am still feeling really good! Have not had any morning sickness at all.... if anything I am just very tired.... passing out on the couch by 7:30pm tired =) BUT... I am sleeping well, so I can't complain!

Love, Mel ♥

officially 8 weeks today!! 32 weeks to go!! =)

xo,

Mel

Halloween weekend in Tahoe

Bryan and I spent the Halloween weekend in Tahoe with my family for Halloween. We mainly lounged around..... but we did make a 15 mile bike ride from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley for a yummy lunch at Mamasake, and went on some pretty walks. We ♥ Tahoe!

This morning we had our second doctor appointment with Dr. Sarah Azad at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View! It was our first ultrasound.... so exciting!!! We got to see our cute little baby's heart beat - flickering away at the speed of lightning =) Everything now seems so REAL! Our little peanut is only about .9 centimeters long right now.... pretty tiny. This also alerted Dr. Azad to the fact that our baby is actually only about 7 weeks..... 8 weeks on November 1st, because of it's size. SO..... this pushes our actual due date to JUNE 12, 2012. Bummed we have to wait a little bit longer, but on the positive side.... we now have that much longer to enjoy it together <3 We will scan and upload the actual pictures of the ultrasound so they are more clear! XOXO

-Mel and Bry

This week we are 7 weeks!! Here is some information off of babycenter.com that tells us a bit about the baby's development and what Mel will be going through!


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.
See what's going on in your uterus this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks, and eating may feel like a chore — or worse — thanks to morning sickness, which by now may be in full swing. (If you're feeling fine, don't worry — you're lucky!)
You may need to pee more than usual, too, thanks to your increasing blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through your kidneys. (By now, you already have about 10 percent more blood than you did before you were pregnant. And by the end of your pregnancy, you'll have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through your veins to meet the demands of your full-term baby.) As your uterus grows, pressure on your bladder will send you to the bathroom as well.
About half of the women who feel nauseated during the first trimester will find complete relief by about 14 weeks. For most of the rest, it'll take another month or so for the queasiness to ease up. It's unlikely, though, that the need to pee more than usual will ease up. In fact, research shows that both the frequency and volume of urine tends to increase over the course of pregnancy.

Finding out the good news!

To our friends and family,

Most of you already know at this point... but a couple of weeks ago we found out the good news that we will be expecting OUR FIRST CHILD!!! We went and saw Dr. Sarah Azad immediately, and discovered that the conception date was likely August 29th 2011, and our estimated due date is June 1st 2012!!! We know that it is still very early in the pregnancy, but we feel so excited and blessed, and thus chose to have all of the love and support that we could get from our family and closest friends from the beginning! This blog is going to be our way of updating everyone with all of the details and exciting information about our journey together. We love you all!!!

Love,

Mel and Bry ♥