*Week 17 Pregnancy Highlights- January 1, 2014

How Far Along: 17 Weeks 

Size of Baby: an onion

Appointment Updates: I had my last appointment on December 23rd which was a very quick appointment. The heartbeat has been in the 160's which wives tales say is a girl but who knows. My weight gain/loss has stayed stable so that is a plus. I did have the flu the week before so that could have been why. Our next appointment is on January 20th and it will be another ultrasound. We are still debating if we will bring Hayden with. 

Symptoms: Up until week 15 I had quite a lot of morning/afternoon sickness almost every other day. The doctor suggested that I suck on Jolly Ranchers so that seemed to help a bit. Lately head pressure is back into full swing as I wake up with a headache and dry nose every morning. I have began sleeping slightly upright in bed which is helping a bit. Just recently, I have been able to stay up a little later than 8:30. Last night was New Year's Eve and Josh nor I were able to make it up until midnight. 

Cravings: I would have to say most of my cravings lately have been salty items like Doritos. Don't get me wrong, I love eating the chocolates I made with Kelsey and Nancy over the holidays. 

Weekly/Monthly News: Hayden got a baby doll for Christmas and has began picking it up on his own, putting the nuk in it's mouth, and giving it kisses. 

I am pretty sure I am feeling the baby move and can't wait for Josh and Hayden to feel it. 

I think it is safe to say that I popped over break so I am in that awkward stage of wearing or not wearing maternity clothes. We shopped for dress pants over break but had no luck, as nothing fit right. I do love being pregnant and popping is a great visual reminder that baby #2 will be here in 23 short weeks.

Just some of my favorite memories from Christmas:
- seeing the joy and excitement of Hayden playing with his new workbench and kitchen at Nana & Grandpa's house
- Santa being able to come early for Hayden so the three of us could enjoy quiet time together
- Hayden devouring his first slice of pumpkin log at Great G & G Heinen's
- Hayden insisting he sit at the little kid table with his Pasiewicz cousins
- receiving a homemade snowman ornament from my 94 year old grandma
- teaching Alyssa how to make Grandma Judie's sugar cookies so Hayden could eat more than his fair share
- being able to wake  at my parent's house on Christmas morning to continue the tradition of my grandparents coming down to watch us open presents
- being blessed to sit with my Grandpa to open my presents for the past 27 years and having Hayden able to sit with us, even if it was for only a few minutes
- having another TeBeest Christmas with everyone at Great Grandma T's house
- the little moments wit Hayden (him coming up to me to say "Hi, Mom", him signing and saying please when he wants something, and all of our "pretend play"- kitchen, workbench, tent)

Prayers: I have loved staying home with Hayden over this long break as he is growing more and more into a little toddler. Please pray that God calms my anxieties about going back to work tomorrow and the plan He has for me becomes clearer. 

Baby Bump:

16 weeks