Week 17 - good stuff... :)

Week 17 has been a little weird for me.  On the good side, my HbA1C on Mon was 5.8 - not as great as 5.4 but really anything under 6.0 is pretty awesome.  Also on the good side, I finally realized my feet have gone up a size and bought a few pairs of bigger shoes that are helping my bad foot to not cramp as badly (duh!)  

On the not so pleasant side, my nausea seemed to reappear this week - I started feeling good, making dinners, eating vegetables, etc. and then took a bad turn where nothing sounds/tastes good.  Oh well - I didn't throw up so that's good.  I continue to be really congested and (unfortunately) blowing my nose makes me nauseous, too.  

... and... I don't know why I thought I'd escape them, but I got my first stretch marks on my belly.  Oh well - all things combined = good signs that we're plugging along!!!

In terms of baby development, here is info from http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-17-weeks_1106.bc?responsys_count=1&scid=mbtw_preg17:998&pe=2UvuHCR&st=MjAxMTAxMDk=:

"Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week."

Pretty neat!  Oh and I'm pretty sure the pinging I've noticed is the baby moving - it's been more noticeable this week. :)

In terms of info for Blake, from http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/trimesters/week/article/17th-week-pregnancy-pg3#bm7:

 "Your Job as Coach
One of the hardest things for many fathers-to-be is the sense of helplessness they feel. Men can't chip in by carrying their growing baby, giving their partners a break by going to the bathroom every 15 minutes, or by struggling to sleep at night. No, expecting dads just have to watch their partners cope with certain aspects of pregnancy all by themselves. 

Some men respond to this situation by becoming Nervous Nellies. They worry over everything, afraid the slightest change means something might be wrong with their unborn child. In these cases, they mean to be helpful but may only end up stressing their partners out! 

Some men disengage from the pregnancy experience, leaving their partners to manage the pregnancy alone. Others act out against their partners, even calling them fat or ridiculing them for eating too much. These reactions stem from the same out-of-control feelings. It can be difficult for men who want to step in and help but are instead be relegated only to sit back, watch, and cheer from the sidelines. 

The best thing you can to do at this point is to focus on supporting your partner in any way she needs it. Help her reduce her worry, her responsibilities, her load, literally and figuratively. Think of your job as being her coach. Here are some tips:

• Make her snacks or buy her a water bottle so she never is without food or drink
  
  
• If you aren't already, help out more at home so she can get more rest
  
  
• Give her foot or back massages

In essence, pamper your partner now more than ever because in doing so you will also be pampering and feeding your unborn baby as well as building even more intimacy between you and your partner. If you can remember that everything you do for her you are also doing for your baby, you will feel more connected, more a part of this incredible process of pregnancy."

I like the tips - especially the massages part... :)

This weekend I've been tired and decided it was more important to rest and enjoy time together than clean.  I may regret this tomorrow, but it was fun yesterday - we went out so Blake could drive his new remote-controlled car around.  It looked like a lot of fun and I didn't miss the housecleaning contention we sometimes have on weekends.

Also - I got to use my gift card for a mani/pedi at the Garden Day Spa... heavenly! :)  My nail gal told me a sad story, though - she lost a baby at 19 weeks a couple of months ago - she had placental abruption for an unknown reason.  I was really sad for her.  She had a positive attitude, but still... yikes.  Fingers crossed all continues to go well for us!

Next up this week: an appointment with Dr. Beals (my ortho surgeon/leg/foot specialist) to talk options re: my foot.  I'm excited to make a plan for this!!!

Have a great week! :)