My – what a difference 10 weeks makes!

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BabyHTP and I are finally in the 20s!  Here’s what’s going on this week: “Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He’s also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel. If you’re having a girl, her uterus is now fully formed and her ovaries are holding about seven million primitive eggs. If you’re having a boy, his testicles have begun their descent from the abdomen to their ultimate destination — the scrotum. His brain continues to form and grow. His teeth are beginning to appear, and he can swallow.”  (Source, source, source)

 

Somewhere in there is 10.5 inches of baby.  Crazy.

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For the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, I would study my belly in the mirror, hoping and hoping and hoping that a bump would soon appear.  I don’t need to squint anymore – the bump is definitely there.  I’ve switched almost exclusively to maternity pants, although I can sometimes get away with using a belly band.

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Probably the most exciting thing that happened in the last week was we went in for our anatomy ultrasound.  I was really, really nervous prior to the ultrasound – as mentioned, we opted out of genetic testing, and the ultrasound was our first chance to get some sort of confirmation that things are developing properly.  I was so freaked out that I talked a million miles a minute on the car ride to the doctor’s.  Luckily, everything looked just fine.  And, somehow, we didn’t accidentally get a peek of any genitals, so we’re still clueless about the sex (just how we like it).

 

Any guesses?  Boy or girl?

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Let’s see… as far as pregnancy symptoms go, I still feel pretty great.  No sickness, no aversions. I did experience my first Braxton Hicks contraction, which was odd and slightly scary.  I do get tired easily, but I’ve been getting regular acupuncture, and it seems to really make a difference in my sleep.  I put a kibosh on eating ice cream right before bed, too, and that seems to have helped (sugar + sleep = hell).

 

Speaking of sleep, one thing that is really stressing me out is sleep positions.  You’re told not to sleep on your back during the second and third trimesters because the weight of the baby and uterus can compress the baby’s blood supply; apparently, sleeping on the left side is best.  I’m a back sleeper (like a corpse) and switching to the left is so hard.  And I feel super guilty when I wake up on my back or right side.  Panic-Free Pregnancy says sleep position isn’t really a big deal, but I read a study that back or right side sleepers have a slightly higher risk of the baby being stillborn, so now I’m super paranoid. 

 

And regardless of how I turn and flip during the night, going to sleep and waking up are my favorite times of the day because that’s when the baby is most active (or when I most easily notice the movements).  It’s so fun to feel the baby move around.

 

I did find out this week that I’m low in iron.  This is common during pregnancy, but especially for vegetarians, so I’ve been taking an iron supplement, eating more iron-rich vegetarian foods, and cooking with my cast-iron skillet.  Hopefully, I’ll see an improvement in my energy levels in a few weeks.

 

Last, but not least, I have intense nursery envy.  ALL I WANT TO DO IS DECORATE.  We can’t buy anything for the nursery because we’re not sure where we will be living when the baby comes.  We’ll either be in a bigger rental or our own home, but we won’t know for sure until end of March.

 

So, in lieu of actually decorating my nursery, I’ve been Pinteresting ideas.  Here’s what I like:

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(Source, source, source, source, source)

 

Can you tell I prefer grey, birds, and trees?

 

Here are my Babble posts from this week:

Your guide to those exciting nine months

 

Here’s Week 20, neatly summarized:

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  • Total Weight Gain: No official weigh-in this week, but I’m guessing 11 – 12 pounds.

  • Workouts:  Four workouts!  2.0 mile walk, 2.0 mile walk/run, 3/4 mile swim, and yoga

  • Baby Items Purchased:  New maternity dress pants (go Target!).  Now I can breathe at work.

  • Cravings: Smoothies. Eggs on buttered toast. A tropical vacation. Oh wait, were we talking about food?

{ 116 comments }

 

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats January 25, 2012, 1:53 pm

    I wonder why sleeping on the left side is so much better than the right! that seems odd!

    • Caitlin January 25, 2012, 1:55 pm

      “This is a result of your abdomen resting on your intestines and major blood vessels (the aorta and vena cava).”

      http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/sleepingpositions.html

      • Shannon January 26, 2012, 11:01 am

        I hated never being able to sleep on my back too, Caitlin, but I trained myself so well to sleep on my left side during my two pregnancies that after the 2nd one I ended up with more wrinkles on the left side of my face. Not kidding. Now I try to sleep exclusively on my right side. If I’m going to be old, I can at least have symmetrical wrinkles.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat January 25, 2012, 1:54 pm

    Wow, 10 1/2 inches is a lot of baby! Judging by my current tendencies in places like Ikea and other home decorating shops, I’m going to be going nursery decor-crazy! Future husband better brace himself!

  • Sarah January 25, 2012, 1:55 pm

    Remember to add acid to your dark, leafy greens (and other iron-rich veggies like lentils) in order to get optimum iron absorption! I like a splash of apple cider vinegar on sauteed greens and a bit of fresh lemon juice on my lentils.

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:07 pm

      Good tip, Thanks Sarah!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb January 25, 2012, 1:56 pm

    how exciting!! i love your bump 🙂 i have a feeling i will be the same way, just waiting and wishing and hoping for my belly to pop!

    i think two of the things i am most excited for about having a baby are nursery decorating and clothes shopping!!

  • Emily @ The Swallow Flies January 25, 2012, 1:56 pm

    I love, love, love your ideas for the nursery! I’m obsessed with gray and yellow and anything to do with birds. I can’t wait to see what your nursery will look like!

  • Rachel January 25, 2012, 1:58 pm

    Two random comments:

    I had no idea about ovaries and eggs forming so early! That is crazy to think about! It makes a baby seem even more real.

    Also, does cooking with a cast-iron skillet actually provide iron? I had no idea!

    PS. You look amazing!

  • Kathy January 25, 2012, 1:58 pm

    So exciting. I couldn’t wait to show. I said I wanted to be so big everyone would know right away that I’m pregnant. Well I got huge. 70 lbs huge. Never wished that again!!

    So love the bracelet you have on. Where did you get it?

    • Caitlin January 25, 2012, 1:59 pm

      Hahah this reminds me of how when I was a preteen, I wished for large breasts… Hmph. Would probably change my wish now if I had the chance.

      The bracelet is from a small local artist in Tennessee – I got it at an art fair!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen January 25, 2012, 1:59 pm

    I love those inspiration nurseries! I think the whole gray/yellow theme (basically anything that’s not blue or pink) is so cute and classy.

  • Kathy January 25, 2012, 2:00 pm

    Oh forgot to add, if you don’t want to sleep on your back, what if you put 2 tennis balls beside you when you sleep, so if you roll over on them, it will wake you up. (That is if hubby doesn’t roll on them first)

  • marci January 25, 2012, 2:05 pm

    I can beat you at the not setting up a nursery yet. I’m 33 weeks and we just sold our house and bought a new one. Scheduled to move at Week 39. Talk about stressful but you can’t stress because it’s baby for baby! Not finding out the sex has been very calming for me! I actually have my furniture purchased, it’s not in the house though.
    I also heard that sleeping on the right near the end encourages the baby to face the wrong way. I try to start on my left with a pillow between my knees.

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:06 pm

      You better get on it Marci! LOL

  • Sarah T. January 25, 2012, 2:06 pm

    LOVE love love the nursery pics! So adorable, yet mod at the same time. You look great, btw. Glad all is going so well!

  • Brigid January 25, 2012, 2:10 pm

    I’m tree-obsessed, too! Those first and third pictures are gorgeous!

  • K January 25, 2012, 2:11 pm

    I stressed for a few weeks over sleep positions too, but I’ve been reassure by soooo many Moms (including my own) who just slept in whatever position allowed for the best possible sleep. My own midwives reassured me that our bodies will just give us the right signals when it’s time to start switching to side-sleeping. I slept very comfortably on my back until 2 weeks ago, and now, at almost 30 weeks, side is just more comfortable. There are supposed risks to EVERYTHING when you’re pregnant, so just ask yourself which set of risks (back sleep vs bad sleep) you are more comfortable with. No right answers, but I hope that, either way, you start to sleep better. You look super beautiful!

  • Danielle January 25, 2012, 2:13 pm

    Aww, what a beautiful baby bump! Isn’t it amazing to watch your body change as it nurtures your little one?

    I was also freaked out by my sleep positions while I was pregnant because I would also always wake up on my back. I thought for sure that something would happen to the baby but my doctor assured me that before anything happened I would wake up to change positions, almost like a built in defense mechanism. I’m not sure if that helps but at least you aren’t alone, and my baby girl was born totally healthy too 🙂

    I love your ideas for the nursery! We went with yellow and grey with brown and teal accents (and some birds too) and loved how it came together. Decorating the nursery was so much fun but I know it was more for me than her 🙂

  • JenRD January 25, 2012, 2:15 pm

    I am also a back sleeper, and got anxious about sleeping on my side during oregnancy. I purchased the Boppy pregnancy body pillow, which was a huge help. I found I was more comfortable on my right side, but I justified it was better than my back. The pillow is just so snugly, and stopped me from tossing and turning during the night, so my husband also slept better. Score!

    • JenRD January 25, 2012, 2:21 pm

      You look super cute, by the way.

    • Amy January 25, 2012, 2:25 pm

      Yes! Get some sort of body pillow. It will help tons!

  • Poptartyogini January 25, 2012, 2:18 pm

    You’re the cutest pregnant lady!! Thanks for the weekly updates. I enjoy playing along. Keep up the great work and positive attitude!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed January 25, 2012, 2:21 pm

    I’m a belly down sleeper, so I’ll have to fix that before I get preggo!!!

    • kristin January 25, 2012, 4:22 pm

      I’m 34 weeks today and I still sleep on my belly (modified by pillows of course)! I usually sleep totally on my belly but now I’m like half on my beLly half side with a body pillow (trying to make it my left-ish side). My bump is “measuring small” but the baby is normal sized so maybe that has something to do with the fact that its not as much in my way as a normal 34 weeker! I stressed about my sleep positions in the beginning but everyone says its fine and that our bodies tell us when to switch positions. Can’t wait to go fully back to face planting after I have the babe 🙂

  • Ali January 25, 2012, 2:21 pm

    It looks like your baby is planking – clearly you have a comedic genius in there 🙂

  • Amy January 25, 2012, 2:24 pm

    Just a note about sleep position — I really don’t think it matters. Left side might be OPTIMAL, but it doesn’t mean back or right side aren’t just fine. In fact, you can sleep on your back as long as it’s comfortable! If your uterus winds up compressing any veins, you’ll wake yourself up from the discomfort. So don’t worry about it and sleep however you can! (Just not on your belly. :))

  • Jen @ Whittle My Middle January 25, 2012, 2:28 pm

    I had a friend do her baby room similar to the first pic with the dark walls. It looks amazing and I’d totally recommend it!

  • val January 25, 2012, 2:36 pm

    oooh, that is definitely a boy!!

  • Ashley January 25, 2012, 2:38 pm

    I was a hardcore stomach sleeper, and when that wasn’t an option I tried making myself sleep on my side. I frequently would wake up flat on my back and sometimes a little out of breath (girlfriend was all up in my ribs!). I got a snoogle, a freaking ginormous pregnancy pillow thing and that helped me stay on my left side. Because honestly I could barely move once I got situated with it. But it was definitely comfortable!

    You look wonderful by the way!

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life January 25, 2012, 2:41 pm

    I freaked out about sleep positions too because I’m a stomach/back sleeper. I would highly HIGHLY(!!) recommend investing in a Snoogle pillow. It is so comfy and has instantly turned me into as side sleeper. Now that I’m almost 40 weeks, it helps me at night to be comfortable when no position feels good. It also helps my hips that are in agony by the end of the day. I brought it with me everywhere we traveled over the holidays and I was able to be comfortable anywhere. It’s the best thing that I invested in my entire pregnancy and I can’t recommend it enough!!

    Here’s the link to it on Amazon:
    http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Snoogle-Total-Body-Pillow/dp/B0000635WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327520320&sr=8-1

    Oh and I guess boy!

    • Kris January 25, 2012, 4:16 pm

      I agree with Jamie. I love my snoogle!!!!! I highly recommend spending the money on one. It helps immensely.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) January 25, 2012, 2:42 pm

    There’s that cute baby bump! You look great and I’m so glad things are going well!

  • Life's a Bowl January 25, 2012, 2:42 pm

    Love the second row of pics- “Crying is for babies [other babies]” and the color combos in the room!

  • Catherine January 25, 2012, 2:44 pm

    I love your taste in nurseries! I think the first one was my favorite. I love the contrast of the colors. Also the one with the yellow-leaved tree because that bird’s nest is sweet 🙂

    I’m guessing a girl for you! You’re carrying exactly like me and I’m having a girl. Overall, your pregnancy has sounded a lot like mine except that you have “the glow” and I have the skin of a 15-year-old at this point. Fun stuff there!

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:06 pm

      I don’t really have a glow.. It’s just makeup. LOL

  • Linz @ ItzLinz January 25, 2012, 2:46 pm

    you are so adorable!!!! i love these updates!!

  • sarah January 25, 2012, 2:49 pm

    Wow! That is crazy to see! I am 18 weeks and have not gained any weight, which is really concerning because I am already significantly underweight. Hopefully I will be needing maternity clothes soon!

  • Amber K January 25, 2012, 2:49 pm

    Loving the bump! Does it make the pregnancy feel more real?

    I’m a total stomach sleeper, I can not sleep if I’m not on my stomach! If I ever get pregnant that will definitely have to change.

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:05 pm

      It is def fun to have a bump and be out of the awkward stage in which I just look like I ate too much pie. LOL

  • Justine January 25, 2012, 2:50 pm

    You look stunning 🙂 I’m glad the pregnancy is going so well.

    Just a note on the pictures that really stuck out to me–bumpers are not safe in the crib as it increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). I’m a NICU nurse and parents will ask me what if baby hits their head, but it’s nearly impossible for a baby to hit their head hard enough to cause any permanent damage. The idea is that baby can smother themselves with the bumper and not be able to cry for help. There is something on the market that is made out of mesh that is supposedly more breathable, but my docs here (neonatologists) have said that they shouldn’t be used either…

    I’m sorry if this comes off as preachy, but I’ve seen two cases of SIDS in my NICU (one dead, one interrupted SIDS that resulted in a coma-like state) and it’s the worst thing in the world for those parents… and me, doing post-mortem care.

  • Brittany @a healthy slice January 25, 2012, 2:55 pm

    You look so great- I can’t believe you are halfway there! Does it seem to be flying by to you?
    I love your nursery ideas! We went with the nature theme of green, trees and birds and it’s my favorite room in the house!

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:05 pm

      Yes its going soooooooooo fast.

  • Kelley January 25, 2012, 3:00 pm

    You look beautiful!!! Such a cute bump!! Love the nursery ideas. =)

  • Colleen January 25, 2012, 3:02 pm

    You are looking fabulous! I was also concened about how I slept but in a few weeks your body will automatically prefer a side. If you haven’t done so invest in a body pillow it will be your best friend in bed, besides the Husband.

  • Rachel January 25, 2012, 3:02 pm

    You are going to have a girl. I can just feel it. I’d bet $20 on it!

  • Lauren @ Sassy Molassy January 25, 2012, 3:24 pm

    Love the bump! I can’t wait to have a bump, but I know it will come in due time (aka after we get married and such). 🙂

  • Calee January 25, 2012, 3:34 pm

    You look great and it sounds like you are feeling great too!

    My two cents, LOVE the nursery w/ the dark gray walls. It’s a nice change from what you normally see. Also, supposedly newborns can only see stark contrasts, so the white on the gray might be good?

  • Laura @ She Eats Well January 25, 2012, 3:48 pm

    You look amazing! So healthy. And I love the nursery pictures; so inspiring…you can do anything!

  • Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes January 25, 2012, 4:02 pm

    You look so adorable and happy! I absolutely love those nurseries. I’m partial to yellow and grey too! Best of luck for a continued healthy pregnancy!

  • Alison January 25, 2012, 4:06 pm

    There is nothing wrong with sleeping as normal with a small pillow under one hip (to tilt your uterus off your vena cava.)

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:03 pm

      Nice. Did this last night and it was so much better!

  • Rachel January 25, 2012, 4:06 pm

    I’m so excited/happy for you and the husband 🙂 Thanks for the updates – as a (hopefully) future mother I am super intrigued by these posts, thanks again!

  • Natalie January 25, 2012, 4:06 pm

    I almost always slept on my right side during pregnancy. I’ve actually never heard not to. I have heard that left is BETTER though. I had this weird symptom where anytime I laid on my left side I could like hear air gurgling around in my esphogus and it was the most annoying feeling so I tried to avoid being on my left side. As far as back sleeping, I am definitely a back sleeper, but the further along I got the more pillows I used and eventually I had one under my tummy, back and between my legs so that kind of just naturally prevented me from rolling onto my back!

  • Shari January 25, 2012, 4:12 pm

    The “you are my sunshine” nursery is ADORABLE!

  • Laura January 25, 2012, 4:12 pm

    I really like the gray/yellow You are my Sunshine room 🙂

  • Amanda @ AmandaRunsNY January 25, 2012, 4:23 pm

    I love the tree theme. That’s really cute and also not very babyish so the baby could have the room until he goes to college. Haha

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) January 25, 2012, 4:32 pm

    I’m a stomach sleeper so it was always hard to switch! We’ll see what the next pregnancy does to me. I do have to say THANK YOU for the idea of acupuncture for insomnia! My last pregnancy it was HORRIBLE! My doctor even tried medicating me and I was up in 2 hours after taking prescription strength meds! So, next time I’m going with acupuncture!

    Does your husband have a way of telling me about any good Natural Medicine (Eastern) specialists in Michigan? I’d so appreciate that!

  • Susan January 25, 2012, 4:37 pm

    I love your nursery ideas! If you don’t want to paint trees or branches on the wall, my old roommate ordered really nice wall stickers on Etsy in the shape of branches and birds. That way you can just tear them off when he/she grows up and they become “way lame” 😉

  • Jennifer January 25, 2012, 4:39 pm

    You look great, so happy and healthy looking! I love all of those nursery ones, too. My favorite is the first one with the dark walls. It looks so cozy with the dark walls, and is really uniqu.

  • Lili January 25, 2012, 5:00 pm

    I LOVE these rooms ideas!! So classy and pretty!
    You look so beautiful, btw!

  • Jen@FoodFamilyFitness January 25, 2012, 5:28 pm

    I love all of the nursery ideas, the first one is my favorite!

  • deva at deva by definition January 25, 2012, 5:37 pm

    I love the dark nursery – it’s lovely!

  • Amy January 25, 2012, 5:39 pm

    i LOVE seeing your progress! I’m only 8 weeks along so its definitely neat to see what i have to look forward to. you look great! do you like the belly band btw?

  • jen January 25, 2012, 5:43 pm

    i had an ultrasound today too!!! wooo!!!

    actually, no, not woo. I just found out I have abnormalities in my uterus. I have two. weird, huh? but apparently not that uncommon. it had increased risk of miscarriage, pre-term labor, and breach birth. or just plain infertility. it was an “interesting” slap in the face, out-of-the-blue diagnosis as there are no symptoms. i’m just glad i found out before a future miscarriage. glad i’m pretty much in the dislike category of babies anyway.

    • CaitlinHTP January 25, 2012, 8:34 pm

      What are your abnormalities? Like a tilted uterus?

      Sucks!

      • jen January 26, 2012, 12:10 am

        uterus didelphus. i have two uteruses (uterii?). basically it didn’t hollow out during development and became two separate horn shaped uterus divided with a septum that runs down my vag. ick. i feel like a deformed freak…who may or may not be able to have babies. what a kick in the baby maker. i’m teetering between being fine/ignoring it and being self destructive. my friends are annoyingly perky about how awesome and normal i am and my mom is just sorry for me. i just want to be taken seriously that i feel like i don’t know if i’ve lost something until i try to produce them, ya know?

        • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:02 pm

          Ugh. I think you are well within your right to be upset but you aren’t a freak! It’s just your bod. It is what it is. Do you have someone you can talk to in order to work through it… I would definitely want to speak to a therapist at least once or twice to sort out my emotions. I think even if you aren’t planning on having kids, having something be quirky with your reproductive bits is unsettling. I know that’s how I felt when I got my negative pap smears and had to have the cervix surgery.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife January 25, 2012, 6:05 pm

    I pinned that yellow and gray nursery awhile back too–for future babies. SO cute!

    YAH for being 20 weeks–that is OH so exciting 🙂

  • Rachel Starr January 25, 2012, 6:09 pm

    I wouldn’t worry too much about your sleeping positions. In a few more weeks, it will be very uncomfortable to sleep on your back. Trust me!

    Was there a specific reason you decided against any genetic testing? Just curious, if you don’t mind sharing.

    • CaitlinHTP January 25, 2012, 8:34 pm

      It’s expensive AND we wouldn’t terminate anyway. So it seemed pointless. I think it’s up to the couple to decide. I can see a good argument both ways, even if you aren’t going to terminate (i.e. being emotionally prepared).

      • Nikki January 26, 2012, 8:05 am

        I think it’s not pointless at all. If you were going to have a blind child, of course you may not terminate the pregnancy, and you would love your child, but having a heads up on the many preparations you would need would make things a lot easier and would make YOU better parents. I guess I’m of the opinion that you should make yourself as educated as possible about the events you are going to face.

        • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 2:00 pm

          Yeah – but there are a lot of false positives and then you spend the entire pregnancy obsessing about something that might not happen!

          • Emily G. January 26, 2012, 3:37 pm

            I couldn’t agree more! When my sis-in-law was pregnant, they had a slight scare. When they went in for an ultra sound the doc saw a mark on the heart or brain (can’t remember!) which is an indicator of Downs Syndrome. It ended up just being a tendon that was in the wrong spot at the wrong time and the way it reflected caused that spot. Annie is almost 7 months old now and healthy as a green pea!

            PS – My brother and sis-in-law also didn’t find out the sex of the baby! I was so excited when I found out I was going to be an aunt to a sweet girl!! I didn’t know I could love so much!

  • Army Amy* January 25, 2012, 6:42 pm

    I have a feeling that you’re having a boy. I think it’s so fun that y’all are waiting to find out!*

  • Brooke @ sweats & sweets January 25, 2012, 6:59 pm

    Thats crazy about a baby girls development! And even if you’re waiting till after the baby comes to decorate, I’d stick with grey and yellow. Thats so modern and neutral for both genders.

  • Diana January 25, 2012, 7:02 pm

    OMG the crying is for babies (other babies) sign is slaying me right now! I will so put that in the nursery of my future hypothetical children!

    I’m also totally shocked that a girl would be that developed at 20 weeks! WOW, really makes you think!

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ January 25, 2012, 7:03 pm

    you are too cute! i love your pregnancy pictures and you looks absolutely adorable in your animal print top! thanks for the updates hun!

  • TeenyLittleSuperChef January 25, 2012, 7:27 pm

    Oh man, you are one adorable pregnant chick. How cute is that bump of your’s. I hope I look as great as you do once I get knocked up (cross your fingers this happens soon). How soon before you guys will know whether it’s a boy or girl, or are you not wanting to know until he/she’s born? What an exciting time for you and the Hubs! Congrats again!

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 1:58 pm

      We are waiting until the birth.

  • Wendy January 25, 2012, 8:19 pm

    I’ll just echo the other commentors who recommend getting some kind of body pillow to help with sleep positions. Heck, my youngest child is 5, and I STILL sleep with pillows propping me up on all sides!

    Don’t let the Braxton Hicks scare you too much – with both my children they started right around 20 or so weeks, and were fairly regular at times. My first was born 2 days late, and my second was 3 days early. I actually found them to be a helpful indicator of when I was doing too much and needed a break.

    You look fabulous! 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 1:56 pm

      Thanks Wendy 🙂

  • Angela @ Happy Fit Mama January 25, 2012, 8:23 pm

    What a cute bump! Craving a tropical vacation? We went on a Baby-moon to St. Thomas. So worth it to have that week to relax and do absolutely nothing!

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 1:55 pm

      I want to go to St. Thomasssssssssssss.

  • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) January 25, 2012, 8:29 pm

    You have a beautiful baby bump! I was soooo excited when people could finally notice that I was pregnant. So fun.

    The sleeping thing is hard for me too. I naturally sleep on my right side so trying to switch to my left is difficult. I wake up several times at night on my right side. I did buy a body pillow last weekend and I sleep with it between my legs at night. A lot more comfortable. Overall I’m trying not to worry too much!

  • Lindsay January 25, 2012, 8:47 pm

    Caitlin, I love your blog! Have you tried blackstrap molasses for an iron boost? I have heard from other vegan/vegetarian bloggers that it helps. I am expecting in July and have been eating a spoonful a day (I haven’t had my iron checked yet – so no word on whether it’s been effective). I eat it straight up, but you can put it in a smoothie or on oats, too. Thanks for sharing so much of your pregnancy journey!

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 1:54 pm

      I had some the other day. I need to do the spoonfuls regularly!

  • Carlee January 25, 2012, 9:09 pm

    You look GREAT! So jealous of your bump. I still feel like I’m in the “I’m not fat, I’m pregnant stage.” It’s certainly worth it, but it’s not my favorite feeling.

    I can’t wait to feel the baby move around!

    So glad the anatomy scan went well 🙂

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 25, 2012, 9:16 pm

    Love the “you are my sunshine” nursery idea! I pin nursery ideas and I’m not even pregnant – go figure!

  • Julie January 25, 2012, 10:09 pm

    Congrats on getting into the 20s!

    Trees must be a common decoration for nurseries – I think Emily (Daily Garnish) did it best; her nursery was gorgeous, and the alphabet tree looked amazing. Maybe you could talk to her for pointers?

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 1:53 pm

      Her nursery was pretty sweet!

  • jill January 25, 2012, 10:42 pm

    I pinned the same light grey and yellow nursery – love it! However, I’m not preggers, and the hubs and I aren’t planning to start a family in the near future. I can’t resist the baby stuff on Pinterest, though! 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 1:53 pm

      heheh 😉 that’s how rumors get started!

  • Carrie January 25, 2012, 11:05 pm

    I was worried about the back sleeping too! I loathe sleeping on my side and can’t sleep well that way. I ended up sleeping on my back most of my pregnancy with no problems. I would prop myself at angles so I was tilted. Also I totally recommend the noodle shaped sleeping pillows (well long and shaped like a c). That helped me comfortably sleep on my side sometimes and I should have gotten it way earlier in my pregnancy! One of my regrets!

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie January 25, 2012, 11:37 pm

    I stress out about sleeping too. I even like side sleeping but my sides get sore and since sleeping on my stomach is totally out of the picture I automatically go to my back….which stresses me out.

    If I had to guess what you are going to have I’d say girl. It’s just a girl shaped belly!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 26, 2012, 12:12 am

    You definitely have the pregnancy glow!! You look great and that bump is adorable 🙂

    I love trees too – all the artwork in my home is of trees!

    I like sleeping on my stomach, back, and right side … just not my left. I am definitely going to struggle with that when I am pregnant one day.

  • Jen January 26, 2012, 3:00 am

    Awww…a baby picture! Hmmm…still not sure if it’s a boy or a girl, but that DEFINITELY looks like a Kentucky Wildcat fan to me!

    Heehee (sorry – I just couldn’t resist)! 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 1:52 pm

      heheh cute 🙂

  • Stacy January 26, 2012, 6:18 am

    I look forward to these updates! So excited for you guys. You look absolutely beautiful!

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery January 26, 2012, 9:16 am

    You look gorgeous, Caitlin! I’m really so happy for you.

  • Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio January 26, 2012, 9:26 am

    You look so great!! I hope you’re loving every moment.

  • Jenn January 26, 2012, 10:17 am

    I love the Nursery ideas! You look beautiful and HAPPY!!!!

  • Anna @Laughterinlove January 26, 2012, 10:31 am

    I am so, so happy to hear that your US went great! I’ve been following you for awhile and it is so nice to see things progressing so nicely for you! 🙂 I was pregnant last year and opted out of the genetic testing as well, but our US didn’t go so smoothly. It is such a relief when I see that others don’t have to suffer! Good luck with everything!!

  • Kristin @ wounded fawn January 26, 2012, 10:34 am

    Put a bird on it! haha your interest in nursery birds reminded me of that portlandia episode. PUT A BIRD ON IT!

  • ali January 26, 2012, 10:52 am

    I had a hard time with this too. I would wake up and find myself back-sleeping. My midwife said it is likely before you do any damage to the baby you would awaken yourself from discomfort from lack of circulation. So to try to sleep on your left side is definitely recommended, but if it happens that you end up on your back, not to worry too much. ps. I loved gap work pants and my daughter’s room has a tree with birds too!

  • Meredith January 26, 2012, 11:17 am

    Definitely invest in a Snoogle pregnancy body pillow! You will not regret it. It makes sleeping on your side so much more comfortable. I wish I would have opted out of the first trimester screening too. Would have saved a lot of unnecessary worrying!

  • Hilary McCain January 26, 2012, 2:09 pm

    I just read this article and was thinking about how you should do an opinion piece on it!

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/parents-finally-reveal-5-year-olds-gender/article2315744/

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 3:04 pm

      While I think its cool not to get all wrapped up in gender, I think not making it clear to the child what gender they are is weird. Maybe they did make it clear to the kid but to hide the gender for so long and make it a big deal.. I don’t know. It’s setting the kid up for major issues, I think! What do you think?

  • Mariel January 26, 2012, 5:39 pm

    It’s lovely to see your pregnancy going so smoothly. I want to have children in a few years, but I am just afraid of a possible miscarriage. My Mother had three miscarriages before me including my brother who was stillborn and full term. Due to placental explosion, he died…this was over a decade ago, but it still scares me. Can acupuncture or any herbal supplements help prevent any misfortunes?

    • CaitlinHTP January 26, 2012, 6:34 pm

      That is so sad 🙁 I would just talk to your doctor about your concerns, the issues might not even be genetically related. But an acupuncturist can certainly strengthen your system to minimize the risks of something like that happening!

  • Lisa @ The Splattered Apron January 31, 2012, 1:24 pm

    I was SUPER paranoid about sleeping on my left side when I was pregnant. I still woke up fairly often on my back, maybe even every night, all the way through pregnancy (and my daughter decided not to come out until after her due date). She was fine. I just made sure to go back to my side whenever I woke up on my back and I would get her to move a little so I knew she was okay. I also wedged a blanket behind my back to try and keep myself from rolling, it worked and the extra support was pretty comfortable.

  • Jamie February 3, 2012, 1:59 pm

    Caitlin I highly suggest if you don’t already have one to get some kind of large pillow, either a body pillow or one of the other ones that the other commenters suggested – it will help a LOT with comfort as you get less comfortable in the coming weeks and having the support between your legs and under your belly helps with the side sleeping too.

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