21 Weeks Pregnant -- in 3-D :)

Here are some lovely 3-D images of Baby Zarion King (followed by his 21-week ultrasound)! He is so handsome!

20 Weeks Pregnant! (Banana Week)

How far along? 20 Weeks (Wednesday, October 19, 2012) 

The baby is the size of a: Banana

New baby developments this week: "He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery)" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It looks like it's about 12 pounds :)

Maternity clothes? Nope, but a larger size is definitely more comfortable now...lol

Stretch marks? A thin, faint vertical line is still on my belly :)

Sleep: Yep; I just have to switch from one side to the next a bit more frequently lol

Best moment this week: Still relishing in the idea of having a handsome little king!

Miss Anything? Not much--but I do miss bleu cheese and cold salami :)

Movement/Feelings: I'm feeling a little bit of fluttering, and I'm more sure it's the baby now! :)

Food cravings: Still, anything salty :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: Just a little pain where the ligaments of the uterus are stretching more :)

Gender: It's a BOY!!!!

Labor Signs?: Nope (thankfully)

Belly Button in or out? An outie! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Watching Baby King grow some more and finally feeling his kicks!

Baby King is a BOY!! :)

Baby King is a BOY!!!

We are extremely excited about the opportunity to welcome this little king to the world, possibly sometime around March 8 or 9.

We have decided to name him: Zarion Shemaiah King (Zarion means "Angel of God," and Shemaiah means "That Hears or Obeys the Lord")

Baby King at 19 Weeks (this is his cute little foot) :)

Baby King at 19 Weeks (these are his cute little arms) :)

Hubby Pete and me enjoying early parenthood (me at 18 weeks) :)

19 Weeks Pregnant! (Heirloom Tomato Week)

How far along? 19 Weeks (Wednesday, October 17, 2012) 

The baby is the size of a: Heirloom Tomato

New baby developments this week: "Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It looks like it's about 12 pounds :)

Maternity clothes? Nope, but a larger size is definitely more comfortable now...lol

Stretch marks? A thin, faint vertical line is still on my belly :)

Sleep: Yep; I just have to switch from one side to the next a bit more frequently lol

Best moment this week: Finding out that Baby King is a boy!!! So excited to know I'll be having a little king!

Miss Anything? Not much--but I do miss bleu cheese and cold salami :)

Movement/Feelings: I'm feeling a little bit of fluttering, but I'm not 100% sure it's the baby yet (although I think it really is) :)

Food cravings: Still, anything salty, but nothing too specific this week!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: Just a little pain where the ligaments of the uterus are stretching more :)

Gender: It's a BOY!!!!

Labor Signs?: Nope (thankfully)

Belly Button in or out? An outie! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Watching Baby King grow some more and finally feeling his kicks!

18 Weeks Pregnant! (Bell Pepper Week)

How far along? 18 Weeks (Friday, September 28, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Bell Pepper

New baby developments this week: "Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long, and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It looks like it's still about 10 pounds so far!

Maternity clothes? Nope, but bigger clothes are more comfortable now :)

Stretch marks? A thin, faint vertical line is still on my belly :)

Sleep: Yep; I just have to switch from one side to the next a bit more frequently lol

Best moment this week: Growing bigger and simply enjoy being pregnant!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really!

Movement/Feelings: Nope, not yet!

Food cravings: Rice and spaghetti/linguine lately :)

Anything making you queasy or sick:</b> Nope!

Symptoms: None!

Gender: I don't know yet...but now I'm thinking it will be a boy :)

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? An outie! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Still finding out the sex of the baby sooooon! :)

16-Week Ultrasound for Baby King :)

This is Baby King at 16 weeks! How neat to see "shim" move his/her arm and leg, relax, hiccup and turn from side to side. How neat it also is to see his/her heartbeat :)

17 Weeks Pregnant! (Turnip Week)

How far along? 17 Weeks (Friday, September 21, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Turnip

New baby developments this week: "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, and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It looks like it's still about 10 pounds so far!

Maternity clothes? Nope, but old clothes is starting to get a bit tight now...lol.

Stretch marks? A thin, faint vertical line is still on my belly :)

Sleep: Yep; I just have to switch from one side to the next a bit more frequently lol

Best moment this week: Seeing my baby for the second time in his/her 16-week ultrasound. It was so neat to see the heart beat and hiccups, watch the baby turn from side to side, and see it extend its leg and elbow. How cute! :)

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope, not yet!

Food cravings: Still, anything salty or tomato-based! I've been craving mashed potatoes and gravy, too -- which is interesting because I'm usually not a big mashed potatoes fan lol. And I am eating Pop-tarts more than I ever did before (just because they are a quick-to-eat breakfast item) :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (although my bladder becomes more uncomfortable more quickly now lol) :)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? An outie! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Still finding out the sex of the baby sooooon! :)

16 Weeks Pregnant! (Avocado Week)

How far along? 16 Weeks (Friday, September 14, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Avocado

New baby developments this week: "Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It looks like 10 pounds so far!

Maternity clothes? Nope, but now my baby bump is getting bigger! Yay!

Stretch marks? Actually, a thin, faint vertical line is starting to form on my belly :)

Sleep: Yep, although I'm tossing and turning more frequently to get comfortable...lol

Best moment this week: Getting moved out of our first home and ready for our new home in preparation for the baby :)

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope!

Food cravings: Still, anything salty or tomato-based! And now rice is a new craving as well. I also was strongly craving angel hair pasta recently (yay for Olive Garden!) :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (although I am starting to go to the ladies' room a bit more frequently than normal) :)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Pretty much an outie now! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Still finding out the sex of the baby sooooon! :)

15 Weeks Pregnant! (Apple Week)

How far along? 15 Weeks (Friday, September 7, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Apple

New baby developments this week: "She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It's hard to say...maybe 3 or 4 pounds still? lol

Maternity clothes? Nope, but now my baby bump is even more prominent, even co-workers are finally starting to notice (at least when I'm in my old clothes)! lol

Stretch marks? Actually, I am starting to see a faint stretch mark :)

Sleep: Yes!

Best moment this week: Getting to see my baby bump more!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope!

Food cravings: Still, anything salty or tomato-based! I absolutely have to have a jar of pickles on hand in the house -- my evening treat :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (although I am starting to go to the ladies' room a bit more frequently than normal) :)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Pretty much an outie now! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Still finding out the sex of the baby sooooon! :)

14 Weeks Pregnant! (Lemon Week)

How far along? 14 Weeks (Friday, August 31, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Lemon

New baby developments this week: "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" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It looked like it was just a couple of pounds at my last doctor's visit

Maternity clothes? Nope, but I am getting a baby bump now! lol

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Getting a chance to see my old church family; they are all so excited and supportive!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope!

Food cravings: Still, anything salty!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None!

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Starting to come out even more :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby sooooon! :)

13 Weeks Pregnant! (Shrimp Week)

How far along? 13 Weeks (Friday, August 24, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Shrimp

New baby developments this week: "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" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: Probably 3 to 4 pounds?

Maternity clothes? Nope, but the shirts that used to fit me perfectly now are getting a bit too small and tight! lol

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Getting the chance to hear the baby's heartbeat for the second time!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope!

Food cravings: Still, anything salty!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (No frequent bathroom trips yet)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Starting to come out even more :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby in four weeks! :)

12 Weeks Pregnant! (Lime Week)

How far along? 12 Weeks (Friday, August 17, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Lime

New baby developments this week: "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" (BabyCenter).

Total weight gain: Probably 3 to 4 pounds?

Maternity clothes? Nope, but I'm starting to feel a little more of a bulge now!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Having a chance to see my mom and dad visit, and letting my mom touch my newly big tummy for the first time! lol

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope!

Food cravings: Pickles and anything tomato-based!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (No frequent bathroom trips yet)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Starting to come out even more :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: My doctor's appointment (my second one) next week and having a chance to hear the baby's heartbeat again!

11 Weeks Pregnant! (Fig Week)

How far along? 11 Weeks (Friday, August 10, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Fig

New baby developments this week: "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" (BabyCenter).

Total weight gain: Maybe 3 to 4 pounds? (I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.)

Maternity clothes? Nope, but I'm starting to feel a little bulge now!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Sharing with more people on Facebook the good news of our upcoming child! I appreciate all of the love and support so much!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope!

Food cravings: Pickles are tasting better than ever before! And I'm craving cheddar cheese :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (No frequent bathroom trips yet)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? In, but starting to come out a smidge :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Getting some more sleep; I'm still very tired!

10 Weeks Pregnant! (Kumquat Week)

How far along? 10 Weeks (Friday, August 3, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Kumquat

New baby developments this week: "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"(BabyCenter).

Total weight gain: Maybe 3 to 4 pounds? (I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.)

Maternity clothes? Nope

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Just knowing that everything is good so far! Still no morning sickness! I am eager to start showing, but my friends say that time will come and to simply enjoy not having to worry about stretching and getting new clothes yet....I suppose they are right! lol

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: Nope!

Food cravings: Cabbage with hot sauce and fried chicken. Mmm!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (No frequent bathroom trips yet)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Just two more weeks and officially I'll be in my second trimester! Woohoo! And, of course, I can't wait to start growing!

9 Weeks Pregnant! (Grape Week)

How far along? 9 Weeks (Friday, July 27, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Grape

New baby developments this week: "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" (BabyCenter).

Total weight gain: Not much

Maternity clothes? Nope

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Actually having a successful ultrasound this past Monday! It was so amazing to see the baby's heart beating and to hear the rapid heartbeat. What an amazing view! I can't believe this little being is growing inside of me! How amazing and miraculous!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: No drastic feelings! Sometimes I experience a little discomfort when I lift things for too long of periods, but otherwise, I'm fine.

Food cravings: Salsa....and anything else tomato-based, like ketchup!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (No frequent bathroom trips yet)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Continuing to grow and get past the first trimester!

First Ultrasound (8 Weeks)!

My first ultrasound took place on July 23, 2012! I was so excited to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time! The baby's heart is beating at a rate of 143 beats per minute, and the size of the baby is just 1.2 centimeters. It was so neat to hear the heartbeat, but for me, it was even neater to see the heart beating, in a way. The ultrasound tech said we could tell that the heart was beating by the fast flickering on the screen. That was so neat -- I never thought I could actually see the heart beat at all! How neat to finally see this little being growing inside of me.

My next ultrasound will be August 22nd -- four weeks away!

Here is our first opportunity to hear the baby's heartbeat: CLICK HERE

8 Weeks Pregnant! (Kidney Bean Week)

How far along? 8 Weeks (Friday, July 20, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Kidney Bean

New baby developments this week: "Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl" (BabyCenter).

Total weight gain: Not much, maybe a pound

Maternity clothes? Nope

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Being excited for my first ultrasound on Monday -- in just two days! I look forward to seeing my baby for the first time and finally hearing his or her beloved heartbeat!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Movement/Feelings: All I feel is pain here and there in the front and back (basically, growing pains) -- a sign that the uterus is growing -- although the pains have subsided drastically over the past week

Food cravings: Fish; hot and sour soup; and strongly craving blueberry or banana nut muffins/bread (I have yet to satisfy the final craving!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (No frequent bathroom trips yet)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm still thinking it will be a girl

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Finding more about my new baby -- and finding out whether the "baby" indeed might be twins! lol

7 Weeks Pregnant! (Blueberry Week)

How far along? 7 Weeks (Friday, July 13, 2012)

The baby is the size of a: Blueberry

New baby developments 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" (BabyCenter).

Total weight gain: I haven't noticed much at all -- maybe a couple of pounds? I'll find out during my first ultrasound on July 23 :)

Maternity clothes? Nope (although I am trying to avoid clothes that make me feel too "poochy")

Stretch marks? Nope, still have my stomach! :)

Sleep: Yep!

Best moment this week: Getting the idea from my lovely expectant co-worker to do this blog (since I love journaling, I love blogging and I love babies!) Miss Anything? Nope, not really!

Movement/Feelings: All I feel is pain here and there in the front and back (basically, growing pains) -- a sign that the uterus is growing

Food cravings: Nope, not really. Just craved nachos and cheese and a McDonald's Snack Wrap, though (I don't know if those are the normal random food cravings I have or finally can be blamed on the pregnancy)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: None! (No frequent bathroom trips yet)

Gender: I don't know yet...but I'm thinking it will be a girl (but I'm excited for a boy or a girl!)

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Going to my first ultrasound in a little over a week - I am looking forward to finally catching a glimpse of this unseen child and hearing the heartbeat for the first time :)

A Baby King Dream Becomes a Reality!!!

Upon reading the news that I was pregnant on June 29, 2012, I was so stoked! My dream of being a mother finally is being fulfilled! What an awesome, unequivocally amazing experience to be a mom for the first time -- and to share the experience with my beloved hubby Pete King :)Being pregnant makes me so appreciate being a woman -- how complex and beautiful we women are!