$$ spent better be worth it...

so I had a 2nd interview yesterday at the law firm from last week. I think it went very, very well. All of the other attys and the two legal/office assistants were very nice and I enjoyed our conversations. That being said, it was one expensive interview, so I better get the job! ha ha -- think I can tell them that lil' fact? ;) New suit, blow out (because I left the house too late to dry my hair myself, so I had it blown out between my dentist appt and interview) and parking. Ka-ching!

Anyway, they have told me that they'll have more info re the position at the beginning of next week and will be making an offer to someone after Memorial Day. Fingers crossed. The managing partner did say they were very interested in me, but they are talking to one or 2 other attys, as well. Urgh!

xoxo-
V

16 Week Fun Facts

How far along? 16 weeks TODAY
Total weight gain/loss: Still +10 as of this morning.
Maternity clothes? I'm going suit shopping today! Yep, I got the call back interview for the firm from last week, and my interview is at 3pm TOMORROW. I am hoping an Ann Taylor size 6 will fit so that I don't have to buy a maternity suit. I'm still trying to hide it from them until I, hopefully, have an offer in hand.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Still sleeping through the night!
Best moment this week: Totally not baby-related, but the call back for the interview tomorrow is the highlight of this week so far.
Movement: I keep thinking I feel something, but who knows...soon!
Food cravings: I've eaten an inordinate amount of Honey Bunches of Oats (is that the name?) in the last couple of weeks.
Gender: Boy, I think (starting to get skeptical). :) 3.5 days until we know for sure!
Labor Signs: Um, nope. And hopefully not for another 21+ weeks!
Belly Button in or out? Still in, of course.
What I miss: Feeling "skinny"!
What I am looking forward to: FRIDAY!
Weekly Wisdom: Sometimes the nicest thing you can do for others is take time for yourself.
Milestone: The babe has nails and is starting to grow some hair! I think that's a huge milestone. That being said, we saw a newborn at Mt Vernon on Sunday with a full head of seriously long (1 or 2 inches) reddish brown hair. Looked like a lil' munchichi...remember those? I don't think Baby H needs that much hair at birth! :)

16 Weeks...

At this point of your pregnancy, your baby is approximately 4.3 to 4.6 inches long and weighs 2.8 ounces. Not only is your baby growing, your uterus and placenta continue to grow to accommodate the growing baby inside of you! Just six weeks ago, your uterus weighed about 5 ounces. This week it now weighs 8.75 ounces! The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is increasing and there is about 7.5 ounces of fluid. You will easily be able to feel your uterus approximately three inches below your navel.

This is an important week for testing and you will most likely have an AFP test done. This is a harmless blood test that is done to detect abnormalities such as Down's syndrome or spina bifida. This is a non-invasive test and it carries no risk to your developing baby. Most doctors will offer the test, but in most cases it is completely optional.

Your milk glands start production at this time and this causes some tenderness and swelling in early pregnancy. Your veins will become more visible because there is an increased amount of blood flowing to the breasts.

Five and a half inches tall and only six ounces in weight. The child can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault.

At this time, your baby is holding her head erect. Because her muscles are developing, she can make some faces now. Your baby is able to squint, frown and open its mouth. There is enough calcium in the bones that they will show up on an x-ray. Your baby's fingernails are well formed now and the legs are longer than the arms. Because your baby is moving well now, you may begin to feel his movements! Some women say that the early movements feel like gas bubbles or a slight flutter. If you have not yet felt the baby move, don't worry. Fetal movements are usually felt between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy.

You may feel your heart beating 'louder'. This is because there is a lot more blood in your body than normal. (about 20-25% more)

*www.i-am-pregnant.com

Happy Mother's (and, in my case, Mom-to-be) Day!

Yesterday was exhausting. Mike's grandparents are still visiting, so we went to church, brunch at Brabo and then to Mt Vernon. Lots of walking! When we got home, Mike made his famous turkey chili and I made the salad and cornbread to accompany it. Yum! Unfortunately, I think I over did it. I was ready for bed by 9pm, and today, I feel like I got ran over by a mack truck. I thought for sure I was running a fever, but taking my temp resulted in a reading of only 96.3, which has me even more perplexed. All I know is I don't feel good. Boo!

While I had no expectations of anyone (other than perhaps Mike ;)) recognizing my soon-to-be mommy status, I was pleasantly surprised with everyone's generosity (even with words and sentiments). Dad and Letty sent me some beautiful flowers (see above) and my mom sent me a very cute card (see below). I also received everything from Happy 1/2 Mother's Day (from Dad Husband) to Happy Pre-Mother Mother's Day (from Mikey). Very cute. And much appreciated. :)



Anyway, I'm off to try and feel better. As much as I hate to do it, I may have to just drop the Husbands at the metro with a DC map and wish them good fun on their tourist expedition today...I just don't see myself being very enjoyable company.

Oh, and just for the fun of it...here's a pic of Mike and I with George and Martha (that's Mr and Mrs Washington, thank you) from yesterday. And, yes, you can say it: "wow, you don't even look pregnant yet!" I keep hearing this although one very honest, male friend was "kind" enough to tell me (a couple of weeks ago) "well, I knew you were either getting fat or pregnant, so I figured you were pregnant." Ha ha, thanks!



16 weeks tomorrow and A BELLY PIC!

xoxo-
V

15 Week Fun Facts

How far along? 15 weeks, 5 days (yep, a little late)!
Total weight gain/loss: +10 as of this morning.
Maternity clothes? For the most part, but I do want to say that I was able to wear one of my suits to a job interview on Friday. I just had to buy a shirt for underneath that was a bit blousen on the bottom (is that the word?). It looked good. That being said, if I get a 2nd interview with the this firm or have any other interviews in more than a week or two, I have NOTHING to wear. Because this once too big suit was fitting perfectly.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: I've been sleeping through the night recently...it's awesome!
Best moment this week: I think I may have felt my first flutters on Friday night while laying in bed. It felt more like 5 or 6 quick little taps with an eraser inside my uterus. I'm used to the gas feelings at this point, and it was absolutely something different...baby, maybe? I'm going to believe so. :)
Movement: Well, I can't wait to start feeling karate chops, but the experience noted above was plenty for now.
Food cravings: I'm still having a hard time figuring out (i) what I'm craving and (ii) if I'm even hungry! Still loving the water with lime.
Gender: Boy, I think (starting to get skeptical). :)But guess what...we find out THIS FRIDAY!!!!
Labor Signs: Um, nope. And hopefully not for another 22+ weeks!
Belly Button in or out? Still in, of course.
What I miss: Feeling "skinny"!
What I am looking forward to: Still waiting for my bump-- I'm definitely rounding out though, so maybe soon...Mike and I see it.
Weekly Wisdom: Patience -- can't learn this one too often.
Milestone: Well, this is my first unofficial mother's day as a soon-to-be mom! That's exciting. My dad and letty sent me some very pretty flowers (thank you!!!), and my mom sent a very sweet card. I feel very lucky to have such awesome parents (hope to emulate one day)! Speaking of which, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all thoe fabulous moms in my life...I've been blessed.

15 Weeks...

Although many women don't start feeling the baby move until the 17th week (or later), your baby has been having his own party in the amniotic sac he calls home. If you feel a little flutter in your belly this week, don't discount it as gas or hunger. It could be your babe banging around. Here's more to look forward to:

Baby's head is now resting on his well-formed neck instead of directly on his shoulders like Igor. He's beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes this week. (All the better to give you that "Mom, you're crazy" look when he's a teenager.) The hair on the head also begins to grow and, with some creative styling, you'll be able to turn those locks into a Maddox Jolie-Pitt faux-hawk some day.

Although baby's eyes are sealed shut, he's now able to sense light. His eyes and ears finally look like real baby features now. As your baby practices sucking and swallowing actions, he may actually hiccup. You'll know he's had one too many shots of amniotic fluid by the steady thump-thump you feel.

Over the next month, baby will grow faster than ever, so make sure you load up on enough nutritious food and fluids to support his growth. Your baby now measures nearly 4 inches, about the size of a Kit Kat "finger" (regular-size, not the Big one you get at the movies), and weighs almost 2 ounces.

*3D Pregnancy

14 Week Doc Appt

We had another doctor's appt on Saturday. It was relatively uneventful and quick. She confirmed that our NT Scan results looked really good and that Baby H seems to be doing well. The little heartbeat was at 154bpm while we were in the office. It seems to have decreased and leveled out as expected.

Our next doc appt is not until May 29th (4 weeks). At that appt, we will draw blood to test baby for spina bifida (hopefully all that folic acid I've been taking over the last year means no worries) and get the script for our big u/s that will be scheduled for sometime between weeks 18 and 22. If we opt for the elective 3D gender determination scan in a week (which I think we are going to do), then we'll probably wait to do the big u/s until closer to 22 weeks so there is a nice break between when we get to see Pumpkin.

We're doing well here in DC. Mike's grandparents flew into town today but drove straight to PA to visit with Earnest's sister and her husband. They live on an alpaca farm somewhere in PA. They'll be back down here on Thursday for a week long visit. I'm looking forward to getting out of the house and playing tour guide. :)

Then when they leave on the 15th, my mom will be here from the 15th until the 19th. Looking forward to that visit, too!

xoxo-
V