17 weeks

Stats:
17 weeks
Starting weight: 155
Weight: 151
Waist @ Bellybutton: 33
Issues: Ok, I think I'm really having sciatic nerve issues with my back. My lower back was fine for about a week and now it's hurting again. It's like a sharp pain in my very lower back and almost feels like it's going through my butt too! It hurts the most after I've been sitting for awhile and then get up. This sucks.

Here is my belly at 17 weeks:


So I'm still in Chicago, and am pretty ready to go home. I just finished reading 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' and it was the best book ever! I wish every pregnant woman read it. It has really changed my outlook on labor and childbirth, and I'm really not scared at all (anymore). I had already decided that I was going to try for a natural birth with no drugs and I have always really wanted a water birth. My mom found the Sutter Davis hospital, which is the only hospital in the entire area that offers waterbirths, so I'm really excited. When we move up north, I'll be 6 1/2 months pregnant, so I'll probably be touring the hospital and taking a class as soon as we get up there. The majority of the babies there are delivered by midwives and they offer doulas for free, which is awesome!!

Their website is pretty cool. Check it out at http://sutterdavis.org/services/services_birthingcen.html

So here is my tentative birth plan:
http://jenellzlifeblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-birth-plan.html

So I pretty much sound like one of those anal, crazy moms, but I really don't care what other people think. Don't even get me started on vaccines or disposable diapers. I'll save that for another day.

16 weeks

Stats:
16 weeks
Starting weight: 155
Weight: 149
Waist @ bellybutton: 32"

Here is my picture at 16 weeks:

So I’m in Chicago this week for business and I even have to work all weekend! It’s going to be a long 8 days! So I know that I’m down 6 pounds still, but after this week, I’m sure I’ll be back to my original weight. This place is like being on a cruise. They feed us all day, every day. I can’t believe how much food it right in front of us all the time! I’m trying to stick to the veggies and healthy stuff, but it’s hard. I feel stuffed all the time and I’m sure I’ve gained all of the weight back. :(

So Rob and I are moving forward with the business, and we’ve chosen Puroclean, which is a disaster restoration company. I really can’t believe how much there is to do when you start a business. It’s pretty insane. We’ve finally got all of the money (I don’t even want to say how much!) and signed the franchise agreement, so it’s official! This week we’re setting up our meetings with the lawyer and CPA to get the Corporation set up. We’re decided on RJ Cline Corp. I think it has a nice ring to it.

Here is their corporate website:
http://www.puroclean.com/

High on the priority list is finding a new place to live, which we still haven’t done yet! We plan to move the week before Christmas, so we don’t have much time left. We are also renting out our house, so we still have a few projects left that we have to finish. Thank goodness I’ve already started packing up the house, but it’s slow going with everything else that we have to do. Don’t stress...don’t stress...

15 weeks

Stats:
15 weeks
Starting weight: 155
Weight: 152
Waist @ bellybutton: 31.5"
Issues: My lower back has started to hurt a little bit, but it's not unbearable. I just went to the chiropractor, so hopefully it will get better.

Here is my picture at 15 weeks:

I still haven’t gained any weight, which is really awesome. I’m certainly eating plenty though, so I’m sure it will catch up. It’s funny that people always say that they are eating for two, but you’re really only supposed to eat an additional 300 calories per day, and that doesn’t even start until the 2nd trimester. Who knew? So I still have no real belly, which is pretty disappointing. I want people to know that I’m pregnant darn it!

More on the working remote situation. I got approval!! I’m so excited that they are going to let me do this, especially since I’m so new to the team. My manager told me that she’s been very impressed with my work and my initiative, so that must have helped. This is so awesome! So Rob and I are moving forward full speed ahead on moving. We are going to start a franchise business and move to Cameron Park, but we still haven’t decided which business to choose. There is so much to be done, but I have to stay calm and not stress the baby out!

14 weeks

Stats:
14 weeks
Starting weight: 155
Weight: 150
Waist @ Bellybutton: 31.5

Umm...did I mention that I'm one big huge pimple. Yeah...not fun!

13 weeks

Stats:
13 weeks
Starting weight: 155
Weight: 151.5
Waist @ bellybutton: 31.5"
Adversions: I flew to Delaware this week, and as the plane took off I thought I was going to throw up! I felt sick for about an hour or so...and then I felt better.

Here is my picture at 13 weeks:

So after my last appointment, I was really bummed that I didn’t get to hear the heartbeat. I had heard that you could buy a Doppler to use at home, so I decided to order one! I just got back from a great trip to Delaware (more on that in a minute) to meet my new manager and team. The next day, the Doppler arrived! It took me a few minutes to finally find it, but I did! The heartbeat was around 163, which is good. When Rob got home from work, he got to listen to it too, which was fun! I’m so glad I bought this, and it’s really going to give me piece of mind, since I’m so paranoid.

So back to my trip. It was a great trip because 2 big things happened. I had decided to tell my manager that I was pregnant, which was scary enough since I just joined the team a few months ago. I also asked her if I could work from home on a permanent basis because Rob and I wanted to move to the Sacramento area. To my surprise, she said it was fine with her, but she would have to talk to our group director for the final say. She was very excited about my pregnancy, and then told me that she’s pregnant too! How funny is that? She’s 11 ½ weeks, so she is barely behind me at all. I guess no one else on our team can get pregnant!