Our little man is 18 weeks and counting!!

With the new due date of August 18th, today is 18 weeks! Not much to share since Thursday as all is still wonderful!! I bought a maternity pillow called a "snoogle" that is curved in the shape of a "C" and helps with back and hip pain. I used it for the first time last night and liked it. Makes me feel supported. I still had some hip pain, but it helps and maybe it will get better after using it each night.

Today Eric & I went to Babies R Us and looked at cribs. We want an espresso or cherry finish crib and of course, our favorite are ones are the more expensive ones. We are still deciding between a convertible bed or just a crib. Any advice either way, mommies?? The debate is whether to buy a crib that turns into a toddler bed and then a full bed that grows with the baby but a new crib would have to be bought for future babies OR buy just a crib and keep it for subsequent babies and buy toddler and full beds for each child as they grow?? The convertible cribs are more expensive and you have to buy the rails additionally, so the price difference between a regular crib and convertible crib ends up being a couple hundred bucks at least. My debate is whether a bed would last through entire life of a child (still in style, whether the child likes it or not, etc.) BUT, in the long run if it did, spending an extra couple hundred dollars is definitely cheaper than buying a toddler bed and then a full bed for each child. As usual, decisions are difficult....What do you think??

"Non" convertible crib (minus the bedding, of course ;)

Convertible crib

We also picked out a few paint colors and looked at crib bedding. It's all too cute and will be hard to decide! We still like the idea of using tan for the wall color and using blue and green for the bedding and other decor. Fit for a boy, but also for a girl (for the future, that is :)

Oh, we have a "new to us" car now. My dad is selling us his 2001 Nissan Pathfinder for the price that I can sell my Honda Civic. We really like the Pathfinder and it will give us the much needed room for future stroller and other packing. We will be sending out an email to everyone with the details of the Civic if anyone is interested in purchasing it, or knows someone who is. It's a great car and has had no problems for the 6 years I've owned it (and bought brand new!). Here's a picture:


Here's what babycenter says about 18 weeks (change the "she's" to "he's", of course ;):

How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life's changing: Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline increase. Look for specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.

You may have heard that it's best to lie on your left side during your last two trimesters. Here's why: When you lie on your back, your uterus can compress your pelvic veins — in particular, the inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your left side helps remove this pressure. Try placing a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during your second trimester your blood pressure is probably lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

If you haven't already, you'll probably have an ultrasound done sometime this trimester (usually between 16 and 20 weeks). This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking her thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!"

Have a great weekend!!