Yum, muffins.

This week it looks like I have a very large muffin top.

Eating New Orleans food  has increased my tummy by 1/2 an inch.

Belly graph

This past week I found myself eating my meal and a portion of hubby's meal too. 

Appetite:  Increased, Belly size: Also increased

Pot o'sushi

Happy St. Patrick's  Day!  

According to Irish legends, leprechauns store treasures at the end of rainbows.  If I were a leprechaun I would store sushi at the end of my rainbow.

I miss eating sushi and I've tried curbing my cravings with homemade attempts, but they never satisfy.

 Sad pseudo sushi

Once the baby pops out, I'm going to (1) hug baby and (2) eat a piece of sashimi.

Will my hospital will serve meals like this?

Chirashi image taken from here

belly graph

This week there was a small increase in belly circumference.

Yes!  I'm getting larger.

Boy or girl?

A friend of mine recently emailed me this old wives' tale:

Thread a needle or use a necklace with a charm and have hubby suspend it above your belly. If the needle (charm) swings back and forth, a boy is in your future; if it moves in a circle, count on a girl.

We tried it this morning two times and it moved in a circle both times.

Oh unscientific charm, are you telling us it's going to be a girl?

Belly graph

Another week, another measurement. 

I don't look pregnant yet.  I just look like I ate too many donuts.

Cycling baby

It's so exciting that hubby's sister is also pregnant too.  And guess what?  Her due date is just one day before mine! 

This morning she sent a text describing her second ultrasound:

"...the doctor was trying to measure the baby's legs

but it kept moving them like it was running.  

Nick says he wishes he could put a bike in there." 

So cute- like daddy, like baby.

This cute onesie was found here

Belly Circumference

Today I looked down and saw that my stomach was protruding more than usual.  Curious, I pulled out my measuring tape.  At 13 weeks, my belly is now 33 3/4 inches.  Whoa.  I'm slowly becoming my own planet.

I'm now recording my circumference every week to make a lovely belly graph.  
First data point:  (13, 33.75)

Heartbeat

I recently visited the doctor and heard baby's heartbeat for the first time. 

170 beats per minute- similar to the heart rate of a puppy.

 Puppy picture taken from here

If I were an animal...

As I progress further along in this pregnancy, I'm starting to see some great similarities between myself and a familiar farm animal:  the cow.

Here are four reasons why I am similar to a cow.

1. Like the cow, I am a grazer. 

2. I also experience interesting digestive issues.

3. The cow and I are on the heavier end of the scale.

4. We both contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Best hour

Guess what?

I'm pregnant.

Today hubby and I met our baby for the first time.  It took the doctor over an hour to take photos and make specific measurements.

It was one of the best hours of my life.

Baby lying on his/her side

Baby's bum and frog-like legs

Baby raising it's fist

 Baby, we can't wait to meet you.