Technology today is amazing, there’s no doubt about that, so why not do something if you can?

Finding out what we were having was quite the issue when I first found out that Kyle and I were going to be having a baby. He wanted to know, I didn’t. I went with the “It should be a surprise because that’s the tradition” argument. But really – we’re not overly traditional people.

Other than getter married before having kids, that’s about the only traditional thing we’ve done by “the books.” We moved in together before we were married, and then there’s fornication … Yeah, not traditional whatsoever. So, after figuring that it would make my life a lot easier to find out what we’re having, I decided, why the hell not find out?

It was actually frustrating when I told some people that we decided that we were going to find out what we were going to have. A lot of people gave us flack for it, saying that we should wait because it should be a surprise. There’s going to be a lot of surprises anyway with raising a child, and knowing a few months sooner wasn’t going to hurt.

I had actually said on Facebook that the choice is ours to make, and regardless of what it is, people shouldn’t judge us. I certainly don’t judge people for wanting to keep it a surprise, so why should they be allowed to judge me?

I know in some parts of the world that it’s a huge controversy because of gender preference in some cultures. Males are generally more “desirably” than females, and so many female pregnancies are aborted or if they are born, they’re given up for adoption. I can definitely understand the ethical conflict doctors and ultrasound technicians may have when telling a couple that they are having a girl or boy.

Where I live, there’s two places (that I’m at least aware of) that do ultrasounds for pregnancy. One location will tell you if you’d like to know, and one will not regardless. I don’t know if it’s up to your doctor to decide which location you’ll go to, but I would imagine that their own personal morals and ethics have something to do with that decision.

But – without turning this into an ethical debate – because that’s not what I’m looking to do, I digress into the important stuff: Pregnancy update and pictures!

I had my first ultrasound on Thursday last week and after trying my hardest to hold all 4 cups of water in me (it didn’t happen – I peed several times before my actual scan and had the technician stop 1/2 way through so I could go again), we got to see our little baby! I’m still in serious aww over the fact that the picture on the screen was actually my little person growing inside me! So surreal!!

How far along? 20 weeks – Half way there!!

How big is baby? It’s about 10″ long from head to heel, and weighs about 10.5oz!

Total weight gain/loss: I’ve gained 2lbs since the last time I weighed myself, so not a heck of a lot still! I’m thinking I’m really going to blow up in the next few weeks. Not looking forward to that, lol. My belly has definitely been growing steadily it seems though!

Maternity Clothes? I haven’t really done any serious maternity clothes shopping. Ever since I got my Bella Band, I’ve been wearing my normal clothes for the most part! I may have to buy some new shirts to accommodate my belly though, lol.

Stretch marks? Still none – Yay!

Sleep: I’ve discovered that I’m starting to experience a little bit of heartburn when I go to bed. Thank goodness for Tums!

Movement: There has been tons of movement! It’s so amusing. The baby kept moving like crazy during the ultrasound too, so the technician had a hard time getting all the images she needed. This was not ideal because it took longer, and I had to pee, so I was whiny. I’m sure the lady was used to it, because she didn’t get frustrated when I said I needed to pee.

Food cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary! I’ve been eating a lot of ice cream though, lol.

What I miss: Sleeping comfortably. My neck and shoulder are taking a beating from me always sleeping on my side. I’ve been getting some pretty serious headaches as a result.

What I am looking forward to: Getting the colours picked out for the baby’s room and painting!! Now that we know what we’re having, picking colours is going to be SO much easier!

Milestones: Definitely my ultrasound, no doubt about it! It was so amazing, especially to have Kyle there with me.

Photo: 

Oh – and what are we having, you ask??

IT’S A GIRL!!!
(Photoshopped bow for added clarity ;)) 

We’re still mulling over the name, but I’m 90% sure of what it’s going to be :)

Baby names: They can be a touchy subject.

Sometimes, family members want you to keep a tradition going, like using a certain name as a middle name. Other times, family members don’t care what you name the kid.

Luckily for Kyle and I, our family hasn’t given us much input as to what they’d like to see us name their future grandchild. The only mention was of “passing the family name down”, which will obviously happen if we have a boy. Not that there’s a legacy attached to it or anything like that. There is a quasi-tradition of making the middle name of the first-born son the first name of his grandpa (so Kyle’s dad). This is not happening. Also not happening: Giving any child the first name of another family member. No, there will be no “Jr’s” in our household!

But – The topic of discussion isn’t actually whether or not we’re naming our child after anyone. It’s about keeping our list of baby names to ourselves. You see, friends of ours had a baby girl a couple Octobers ago, and they let it slip what they would’ve named their baby if they had a boy. Last September, mutual friends had a boy and used the same name. Not cool.

Since Kyle and I have decided to find out what we’re having (which, will *hopefully* be Thursday at my ultrasound appointment!), we have been slamming our heads off the walls trying to come up with baby names. Girl names, to be more specific. Our boy name is pretty rock solid.  Regardless, we’re not telling anyone what the opposite gender’s name pick is because we do plan on having at least one more child (maybe two!) and we don’t want our names snatched up by greedy friends, especially since I know a few people also having kids this year (due after me to boot).

I don’t even know how keen I am on telling family the names we have picked out because some of them are easy to let news slip accidentally. The only thing we’re willing to tell people for now is if we’re having a boy or a girl.

I don’t know if I’m being paranoid or not, but I don’t think it’s an absolutely ridiculous idea.

Anyway – Here’s this week’s pregnancy update!

How far along? 19 weeks

How big is baby? He or she is about 6″ long from crown to bum, and weighs about 9 oz., according to BabyCenter.ca!

Total weight gain/loss: 

Maternity Clothes? Nothing new, actual clothing-wise. I did, however, get a Bella Band from a girl in town for dirt cheap ($5!!!) because it was “used.” It was a screamin’ deal considering a brand-new one is $28 USD plus shipping, which I would’ve had to send to my grandparents who are snow-birding in Palm Springs and then have them ship it to Canada for me. (They don’t ship to Canada). Anyway – It’s seriously the BEST thing ever. If you’re too lazy to click the link, it looks like a tube top that you wear around your waist to hide your unbuttoned pants to make things more comfortable in your pre-pregnancy clothing. Since I’m too cheap to go on a maternity wear shopping spree just yet, it’s the best! I highly recommend it to any expectant mom!

Stretch marks? Still none!

Sleep: I can’t seem to get comfortable. It’s horrible, because I toss and turn, which wakes Kyle up, and then we’re both grumpy in the morning.

Movement: I feel more and more movement every day, it’s amazing! I can now actually feel it when I put my hand on my tummy! Kyle even got to feel a couple pokes the other night, which just warms my heart.

Food cravings: I finally satisfied my intense craving for ice cream and Chinese food all in the same night. It probably wasn’t the best idea, but my dreams weren’t too weird! I actually dreamed that we had a girl, lol.

What I miss: Taking sinus pain killers. I get THE WORST sinus headaches and not being able to take my Advil Cold & Sinus is slowly killing me, I swear. Saline nasal spray just doesn’t cut it.

What I am looking forward to: Hopefully finding out what we’re having on Thursday! We’re both soooo excited for my ultrasound – I hope baby cooperates so we can see what it is!

Milestones: Definitely Kyle feeling the baby move. It put such a huge smile on both our faces :)

Photo: 

Questions:
Do you plan on keeping your baby’s name a secret until he or she is born?
What about the names you like but didn’t use?