20 Weeks Pregnant!

I can not believe we are half way though this pregnancy, it seems like just yesterday I was at my first Dr's appointment. I can truly say I have enjoyed each and everyday of my pregnancy. 

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain: 11lbs

Maternity clothes? Yup!

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Good

Best moment this week: Seeing our my stomach move from his kicks

Miss anything? Not really.

Movement: YES!! Baby is Moving & Kicking like Crazy

Food cravings: None this week!  

Anything making you queasy or sick: No.

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: No.

Symptoms: Skin pigmentation

Belly button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody? Excited :)

 

It's a Boy!!

We are so happy to announce we are expecting a baby boy in May, we found out on December 17th and we're able to get our Christmas cards out in time revealing the big news.

With the Holidays coming and going we have been extremely busy, but we have still made time to really savor this precious time in our lives.

17 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain: 10lbs

Maternity clothes? Yup!

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Getting Better

Best moment this week: Going to my Dr. Appointment to hear 

everything is perfect :)

Miss anything? Not really.

Movement: YES!! Baby is Moving like Crazy

Food cravings: None this week!  

Anything making you queasy or sick: No.

Gender: Find out in a week!

Labor signs: No.

Symptoms: Skin pigmentation is about it. 

Belly button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody? Happy :)

  

Modern at Home Comfort AngelSounds Fetal Doppler

Since my Doctors appointments started becoming monthly, I have been anxiously waiting to hear my little ones heartbeat again so, I started researching at home affordable Fetal Doppler devices. I found that in our modern world I wasn't alone there are a ton of at home FDA cleared devices you can buy to listen inside your womb in between those long 4 week waiting periods in between doctors appointments. Since I wasn't sure, up until this past week if I had felt (quickening) or moving yet it was a nice re-assurance that I have been doing everything right and my baby's heartbeat is strong.

After researching I have found there are so many affordable devices to choose from, I decided on the AngelSounds Fetal Doppler by Jumper only about ($30) this device allows you to listen and record your baby's heartbeat. 

This device is so simple to use, you must first unwrap the battery and install it, next connect headphones or a speaker, use just a little of the included ultrasound gel or (baby oil) to the lower part of your stomach and turn on your device, once you start moving it listen for a heartbeat about double the speed of your own.

Although it took me about 5 minutes the first time to find the baby's heartbeat, I could hear it perfectly !! I recorded for 10 seconds and counted the beats then multiplied it by 6 to find out the BPM mine was still up at 151 BPM about the same from my first ultrasound. 

This device is NOT to replace your regular doctors appointments it is used to simply listen to your baby in the convince of your own home.  

Gender Reveal Photo Props

As you may know we find out the gender of our baby in just a week & a half! In preparation for our reveal photos I have made up these cute little Christmas Ornaments, I know we are pushing the limit here but we will use our reveal photos for our Christmas card this year :)

How to make your own:

You will need:

 A glass (or plastic) ornament ball 

Color tissue paper 

Scrap booking letter stickers

Color Satin Ribbon  

Put it together!

Open the ornament ball at the top

Cut tissue paper into strips and crinkle 

feed tissue paper into opening

Close your ornament

Add the lettering and satin ribbon 

Viola !! 

I will add our gender reveal photos soon, you can also add the expected date or baby name for a true keepsake ornament.

Follow Me on Instagram! @themagnoliamom

Enjoy!   

  

Does a good pregnancy pillow make the difference?

Today I woke up on my back again, this has been happening for about a week now.. I am in the 16th week of my pregnancy and debating on a pregnancy pillow! 

I have been researching all day on the (few) recommend pregnancy pillows out there, my question is does a good pregnancy pillow really make a difference? At this point I am well aware it is only going to be harder and harder to get a good nights rest as I grow and grow but, I am willing to try about anything!

Boppy   

Boppy 3pc Custom-Fit Total Body Pregnancy Pillow with Back, Belly and Leg Support

This pillow retails for $54.99 at Target and has 4.5 star out of 5 rating, most of the reviews are 50/50 either they love this product or they can't stand it! 

Bump Nest

Only available online www.bumpnest.com

This pillow is the ONLY pregnancy pillow I have found that is Machine Washable !!! Yes, the actual pillow and the case are machine washable (very convenient for a clean freak like me) this pillow retails for $89.00 and comes with one of the 9 fun pillow covers offered from Bump Nest. I have not found that many reviews on this particular pillow but the few I have found call it a lifesaver.

Leachco 

Leachco - All Nighter Total Body Pregnancy Pillow

This pillow retails for $55.00 at Walmart and has a average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 most of the reviews on this monster of a pillow are really good! I am not sure how I feel about the wrap around design, although it does make sense.   

Any suggestions? I would love to hear your experiences and reviews about using a pregnancy pillow.