19 weeks with our maybe baby girl!!!

It's WELCOMING WEEK MONDAY! Today means Baby Moore is 19 weeks.

The more and more I look at my ultrasound pictures, the more I feel like Baby Moore really is a girl. I was so certain I was growing a boy in there because I had no morning sickness, no urges to look at girl items, and most importantly, we have no girl names we can agree on, but the perfect boy name. Now I am kind of in shock that this baby is a girl. Well most likely a girl. We find out for sure next Saturday. Hopefully baby won't be a brat next week. That bratty behavior alone makes my husband think the baby is a girl, and just as stubborn as her momma. Thanks David. But like I said before, my mom thought I was a boy and BAM, out I came missing the penis. Guess it runs in the family.

So this week we are desperately trying to rack our brains on what in the world we would name a girl. We both like the first name Natalie. It is Italian and means born on the day of Christ [hmmmm who's birthday is that?] Well I wanted to spell it Natalee, so that we can incorporate Lee into the name, and make it unique. David however, has a major complex with misspelling the baby's name. Plus I read that you shouldn't misspell your child's name because when it grows up and goes on interviews, companies actually tend to look at the misspelling as if you came from an uneducated background. So he might win on that front. But since we both have Lee as our middle names, and have Lee in our parents names, I really want Lee to be in each child's name. Natalie Lee sounds like a tongue twister though.

I like Natalie Leena Moore. He hates it. David likes Natalie Leeanna Moore. I'm ok with it, but I'm not in love with the name, and find it a little too country. We are at a stand still. Anyone have any suggestions with Lee in there?

I have been fairly good on the salt from for the past week. I'm not perfect, but I am also not licking the salt out of the palm of my hand, nor pouring it over fruit to eat straight. Still weak on not eating chips though. I am also still struggling with getting enough veggies in my diet. I lowered my intake of milk, to try to make room for other stuff. It's so much food to eat in a day, that I feel like my stomach is stretching out all day long. I am one of those people that does not enjoy the "full feeling" I find it makes me feel tired, and irritable because I can't nap, and I don't really want to do much.

On the plus side, because of my salt decrease, I think I debloated a bit. In this week's pictures, I actually feel like I look smaller. So I decided to measure, and I came in at 36 inches at my belly button, and 37.25 inches at my biggest sticking out lower part. I think that is a tad lower than last week. I also weighed in at 167.8. Tuesday I am going to a swimming dance class that is on Tuesday and Thursday nights. I may start adding this to my 2 day workouts, because I feel that I am still putting on to much each week. All about control. Unfortunately control and pregnancy are not very good friends. I am so thankful I don't have those outstandingly strong cravings for food. Give me a bowl of spaghetti, or a baked potato, and I am a happy camper!

Least I can still wear my jeans

You can see my "sleep marks" from not waking up to long ago

Are you a little girl in there? Come on, let us know!!!

Still carrying deep in the low parts

Now time for the weekly update from Baby Gaga on pregnancy, week 19....

Congratulations! Your baby is now approximately 10 inches long! How did so much growth occur in so little time? It's actually just a question of measuring the legs, which at the 19th week most doctors start to do (instead of the crown-to-rump measurements we've used previously). Watch your energy levels! If they start to dip, you might just want to drag yourself outside for a walk anyway.

Week 19:The poop factory is now open

Fetal development in pregnancy week 19:fetus in fifth month Your amazing little baby is now around 10 inches in length! If this seems a bit shocking, you’ll be relieved to know they’ve not actually grown over 3 inches, but that their little legs are now straight enough to be measured. This is when doctors begin measuring fetal growth from head to toe, (no longer “crown to rump” or CR). Lanugo (little hairs) covers their whole body now, trapping that charming cheese-like vernix caseosa (see week 18) to the surface to the skin. This week your lil’ fetus will start on an appetizing diet of amniotic fluid which they are now capable of swallowing, digesting, and passing the fluid as far as their tiny “large” intestines. Fortunately for you, this nice little lump of baby-poop won’t be coming out while they’re still in your womb. Some time shortly after they’re born, this fun lump will become the first in a long line of baby poops. (What finally comes out— commonly known as “meconium” to the science world, will be black and sticky, and you’ll be very glad it happens only once!)

And how's mom doing? Unlike generations of women before you who were taught pregnancy was practically an ailment (10% of women DID die in childbirth back then), we now have scientific evidence that exercise is a good thing when you’re pregnant. In fact, most physicians recommend continuing or starting a pregnancy-friendly proper exercise can do a lot towards increasing your overall flexibility (at a time where your body wants to stiffen up) thereby somewhat reducing the pain and tension during laborexercise regimen. Walking, running, swimming, weight training and yoga (see week 20) are all good for your heart and overall physical stamina during this physically challenging time. Not to mention proper exercise can do a lot towards increasing your overall flexibility (at a time where your body wants to stiffen up) thereby somewhat reducing the pain and tension during labor. Last but not least, exercise can keep you from gaining unnecessary amounts of weight (which you’ll have to fight off later after birth if you don’t do it now). Obviously, you’re going to want to avoid sports where you are at risk of falling or being hit in the stomach. Basically, stay away from sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and skiing. Instead, opt for the pool, weight room, and/or yoga class. We’re not saying you should stress yourself out trying to be a world-class athlete, but if you’re eating right and getting enough sleep, exercise during this health-critical phase of your life, will keep your collective energy levels higher and increase your feeling of well-being, as well as ensuring that you and your baby are in top physical and mental condition.