Brandon was laying on my tummy last night watching a movie.  The baby was going crazy moving all over the place ... I kept asking Brandon if he could feel it but he couldn't... then BAM!  He sat up all startled and asked "Was that the baby?!"

So, he finally felt him.. and on what better day than Father's Day!?

The things we go through for our kids!  This is turning out to be a rougher pregnancy than I thought!

Bells palsy is a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. It's caused by trauma to the 7th cranial nerve, and is not permanent.

I mentioned in my last entry that I wasn't able to blink my right eye without force.  So, I went to the Dr. today and she confirmed it's Bells Palsy.  So, I have to use artificial tears to keep it moist AND I get to wear an eye patch to keep dust and debris out of it.  It could go away in a few weeks, or maybe not until I have the baby.  How embarassing... but I'm glad I took the advice of others and got it checked out!

I'm also feeling my mouth muscles weakening as part of this.. I just hope my smile doesn't go limp!!

I've researched a little bit and have run into a lot more cases than I thought I would of women who got this just during their pregnancy then it went away, so I'm hoping that will be my case and this isn't permanent.

We couldn't be more excited!!!  It was amazing to see him via ultrasound yesterday (a day earlier than expected!!).  He was doing acrobatics the whole time.  The tech could barely freeze a frame before he would move again (and sometimes she couldn't even get that and would have to try again!)
 
I went in with a full bladder (heard that makes for a better pic) and it worked as far as her being able to tell us it's a boy ... then it got too full, so in the time it took me to go to the bathroom and come back, the baby had done a complete 180!  When we first got there he was feet down, then flipped and was upside down.
 
And as you'll see in some of the pics, he was totally curled up in a ball - even though he's got all kinds of room to be moving around right now!  Silly boy.
 
She showed us all 4 chambers of his heart, both kidneys, his brain, his spine and other bones, even his little lips .. everything is perfect!!
 
He weighs in right now at 8 oz.  And she didn't say about how long he is ... but she did say his feet are just over an inch each.  How cute is that?!
 
Now, on to the naming (feel free to suggest!)

Here's what BabyCenter says this week: 
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, taking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

I've been really tired again this week.  And I'm hungry ALL THE TIME!!!  Luckily I haven't gained a ridiculous amount of weight (10 lbs as of today - but I'm having a hard time counting that b/c I had *just* eaten lunch and downed a bunch of water!  haha).  Hopefully it will stay that way.

I had my Dr. appt today for the regular follow up and to talk about the ultrasound.  I have to have another ultrasound in 4 weeks (bitter sweet) because my placenta is too low and if it doesn't move that could mean placenta previa.  That's when the placenta blocks the cervix opening your baby needs to travel through when giving birth. With Placenta Previa a cesearean is needed.  And sometimes it requires bed rest.  So... I'm trying not to stress in the meantime and just looking forward to seeing the baby again next month!  This is what BabyCenter says about it:  "Only about 10 percent of women who have placenta previa noted on ultrasound at midpregnancy still have it when they deliver their baby. A placenta that completely covers the cervix is more likely to stay that way than one that's bordering it (marginal) or nearby (low-lying)."  So, that could be good news.. I'm not sure how much the placenta was covering my cervix.

Also... this is weird and I never would have thought it could be pregnancy related.  But about 3 days ago Brandon noticed that my right eye wasn't blinking (creepy!) ... So today I heard that pregnant woman can develop gestational bells palsy, then it goes away after the birth.  So, I asked the OB about it today and she wanted me to get it checked out ASAP ... so, I have yet another Dr. appt tomorrow w/ the PCP.  Keep your fingers crossed that this won't last!  Not being able to blink is pretty annoying.  :)

My next actual Dr. appt is in 5 weeks rather than the regular 4 b/c I have to be 24 weeks to do the glucose test - yay me!

*** I've added pics to the photo album ... check them out!

I'm almost 1/2 way there... and only 7 more days until I'll be shouting to the world what we're having!!

Here's what baby center said this week: Head to rump, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

And here's what he looks like this week: http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-18-weeks ... They weren't kidding when they said the baby would be going through a growth spurt!!  I can really tell, too, because I've been feeling all kinds of movement!!  I love it.  And it's kinda funny - If I'm bent over, like sitting on the couch w/ my elbows on my knees, I'll feel him move like he's trying to say "You're squishing me!!"  haha

I started seeing a chiropractor this week for my back pain.  Turns out that pain in my butt wasn't sciatica - it was my husband!  HAHAHA .. I couldn't resist... no, but really - it's "just" my S1 joint (bottom of my spine) radiating pain.  I've had 2 adjustments so far and am feeling so much better already!  I also ordered a maternity pillow online today, he said that should help too.

Ugh... the heartburn is starting up too!  I've gone through quite a few tums the last few days, but today is the worst so far!  I had TONS of horrible heartburn w/ Kenna and she was born w/ TONS of hair... so let's hope that old wives tale will hold true again :)

I finally got my licorice rope (thanks mom!).... it was delicious!!  haha  Now, where are those pickles?

I read this thing the other day that said baby's who hear loud noises, such as a darking dog, on a regular basis while still in utero are better sleepers and will not have as hard a time adjusting to those noises on "the outside" .... so maybe having our stupid dog will finally pay off!

Kenna's got this thing lately where she bends down and waves to my belly, as if her baby brother or sister can see her.  She gets almost as excited as I do on Thursdays to see the email from baby center.  It's sweet.

Brandon has been awesome, too!  He's so sweet and understanding... he hasn't even made fun of me for eating like a cow.  I swear I eat once an hour!  It's crazy.  He rubs my belly (and even my back!) and he's getting very excited about the whole thing.  I can't wait to see his reaction at the ultrasound next week!

Everyone keep your fingers crossed that the baby's legs will be wide open next Thursday morning!!!