For you Tami!!

This one is special for you Tami!! The weekly bump shot 14 weeks as requested!! xoxoxoxox love you!!

MMM cake.. baby chicken cake????

My friend Dawn sent this picture to me because everyone knows that I call my little nephew Mateo, my chicken since he was born. So, now... the saying is.. "You are having your own little chicken!" Yes, our very own baby chicken... yes it is crazy term but it has stuck!!! My students even ask how my baby chicken is!!!!! I told my mom at some point I need to have one of these cakes when we find out the gender in January!!!

Melissa and me!!

This is an updated photo of my friend Melissa and me with our signs.. we took a picture together awhile back in the blog as well.. boy have we grown!! Melissa just felt her daughter Presley's first kick last night YAY!!! So exciting!!! Melissa is 21 weeks 4 days and I am 14 weeks 4 days! Exactly 7 weeks behind, it is so nice to hear from her what I have to look forward too as well. Thank you girl!! xo

A Lemon? A Monkey?? Baby Bigfoot???

Into week 14 here and people are really noticing the bump :) Baby Mastropolo is the size of a lemon. I bought my first pair of maternity jeans!! They are really cute...nothing matronly, Lord knows that is so not me! LOL!!

So, Baby Mastropolo is toe wiggling and thumb sucking already!! Baby Mastropolo is making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid!! The liver, kidneys, and spleen are also developing. Baby Mastropolo's neck is getting longer allowing little one to sit up more straight. Our little monkey... baby bigfoot... has Lanugo (thin, downy hair) that is growing all over their little body to keep them snuggly and warm.

With all this wondrous events also comes round ligament pain which occurs from the uterus growing and expanding. I have been experiencing this at times and just have to take it easy. Feeling the normal amount of tiredness... otherwise enjoying every moment, especially seeing myself grow!!!

Post Thanksgiving!

Had such a wonderful Thanksgiving and my favorite part was when we all went around the table and said what we are thankful for. So much to reflect upon and be so thankful for!!! My Mom and Dad both said they are thankful for Baby Mastropolo on it's way... When more family came for dessert all I heard was " You are finally showing, look at that cute little bump!" My reply was, "Doesn't feel very little LOL." Then I heard, "Oh, you just wait!!" It is true, from one day to the next I feel I am growing much faster now in my belly than ever before, it is so crazy , but so awesome! Lately, though, I have been getting lower back pain. Heat feels really good on it, so I will continue that regime. Week 14 is steadily approaching!

Everything is PEACHY!!! Here we go week 13!!!

Second trimester has "officially arrived"!!! YAY!!! This is what is called the "Honeymoon trimester!" Baby Mastropolo is the size of a large peach this week! Our baby's head is catching up in proportion to the rest of the little body, looking less like an alien!! Baby Mastropolo's intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to our baby's tummy and is forming teeth and vocal cords! Way to go to our little wonder!! As for mommy and daddy to be, we are feeling awesome. Sal loves to say, "I want to feed my baby some (whatever we are eating)..." it is the cutest thing, not to mention he loves to rub the "belly" which we also call a "bonzee or bonzette" crazy Italian family slang LOL! I feel I am growing by the day, it truly is such a blessed feeling.

TGIF and hello belly!

I am so glad it is Friday. What a great, but exhausting week!!! I took a new picture today of my belly. It is funny my students have been saying,"Mrs. M you do not look pregnant!" Then today all of a sudden there was "Ummm, Mrs. M umm yea I can see your little belly now." From one day to the next it is so funny how things change, especially with my body. It is absolutely glorious, and I LOVE it!

The bets have also started whether I am going to have a boy or a girl. Starbursts are at stake with my students!!!! We will not know the gender until January with my next Ultrasound and that is fine with us, we do not want to rush any of this amazing process!!

Onto Week 12... 3 months already!!!??? Time is a flying by...

YAY!!! Second trimester! I am in what is called the "maintenance phase" for Baby Mastropolo. The organs get to work and the baby's systems continue to mature. Baby Mastropolo is about 2.5 inches, about the size of a large plum and weighs about a 1/2 ounce.

The fetal digestive system is beginning to flex its digestive muscle as it starts practicing contraction movements. The pituitary gland at the base of the brain has started producing hormones, and the bone marrow is making white blood cells. WOW!!! Baby Mastropolo is working hard!! LOL I get more and more excited each day!! I do have to be careful to not get up so quickly all the time, as I am so used to racing around like a nut!! The reason is that my growing uterus may put pressure on my blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to my brain. So, basically I need to SLOW IT DOWN!!!

This is the most amazing experience for Sal and I. We are absolutely enjoying every single minute.

2nd OB appt!

Today, was my second OB appt and everything has been going great my Dr. said. I heard the heartbeat again today, very strong 164 bpm! YAY!!! I will not get another ultrasound until January and at that time we will find out the GENDER of Baby Mastropolo!! I can't wait for that! The Dr.did tell me no more bike riding so...looks like just the treadmill and walking for my lower body, whatever is best for Baby M. ! I gained some weight which the Dr. was happy about as well! I feel wonderful as I enter into my 2nd trimester!

Baby Mastropolo's first blankie, dish, and flatware set!!

My mother in law "Mom M" sent me the most beautiful handmade crochet blanket (blankie) for her "AZ baby", it is soooooo soft!! It is perfect!! My dear Tami had sent us our first baby dish and 3 piece flatware set. There is zoom zoom around the edge of the plate and the neck of the flatware (with little airplanes). Thank you so so much Mom M and Tami, we love you! xo

Baby Mastropolo is now 2+ inches. YAY!!!!

This picture makes the 2 + inches look bigger LOL, but it really is measured at 2 + inches!! Baby Mastropolo is about the size of a lime!