Looking for Breastfeeding Advice

I am going to try and breastfeed and I am wondering what bottles moms have found that work best for storing breast milk and for feedings? I have read some great reviews for the Avent bottles. I purchased the Madela pump - my goodness they are expensive! The Madela bottles are BPA free, but others have come out with BPA free bottles too. So, mommies...if any of you have products to recommend, please share. Thanks!

On to Week 13

Time is just moving right along! Our 3D ultrasound, scheduled for Nov. 30th, couldn't come fast enough though. We want to know so bad! Unfortunately, I can't figure out what my body is doing ;) The nausea went away, but has now returned...only not as bad as the first trimester. I have no appetite. You know the "nothing sounds good to eat" feeling? That's what I have right now. I have to eat...so I force myself, but then I get sick. I continue to lose weight rather than gain (not that I couldn't spare to lose quite a bit ;-) The strange dreams continue - and the night sweats too.

Milestones!

We are under 200 days left and the end of my first trimester! Woohoo! I am feeling soooo much better too. No morning sickness and my ear infections are clearing up. I am glad that I have quite a few colleagues who have recently become mommies because I get to pick their brains about their experiences. I was a little worried because I have lost my appetite - nothing "sounds good" and although I am hungry I just don't feel like eating. They reassured me that this will pass as well.

I told my students that I am pregnant and they are all excited. We wrote down all of their guesses as to whether we are having a boy or a girl. Quite a few voted girl! It will certainly be something I have to wrap my mind around after being in a "boy mode" for three years! Ironically, the only name will have pinned down is a girl's name: Isabella (Bella) Rose De Lorenzo. We have a list of several boys' names, but have not narrowed it down to a favorite yet. Here is our list:

Christian (my paternal great-grandfather's name)
Daniel
Giovanni (Joe's maternal grandfather's name)
Jacob
Jack
Jason
Justin
Patrick
Paul (my maternal great-grandfather's name)
Sean

Unfortunately, our favorite boy name, Stephen, was to be given to Stas and Andrey, and we just don't feel comfortable using it.

PS - Yes, we have a 3D ultrasound scheduled for Sunday, November 30th...we are hoping our little peanut is cooperative and we can see his or her jems ;)

Feeling Better

I am feeling so much better today! Better yet...I have not thrown up in three days :) I feel so guilty that I have missed so much work; since school started I have missed four instructional days. It's back to work tomorrow and I am just glad to be getting out of the house! Joe's 37th birthday is tomorrow! We actually have a busy day scheduled so I am not sure we'll be able to really celebrate until the weekend :( Happy birthday sweetie! I love you!

Frustration

Why do people perpetuate the myth of the "glowing" pregnant woman? Is there such a thing? I certainly don't feel like I am glowing. I am so frustrated. I had two days that were throw-up free and I have now been hit with a double ear infection and the nausea is constant. I do know there are women who feel their healthiest when they are pregnant, but so far, that is not me. The only positive is that I have lost five pounds - lol!

Week 11 begins on Sunday :) I am really excited to watch the ticker/ countdown! It is almost under 200 days left! I also can't wait to find out the baby's sex. I still can't believe we are pregnant...it is so amazing and surreal.

Unfortunately, the blood clot in my arm is still there. I have an appointment this week with a vascular surgeon and I'm a little nervous about that. My doctor doesn't want me to stay on the blood thinners past my second trimester - something about it being bad for the placenta.

Finally, No Sickness Today :)

Today was the first day in two weeks that I have not thrown up. The last week was the worst. Yesterday, for example, I threw up four times. I was shocked and elated that I didn't get sick today! Hopefully, this means it is subsiding like everyone keeps saying it will. We are ten and a half weeks along and my OBGYN said the "morning" sickness should end by the end of my first trimester. Hooray!