Pregnancy: 17w

What I love: Pretty much everything. All the support from family and friends, this little bump and the baby behind it, Matt's never-ending excitement. I also bought a doppler recently, so I've been having fun finding Kit when I have the chance or need some reassurance!

What I hate: That I actually look pregnant, if tiny-pregnant. ;) THAT is taking some getting used to. [Same]

What I miss: My body, already. And I’m not even halfway through! [Same] And a glass of wine.

What I’m looking forward to the most: Thanksgiving, seeing my family, and finding out the sex! [Same]

Worries: I keep worrying when I don’t feel Kit move. I have to reassure myself constantly that I’m only 17w and won’t feel more constant movement for another few weeks or so. Not knowing what’s going on in there is freaking me out a bit. [Same]

Symptoms: A bigger belly, car sickness, some hip pain, and pregnancy rhinitis. Matt says I sound like a goddamn freight train when I sleep. ;) LOLOL

Mood: Varies. I'm having more mood swings, but nothing crazy.

Sleep: Good! Still feel like I'm getting too little. I also need a pillow between my legs when I sleep now!

Movement: Yup! Not so much yesterday, and I'm still waiting for today... but there's movement. :)

The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! Totally weird, though, it’s definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger. [Same]

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Weight gain: I’m up about 4.5lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, so 1lb less than last week. It fluctuates between 4 and 5lbs.

Milestones: We get to find out the sex next week!! OMG, next Wednesday!!

Best moment of the week: When two women who work the cafeteria for my job found out. :) One had figured it out last week, but I was in the cafeteria yesterday to grab something, and one pulled me aside and said, "Can I ask you something? And please don't take offense, but... are you pregnant?" I said yes, and they both squeed! Big hugs, lots of gushing over it, it was so incredibly sweet. :) I love those ladies!!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

How your life's changing:

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

An easy way to keep track of the nutrients you need "I made a simple chart of the basic food groups and posted it on the refrigerator. At the end of the day, I checked off what I had eaten. Then, for my bedtime snack, I tried to pick something that would fulfill whatever category was lacking — yogurt (or a bowl of ice cream!) if I needed more dairy, for example, or an orange if I needed more fruit." — Anonymous

Dreams During Pregnancy

Many women report that their dream life shifts into high gear during pregnancy. Interestingly, during the second and third trimesters, you spend less sleep time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the cycle in which most dreams occur. Why, then, all those frequent and vivid dream memories?

It's probably at least in part because you may be interrupting a dream-filled cycle when you wake up to pee, cope with heartburn, leg cramps, restless legs, or a backache, or to shift to a more comfortable position. Waking up during REM sleep makes you more likely to remember your dreams.

It may also be in part that dreams seem so vivid during pregnancy because for most women pregnancy is a time of such heightened emotions — from joy to apprehension and everything in between — but no one really knows for sure.

Here's a look at some common themes and what they may mean, according to Patricia Garfield, a clinical psychologist and author of Women's Bodies, Women's Dreams.

You're caring for baby animals. During the second trimester, many pregnant women dream about cuddly, baby-like animals, such as puppies, chicks, and kittens. Friendly creatures in your dreams are generally thought to signify that you're tuned in to your instincts. Menacing animals, on the other hand, may represent ambivalence about the strange new creature entering your life.

You have a sexy encounter with an old flame. Many mothers-to-be are concerned about their changing figure and its effect on their sex life — while many others feel more sexually charged than ever. Both feelings are often reflected in your dreams. Not only do erotic dreams offer comforting reassurance, but they may mirror the sexiness you feel during your waking hours, too.

Your mate is straying. If you dream that your partner hooks up with an ex-girlfriend or a total stranger, it can signal insecurity about holding his love and attention through a time of great change. Right now, you're dependent on the goodwill and support of those around you, especially your partner. Fearing his loss is a common emotional reaction to being pregnant.

Since there's nothing you can do to stop the crazy dreams, try having fun with them. Keep a notebook and pen by your bedside to jot them down.

This Week's Activity:

Start a baby name list. Make a list of ten names you like. Have your partner do the same. Trade lists and each cross out one name on the other's list that you dislike. Keep taking turns until you have a set of names you can both live with. Talk about why you like and dislike certain names. Many couples even create ground rules, such as no names of former girlfriends or boyfriends and no names that have ever been used for family pets.