Thankful

We had a very simple, but nice Thanksgiving. There is definitely a lot to be thankful for at any given time, but this year we have a few extra things that we are super thankful for. I am thankful for a healthy little girl and a problem free pregnancy so far.  Baby Bell has already changed so much in our lives. I am also thankful for my awesome hubby who has been amazing throughout this pregnancy, our families and sweet little Winston.

There really aren't many pregnancy related changes since my last post. I am craving sweets a lot, this could be dangerous. I keep fresh fruit on hand to help curb the cravings. I feel like I have been carrying so low, I think that is starting to change a little. I had a doctors appointment last Tuesday and everything looked great. 

 Here is a picture from Thanksgiving night, we forgot to take one yesterday, oh well.

 

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

21 & 22

 We actually start a new week in the pregnancy every Sunday, but I've been behind and haven't been posting the updates on the correct day. I'm hoping that will change starting soon. We have had a ton going on with life in general and I have barely gotten on the computer lately. On to the updates . . .

21 Weeks

22 Weeks

Winston was very interested in the prop this week. Silly guy!

Stats

How far along? 21-22 weeks!

How big is baby? The size of a banana and a papaya.

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 6 pounds.

Maternity clothes? I can still fit in a good amount of my regular clothes, but I much prefer the way the maternity clothes look and feel.

Sleep: Still struggling to get more than 6-7 hours a night. Weekends are best because I can sleep in. I seem to get the best sleep from around 4am-10am, weird.

Best moment these weeks: Finding out that we're having a girl!! Also feeling so much movement. Tye can feel a lot as well, so that makes it even better.

Movement: Oh yes!

Food cravings: Nothing too crazy. I am more than ready for Thanksgiving dinner though :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Yep!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In, I think it may be time to take my piercing out though.

Symptoms: Some hip and back pain due to my body making room for the baby, bloody noses (gross) and lots of heartburn. 

What I’m looking forward to: The holidays and getting another week down in the books! Next week is a big one!

What I miss: Still missing sushi and regular sleep.

More on little Winston...He has really been a cuddle bug with me lately. He can usually be found snuggled up next to or right on my belly. I love it! He is very gentle around kids, so I have no worries on how he'll act with the baby. I just hope that Tye and I do a good job of making him feel important and loved. Yes, I realize most people roll their eyes and think "it's just a dog", but we refer to him as our firstborn and can't get enough of his sweet face!

Overall, I am feeling really good. I have been able to get more workouts in and seem to have a little more energy lately. I am definitely eating with no issues, thank God! I really never thought that would happen. We have had such a fun time shopping for all things girly. My sweet dad went out and bought his granddaughter her first SF Giants jersey and her very first Barbie!! He got her clothes as well, but I am most excited about the others. I never even thought to buy her a Barbie. Dads are the best! My Mom also bought her some adorable dresses (these purchases were made well before we knew the gender, haha!) and matching bows. Tye's family hasn't skipped a beat in the shopping department either. I honestly feel like finding out the sex has really made everyone feel closer to the baby.  It has just melted my heart to see how excited everyone is. She is so loved already, I can't imagine what it will be like once she is here with us all.

Sugar and spice...

and everything nice! We found out today that we are having a sweet little baby GIRL!!! My intuition was completely off as I was willing to put money on the fact that we would have a boy, ha! Tye, on the other hand, has been saying it's a girl from the beginning. We are both beyond excited and feeling extra lucky today to have a healthy baby in general, but to know that we'll be welcoming a daughter into our lives in March has put the icing on the cake.


I am especially very excited for Tye. There is something about a father/daughter relationship that can be so special and sweet. I was blessed with an amazing Dad and absolutely adore my relationship with him. I know that I can count on my Dad for anything and nothing will ever change the bond that we have. It makes me happy to know that my husband will have that with our daughter.


Ok, enough with the sappy stuff, I am about to release some preggy induced hormonal crying. It's time to head to bed and have sweet dreams of tutus, over sized bows and all things girly!


Thank you Lord for a healthy baby girl!

20 weeks...Half way there!

We are officially half way through this journey! I feel like the more recent weeks have flown by. I want to cherish each and every second of this pregnancy, but I also cannot wait until this sweet baby is here in our arms.

I keep hearing that pregnant women have crazy dreams. This is not the case for me. I've had two somewhat odd dreams. The first was that I was at my baby shower and the only foods being served were sushi and deli sandwiches. Two things that I cannot eat and have been craving, haha. The other dream was that my favorite burger place, In-N-Out, was going out of business. Apparently I am very concerned with food lately.

 I am still pretty tired most of the time, but my appetite is back and I've been loving being able to finally eat full meals. I had my first "stranger comment", a sales girl at Ulta complimented my belly and asked when I was due. I guess that means that I am finally rounding out and not looking like I'm sporting a beer belly, that makes me happy!

20 Week Stats!

How far along? 20weeks!

How big is baby? The size of a cantaloupe!

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 4 pounds.

Maternity clothes? I am preferring the maternity jeans over regular ones. I am still able to wear most of my regular shirts and sweaters, I have a feeling this will change soon.

Sleep: I have been sleeping more comfortably now that I have the Boppy. I wake still wake up 3-4 times each night, and some nights it's nearly impossible for me to fall back asleep.

Best moment this week: Continuing to feel more and more movement.

Movement:Definitely! I am loving being able to feel him or her dance around. (even if it's at night while I am trying to sleep, haha)

Food cravings: I've been craving a lot of chocolate. This is odd because I'm not typically a chocolate kind of person.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not recently, thank God.

Have you started to show yet: Yep!

Gender prediction: I still feel like it's a boy. 3 days and we'll hopefully know.

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In, I think it may be time to take my piercing out though.

Symptoms: Some hip and back pain due to my body making room for the baby. 

What I’m looking forward to: The appointment on Monday. Tye and I are so anxious!

 What I miss: Still missing sushi and regular sleep.

Milestones: Half way there!

Happy 11.11.11!!

It's been a while...

This post is long over due, but we've had a few busy weeks and one tired preggy that can hardly find energy to watch tv at night.


We've had a few milestones since my last update, the most exciting one has been feeling the baby move. The first official movement, according to me, was on October 23. I had been feeling something close to a twitch and a rolling feeling off and on for about a week or so, a few inches below my belly button. On that Sunday night after dinner, while laying on the couch, I felt something much stronger and more towards the right side. Then I put my hand in the area and felt something even stronger and on both sides. I told Tye to hurry and place his hand on my belly and a few seconds after, we both felt the baby move! It was a very surreal and awesome moment for us both. I loved being able to identify the feeling as the baby moving, and I love even more that Tye was able to share that moment with me. Ever since then, I have definitely been noticing the little love bug dancing around. Most of the movement feels like a somersault, I never experienced the flutters or popping sensation that so many women talk about. I feel the most movement at night while relaxing or while I am trying to fall asleep, ha! I don't mind it one bit though.


We had our big 20 week ultrasound aka anatomy scan on Oct 27. The baby looked healthy and we were able to see all of it's little fingers, toes, kidneys, the four chambers in his/her heart, and were told that everything looked just perfect and right on track. The baby weighed 9 ounces, I forgot to ask how long it was though. Unfortunately, we are still in the dark on the gender. The little one had it's legs crossed or it's hands in front of the "private area" the entire time. Leave it to our child to be extremely stubborn, haha. So, we'll be going back next week to have another look and hopefully get an answer. If not, I guess we'll have a huge surprise come March.

Aside from that, not much is new. I've been enjoying feeling the baby roll around each day. Last Monday the baby was kicking so hard that I could see my stomach moving. That was a shock but super neat.


 I have had a few issues with pain and cramping while my body is making room for the growth going on. Last week I had some excruciating hip and lower back pain due to everything stretching out. It was the worst thus far, makes me slightly scared for labor! Tye was sweet and bought me the boppy body pillow. I wasn't a fan the first two nights but am completely hooked now. It has really helped with keeping me comfortable and helping me sleep longer each night.


There is a noticeable change in the size of my belly. I think it is finally starting to take shape and look less like I need to work out. At times, I feel like my stomach wants to grow faster than my skin is allowing. I have been using plenty of lotions and body butter since the very beginning to help prevent any stretch marks and help with the crazy itching that's been going on.


Here are the week 18 & 19 pics.

                                             

                             Week 18, baby was the size of a sweet potato (I forgot to pick one up)

   Week 19, baby was the size of a mango and already helping Mommy and Daddy cheer on the 49ers!