21 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 21 Weeks (completed 5/24/14)

This was right before we left to go camping, so I'm looking rather haggardly. No sense in getting ready when you're just going to be driving then heading to bed... or maybe I'm just lazy? Haha both, I'm sure.

Total weight gain: I'm not sure on this week, because we were camping when I normally weigh myself. So I'll have to get back to this next week.

Maternity clothes: Nothing new. In my photos I am wearing a maternity top from Target, and the capris are maternity ones from Motherhood Maternity.

Stretch marks? Pretty sure my legs are getting new ones. Boo! I mean, I already had some on my thighs before anyway, but they are creeping their way toward the front of my thighs instead of just on the sides.

Sleep: So not good the beginning of this week. I honestly could not breath out of my nose due to the congestion, per usual these days. I ended up borrowing a humidifier and some Vick's VapoRub from my parents to try and help me breath and keep my mouth/throat from drying out at night. I don't think the humidifier helped to keep me from drying out too much, but the Vick's did help with the breathing through my nose. After a couple days I could finally breath through one side, so I actually got a bit of sleep. By the end of the week I was able to sleep pretty well, which was needed. I had gotten hardly any the first few days.

Best moment this week: Camping! I love camping! We went over Memorial Day weekend on my family camping trip. It was a lot of fun and relaxation. Here are just a few photos from the trip. I took hardly any, I'm so terrible with photo taking. But... enjoy!

Just some fun pics of us hanging out. I didn't get pictures of half my family. But they were many more of us there.

The hubby making some dutch oven... YUM! And my oldest brother helping out with the coals, because ours weren't good for some reason.

My nephew Jace! He didn't want to take a picture with me, but I finally got one with his head up... cutie!

Family photo in front of our tent!

Miss anything? Beginning of the week I would've said being able to breath out of my nose again, but since that was mostly gone by the end of the week, I got nothing. Which is good!!

Movement: Yes! And I love it :)

Food cravings: Nadda, boring... I know.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Guess what!?!? I have not gotten sick from riding passenger in a car in like a week! YAYAY!! I made it all the way down to and back from our family trip without getting sick. It was just the best!

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Felt rather dizzy this week. One day was pretty bad, I didn't want to drive home from work, but I made it safely. As mentioned above, the congestion continued. It was really really bad the beginning of the week and started to taper off by the end. So I still had some congestion, just not quite as bad. Otherwise, I feel pretty good to be honest. I am feeling a lot like myself again and I am loving it!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! :)

 
Looking forward to: Our next appt! We get to do another ultrasound and I am excited to see my little girl. Also, still looking forward to when she is big enough that John can feel her more often as she moves. It's only once in a while right now.

20 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 20 Weeks (completed 5/17/14)

Total weight gain: Up 2 lbs this week. So a total of 11 lbs gained so far.

Maternity clothes: Didn't buy anything new this week, but I am wearing both maternity jeans, and top in my pics this week. Both from Motherhood Maternity. Very comfortable!

Stretch marks? Haven't noticed anything new yet.

Sleep: Not so great this week. Hubby and I switched sides of the bed so I could sleep on my left side with a body pillow more easily. Now I'm on the left side of the bed, so he is not in front of me when I'm on my left side. It is just more comfortable that way, and I can move the pillow and myself easier than if he was in front of me. Oh and speaking of... I started using a body pillow to sleep with. I didn't think having a pillow between your legs would make that big a difference, but it really does! I've noticed that when I use it my back hurts a lot less the next day. So that will be sticking around the rest of the pregnancy I'm sure! The worst part of sleep this week though has been my congestion. It's just so bad, I can't breath through my nose, and the alternate is just not fun and keeps me up. Breathing through my mouth at night keeps me awake more often than not. I'm just always waking up because I'm so dry and need water to hydrate my mouth again, and again.... and again. Not loving it.

Best moment this week: Definitely when John got to feel the baby move for the first time! It only happened once, just a really strong kick or punch or something, but it was the best! When I felt her move I would wait to see if he reacted at all. He didn't with most of them, but then the really big one he looked at me like he was in shock, and asked if that was her. It was cute, he was so excited! Can't wait til she is a little bigger and stronger so he can feel the movements more often.

Second best moment this week was Mothers Day. I don't really consider it my first mothers day since the baby isn't born yet, but John surprised me anyway. I woke up to blueberry muffins being made, fresh flowers, and some cute new earrings (I am wearing them in the pictures). It was adorable, and he is just the best husband a girl could ask for. He really knows how to make me feel special. Love you babe!

Miss anything? I'm going to stick with being able to breath normally again this week. The things we take for granted... right?

Movement: Yes! So it was Monday that John felt her move for the first time. Pretty normal movements all week, except Thursday she hardly moved at all! But she made up for being so calm Thursday, because Friday she was moving around like crazy! I think she was moving the entire time I was at work... and that night. It was just constant, and I loved it :)

Food cravings: Monday I had a crazy craving for fruit, but that was it for the week.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Let's see.... on Friday night we went out for Mexican because I thought that I could finally handle eating it again. Well, I was wrong. As soon as my plate of food came out, it made me want to hurl. It was sad, but I managed to down like 4 bites, then took the rest home.

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Such bad acid reflux the beginning of this week, probably the worst I've had yet as far as that goes. But it went away around Wednesday, then my congestion came back worse than ever (as previously mentioned). I seriously don't think I slept a full nights worth of sleep between Wednesday and the end of the week.

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? I feel like this question should be answered by my husband every week. Haha, maybe I'll start making him chime in on here. I would say happy, but I'm probably just blocking out the moody! Lol! I know my boss would think moody. He thought I was in a bad mood all week, but I wasn't... I just didn't want to be at work. I wanted to be home getting ready for baby, even though it's still so far away til she gets here.

 
Looking forward to: My family camping trip next week! We are going to Huntington State Park. I have never been there, but it should be fun. I love the outdoors! And the best part is, it's free. Who doesn't love free things, right?

19 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 19 Weeks (completed 5/10/14)

Week 19

Total weight gain: No weight gain this week, which is just crazy because I specifically ate way more this week after hearing baby was measuring 2 days small for our due date. So I thought I'd definitely be a couple pounds heavier this week. Oh well, still up 9lbs total so far.

Maternity clothes: Didn't buy anything new, and probably won't for a while if I do at all. No maternity clothes in the pics this week either. Somehow I managed just to squeeze into my pre pregnancy stuff. Bad idea by the way. Boobs just aren't meant to be that smashed for that long! It was pure bliss to take that dress and belt off after church! Haha

Stretch marks? No new ones, thank heavens! I have a feeling they are about to start popping up all over though. Really not looking forward to it. But hey, maybe I'll get lucky and bypass them on my tummy? Fingers crossed!

Sleep: Not too bad this week. No leg cramps, and my congestion started to die down so I slept a lot better than last week!

Best moment this week: Ummm.... our doctors appointment! It was our '20 wk' check up where they do an ultrasound to check all the of baby's vital organs and what not to make sure baby is growing healthy and there are no complications. I was soooo nervous going into it, but so relieved and happy after we left! Baby was still breech and sitting really low in my pelvis, so the u/s tech couldn't measure or see everything he needed to to make sure baby is completely healthy, however everything (like 90% of the needed things) he did check was looking great and healthy!  Happiest thing ever to hear I think! We are scheduled for another u/s at our next appt to finish checking the things they couldn't get this time. Also, luckily he was able to move baby just enough and go low enough that we were able to find out the sex of the baby!! YAY! You can find that out below. All in all, it was a fantastic day! :)

Miss anything? Not really missing anything this week. It was a good week!

Movement: Yes! I was hoping John would possibly be able to feel something this week from the outside, but no luck. One night while we were watching tv, I kept my hand on my stomach to see if I could feel from the outside and their was one movement I know I could, so I told him to hurry and come over. But baby stopped moving after that, silly baby.... must be shy. Maybe in a couple weeks he'll get to feel some of the fun!

Food cravings: Dutch oven potatoes! Oh my gosh, I can't even tell you how badly I want those this week! I wish we had a dutch oven so we could've made some, but we don't. Good thing we get some on Mothers Day! Seriously cannot wait!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Still just the riding passenger thing, so we try to avoid that at all costs.

Gender: Its a................................ GIRL!!! :D I am so excited!! John was slightly disappointed in the appointment when we found out. He was totally set on it being a boy this week, but he's still really excited too. And lets get real, he is going to be wrapped around her itty bitty finger, he'll love it! One of the reasons I am so excited it's a girl also, is that this will be the very first baby girl on my side of the family. I put baby in italics simply because I already have a beautiful little niece on that side, however she was introduced into our lives when she was a bit older. I want to say maybe around 4 or 5? So she is really the first girl grand daughter, but we didn't get to enjoy her as a baby. So glad she is in our family now though! My mother however, is just simply ecstatic that she gets a baby grand daughter finally! All of my brothers have had adorable little boys so far, but she has been dying to buy sundresses and girl clothes for far too long. You're welcome Mom! ;)

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Headaches, headaches, headaches... they are unrelenting. Got a bit of nausea on Friday and Saturday. I have been having a lot of acid reflux, which is just gross and uncomfortable. I also lost a lot of my energy I had gained back recently. I was just exhausted all week! A lot of shortness of breath too... like all the time. Who knew breathing would become such a chore, haha! Honestly though, I feel so much better now than I did in the first trimester that I am just happy it's not as bad and I feel way more normal.

Belly button in or out? In, however I have noticed over the last couple weeks that my belly button is way more shallow than it used to be. So so weird! Makes sense though, what, with a big old baby filled uterus moving up past it, haha! I just really don't want it to pop out, though I know that is very unlikely.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! Just such a good week. Loved, loved, loved it :)

 
Looking forward to: The halfway mark next week and it all being downhill from there. I cannot believe we have made it halfway through already (well, almost).

18 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 18 Weeks (completed 5/3/14)

Is that PJ's she's wearing you ask? Why yes, yes it is... haha I was feeling lazy :)

Total weight gain/measurements: 2lbs gained this week. Total gained so far is 9lbs.

Maternity clothes: Lots of new maternity clothes! YAY! I had $60 in 'Bump Bucks', from a promo they had going on last time I went shopping at Motherhood Maternity, and the money had to be spent by May 4th, so hubby and I went shopping. Got some shorts, a swim suit for summer, and a couple shirts. All so comfy and I'm excited to wear them.

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: Eh, some days good, some days not so good. Had leg cramps twice this week, but the worst was my really really bad congestion! I honestly couldn't breath out of my nose, so I'd sleep with my mouth open and that's just not fun. My mouth was just gross when I'd wake up and my throat was dry. I hate congestion :P

Best moment this week: Maternity clothes shopping? Haha I just like to shop, and it was a fun date night for me and the hubby. Well, for me... haha, I doubt he had that much fun.

Miss anything? Being able to breath out of my nose!

Movement: Yes! Some days it's the cutest thing in the world to feel baby move, and other days it is the weirdest thing and it freaks me out a little. I mean, there is a human just living inside me and moving around. Craziness!

Food cravings: Nadda

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing but car rides in my husbands truck, too bumpy.

Gender: We find out at our appointment next week!!!!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Congestion!! Leg cramps, headaches, ugh I hate headaches. Weirdest thing of the week was on Friday my sense of smell was so strong it literally started hurting my teeth to breath in. WEIRD! I mean, I had a strong sense of smell before from the pregnancy, but that day was just out of hand. It went away by the next day though thank goodness :)

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Little of both this week.

 
Looking forward to: Next week's appointment! Soo excited to watch baby on the screen for a good amount of time. Nervous to find out if everything is okay. Extremely excited to find out what we're having!

17 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 17 Weeks (completed 4/26/14)

Yup, I've gotten bigger since the last photos! Haha! Fyi, I am wearing maternity capris from Macy's that I just tucked into my boots (since they are capris instead of skinny's they look a little bunched, but it worked for me), also the black t-shirt is a maternity top from Target.

Total weight gain/measurements: I gained 1 lb this week, so I'm up a total of 7lbs.

Maternity clothes: The only maternity item I bought this week was a maternity tank top to wear at my dance competition. Other than that, nothing new, but I wear something maternity like every day, either pants or a shirt. I just love how much more comfortable they are than my old clothes with like elastic bands around the buttons or a too tight shirt that I can't wait to take off at the end of the day. Pregnancy is uncomfortable enough on its own, I don't see the point in adding to your discomfort! But that's just me ;)

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: Eh, it was okay this week. I was dying of heat most nights.... so much so, that it would wake me up multiple times. Also, the weird thing with my right hip hurting like crazy happened again this week. So weird! Same thing though, just woke up to use the restroom and it hurt really really bad, so I just stretched before going back to bed and it was fine when I woke up.

Best moment this week: Hmm... that is a good question! Nothing specific really stands out. I'd want to say the dance competition I performed in, but that gave me more anxiety than anything I think, haha! So, I'm just gonna go with the times I felt baby move, because that always puts a smile on my face :)

Miss anything? Being lady like? Haha oh man, just half the symptoms are so not lady like and it drives me nuts! And honestly, feeling confident. I just feel big and gross more often than not, can't remember the last time I felt good about myself (or sexy for the hubby).

Movement: Yes! Just little movements mostly. Feels like the little one does a lot of flips and moving side to side. No official "Oh that was a kick!" or anything. I think baby is still a little too small for that, but its been fun to feel the little movements. The baby even already has a pretty regular schedule as far as movements (I have no idea if that is normal or not, but there is definitely a schedule). The first movements always come right when I get to work so typically 9:30ish to about 10:30. Then again around 2pm and lasts til about 3pm, and those are usually the last ones for the day that last a while. Once in a while I'll get a night time movement, but its always the smallest of the day, and it doesn't last long at all. Just one little movement.

Food cravings: Alas, nothing to report in this section again. Boring pregnancy right? Haha people always ask me about cravings, but I just don't have one thing that I really crave all the time.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing specific, just some bouts of nausea this week, bleh.

Gender: Sooo close to finding out! :)

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: Lets see... threw up on Monday, super nauseous on Tuesday, bleeding gums, thought my ankles were becoming cankles for a night (John even agreed they were bigger) but they were fine the next day. Sensitivity to smell (another one I've forgotten to mention since way back in the beginning), back aches (oh the back aches!), congestion, exhaustion, have I missed any? Haha I'm doing better at keeping track of all the "fun" ;)

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? I'll be honest, I can't even remember this week well, so I guess I'll just go with both? I'm sure I was happy and moody at one point or another.

 
Looking forward to: More movements, and more obvious movements from baby! Also, of course our '20wk' appt!

16 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 16 Weeks (completed 4/19/14) Sorry, I kept forgetting and/or procrastinating photos this week. So they never got taken. Next week I'll be back on track!

Total weight gain/measurements: Lots of weight gain this week, and I've eaten the same as normal. Up 4 lbs this week alone, so a total of 6 lbs so far.

Maternity clothes: Lots of new maternity clothes! YAY! My fellow pregnant friend Laura and I went maternity clothes shopping on Saturday night. It was a blast! We were the only ones in the store, so we would try stuff on then walk around in whatever we liked, with the fake belly they let you use, and browse for more things to try. So I got a couple of good things. I'll have to take pictures and post them later this week. I got a new pair of jeans, a couple t-shirts, a pair of really light weight capris, and a super huge and comfy night shirt. I am in love with comfy maternity clothes. I also cleaned out my closet of all things that I know I won't be able to fit into til after I lose all the baby weight, lets just say my closet is basically empty. Looks like I'll need to do some more maternity shopping so I've got at least a few wardrobe options!

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: Good! Except one night that I woke up and my right hip was killing me. I don't know why it hurt so bad, but I just got up to use the restroom in the middle of the night and it hurt like crazy so I stretched it out for a while and went back to bed. The pain was gone by morning, thankfully!

Best moment this week: Shopping with my mom, and finding the absolute cutest little baby store that I fell in love with. I think we will be getting our nursery furniture from there. Also, maternity shopping with Laura, it really was just so fun.

Miss anything? Just Mexican food. Still can't really handle the thought of eating it, and its my favorite... so I miss it a ton. I'm sure the hubby does too. We used to eat out at a Mexican restaurant about once or twice a week!

Movement: Okay I'm 99.9% sure what I've been feeling lately is baby. Its the best/weirdest feeling. I guess you could say its like butterflies like a lot of books describe it. But to me honestly it really just feels like a tiny little baby just doing flips and moving around in my belly (which it is, but its just like what I thought it would be). On Saturday night though, I felt something that totally caught me off guard. It just felt like baby jabbed me hard from inside. So so strange. But so great too! Can't wait til I feel it more often. Right now its just a couple times a day.

Food cravings: Nadda... I always thought I'd get lots of cravings or have one thing that stuck out when I got pregnant, guess I was wrong! Maybe with the next one :)

Anything making you queasy or sick? I thought I was doing really well in this department, so well in fact that I let my dear husband drive around the other night thinking I'd be okay to ride passenger.... boy, was I wrong! It made me so sick, I almost made him go get my car from home so I could drive the rest of the night (we had his work truck with us, I don't drive that). Anyway, I didn't... but I think it'll be a while before I let him drive me around again.

Gender: 2 weeks and 1 day til we find out! Well, assuming baby cooperates and lets us see :)

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: I can never think of symptoms when I type this up on Mondays, but during the week I think of like a million. Also, looking back over my past weekly updated I realize I've left out many. So let me just catch you up.
DISCLAIMER! BODILY FUNCTIONS AND POSSIBLY GROSS THINGS WILL BE DISCUSSED, SO SKIP THIS IF YOU'D RATHER PASS!
Now, moving on. First, I realized that I completely skipped over how horribly bad my boobs hurt when they were getting bigger, I mean seriously. It hurt just wearing clothing, especially a bra, or not wearing clothing too. Basically they were always just super tender and achy, and oh man my nipples were extra sensitive (and not in a good way). Glad that phase has mostly passed. They only hurt once in a while now. Also with my boobs, my areolas are like double the size and have a dark ring around the outside edge. My nipples are also about double the size. The human body is so weird! Lol. Okay, moving on from the boobs. Did I ever mention how constipated I was? Yeah, it was bad for a while. Still happens here and there, but not as bad as it was from like week 8 or 9 to about 12 or 13. I know I mentioned the gas and burping, those two still just make me laugh more than anything and are still occurring (Sorry John!). Hmm, just got interrupted and now I can't remember what else I was going to tell you. Let me think! Oh, the discharge... yes, vaginal discharge. Its not bad to the point of needing a liner, but I've noticed a difference for sure. Isn't pregnancy just glamorous ;) Haha! That's about all I can think of right now. Oh because of another symptom I have that I also left out. PREGNANCY BRAIN IS REAL! I mean, I knew it was, but not to this extent. I am so extremely forgetful, and I mess up at work more often (and I rarely did before, not to brag but I'm a perfectionist and super detail oriented, so its just not like me). I just can't believe how forgetful I am mostly. Its weird. I'm the one that remembers everything between me and my husband, now I have to rely on him more often for remembering things. I think he enjoys it a little. Haha!

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? I was pretty happy this week, except I'd get little sad/worried feelings that something was wrong with Baby here and there. Then on Saturday it all came crashing down on me and I bawled like a little child. I even cried into my mom's shoulder like a child... well because I am still her child, but you know. I was just so worried, but she came over and comforted me and I just love my mom! She made me feel so much better and we had such a great day together. LOVE YOU MOM! :)

 
Looking forward to: Our appointment in 2 weeks (and 1 day)! I just want to see the little one on the ultrasound, I want to know that everything is going well and baby is healthy, and of course I want to know what we are having! Really, I can't wait!

15 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 15 Weeks (completed 4/12/14)

Look at my cute kitty! Haha she was by me feet for the pics so I couldn't resist picking her up and sharing in the fun :)

Total weight gain/measurements: I've finally gained some weight! At first I was a little sad, but then I was happy because it means baby is growing and it needs me to gain weight. This week I put on 2 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Last day of this week my mother and I went shopping for some maternity shorts. Couldn't find any shorts that were long enough, but I found some capris. They aren't my favorite, but they'll do. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I won't wear for too long, and who knows what season it will be the next time I am pregnant. So they are just some cheap ones from Macy's, but they'll work for the next couple months and that's all that matters.

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: Pretty average, it is getting a little more uncomfortable some nights, but overall not too bad. I still sleep like a rock though, which is always nice!

Best moment this week: Our 3rd doctor's appt! It was quick but everything was good. My mom even convinced the doctor to let me come back the next day for a gender check, however, the baby was breech and sitting way too low in my pelvis that we couldn't tell the gender. So another 3 weeks til we find out. It was so great to see the little one on the ultrasound though. Already so much bigger than last time! I love that little one :)

Miss anything? Fitting into normal clothes? Haha! And, really still just the eating thing. I still get aversions to food, and can't eat what I know I really want all the time.

Movement: None that I'm sure of. I guess there have been 3 times (the first being last week) that I think I've felt something from the baby. But I know it's also really uncommon to feel things early on. They just didn't feel anything like gas/digestion. Little feelings I've never had before in my pelvic region really. So chalk it up to what you will, I'm sticking with being lucky to have felt a jab here or there from baby super early ;)

Food cravings: Nothing this week.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really! Thank goodness!

Gender: Unknown -- we'll find out soon! Can't wait!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms: I was only nauseous once this week... it was all day that day, but I'm glad it was just once. I have still been getting the headaches. Had about 3 really bad ones this week. Not such a bad week though, I'm enjoying feeling nauseous less and getting my energy back. I haven't been nearly as tired lately as I was a few weeks ago.

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy Happy! Only one time I was pretty sad, and that was after the gender check when we couldn't tell what the little one was. I was so excited, and knew it was a possibility that baby wouldn't cooperate but it was still a little heartbreaking that we couldn't tell.

 
Looking forward to: Feeling the baby move for the first time, and having no doubt it was the baby I felt. Hoping that comes in the next couple weeks.