Update, I've Got Your Update!

Today we are 22 weeks, 2 days pregnant!

Hi All!  So in addition to our large purchases yesterday, I went ahead and found an offer I couldn't refuse on eBay today.  I found the bedding I am in LOVE with (posted below) for $40 cheaper than anywhere, and she just had one set, so I caved and bought it!  Yay!  Anywho, here's my weekly check-in...

 How far along?  22 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain/loss:  As of Monday, I've gained 11.6 lbs for a grand total of 113.6

Stretch marks?  Nope, so I'm hoping I'm lucky since my mom didn't have any either...

Sleep:  Still using my pillows, but one less thanks to Kim's gift of the Boppy Wedge!

Best moment this week:  Knowing the baby is still healthy at our last (unplanned) visit.  I apparently pulled or tore a ligament, had horrible pain for 12 hours (now a total of 4 days, but getting better),  so went in and got checked.  But it was a real relief to see that the baby's vitals were strong and good.

Movement:  We've got movement every day, many times a day!  So happy!

Food cravings:  Still doughnuts, but added salads, potatoes au gratin, and steak

Gender:  It's a girl!

Labor Signs:  I think I had my first Braxton Hicks contractions last week, I had tightening in my uterus area with really weird pressure in my back.  From what I hear, it's normal at this point once in a while, so not stressing about it!

Belly Button in or out?  Flat, sore, the normal...

What I miss:    Um, this may be TMI, but I really miss my normal digestive abilities.  Got me, ladies?!?!

What I am looking forward to:  The bedding and the diaper bag coming in!  Also, seeing what Shawn picks out for the baby's coming home outfit - can't wait to find *THE ONE!*

Weekly Wisdom:  This is REAL.  And coming soon.  We're going to have a daughter!

Milestones: Ordering the baby furniture and buying the stroller!  This is REAL!  And coming soon!  We're going to have a daughter!!!

Oooh Stuff, Stuff, and More Stuff!

Today we are 22 weeks, 1 day pregnant!  125 days to go!

So we've been making some good progress with nursery and baby gear decisions lately, and I'm proud that we're on the ball!  I wanted to share some of it with you!  Today we ordered our furniture with some very helpful coupons from Buy Buy Baby, and we also purchased our travel system, which was given extremely high ratings from many reputable sources, such as Baby Bargains.  Shawn and I both love everything we got today, which makes it very comforting to know we both whole-heartedly agreed on these big decisions.  Here are some pictures of either what we have already purchased or of inspirations and ideas for our nursery:

Here is the furniture we ordered, Sophia by Sorelle.  We chose the crib and the combo dresser with hutch on the right.

For the bedding, I have fallen in love with this classic and glamorous bedding, called Versailles.  The picture frames to the right of the crib are super cute as well, but other than that, probably won't go crazy on getting all the accessories that go.  I am thinking that I would love to accessorize with girly flowers to make it a shabby chic, French country type of theme.  See below...

This is so cute and classic and above all, can go with so many different decorative items.

These cute storage baskets should add some color to the espresso shelves above the dresser / changing table and will add nice little places to tuck diapers, lotions, wipes, and powder away in.

I am eagerly awaiting our diaper bag, very generously gifted to us by Jamie (who's beautiful daughter is going to be on Toddlers and Tiaras in the spring!!!)

And last, but not least, here is our top-rated travel system, the Chicco Keyfit 30 in Adventure!  We got to take this home with us today, in a box of course, but sooo exciting!

Anywho, I also plan on getting some wall decals, such as a decal of a chandelier that I'm in love with to go over the crib.  I can't wait to start setting this nursery up!  The furniture should be here in about 8 weeks, which should be around March, which would be perfect because we're hoping Mary will be paying us a visit in March, and would love for her to be there with us when we set things up.  Grandma's impeccable taste to the rescue!  :)

So there's my inspirations and choices for our nursery, we hope you like them!  We also hope you are having a great start to the new year!

I'm A-Growin'!

Today we are 21 weeks pregnant!

Hi All!  Just wanted to add my latest picture, enjoy!

2010, A Baby Odyssey

Today we are 20 weeks, 6 days pregnant!  HALF WAY THERE!

Hi All, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  I'm writing from snowy Lake Tahoe after a very yummy breakfast of pancakes and sausage cooked by our friend Paul and his fiancé Nina.  Shawn, Paul, and Nina are out skiing, so I'm taking advantage of a little quiet time to update everyone.  It's been a very nice Christmas, and we have so much to look forward to this year.  Last week, Shawn and I had a little shower in San Diego, and between that and the mound of items (and clothes!) we received from Brian and Kim, we have so much stuff to gaga over already!  Every day, things become more and more real, and as Baby Maurer grows, we feel her more and more.  I feel kicks and flutters every day, which is so exciting!  And she's definitely getting BIG, as mommy is, too.  I will post pictures when I can, hopefully tomorrow, to be out and proud with my ever-growing belly...  Anywho, here's a little check-in since I haven't done them in a while!

How far along?  20 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/loss:  As of yesterday, I am now averaging about 111.5, so I've put on almost ten pounds!!!

Stretch marks?  Knock on wood, none yet...

Sleep:  I've discovered the use of a thousand pillows to prop various parts of my body where they need to be...  Still not very good, though

Best moment this week:  Realizing movement is every day, and seeing all the stuff we got from family and friends

Movement:  I've discovered I love the kicks (for now) but not so sure about the "flutters."  They're making me kind of nauseous!  Is she doing cartwheels in there?  But I feel both every day, so very comforting!

Food cravings:  Doughnuts, Prime Rib, Rocky's Burgers 

Gender:  It's a girl!

Labor Signs:  None, but I feel that belly stretching.  Ouch.

Belly Button in or out?  Still flattening and very sore towards the end of the day... 

What I miss:    Wearing my old jeans without having to wear ten thousand tank tops to hide the open fly!

What I am looking forward to:  Really starting on organizing and finalizing nursery plans

Weekly Wisdom:  Shawn is going to be an AMAZING father

Milestones: Hitting 20 weeks, the ol' halfway point!  Oh, and my niece Mackenzie says "Baby Sophia" and my nephew Andrew crawled!!!

Family Time

Today we are 19 weeks, 4 days pregnant!

Hi all!  Shawn and I are in San Diego for the holidays, and I just wanted to catch up a little...  We got to visit with Shawn's brother and wife, Brian and Kim, and their two beautiful babies.  We spent a lot of time hanging out with them on a plush carpet and just taking in all the cute baby sounds!  I got to practice a little with Andrew (my nephew) and got a full demonstration from little Mackenzie with the clothes her and her mommy are donating to our baby girl!  Here is me goofing with Andrew:

Also, if anyone is interested, here is my latest bump picture, sorry for the bare belly, but here it is in all its glory!  This was right at 19 weeks:

We can't believe we're already almost half way through this pregnancy!  This Saturday, we're 20 weeks!  Well that's it for now, I hope everyone has the happiest of all holidays!

Pictures of Our Little Girl!

Today we are 18 weeks, 6 days pregnant!

Here are the snapshots of our little girl!  Here's her beautiful face, and look, she's got Shawn's nose!!!

And here's picture number 2, the "It's a Girl" shot...  Both the tech and the Doctor said 90% girl, but I don't see anything!  But yes, you are looking at her legs and her, uh, well, you know...  :)

And last but not least, we thought we'd give you a close up of what will probably be doing Riverdance inside mommy soon...  That's right, her little footsie!  We thought this was so cute...

So we don't know whether that's it or not as far as ultrasounds go, but hopefully there will be more to come!  We're trying to decide whether or not to do an elective 3d/4d ultrasound, somewhere around 32 weeks, so I'll keep you updated on that decision.  All I know is we can't wait to meet her!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!

Today we are 18 weeks, 5 days pregnant, with a GIRL!

That's right, we're having a little girl!  Shawn and I couldn't be more excited!  It is so surreal that now we can call the baby a she, and it almost feels as if I am about to wake up from a dream.  Thank God, the doctor said everything is looking great and we are right on schedule to deliver on May 15th still.  I can't express how lucky and blessed I feel, and though I am not a very religious person, I pray every day and night that we will have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.  I will post the pics as soon as they're uploaded but I wanted to share the news!!!  :)

Just a Check-in

Today we are 17 weeks, 2 days pregnant!

Hi there!  Just wanted to continue on with my weekly check-in.  We're still monitoring my belly growth, which is coming along slowly but smoothly.  So here goes the check-in...

How far along?  17 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain/loss:  A little less than 4 lbs gain

Stretch marks?  Still none, but the belly is a-growin!

Sleep:  Still not so great, but thank God for Shawn, I have relaxed days.  :)

Best moment this week:  Shawn got to hear the heartbeat for the first time!!!

Movement:  You know, I think I'm feeling some little jabs here and there.  Very gentle, but just somehow different than gas.  

Food cravings:  Ben & Jerry's Napolean Dynamite ice cream (choco brownie on one side, Cherry Garcia on the other), still the wedge salad, chili dogs

Gender:  Less than two weeks until we find out!

Labor Signs:  Too early for these...

Belly Button in or out?  Out.  Shawn did notice that it has become a little more flat and weird looking, though!  

What I miss:    Restful sleep and dirty martinis

What I am looking forward to:  Gender gender gender!

Weekly Wisdom:  I've realized I shouldn't rush this pregnancy.  Things take time for a reason!

Milestones: Walking the stage at school and really showing in my dress

University of Texas Liberal Arts Fall 2009 Commencement

Hi all!  I just wanted to post a quick picture of my commencement night.  It was a great night, but soooo cold!  The picture is in front of a huge fountain which lines up with our tower, which as you can see, is lit up burnt orange with 09 lit in the windows.  It was awesome!!!  Hook'em Horns!

Today's Visit

Today we are 16 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

We had an OB visit today and Shawn got to hear the heartbeat for the first time!!!  The heart rate was 148 bpm, still above the Old Wives Tale of 140...  We also got another screening test, the Quad Screen, which is done for women between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy.  It tests for certain substances that can indicate Spina Bifida, Downs, and some other abnormalities.  It is a blood test, so no amniotic fluid needed.  For more information, you can look here at the Quad Screen info page if you like.  Hopefully we shall get the great results soon!

So for the past four weeks, I have been fearing my OB/GYN, Dr. Chris Hart (info here) would yell at me if I didn't reach her target weight gain of 2 lbs per week, for a total of 8 lbs.  Aaaand I didn't reach it.  But she told me that since we shot for 2/week and got about 1/week, she'll take it.  So I'm up to 105.4 lbs!  Anywho, we're in the two week stretch for the big ultrasound, so I'm counting down!!!

Our next visit to Dr. Hart (gender scan done at different office 12/17) will be January 19, 2010 at 3:50pm central time.

Just Checking In!

Today we are 16 weeks, 3 days pregnant!

Hi All!  Just wanted to say a quick hello.  Some big non-baby news is this weekend I'm participating in the University of Texas Liberal Arts Commencement.  It's this Saturday, December 5th.  I bought my robe, cap, tassel, and sash today, so I'm really excited!  Since I've been in baby mode the last couple months, I totally forgot about commencement, and just decided a few days ago to walk the stage.  Though honestly I feel a little silly to do it at 30 and pregnant, I feel I deserve it, and that I would be missing out if I didn't have this memory.  So Shawn and I are completing my school process as we went in; married, together, and happy.  I will post a picture after Saturday!  Wish me luck!!!

For some baby related news, I got in my first shipment of maternity clothes today.  There was a huge sale online at Old Navy, so I got to get some new digs!  Today I got some basic shirts and in a few days will be receiving some pants that I had ordered, both jeans and some comfy but wearable-in-public pants.  I'm pretty excited about this step, as my waistbands have been a little tight as of late and difficult to sit in!  Also, we have an appointment with the OB on Thursday, December 3rd.  I can't wait to hear the heartbeat again!  So stay tuned for the heart rate!  In two weeks from Thursday, we will have the big gender ultrasound, so start your guesses now!  I'll outline the heart rates, my cravings and beauty problems in a later post so as to see if Old Wives Tales are correct...

Last but not least, I ran across a small list of questions some women include in their baby blogs, so I thought I'd give them a try:

How far along?  16 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:  As of my last appointment, no gain.  I am supposed to have gained 8 pounds by Thursday, so we'll see...

Stretch marks?  None yet, thank goodness!

Sleep:  Terrible.  And as I understand, it's only going to get worse

Best moment this week:  Getting my graduation robe and my maternity clothes the same day

Movement:  Ugh, none yet as far as I know...  Still trying to figure out the difference between "flutters" and gas bubbles.  Yay.

Food cravings:  Brownie sundaes, Whataburger, potatoes au gratin, wedge salad with bleu cheese...  Most seem to be salty

Gender:  To be determined...  Come on December 17th!!!

Labor Signs:  Too early for these...

Belly Button in or out?  Out.  But it's always been an outtie.  

What I miss:  Honestly?  My Malbecs and Zinfandels.  How I love red red wine...  

What I am looking forward to:  Feeling the baby and finding out the gender

Weekly Wisdom:  If I've left something upstairs, better make sure I really need it before I walk up there and lose my breath

Milestones: Finally getting to see the belly!!!

My First "Bump" Pictures!

Today we are 15 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I'm writing this a little late, so it's technically Friday and we're 15 weeks 6 days, but in the spirit of the holiday, let's just keep it at Thursday.  :)  Anywho, I've got my first pictures of my belly as I finally feel like I'm showing the tiniest bit.  And yes, that's exciting to me!  So here goes...  First picture is before I was able to see any real difference, at 10 weeks, 2 days.  The second picture is this evening, before Thanksgiving dinner unfortunately, so at 15 weeks, 5 days.  Enjoy!

Shawn sure does look proud, doesn't he?

Maurer Milestones

Today we are 14 weeks, 3 days pregnant!

No big newsworthy events so to speak, but I think these are pretty groovy points...  First of all, as of yesterday, I have hit the triple digits!  I've been pregnant for 100 days!  As of Sunday, our estimated due date was exactly 6 months away.  While I feel like this is going sooooo slow, most people think it has gone by so fast.  Also, we find out the gender in exactly a month from today!  Yayyyy!  Shawn still feels girl, but there is something inside my head, heart, and gut that feels boy.  I don't really know why, and I can't put my finger on it, but it's just this tiny little feeling I have.  So we'll know next month!  Shall we make you all wait until Christmas day to find out or will I end up telling everyone within five minutes of us finding out?  Haha!  So last but not least, for the first time in about 8 weeks, I actually wanted my go-to Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.  I haven't been able to stomach the thought of it since about 7 weeks along, but yay, I had my first bowl today!  Life is getting to be back to normal once again.  Well, at least for a short while!!!

Thank you for reading my extremely exciting posts, your support means so much to me!  :)

What A Stocking Stuffer!

Today we are 14 weeks pregnant!

Well hello, all!  As this holiday season is floating in, I just had to make some purchases.  And I am going to share them with you now...  Every year, Shawn and I pick a Christmas ornament with the year on it, sort of a little tradition we're trying out.  So what better type of ornament to buy this year?

Well, that's about it for now, still looking forward to the 17th of December, when we find out Team Blue or Team Pink!!!

Normal Results!

Today we are 13 weeks and 2 days pregnant!

Hi all!  Just a couple things today, first of all, I've started my SECOND TRIMESTER!  This means a couple things, such as, had I not blabbed so early because I couldn't keep it from any of you :), you would all be finding out right about now.  But we all know that I have a hard time keeping any happy news in!  Second, it means that hopefully I will start feeling better soon.  I've chosen not to take any medications for nausea, regardless of my OB/GYN's gentle suggestion, because quite honestly, no amount of happy images will ever take the pictures I have seen of children of thalidomide out of my head.  So I'll deal with the sick feelings with the great and helpful suggestions I've gotten from my family and my friends.  Without all of you, I would have gone crazy in the last three months!

Second, I got some good news today!  The genetic counselor from the office we got our NT scan done at called me today with my results.  Our results are normal!  What she told me is that we started out our pregnancy with a 1 in 400 something chance of having a child with a genetic disorder, due to age and other information as well.  And now, after my blood screen and ultrasound, our chances have dropped down to 1 in 4000 something.  So this is good news!

One last thing - this is kinda silly and may be TMI - but I can actually feel my uterus now!  It's this little hard bump between my hips and belly and its so exciting!  :)

Love you all!

Some Upcoming Dates

Today we are 12 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

Hi all!  Just got back from a little visit to my OB/GYN, just routine (except for the FOUR VIALS of blood they had to take).  But I did get to hear the heartbeat for the FIRST TIME!!!  I didn't know this was going to happen, so since I thought this was going to be purely a "womanly visit" I told Shawn he didn't have to go.  So he is really bummed that he didn't get to hear the little wawawawawawa of the heartbeat, so I feel really bad :(.  But the heart is till a healthy rate of 150bpm, so it's a tad bit slower, but still in the normal range and over the old wive's tale girly limit of 140bpm.  So we'll seeeee!  Actually we'll see on the afternoon of Thursday, December 17th so mark your calendars!  I will be just two days short of 19 weeks then, so hopefully we have a cooperative baby and get to see his or her nether regions!  Other than that, my next OB/GYN visit (the gender visit will be at a different office) will be Thursday, December 3rd.  Should be another opportunity to hear the heart, so Shawn's definitely coming to this one!  Anywho, just that I'd put those dates out there for anyone who wants to keep track.  I'm just really happy we've got a really happy pregnancy going on here!  :)

Last View Until December...

This one I found amazing because you can see the fingers and thumb.  The doctor showed us five fingers on each hand, too incredibly cute!  He also showed us the heart, the right and left ventricle, and said "This is a very good looking heart!"  Yay!!!  I still just can't believe that we can see the little nose, lips, everything.  I can't put into words how in love I am and how purely beautiful this little baby is already.  It's amazing to feel these first twinges of motherly love!!!

**FOR ALL OF THESE, IF YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE THEM BIGGER!**

Another View

Just another view of our beautiful baby.  The doctor showed us the nasal plate, which was very comforting since 70% of babies born with Downs Syndrome don't have this nasal plate.  The NT measurement (fluid in back of the neck) was 2.1 which he said was 'very normal and a very popular number.'  This is also used to predict if the baby has DS.  We are awaiting the results of a blood test to accompany the scans, but I feel much better now!  :)  By the way, the baby now measures 5.9 centimeters crown to rump!

12 Week Debut!

You can see his/her hand (farthest away from you) perched upon the forehead, evidently we felt dramatic this day.  The arm closest to you is stretched out above the head and along the body, very relaxed.  You can see the thigh and where the leg bends at the knee where the beautiful leggies were kicking and stretching.  :)  I am in love with the most beautiful person in the world!!!

Oops - I Gave Y'all the Wrong Date...

Today we're 12 weeks, 2 days pregnant!

So sorry, I gave you all the wrong date for my NT scan, it's tomorrow, not today.  And truth be told, I'm so excited!  I can't wait to see our little buggie again on the big screen, and I'm secretly hoping that they'll be able to tell me the gender.  I know, I know, its a little early, but the almighty internet has provided me with stories of some finding out this early.  And we all know if it's on the internet, it must be true!  Haha!  Well, I will definitely keep everyone updated on our progress tomorrow and will get the scans up as soon as I can.  Til then!