Again? And a Dr. Appointment...

Today we are 31 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

So I awoke at 3am with stomach pains, and again, yes again, I fell ill.  Thank goodness not as bad as last time, I had no ER visits, but still sick.  After 4 hours, I took the last Zofran I had from my last bout to squash the nausea and vomiting.  And YAY it worked enough for me to finally get some sleep.  So I already had an appointment scheduled this morning, so we mentioned everything to Dr. Hart, which resulted in an exam.  And when I say exam, I mean "exam" as you ladies know what I'm talking about.  Um, all I can say is OUCH!!!  Anywho, all is normal with the little one, the heartrate is 144bpm, so that's good.  I was sent home with more Zofran and a kit to get a stool sample to see what's going on with my stomach.  More fun.  Exciting times at the Maurer house!  

Wish me luck on that sample...

A Star is Growing!

Today we are 31 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

Hi All!  Today I so very proudly present our first real view of our beautiful baby girl!!!  I cannot tell you how proud Shawn and I are, and how fun and touching yesterday was.  We got to spend about 30 minutes with an ultrasound tech and we got to see our baby girl moving, smiling, sucking her toes, pouting, and even sticking her tongue out!  So without further ado, here is our beautiful princess!

In this picture, Sophia is sucking her little toe, and her eyes are open.

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Here, she's doing the same (she loved her foot by her face!) but with her eyes closed.  The tech said they like to lick their feet and hands after mommy eats something sweet, and I had just eaten Oreos.  :)

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Here, Sophia is demonstrating how smart and pensive she already is.  Notice her eyes are open and her little fingers are in her mouth!

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This is one of my very favorites.  She's smiling!!!  And look at that nose - she's got Shawn's little ski-slope nose!!!

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I also love this picture.  She looks so peaceful.  And check out her little lips.  They're delicious!

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Sophia is showing us her ability to pout already.  Can her cheeks be any cuter, along with her little puckered chin and bottom lip!?

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And last but not least, here is our little angel resting again.  If you look behind her forehead, you can see she already has lots of hair (as the tech put it).  Also, I love love love her lips here.  I love her.

***

Anywho, there are plenty more pics that I will make available eventually.  She's amazing and I can't wait to hold her!  Shawn was the picture of a proud Daddy yesterday and couldn't take his eyes off of her.  I don't think he stopped smiling once, not even for a second!  I love him, I love her, I love my life!  I really do feel so very blessed and I couldn't be more thankful for all that I have!

We Get To See Our Little Girl!

Today we are 31 weeks, 4 days pregnant!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!  Just wanted to say a quick hello and let everyone know how excited Shawn and I are to get our 4d ultrasound today.  I've been drinking water like crazy!  (The better hydrated you are, the clearer your amniotic fluid will be and the more likely you are to get a clear picture).  I drank over 68 ounces of water yesterday and will try to drink as much as I can today before our appointment.  Anywho, wish us luck!  I will post pics as soon as we get them!

Less Than Ten

Today we are 31 weeks, 2 days pregnant!

So I love saying that "we" are pregnant.  It's just something that tickles me.  But I read an article recently how some women think it is, and I quote, "the dumbest statement" and that the woman "is pregnant, not my husband."  To this I reply, why so grumpy?  After all, I would not be here without Shawn, and he wouldn't be here without me.  We are having a baby, we are going through changes, and we are experiencing all the emotions, fears, excitement, etc about this baby, so yes, "we" are pregnant!  And if any weird stranger has a problem with that, or thinks I'm dumb for saying it, well then they can kiss our pregnant butts.  ;)

Anywho, I can't believe that there are less than ten weeks left.  As a matter of fact, we've got 8 weeks, 5 days to go.  Wow!  61 days!  And there's still so much to do!  And I am definitely getting to the point, if I haven't gotten there already, that I am pretty darn uncomfortable most of the time.  Shortness of breath, extra weight, heartburn, and can I say hip pain?  So I guess there is a good point to being so much closer to my due date!  I feel more connected to this little baby every day, and I love it.  When I am busy throughout the day, and don't get as much time to connect with her, to pay attention to feeling her move, I find myself feeling anxious throughout the night and normally have restless dreams.  They normally wake me, and I will try to roll over a couple times to wake her so I can feel her move and count her little jabs.  Only then do I start to fell a little better.  This is the stage where she moves less than she did before, because she's growing so fast in my belly that she's starting to run out of room.  I can't wait to be able to see her.  I just can't.  Though I know that a whole new set of fears will come into my life.  This I know.  Recent events in my life have made me realize this even more.  I have found that the terror of losing a child is enough to strike fear in my heart already, and that I'm beginning to understand a mother's love.

So now for a little light-hearted fun, it's time for my weekly check-in, so here goes!

How far along?  31 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain/loss:  Just weighed in at 123.2, total of 21.2 lbs gained

Stretch marks?  None yet :D

Sleep:  Aside from a few restless nights, it's still pretty good

Best moment this week:  Shawn and I found the cutest dress this week, and he loved it.  Too bad they didn't have the right size for the seasons!  But it just made me so very happy to see him so happy.

Movement:  She's still active, but slowing a little because she's growing so fast.  I still get my 10 movements in less than 10 minutes, though! 

Food cravings:  Not so much cravings this week, but I go from my salty to sweet to salty to sweet!

Gender:  It's a bambina!

Labor Signs:  Still some Braxton Hicks, especially when I'm moving around 

Belly Button in or out?  Out.  Very out.

What I miss:    Walking without pain!

What I am looking forward to:  Our baby classes (childbirth, baby care, etc)

Weekly Wisdom:  This love is different than anything I've ever felt, and it's wonderful.

Milestones: I totally feel and look pregnant!

Stay tuned for our next appointment on Friday afternoon!  And here is a pic of me on Saturday, Shawn and I were doing some shoe shopping and I had to take a minute to sit! 

How Do You Say Good Morning?

Today we are 30 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

To answer my question, normally I just say "Good morning!" in my cheery voice.  How does Sophia say good morning?  A swift kick to the ribs, apparently!  That was enough to get me going!  I think it was because Daddy was talking about sandwiches this morning, which in turn, made me hungry.  As does any mention of food, really.  So I suppose our little one decided it was time to get up and go eat.

Anyway, I won't kick you in the ribs, but I will say Good Morning!  :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today we are 30 weeks, 1 day pregnant!

Hi All!  Today is my 30 + 1 day, I am 31 and 30w1d prego!  Things are good here at the Maurer household, we're getting more excited every day.  My birthday wish was even more poignant than ever, seeing as though we have so many important things to wish for this year.

Our little one has found a preference for kicking and sticking in my ribs, and I think she thinks it's funny.  I love letting our friends touch my belly, especially when she's moving around.  I never get tired of the reactions!  It makes me happy to know that so many people already love her and can't wait to meet her, and she's not even born yet.  What a lucky, lucky baby!

Anywho, it's time for my weekly check-in, so without further ado...

How far along?  30 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain/loss:  121 as of Friday, I went down a pound since I've still been taking it easy on my stomach since being so sick.  My appetite is building, though!

Stretch marks?  None yet :D

Sleep:  You know, I can't really complain!  It's been awesome this week, so I think I'll take advantage of it.

Best moment this week:  Sharing my birthday with awesome people

Movement:  A lot!  

Food cravings:  Donuts, watermelon, fajitas

Gender:  It's a bambina!

Labor Signs:  I've started feeling a little tiny bit crampy sometimes, and I still get Braxton Hicks once in a while

Belly Button in or out?  Out.  Very out.

What I miss:    Not having to struggle to get out of bed / off the couch / up from a sitting position.

What I am looking forward to:  Elton John on April 10th!

Weekly Wisdom:  We've got a living, moving human being that I'm carrying!

Milestones: We're 75% done with this pregnancy, we're in the homestretch!

And now for my most recent picture, taken last night at 30 weeks...

30 Week Appointment

Today we are 29 weeks, 6 days pregnant!

Just wanted to let y'all know we had an appointment today, and all is well!  Heart rate is good, still in the 140's.  My belly is apparently measuring 31 weeks, but we'll see...  Anywho, have a great weekend!

Our next appointment is two weeks from today, Friday, March 19th at 11:20am CT.

Good Evening...

Today we are 29 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

Hi all!  I just realized I totally skipped my 29 week check-in, but no worries, I will update this weekend.  We hit 30 weeks this Saturday, so that's pretty big in my book.  Also, I turn 31 on Sunday, another year older!  And last but not least, we have our first two-week interval appointment tomorrow at 11:20am CT.  Things are moving faster these days (well not me, but my waddle is doing okay!).  Anywho, I'll update y'all on Saturday.  Til then!

Eh, I'll post a funny pic, too.  T'was a surprise picture and it shows my belly in all it's glory.  Taken at 29 weeks, 3 days.

My E.R. Visit

Today we are 28 weeks, 6 days pregnant!

And I've been stuck with a needle two more times this week, on Wednesday.  Why?  Two words that strike fear in every person's body:  Viral gastroenteritis.  Those two lovely words woke me up Wednesday morning at 2:30 with vomiting and, well, the stuff that comes out the other end.  Those two lovely events kept me running to the bathroom every 10 to 15 minutes until 11am, and my vomit had gotten so bad, my bile had gone from bile yellow to olive green.  I couldn't even keep water, even a sip, down (or up, if you know what I mean).  So at 11:30 Shawn bounds in the door and tells me it's time to go to the doctor.  Speaking of doctors, I had a doctor from my OB office paged around 3am, and her opinion was that it was simply food poisoning and to take Immodium.  I'm glad I didn't continue to listen to that advice!  So by 12 noon we were at a local urgent care clinic, only to be told to go to the ER since they would have the ability to hear the baby's heart rate.  Anywho, seven hours later, and 4 IV bags later, I was released.

Thank goodness we went to the ER, because it turns out I was severely dehydrated, or as the doctor in the ER put it, "off the charts".  As of today, I still feel sick, and haven't been able to eat much, but at least I'm hydrated and getting better!

I'll still update tomorrow for our 29 weeker, so until tomorrow, adios!

28 Week Check-in

Today we are 28 weeks, 1 day pregnant!

Can you believe we only have 83 days to go?  Anywho, I'm just writing for my little weekly check-in so everyone can feel like they're here with us!  Just a quick funny note for the day, today we ran an errand to Lowe's to look at shelving for the garage (we're trying to get organized!) and since it's a nice day here in Austin, I'm wearing a sundress.  Yay!  But I swear this dress was designed to make me look HUGE!  I mean I look full-blown pregnant in this dress!  I can only imagine what I'm going to look like in April or May when I live in sundresses...  Anywho, time for the check-in, so here goes:


How far along?  28 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain/loss:  122.2, so I've gained a nice, round, 20lbs in this pregnancy!

Stretch marks?  None yet :D

Sleep:  I think I have come up with a good layout of 5 pillows plus 1 wedge

Best moment this week:  Signing up for our birthing / child care classes and knowing we get to see the doctor more often

Movement:  She sure does enjoy kicking Mommy.  And I think she's starting to respond a little to me and Shawn's voice.

Food cravings:  Burgers, apples, cinnamon rolls

Gender:  It's a bambina!

Labor Signs:  Not so much labor signs, but I'm definitely starting to feel the fast weight gain in my hips, back, knees, and feet.  ouch.

Belly Button in or out?  Mainly out, and oscillates between painful and less painful

What I miss:    Easily moving about and easy clothing choices

What I am looking forward to:  Setting up the nursery

Weekly Wisdom:  Every thing that Shawn and I won't be able to easily get up and do will be replaced by things we get to do with our beautiful daughter.

Milestones: The start of my 3rd trimester and moving into bi-monthly doctor visits

And here's my weekly belly pic!  Enjoy!

Tests I Don't Have to Study For

Today we are 27 weeks, 6 days pregnant!

Hi all!  I just wanted to do a quick little update since we had a doctor's appt this morning, so here goes!

I had my Glucose Tolerance Test (to see if I have Gestational Diabetes - a routine test) this morning at 8am, which means I had to fast since midnight last night. And yes, that was a struggle for me.  ;)  If you tell me I can't eat anything, I'm insta-hungry.  And of course I woke up starving, but oh well...  Thank goodness I had a huge Mexican dinner last night!  Anywho, for those who don't know what the test entails, I had to drink about 10-12 oz of orange flavored glucose rich juice.  Basically, it tasted like the "orange drink" they sell at McDonalds.  (Ooh, McD's sounds good right now...)  Then you wait, but thankfully we had a short visit with the doctor to pass some time.  I didn't get to see Dr. Hart because she had been called to deliver (the nerve!) so we saw her assistant.  We're measuring right on time, at 28 weeks, so that's great news!  We heard our little girl's heartbeat strong and steady in the 140's as well.  She let us know that full term is considered 37 to 41 weeks, so that puts us anywhere from April 24th to May 22nd.  Also, our OB visits will now increase in frequency to every two weeks, and then starting our 35th week, we go to every week.  So basically, we'll go in again on our 30th week (March 5th), then our 32nd (around 3/19), our 34th (around 4/2), then start our weekly visits at our 35th week (around April 9th).  That's a lot of visits!

We also signed up for our classes!  We've got our Childbirth class, our Breastfeeding class, and our Baby Care class, so we're excited for those!  So hopefully we'll be baby experts and pass Baby 101 with flying colors...

Anywho, there's our healthy update and a few notes on upcoming doctor dates, and we hope this finds you well!  I'll post my 28 week check-in, hopefully complete with belly pic tomorrow!  Also, I will let you know my GTT results within two weeks!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today we are 27 weeks and 1 day pregnant!

Every Valentine's Day, Shawn and I have a tradition.  We make dinner for each other, complete with dessert, and we stay home and relax with our beautiful doggies.  It's a great way to spend time together and to connect!

The menu for tonight is:

• Lobster with homemade roasted garlic butter
• Garlic cream pasta
• Marscapone berry parfait (Shawn's favorite)

I wish you all the best of days!  We love you!

Two Down, One to Go!

Today we are 27 weeks pregnant!  2/3 done!

Hi All!  Yes, you see correctly, we are two-thirds through this pregnancy!  Which means:

WE'RE IN OUR THIRD TRIMESTER!!!

I can't believe it.  Where did the second trimester go?  It's such an exciting time for us and we get more and more giddy each day.  Last night (during a food run to Chili's because I had to have Chicken Crispers) we were talking about what she will look like.  We think the following:  My eyes, Shawn's nose, my lips, Shawn's skin, my freckles, my hair, and Shawn's hair color.  I'm also hoping Shawn's long, lean legs!!!  Either way, our little girl is going to be beautiful, if I may say so myself.  We can't wait to see her!  And we can't wait to see her grow!  Each kick I feel, each stretch she takes inside me it amazes me all over again that we are making a daughter.  Even though I am an educated woman and I know how science works, I can't help but know that there is a little part of a miracle growing inside of me.  And I couldn't be more grateful.

This last week we experienced a couple big things, like being down to the double digits in days and the start of our third trimester, but we also had a (non-baby related) scare.  My handsome, regal Chihuahua, Quimby Manilow, had a short seizure on Sunday night.  It petrified me.  It broke me.  Something about seeing that little 8 lb precious angel in duress just did me in.  I felt helpless and scared out of my mind.  He is okay now, but we have no explanation for why he had one.  I am praying that it was an isolated incident and we'll never have to go through that again.  Since then, Shawn and I have held him a little tighter, curled up with him a little longer, and pet him with a little more love than we did before, if that was even possible.  But again, I thank God that he is okay now.  Because isn't this a pretty face?

Anywho, here is my latest picture, taken last night after a dinner of yummy fried foods.  Sometimes I think I'm getting bigger, but sometimes I don't see it.  Shawn definitely sees it, and he definitely says it!!!

And last but not least, a picture that Shawn captured in between shots that he says he loves, so I love it too...

Saturday Night Live!

Today we are 26 weeks pregnant!  98 DAYS TO GO!!!

Hello all!  Just checking in for our weekly get-together!  Tomorrow we're having a Superbowl affair, so we've been busy cleaning and shopping and now starting some of the cooking, so the house is smelling good already.  I'm excited, because today we bought a scale.  Now I get to monitor my weight gain more regularly, which makes me happy!  Anywho, without much ado, I'll get started on my weekly check-in and post a little belly pic for your enjoyment...

How far along?  26 weeks!  Less than 100 days to go!

Total weight gain/loss:  119.4, up 3 from two weeks ago, up 17.4 from Day 1

Stretch marks?  None yet

Sleep:  Well, we bought a memory foam topper, so some nights I'm good, some nights I'm frustrated beyond all belief

Best moment this week:  The check-out lady at the grocery store said to me, "Well aren't you just the cutest pregnant ting I've ever seen?!"

Movement:  She's playing around in there as we speak!  Movement you can regularly see from the outside!

Food cravings:  Chinese food, hot fudge sundaes still...

Gender:  It's a bambina!

Labor Signs:  I'm getting some more Braxton Hicks lately, they like to come on during the night time when I'm trying to sleep

Belly Button in or out?  O-U-T

What I miss:    Sleep.  Pure uninterrupted sleep.

What I am looking forward to:  Seeing the baby!

Weekly Wisdom:  No matter how bad I may feel, I am blessed to be having a happy, healthy pregnancy.

Milestones: We're in the double digits, and I start my 3rd trimester later this week!

And yes, I seem to be living in this grey v-neck.  I like it.  Sue me.  ;)

Getting Into the Double Digits!

Today we are 25 weeks, 5 days pregnant!

Today is one of my made-up holidays...  

It's where we have 100 days left to go!  That's just amazing to me, we found out when we had 249 days to go, and that seemed sooo far away.  Now, tomorrow, we're entering the double digits!  We're also nearing our third trimester, which makes it seem like time is going so much faster these days.  I can't wait to meet our little girl and can't wait for all of you to meet her, too.  So here's to the next hundred days!

Major Mae Loves My Belly

She was literally smooshing her face to my belly the other day.  Too bad Sophia kicked her a couple times, and all she could do was raise her eyebrows like, "what's going on?"  Anywho, just wanted to share...

Saturday Fun

Today we are 25 weeks pregnant!

Hi all!  Just wanted to quickly stop in for our 25 week mark...  This week I've gotten started on emptying out the guest room, and when I say emptying out, I mean going through loads of stuff Shawn and I had piled in the closet over the years and have let collect on the guest bed over the last few months.  Thank goodness the stuff on the bed was mainly clean laundry, that I of course washed again, but going through stuff in the closet?  Yikes!  Being a pack-rat myself, somewhat reformed, I'm trying to be as logical as I can when making my "keep" and "toss" piles, but it is not without a brief trip down memory lane.  I have decided to finally donate some of my nicer, but somewhat out of my style, clothing to a womens' shelter even though I selfishly hate getting rid of something I paid a lot of money for.  But it feels good, one, to give to someone who needs it more, and two, to purge myself and our house of things I don't need.  Now there are some items I'm keeping, because who knows when one might need that sparkly pair of DKNY pants that look so good on?!?  I am happy I ran across an apron my Nonnie made that I got for my bridal shower, it's dainty and beautiful and everything that she was.  Now I can't wait to get all the stuff out of there so we can finally start taking measurements and really truly picturing our baby girl's stuff in there.  Our furniture should be coming in within the next eight weeks, and I just can't help but look forward to sitting on the floor with Shawn while putting together the crib and dresser and such.  I am sure a few choice words will escape...  ;)

Anywho, things are good, I'm feeling good, and life is good, so I am good.  It's cold again here, for a bit, so it's back to snuggling under blankets and watching the fire, but I'm still itching for spring!  I just love all the wonderful things that happen in the spring...  Speaking of which, I'm extremely excited for my friend, Mara, who together with her hubby, are adopting a beautiful little girl this year!  Sounds like many new things for them, too, huh?  I can't wait to share stories with her on being a new mommy, I just wish they lived closer!  So if you're reading this, Mara, CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming addition!  I just know you guys will have a full house someday soon...

So I'll leave you with my weekly check-in, and I feel very productive that I'm actually getting this done on our weekly change day...

How far along?  25 weeks!  This Thursday, the 4th, we're down to 100 days.  One hundred days.  Wow.

Total weight gain/loss:  We need to get a scale, last weight known 116 last Friday.

Stretch marks?  None yet

Sleep:  Does anyone have a spare Tempurpedic mattress we could have?  Or a cloud?  Something?

Best moment this week:  Today is apparently my "craving day."  We ate bbq at Green Mesquite, got supplies to make me a brownie sundae, and I bought an O'Douls so I can taste fake beer.  Yummmmmm!  (See pic below)

Movement:  Still a lot of movement!  She seems to have a burst at 11:30pm and wakes up at 7ish am.

Food cravings:  Cheeseburgers, Girl Scout Cookies, truffles

Gender:  It's a girl!

Labor Signs:  No true signs this week, we just have some tightening and back pressure once in a while

Belly Button in or out?  Right now very out, and feels like it's been kicked a hundred times

What I miss:    Not having to wonder if I'll ever be able to wear certain pants again...

What I am looking forward to:  Getting the guest room cleared out

Weekly Wisdom:  Patience is a virtue

Milestones: We're starting to get comments from strangers now on the belly!

My brownies and my O'Douls.  The brownie sundae turned out to be a huge success!

My Look How I've Grown!

Today we're 24 weeks, 4 days pregnant!

Hi all!  I just thought I'd post a couple pictures so you can keep track of my ever growing belly!  I said to Shawn today, "Hey babe, doesn't this shirt make my belly look huge?"  His reply?  "Nickie, I don't think it's the shirt..."  Hahahahhah!

This (above) was me on Saturday, on our 24 week mark.  Dig the maternity jeans...

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And this is me today in my comfy clothes.  One sexy mama-to-be, huh?

Ciao!

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue...

Today we are 24 weeks pregnant!

Well happy V-Day to me!  What?  No, I know it's not Valentine's Day, but today is what they call our "viability date" which is a decent milestone for me.  What that means is at this point, if we happen to go into preterm labor, the doctors will now technically do all they can do to save the baby, whereas before this date, it would be just too early and not much could be done.  So this day really does mean a lot to me, and with each passing day, the percentages get higher and higher as far as survival for our little one if we make an emergency trip to labor and delivery.  Yes, I know I've been a nervous wreck since the day we found out we had a little life in us, but I'd like to think that it's just mother's love coming in strong, and I so desperately want to meet our new addition.  Maybe it's been my lesson in life, knowing that things do not always turn up daisies and roses, and that horrible things can happen to those you love, that has made me so weary and tense sometimes, but I do completely understand now that we have so much to be thankful for.  Even walking down the street, or doing something mundane with ease, I thank God that I am fortunate enough to have all my capacities and a healthy, strong body.  It is a luxury that will never go unnoticed by me.  But along with having all naïveté being cleared from my life, comes with it a sneaking suspicion that something dark may be around the corner sometimes.  Does it make me more appreciative?  Yes.  Does it scare the crud out of me sometimes?  Yes.  And I know I probably seem like a crazy person when I ask my doctor a hundred questions, most recently, "when can I relax?"  Her answer?  "Never."  Great.  Oh well, in the words of a song, most popularly covered by Doris Day, what will be, will be.  I am trying to adopt this attitude, and in fact, has even become my mantra in the past few years.  Sorry for all the deep thoughts, but I want to be as honest as I can with my thoughts and feelings, even if some may say I'm a little overboard or a little cuckoo.  I guess there's just a lot going through my mind lately...

Anywho, I've recently read Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy, given to me by Angela, and I literally laughed out loud many a time while reading.  I strongly recommend this book to any pregnant woman, or anyone who has been pregnant.  It's funny, it's frank, and it's just one of those books that makes you feel better that you can't poop, or about the numerous funny changes that invade your body, but I won't get into it here...  I give it two thumbs up and a belly button sticking out!  Which reminds me, it's time for my weekly update:

How far along?  24 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss:  I weighed in yesterday at 116, so I've gained 14 lbs as of yet

Stretch marks?  None yet

Sleep:  Ugh, sleep is not the word for it, more like sporadic naps that take place throughout the night...

Best moment this week:  Baby and I went to lay out by the pool for about 30 minutes, and I actually felt great in a bikini, belly and all!

Movement:  Shawn got to feel a huge kick, and he even got to see one from the outside.  We've got movement many many times a day!

Food cravings:  Last night, I HAD to have a cheeseburger.  Too bad I had to settle for a fast food one since it was almost 10pm.  But I did finally get to make my red velvet cupcakes with chocolate chips inside and cream cheese frosting... Yum!

Gender:  It's a girl!

Labor Signs:  No true signs this week, we just have some tightening and back pressure once in a while

Belly Button in or out?  Oh she's a comin' out!  It changes throughout the day, though.  I'd say 60% of the time you can see it through my shirt...

What I miss:    Honestly?  My social life.  It seems being pregnant makes you go lower on some of your friend's phone tree...

What I am looking forward to:  Getting my house in order.  Hurry up, nesting phase!

Weekly Wisdom:  I'm going to have up moments, and I'm going to have down moments.  I need to listen to my mind and my body, and things are going to change.  Things are changing.  But for these changes, I am thankful.

Milestones: Today we have a baby that has a chance if something goes wrong, and that makes me feel wonderful and powerful.

Is Spring Coming?

Today we are 23 weeks, 3 days pregnant!

Hello all!  We've had some nicer weather lately, well heck, anything is nicer than freezing temperatures daily!  I mean, a few weeks ago, the low was 12 (twelve!!!) degrees for two nights in a row!  Geez!  We've had some high 60's, low 70's and it has made me realize one thing:  I cannot wait for spring!  And even more, we'll have our little bundle of daisies this spring, so I can't wait for that even more.  Anywho, Shawn and I are doing great, I'm still growing, and thankfully, feeling a little better.  We've deduced that I pulled a muscle and that I just can't overdo it or it hurts all over again.  Our last ultrasound couldn't find anything wrong, but I'm glad that we got one.  The doctor said we have a "very active baby" and she's still looking good, so we're feeling good!  :)  Here's my latest picture, taken today, please excuse my lack of makeup or styled hair...  Hope this finds you well!

Our next appointment is this Friday, January 22nd, so I'll update y'all then!