Thursday, February 27, 2014

24 Weeks in Pictures

24 Weeks

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks (as of 2/25/2014)

I know, I know sooo behind.  But I had an OB appointment this week and I wanted to post what I got there along with the bump update.  Heart beat was in the 130's and she continued to kick the doppler no matter where my Midwife placed it.  Also the belly is measuring 26 weeks.  Eek! Steve told me that I better watch or she's gonna be a big baby.  I guess I should get better control of my eating habits.  We'll work on that.  Otherwise everything checked out good!

Gender: GIRL 

Maternity clothes?  Hair band, tummy sleeve, regular shirts.  I'm heavier in the bust area anyways so I've always worn a cami under anything I have on.  More layers just make me feel a little more covered.  I'm extremely self conscious of my boobs.  Anyways, with the growth of the boobs and the growth of the tummy, my collection of camis aren't covering quite what they use to.  Probably need to look into a few of those, but for the most part I can still wear a lot of my regular clothes.

Stretch marks? Not yet.  I'm thankful that up to this point, I've really only changed in the belly region.  My legs aren't growing, my ass etc.  My boobs, yes. And I imagine they'll definitely have stretch marks of some kind.  But who cares? Not going to lie, I've got a "boob fund" started to get these babies nipped and tucked after we're done having kids


Sleep: Same as usual.  For the most part it's pretty good.  Up until a week or so ago, I was able to sleep through the entire night without potty breaks.  I know, my bladder is amazing.  But as of the past week, I get up just once and I'm good the rest of the night.  Luckily this doesn't hinder me from falling back asleep. 


Movement: Yes.  Definitely a lot more in the past week.  It was funny, this past weekend, I had checked in to see if any one else had updated and one of the girls had posted a video of watched her belly bump with movement.  I was shocked and thought, surely I'm not far along enough for that.  Clearly Charlie heard mama and said, ha - that's what you think.  The rest of the weekend was like watching a little party going on.  Intense.

Food cravings: These come and go.  Nothing is a permanent fixture for long.  


What I Miss? Tanning.    Energy to do simple tasks.  Not getting full so quickly.  I use to be able to eat like my husband.  Now I have to pace myself

Symptoms? Pregnant!  So all of the above.  Still taking the Zofran.  Scheduled every 3 week chiropractor appointments.  I think that's helping a lot with the back pain.  I also heard it can be good for labor? Go figure.  Gotta look more into that.
Best moment this week:  Baby shower invites went out this week! One stress off with that.  The crazy movement over the weekend.  She was just all over the place.


Looking forward to: [Same] Finishing the baby's room. Still on the search for cherry wood for the floors.  Still driving me nuts.  I'm not a patient person and I just want to decorate so badly.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Ramblings

- I was able to get on the pre sale yesterday and order my tickets for Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Florida Georgia Line.  Best moment of this week.  There's a good chance I won't actually make the concert depending on when Miss Charlie decides to grace us with her presence.  I'm due June 17th and the concert is July 26th.  I may be stretching myself too thin, but I figured worst case scenario I sell the tickets and make my money back if not more.  But man, I'd love to be at that concert.  And I don't feel like a bad mom for saying that.  My husband hit the nail on the head when he said that its something that would be normal for me without the pregnancy.  I love concerts, love love love them.  And going to a concert amongst this MAJOR change to our life, would give me a sense of what was normal.

- I feel huge.  Just huge I tell you.  Some days are a bit better than others.  But those days that she's all stretched out and I haven't pooped in days - I feel massive.

- Pooping.  Olympic sport.  TMI, yes.  Necessary to document so I remember later, down the road to take my damn probiotics EVERY.SINGLE.DAY = completely necessary.

- I just want the nursery DONE.  So freakin' bad.  We are waiting on wood for the floors.  And it feels like time is dragging.  The empty room stares are me every time I walk out of our bedroom.

- Got my annual bonus and I can officially say, that I'll be able to take off all 12 weeks for maternity leave.  And that is a HUGE weight off my shoulders.

Monday, February 17, 2014

23 Weeks (in pictures)

Every Tuesday the husband helps me to take a bump picture.  And every Tuesday I have to search through the 10 bazillion pictures he snapped to find a half way decent one.  I thought it'd be funny to give you a taste of what I deal with.  So here are the outtakes of our photo session this morning, including the good one at the bottom.  Enjoy.

Also my dogs pose for pictures.  There were no treats involved or begs or pleas.  Both walked over and assumed the position.  haha Well Kimber immediately begged to be lifted and Bob just sat his pretty self down like it ain't no thang.

23 week bump (1)

 


23 week bump (2)





23 week bump (3)




and finally. A good one.  Mind you there were at least 6 other photos I haven't put in this post.  You're welcome.


23 week bump (4)

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 weeks (as of 2/18/2014)

Gender: GIRL 

Maternity clothes?  The hair band and Tummy Sleeve to keep my regular jeans in circulation, the zipper doesn't always make it up half way.  For the most part I'm still rotating my regular clothes. Although I will say that we're getting to the point that I can no longer hide the belly.  I still had a few shirts that were big enough to give a little bit of an illusion.  Those shirts no longer leave anything to imagination.  I've read bump updates in the past and had noticed a trend of women wearing their husbands' shirts.  I always giggled but I find that this may just be my future self on the weekends! 

Stretch marks? [Repeat] Not yet. Fingers crossed.  Although, I will say - if I could've told my younger self to get that crescent moon tattoo just a few inches to the left, it would save me the heart break of watching it slowly turn into a full moon currently.  ha!

Sleep: [Same] Off and on.  I never had a regular sleep before pregnancy so I’m not surprised by this.

Movement: Yup! Nothing regular or definite feeling quite yet.  When I'm sitting or laying flat is when I can feel her the most.  I'm ready for more regular, consistent movements. 

Food cravings: These come and go.  Nothing is a permanent fixture for long.  This week is the brown sugar pop tarts.  I use to love them as a kid and haven't had them in years.  Enter the past week of eating them none stop.  

What I Miss? Tanning.    Energy to do simple tasks.  Not getting full so quickly.  I use to be able to eat like my husband.  Now I have to pace myself

Symptoms? The normal pregnancy symptoms.  If someone asks how I'm feeling, I simply reply, "pregnant."  There's no other way to respond.  I could list off all the awesome side affects I'm dealing with, but really unless you're pregnant or been pregnant - you don't care.  lol For the record though, still taking the Zofran, sometimes twice a day, sometimes just one pill.  All depends how I'm feeling. 

Best moment this week:  I went to Wal-Mart with my mother and my goodness. She's a bad influence.  I've been trying so hard to resist any purchases until after the baby shower.  Instead, I left the store with a new outfit (her first one with a pony! Mama is so excited for horse back riding lessons and hopefully skillfully using our daughter to convince daddy we need horses in our own barn!), a diaper bag for daycare, and more diapers.  I was also able to sit with my mom and sister (who has two under 3) to finish up some items on my registry.  That made me feel so much better.  The registry was giving me some anxiety.  Originally I was getting several pieces from my sister as hand-me-downs.  However, looking forward a bit, if Steve and I are both working what we currently are, leaving the house by 5 am, she'll need to go somewhere before she can go to day care.  So the items my sister was going to give me will now be placed at my mom's house and when our schedules are messed up, mom will be able to get Charlie to daycare.  I was trying so hard to be logical and save money but I have to admit that it felt good to pick my own things.  
 
Looking forward to: Finishing the baby's room. Still on the search for cherry wood for the floors.  Still driving me nuts.  I'm not a patient person and I just want to decorate so badly.  

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

22 Weeks

How far along? 22 weeks (as of 2/11/2014)

Gender: GIRL 

Maternity clothes? Not exactly.  The hair band and Tummy Sleeve to keep my regular jeans in circulation, the zipper doesn't always make it up half way.  For the most part I'm still rotating my regular clothes.

Stretch marks? [Repeat] Not yet. Fingers crossed.  Although, I will say - if I could've told my younger self to get that crescent moon tattoo just a few inches to the left, it would save me the heart break of watching it slowly turn into a full moon currently.  ha!

Sleep: [Same] Off and on.  I never had a regular sleep before pregnancy so I’m not surprised by this.

Movement: Yup! Nothing regular or definite feeling quite yet.  When I'm sitting or laying flat is when I can feel her the most.  The other morning at church, I told my mom it felt like she was burping it I was feeling the ripple affect.  I know, I'm great with words!

Food cravings: These come and go.  Nothing is a permanent fixture for long.  But it seems that when I do have cravings its in the middle of a snow storm.  This week was spinach and artichoke dip.  Yum.  But once I had it, that was enough.  I haven't craved it since.  


What I Miss? Tanning.  I am normally a person that tans year round. I know it's bad for me, but it's my vice in life.  And right now, my pale skin is getting to me.  I use Jergen's Natural Glow to keep somewhat of a color but oh man, it's just not the same.  Energy to do simple tasks.  Running the vacuum is exhausting.  Is that just me?

Symptoms? Heartburn occasionally.  Continuous stuffy nose.  I don't think I've mentioned this in any of my previous bump updates but it's been none stop since I got pregnant.  Back pain is back and I've contemplated weekly chiropractor appointments.  It's pretty intense.  The nausea returned with the back pain.  Some days are good and I can get away with just one pill if none at all.  Other days are bad and I'm taking both pills and going to bed as early as possible just to get that day over with.  I've also noticed a little swelling in my lower legs.  My socks are getting a little tight and leaving those imprints.  I imagine it doesn't help that I sit at my desk job all day.  And then in the car for 3 hours of the day for my commute.
Best moment this week:  Painting the nursery! The husband called about the floors the other day so that project will be under way soon. I can't wait to have actual items IN the room.


Looking forward to: Finishing the baby's room.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Let the Naming War 2014 Begin

Ohemgee, my husband is stressing me out about this baby girl's name.  We had names picked.  Names picked for years.  Yes, we're the crazy people that talk names before even trying to conceive.  Weird. 

Samuel George - after both of our Grandfathers.  Both very important people in our lives that passed way before either of us were able to meet one another's hero.  I love my Pop. Goodness, it still brings tears to my eyes thinking of him.  I wish so much he could've been around for this little girl.  

Charlotte ?middle name - Steve LOVES the name Charlie for a little girl.  I have to agree that it has this cute ring to it.  But I feel very strongly that Charlie is a nick name.  An abbreviation of a name.  I would prefer our daughter to have a full name.  A name that I can scream at the top of my lungs when I hear that top stair creak as she tries to sneak out.  Or when she paints the dog, because she wanted to make it pretty.  A name that looks good on business cards and loan applications.  So I thought we had compromised and our darling would be name Charlotte and called Charlie.  My name is Samantha but other than official and in trouble situations I've only ever been called Sam.  It just fits to me.

The night of the gender reveal, I started to call her Charlie.  Steve seemed hesitant.  And last night I finally asked if he still like the name we had chosen.  He confessed that he is unsure.  So the name search started.  You know what's funny?  For years you've talked of names you like with your spouse.  Wrote some down and lost where you put it, thinking surely you'll remember these names, they're so special, so original!  But no, when the time comes, you can't think of all those fun, beautiful names. 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Gender Reveal

We had our 20 week anatomy scan on Thursday, January 30th.  The tech was kind enough to shut off the screen when she looked for the gender and printed out a picture with the "goods" on display, marked It's a Girl! The picture was placed in an envelope and I took that envelop to the florist, along with a big cardboard box.  

Some things from the ultrasound.  Baby's legs were measuring 3.2 cm.  My mom kept saying how long they look but when you put it into actual measurements, it doesn't seem so big anymore.  Baby was also folded up like a chair! She had her feet touching her head almost the entire time.  And very visibly could be seen bouncing on mama's bladder.  Cute kid.  I'm a little disappointed that my husband was unable to attend.  He didn't come to the first ultrasound either and I think seeing it in person can give a whole new perspective.  Both time's work came first, being that it's winter and we've avoided a long lay off for most of the season, it's important that he work as much as he can.  Hopefully I can schedule our 3D ultrasound to be on a Saturday since that will be done at an outside service.  

Pictures!

ImageAt this point I can tell that there's pink balloons in the corner, hence  my goofy grin.

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I mentioned before that the tech gave us a picture of the "goods"  This is a picture of my husband and my friend's husband over analyzing the goods, trying to figure out just what exactly was being displayed.  It took a long time before they realized they were in fact looking at little lady's hoo ha and then they were both extremely embarrassed. 

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21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks

Gender: GIRL 

Maternity clothes? Not exactly.  The hair band and Tummy Sleeve to keep my regular jeans in circulation, the zipper doesn't always make it up half way.  I do have two maternity t-shirts from Old Navy.  I like them, but I haven't quite grown into them.  Suggestion - if you get maternity clothes, definitely check the reviews and keep in mind how you fit in their clothes otherwise.  I always buy Large at Old Navy because I prefer a little baggy to extra tight.  Well I should've gone Medium in the Maternity section.  I have several tank tops I ordered in XL and I'm debating exchanging them or maybe I'll get that big?  There's so  much unknown here and I'm not sure what to do.

Stretch marks? Not yet. Fingers crossed.  Although, I will say - if I could've told my younger self to get that crescent moon tattoo just a few inches to the left, it would save me the heart break of watching it slowly turn into a full moon currently.  ha!

Sleep: [Same] Off and on.  I never had a regular sleep before pregnancy so I’m not surprised by this.

Movement: Yes! I can finally say yes! It's this oddest feeling.  I've heard it called popcorn or butterflies but the best I can describe is this little hiccup of sorts.  It only happens one or twice at a time and it's way lower than I had thought I should be feeling movement.  But with our ultrasound, the tech showed us that little lady likes to sit real low and warm herself from mama's pee.  Again, awkward thought.  Anyways, I may be the first and last mom to say this but the movement freaks me out.  I can't help it.  I hope that I come to a point that it's this enchanting time that makes me happy and glowy.

Food cravings: I eat pretty normal.  Well, my normal.  But there are some things that get stuck in my head and I can't get it out.  This week was a vegetable stromboli, chicken patty sandwiches with just ketchup, peach ice tea, Chips Ahoy! cookies and milk - I think that's really it.  I definitely don't have the ineeditrightnow kind of emotion but its just like a song that gets stuck in your head and you can't get out.  


What I Miss? This week, I feel back in my groove.  I haven't taken a Zofran pill since Thursday last week! Hollarrrrrr .... ( I would never say that in real life but it seemed appropriate here) The heartburn is still around but without the nausea to accompany it, it's not so bad.  I have days where I feel large and in charge but I've decided those days are the days little lady is pushing against mama's waistband.  There's not other explanation for why I can't zip up my pants one day and the next day it's a whole 'nother story.

Symptoms? Heartburn occasionally.  Continuous stuffy nose.  I don't think I've mentioned this in any of my previous bump updates but it's been none stop since I got pregnant.  Took care of that back pain last week with a chiropractor appointment and now I'm on the books for every 3 weeks until birth.  I figured as much would take place because my sister was the same way.  Also, there is a point in your back where the location is for baby to be fed (this sounds so much better coming from a professional, I swear) and when cracked/put back in place - nausea reducer.  I went Wednesday night to the chiro and I haven't taken a Zofran pill for nausea since Thursday.  I'm a believer.  I'll be returning.
Best moment this week:  Husband did the oddest thing.  Up until this point, he has poked at the belly like it was a foreign object.  Which I suppose it kind of is, but it wasn't the most awesome moments.  The day after the gender reveal we had to go pick up odds and ends and daddy to be purchased some very pink, very girly clothing.  He was so excited about it.  That night too, he actually placed his hand on the tummy and told me how happy he was.  I'm super thankful that knowing the gender has helped him to attach himself more to this baby.



Looking forward to: Finishing the baby's room.  We bought our house two years ago and have slowly been remodeling room by room since.  We were lucky enough to be able to afford to do our master bedroom this year and the baby's room.  It needed the horse hair plaster ripped down, insulation put up, new walls, new floors, new paint etc.  Steve painted the primer coat on yesterday so soon enough we can paint the walls.  The floor is still a process, because he's making those himself.  Yup, my husband, jack of all trades is making our hard wood floors himself.  I got lucky ladies.  Real lucky. How little did I know when I hit on him because I liked his truck ;-)

Saturday, February 1, 2014

It's a girl!

A quick post to let y'all know it's a girl! I'll sit down and write out what we did for our gender reveal party etc another time.

:)