Bump 17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks & 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: 10 (120 to 130)

Maternity clothes: BellaBand and long shirts (I can still wear these jeans without a bellaband!!)

Have you started to show yet: Yes!
Stretch marks: Nope
Sleep: Great!

Food cravings: Frozen juice (like the minute maid popsicles only cheaper!) Spicy foods
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Best moment(s) this week: Feeling more movement

Worst moment(s) this week: I had a few headaches this week. Not sure if it's weather or caffeine related   

Miss Anything: Nope
Movement: Yes, tiny flutters here and there! Last night I felt something hard like the baby's back or something! Tyler felt it too!
Gender prediction: Girl?!
Belly Button in or out: In - it's beginning to flatten out a bit
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and anxious
Weekly Wisdom: Don't eat so much junk food!

Looking forward to: Feeling more movement!

In other news...
This week Reece has been really clingy with Tyler! He is super cuddly and follows him everywhere - total change from before. He's normally MY shadow! Here they are watching the NFL Combine...

Dreams - a potty break

Your dad and I were at David and Emily's house (not really). I was trying to find a bathroom so I could get in the shower and pee?! (Strange - I know - but it's a dream, and a pregnancy dream at that!) I finally found a bathroom umm shower and squatted down to pee. While I was going potty I noticed that the ground to the shower had been removed and I was actually peeing into the basement. Reece came in the bathroom and so did Emily. I left the bathroom mad because I didn't have privacy to finish going to the bathroom. I went outside and ended up in an alleyway under a busy highway. So I squatted down to pee again and saw a kid riding his bike who looked like he was going to hurt me. As he drove up closer to me I was trying to get Reece's attention to run inside.

I woke up.

Then contemplated what I would have done in that situation if it was real. Would I save Reece or let him fend and save my own life?

I'm just glad I never peed the bed.

Bump 16 weeks

How far along: 16 weeks & 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: 10 (120 to 130)

Maternity clothes: BellaBand and loose long shirts

Have you started to show yet: Yes! A few people at work have said that I finally look pregnant!
Stretch marks: No
Sleep: OK until I go to the bathroom and then I'm up for 2 hours or so

Food cravings: Nothing this week!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Best moment(s) this week: Getting flowers from my husband for Valentine's day! AND feeling you kick on my hand!

Worst moment(s) this week: Finding out another one of my friends lost her baby

Miss Anything: Nope
Movement: Yes, very little flutters here and there!
Gender prediction: Boy/Girl I'm really not sure! I'm leaning more towards a girl lately...
Belly Button in or out: In - it's beginning to flatten out a bit
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Weekly Wisdom: It's OK to clean the house, but make sure your fluids are up and you take breaks often.
Looking forward to: Feeling more kicks!

Nursery Paint Colors

After sleeping in, and eating my breakfast I went into the nursery with my cup of tea and started to pick out colors!

I of course had my helper (such a mama's boy)

I found the grey I like...

  

two pinks...

and two blues...

Reece thinks you're a girl...

Letters to baby #12

Hello my little one,
Last night (a Friday night) your dad and I went to Menards to buy a new fire detector/carbon monoxide detector because our old one broke two nights ago. We also picked up a curtain rod holder and baskets for mommy's new closet, paint swatches for YOUR ROOM!, and a door bell. We needed a new humidifier (because we're both sick!) and we didn't think they had the best prices, so we went to Meijer, they didn't have as great of a deal as we thought Wal-Mart would so we ran there. We found a humidifier, I wanted to walk through the baby section (your dad was 100% OK looking around there!) then we went home. I put away my baskets, set up the humidifier while your dad hooked up the fire detector and door bell. All on a Friday night!

I am telling you all of that because I truly enjoyed our evening. Before I had your daddy in my life, I would have rolled my eyes at the thought of running those lame errands, and actually spending money on these boring things!

I have learned that when you're married to your best friend, and when you're 100% satisfied with your life, you don't mind spending time (even a Friday night) and money on the tiny "boring" necessities of life. I am no longer trying to overwhelm my life with meaningless things to fulfill a sadness that only security and contentment can fulfill.

And I love it.

We went to bed and were talking a little, like we usually do then said our "night, love yous." About 5 minutes later I felt some pops and flutters in my stomach, like I usually do I put my hand on my lower belly. This time I felt a little <kick!> on my hand. I opened my eyes, gasped a little, smiled really big, and so badly wanted to scream at your dad. I didn't because he has this magical power of falling asleep about 2 minutes after our "night, love yous." I chose to let him sleep and wait to share the story with him in the morning. I was so excited to feel you say "night mommy, love you!" that I just thought this is the coolest feeling in the world. And prayed and prayed that you will continue growing big and strong.

I also pray that someday you find someone that you can spend your Friday nights with buying smoke detectors and humidifiers and being completely satisfied with such a "lame" night.

I love you baby,
Mommy

Letters to baby #11

Hi baby,
Today you are 16 weeks old and your eardrums have now developed! In celebration of your developed eardrums, tonight I read you your very first "bedtime" story. I was hoping I'd feel you kick and squirm and relesase all that excited of hearing your first bedtime story...but at the end of the book I realized maybe you've been hearing my voice for a few days now and this wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it was. Reguardless, it was a big moment for your mama. I wrote a little note to Aunt Beth on facebook since the book I read to you was a book she first gave to me when I was a little girl.

I've been anxiously awaiting baby's 16 week "birthday," because his/her ear drums are now developed, which means he/she can hear my voice and I can read to him/her! In celebration of his/her 16th week "birthday" I read our very first bedtime story, "King Bidgood's in the Bathtub."

I'm not sure if you remember giving me the book but it was one of my childhood favorites. I've luged this book around during every move and it now lives in my adult collection of books. It was a fun first book to read to baby, and I had to let you know that you were apart of that first for baby and I.

Tonight I also Face Timed with Nana and Papa Tom so they could listen to your 16 week old heartbeat. They were excited to hear your fast, strong heart. I don't think Papa Tom has ever heard a babies heartbeat, he was very surprised at how fast it was! Nana couldn't stop smiling and she said she has been waiting to hear it!

After I read you the book I read you a verse I found in a book I'm reading called "The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby." Kari bought the book for me (she is such a great friend, so thoughtful and already loves you so much!) The verse is from 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." To me this means that God has given me everything I need for life. I need to trust in HIM, as He has already provided and will continue to provide exactly what I need when I need it.

It is very hard to give up your worry and fears to God. I am slowly learning this and it is my prayer that someday you will be able to give your worries to God and TRUST in Him.

Love,
Mommy

Letters to baby # 10

My sweet baby,
I had my second doctor appointment Monday and you're very healthy! My blood pressure, heart rate and weight is normal and healthy. The doctor is not worried about my health at all. She also does not seem to be worried about you. I got to hear your heartbeat and it sounded very strong and LOUD! Your heart rate was 150. Your daddy and I go to our gender ultrasound in just 3 weeks! That's one week sooner than we were thinking!

At this appointment I:
1. Waited a while in the waiting room
2. Got my weight
3. Got my blood pressure
4. Had an opportunity to ask the nurse questions
5. Gave a urine sample
6. Waited for the doctor
7. Talked and asked the doctor questions
8. Climbed up on the table
9. Listened to your heartbeat!
10. Continued talking to the doctor
11. Checked out and scheduled my next appointment!

All in all it took about 1 hour of waiting and being examined. It was a very simple and fast check up. Your daddy didn't go with me because it was very quick and he works too far away to take off work. He will be there at the next appointment through! We are getting excited to find out if you're our little girl or boy and share the news with all our family and friends!

I love you baby

Bump 15 weeks

How far along: 15 weeks & ? days
Total weight gain/loss: 10 (120 to 130 - yikes!)

Maternity clothes: BellaBand and loose long shirts

Have you started to show yet: Yes! Very tiny bump, but a few people have noticed!!
Stretch marks: No
Sleep: Great, still having strange dreams though

Food cravings: Not really, just random things here and there (wavy chips with ranch dip) but I can function if I don't eat them asap!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing at all - I oddly feel back to normal!
Best moment(s) this week: Going on a date with my husband! (Outback, and I ate EVERYTHING!)

Miss Anything: Nope
Movement: I keep thinking I feel little flutters here and there - but I'm not sure if it's gas or my imagination! The movements are random and low so I think it's baby!!
Gender prediction: Boy/Girl I'm really not sure! I'm leaning more towards a girl lately...
Belly Button in or out: In 
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Generally happy. But I've had a few moments here and there where I feel depressed. I'm really hoping this passes once the sun starts to shine! I get this way every winter. 
Weekly Wisdom: Even if you don't feel pregnant - you still are! Keep drinking lots of water and stick to your early bedtime routine. You'll be sorry if you miss out on sleep (it took all week to feel normal again after staying up late watching the super bowl)
Looking forward to: Reading to you next week! I've read that at week 16 your eardrums will be developing (or developed)! I'm so excited to read you books from my childhood AND (hopefully) talk daddy into letting me buy you a few books that HE can read to you! He will probably pick Dr. Seuss books :)

"eating for two"

You know you're in that phase of life when you decide to clean out your awkwardly large and heavy purse only to discover a (black and very smelly) banana, an orange, almonds, a roll AND a box of raisins.

My hunger has significantly subsided this trimester (subsided, not vanished - I'm still a hungry mama) and somehow my belly must have forgotten to communicate that message to my brain.

Thank you second trimester for slowing down my hunger, but I curse you for stealing my brain power!

Nursery Dream Board

I am very much a planner, and a list maker! I become very anxious when I have a big task (like preparing for a baby!) and don't write down every little detail that needs to get accomplished along with timeframes.

So to help with some of this anxious energy I created a "Nursery Dream Board" in order to visualize all of the bigger items in one spot. This way I'm able to see how they would all look together. I'm pretty happy with my items and colors so far. 

Next on the agenda - type out the ever growing mental checklist! 

crib, bedding, dresser/changing table, book shelf tutorial, chair inspiration
Or you can find these sources on my "Baby B" Pinterest Board

Letters to baby #9

My baby
You are 15 weeks old today and are the size of an orange! Even though you're still so little you're making mommy feel bigger and bigger everyday! I am so happy though - I love my ever growing belly. My best friend, Kari, came over last night and said that I actually look pregnant! I asked if I no longer look "chubby" and she laughed and said yea - you have a pregnant belly now!

I thought I felt you kick the other night. I was busy around the house and finally sat down for the night. I felt this very tiny flutter, almost like a little butterfly wing tickel the inside of my belly. I had the same feelings on and off today at work. I'm not sure if it's gas, my imagination, or if I can actually feel you stretching and practicing your kicks and punches! I'm so excited to feel you kick and know without a doubt that it's your little foot! It will be even more exciting when daddy can put his hand on my belly and feel you moving.

Everything about this pregnancy has been so incredibly amazing and unique. I'm not the first (or the last) mama to say that it's such an indescribable the wonderful feeling knowing there is life growing inside me and that this life came from two people who have an amazing amount of love for one another.

I love you baby and anytime you want to kick...go for it!
(I know I'll regret that request in about 15 weeks!)

Dreams - An Intruder!

Your dad was in bed and while I was getting ready for bed I heard a noise inside the house. I ran around the house turing on lights as fast as I could and screaming "Who is in my house?!" "Get out of my house NOW!" Your dad didn't get out of bed very fast, as he was not scared (totally not normal). He finally grabbed the gun and started to talk around the house. When I made it to the front room I saw a shadow and yelled again "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Then I realized it was your daddy and he was getting TP out of the furnace closet (we don't keep it there). He just looked at me like I was a mad lady and ignored the fact that we had an intruder! We finally made it back to the living room and I opened the garage door because I heard a noise in there, and yelled again "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Then we heard a knock on the living room window and it was Dwight Schrute!! He had the typical awkward Dwight smile, holding a hammer and pointed to Reece. Tyler opened the window and Dwight climbed right inside. I yelled at him to get out of the house and said his behavior was inappropriate and he needed to leave immediately! I started to yell at Tyler about it and he assured me that Dwight was here to fix the dripping faucet in the back yard (with a hammer?!) in the middle of the night when it was about 7 dergees out!

While Dwight was fixing the hose, I held you! Our 1-2 year old boy (at least you were in my dreams!) in my arms. He had rosy cheeks because he was crying, and long shaggy blond hair that had little curls in it. He was wearing red PJs. I held him in my arms and told him everything was going to be OK, as he sniffled, I brused his hair back and kissed his little face and rocked him back and fourth.

Then I woke up.

Bump Week 14

How far along: 14 weeks & 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: 8 (120 to 128)  

Maternity clothes: Belly band and longer shirts

Have you started to show yet: With tight fitting shirts or sweaters
Stretch marks: Nope -  I need to use some type of cream. Not sure what to get though
Sleep: Great except weird dreams and potty breaks at 3 am

Food cravings: None this week
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! 
Best moment(s) this week: Getting book shelves for the nursery AND after the 4th or 5th coworker asking "how are you doing?" or "you doing ok today?" I finally said "I feel great - do I look sick or bad today!?" My coworker kindly said "you look great! I'll tell you why everyone is saying that, you are actually starting to look pregnant! Before I would not have noticed, but today, I could tell!" I'm not sure if he was trying to take his foot out of his mouth, but it certainly was flattering, and I took it as a compliment. 

Worst moment this week: Finding out a close friend of mine had a miscarriage

Miss Anything: Not really
Movement: No (I'm reading that I should feel movement in about 2-4 weeks!)
Gender prediction: Boy???
Belly Button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Weekly Wisdom: When you're tired...go to sleep!
Looking forward to: Starting to have a bigger bump!