Physical Symptoms: Sadly, I came down with a cold this week. So I have been battling that with medicine the doctor recommended (Robitussin DM). I have also experienced some leg cramping this week which seems typical of this stage. She is continuing to move a lot though! Its so cool!
Food Weirdness: None this week and I have been able to keep an appetite despite being sick.
Size of little (girl) bug: Cantaloupe (wow! she is getting big fast)
Workout: Haven't worked out as much because of my cold but still have the desire! Next week Ill be back in action.
Preparation: Received our shower gifts in the mail from our surprise shower over Thanksgiving and a sweet co-worker gave me some hand me down girl onesies!
Discovery: Chris was able to feel her kick or move for the first time the other night! It was so exciting!
Feelings: This week I turned 33. So crazy to think I will be having a baby at age 33. Not that its bad, but you just always wonder growing up how old you will be when you have your first child. I thought it would be earlier than 33 but the Lord knows best. Now I feel this is the perfect age to have a child!
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Pregnancy, Week 20 Half Way!!
Physical Symptoms: I am getting really tired at night and my appetite has amped up a fair amount. I had some sharp pains in my lower abdomen that really scared me. After calling the doctor and a few pregnant friends and taking a long nap I concluded they are just growing pains. Chris read that sometimes your ab muscles may rip to make room for the baby. I will continue to keep a watch on this symptom though, in case it comes back!
Also, she continues to move around a lot, especially at night when my dog Bailey is laying up against my stomach. They have already bonded.
At the 20-week scan the ultrasound doctor said I have slight placenta previa which means my placenta is close to covering my cervix. 80% of these cases resolve on their own and the placenta moves up to its proper placement but because of the risk I will be going in for another ultrasound at week 32 to see if it has moved. If it has not, we will need to schedule a c-section when the baby is due. Praying the placenta moves!
Food Weirdness: Yesterday my smelling sensitivity of a super hero came back in full force. I had a bag of Special K with strawberries sitting on my desk and I could not stand the smell of the freeze dried berries. It had to go.
Size of little (girl) bug: Mango
Workout: Still enjoying working out with my hubby. We keep each other accountable and it is benefiting us both. My workout is slightly modified from his though, less jumping and running around. I'm focusing more on strength (squats and weights).
Preparation: Scheduled our birthing and breastfeeding classes for February.
Discovery: We had our 20 week scan last week and it could not of went better! Little Natalie is developing perfectly. All her major organs looked great and she is progressing normally. It was really cool to see how big she is. The ultrasound doctor was incredibly thorough and explained everything she was looking at. She kept saying that we have beautiful and perfect little babe. So thankful!
Feelings: Hitting the half-way point was emotional for me! Very soon our daughter will be born and life is going to change forever! Its hard to explain how that feels, except its a bunch of emotions mixed into one big ball of "this is really happening!"
Natalie was shy for the cameras...
Also, she continues to move around a lot, especially at night when my dog Bailey is laying up against my stomach. They have already bonded.
At the 20-week scan the ultrasound doctor said I have slight placenta previa which means my placenta is close to covering my cervix. 80% of these cases resolve on their own and the placenta moves up to its proper placement but because of the risk I will be going in for another ultrasound at week 32 to see if it has moved. If it has not, we will need to schedule a c-section when the baby is due. Praying the placenta moves!
Food Weirdness: Yesterday my smelling sensitivity of a super hero came back in full force. I had a bag of Special K with strawberries sitting on my desk and I could not stand the smell of the freeze dried berries. It had to go.
Size of little (girl) bug: Mango
Workout: Still enjoying working out with my hubby. We keep each other accountable and it is benefiting us both. My workout is slightly modified from his though, less jumping and running around. I'm focusing more on strength (squats and weights).
Preparation: Scheduled our birthing and breastfeeding classes for February.
Discovery: We had our 20 week scan last week and it could not of went better! Little Natalie is developing perfectly. All her major organs looked great and she is progressing normally. It was really cool to see how big she is. The ultrasound doctor was incredibly thorough and explained everything she was looking at. She kept saying that we have beautiful and perfect little babe. So thankful!
Feelings: Hitting the half-way point was emotional for me! Very soon our daughter will be born and life is going to change forever! Its hard to explain how that feels, except its a bunch of emotions mixed into one big ball of "this is really happening!"
Natalie was shy for the cameras...
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Pregnancy, Week 19
Physical Symptoms: Hello heartburn and also not sleeping well as of late BUT I have been feeling her move around! She feels like flipping goldfish! My baby belly has also been getting much bigger.
Food Weirdness: I just want more and more vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Trying to figure out what foods give me more heartburn than others.
Size of little (girl) bug: Zucchini
Workout: My workouts have been going great. I worked out every day last week for at least a 1/2 hr. I have a lot of energy and can tell working out not only makes me feel better but gives me more energy. Motivated!
Preparation: We scheduled a hospital tour in February and I bought Burts Bees belly lotion to try to keep those stretch marks away.
Discovery: Feeling her move around has been an amazing discovery. I love it.
Feelings: I have been concerned about having lack of community with new moms after she is born. I know my social world is going to completely shake up with a baby and it is something concerns me. I am a super social person and am afraid of feeling alone. Praying for some new mommas that live close to me to surface.
Food Weirdness: I just want more and more vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Trying to figure out what foods give me more heartburn than others.
Size of little (girl) bug: Zucchini
Workout: My workouts have been going great. I worked out every day last week for at least a 1/2 hr. I have a lot of energy and can tell working out not only makes me feel better but gives me more energy. Motivated!
Preparation: We scheduled a hospital tour in February and I bought Burts Bees belly lotion to try to keep those stretch marks away.
Discovery: Feeling her move around has been an amazing discovery. I love it.
Feelings: I have been concerned about having lack of community with new moms after she is born. I know my social world is going to completely shake up with a baby and it is something concerns me. I am a super social person and am afraid of feeling alone. Praying for some new mommas that live close to me to surface.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Pregnancy, Weeks 17 & 18
These two weeks are combined because Chris and I were in VA for Thanksgiving! I did not look at a computer the entire time we were there. It was so great relaxing spending time with family and friends.
Physical Symptoms: I was able to get lots of sleep over the break which was really nice. I felt refreshed everyday! Sometimes I get leg cramps which from what I have read is typical for this stage of pregnancy. I had a lot of energy over break. So thankful!
Food Weirdness: None. Stuffed myself silly the entire week! Especially Thanksgiving day!
Size of little bug: Week 17: Naval Orange, Week 18: Dragon Fruit
Workout: I did 0 working out while on vacation which I think attributed to my leg cramps. But Chris is starting a new workout regimen this week so I am going to try to join him. I probably wont do the full program but do whatever is comfortable. Also, I am still doing the 15-min fit breaks at work and walking!
Preparation: My mom's side of the family surprised us on Thanksgiving Day with a baby shower! We were so shocked and it was so fun. At the shower we received a diaper genie, a few toys and lots of baby clothes. We are so thankful! It was a very special time with family.
Discovery: During the shower my mom gave me two quilts that my Mamaw made for me when I was a baby. I didn't remember these quilts so I was very shocked. It was an emotional moment and I am so happy to have part of my grandmother be a part of our child.
Also, my parents discovered that the baby is a girl! We filled a white box with pink balloons and at the Thanksgiving meal my parents opened the box to discover the gender. It was so fun and they are ecstatic!
Feelings: Being home in VA was so good and much needed. But it was really hard to leave this time. Knowing a baby is coming and my immediate family is very far away is hard. But we will just have to make the best of it. Hopefully, in the future we can afford to visit more than once a year.
Also, here is our family picture we took a few weeks ago:
Physical Symptoms: I was able to get lots of sleep over the break which was really nice. I felt refreshed everyday! Sometimes I get leg cramps which from what I have read is typical for this stage of pregnancy. I had a lot of energy over break. So thankful!
Food Weirdness: None. Stuffed myself silly the entire week! Especially Thanksgiving day!
Size of little bug: Week 17: Naval Orange, Week 18: Dragon Fruit
Workout: I did 0 working out while on vacation which I think attributed to my leg cramps. But Chris is starting a new workout regimen this week so I am going to try to join him. I probably wont do the full program but do whatever is comfortable. Also, I am still doing the 15-min fit breaks at work and walking!
Preparation: My mom's side of the family surprised us on Thanksgiving Day with a baby shower! We were so shocked and it was so fun. At the shower we received a diaper genie, a few toys and lots of baby clothes. We are so thankful! It was a very special time with family.
Discovery: During the shower my mom gave me two quilts that my Mamaw made for me when I was a baby. I didn't remember these quilts so I was very shocked. It was an emotional moment and I am so happy to have part of my grandmother be a part of our child.
Also, my parents discovered that the baby is a girl! We filled a white box with pink balloons and at the Thanksgiving meal my parents opened the box to discover the gender. It was so fun and they are ecstatic!
Feelings: Being home in VA was so good and much needed. But it was really hard to leave this time. Knowing a baby is coming and my immediate family is very far away is hard. But we will just have to make the best of it. Hopefully, in the future we can afford to visit more than once a year.
Also, here is our family picture we took a few weeks ago:
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Pregnancy, Week 16
Physical Symptoms: Honestly, I feel really good! Lots of energy! My only complaints are constipation (sorry, had to say it) and feeling icky after I eat too much. But I am so grateful that I am overall feeling great!
Food Weirdness: Get away from me salad! Come on over yummy ice cream/milkshakes! Trying to balance my good eating/bad eating is challenging!
Size of little bug: Avocado!!
Workout: Enjoyed a lovely long and somewhat challenging hike with Lindsey and Janell last weekend and have been doing the 15-min fit breaks during work along with walking at lunch!
Preparation: Switched our health plan from a PPO to an HMO so we can save tons of money on the labor and delivery/ hospital stay. Thankful for working for a company that has great benefits and also thankful we are in open enrollment so we can switch to the HMO before giving birth.
Discovery: Last week I went to the doctor and asked her for a quick ultrasound to see if she could see the gender. Well, little babe was doing a headstand and we could not tell. So I made an appt at Heavenly Ultrasounds that weekend, paid a fee, to see if we could find out the gender. Sunday after church, Chris, J & I went to the appointment and the baby was making it easy (legs wide open) for us to see that we are having... drum-roll please... a GIRL!
Funny Moment: Chris and J's faces when we found out it was girl! You could tell 100 things were running through their minds. We are all excited though! Chris says he feel like he has to throw everything he has learned raising a boy out the window. I am sure we will use a lot of that knowledge but yes, raising a girl will be different. We will do great and J will be a great big brother!
Feelings: I am bursting with excitement to share this pregnancy and surprise them with the gender when we go to VA for Thanksgiving. Cant wait to share these moments with my family.
Also, over the weekend we took family pictures so we can finally announce publicly I am expecting. We haven't received them back yet but cant wait to post! That picture will also serve as my 16 week belly bump photo.
PS: We pretty much have already decided on the name :)
Food Weirdness: Get away from me salad! Come on over yummy ice cream/milkshakes! Trying to balance my good eating/bad eating is challenging!
Size of little bug: Avocado!!
Workout: Enjoyed a lovely long and somewhat challenging hike with Lindsey and Janell last weekend and have been doing the 15-min fit breaks during work along with walking at lunch!
Preparation: Switched our health plan from a PPO to an HMO so we can save tons of money on the labor and delivery/ hospital stay. Thankful for working for a company that has great benefits and also thankful we are in open enrollment so we can switch to the HMO before giving birth.
Discovery: Last week I went to the doctor and asked her for a quick ultrasound to see if she could see the gender. Well, little babe was doing a headstand and we could not tell. So I made an appt at Heavenly Ultrasounds that weekend, paid a fee, to see if we could find out the gender. Sunday after church, Chris, J & I went to the appointment and the baby was making it easy (legs wide open) for us to see that we are having... drum-roll please... a GIRL!
Funny Moment: Chris and J's faces when we found out it was girl! You could tell 100 things were running through their minds. We are all excited though! Chris says he feel like he has to throw everything he has learned raising a boy out the window. I am sure we will use a lot of that knowledge but yes, raising a girl will be different. We will do great and J will be a great big brother!
Feelings: I am bursting with excitement to share this pregnancy and surprise them with the gender when we go to VA for Thanksgiving. Cant wait to share these moments with my family.
Also, over the weekend we took family pictures so we can finally announce publicly I am expecting. We haven't received them back yet but cant wait to post! That picture will also serve as my 16 week belly bump photo.
PS: We pretty much have already decided on the name :)
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Pregnancy, Week 15
Physical Symptoms: I am feeling great! I have only experienced a few symptoms one being that my nose is always stuffed up. Also my ears tend to pop because of my stuffiness and I sometimes get nosebleeds. They say this is very common during pregnancy. Also, in really fun news, sometimes I feel the baby. I only feel it if it gets up near my ribs. It feels like gas bubbles in my upper abdomen but I imagine the baby doing cartwheels and back flips. I especially feel it after I eat or workout. So fun!
Food Weirdness: Ill eat anything and everything and the more ice cream the better.
Size of little bug: Pear
Workout: I have been pretty consistent in working out. They have started having 15-min fit breaks at my work 2x a day, I have been walking with my co-worker pretty consistently and I have started doing some pre-natal yoga which has been fabulous! It helps me get all stretched out and it is preparing my body for childbirth. Chris and I have also done a few Fitness Blender workouts. So I feel good about my activity this week.
Preparation: Chris and I have started talking names! We have come up with some good ones so far!
Discovery: The baby can hear now. I am trying to figure out what that means. Should I read to my baby bump? Put some headphones on my belly and play Mozart? Or is that stuff just kind of silly?
Funny Moment: I cant think of anything in particular but I do enjoy blaming eating unhealthy food on the baby "Baby wants some ice cream," is most common.
Feelings: I am starting really embrace the baby bump. Now out of that awkward looking chubby stage I have found some cute clothes and have started enjoying seeing this bump grow. I get a little anxious when there are quiet moments at the house, where all is at peace and there is nothing demanding my time or attention. Will this be the last few months of experiencing this? Anticipating how my/our life will change is daunting. One day at a time...
Food Weirdness: Ill eat anything and everything and the more ice cream the better.
Size of little bug: Pear
Workout: I have been pretty consistent in working out. They have started having 15-min fit breaks at my work 2x a day, I have been walking with my co-worker pretty consistently and I have started doing some pre-natal yoga which has been fabulous! It helps me get all stretched out and it is preparing my body for childbirth. Chris and I have also done a few Fitness Blender workouts. So I feel good about my activity this week.
Preparation: Chris and I have started talking names! We have come up with some good ones so far!
Discovery: The baby can hear now. I am trying to figure out what that means. Should I read to my baby bump? Put some headphones on my belly and play Mozart? Or is that stuff just kind of silly?
Funny Moment: I cant think of anything in particular but I do enjoy blaming eating unhealthy food on the baby "Baby wants some ice cream," is most common.
Feelings: I am starting really embrace the baby bump. Now out of that awkward looking chubby stage I have found some cute clothes and have started enjoying seeing this bump grow. I get a little anxious when there are quiet moments at the house, where all is at peace and there is nothing demanding my time or attention. Will this be the last few months of experiencing this? Anticipating how my/our life will change is daunting. One day at a time...
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Pregnancy, Week 14
Physical Symptoms: I LOVE THE SECOND TRIMESTER. My energy is back! I can see why people encourage you to get everything done in preparation for the baby now. If it wasn't for my expanding belly and food restrictions (wine) I wouldn't even remember I was pregnant. I am so grateful for this time in my pregnancy! Some ladies do not feel as well as I do so I am counting my lucky stars.
Food Weirdness: None. I love food. Especially ice cream and milkshakes. And salt! Anything with salt! Pass the pretzels!
Size of Little Bug: Georgia Peach
Workout: I am happy to have energy back to workout. Chris and I ran a few miles at the track the other night and I have a desire to start doing Pregnancy Yoga. Hopefully I can report about that next week. One thought about running though. This weekend I wore a belly band while running and it made my stomach feel so much better. In the past, I have run without a band around my belly and it felt like little babe was just flopping up and down and it pulled on my stomach a lot. In reality, babe was sitting comfortably in my womb but the belly band makes mama feel a lot more comfortable and supported while running. Also, in regards to working out, is that I really need to be careful not to over do my activity. The other day I had to take a personal day from work and I walked a few miles, did chores, covered our furniture in the garage, etc. etc. That night, I had a tiny bit a blood in my urine. It freaked me out! Thankfully, there was no other bleeding after that so it was just my body telling me to SLOW DOWN! I will be a lot more careful moving forward.
Preparation; This week we decided on switching our insurance to an HMO because it will save us so much money when I give birth. Thankful to work for a company with amazing benefits and open enrollment has started so we can easily make the switch. Also, I talked with my HR to see what kind of maternity leave I am granted. I was a little disappointed with the answer in terms of time off but thankful I signed up for supplemental disability when I was hired so I can get 70% of my income while I am away. Chris and I are trying to come up with alternative ways to make up the rest of the 30%. Grateful for my hardworking hubby!
Discovery: Everyone has an opinion about what I should eat, wear, act, prepare. I am choosing to be comfortable in my own skin and trust that my choices are the right ones for me. Trying to consider but be decisive about other people's advice. Basically, take what I need from it but mostly trust my own instinct.
Funny Moment: Since it is fall, I was walking out of Target holding a Pumpkin in front of me that I bought in preparation for Halloween. When I looked down at the pumpkin I realized that one day my belly will be as large as this pumpkin! CRAZY!
Feelings: I have been in a really happy and joyful mood. Sure, I have my days where I feel exhausted or just off but in general I am content and living in every moment. Trying not to look too far ahead but enjoy the moment for what it is. November is my favorite month so I am ready to squeeze every drop out of it and enjoy every second.
Food Weirdness: None. I love food. Especially ice cream and milkshakes. And salt! Anything with salt! Pass the pretzels!
Size of Little Bug: Georgia Peach
Workout: I am happy to have energy back to workout. Chris and I ran a few miles at the track the other night and I have a desire to start doing Pregnancy Yoga. Hopefully I can report about that next week. One thought about running though. This weekend I wore a belly band while running and it made my stomach feel so much better. In the past, I have run without a band around my belly and it felt like little babe was just flopping up and down and it pulled on my stomach a lot. In reality, babe was sitting comfortably in my womb but the belly band makes mama feel a lot more comfortable and supported while running. Also, in regards to working out, is that I really need to be careful not to over do my activity. The other day I had to take a personal day from work and I walked a few miles, did chores, covered our furniture in the garage, etc. etc. That night, I had a tiny bit a blood in my urine. It freaked me out! Thankfully, there was no other bleeding after that so it was just my body telling me to SLOW DOWN! I will be a lot more careful moving forward.
Preparation; This week we decided on switching our insurance to an HMO because it will save us so much money when I give birth. Thankful to work for a company with amazing benefits and open enrollment has started so we can easily make the switch. Also, I talked with my HR to see what kind of maternity leave I am granted. I was a little disappointed with the answer in terms of time off but thankful I signed up for supplemental disability when I was hired so I can get 70% of my income while I am away. Chris and I are trying to come up with alternative ways to make up the rest of the 30%. Grateful for my hardworking hubby!
Discovery: Everyone has an opinion about what I should eat, wear, act, prepare. I am choosing to be comfortable in my own skin and trust that my choices are the right ones for me. Trying to consider but be decisive about other people's advice. Basically, take what I need from it but mostly trust my own instinct.
Funny Moment: Since it is fall, I was walking out of Target holding a Pumpkin in front of me that I bought in preparation for Halloween. When I looked down at the pumpkin I realized that one day my belly will be as large as this pumpkin! CRAZY!
Feelings: I have been in a really happy and joyful mood. Sure, I have my days where I feel exhausted or just off but in general I am content and living in every moment. Trying not to look too far ahead but enjoy the moment for what it is. November is my favorite month so I am ready to squeeze every drop out of it and enjoy every second.
Week 14 Belly Pic
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