Week 18

January 20-26, 2014

How far along: 18 Weeks, officially 5 months.-I can not believe how fast these months have gone by (waiting until week 12 to tell people makes the pregnancy feel so much shorter).

Total weight gain: Unknown, but this week even Will was able to point out that I am eating more (which in his words “it is odd to see you eat as much as a normal person”).

Maternity clothes: This is a bad week for this question.  Ever since being on bed rest I have been behind on doing the laundry (yes Will is a lucky guy to have me).  Between bed rest, Christmas traveling, and Kindergarten Conference our laundry has gotten out of control.  So to finally answer this question this week I have been wearing maternity clothes, but more for the necessity of wearing clothes than physically needed to wear them.  As usual leggings every day but I have been wearing maternity tops because they are clean.  The maternity tops I have worn so far fit my cute little belly so nice and are very comfortable.  I am thinking of buying more (a parent gave me an Old Navy coupon) tops and leggings.

Stretch marks: No, but belly butter and coco nut oil every night.

Sleep: Great!

Best moments this week: On Monday Will and I both felt the baby!  We think we felt the baby, a little lump trying to readjust from me waking up and rolling over in the morning.  This week I think I have felt movements, but only when I am laying on my side.

Miss anything: I bought Will cherry soda and when I open the beverage fridge I feel like they are staring at me.

Food cravings: No, just making sure I snack throughout the day and trying to keep up on drinking water.  Will bought me a Britawater bottle and it has made drinking water all day so much easier.  I was bringing several bottles of water (Clean Canteen) which increased the amount of items and weight of things to bring to work.  The Brita water bottle makes my life so much easier and plus it is purple with a cute flower design.

Anything making you queasy: No.

Gender: We will find out in a few weeks!

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: In and out, but I feel in a few weeks it may just be fully out.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody: Happy.  I love trying to feel the baby move, especially when Will has his hand on my belly trying to feel.

Looking forward to: My next doctor’s appointment to hear the baby’s heartbeat (I get worried every time) and for our official ultrasound.

Week 17

January 13-19 2014

How far along: 17 weeks.

Total weight gain: I feel like I have gained weight since my last doctor’s appointment but amount unknown.

Maternity clothes: No. I am wearing leggings everyday (they are just so comfortable) and I can wear my longer shirts or sun dresses over my leggings.

Stretch marks: None.  I am using my belly butter and coconut oil every night.

Sleep: Thank goodness for my snoogle! I usually wake up once in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.  This week I woke up twice and stayed awake for a couple of hours (I’m sure worrying about work) but surprisingly I was my usual peppy self at work-lucky students.

Best moments this week: People from work are noticing my little “bubble” baby belly.  Not best moment but trying to see if I can feel any flutters/bubbles from our baby but nothing.  This weekend I am going to the California Kindergarten Conference, so I am excited to be a pregnant teacher at the conference.

Miss anything: Going out to eat is challenging.  There are several food items I am to avoid and mix in food that I do not like or does not sound good, items to choose from are slim.

Food cravings: Cravings no, but I love eating celery- the watery crunch is so refreshing.

Anything making you queasy: Luckily no.

Gender: Unknown, we will find out in February.

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: Out but semi in, although at the end of the day, especially after dinner, my belly feels so full and feels like it is stretching.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody: Happy.

Looking forward to: My mini teacher vacation at the Kindergarten Conference.

Week 16

January 6-12, 2014

How far along: 16 weeks.

Total weight gain: Gained 4lbs since first appointment (which makes everyone happy).

Maternity clothes: I have been wearing regular leggings everyday (they are just so comfortable) and regular tops (but my problem I don’t have many that are long enough to wear with leggings) and dresses over my leggings.

Stretch marks: None, and I have been using Mama Bee lotion on my belly every night.

Sleep: If I go to be late (midnight) and do not wake up to use the bathroom, but on work nights I get up once between 2:30-4:30.  I just love my Snoogle! (I might be saying this every week) It makes sleeping so comfortable.

Best moments this week: I got to hear the baby’s heart beat this week and my midwife said I was looking wonderful as well as my belly.

Miss anything: Having a cold beer while watching football, and being able to feel comfortable when sitting or lying down (I have to constantly readjust).

Food cravings: Just the usual raw vegetables and salads. I have been enjoying the Christmas candy we have in the house for dessert- sour patch kids and gummy worms.

Anything making you queasy: If I eat too much in one sitting it takes time for my stomach to settle.

Gender: We will know in about 5 weeks!  Will is feeling a girl and I have not idea (but my girlfriend has bags and bags full of boy baby clothes from her boys ready for us if we have a boy,-fingers crossed Erin).

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: My belly button is not a full outie but out enough for us to tell.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody: Happy! (Well besides the moment I got upset because Will left the crackers I bought at friend’s house; but he bought three great boxes of crackers to cheer me up).

Looking forward to: My midwife said I should be feeling baby kicks on the inside.  After talking with my friend she said the inside kicks should feel like bubble popping (I told her not to use the word “flutter” since I’m not a butterfly).

Week 15

(I can see the pictures do not capture how much I feel my belly bump has grown.  To me it seems very round and big.  I understand that people joke about not seeing a bump but I love looking down at my baby belly and see how much my precious baby is growing).

December 30, 2013-January 5, 2014

How far along: 15 weeks.

Total weight gain: Unknown.

Maternity clothes: I love wearing my leggings but I can wear my regular jeans with a hair tie, but in early evening I have to change into lounging pants to be comfortable.  I can wear regular tops but I find the looseness of maternity tops to be very comfortable (thank you Erin).

Stretch marks: No, and I got my first Belly Lotion and use it every night.

Sleep:  My friend, Erin, was so generous to let me borrow her Snoogle for my pregnancy. After sleeping on clouds when we got back home to Humboldt it felt like our bed was trying to kill me.  Our first night back I barely slept due to my hips hurting from my mattress, even with the Snoogle.  Our second night home I had to move to the couch during the night to give my hips a break and get some sleep.  After our second night Will and I went out and bought a brand new mattress.  The new mattress and the Snoogle make sleeping wonderful!

Best moments this week: Getting a new mattress.  Also I have a belly bump in the morning but gets larger during the day (assuming due to bloat).

Miss anything: Salami and Mad River Steelhead (beer).  Of course champagne on New Year's Eve!  I enjoyed my sparkling cider but it was odd not drinking.

Food cravings: Salad.

Anything making you queasy: Just making sure I eat snacks throughout the day.

Gender: Unknown.

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: Still more out than usual.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody: Happy but sad that I have to go back to work next week.

Looking forward to: Our next doctor’s appointment and hearing the baby’s heartbeat.

Week 14

December 23-29, 2013

How far along: 14 weeks

Total weight gain: Unknown.

Maternity clothes: No, but the only thing I want to wear is my leggings (I have been wearing them every day so far during our vacation).  I have been wearing regular shirts and dresses (they are longer than my regular shirts).

Stretch marks: No

Sleep: My sleep has been amazing! We are staying in a bed that feels like clouds.  My hips don’t hurt, but still using a small head pillow between my knees.

Best moments this week: Telling our families and friends we are pregnant and seeing their happy excited faces.

Miss anything: I am being able to have a cold beer, especially since it has been in the 80’s in Orange County.

Food cravings: I have been loving carrots, celery, and salad.  The crunch of the carrots and celery is so satisfying.  I have been having a sweet tooth, if there is non chocolate candy around I am more likely to have a piece or two (licorice, donut, sour candies, and candy canes).

Anything making you queasy: As usual making sure I snack throughout the day and drink plenty of water.

Gender: Unknown.

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: I noticed on Christmas that my belly button is starting to stick out.  Only Will and I can notice the difference, but everyone we show is excited for us.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody: Very happy!  Except when I started crying when I couldn’t find a parking spot at my friend’s house.  I was so emotional I ended up going back to Will’s grandma’s house where Will offered me a cocktail to make me feel better, which of course made more tears and laughing.  Coco (Will’s grandma) was kind enough to make me a pregnant cocktail- flavor bubble water.

Looking forward to: New Year’s Eve and celebrating the New Year, the year of our baby.

...and baby makes three!

Our little family is growing by one this year.  Will and I are expecting our first baby June 23!  After waiting almost 14 weeks we finally told our families.  We wanted to tell our families in person, so what better time that Christmas.  With eyes rolling I bought great t-shirts to make our big baby announcement.

"Baby Bumps 1st Christmas" and "Best Dad in the Galaxy"
We got double takes, tears, and yelps of joy.  I have been taking pictures since we have found out.  I am currently 16 weeks pregnant and just heard our baby's heart beat today-healthy and growing fantastically.  Enjoy our journey as we grow from three to four (yes we can't for get our first love, our dog Wally).

Week 13

It was ugly sweater day at work, hence my "festive" outfit.

December 16-22, 2013

How far along: 13 Weeks

Total weight gain: No gain since last appointment.

Maternity clothes: I can still fit into my skinny jeans (jeggings), but I have to use a hair tie to keep pants buttoned.

Stretch marks: No.

Sleep: Not sleeping through the night, and taking naps since still on bed rest.

Best moments this week: Officially off bed rest, but still trying to be on the couch as much as possible. Preparing to go down south to see our families for Christmas and finally telling them we are pregnant.

Miss anything: Being on bed rest I miss being able to clean the house and other daily chores.

Food cravings: No cravings but just the need to eat.

Anything making you queasy: Not eating snacks between meals.

Gender: Uknown.

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody: Happy but frustrated being on the couch and see left over mess from our friends’ Christmas party.

Looking forward to: Two weeks of winter vacation!  Telling our families and friends (in OC) we are pregnant.