21 weeks

still wondering how far along I really am...

This week, bless it, flew by. Today I have an OB appt, lunch with a friend and a potentially rainy drive to Harrisonburg! Andy and I will both be heading to the 'burg in a few weeks for a wedding, but I'm popping down for a couple days to get some quality time with girlfriends and I can't WAIT. I'm also reeeeally excited about getting Jack Brown's. I think I might go twice. We were supposed to have our gender reveal party this weekend, so I'm glad I have something fun planned to help make up for the extra wait.

I wore the above dress to a bridal shower this week and was asked if there was a non-maternity version. I said, "this IS the non-maternity version!" I know this in-between phase won't last much longer... I have to embrace it while I can!

Oh, check out how tan I was when I wore this dress two years ago:

Is it just me, or do I look like I could become a leathery-faced old lady? :-/
(We had gone to the beach twice that summer.) I miss being tan! And I miss my long hair.

I digress.

I'm currently reading "Bittersweet" by Shauna Niequist and it is really blessing/challenging me. Shauna just put out another book and it seemed fitting that I read this article and watched the interview (isn't my friend Kelly stunning?) only hours before having our friends Matt and Leslie over for an impromptu dinner party. I made a chicken and zucchini casserole last night and served the leftovers tonight with a simple salad, and later put out fruit and mini cannoli from the grocery store bakery for dessert. It was the easiest meal to throw together and I didn't feel an ounce of stress! I'm normally a ball of nerves before company comes over! I forgot to dust! Should I have organized the fridge? What if they open it? Thank goodness for yummy leftovers and gracious guests.

best meal: leftovers with good friends, of course.
happy moments: I fiiiinally started nesting this week. Our guest rooms are what I really need to focus my attention on, but for some reason all I wanted to do was clean out and organize the master bedroom closet and the linen closet. At least I've made progress, right? Also, both Andy and I got to feel Leslie's baby kick last night. Andy's never felt a baby kick before and his face looked so shocked and happy! I can't wait for him to feel HIS baby.
baby moments: Lots of flutters this week! It never gets old.

20 weeks... I think?

scroll to the end of the post for belly shot outtakes

We had an ultrasound last week and had the best time seeing our little baby and identifying different body parts. Most of the time we could tell it was a baby, but every now and then it would look like an alien! During the first half of the ultrasound I had to have a full bladder, so the baby was squished and curled up sleeping. Its little ankles were crossed and we could count the toes. Then, after I went to the bathroom, baby flipped over and started moving its mouth and kicking its feet. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen.

(apologies for using the word "it." baby understands.)

look at that lil nose and mouth! and elbow! haha

holding his/her ear

skinny little arm :)

the inside of baby's brain. see the little fingers above the head?

The whole thing was so magical, but it ended on a disappointing note. The technician told me that there was "no way" I was nearly 20 weeks (based on my due date, I was 19 weeks 5 days at the time of the ultrasound). She said the baby was measuring proportionate but small, and that she estimated me to be SIXTEEN WEEKS AND SIX DAYS. Whaaa? I told her that was impossible and that I'm very sure of my dates, but that didn't change her mind. Based on the measurements, my new due date is September 14th. 

I left the imaging center wanting to cry, but I felt guilty over being so upset. In the grand scheme of things, being a few weeks behind is not a big deal. A lot of thoughts were running through my head, such as that's three extra weeks I have to wait to meet the baby! and my belly is way too big to be sixteen weeks! and even that means I have to go back and change every blog post!

After a few days of mulling things over, I decided to call my OB's office and talk to the nurse. Since I had the ultrasound at an imaging center and not at my doctor's office, the nurse and my OB had to look at the baby's measurements on paper as opposed to on the screen. She said, "We've looked over the baby's measurements and we're just as confused as you are!" I've never been so relieved to hear that a doctor is confused! She told me that it's possible I am off by a little bit, but that I should continue moving forward with my original due date. They scheduled me to have another ultrasound in two weeks to see if the baby has caught up to a proper size and weight. I'll keep ya posted...

It's been a good week, other than the confusing news and a weird bout of dehydration. I really thought that I was drinking plenty of water on Wednesday, but I woke up from a nap feeling dizzy and it only got worse with time. It eventually escalated so much that I started shaking and sobbing and called my mom in a panic. She encouraged me to ask a friend to come over since Andy was at work. My friend Kiniqua jumped in her car the minute I called and sat with me for four hours until I felt better. I'm so grateful for the friends God has blessed me with in Frederick!

Happily, the weather has been superb this week! We spent last weekend visiting friends in Richmond and had a fabulous time soaking up the sun in Maymont Park. Andy and I always get extra lovey-dovey for each other when we're on vacation, even in the face of nasty traffic on 95 (blerg). The "honeymoon" has lasted all week and my body is exhausted. (FROM LAUGHING, people. my mother reads this blog!) 

A few of my jobs for this past week were cancelled, but I didn't mind! I spent my days walking the dog along the creek (and watching her joyfully dive into the water for the first time this year), taking long naps and re-reading "The Glass Castle." There are countless projects around the house I could have been working on, but my attitude right now is to soak up as much rest as I can!

best meal: last night I walked to the store to pick up salad and cannoli to go along with our "Italian" leftovers (cold cut pizza and spicy Italian sausage w/ penne and peppers). It was a big meal that I stretched over two hours. 

happy moments: laughing with Andy so hard that we both cried. on multiple occasions.

baby moments: I love feeling like I have a little partner in everything I'm doing — even mundane tasks like washing dishes. 

belly outtake reel:
(andy started taking pictures rapidly and the first time he did it, I started laughing. the second time he did it I just threw my hands up in surrender.)

19 weeks

this outfit is so comfortable and belly-friendly that I wore it 3 times in one week
:-/

Let's just pretend that week 18 never happened. I had a miserable cold and my nausea and food aversions resurfaced. Oh, and pimples. :-/ My 18 week picture reflected how awful I felt, so we'll be keeping that one to ourselves...

19 weeks! Moving along! Before I forget — pregnant ladies, you need to get yo'selves a pair of these amazing pants. They're much cuter in person. (I'm wearing them in the pic above.) I got them for $14.99 b/c I used a coupon, but they're still a steal at $19.99. If you're between sizes I'd recommend buying a size down. Gap returns are super simple, so buy two sizes if you're nervous.

I cannot for the life of me figure out a comfortable sleeping position! I've tried a pillow wedged behind me, a pillow in between my knees, a pillow in between my chest (weird, I know)... nothing is working. I keep meaning to go out and buy a body pillow to see if that does the trick. Any suggestions?

Also, when will normal food be appealing again? All I really want is a cheeseburger. I haven't had one in SO LONG! (A week.) Suddenly 95% of the foods I mentioned in my "eating for two" post sound gross.

In addition to these crazy sleep and food issues, a bird(s) got into our house through a vent that leads outside. We started hearing it on Sunday night but couldn't do anything about it b/c it was dark outside. Yesterday Andy asked to borrow a neighbor's ladder because the vent is reeeeally high up on the outside of our house, but the guy wasn't home. Hopefully it will get taken care of today. I'm so sick of hearing wings flapping furiously inside the walls/above the ceiling. It's terrifying! I have a horrible vision of the bird flapping so hard that it comes through the kitchen cabinets.

On the bright side, we get to see the baby this week! I can hardly wait. 

best meal: other than burgers, I craved IHOP last week. (I know. I'm the worst.) We went, and I cleaned my plate faster than Andy. I hardly ate for the rest of the day.

happy moments: a super sweet friend of mine here in Frederick asked if she could throw me a baby shower! I cried. (That should really be the title of my blog... "I cried.") I didn't expect anyone would throw me a shower here, and I was so touched. (hey girl, I know you're reading this. you're awesome.)

baby moments: the other night I was on top of our bed with our dog, who was to the right of my feet. Andy was kneeling on the floor to my left and was rubbing my feet. Sweet man. He accidently tickled me and I jerked my foot and yelped, and right away Casey gave a moan-y growl and covered my feet with her head. Little protector! She's never done anything like that before. Who knows for sure the why of it, but we like to think she senses my "condition." Also, the baby might be able to hear our voices now, so we've been upping how much we talk and sing to him/her.

17 weeks

This has been a roller-coaster of a week. I felt really great for the first few days, but then was hit with a massive case of the crankies (impatience, mostly) plus a sore throat and runny nose. I'm thinking some coconut chicken soup might be in order.

I've been trying to take as many sub and nanny jobs as I can these days since I wasn't working a whole lot in January and early February. (Hmm, I wonder how I got sick?) I've been giving myself at least one day a week to stay at home and rest/clean/write, but this week I used my free day to meet a friend in Ellicott City. I'm looking forward to taking it easy this weekend and maybe going on a date w/ Andy. 

One of the weirdest things I'm experiencing is having long stretches of time where I don't want to eat. My nausea is much better these days, so I don't have to snack all the time. Since I was eating nonstop for a while there, maybe my body is just exhausted? I have to practically force myself to eat during the day, but a raging appetite strikes at night. I've found that if I don't eat something before going to bed then I wake up in the middle of the night feeling nauseous. Don't worry, though — I AM eating. 

looking back on week 17...

best meal: baked sweet potato with butter, sour cream, salt and pepper. tastes just like sweet potato fries! 

happy moments: spending a day with Laurel, napping after work with my pup and watching Andy talk to the baby 

baby moments: I FELT THE BABY MOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEK! I had been sitting on the couch for a while when all of a sudden I felt a popping movement in my belly. It was so incredible! We hear the heartbeat again this afternoon. :)

read about week 16 here 

16 weeks

baby avocado best get used to make-up less and no-shower mama

I seem to be feeling better with each passing week. I now know to pack snacks and a water bottle even if I'm only leaving the house for a few hours. I don't know what I'll do with myself once morning sickness passes for good! Maybe we'll celebrate with a vacation? Haha.

Last night I had a dream that I received $100, and my first thought was now I can buy the diaper bag I've been eyeing! Yikes. Who am I!? (In case you're wondering, the bag is well under $100.)

I didn't expect my center of gravity to be affected until my belly was bigger, but I'm constantly wobbling and running into things! I also mix my words up and struggle with finishing sentences. I called an octopus an "octopotamus" the other day. I thought I was weird before I got preg, and now I'm SURE of it.

looking back on week 16...

best meal: baked onion au gratin soup ("apple cider, Gruyere cheese, vidalia onions, crostini, thyme" omg YES) and an oyster po'boy from Firestones. also, tomato soup and grilled cheese. also, Outback bloomin' burger. OK, EVERYTHING I EAT IS THE BEST! 

happy moments: sleeping 10-12 hours a night, going downtown with my momma, laughing at Arrested Development with Andy and sipping on an iced coffee while getting a pedicure 

baby moments: I've seen some occasional movement when I look down at my belly. I haven't felt the baby move yet, but the sudden movements were under my belly button right where the nurse said the 

baby was. Was that you, baby?

read about week 15 here

15 weeks

week 12, 13, 14 and OHMYGOSH I'M ONLY 15 WEEKS WHAT IS UP WITH THAT BUMP?!

I'll admit, I'm already struggling with comparing my belly to other bellies. I KNOW it's ridiculous, but it's still a struggle. You wouldn't know it from the picture, but I've only gained a half pound since last week! 

I've been baking and cooking and doing laundry and trying to re-establish some normalcy in this house. It feels so good to be productive, and now I feel a lot less guilty when I take naps or catch up on my shows. We've been eating out in the evenings more than usual (trying to catch up with all the friends we hardly saw when I was at my sickest), so I'm trying to make smart decisions when I pack snacks and make lunch. I'm really into oatmeal, strawberry bread and apples and cheese. And for dessert, a quarter half of a plain spinach tortilla. It's all I want to eat at night!

Preg moment of the week: Andy came over to the couch where I was sitting and pointed at my sweatshirt that had taco salad stains on it. "Hi stain-y," he teased. "I'm pregnant!" I said, trying to look cute and pitiful. "Yeah, but your mouth is in the same place that it was before you got pregnant," he said back. He sure knows how to make me laugh. And be a pain in my neck. (Love you, babe!)

also, I started sobbing uncontrollably in a coffee shop. yikes. I think I need to wear a sign on my neck warning people of my crazies.

looking back on week 14...

last week was a total blur, so we'll move on to this week. 

looking back on week 15...

best meal: We had dinner at Dan's in Boonsboro last night with friends, and the fish and chips I ordered took me right back to Ireland.  

worst meal:  this category isn't necessary now that I'm eating normally. 

happy moments: see below!

baby moments: I couldn't stand not knowing how you were doing, so I went to my doctor and requested to hear your heartbeat again. It took a long time for her to find it, and Andy wasn't able to be there to hold my hand. I prayed hard and begged please, baby, let me hear that you're alive, and not too long after I heard that beautiful thump-thumping noise. You're hanging out right on top of my bladder. No wonder I have to go all the time! 

I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU, BABY!

14 weeks

tyra would be all over that (accidenal) booty tooch

Second trimester! Say what?!

We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time last Thursday. Not getting to see the baby at every appointment is torture! Sometimes I'm amazed at how fast the time has gone so far and other times I'm overwhelmed at the thought of having to wait six more months to meet this lil one. Though, I'm probably going to need that entire time to clear out the future nursery. 

Some week 14 milestones...

-I officially found a pair of maternity jeans that I like. Somehow I've managed to continue wearing a few pairs of regular jeans and a couple of corduroys, but most of them are juuuust high enough to push up against my rapidly growing uterus.

-I'm considering moving into the bathroom because, well, isn't it obvious? I thought this wasn't supposed to happen until much later? Gah!

-We went to Babies R Us with our preg friends Matt and Leslie and we did the thing that I've always thought of as a big moment in baby preparation. We tested strollers. :) Looking at rows and rows of bottles, breast pumps, bath toys and crib sheets made this whole thing soooo real. I got very overwhelmed and had to sit down for a bit to calm down. Baby, I hope we get you what you need, a few fun extras, and then nothing else but lots of snuggles and kisses.

Baby, I'm glad you're growing, but can we please put an end to this nausea? Also, where did these mood swings come from? I have this inexplicable inner rage that makes me want to scream at people for NO GOOD REASON. The nausea and anger combined made for one interesting day yesterday when I was a substitute kindergarten teacher... those kids were crazy! I had to take many deep breaths and bites of pumpkin muffin to keep myself from losing my mind. Oh, and the tears! I cry over the most ridiculous things! The silliest example is when I was driving down a road that has a one lane bridge near the end of it. I sat and waited my turn as a car went over the bridge, and I expected that the car behind it would speed up and sneak in behind him instead of following the one-at-a-time rule. I was wrong, though, and that car waited as I passed. I lifted my hand in thanks and he lifted his hand in response. I burst into tears. (I was all, aww, there ARE nice drivers in Maryland!) I'm telling you, these hormones are outta control.

looking back on week 13...

best meal: Sardi's chicken with fries and rice and pinto beans smothered in yellow sauce. I'm considering having Sardi's cater the rest of my pregnancy.

worst meal: Eating Chick-fil-A was awesome. Losing the entire meal wasn't so fun. On the bright side, it's almost as if those fries never existed...

happy moments: I got to watch your dad's basketball team win their championship game! I'm so proud of Andy for working hard and practicing every week. Spending time with friends over the weekend also lifted my spirits.

baby moments: Hearing your heartbeat was the highlight of the week. Even though going to Babies R Us was overwhelming, it was fun to see your dad show excitement and interest over everything.

13 weeks and 12 weeks

13 weeks

oh boy, this belly thing is really happening.

Sooo I'm officially in that awkward looks-like-muffin-top phase. Wahoo! :-/ I'm beginning to wonder how much of that weight is baby and how much is bagel and cream cheese... for some odd reason, my puking has gone way down but my nausea has gone way up and I'm eating like a mad woman! I was grateful to get some real meals in my belly while we were at the cabin with my family. We had flank steak, steak salad, ribs, Italian sausage sandwiches and Korean short ribs wrapped in lettuce with rice and spicy paste. Mmm hmmm we likes our meats. (We did have some fruits and veggies too, but the meat is more fun to talk about. Oh yeah and breakfast, too.)

I think the key for me to eating a balanced meal right now is having someone else prepare it for me.

looking back on week 12...

best meal: everything we ate at the cabin! but before the cabin, chicken tacos from Chipotle hit the spot.

worst meal: before going to the cabin, I pretty much lived on cottage cheese with pineapple, crispix and grilled cheese. I don't think anything I ate affected my stomach in a bad way. 

happy moments: the whole cabin weekend... watching the snow fall and waking up to a winter wonderland, drinking decaf and munching on toast, finishing a book, reading a book and starting a third, playing "Ticket to Ride" whenever I wasn't eating or reading, watching the dogs run free in the woods, snugglin', teasin', laughin', eatin'.... it was all good.

baby moments: all last week your daddy has referred to you as his little lime. on Saturday he asked me to look up what food you'd be (size-wise) at week 13. The first website I went to said "medium shrimp" and the whole family made faces and laughed. It was way too weird to picture you as a shrimp, so I checked another website and it blessedly described your size as that of a peach. MUCH cuter! Plus, we happened to have a peach in the house when we snapped this shot yesterday.

see week 12 here

12 weeks

Real baby or gyro and fries baby?

Other moms ain't lying when they say your body changes overnight during pregnancy. I had planned to start taking belly shots at week 10, but there wasn't anything to take a picture of. Week 11 was the same story. But, yesterday morning I woke up and noticed my shape was definitely different! I put on my jeans and thought, hmm, I might not be able to wear these buttoned much longer. 

The baby is a little over two inches this week. I had to stop at the produce section of the store and take a look at the limes and plums because they're apparently around the same size as my lil peanut. I stood there with the goofiest grin on my face and blinked back happy tears. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!

My "morning" (why do they call it that?) sickness is still a pain in my neck, but I've noticed my energy has gone up the last few days. Praise God! I would even go so far as to say that Friday and Saturday were great days, so things are definitely improving. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!

looking back on week 11...

best meal: chicken, rice and naan smothered with yogurt sauce at Moby Dick's

worst meal: frozen beef lo mein dinner 

happy moments: making an impromptu trip to NOVA to spend time with my parents and have coffee with Becca, who flew down from Boston for her med school interview!!! 

baby moments: Your daddy talks to you every night before bed and we say a prayer for you together. We thank Jesus for you. I started crying in the car when "I Could Not Ask For More" by Sara Evans came on, because I thought about how I'm going to feel that way when I hold you in my arms.