Week 23

Symptoms:
Doing well, I'm sleeping better which is great. Some nights I don't even get up to go to the bathroom!! My hips still get achy at night, but the body pillow helps, I'd be lost without that thing. One night I woke up out of a dead sleep to a cramp in my hip/side, it was really strong so I kind of moaned a little and gasped, Brian immediately asked, "Is Bria ok?" I thought it was so cute because he was still half asleep but the first thing he thought of was his little baby. I told him she was fine and he went right back to sleep. The pain was short lived and I was able to shake it off and go back to sleep.

I have jam everyday. Anna gave me homemade jam and it is delicious, I am so spoiled. So everyday I either have toast for breakfast, dinner, or I have a PB&J for lunch. I can't get enough of that homemade jam! Not that I have anything against store jam, but let's face it, homemade jam rocks.

I can tell the difference between Bria's kicks/punches and when she is somersaulting/rolling. It's a funny feeling when she rolls and kind of tickles.

My secret fit maternity pants are cute, but fall down after 2 steps. I still have room to grow into them so maybe that is part of the problem, but my normal pants are uncomfortable so I don't like wearing those. I'm just kind of in between I guess.

I haven't been as hungry this week, guess she's not going through a growth spurt right now. My belly is kind of staying the same size, but maybe in the next few weeks she'll grow again. Then I'll be able to feel her more often which I love!

I ordered the bedding! I am beyond excited, it should arrive between next Wednesday the 5th-Monday the 10th. I'm hoping it arrives sooner than later but I won't hold my breath. It will just be so fun to have her room all cutsied up.

Baby:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

23 week Belly pic:

23w 1d

Well, as my other blog said, shopping was a huge success and we had a blast. How can you not when you're with your girls? We did so much walking that day, I definitely got my exercise in. My feet were killing me and so was my back, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat, maybe I'd wear my belly belt for back support though. Here I am rocking one of my new outfits:
I got some great work outfits as well as casual everyday wear, I am just thrilled to pieces to have some cute new clothes to wear. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had so many new clothes in my closet!

I am just loving being pregnant still. I love my little belly, I love feeling Bria move, I love how excited Brian is, I love doing the nursery, there's just a lot 'o love going on here. I hate to get all mushy but since this is my pregnancy journal I don't want to forget how sweet my hubby is (I'll need to look back on this when he's driving me nuts). On more than 1 occasion he will tell me how much he appreciates what I am going through. He says he can't imagine how I must be feeling with all these changes going on in my body so rapidly and that he is so amazed. He loves seeing my belly get bigger and likes to read the newspaper to Bria. He'll relate it to work and say that when he feels pressure or great responsibility he thinks of me having to grow a human life in my body and it helps put it in perspective. He's adorable, I think I'll keep him ;)

Tiff got me some adorable outfits for Bria just for fun, which I thought was so sweet. We went to their house for the pumpkin carving contest and she pulled me in the guest bedroom to give me a bag of new clothes she bought for Bria because she couldn't resist. So cute, I loved them all. I can't believe how thoughtful people are, I can't tell them how appreciative I am, it means so much.
For the first time I am looking forward to doing laundry- I can't wait to wash all of Bria's clothes, sheets, blankets, etc. I don't mind doing the laundry, I just hate putting the clothes away, but putting away Bria's clothes is going to be the best part! At least the first time :)

I love thinking about the fact that we'll meet our little girl in less than 4 months! Most the time it feels far away, probably because I am looking forward to it so much. It's like being a kid and waiting for Christmas morning, only times 100. There are times when I think about how much it's going to change our little family and our world, then it feels like she'll be here in no time. I am just trying to enjoy being pregnant, especially for the first time since it's all new.

17 more weeks until I'm due, 14 more weeks until I'm considered full term, wahoo!

Week 22

I cannot wait to go shopping tomorrow! Not just because shopping is fun, but because both my sister's are coming too! I am beyond thrilled that we are all going together, I love having their help and just spending time with them. So we are all meeting at my mom's house at 8:30 am and heading up to Portland for some shopping. Then for lunch we'll meet up with Lanie and then continue shopping afterwards. It's going to be a fun girls day that's for sure.

Symptoms:
Since I have a cold my sleepless nights are due more to the stuffy nose than the baby, but I didn't get very much sleep at night, I mostly just laid there. Tuesday night I was complaining to Brian that I hadn't felt Bria very much since Friday night when he felt her. I think we both went to bed concerned. I woke up around 2 am to my little one nudging and moving around, I was sooo happy. I put my hand on my stomach and just smiled, she went on for awhile which I simply loved.
I am still so in love with the green Granny Smith apples, I can't get enough. I'm also still loving bananas and green olives (not together), yum. I really don't have any aversions, maybe that's why I gained so much weight.
Shaving my bikini area is proving to be quite hilarious. Since I can't see down there I will start to bend over, but I still can't ever see it, my darn belly is in the way. For some reason I found this hilarious the other night in the shower and I was laughing hysterically. So I'm still able to shave (I know you were all worried about that), but it's just more difficult and I'm having to try and move the belly out of the way.
Still having acne problems on my chin, but they are starting to fade. Nothing like some huge zits to make you feel beautiful, ick.
I'm loving my nails right now, they grow at lightening speed and are nice and strong. Thank you prenatal vitamins!

I've gotten to the point where I am tired of acquaintances giving me advice. Now, that does NOT mean I don't want advice, I love when experienced friends' and family give me advice. I want to hear what worked for them and what didn't, but it becomes a little much when co-workers are constantly telling me what to do and what not to do. I appreciate their interest, really I do, but it kind of comes off as bossy and opinionated. Times have changed people. I don't want to hear horror stories either, I worry enough as it is.
Also, there are a few co-workers (and I really like them) who have teenage kids or older that keep saying how glad they are that it's not them and how happy they are to be done with this stage in their life and they couldn't imagine having to go through it again, blah, blah, blah. I totally understand that and I'm sure when we complete our family I will feel done and ready for the next phase, but really? Do you have to tell me that everyday? I'm actually thrilled beyond words that I'm at this point in my life, I've dreamed about this and feel utterly over the top blessed to be able to be pregnant. Do you realize how many people suffer from infertility? It is a miracle to be pregnant and have a healthy child. I know the next year is going to prove to be incredibly trying and exhausting, but it should never be taken for granted. I truly have never been happier, so please don't rain on my parade.
::steps off soap box::
I feel better now :)

Baby:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.


I don't have a belly picture for this week (I will take one this weekend) but I thought it would be fun to compare my past ones:

Week 6-say goodbye to your little stomach!

Week 14-losing the waistline, adding the bloat

Week 17-a little more bloat and some baby

Week 20-SHABAM! Hello baby, goodbye feet!

22w 3d

The appointment went well yesterday. The doctor said baby looked really good according to the u/s and she was measuring on schedule. I asked about her measurements and how big she was but she couldn't tell me, I was kind of bummed about that since the whole u/s was the tech measuring her, but whatever. At least she is healthy and looks good. Her heartbeat is in the 150's so that is looking good as well.
I was so happy that Brian was able to make it to the appointment since at first he wasn't going to be able to. Even though it wasn't that eventful, I still love having him there.
I was a little shocked at how much weight I've gained to date, a total of almost 15 pounds. I've gained 5 pounds at each appointment so at least it's gradual I guess. I wish I wouldn't focus on weight, but I was just a little surprised since my eating habits haven't changed that much. In the last week or 2 my appetite has grown a little, but I usually have an apple or banana to help quench the growing hunger pains. I have a piece of candy here and there but I've always done that. If anything I am eating more healthy because I know I have a little one in there to supply for. Plus, my normal pants are still fitting, I just can't button them. So I'm not 100% sure where the extra pounds are going, besides the baby which does not equate to 15 pounds. I'm just going to try and be more active and watch what I eat even closer, I don't want to become overly obsessed though (after I ramble on for a paragraph about it).

After the appointment we went to a craft store because Jenny (my sis) told me they were having a big sale and the star I want for the nursery was marked down from $17.99 to $13.50. So I brought it up to the cash register and it rings up at $4.50!! It was an additional 75% off the clearance price!! I was ecstatic to say the least, I LOVE finding a good deal and holy cow was that a good deal.

I am getting really anxious to order the bedding, I can't wait to see it in person. It will help pull the nursery together more and I'll be able to see what shade of pink I need for decorating with. I'm thinking I'll get a better idea for wall decor once the bedding is in place.

That's about it for now, I'll update tomorrow on Week 22.

22w

So I think I got Brian's cold. He got sick last Tuesday and is still sick, mainly his throat is on fire and is killing him. Friday morning I woke up with a lovely sore throat and stuffy nose. I decided to stay home from work to try and kick the sickness in the rear, I think it actually helped since Saturday I was feeling better. But Sunday and today my throat was still hurting and my nose is stuffy today. Just trying to drink lots of fluids and get rest.

I forgot to note a few symptoms in my last post, namely: acne. My chin is breaking out and it sucks, I know my AcneFree is trying to do it's job but these pregnancy hormones are winning out. I've got some monsters on my chin that I would really like to go away! Also, Sherbet. I've always enjoyed Sherbet ice cream but have never gone as far as to purchase a gallon at the store. Well I did just that last week and every night I have a small bowl of it. I rationalize it by saying that it has fruit in it and I don't add any chocolate or fudge to it, funny how we can rationalize anything huh? Anyway, I'm loving Sherbet right now.

Guess what I got in the mail?

This adorable crocheted beanie and bootie set, I just love it! My friend Jenn whom I met through a TTC forum (among many other wonderful women whom I adore) sent these to me and I just love them. She also sent an adorable pair of yellow booties that have a little bow. It's amazing the love and support you can get from people you meet on the internet.

Bria has been pretty quiet lately, just little nudges here and there, I'm debating whether or not to devour more M&M's since she seemed to like those on Friday :) I feel like I'm at a good stage right now, I'm not uncomfortably large but I feel that I look pregnant and not bloated.

I got a recommendation for a pediatrician so in a few months I'll probably call her and schedule an appointment. I also need to sign up for birthing classes since they fill up fast. I think the next one that meets once a week starts in January so I guess that'll be the one we go to, unless we decide to do a Saturday class.

My mom is taking me shopping this weekend, yay! When Jaime got pregnant with her first (Jaidyn) my mom took her maternity clothes shopping and got her some must haves, so she is doing the same for me. We are heading to the big town of Portland since it has the best shopping, and that means we get to have lunch with my cousin Lanie! She moved to Portland and I still haven't seen her so I'm excited to finally give her a hug and welcome her to Oregon officially ;) It should be a fun day.

2 days until my next appointment. I'm excited because they will be going over the 20 week ultrasound. Since we didn't hear from them after the ultrasound that is good, no news is good news. But now we get to hear details of how things are looking and hopefully get a size estimate of the little one. Wahoo!

Week 21

Brian felt her kick! Friday night we were laying on the couch and she was being pretty active, so I told him to keep his hand on my stomach for awhile and be patient. He had it there for 5-10 minutes and she finally kicked. He felt her a couple times and we were both so excited, we also looked at my belly and got to see her kick. Oh man it was so much fun, we were loving it. I had M&M's that night and Sherbert ice cream so I think she was letting me know that was a good dessert :)

Symtpoms:
Leg aches during the night. I don't get cramps, but my calf or knee will start aching bad enough to wake me up. I usually get up to go to the bathroom or switch positions in bed. After awhile it lessens and I'm able to go back to sleep.
Increased appetite. I'm trying really hard to at least eat healthy snacks, but I definitely find myself eating more and still being hungry an hour later. I've been snacking on an apple or banana to help quench the hunger, but I must admit to an occasional fun size snickers or tootsie roll.
Kicks :) Feeling her move around has been absolutely wonderful, I love it. It makes me know that she is doing ok in there and everything is fine. When I try to poke her back she immediately stops, so I just have to rest my hand on my stomach if I want to feel it.

Baby:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

21w 2d

Brian told me he won't be able to make it to the next appointment. I'm sad. I know I can't expect him at all of them, but he didn't go to the last monthly one either. The ultrasound wasn't at our doctor's office, it was at the hospital. Anyway, I'm just being whiney and pouty. They really are just quick check ups but still, I want him there.

Ok, enough of the pouting, I do have exciting news. I felt Bria kick on the OUTSIDE! I felt it Monday night and I was so excited, I immediately grabbed Brian's hand (we were in bed reading) so he could feel, she did it again but he said he didn't feel it. :( I felt her again last night but Brian still has yet to feel her. It is really cool to feel it on the outside of my tummy, I love it. This morning while sitting at my desk I believe she was doing some pilates, they were little movements but she was pretty consistent for a few minutes. Then I think she got tired and konked out. I just love feeling her move, it is such a wonderful feeling.

My mom told me she got my blanket out of storage which made me so excited, let me explain. My grandma (mom's mom) would always knit a blanket for her grandchildren's first born (so her great grandchild). When I was 17 I got all worried that she wouldn't be around for my first born (I've been thinking about babies for a long time). For graduation she made me my first born's blanket and I was so excited. She crocheted it and it is just beautiful (picture to come), want to hear the cool part? It's pink. She just knew I guess. From then I always figured I would have a girl first since that baby blanket was pink, and look at where we are now! My grandma passed away this year in April and I like to think that she helped pick out my little girl in heaven. I can't wait to wrap Bria in that blanket as it has such a special meaning.

Nursery Pictures

So here is how we did the stripes:

1. Measure and tape for the stripes (12 inches wide and 12 inches apart)

2. Since paint tends to bleed through the taping, we used the original paint (satin finish) and painted a "seal" where the semi-gloss stripes were going to be. We let this dry.

3. Then we painted with the semi-gloss finish paint, just one coat was enough.

4. Took off the tape slowly and carefully (important to use tape that won't take off the paint under it) to reveal a beautiful and straight line :)

Anna, Brian, and my Dad hard at work while I supervised and took photos:

The finished product! Since I am not a photographer and don't have a professional grade camera the stripes are a little harder to see, they are more apparent in person:

We just love it!

And here is Abby and Cassidy keeping MJ entertained :)

21w 0d

The nursery paint is complete! I should accompany this post with pictures, but I didn't get a chance to upload them yet, I will though. We are so happy with how it turned out, it's exactly what I was picturing. My Dad and Anna came over to help which we really appreciated. Anna brought over some adorable outfits from Old Navy that she couldn't resist, it was so sweet of her. She even brought me some hangers she had so I was able to put up some more clothes in Bria's closet. I had so much fun looking at all the clothes Anna got, I can't wait to dress Bria in them.
Taping the stripes actually went pretty quick, especially with 4 of us there. There really wasn't enough for all of us to do so I sat down and "supervised" and spent time with my little sister's, Abby and Cassidy. We were sitting there eating candy corn and I said to them, "Man, I am working really hard on this room." Totally joking of course. Abby looked at me confused and asked, "THEY are working hard or you are?" We all started laughing and I told her I was just kidding, THEY were working hard.

After the paint dried and we had taken the tape off, I vacuumed the room and then sat down with all Bria's clothes. I hung as many outfits as I had hangers for and then sorted the rest by size. I was in heaven. I could seriously go through those clothes everyday, I love imagining my little baby girl in these cute clothes and can't wait to dress her in them.
I am so curious about what she is going to look like. Will she look more like me or Brian? Or maybe a perfect mix? What color of eyes will she have (I have blue and Brian has green)? What color will her hair be, will it be curly like Brian's or straight like mine? So many questions, I just can't wait to meet her.

Week 20

Symptoms:

Feeling hungry often during the day, but trying to control those and not over eat. My hips get numb and achy during night so I have to switch sides often which is not easy with a body pillow and belly. I use to be able to stand up, bend over, and put socks on gracefully - this is not happening so much. I have to brace myself and bend my leg and set it on the other leg, or just sit down and do it, I can imagine how hard it will be to tie shoes and such when I get bigger!

We started reading Babywise this week and wow do I love that book. We both agree with what the author says and the techniques they suggest. We're excited to use them and pray we do them right so they work.

Bria is still not kicking very hard so I only feel faint movement. But I am feeling her a little more often than I was. I am being told to enjoy this "quiet" time since soon I hear she'll keep me up, but I also really want to feel her kicks more strongly and consistently. I may bring it up at my next appointment just to see. Maybe she's just a calm baby? If so that is definitely from her Dad!

We are starting the stripes in the nursery tonight and I am very excited. I hate that all the nursery stuff is shoved in the guest room all unorganized, it's driving me nuts. I just don't like the in between stages, I get impatient and just want the end result now. Brian is like that too, when we painted our whole downstairs we were done in a weekend. We just couldn't stand the tape being up and furniture in the middle of the room. So needless to say I'm ecstatic that by Sunday we'll be done painting :)


Baby:
You're at the halfway mark — congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first soiled diaper (although some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

Belly picture (it got round!):

And just so you guys don't think I run around in a sports bra and pj bottoms, here is one with clothes on :)

20w 1d

I went to see my friend Shauna last Friday and her little girl, Aria who is 6 months old and adorable. Shauna and I cheered together at OSU and had some great times together, she is a phenomenal cheerleader, seriously. Anyway, she gave me a sack full of maternity clothes, 3 sacks full of baby clothes, and a newborn bath-the exact one I had registered for! It was so incredibly sweet of her and I really appreciate her generosity. The bonus is that Aria was born March 3rd and Bria's due date is February 20th so all the clothes were the right size for the seasons, yay! It was a lot of fun catching up with Shauna and hearing how she loves being a mommy. And oh-my did I have fun when I got home and looked at all the adorable clothes. It was seriously the best Friday night.

So we went to get the bedding on Saturday at Walmart and on our way Brian said, "Now remember, they may not have the bedding in the store, it might just be online." I sat there and couldn't believe I never thought of that, both Babies R Us and Target didn't have very much of their bedding selection in the store, most of it was online. So why did I think that Walmart Supercenter would have it? I was thankful he said that because it prepared me for the truth-no bedding at Walmart. I warned Brian I may lay on the floor and throw a tantrum because I wanted the bedding and I wanted it NOW! He thanked me for the warning and said he'd be in the tool section. Lucky for him I did not flop myself on the ground because it would've been uncomfortable and hard to get up. After some pouting we headed to Home Depot for an extra shelf thing for Bria's closet. I cheered up even more when I got a decaf pumpkin pie latte, mmm.

So we headed home and accomplished a lot that day. Brian put up the shelf in the closet which I am so excited about, thanks hun :) The closet is small in there so I wanted to add another place to hang clothes and a shelf.

Before

After

Then we painted the nursery! Well, Brian did most of it since I didn't want to breath in the paint fumes and get both Bria and myself high. Even with the window open and 2 fans going it was pretty strong in there. I would paint for 10 minutes and then take a long break. Anyway, we painted it a beige color and I just love it. On 2 of the walls we are going to do thick stripes. What color are the stripes going to be? The same beige color. So how will we see a difference and what is the point of that? Because we are going to do the stripes in a gloss finish. My stepmom did this with Cassidy's room and I just loved it. It's very subtle but just enough to add a little somethin'. So we are hoping to do that this Friday night, yep, we get crazy on the weekend!

Brian painting

Me and the belly painting

The 2 walls you see in this picture are the ones that are going to have the gloss stripes

I just love the color, did I mention that?

I was seriously in heaven doing the nursery. I feel like this is such a big moment and it helps it all feel more real. This is just such an exciting time and I'm trying to take it all in and enjoy it. Bria is making it easy on me to enjoy since I feel great. I love being pregnant (please remind me I said this in another 2 months or so when I'm complaining).

I know part of the reason I feel so great is my iron level. At 2 of my appointments the doctor's commented on how great my iron level was, they couldn't believe it. I told them I couldn't either because I've always been borderline anemic (most young women are) and that I owe it all to the prenatal vitamins. I've been taking them since January which I believe really helped.

I'm at the halfway point, wahoo!

Week 19

*I split up the last post I did where I mixed the u/s pictures with the week 19 update.

Symptoms:

Things are moving right along. My belly is definitely getting bigger and people are commenting more and more on it. I love rubbing it and talking to her, especially now that we can say "her" and use her name.
I told little MJ that she was going to have a younger sister, she stared at me blankly, I think she's still in shock. But once she realizes Bria won't be able to deflect her constant licking I know she'll be elated. Every second I'm not watching the baby I know MJ will be licking her to death. As Brandi always said: Dog can't hold it's licker!
Still not craving anything crazy, loving my green apples and peanut butter protein bars. I could eat cereal for every meal, but that was true when I wasn't pregnant. My favorites right now are Shredded Wheat-Honey Nut and Corn Flakes. It changes every 2 weeks, that's when I go grocery shopping.
I'm just feeling really good and I am very thankful for that. I am about half way through the pregnancy, which means only 20 more weeks until we meet little Bria!


Baby:

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, taking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. *I actually did remember to take a 19 week belly shot, but our computer at home is painfully slow so I have a hard time getting motivated to download pictures from it. I will soon though!

Belly picture

Ultrasound Pictures!

Bria Michelle

The first shot is a profile with her head on the left, then belly, and finally her legs which are curved up.

And here is her adorable little foot that I can't wait to kiss and tickle.

Guess what...

That's right, our little one is a little baby girl! We are thrilled to have a little daughter :) The ultrasound went great and it was so fun to see her moving around in there. I can't believe I can't feel all those movements, she was a mover and a shaker. Apparently my bladder was too full so I had to empty it a little before we could start, which was just fine with me!

Her heart was beating at 140 bpm and she had 10 little fingers and 10 little toes. Oh goodness it was just amazing, I can't believe we're having a girl!

We of course started calling family as soon as we left the doctor's office, everyone is very excited. Brian's mom had 3 adorable outfits that she gave us, I love that I can start filling her closet already, hehe.

Then we went and registered which was fun. I'm glad we took the whole day off, it was a good day.

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the big u/s!!!! I can't believe it's less than 24 hours away, I am just so stinkin' excited to see our little baby. The doctor's office just called to confirm the appointment which made me all giddy, I'm such a dork.

We are going to register afterwards but I will try and post the big news in the early evening, at the latest Friday morning.

We welcome prayers that our little one is healthy and growing strong :)