17 Weeks

I've been slacking on the whole blogging thing lately,

I know. Sorry, readers!

Work has kept me busy from 8-4:30 every day,

and by the time I get home,

all I want to do is crash on the couch

and spend time with my love

(when he's home, of course!).

Plus, let's face it:

I've got baby on the brain.

It's hard to focus or think about much else right now,

and that has given me a bad case of

blogger's block. ha. :)

So, without further ado... here's my 17 week update!

***

How far along? 17 weeks

Due Date: February 3, 2011

Total weight gain/loss: still +1.5.

Maternity clothes? I just bought a couple items

on eBay, and can't wait to get them!

Sleep: Still sleeping well, but having weird/vivid dreams.

Best moment this week: Starting to look noticeably

pregnant, and having strangers start to notice.

Oh! We also have a breast pump and a bassinet now...

I know it's a little early, but hey - don't judge!

Movement: Still having "flutters."

Food cravings: Tonight it's ice cream.

Food aversions: Nothing really.

Gender: We should be able to find out on Sept. 17th!

Labor Signs: Way too early.

Belly Button in or out? In, of course.

What I miss: Fitting into my "cute jeans."

I love my baby and my belly,

but everything is so uncomfortable right now.

What I am looking forward to: Being able to

feel movement (aside from the little flutters),

and finding out if we're team pink or team blue.

Milestones: Suddenly I have a nice, round bump!

16 Weeks!

How far along? 16 weeks

Due Date: February 3, 2011

Total weight gain/loss: I lost .5 lbs this week,

for a total of +1.5.

Maternity clothes? Still using my Bella Band, but no

"real" maternity clothes just yet.

Sleep: I've been sleeping well and often.

Best moment this week: Hearing baby's heartbeat

at our last appointment. It was 150 and nice & strong!

Movement: Still having "flutters," but they are so light.

Food cravings: I really want some apple butter.

Food aversions: Nothing really.

Gender: We should be able to find out on Sept. 17th!

Labor Signs: Way too early.

Belly Button in or out? In, of course.

What I miss: Coffee.. but I know it's okay in moderation,

and I've already splurged once on a frappuccino. Yum!

What I am looking forward to: Finding out if baby is

a boy or a girl!

Milestones: We made the appt for our next ultrasound.

I can't wait for September 17th!

Stream of consciousness/Thankful Thursday

Lately, my life is a bit like a thrill ride

Where sometimes I want to get off

and just sit down and take a break,

but I can't.

Oh, it's not the pregnancy --

that's going extremely well.

Baby and I are both great as far as I know. :)

I'm 16 weeks today, actually,

and still feeling great!

But, work has been extremely busy

due to the fact that all the students

have just arrived on campus

(if you don't already know, dear readers,

I work at a state university).

Justin has been home a little more,

but his work is still really busy too,

and he has an interview today

for something else... so please pray!

Basically, we just have a lot going on.

Some good, some not as good-

but we are both still overjoyed

about the little blessing growing inside me.

And we are both so very thankful

for the things that have helped us get

to where we are today.

I can't wait to see where we'll be

in a year, 5 years, 10 years

from now.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for us.

And I am thankful for everything we have,

and everything yet to come.

15 Weeks

How far along? 15 weeks

Due Date: February 3, 2011

Total weight gain/loss: -2, for a total of +2.

Maternity clothes? I have been using my Bella Band,

and I love it! No "real" maternity clothes yet, though.

Sleep: The past couple days I haven't been feeling well

(I think it's a cold or a mild case of the flu.. yuck),

so I have been sleeping quite a bit.

Best moment this week: Getting to spend some

quality time with my sweet husband.

Movement: I'm still feeling those little "bubble pops."

I suppose you could call them flutters.

Food cravings: Cold things.. ice cream, etc.

Today I tried a McDonald's smoothie and it was great!

Food aversions: Nothing really.

Gender: We'll know in September!

Labor Signs: Way too early.

Belly Button in or out? In, of course.

What I miss: Being able to take cold/flu medicine. :(

What I am looking forward to: Finding out

if baby is a boy or a girl!

Milestones: I'm starting to look more pregnant,

but it still only looks like a baby bump

if I wear form-fitting clothes.

14 Weeks

How far along? 14 weeks

Due Date: February 3, 2011

Total weight gain/loss: +4, but it's been fluctuating a lot.

Maternity clothes? Not yet, but I can't button
my pants anymore; not even my comfy jeans!

Sleep: I have slept so much this weekend. I guess the
fatigue I thought was going away
is hitting me hard again!

Best moment this week: Celebrating 5 years of marriage
with my amazing husband (who bought me flowers!).

Movement: I've been feeling little "bubble pops"
that might be baby.. but it also might just be gas. ha!

Food cravings: I've been eating tons of
fresh strawberries!

Food aversions: Nothing really.

Gender: We'll know in September.

Labor Signs: Way too early.

Belly Button in or out? In, of course.

What I miss: Big, fat Starbucks lattes!

What I am looking forward to: Being able to feel kicks and punches. :)

Milestones: I think I'm finally starting to show!

(Sorry about the bad photo; it was taken with my cell phone.)

Thankful Thursday

Thursdays are special days,

and that's because on Thursdays,

I like to take some time to be thankful.

I know I've fallen behind a bit

on my Thankful Thursday posts,

but now that I have SO much

to be thankful for,

I thought... how could I not write one today?!

Today, I am thankful

for the new little life

growing inside me,

for the precious little heartbeat

that I know is continuously

chugging along,

as my tiny babe grows and grows.

I am thankful

for the tiny little bubbles

I've been feeling,

that I believe to be

the beginnings of movement!

I am thankful

that tomorrow,

I will celebrate

5 years of marriage

with the most amazing husband ever.

I'm thankful that our marriage

has gotten stronger and sweeter over time,

and that we still love each other

just as much as we did

on the day we said "I do."

I am thankful

that I recently got to see my little sister,

and that I had the opportunity

to meet some great friends

(from Michigan!)

for dinner on Monday.

I am so blessed,

and so loved.

I am thankful.

What are you thankful for

on this Thankful Thursday?

13 Weeks

I can't believe I'm 13 weeks already.

Second trimester, baby!

There isn't a whole lot to report;

I still feel good, and still haven't been sick.

I'm still always hungry,

but I'm trying to stick to reasonable portions

so as not to be one of those people

who gains 100 lbs by the time it's all over. :)

How far along? 13 weeks
Due Date: February 3, 2011

Total weight gain/loss: Still +3.
Maternity clothes? Not yet, but probably soon!
Sleep: No trouble falling asleep, but I still have weird
wide-awake moments through the night.

Best moment this week: It's not baby related, but
this weekend we got to see a dear friend get married.

Movement: Not yet.. still having those "growing pains,"
(aka round ligament pain) but that's about it.

Food cravings: I've really been wanting some apple butter lately.
Haven't found any yet, though!
Food aversions: Nothing really!
Gender: We'll know in September.
Labor Signs: Way too early.
Belly Button in or out? In, of course.
What I miss: Big, fat Starbucks lattes!
What I am looking forward to: Being able to feel baby move.
Milestones: I'm in the second trimester now. Yay!

As I mentioned above,

Justin and I got to go to Charleston this weekend

to see a very good friend tie the knot.

It was a beautiful wedding,

followed by an amazing reception

held at a yacht club, with some good Southern food

(pulled pork, anyone?! Yum!) and lots of dancing.

We met some new people,

and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent there.

I must say, this weekend was a whirlwind!

A very good whirlwind, though. :)