16 weeks

 

How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain: 7 pounds

Maternity clothes? Nope. :) However, I went shopping today and got some soft, comfy t-shirts that should (hopefully!) fit almost the whole way through.

Stretch marks? Nooo. I am using BioOil every day to help me NOT get them.

Sleep: Great

Best moment this week: Finding out that if I realllly really wanted to and couldn't wait any longer, I can go find out baby's gender. (But I'm still waiting patiently!)

Miss Anything? Being able to wear my bathing suit tops! Most of them don't fit I can put on, but I look totally inappropriate wearing them (if you know what I mean.....) I will be shopping for a bikini top here very soon!
Movement: Still no

Food cravings: Very random things this week. I had a BLT with pickles for lunch at least three times, went through a whole bag of twizzlers, and several cartons of yoplait greek yogurt (yum!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: None this week.
Gender:  ??? Still...patiently...waiting....

Labor Signs: No way

Symptoms: Other than a large appetite and my protruding belly, no major pregnancy symptoms right now. I feel great!
Belly Button in or out? innie
Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy :)

Looking forward to: I have tentatively scheduled my gender party for 26 May, (my only Saturday off that month) so I'm going to wait in eager anticipation.

Showing?: Today I definitely felt like I was sporting a noticeable baby bump. 

 

 

Here are my cute new shirts I scored from Forever21 today. I have a feeling that soft, oversized t's are gonna become my norm!

14 weeks

How far along? 14 weeks

Total weight gain: 6 pounds...or...maybe more?? I don't own a scale, so I haven't weighed myself in weeks! (I should get a scale, at least for this)

Maternity clothes? No. But I did buy a loose fitting shirt this week and tried it on to see if it would still fit with a baby bump! (I think it will)

Stretch marks? Nooo. I am using BioOil every day to help me NOT get them.

Sleep: Great

Best moment this week: I went to Babies R Us to 'look around'. (I actually wanted to find something that I could buy now just to appease my desire to buy something baby! I ended up buying a baby gate that we sort of needed anyway for the dogs)

Miss Anything? Getting a turkey sandwich from Subway and not having to ask them to heat up the meat.
Movement: Still no

Food cravings: This week, I did have a really funny late-night 'snack attack'. I rifled through the fridge and pantry and ended up with several things on my plate that seemed appetizing: A bowl of pickles, sharp cheddar cheese, sour gushers, cheez its, and sour skittles. SO I guess I was craving sour. :) But it's not that weird to me, because I normally really really love sour foods anyway....

Anything making you queasy or sick: None this week.
Gender:  ??? (only a few more weeks now....) There are a few old wives tale trick thingies that I am going to try out....

Labor Signs: No way

Symptoms: Still very hungry this week. Today I ate a burrito for lunch from this little burrito joint. They sell two sizes, and I always get the smaller one. Normally, I can't quite finish it. Well, I polished it off and was still hungry, so I made my own heapingly large plate of nachos!
Belly Button in or out? innie
Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy :)

Looking forward to: Being able to actually shop, not just peruse! And planning my 'gender reveal' party! YES, I will be having a party for this!!

Showing?: A little more

13 weeks

How far along? 13 weeks

Total weight gain: 6 pounds

Maternity clothes? Nope. But I will be getting a belly band very soon. Pants....just...won't...button....

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Still sleeping wonderfully. Last night I went to bed at 10, and got up at 8 today. A nice, long, good night's sleep.
Best moment this week: EASTER! And my very special Easter gift from Keith..... (see below :)

Miss Anything? Being able to eat like a normal person, and by that I mean, NOT shoveling in food every chance I get.
Movement: Still no

Food cravings: I want pickles on everything. I mean, every-thing. I got a tuna sandwich from subway and I wanted a pile of pickles on it. But then I thought that might taste weird...and then I started eating it, and was mad I didn't get the pickles.
Anything making you queasy or sick: This week, I got more sick than I've been in a while. I took my prenatal in the morning (but after I had eaten breakfast) and it made me extremely nauseous for some reason. I've been told to take them at night.
Gender:  ???

Labor Signs: No way

Symptoms: I AM STARVING! Like, all day every day it seems. Not kidding, yesterday I ate a big breakfast (more than I normally would eat) went to work, and not even two hours later, I absolutely HAD to have something to eat. Not just a snack either, like a full on meal. I've read that to keep your weight in the 'good' level during pregnancy, you should snack on lots of fruits and veggies. Well, if this hunger keeps up, that just isn't going to work, because I need FOOD!
Belly Button in or out? innie
Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy :)

Looking forward to: Buying cute baby items. :)

Showing?: Gettin there!

Ok, now about Easter. I had to work, and of course, we have no family here, so we didn't plan anything. I was sad about not getting to go to church, and of course not getting to spend the day with Keith, but it was ok. 

I decided about halfway through my workday that I would make Easter dinner when I got home. Thankfully, the store was open! I made a (tiny) ham, hashbrown casserole, mac and cheese, etc. It was yummmmy! I'm glad I did it. (Actually, I think I might have a plate of hb cass for breakfast...mmm...pregnancy stomach speaking....) I made so much food I probably have leftovers for the whole week.

The girls wanted in on that goodness, too.

Anywho, right before I started cooking, Keith came in and sat down at the table with me. He said, 'when you were little, did your parents hide stuff on Easter morning?' 

Me: 'YES, of course! That was so much fun!! Awww I can't wait to do that with our kids!'

Him: 'Well the Easter Bunny did the same for you this year.'

Me: [squealing] Whaaattt!

So I went searching. [He didn't hide it very well, I think he secretly just couldn't wait for me to open it]

I found it quickly and opened...THIS!:

I collect Willow Trees, and he gets me one for almost every special occasion. I was wondering when this one was coming....

What a special, special gift that I will treasure forever.

 

I think it will go in baby's room. :) :)

The responsibility of growing a human

Yesterday I was talking to a friend about being pregnant, and what a joy/responsibility it is. What a huge, huge, blessing of a responsibility. 

Think about it:

You start by growing a human. I mean, literally, right now my body is growing a human being. A person, created by God, to do...who knows what? And as women, when we are pregnant, we obviously want healthy little humans, so we do all the things the doctor says to do, and avoid what we need to avoid. For me, that means no margaritas for 9 months (sad face inserted here), heating up my lunch meat every time I want a sandwich, no jumping off Waimea rock into the ocean this summer (very sad about this one), no bleu or feta cheese, (and I really, really, really, [really] love these), and of course, remember to take those vitamins! The list goes on ... and on ... and on ...

Now I'm definitely not the type of person to follow every single 'rule', some of which I feel are loosely suggested and widely debated anyhow. I'll admit, I did eat bleu cheese last week, just a little, because what are the odds that my particular patch of bleu cheese is infested with listeria? (don't worry, I am not planning on doing this very often!)

Anywho, my point is, growing a baby can be hard work! What a blessing, but hard work! 

And then after that, there's obviously the fact of raising a child. You are responsible for this little human, day and night. For its every single need. Feeding it, cleansing it, soothing it, keeping it happy, you rock them, play with them, sing to them, burp them, change them...and then, the next hour, do it all again. 

And then they get older. And you have to teach your little human about life. About right and wrong. How to deal with the ups and the downs. How to make wise decisions. To cope with loss. To survive in this big, bad world. So instead of providing their every single need, you eventually teach them to take care of those needs by themselves. 

All of this. Is my responsibility. 

No pressure though.

This is why I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant. All this and more ran through my head. I wasn't am still not ready! I don't think I'LL EVER BE READY for my human, that I grew inside my body, to have to one day mourn the loss of a loved one. 

I don't think I'll ever be ready to teach my child the difference between right and wrong, or to teach them to make the right decision, when some days, I don't even know myself what the right decision is. 

I guess that's why we don't do this thing alone. I guess that's why we have parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and countless others who have done this before us. Not to mention my husband. 

Oh, and we'll probably need a little help from God, too. After all, wasn't this whole thing His idea?

My dear friend shared a wonderful scripture that I will keep at the front of my mind:

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
~ Psalm 127:3 from NLT

In fact, it might even go on the wall of the room of our little reward. 

12 weeks

I've officially made it through my first trimester! Hallelujah! I feel (somewhat) like a normal person again!! No more nausea & I'm not nearly as tired all the time.

How far along? This was taken at 12, but I started week 13 yesterday!

Total weight gain: 6 pounds

Maternity clothes? None yet! But it seems like everything gets tighter by the week...and more uncomfortable!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: No problems sleeping at all. In fact, I think I have an easier time falling asleep since I've been pregnant. Normally I'm a night owl, but lately I've just been falling asleep earlier and earlier, and getting tons of good sleep.
Best moment this week: Nothing really to do with being pregnant, but having a surprise party for Keith. 

Miss Anything? I do miss my flat stomach!
Movement: None that I have felt

Food cravings: Spicy mexican food... and I seem to want cheeseburgers and BLT's a lot this week. Oh, and pickles. I want them a lot at night.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender:  ???

Labor Signs: No way

Symptoms: Lots of annoying headaches this week. And it seems like I've had a lot more abdominal cramping this week, almost every day.
Belly Button in or out? innie
Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: More happy, less moody lately.

Looking forward to: Still looking forward to knowing the gender.... I go to the baby section almost every time I'm at the store, but have restrained myself from buying anything....

Showing?: As you can see, just a little I guess. Still not enough for a stranger to notice, but Keith says he notices. (Though I think he 'noticed' at 6 weeks....is this his way of saying I'm looking hefty & getting away with it?)

This week I got some good advice from a friend of mine with a baby: Start buying diapers now. What a good idea! I hadn't even thought of that! She and her husband have recommended Target brand diapers, so I think I'll pick some up and start stockpiling. I thought I'd poll all the other mothers out there, though:
What diapers/brand do you recommend,  based on quality and price? I suppose we may try a few different ones to see what we like best.

11 weeks and a little surprise!

 

How far along? 11 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain: up 5 pounds

Maternity clothes? Nada...but all my jeans are fitting very tight, and some I've even had to rubber band the button.

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: I sleep wonderfully, but I do get up about 3x a night to pee.
Best moment this week: Dr. Appt today and a SURPRISE ultrasound!

Miss Anything? I am by no means a huge drinker, but I want a Margarita so. bad.
Movement: During the ultrasound, I saw the baby move and move and move! Squirming around like crazy, but of course I can't feel it yet.

Food cravings: CHIPOTLE!! And to get to the nearest Chipotle I'd have to cross the Pacific Ocean...So I've made my own cilantro-lime rice, at least a batch a week, and have already made my way through half a bottle of the chipotle flavored Tabasco.
Anything making you queasy or sick: A few weeks ago, but not anymore.
Gender:  ??? Not for  a few more weeks...

Labor Signs: No way

Symptoms: Growing belly! At night, I look HUGE, especially if I had pasta/rice/lots of carbs for dinner. I've also had some major pinched-nerves in my lower back that make it painful to walk (but just for a few days) and of course, sore boobies!
Belly Button in or out? innie
Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: hmmmm...both. But if you ask Keith, he'll say mostly moody :)

Looking forward to: Gender! I'm ready to start shoppin & planning the nursery!

Sooo today I got a wonderful, lovely surprise! ......

I want in for a normal 11 week checkup and was supposed to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time. (Keith couldn't come b/c he had some class for work that they would not let him out of)  :( :(

I got all the basics taken care of and got poked and prodded, and then she got out the little heart-listener machiney thingy...well, she couldn't find the heartbeat! She wasn't worried about that at all though...she said my uterus was tilted and the baby was so small that it was normal to not find it right away...but she wanted to do an ultrasound just to make sure everything was ok...

Well, I was a little disappointed because I wanted Keith to be there for the first ultrasound, but of course I wanted to make sure little cupcake was a-okay!

They wheeled in a little ultrasound machine, plopped some of the cold goo on my belly, and there was baby P! Definitely ok, squirming around like a little squirmy worm! It was the coolest thing ever! To see your baby's little arm move back and forth, and know it's still smaller than the palm of my hand..Amazing! Well, if you've had a baby, then you know what I mean!

Anyway, so I of course got to take home a few coool souvenirs! 

I wanted to call Keith right away and tell him, but then I thought of a cool way to tell him when he got home. I bought a cute picture frame and set it up on a normal shelf in the house to see if he would notice. He did, right away. He said he started to cry a little (don't tell him I told you!) and then he thought maybe that picture in there was the 'generic' pic they have in the frame at the store, and that he was going to feel really dumb if he was tearing up over someone else's baby! hhhaahaha lol. Nope! That's our baby all right! :)

It does make it seem so much more real now....

DIY Fringe T-Shirt

Today I was at the dog park with my friend Chelsea and I saw a girl there with a reallly cute fringe T-Shirt. I've been a lover of all things fringe for a while now (Or at least since I was a flapper girl for Halloween a few years back). I see fringe EVERYTHING around these days, from handbags to shirts to necklaces.
Anyway, I commented to Chels how cute that T-Shirt was, and the girl sitting next to me said they were selling some just like it at Forever21. Now I do love Forever21, but I also loves me some FREE s@#$! I thought to myself, you know what self? I'll betcha I can make my OWN fringe shirt for free-ninety-free! And so I did, and I'm sharing my process so that someone else can make a cool, trendy fringe shirt for much cheaper than buying one.
I started out with a cool T-Shirt that had been laying at the bottom of my shirt drawer unworn for a reallllly long time. It's one of those shirts that I loved the graphic, but didn't love the way it fit. Perfect for cutting up! Obviously a plain colored shirt works just as great here.

What you need:
-Shirt
-Scissors, as sharp as possible
-Ruler or tape measure
-Pencil

The first thing to do is decide how high you want your fringe to go up. I did mine about 3-4 inches. Before I started cutting, I took the tape measure all the way across and made tiny pencil marks to kind of guide me. Once you cut your first piece of fringe, that will kind of guide you as well. If you're not sure how high you want your fringe to be, always start with shorter pieces. If it's too short, you can always cut higher.

 Then you want to cut off the hem of the shirt at the bottom:

 Next, I just started cutting. I started off with fringe pieces that were each about an inch thick, and cut up to where I'd marked off. Don't worry if your lines are not perfectly straight, or if some go up higher than others. Once you're wearing the shirt, you won't even be able to tell.

Once you've cut all the way across with each fringe about equal width, you can eye it and then decide if you want your fringe any thinner. I wanted mine pretty thin, so I cut each inch-thick section into thirds.

After I was done cutting the fringe, I grabbed each piece, pulled, and twisted to give it more of a rugged, unintentional look.

 

I decided I wanted my shirt to have that 'off the shoulder' look, so I cut off the collar. I've found the best thing that works for me when cutting off a collar is to use the front as a guide. Follow the hem with your scissors, and cut both front and back at the same time so you'll get the same look on both sides. 

I also cut the hem part of the sleeves off my shirt to give it the same look all the way around.

  

And there you have it! A sweet looking fringe T-shirt, completely for free!

Goes great with fringe earrings!

I haven't put this shirt on in a whiiile and it's pretty tight on me, so I have a feeling I'll be retiring in again in a month or so til baby p gets here!

I'll totally be doing this to all my old reject shirts that I have in the bottom of my drawers! It's like getting new clothes and paying nothing for them!

From junk to treasure!!

xoxox