18 Weeks

I can't believe we're getting so close to the halfway point of this pregnancy! Each and every week has been such a blessing. Plus, I get to share this experience with 2 of my best friends/co-workers!!! Our due dates are all within 1 month of each other! We will be starting the Aqua Moms class at Baptist in April, which will add even more fun to this whole experience.

I'm so very excited about this weekend because it starts the beginning of my spring break! Mike and I are going to New Orleans for a few days to relax. I have been craving a break, so this week will be just what I need. To top it off, we will find out if we are having a boy or a girl! Can't wait!!! Here is my 18 week picture - not much difference.

How far along: 18 weeks
Baby's size: a bell pepper - about 7 oz and about 5.5 inches long
Maternity clothes: nothing new
Sleep: still pretty good
Best moment this week: I'm almost 99.9% sure I felt baby move around 2 am one morning!!! It felt like he/she was swimming laps :-)
Miss anything: I'm pretty content right now
Movement: pretty sure
Food cravings: white cheese dip and ice cream
Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and veggies
Gender: we will know in 1 week!!! I'm still predicting boy
Labor signs: nope
Symptoms: hip pain, headaches, pregnancy brain, major clumsy moments
Belly button in or out: in
Wedding rings on or off: on
Happy or moody most of the time: very good/excited mood
Looking forward to: a lot - New Orleans, ultrasound on Wednesday to see baby (we haven't seen him/her since week 7), gender reveal party on Friday (BOY or GIRL)!!!

17 Weeks

Totally not doing good keeping up with belly pics...oops! I'll go ahead and just document the stats for week 17!

How far along: 17 weeks and 1 day
Baby's size: a turnip - about 5 oz and about 5 inches long
Maternity clothes: nothing new
Stretch marks: nope - but I have developed a rash :-( I think it's from my lotion - boo!
Sleep: off and on usually, but since I've been instructed to take Benadryl for the rash, I've been sleeping great!
Best moment this week: Seeing/feeling the changes in my growing belly
Miss anything: still not being able to sleep on my stomach.
Movement: still can't tell
Food cravings: no specifics
Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and veggies
Gender: not yet - we just scheduled our ultrasound when we will find out - 2 weeks!!!
Labor signs: nope
Symptoms: back pain, hunger, and fatigue
Belly button in or out: in
Wedding rings on or off: on
Happy or moody most of the time: This week has been weird - I've been very weepy
Looking forward to: Feeling baby boy or baby girl move/kick for the first time!!!

15 Weeks

I am putting my pride aside and posting my first belly pic. Yes, I have a gut and a butt, but I still want to document this precious time in my life. I can say that the baby is beginning to make an appearance! Here I am at 15 weeks prego!

How far along: 15 weeks and 1 day
Baby's size: an apple - about 4 inches long and about 2.5 ounces
Maternity clothes: Still a few pants and shirts. Since my belly is getting bigger, maternity pants allow me to breath easier.
Stretch marks: nope!
Sleep: A little better since I started sleeping with a pillow between my knees.
Best moment this week: Hearing baby's heartbeat today at our appointment! It was strong at 158 beats per minute!
Miss anything: still not being able to sleep on my stomach.
Movement: Possibly - can't really figure out what I'm feeling.
Food cravings: still nothing specific - the peanut butter crackers I was eating as a snack are now not so good.
Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and peanut butter crackers
Gender: not yet - we just scheduled our ultrasound when we will find out - 4 weeks!!!
Labor signs: nope
Symptoms: back pain and headaches
Belly button in or out: in - mine may take a while to pop out because I have a "black hole" belly button, at least according to Mike :-)
Wedding rings on or off: on
Happy or moody most of the time: It depends on where I am. If I'm home, I'm typically happy. If I'm at work, it's a toss-up.
Looking forward to: Starting to pick out a neutral paint color for the nursery and really thinking about what furniture to get!

Second Trimester

On Wednesday I entered the 2nd trimester! I am thrilled to have made it to this milestone and can't wait to see what is in store for Mike, the baby, and me these next few months! I have been pretty tired lately due to work being busy, but other than that I have felt great.

I'm behind on "belly pictures", but I have been keeping up with my mirror-turned-chalkboard where I update the baby's size and include other neat information. I found this idea on Pinterest and am having so much fun! Here is the one I did for 14 weeks -

Warning - I am NOT an artist

How far along? 14 Weeks and 2 days

Maternity clothes? a few pants and shirts - I have been feeling claustrophobic in my normal clothes
Stretch marks? none yet!
Sleep: not very good since I am no longer sleeping on my stomach. I wake up constantly with back and hip pain.
Best moment this week: crossing over into the 2nd trimester!
Miss Anything? sleeping on my stomach and cherry coke
Movement: none that I've noticed - I hope to feel him/her soon
Food cravings: nope! I really haven't had any true cravings, just a better awareness of what I actually want to eat. I have become stubborn about what/when I want to eat.
Anything making you queasy or sick: onions
Gender: ??? We will find out in late March, but I'm predicting boy! We shall see :-)
Labor Signs: negative
Symptoms: back/hip pain, mild heartburn, huge appetite
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but tired most of the time. The more tired I am, the more moody I get.
Looking forward to: Thursday when we go back to the doctor and get to hear his/her heartbeat again! I do wish we could have an ultrasound, but we have to wait until 20 weeks :-( I'm also going shopping with my mom and sister tomorrow to look for decor for the gender reveal party!

From 2 to 3

Yes, that's right. Our family is expanding from 2 to 3! Mike and I were thrilled to find out I was pregnant on December 4th.

The positive tests brought about joy and anxiety all at once. Since we had suffered a miscarriage in August, we were excited and worried out of our minds at the same time. Due to my previous loss, I had to go in for immediate blood work. Praise the Lord, everything came back just as it should be. We decided to wait to tell family until after our first appointment and ultrasound. On December 29th, we saw our little baby and heard his/her heartbeat for the first time! What a relief! We immediately took the ultrasound pictures to share the news with family!

We went back to the doctor on January 26th and were able to hear the sweet heartbeat for the second time. What an amazing sound! This last appointment made this pregnancy feel more real and I am finally getting to the point where I can enjoy this new journey - instead of being filled with fear. Of course, I still have my moments.

Baby Fleisher is due August 15th, and we can't wait to meet our new addition! I plan to use my blog as a journal of sorts to help document this time in our lives. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for Mike and I over the next 6 months. But, I truly cannot wait to see what He has planned for our little son or daughter!

4 Years

January 12, 2008 is the day I married my best friend. It's been 4 years and I could not feel more blessed to still enjoy our married life. I can't believe it's already been 4 years - it seems like just yesterday I was walking down the aisle and saying vows! Man time flies!

Since our anniversary fell on a school night, we kept it low key with a simple dinner out before exchanging gifts (we're going out to a fancy restaurant on Saturday). I got Mike tickets to the Jeff Dunham show in March. If you haven't watched one of his shows, you must. He is hilarious! I can't wait to use my gift - a facial!!! This will go perfectly with the massage he got me for Christmas - I'm a lucky girl!

Happy Anniversary Mike! I love you and am looking forward to all that the Lord has planned for us in the future! You truly are a blessing!

On the Arkansas Queen Riverboat for the reception

Taken by Mandy with Photography by Melisa - one of my favs!

Thankful

I can't believe it's already time for Thanksgiving! Where has the year gone? In honor of Thanksgiving, I want to share the things in my life that I am most thankful for:

1. King of Kings - with the kind of year that I've had I have needed Him more than ever. I am so very thankful that He loves me unconditionally and is always there guiding me through life. He has blessed me beyond what I deserve, and for that I am truly thankful!

2. Mr. Fleisher - I am one lucky girl because I am married to my best friend. Mike is a great, Godly man who is always there for me. He has seen many sides of me this year, and has held my hand through it all. I love you Mike!

Mike and I at the Hog vs South Carolina game in Fayetteville!

3. Mi Familia - what can I say? My family has never failed to be there for me - I love that about them! I am blessed to have such a supportive family!

4. Besties - these girls are in every way sisters to me. We have grown up together and know so many things about each other - and yet we still love hanging out! I'm sad that we have all moved to different cities, but every time we reconnect, it's just like old times. I can't tell you how much you girls mean to me - Love

Lena, Katie, me, and Laura at my wedding

5. Crestwood - I couldn't just say co-workers because I am so very thankful for being able to work at Crestwood! The staff, parents, and students are all absolutely wonderful - I can't imagine wanting to work somewhere else. Of course, my work besties make it even better. We always say it's a rarity for someone to both work in a great place and also work with your best friends - we get to work with our best friends every day!

With Lindsay, Sharon, & Sabra before performing at the talent show

6. Bella - I love my doggy and am so thankful for her! She keeps us laughing :-)

7. Certified - after a stressful 8 months I found out that I passed my National Boards! This was a great end to a not-so-good year. Now I'm looking forward to the benefits of being NBCT!

About to mail off my box for National Boards

8. Pinterest - this one may seem out of place, but it's brought out my creative side. I've always considered myself creative, but this wonderful website has opened my eyes to all the crafts I need to make. I am truly excited to incorporate many of these pinterest finds in my house!

I am also thankful for those who actually took the time to read this thankful list! I hope everyone enjoys time with their family and friends over the Thanksgiving weekend! And, last but not least, GO HOGS! BEAT LSU!