24 Weeks

Alrighty, I'm back on track!  Here we are at 24 weeks - how did we get this far along so quickly???  We only have 16 weeks to go!  We went for our 24 week appointment yesterday and Baby Boy's heartbeat was still strong and still around 140.  They also started measuring my belly, and all is well there.  While there, I got to take the loverly glucola test.  The drink still wasn't terrible, however, I didn't pass this time :-(  I passed with Matthew, so this was new territory for me.  My level needed to be below 140 and it was 147 - so close!  I have to go back on the 14th for the 3 hour test where I drink an even stronger drink and get pricked every hour.  If I don't pass 3 out of the 4, then I guess we'll have to discuss gestational diabetes - I'm a little terrified to be honest.  I'm hoping that since my level wasn't too much over, I can pass the next test.  Prayers are very much appreciated!

Either Mike's angle was a little different or my stomach has gotten big enough to block my legs

How far along: 24 weeks

Baby's size: an ear of corn - baby is about a foot long (head to heel) and you weigh just over a pound.
Maternity clothes: definitely in pants, but I switch out in shirts
Sleep: Now that I'm not dealing with congestion, I've been sleeping better!

Best moment this week: hearing little boy's heartbeat!  Never gets old!

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach, bending over or sitting/standing comfortably
Movement: Mike finally felt him kick and spin around - he loved it!!!

Food cravings: ice cream

Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing specific
Gender:  it's a BOY!!  Still working on a name for Little Man.

Labor signs: nope - started feeling very mild braxton hicks

Symptoms: siatica and heartburn still, but other than that I feel great!

Belly button in or out: in, but I can tell it's moving out.  I'll be shocked if it pops out because it never did with Matthew
Wedding rings on or off: on

Happy or moody most of the time: pretty good most days

Looking forward to: my girls' weekend in Hot Springs!  We are also starting to work on clearing out what is now Mike's office so we can turn it in to the nursery. 

23 Weeks

And, I've successfully gotten behind on posting.  I've been trying for every 2 weeks, but was too busy packing for Florida last week.  That being said, I'm moving on to 23 weeks, and will resume next week.

How far along: 23 weeks and 2 days

Baby's size: a large mango - baby is about 11 inches long (head to heel) and you weigh just over a pound.
Maternity clothes: definitely in pants, but I switch out in shirts
Sleep:being out of town meant a week of not good sleep on a hard bed, but I got great sleep last night.  Still waking up with hip pain from having to sleep on my sides.

Best moment this week: spending time with family in Florida and making memories with Matthew!

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach - it's my go-to for comfort
Movement: Little Man has been kicking like crazy, and the kicks/elbows are getting bigger every day!  It's gotten to the point where I can feel the kicks from the outside, but Mike is still waiting to feel them.

Food cravings: meat or just junk food (terrible) - I've heard that's a sign of a boy when you eat like a growing teenage boy.  It's definitely gotten to that point (and the point where I never feel full).

Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing specific
Gender:  it's a BOY!!  Still working on a name for Little Man.

Labor signs: nope

Symptoms: siatica and heartburn still, but other than that I feel great!

Belly button in or out: in, but I can tell it's moving out.  I'll be shocked if it pops out because it never did with Matthew
Wedding rings on or off: on

Happy or moody most of the time: pretty good most days apart from the stress of traveling.

Looking forward to: We go back to the doctor for our 24 week appt on Wednesday and I'm so looking forward to hearing that precious heartbeat again!  Not looking forward to the glucola test though.

20 Weeks

We have made it to the half way point!!!  The countdown is officially on!!!  This week has been a whirlwind of emotions - family friends in the hospital, a death in the family, and finding out the gender of this precious baby.  While there have been a lot of downs this week, the major high point was finding out that we are expecting a baby BOY!!!  I'm now 2-0 on guessing the gender, but who's keeping count (ME!).  I was able to take the whole day off so I could relax and prepare for the gender reveal that night.  We had to wait for 30 extra minutes to get an ultrasound because the clinic had been closed 2 days previous due to major winter weather.  I absolutely adore the ultrasound tech at my clinic!  She always remembers me because we have little ones that are 1 month apart.

I went in guessing boy, but had been going back and forth this whole time.  I really didn't have a preference, so when I hear/saw the heartbeat everything else went out the window.  All I cared about was a healthy baby, and praise the Lord, that's what we've got!  As she looked for the gender, she paused on a blurry image and said, "Looks like you're having another boy"!  Mike and I had to have her point out what she was seeing, which was completely different from Matthew's ultrasound.  This little boy was in a funky position and wouldn't keep still (does this mean we're gonna have our hands full with baby #2???).  She found several different angles to prove to Mike that she was 100% sure it was a boy.  Needless to day, we are beyond thrilled to have another little boy, and for Matthew to have a little brother!

How far along: 20 weeks

Baby's size: a banana - baby is about 6.5 inches long (head to rump) and about 10 inches (head to heel).  You weigh about 10.5 oz
Maternity clothes: sometimes
Sleep: it's been much better.  I still, occasionally, waking up from hip pain.

Best moment this week: Seeing little bit again (and for the last time before delivery) and knowing that he is healthy!

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach and being able to make it without a nap
Movement: been feeling lots of little kicks! 

Food cravings: been craving sweets like crazy

Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing specific
Gender:  it's a BOY!!

Labor signs: nope

Symptoms: siatica (on a daily basis - boo!), and heart burn

Belly button in or out: in, but I can tell it's moving out.  I'll be shocked if it pops out because it never did with Matthew
Wedding rings on or off: on

Happy or moody most of the time: very up and down with the week we've had - there have been lots of tears and anxious moments

Looking forward to: Figuring out a name for this little boy and really starting to work on M's big boy room!

Here's to the next 20 weeks!

Blue or Pink???

In honor of us finding out if baby #2 is a boy or girl tomorrow, I've decided to post some Old Wives Tales just for fun (I stole borrowed this list from my SIL's blog from her first pregnancy)!  Our appointment is at 10 am, but we aren't revealing until dinner tomorrow night.  I will share all the details later!  I've colored the ones that are true to this pregnancy...enjoy!

It's a boy if:

• You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy
• Your baby's heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute
• You are carrying the extra weight out front
• Your belly looks like a basketball
• You are carrying low
• You are craving salty or sour foods
• You are craving protein -- meats and cheese
• Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy
• The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy
• Your hands are very dry
• Your pillow faces north when you sleep
• Dad-to-be is gaining weight, right along with you
• Pregnancy has you looking better than ever
• Your urine is bright yellow in color (gross!)
• Your nose is spreading
• You are having headaches
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an even number

It's a girl if:

• You had morning sickness early in pregnancy
• Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute
• You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear
• Your left breast is larger than your right breast
• Your hair develops red highlights
• You are carrying high
• Your belly looks like a watermelon
• You are craving sweets
• You are craving fruit
• You crave orange juice
• You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy
• You are moodier than usual during pregnancy
• Your face breaks out more than usual
• You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread - I never did anyways
• Your breasts have really blossomed!
• Your pillow faces south when you sleep
• Your urine is a dull yellow color
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number 

18 Month Update

Happy 1/2 Birthday Matthew!!!  It's unbelievable that my little boy will be 2 years old in six months.  Being your mommy gets better and better with each new month.  I absolutely love watching you learn and grow!  I've taken so many child development classes, but nothing prepares you for watching your own child learn new things - and how quickly they learn at this age.  I am amazed by this precious boy every day!  Here are some highlights from the last few months: 

~ We saw Dr. B today and got 2 thumbs up!  You now weigh 25 lbs and 6 oz which is in the 44th percentile.  You are 33.25 inches long which is in the 80th percentile and your head circumference is 19 inches and in the 64th percentile.  Your overall BMI is 16.1 and in the 37th percentile.  You did have fluid in both ears, so we'll have to go back in June to make sure the fluid is gone because it can eventually mess up hearing.  You also passed the M-Chat which means you are not showing any signs of autism!  

~ You have 12 teeth!!!  You've been super busy getting those teeth - 12 in five months!  You still haven't woken up much with the teething, at least in the middle of the night.  You have started just waking up early and will be extra fussy or cuddly when you're getting a new tooth.

~ You climb on everything!  You've now learned how to climb on our kitchen chairs, couches, step stools, etc.  It makes me so nervous to watch you, especially on our kitchen floors.  You got your first big boo boo yesterday when you tried to climb a step ladder like your daddy.  I just know that one day I will find you climbing in our refrigerator or on your bookshelf.  

~  You still LOVE to read!  When you get a new book, we read it over and over again.  Your fave books right now are your truck books.  You still love animals, but have a new obsession with trucks (big rigs, SUVs, trucks, buses, etc).

~ Talking is a constant for you now.  Here are the words you've learned "please", "yes", "no-no", "night night", "ball", "eye", "nose", "baby", and "boo boo".  We like to say that you speak "animal" because you are so good at knowing what animals say: "moo", "baa", "neigh", "meow", "quack quack", "ruff ruff", "tweet tweet", and "roar" (our fave) - including noises for the elephant, monkey, fish, bunny, frog, and wolf.

~ Some of your fave games/toys: riding or standing on your motorcycle & truck, drumming on your drum, throwing balls, wrestling with your lion & alligator stuffed animals, peek-a-boo, chase, puzzles, driving trucks around the house, and playing in our bed.  Of course, your top choice is to be outside running around, swinging, sliding, or riding around in your car or wagon.

Here are some pics showing what we've been up to

 Snacks while shopping have become a must

 He was very proud of himself for this one

 

Did I mention that he likes to climb???

Wrestling with Bella

Fun at The Wonder Place

Still his fave meal - only now he can eat it with a fork!

Playdate with Sydney and Jackson - they are all so big!

Best I could get of him on Valentine's Day - King of Hearts!

Reaction when he'd get close to snow - hopefully next year will be a different story

Watching the lions at the zoo last weekend.  So thankful we have a family pass!

I am beyond blessed to have had such an amazing 18 months with you, Matthew!  I cannot wait to see what all you learn in the next 6 months.  I also can't wait to see you become a big brother!  You have such a sweet heart that I know you will be the World's Best Big Brother!  I love you sweet boy!

18 Weeks

Time sure is flying by!  I can't believe we are almost to the halfway point.  Some days I still can't believed that we will be a family of 4 at the end of the summer.  I absolutely love the time that I have with Matthew, and it's hard to picture having time for baby #2.  I know a lot of moms think this when adding a new one to the family, and all works out just fine.  It'll be amazing to feel how much love I have for my two little ones.  

How far along: 18 weeks and 4 days

Baby's size: a bell pepper - baby is about 5.5 inches long (head to rump) and weighs about 7 oz
Maternity clothes: sometimes - but only pants.  I just did a large load of laundry of maternity clothes to prepare to my growing belly.
Sleep: it's been much better.  I still, occasionally, waking up from hip pain.

Best moment this week: spending quality time with Matthew at the zoo and thinking about adding #2 to that trip :-)

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach and being able to make it without a nap
Movement: still feeling flutters and flips here and there.  Ready to feel the kicks!!

Food cravings: been craving sweets like crazy

Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing specific - sometimes I just feel sick after eating (potatoes especially).
Gender:  8 more days and we'll know GIRL or BOY!!

Labor signs: nope

Symptoms: siatica (on a daily basis - boo!), heart burn, and mild nausea (again :-/)

Belly button in or out: in, but I can tell it's moving out.  I'll be shocked if it pops out because it never did with Matthew
Wedding rings on or off: on

Happy or moody most of the time: been in better spirits since my energy is back up!

Looking forward to: planning the gender reveal for family & friends!!!  Also, getting this blog updated with what we've been up to lately.

16 Weeks

How am I already 16 weeks???  It seems like this pregnancy is already going so fast, but I know that there will come a time that that won't be the case (especially if I'm 9 days late again).  We had out appointment today, and to say that I was anxious is an understatement.  I have been more nervous this time around compared to when I was pregnant with M.  I think it's from how much I spotted early on, but I am trying hard to just have faith.  I am getting so very excited to find out who will be joining our family in July - a little bro or little sis for Matthew???  Thankfully, I only have to wait until March 5th to find out (insert giddy laughter).

I did not plan to have on the same outfit as the 14 week pic

How far along: 16 weeks

Baby's size: an avocado - baby is about 4.5 inches long (head to rump) and weighs about 3.5 oz
Maternity clothes: sometimes - but only pants
Sleep:  it's been a little better - although some nights the congestion I've had for the past month keeps me up.

Best moment this week: hearing that precious heartbeat again!!!  M went with us this time which made it even more special!

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach
Movement: I had a small freakout session with Mike last week because I hadn't felt the baby move much.  Well that all changed the other night - my bed time is apparently baby's party time.  I've had a big smile on my face going to bed feeling the little somersaults - my fave part of being pregnant!

Food cravings: orange juice, fruit, cheese dip, cheeseburger (weird, but that's all I've wanted the past few days)

Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing specific, just certain smells
Gender:  we will find out March 5th!!! 

Labor signs: nope

Symptoms: thankfully the not-so-fun 1st trimester symptoms seem to be behind me (YAY!).  Now I've just had siatica and congestion.  I've been dealing with dizzy spells, but am not sure yet if it's pregnancy related.

Belly button in or out: in - it never went out with Matthew
Wedding rings on or off: on

Happy or moody most of the time: been in better spirits since my energy is back up!

Looking forward to: planning the gender reveal for family & friends!!!