25 weeks!

A short and sweet entry because I'm recovering from a stinky stomach virus that took over my body on Friday night. Prior to that, I had a bad cold but otherwise felt okay... then boom, Friday night hit and I was a mess. I'll spare you the details, but needless to say I haven't been able to eat much more then bread and bananas (and a lot of Gatorade). I'm pushing through. Every time I think I'm feeling better, I end up feeling worse a few minutes later.. I'm home from work today sleeping and drinking and sleeping some more.. I hope to get back to work tomorrow. 

We had an ultrasound last week - the baby looked great (weighing a whopping 1 pound, 8 ounces and a heart rate of 150 bbm) - I still have placenta previa so I need to go back in another 4 weeks for another ultrasound. The tech said they'll let me go to 36/37 weeks before scheduling a C-Section so we have about 3 more ultrasound to go, hopefully it'll resolve itself.

Next week, I have my glucose screening test -- hoping I pass.

No news is good news on the home front - carpets are picked out, the tiles for the fireplace are picked out, paint colors are dancing in my head and we're hoping to make settlement on  March 25th. I'm really nervous because I had hoped we'd have 1/3 of the house packed this weekend - I suppose worse comes to worse, we hire packers and avoid the stress and anxiety but I'm trying to avoid that. 

OK..off to drink and sleep some more. 

Hope everyone had a good week!

25 weeks. 

Front view, first time (ignore the messy hair and sick face)

•How far along?: 25 weeks. I keep thinking about how after 37 weeks, I'm considered full term - which could mean that in 12 weeks, Miss LJE could be sitting next to me on the sofa right now.

•How big is baby?: The baby is now an EGGPLANT!  Per my email, she's over 13 1/2 inches. That's huge. And crazy.

•Weight gain: I finally evened out -- I only gained 0.6 pounds this past week. Here's hoping for a few weeks of barely-there weight gains.  

•Maternity clothes?: All pants. I bought an adorable maternity dress for Shari's bridal shower and Laura's rehearsal dinner - I hope I don't look like a house when I wear it.

.•Sleep?:  I can't stop sleeping, thanks to this awful virus.  

•Food cravings?:  Food is my enemy the past few days - just trying to drink as much Gatorade as possible.

•Gender?:  I love my girl.

•Stretch marks?: I search my belly everyday, lol. 

•Movement?: Lots and lots.. it's what keeps me motivated through the aches and pains.   

•Labor signs?: nope!

Belly button in or out?: Still in. Barely. 

•What I miss: Feeling good. I am so nervous I'm going to feel like this the rest of the pregnancy, which I know is insane... i have a virus but somehow can't help but remember the awful 1st trimester.

•Milestone: Making it through my first stomach virus of the 2nd trimester (I also had one the 1st trimester) -- let's pray it doesn't return for the 3rd!

week 24.

Hellooooooo!!!!

Welcome to week 24 - a very exciting time in the pregnancy. I'm in my 6th month and feeling very good. Overall, the heartburn has ceased (knock on wood) - I started to not feel well yesterday (body aches, sore throat) but I am sucking it up and assuming it's just a little cold. 

Baby news - I had my normal doctor's appointment. The baby sounded great (146 heart rate!) and my belly is measuring exactly on time. The doctor was awesome and the whole appointment was fast and easy. Next up is my ultrasound on Thursday to see how my placenta previa is going, in a couple of weeks is my glucose screening test (fun times), followed by by regular doctor's appointment. After the next one, I start going every 2 weeks. EEEEK!

House news - WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!!! And not just any house, but the most beautiful, perfect, fabulous house for us!! We decided last week to start the search over - our 5th house was the one. It's brand new construction on a brand new street. We couldn't believe our eyes! We are working this week on getting our mortgage and hope to move in within the next month - I am still in shock and so excited. A little nervous (moving, money, time) but I know it will all work out. Yesterday,we showed the house to Rachel, Jason, Ross & Avi - they all loved it too! I can't wait to show the family... hopefully this week!

Our new home!! 

24 weeks. My shirt reads "Pregnant (Not Fat)" ;)

 


•How far along?: 24 weeks and loving the 2nd trimester!! 112 days until due date, although for some reason I have a feeling I will go prior to that date. I'm thinking closer to June 5th or 6th. No idea why? 

•How big is baby?: The baby is now an EAR OF CORN!  I can't wait to see how much she weighs this week at our ultrasound.

•Weight gain: I gained 2.8 pounds this past week for a total of 24.6 I think). I don't even want to chat about it anymore. I don't get it?! I don't eat bags of chips or plates of cookies for every meal. I had a chat with my doctor about my fear of gaining so much weight at my appointment last week. He was completely sweet and comforting and told me NOT to stress about it. That the whole "25-35 pound" gain is an average but some women need to gain more for baby's sake (lucky me!) and I need to just push forward and know that I'll lose it. His exact words? "Eat all the fruit, veggies, meat, pasta and carbs you want....just don't gain 50 pounds worth of twinkies." Wise words to live by! 

•Maternity clothes?: All pants. I am ready to start wearing dresses all the time! 

.•Sleep?:  On and off...I wake up every night for one reason or another. Sometimes I can go back to sleep and other nights (like last night) I'm up, awake and watching shows about girls eating toilet paper and soap. Strange addictions? So bizarre.   

•Food cravings?: I finally realized what my addiction is. It's chick fil a. It's what I eat twice a week. I resist the fries and I can't get enough of their yogurt parfait.  

•Gender?:  Getting ready to pick out pale pink paint this week for her room!

•Stretch marks?: I reallllly want them to stay away!

•Movement?: She is a mover and a shaker. She hates if I don't eat every 2-3 hours!   

•Labor signs?: nope!

Belly button in or out?: Still in. We will see how long! 

•What I miss: I do miss the ability to feel skinny at times... and I miss not being hungry all the time, and perhaps sleeping through the night. BUT....I wouldn't trade this for anything. 

•Milestone: This is a big week - 24 weeks is considered a milestone - if baby is born she is considered viable and should be able to survive (god forbid but every exciting!) - from here on out, every week is a step in a fabulous and successful birth. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Happiest Valentine’s Day!!!!

It's been a fabulous week, minus the continuing house saga. We STILL don't know where we will live come March 30th but we hope to know by tonight or tomorrow. The anxiety was stress of it all was taking its toll on me so I decided to release it all, let it go and just see what happens. I've felt much better since making that decision (yesterday).

I started with a few new fun pregnancy symptoms... the major being heartburn. It's getting worse although it's not bad enough (yet) for me to take any medicine for it. I have been drinking organic soy chocolate milk which seems to help.

This weekend, Josh's sister Sydney visited from South Florida. We had a really lovely weekend - the weather is (finally) starting to warm up and it was nice to spend some time outside! On Saturday, we went skiing along with Kim, Michael, Abbey (who is 3 and an amazing skier!), Melanie & Eric -- I wasn't allowed to ski so I staying in the lodge. I miss skiing a lot and can't wait for next winter to hit the slopes!! We also bought LJE her "coming home outfit" from the hospital - an adorable dress from Target. Josh & I picked it out together and although I'm sure I'll find 100 outfits that I like better, for now -- this is the clear winner!

My mom found our changing table on clearance at Target for $19.99 (down from $80) so she bought us two! I'm so excited to have the nursery put together. We are painting the walls a pale pink and the bedding is chocolate brown and white polka dots with pale pink sheets :)

We have our 4 week check up on Wednesday - always love these. It's so fun to hear the heartbeat!! :)

Hope you all have a great week!!! And feel lots of love today :)



My belly, my love!

•How far along?: 23 weeks.... we're almost at a very good and exciting point in the pregnancy. From here on out, the rate of survival due to pre-mature labor goes up & up! (God forbid)



•How big is baby?: The baby is now the size of a HARRY POTTER BOOK! Hahaha... no joke, that's what a website I read, says. The baby should be around 11 1/2 inches long and weighing about 1 pound. I have an ultrasound next Thursday; I'm excited to see how much she has gained!

•Weight gain: You won't believe me that I am trying to eat healthy and not go crazy but in one week I gained 4.2 pounds. I'm not joking. I don't get it. Apparently I am NOT one of those mothers who only gain 25-35 pounds... I'm coming to terms with this. I'm now up 21.8 pounds. At least I'm being honest with everyone about this, haha. 

•Movement?: My girl is a dancer!! Everyone is getting the chance to feel her move... this weekend I forced my best friend Melanie's hand on my belly and she got to feel a swift kick :) Peanut also had hiccups last week (I think) for the first time... so so cool.  

•Milestone: Entering the last few weeks of the 2nd trimester, I seriously cannot believe how fast time is going!!

 
•Food cravings?: Salads (which give me heartburn), fruit, decaf coffee, orange juice, cheesecake.  


•Stretch marks?: I found my first official this morning. Praying it's the one and only. Perhaps it just got lost and will find its family and leave me.


•Gender?: Little lady.


 •Maternity clothes?: All pants. I am in my best friend's wedding on March 19th and tried on the dress yesterday for the first time... I ordered it literally 4 sizes bigger than normal and I'm glad because it's huge everywhere BUT in the belly area!! It's almost fitting me perfectly and it's still a little less than 5 weeks until the wedding. Fingers crossed it fits! 

.•Sleep?:  I was up from 3-4 AM last night thinking of everything. But all in all, not too bad! 


Belly button in or out?: Seriously waiting for this to pop. 


•What I miss: Knowing where I'll live after March 30th (ha - not funny).


•Labor signs?: nope! 17 weeks to go!



The week of the house.

This week has been insane.
Pregnancy-wise, it's been fabulous. I am feeling great and looking forward to the 3rd trimester which is only a few weeks away!!
However..
it's been extremely stressful as far as the house-hunt is concerned.
Here is the story....

• Josh & I fell in love with two houses.
• One had a (slight) edge over the other so we bid on it one week ago.
• By Thursday, they countered our offer with a number we didn't want to pay. We decided the other house was ours and we placed our bid on that Thursday morning.
• By Friday, we hadn't heard from house # 2 yet, however we heard back from house # 1 saying they DO want to sell and are willing to come closer to our offer price. Josh & I, confused, decided to wait to hear from house # 2.
• (Are you with me so far....??)
• By Friday night, we heard from house # 2 who countered with an offer a bit higher then we expected and we decided we would go back to house # 1. We put our counter-offer in and waited.
• By Saturday/Sunday, we find out that house # 1 is again unsure and may not want to sell for the price we want...they continue to play mind games with us to this very moment! By last night, with no solid answer in sight, we decide to give them an ultimatum. They have until 12:00 PM today to decide if they want to sell, otherwise we will be accepting House # 2's bid and moving forward.

UHHHHHHH.

This has been hectic, frustrating and overall not very fun... in addition to dealing with selling our current home, inspections, changes and more... it's all very insane! We also need to pack our entire house and figure out when we will move into the new house. Did I mention we sell our current house on March 30th? Did I also mention it's already February 7th?

holy moly.

  

(And when I get so overwhelmed and pregnancy hormones take over and I cry into my mommy's lap like I did last night prior to having 15 people over for the Superbowl) - I look at this and it makes me happy)

October 8th - our big fat positive pregnancy test!!!!!

hahaha.. clearly it's 6:00 AM in this picture and I'm sleepy and fake smiling. 22 weeks!



•How far along?: 22 weeks! Very bizarre how fast time is going this trimester (opposite of last trimester!) I am in my 6th month now which is so confusing, still. haha.

•How big is baby?: The baby is now a PAPAYA!! So cute!!! I can't wait to see how much she weighs at her next ultrasound on February 24th!

•Weight gain: The biggest anxiety I've felt thus far is related to weight gain. I'm now up 17.6 pounds which is the HIGH end of the chart -- I'm basically just on track to gain the higher end of the weight spectrum. I gained another 2.8 pounds this week. I don't know why this is happening but there is nothing I can but continue to make healthy choices. I started my pre-natal yoga DVD finally and really enjoyed it. I can't exercise otherwise so this will have to work. I really want to find a class to join - looking to start that ASAP!  

•Sleep?:  Feeling pretty good in this department. I still wake up often to pee and think about various things (nursery, house buying, packing, money, vacations, food...) - haha.  

•Food cravings?: Still hungry all the time. I crave orange juice, grapes, meat, Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. Nothing too weird.  

•Gender?: Girly bits. 

•Stretch marks?: So far, so good.

•Milestone: I think Josh feeling peanut move is a milestone!!! :) 

Belly button in or out?: Still in. We will see how long!

•What I miss: I miss being able to exercise. I also miss not gaining weight every week. There, I said it.

•Movement?: LOVE THIS! Josh FINALLY got to feel her yesterday.. as I type this, she's moving all around:)  

•Labor signs?: nope!

Maternity clothes?: All pants. When I'm in lose shirts, no one can tell I'm pregnant which is annoying (haha). So I've been wearing more fitted tops and feeling better about myself!  

21 weeks.. wowza.

Miss LJE... 20 weeks, 3 days

What a fabulous (albeit, insane) past week this has been. Last Thursday, I had my level 2 ultrasound to determine everything was okay with our peanut. At our anatomy scan, the doctor noticed a couple of things but all in all, we're very lucky and our little girl is very healthy. I have a condition called partial placenta previa (if you're bored) -- it's nothing too serious but I am slightly restricted. Pelvic rest, no lifting over 10 pounds, no exercise.. basically, taking it easy and being careful. I have a follow-up ultrasound in 4 weeks. The end result is a possible C-Section - not the worst! I just have to remind myself to take it easy sometimes (especially with the lifting) but overall, I am very happy that our level 2 ultrasound only yielded this result. Josh was very sick last week so my sister came with me to my ultrasound - both the technician and the doctor was extremely nice. The baby was moving all over the place and looked amazing.

In other England news - we have officially sold our house! The home inspection went well. We will get the report today but other then some minor fixes, we're moving forward. It's amazing and exciting. Josh & I spent the last week on a major house search - we have narrowed it down to two and I hope to have our final decision by mid-week. It's pretty intense as the two houses are very different (in size, price, etc.) but KNOW wherever we end up will be the right place for us! They're both single home on quiet side streets with huge backyards. Perfect for us! We will be out of our house by the end of March -- so insane. And sad... I love our townhouse!!!

I am feeling good. Really, really good. Other then severe back pain from time to time, this trimester has been a blessing. I've been able to truly enjoy being pregnant and will miss it very much!!

A few side notes -
1 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND, RACHEL!!!
2 - I'm sick of all this snow, every week. It's been an insane winter and I'm ready for SPRING!
3 - While I feel like I look pregnant all the time, I have yet to have a stranger ask me about it... which makes me think I still look like I'm just chubby - ha ha.
4 - I can't stop thinking about the turmoil in Egypt. Very scary & upsetting.
5 - I have the best husband in the world. Hands down. :)



21 weeks!

 •How far along?: 21 weeks and loving the 2nd trimester!! 133 days to go.. so crazy! 

•How big is baby?: The baby is now a BANANA!! As I eat a banana every morning, this is crazy to me! At our last ultrasound, the baby was a whopping 12 ounces! 

•Weight gain: I gained 2.6 pounds these past two weeks. I am now up 14.8 pounds. UHHHHHHHHH! That's just ... well. Crazy. What can I do except continue to eat healthy and know that I'll lose it post-baby? :)  

•Maternity clothes?: All pants. I am ready to wear dresses as they're the most comfy... hence needing the warmer weather! 

.•Sleep?:  Not too bad!! Thanks to breathe-right strips for Josh and my cat's learning to sleep more soundly, I'm doing well in this department. I have some of the weirdest dreams EVER but that's about it.   

•Food cravings?: FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! I'm hungry all the stinkin' time.  

•Gender?: LJE is a GIRL!! (confirmed again at the last ultrasound...) 

•Stretch marks?: Bio oil. All day. All night. Keep them AWAY!

•Movement?: Yup! Lots and lots... no solid kicks yet. I wish Josh could feel her but every time I throw his hand on my belly, she stops moving!! Hoping this week she gives him a solid punch :)  

•Labor signs?: nope!

Belly button in or out?: Still in. We will see how long!

•What I miss: NOTHINGGGGGGG! :) I'm becoming obsessed with my registry at babies-r-us making sure everything I get for the baby is the safest and the best.. it's very time consuming! But apparently this is common and I don't miss a thing.

•Milestone: I am now in the home stretch.... so crazy!! 133 days to go!

HALF WAY COOKED!!!!!

(An open letter to my daughter....that's right folks, out peanut is a GIRL!!! We have a name but it will most likely be announced after baby is born...somethings need to remain a bit of a surprise!)


Dear Peanut,


Here we are. 20 weeks along. A mere 16 weeks (or so) ago, your daddy and I woke up on a Friday morning and got the best gift a person can ask for - two pink lines. We jumped up and down in disbelief. And just like that, our lives were forever changed.


It's unimaginable how much you are loved. We say your name 100 times a day. I talk to you as soon as I wake up and see the first star in the sky. You move all around and I stop whatever I'm doing so I can feel you. I think often about what you will be like and can't wait to see your beautiful face. I worry about you all the time as well. Your anatomy scan was fascinating and terrifying all at the same time. We were so happy to see you moving around and showing us your 10 toes, 10 fingers, 2 arms and 2 legs. We have a follow-up ultrasound this week to ensure everything is okay but I know in my heart it will be, no matter what. 


I have to admit that I love taking you with me at all times - I never have to worry about changing your diaper, feeding you or making sure you're warm! (Not that I won't love these parts as well). But for now, my ever-expanding belly is a constant reminder of this beautiful girl growing away.


Our huge family is so excited to meet you as well. You already have 6 older cousins to watch after you, play with you and show you the ropes. (Ava, Abbey, Justin, Marley, Max & Andrew). Abbey was very convinced you were a girl and Ava was sure you were a boy - Abbey keeps reminding me she was right in the argument. It's very funny. You have 4 grandparents (Grandma Lisa, Grandpa Levi, Mom-Mom Andi & Pop-Pop Ron) and 4 great-grandparents (Grandma Rita, Grandpa Sandy, Mom-Mom Millie & Mom-Mom Rose) that love you beyond words and can't wait to take turns holding you. I have a feeling it will be a fight - hopefully Aunt Kim learns to share you! ;) You also have two furry brothers that are going to protect you from everything - Shluffy & Rigby are the cutest, fattest cats around and will love you immensely.


Keep on growing and know that we can't wait to meet you in June -- and remember, I loved you from the second I knew you were there.
Love,
Mama

Um, I don't think there is any question. Yes. I am pregnant! Haha!

•How far along?: 20 weeeeeeeks!!!! I'm so happy and excited we are half way there. My mom informed me I'm going into my 6th month of pregnancy...I find this very amazing and very confusing. Where is time going?! 

•How big is baby?: The baby is now a CANTALOUPE!! About 6 1/2 long and weighing over 10 ounces (she was 10 ounces as of our anatomy scan). 

•Weight gain: After my fabulous weekend in Key West complete with an obscene amount of calories taken in, my guess is a large weight gain. Vacations + pregnancy? Not good for the girl trying to watch her food intake. I didn't weigh myself due to being in Florida.. we'll see what happens on Friday.  

•Maternity clothes?: All maternity pants, regular shirts are still working but I'm noticing things that used to fit like a glove are beginning to make me look..well..really pregnant! 

.•Sleep?:  Still waking up several times a night.. I'm hoping and praying I sleep good tonight due to lack of sleep this weekend.   

•Food cravings?: Lately? Meat. And fruit.  

•Gender?: Our darling is a LADY BUG!! <3 

•Stretch marks?: Still praying to the stretch mark gods that I'm left out of that fun pregnancy symptom.

•Movement?: My favorite part of pregnancy, by far. She is most active in the morning. I think she hates being hungry, like her mama (and dada).  

•Labor signs?: Negative! KEEP ON COOKING MISSY!

•Belly button in or out?: In. I wonder how much longer. It feels like it's going to pop out and hit my cat in the eye.

•What I miss: I will admit while being away this weekend, it was a LITTLE hard not to share a cocktail along with the ladies and wear something a little tight and short. I felt fat and bloated all weekend...but I wouldn't give this up for anything. 

•Milestone: We have made it half way! This, my friends, is very exciting. Before I know it, my darling will be in my arms. 




(Josh & I are going to register at Babies R Us - wahooooo!!)