Hello Third Trimester!

Well, I welcomed the third trimester on Saturday. I got a little cocky when I worked last week and everyone asked how I was feeling {a day before my 28th week} - I told everyone I felt great and sometimes I even forgot I was pregnant! Well, I jinxed myself because the next few days I felt sore all over. My uterine contractions feel like dull cramps {menstrual cramps for those who know what I'm talking about}. Those are probably the most uncomfortable. Then sometimes I'll get like a weird side cramp. I compare it to how it feels when you are running and you get a 'stitch in your side' I got a few times and I assume she is probably putting her weight on that one side and hitting a nerve- how dare her!

Sleep... sleep is another story. I love it! I even nap during the day, but only for an hour so I can sleep okay at  night and get to sleep at a decent hour. Well, sleep at night is ALWAYS interrupted which is okay and I am used to because even before pregnancy I would wake up to use the restroom {I was never sure if I needed to go or just thought it was a good idea}. But, getting back to sleep at night is getting harder. I have to get comfortable and I go to bed and the apartment feels like it's at a comfortable temperature- but I wake up SO HOT. I also feel like all my senses are heightened in the middle of the night trying to go back to sleep. I have never been one to 'be afraid of the dark', but I always peek into the living room on my way to bathroom {this pregnancy would be easier in a home of our own because the house we buy MUST have bathroom access from my bedroom} anyway, I am afraid I am going to see something? Not sure. Last week Tyler couldn't sleep, got up to eat a snack, and turned on the tv. Well, I almost had a heart attack because he has NEVER done that since we've been married and I freaked out. I was sure we had a squatter or a ghost. Then, as I am trying to fall back asleep I will have to feel like I need to pee at least two more times. Trust me, it's an ordeal and Tyler is just lucky he is not awake to notice my tossing, turning, and get ups. Also, Riley had a UTI last week so I feel every jump off the bed and assume she needs to be taken out so she doesn't pee in the apartment like last week! Oh, did I mention my nose gets really really really stuffy at night and if I don't get up in the middle of the night to blow my nose my mouth ends up open and I get horrible dry mouth.

But, compared to other people's pregnancy's I feel bleeds that these are my only complaints. If I get cramps, I drink water and lay down. No big deal.

Went to the doctor today! Today was the first day I went to the doctor and came out feeling so confident about my pregnancy. For the first 28 weeks I was so worried something bad was going to happen. But, he checked my sugar {I test them twice a week- two times a day} log and he said they looked great. I just have to continue doing what I am doing and I do not need a gestational diabetes test! Woohoo! That was music to my ears. I wouldn't say that I don't have it because I still have to check my sugars twice a week or at random, but I don't have to feel restricted to a diet. I check my sugars at random to see what makes my sugars go high. I know that sweet tea probably isn't a good idea- just something I've got to cut out for the next 12 weeks which, may be hard for this southern girl, but totally worth it. I know {and have stayed away this whole pregnancy} that I can't have pasta or white bread {sometimes I do if I don't have a choice}. Dr. Gluck said he was 'really happy' with how things were going, my weight gain is fine, I am measuring good, my blood pressure was normal {111/71}, and I told him about me and Tyler's drive to Columbia and he said 'be safe' I should have no problems just make sure I get out and walk around. Ahhhh... music to my ears. Now my only worry is to make sure I feel her move every day. About once or twice a week she will have a lazy day, but that usually follows a day when she is super active. I read that you should start to feel a pattern, but seriously- she has no pattern. When falling asleep at night sometimes she goes crazy, but sometimes I think she falls asleep before me! It will be interesting to see what her sleeping patterns are once she arrives. She also will start to kick when I lay on my left side {that's usually how I fall asleep} and I can't tell if she is saying goodnight or please don't lay like that {sometimes I am like halfway on my side and stomach}. I feel like she has her own personality already.

In two weeks I go in for a ultrasound and in four weeks I go in for another check-up. Time is flying by....

I also must mention a friend of mine who was only 6 weeks ahead of me, but pregnant with boy and girl twins had her sweet babies last night. I am so overcome with joy for her and the two new additions to the Hoffman family. BabieS and Mom are doing well and I know she is over the moon that they are here. Congrats Laura! Can't wait to see more pictures of Abigail and George! I am going to miss your belly pictures, but look forward to blog updates of life with twins!

I can't wait to get Columbia this weekend and our babymoon  in Charleston!

How far along? 28 weeks 4 days

Size of Baby A? iceberg lettuce; 14.8 inches; 2.2 lbs

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans, my normal tops, and cotton dresses all around- same...although some tops just aren't working anymore and i've had my fair share of breakdowns getting dressed!

Weight Gain? 12.2 same as last week!

Gender? all things *PINK*

Sleep? well... see above!

Movement? a lot and anytime day or night! some lazy days!

Cravings? lately ice cream- not sure how that would affect my sugars ;) 

What I miss? a glass of chard on the porch. 

Symptoms? stuffy nose. cramps. 'side stitch' 

Best moment of the week? no gestational diabetes test- keep doing what i'm doing. 

27 weeks 3 days and hormones

Hello All!

I've been back in El Paso for a week since going to Columbia. It was so good to get home. Tyler and I will go back to Columbia next week {as long as is well at my appointment on Wednesday.} I see no reason why it wouldn't! I made Tyler go up to our grocery store pharmacy yesterday to check my blood pressure. It was higher than normal, but not high. I realized I was so nervous while taking it we walked around the grocery store a bit and I tried again- it went back to normal! Pregnancy has now caused me an irrational fear of the blood pressure monitor! I get very anxious. Even though I eat right, walk every day {thank goodness for Riley- she holds me accountable for my walks}, and have kept my weight gain slow I still get nervous!

But I will do everything I can to make sure my BP stays normal and I see no reason why it shouldn't! So Tyler can get home to visit Columbia and Charleston! I can't wait for our 'babymoon' in Charleston. I am not sure why I have this fear, but I naturally always worry about the worst. This pregnancy hasn't helped, either. I can do all I can to take care of myself, but in the end it's all left to one person and I am sure HE has a big plan for our growing family!

On the other hand, my poor husband. I am sure when he decided to marry me he didn't imagine that my hormones would cause me to be such a mean momma-to-be (basically a b*tch). Or, I have never been much of a crier and I cry at the drop of a hate these days. Lately, if my husband eats the wrong way or doesn't put things in the sink correctly... I become crazy. I feel so bad for him, but I am lucky he is very understanding of my changes and there is only 3 more months! I will definitely try to be more conscience of the way I react. Poor guy. Before I was pregnant you could have piled the dishes all over the kitchen and I wouldn't have cared. But, if this is the worst part of my pregnancy- then I consider us beyond lucky!

My shower in Columbia went great and I was overwhelmed with the support and gifts that we received. We really racked up! We could pretty much bring a baby home today if we had too. Well, we are picking up all the gifts when we are in Columbia. We also got the pack 'n play this weekend. So, all that's left are little things here and there. I have no pictures of the shower because I left the disc at home in Columbia, but I'll get those on as soon as I get to Columbia.

And last but not least, now that it's summer and holidays are all around... I am missing the beach, lake, and an ice cold adult beverage. Right now when my husband has a beer.. I am loving the smell of it. So strange! I want to go to the pool, but I am afraid I'll get bored without a cold one in my hand ;) j/k

Oh yeah, Tyler felt a kick the other night. I think he though it would feel like a small little foot kicking, but mine feel more like a thump in my belly!

How far along? 27 weeks 3 days

Size of Baby A? cauliflower;  14.4 inches; weighing 2 lbs.  

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans, my normal tops, and cotton dresses all around

Weight Gain? 12.2- a little disappointed in myself. i think i gained a lot in columbia, but how can you avoid grouchos and lizards? 

Gender? GIRLY GIRL!

Sleep? falling asleep fine for the most part, BUT getting up ALL night to use the restroom! ahh! not looking forward to when i am too uncomfortable to sleep! 

Movement? she has picked up movement lately. she has had lazy days, but i notice her lazy days are the days AFTER i am active. like i got home tuesday...worked wednesday and i am pretty sure she slept all day thursday! she scared me! 

Cravings? no real cravings. just hungry. hungry ALL the time. 

What I miss? columbia. alcohol. south carolina. 

Symptoms? frequent urination. stuffy  nose. i will also often wake up and my hand has fallen asleep! - SAME except when i wake up with the stuff nose it causes my mouth to get SO DRY because I guess I sleep with my mouth open because i cant breath! 

Best moment of the week? well, last week being home and all the shower gifts :) 

25 Weeks

Hello All!

I just got home from my doctors appointment with Dr. Gluck, my normal OB. Just a check up and listen to the heartbeat and measuring my tummy! He probably dreads my appointments because over the four weeks between my appointments I keep a list of questions on my notepad on my phone! But I am sure he's had more anal patients than me!

Heartbeat was good {at least I assume because he didn't say anything} and my bump is measuring at exactly 25 weeks which is good! I told him I was flying home tomorrow and he gave me my medical records to take with me should anything happen. Overall it was a boring normal appointment which is good... exactly what I want. I always enjoy my doctors appointments because it gives me peace of mind. I am a worrier by nature and going to hear her heartbeat and Dr. Gluck telling me everything looks good is comforting.

No news here! Tyler and I went to go see Jerrod Nieman on Saturday and had a good time. Molly is moving a lot especially at night. Some nights {like last night} she will literally keep me up all night because I think she uses my bladder as a punching bag! But, I welcome every single kick, punch, and movement. I'll stay up all night just to feel them. It's the most comforting feeling in the world.

I leave for Columbia tomorrow and I absolutely can't wait! I have a baby shower on Saturday. It's a little early, but I do live 1600 miles away and I wanted to fly when I was still comfortable. I also can't wait to see family and eat... Groucho's and Lizard's Thicket are calling my name! I will miss Tyler and Riley, though!

How far along? 25 weeks 2 days

Size of Baby A? zucchini;  13.6 inches; weighing 1.5 lbs.  

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans. some maternity tops if i am wearing leggings. lots and lots of comfy dresses that are not maternity.

Weight Gain? 9.4 lbs- my weight fluctuates between a pound or so. 

Gender? all pink... Molly Bess Anderson!

Sleep? still sleeping just fine. noticing its getting a little harder for me to get comfortable and having to get to pee all night!

Movement? morning and night! mostly when i am resting.

Cravings? i have been craving hamburgers the past week or so. which, if you know me know that's strange! i do not eat a lot of red meat!

What I miss? i did miss having a beer this weekend at the concert. but it's worth it. i only think about it if i am out with tyler somewhere. other than that i kind of like being pregnant!

Symptoms? frequent urination. stuffy  nose. i will also often wake up and my hand has fallen asleep! 

Best moment of the week? hearing her heartbeat is always the best!!

23 weeks!

Hello All!

I have been waiting to blog until this second ultrasound for get confirmation that she is definitely a girl since we got conflicting information a few weeks ago! We had a second ultrasound so we could see her lips, spine, and brain since we were unable to see those things last time. Everything, from what the ultrasound tech said, looks good! We can't express enough how much we don't care boy or girl we just want a healthy and happy baby! We were also waiting to say her name (or at least I was) until I knew for sure it was a girl. I didn't really have any other reason to keep calling her Baby A! We are thrilled and good thing we are still team pink because we have started on her nursery and made very good progress!

We found the two small end tables at the yard sales on Ft. Bliss two weeks ago. Tyler refinished and painted them. They look great! He did such a good job. I wish I could find more furniture for him to refinish :) We have the Pottery Barn bedding, but I have taken out the bumpers, for now. And, the wall art? It's from Hobby Lobby for a few bucks! So happy with them! I think this side of the room is finished.. for now. 

Molly Bess Anderson is her name and this is her changing table and we found the white letters and again my crafty husband spray painted them pink and hung them on the wall- so happy with how it turned out. We weren't making her nursery super homey and a lot of the stuff will not return to Columbia with us so we didn't want to get too attached. 

The no sew (that's my kind of language) window valance idea I got from my sweet friend (who is expecting twins this summer!). It cost us all of $7! And, while I intended to do the whole thing... I forgot how much I lack patience and crafti-ness. Tyler ended up doing most of it... again... greatest Dad/Husband ever! 

Other than the nursery and finding out Molly is doing just fine, we are preparing for a long (and hot) summer! In two weeks I will be on my way to Columbia for my baby shower and to visit with family. I am super excited, but also sad to leave Tyler and Riley. Riley and I spend most days together while Tyler is at work so, we have pretty much become best friends.....

I am always taking her picture because I just think she does the cutest things (even though I am sure it's normal dog behavior). So, when Molly gets here you can prepare yourself for picture overload!!!

We have also decided to visit Columbia in June when Tyler takes block leave and right now we are being too cheap to buy plane tickets because they are just so expensive. We don't mind the road trip at all, anymore, but I will be 29 weeks going and 30 weeks coming back. My doctor said I was all good and we will just have to stop every few hours so I can get out and stretch my legs. Which, is nothing new to us since we do have a dog (another reason I don't want to fly--I would HATE to  board Riley here without anyone we know living here), So, I think Tyler has made a plan to make sure I am comfortable in the front seat and we will make our way to Columbia. This is to see family and make a trip to Charleston. We won't have a lot of time and Charleston will be our 'babymoon.' So, we may not get to see anyone but family while we are home! We will be back at Christmas though with a new addition :) 

That's it for now... Riley and I need to take our walk before it gets to hot for her (and me). 

How far along? 23 weeks 3 days

Size of Baby A? Pomegranate; 11.4 inches; weighing 1 lb.  

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans. that's it. i still can wear pre pregnancy tops and all regular dresses that i have bought a size larger or already owned. 

Weight Gain? 8.4 lbs- my weight fluctuates between a pound or so. 

Gender? all pink... Molly Bess Anderson!

Sleep? this past weekend i had some trouble sleeping because she moved ALL night long and I had to pee ALL night long. i barely slept and worked all weekend. but the last two nights i have been knocked out and slept 11pm-9am. Oops! 

Movement? not strong kicks but definitely movement. enough to keep me up. she is active at night and in the morning. hope that changes!

Cravings? nothing in particular except raisin bread for breakfast with some butter! 

What I miss? columbia. nothing really to do with pregnancy. i am enjoying it :)---> Same!! 

Symptoms? constant need to pee at night. congestion. thats about it. 

Best moment of the week? seeing sweet Molly on the big screen this week (last time their tv wasn't working :( ) 

21 weeks!

Hello All,

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! It wasn't that I have been busy in fact just the opposite, but I haven't really had anything exciting to write about!

I went in about a week and a half ago to the doctor because I was having some pains in the upper part of my stomach. Turns out everything is okay, but it was just heartburn. How embarrassing, but I have never felt heartburn that low. Usually I feel it higher in my chest! But, she did an ultrasound to check everything out and she said looks like a girl. So, hopefully no more surprises! I do get another one in two weeks because baby girl wouldn't show her lips or spine in her last one.

We sure hope girl because we went  I went to the Carter's outlet {Tyler was getting our watches fixed} and got a few girly things! I was so excited....

Next up... Her bedding arrived from Pottery Barn that my Mom and Grandmother ordered. When Riley and I returned from our walk, which might I add we do very often AND Riley has lost 14 lbs in the last year!! Woohoo!

There is still a lot of work to do to her nursery and I need to get the bed skirt just right because it's a little long. But, overall I am so excited about the first pieces of her nursery. 

How far along? 21 weeks 2 days

Size of Baby A? Carrot, 10.5in, 10.5oz 

Maternity Clothes? really just maternity jeans and a few maternity tops to wear with my leggings. other than that i have a ton of cotton dresses that work!

Weight Gain? 6.8 lbs

Gender? GIRL!

Sleep? not as sleepy during the day anymore, but sleeping just fine!

Movement? flutters all the time and i think i felt a kick last night-- it was a weird feeling so i'll be looking out for it again!

Cravings? nothing in particular. sweets again. yikes!

What I miss? columbia. nothing really to do with pregnancy. i am enjoying it :)

Symptoms? headaches, headaches, headaches

Best moment of the week? the crib bedding coming!!

Jon-Jon's or Smocked Dresses?

We are smocked dresses all the way! But, last week we were Jon-Jon's and all blue. Of course, we didn't care what sex the baby was we just wanted him or her healthy. I had originally went to the high risk doctor (who I do not have to see anymore because me and baby were doing just fine!) and he does a 3D ultrasound at every visit. He was the one who changed my due date so, it's all very confusing. My due date is somewhere between August 24th and August 28th.

Now, yesterday was our anatomy scan with our doctor. Making sure all the organs and limbs are measuring correctly. Tyler was able to come to this visit since I made it for Thursday afternoon. We were totally expecting for confirmation that it was a boy once she was able to see between the legs. At first, our LO was very active moving and kicking. The ultrasound tech could hardly get a good look at everything. Then LO settled down and went to sleep. She would not turn over or show her face for anything. We needed to look at her spine and lips, but she was having none of it. I even rolled over on each side! But, everything was measuring healthy and she has a good heartbeat so, we are incredibly happy. Now, she said she was trying to get a shot between the legs and asked if we wanted to know the gender. I told her that my high risk already told me it was a boy- I should have prefaced that with he took his best GUESS and said boy. He did tell me it was only a guess and was unable to get any good shots of anything at that appointment. She said no, I see girl. And showed me 3 little lines. She kept looking for the boy part or what he could have thought was a boy part, but nothing. I think she thought we were upset, but we were just shocked because I was so sure we were all blue. Tyler then asked her what percentage she would put on the fact that it was a girl (which, I was supposed to do last week at the high risk appointment- but didn't- oops) and the tech said 70% and she never gives 100% until the baby is born. After that visit, I was still kind of in shock and frustrated because I just wanted to know if it was a boy or girl. To me, 70% still isn't good enough, but she couldn't find anything and she kept looking. When I got home, I called a 3d ultrasound place to get confirmation and they could get us in as early as Saturday. As I was talking to the lady I told her I have had a 3d done and right now at 18 weeks you don't get much out of it. I told her I just wanted to see the gender and she said definitely do a 2d because it's easier to see the gender. 3D machines sometimes show shadows and are hard to tell. She said he could have seen the umbilical cord at a strange angle because he did show me what he 'thought' were the goods! For now, we are happy she is healthy and we are going to go with girl. Tyler had a better view of the ultrasound and he said he saw no sign of boy. Either way we are still so excited and I can't wait to start decorating with pink and bows! We are going with girl for now and we may go get an elective ultrasound just for confirmation. Or maybe, I'll just keep all of my receipts. I will say, I will be so embarrassed if I have to announce again that we are wrong. I am just too excited, too impatient, and that got me in trouble this time! Oops. Did I mention we registered last weekend? We registered all boy? Yeah, that happened and then last night I spend about two hours switching it all around!

Other than that, which is enough. I've been feeling fine for the most part. I am feeling flutters a lot more often and I am pretty positive I felt a kick last night when I woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep. Which has been happening a lot. I will wake up and not be able to get back to sleep for a while. I am not really sleeping uncomfortably or anything. Using two pillows has been working out well, so far. Riley sleeps right behind me and I can't tell if it's comfortable having her there or not, but I never have the heart to tell her to move. I have noticed an increase in appetite. I will still have ligament stretching pain and a few cramps, but nothing too severe. My biggest complaint right now is congestion. I wake up with a stuffy nose every morning! My skin has also broken out and is a lot dryer than normal. But, the dry part could be just because I live in hELl Paso  El Paso.

Tyler will now be outnumbered! Riley, me, and baby girl! (We have a name, but I really haven't discussed with Tyler if we are announcing it online?). I don't see why not, but I'll get back to you on that!

How far along? 18 weeks 2 days

Size of Baby A? Mango, 6in, .5lbs) the tech told us how much she weighed- i forgot.. bad mom already! 

Maternity Clothes? still just maternity jeans and it's warm enough to wear my dresses! they are not maternity. i can still wear my pre-pregnancy dresses. 

Weight Gain? i only weigh once a week unless i go to the doctor and it fluctuates,but i am up 4.2lbs

Gender? GIRL!

Sleep? get it but it's not consistent. 3am-4am wake up every night (i do go back to sleep though-duh)

Movement? flutters all the time and i think i felt a kick last night!

Cravings? subway sandwiches in particular meatball subs and ice cream, but i settle for fro-yo. i don't eat the sub and fro-yo together;)

What I miss? columbia. nothing really to do with pregnancy. i am enjoying it :)

Symptoms? backaches, acne, nasal congestion

Best moment of the week? seeing our little girl together. i was so happy Tyler came! 

Pink or Blue?

Hello!

I wasn't sure if I was going to blog this week because I hadn't really had any new updates and I don't go to the doctors until Monday and Tuesday. 

But, I decided to anyway! Lately the biggest thing on me and Tyler's mind is if we are going to have a boy or a girl! We can hardly stand it!! And recently, I have multiple dreams about the issue. HA! I have had two dreams that I actually had a girl and one where the ultrasound showed girl. On the other hand, I had a two dreams about the ultrasound showing boy and the most recent was actually having a boy. So, those are NO help! Fingers crossed at either one or both appointments we will be able to find out what Baby A will be! 

Lately, I have had these massive headaches and I try my hardest to wait them out without any Tylenol. If I have to go to work or coach I break down and will take two regular strength. Also, when I stand for long periods of time (like at work) my back kills me. Not really my lower back, but in the middle? Haha. I am sure that's not the medical term, but it's crazy. I am sure with all my complaining my husband thinks I am a baby, but then again he's not the one carrying around another human being... right? :) Sleeping is still my number one hobby, but it's constantly interrupted with frequent bathroom trips. My weight is still the same. I plan to ask my doctor about my lack of weight gain. Although, my weight isn't going up much my pants have become a little tighter. I CAN button them, but it's just plain uncomfortable. So, I have broke down and started wearing the maternity jeans. I do have one pair of jeans that the belly band works well with. I did try on my shorts because the weather here is so nice and they buttoned, but I will probably have to use the belly band with those too! Other than that.. I have no plans to buy anymore maternity clothes unless necessary. My wonderful husband let me buy a few dresses from the outlets and my Mom has sent me some. So, I think I am set! 

Other than that, everything is fine and I have no complaints. I have felt a few 'flutters' and I am pretty sure I can tell the difference between that and other things like being hungry! Most of the time it's at night laying in bed right before I fall asleep. 

Anyway, hopefully next time y'all hear from me... we will know if we are team pink or blue!!!! 

How far along? 16 weeks and 1 day

Size of Baby A? 5 in 5oz. the size of a turnip

Maternity Clothes? jeans. 

Weight Gain? ehhh... up about 1lb from starting weight (which, for me, is okay)

Gender? we will know very soon!!

Sleep? love it and get enough of it!

Movement? a few flutters at night before i fall asleep!

Cravings? not really. i would love a sub station 2 sub or grouchos sandwich though! 

What I miss? columbia. nothing really to do with pregnancy. i am enjoying it :)

Symptoms? headaches and backache. ahhh!

Best moment of the week? feeling the flutters!