19 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: 19 weeks
Measurement: right around 19  weeks
Baby Size: According to the Bump, our baby is the size of a mango and weighs approximately 8.5 ounces and is 6 inches long.
Interesting Fact: The baby is working on its five senses. Nerve cells for her sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in the brain.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7.4
Pregnancy Clothes: I am almost in full maternity clothing. I still have a few shirts and overhangs that will fit throughout the pregnancy; but am loving skirts and dresses these days. I love stretchy material that is comfortable. Sadly I haven't been able to really find maternity pants that really fit me. Thank goodness for a few suggestions today. If you have anymore... please feel free to add:)
Tiger Stripes: It's just a matter of time as I know that I may definitely gain some this pregnancy.
Sleep: I am sleeping pretty well. This week our air conditioning was broken which made sleeping pretty uncomfortable. Thank goodness it was fixed on Friday:) I do get up to go to the bathroom between 2-3 times a night. I am half asleep most of the time, so I have gotten countless bruises from walking into the door or wall. It's actually pretty humorous yet painful. I am fully off my tummy which has been difficult. I am still able to sleep on my back as long as I sleep with two pillows under my head. I'm definitely thinking this summer will provide for some better sleeping/napping opportunities.
Movement: I have honestly been feeling little flutters since I turned 16 weeks, but I can definitely feel so much more movement these days. I absolutely love feeling our baby move. Ray is so excited but cannot wait for his turn to feel our sweet baby. This little one is super active. I love all the moving and grooving for sure.
Most Memorable Moment: This week was a week of crazy school days, upsetting homeowner difficulties with our broken a/c unit, and fun friend activities. While it was a whirlwind, I am thankful for all the moments we made this week. It grew us as a couple, it brightened my heart to celebrate new little ones and to see best friends, and it was a reminder of just how many blessings God places in our lives.
Cravings: I crave sweets. SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR!
Gender Predictions: Both Ray and I really feel that our sweet baby is a little boy. We have had lots of comments lately and that seems to be the general consensus. But of course only God knows what our little blessing is and we are so happy for either gender. We are just so in love. Anyway... this Friday, the gender of our sweet baby will be revealed. I am speechless and can't wait!
What I Miss: This week I would have loved a glass of white wine.
What I look forward to: Wednesday, both Ray and I took off work for our 20 week sonogram of our sweet baby. We are praying for a happy and healthy little one and hearing its sweet heartbeat. We will be asking our doctor to write the gender on a card and all will be revealed this upcoming weekend. We are so excited, anxious, thankful, blessed... you name it! We feel it! We are beyond words!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Last week was teacher appreciation week. Boy was it filled with tasty treats and special activities for everyone around the school. It was a perfect way to end our previous two weeks of testing and a great way to begin our countdown for the final days of school. The week included PTA lunches, a first grade birthday lunch, secret goodies, and an early release team building competition. All I have to say is go team FIRSTY! "We are FIRSTy for knowledge" ...thus my fabulous teammate dressed as Einstein. I really enjoyed working as a first grade teacher this year and look forward to continuing my efforts in first grade next year. I'll also be working with some sweet summer school kiddos this summer and will send a few more updates on that as well.

I did want to take a moment to wish all of the teachers a wonderful last few weeks of school! You truly do inspire all those around you and make such a wonderful difference. Here's to 19 more days of school for many of my friends! You can do it!

18 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: 18

Measurement: right around 18 weeks
Baby Size: According to the Bump, our baby is the size of a mango. The baby is about 6 inches long and weighs approximately 8.5 ounces.
Interesting Fact: The baby is working on it's five senses. Nerve cells for the baby's sense of taste, sight, hearing, touch, and smell are developing in the brain.
Heartbeat: ?
Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Total +6.1
Pregnancy Clothes: I love maternity clothing so very much. I can still wear my shirts but do enjoy the longer, stretchier maternity shirts borrowed from friends at this point. Also my one pair of non maternity stretch jeans are starting to feel snug. That will be a sad day when I must retire them.
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy. No current stretch marks. But I have some lotion ready just in case.
Sleep: This week, I am doing pretty well. My early mornings should be attributed to Toby and going to the bathroom between 2-3 times a night which has also lead to many bruises of running into doors, walls, and whatnot being mostly asleep when I do. I can still somewhat lay on my tummy but quickly turn. I am still able to sleep on my back as well. I am getting more stiff and kind of feel like an older lady when I do try to get up at times. It's a pretty funny sight.
Most Memorable Moment: This week was teacher appreciation week. It has been a wonderful week at school, including final days of testing, special teacher lunches, and even a 15 minute massage at school.
Cravings: Sugar and sweets! While I have always loved sugary items, I can definitely say that is all I am wanting these days. I would also include fruit into the craving rotation as well since it does have a good natural sugar as well.
Gender Predictions: I am back to boy. I'm just so excited to have a countdown until we find out the gender.
What I Miss: Pepsi, cherry Coke, sweet tea, and cookie dough.
Emotional Moment: I don't think I was too emotional this week. I did break down and bawl like a baby over several shows this week and any type of Mother's Day commercials.
What I look forward to: I cannot wait to find out the gender, set up the nursery, and get some things checked off of our to do lists. This summer will be a perfect time to get ready for baby!

Picnic at Foxborrow Park!

This afternoon we met several couples from our ABF for a Picnic at Foxborrow Park. Thank you to our good friends the Ogles for setting up an afternoon of pizza and sweet desserts (Kristin the brownies were delicious), a few rounds of bocce ball, and cuddles with the babies.

 

It is so fun to see how this group has multiplied with all of the sweet little faces crawling (almost walking) around. And I do have to say... they have some pretty great parents too:) The attendees included the Ogles, Goodings, Kennedy's, Zoutendams, Hjertsteds, Cooks, Davis', and a visit from the Crumley's and of course us.

 

But we cannot forget about this sweet face, Miss Alice. What a sweet girl and perfectly mannered with the babes. Myla, our only lady of the group (3 more are on the way) enjoyed watching and playing with the sweet boys of our group. Her pink ball was sure a hit with the gents! I love that the kiddos are all around the same age. They will have so much fun as they grow.

The afternoon could not have been more perfect! The weather was fantastic and I actually got a little sun.

The guys enjoyed a few games of bocce ball as well as got some frisbee and football throwing in as well. It was definitely a  fun afternoon with sweet friends. I sure look forward to our next picnic in the park!

Fant Dinner and Birthday Fun!

Saturday night we had an opportunity to get together with our sweet Fant friends for dinner and a belated birthday celebration. It is always so much fun to see these friends as they are just like family to us. Plus I do love getting to love on their 3 little ones and spend time with our friends.

 

For dinner the boys made grilled steak, green beans, rice, and a homemade bean and avacado salsa. It was delicious as always. As I've told them many a time, they are more than welcome to cook for me anytime;) While the boys and this little cutie spent their time at the grill...

 



 

I spent my time cuddling with this little lady, Miss Madelynn, and her twin sister as well as talking baby and catching up with this fabulous mama. Kristin thank you for your wonderful advice and goodies. We sure know our little one is already so loved!!

 



During dinner, Ray was given his birthday gift. Bryson was beyond excited to help participate. As Michael handed over the bag, Bryson yells, "Ray, we got you ties!" Michael's words... "This is why you don't tell a 3 year old what you bought." The whole moment was pretty perfect and priceless. Oh how I love that kid.

After dinner we dinned on dessert pie.

 

From hungry hungry hippo, to baby cuddles, catching up with friends, a delicious dinner, and chatting about all things baby, it was a great Saturday night with our sweet fant Friends.

 

How did you spend your Satuday night? 





17 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: 17 weeks

Measurement: right around 17 weeks
Baby Size: According to the Bump, our baby is the size of an onion and weighs approximately 5.9 ounces and is 5.1 inches long.
Interesting Fact: The baby is turning cartilage into bone and growing some extra fat on its bones. My favorite part is feeling our little one move and groove and knowing our sweet baby can hear and start to recognize our voices.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +4.8
Pregnancy Clothes: I have been absolutely blessed this week and have received several friend's maternity clothes to borrow. This has been wonderful as I am 100% in maternity pants and long skirts these days. I love maternity shirts as they are extra stretchy and longer than my usual ones. I still do wear my shirts from time to time, but oh how I love nice but comfy clothes as my body is sure stretching.
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy. Not that I have noticed at this time. I'm sure they will be on their way. Thank you Kristin for sending me your extra coco butter. I do have a rather silly story about stretch marks this week though. Ray was talking to baby and noticed three small red stripes on my hips. He was like "Wow those are new." I quickly looked and realized that was where Toby had jumped on me to say hello. I told him it was the dog and he said, "yes probably not the best way to say that next time." It was pretty priceless:)
Sleep: This week I am starting to go to the bathroom between 2-3 times a night. I sleep pretty well. I sleep mostly on my side as tummy sleeping has gotten pretty uncomfortable. I do sleep on two pillows to help with elevation of my head.
How I feel: I have felt pretty good this week. I had only one nosebleed on Monday and pretty good energy throughout the week. This past weekend however, I was out. I probably slept a good 12-14 hours on Friday night alone and napped throughout the day on Saturday.
Most Memorable Moment: This week I spent some really great time with friends that are mamas or soon to be mamas this week. It was great to share stories and receive advice.
Cravings: I don't think my cravings are all that weird if you can really call them cravings. Things that I really enjoy eating right now are pie, cheese, and queso which is cheese but should be in its own food group.
Gender Predictions: Ok, I've decided I need your suggestions. Here are the signs and you can send me your guess:)
- Heart beat between 166-155bpm, nausea in first trimester, sugar and sweet cravings, a nurse friend suggested potential boy parts at 10 weeks, dry skin, ok emotional status (may be different if you ask my husband;) What are you gender predictions?!?!
What I Miss: This week I sure missed some raw cookie dough.
Emotional Moment: It was all about broccoli this week. My husband who was seriously only trying to make a deliciously healthy meal, made broccoli as my veggetable side. Sadly for those who know me I hate broccoli as I really am not a fan of the taste or texture. I had a small meltdown to say the least.
What I look forward to: I cannot wait to find out the gender, set up the nursery, and get some things checked off of our to do lists. This summer will be a perfect time to get ready for baby!

I See Stars!

This past Thursday we were invited to a Stars game by our sweet Duke friends. The Stars took on the Coloumbus Blue Jackets at 7:30 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. It was great to catch up with our friends and enjoy a night of sports and excitement. I will say I did feel so much like an adult when we stayed up until 11:00 on a school/work night. Wow that might actually have made me sound ridiculously sad. Oh well. This preggo lady is happy to make it up past 9 these days. Sadly our Stars lost 1-3, but it was definitely full of good times.

 Thank you to Adam and Stephanie for letting us tag along. We had a blast!

Thanks to my handsome and amazing husband who ended up meeting my craving of Sprite and nachos. Baby knows what it wants.