PUMPKIN BUMP | WEEK 19

Officially 19 weeks holy cow! I can’t describe how wonderful it feels to announce our pregnancy and to hear everyone’s kind and thoughtful words of congratulations. I’m sure it was quite the surprise for many because only a handful of people knew!

My belly appears to be growing a little each day! At the beginning of the week there wasn't much bump and now it has officially popped I believe! Here’s a little update of my 19 weeks so far.

HOW FAR ALONG// 19 weeks. I can almost say I’m already 5 months along… right?

GENDER// A girl! I hope the ultrasound tech is right because I am the suckiest person at returning things. 

BABY SIZE//  As big as a mango, wow! During my doctor’s appointment they said baby is measuring exactly where they need to be at 19 weeks and is about 6 inches and 8.5 ounces, almost a pound!

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN// 5 pounds at last weeks doctors appointment. I’m good with dat.

MATERNITY CLOTHES// None yet! Luckily all of my beloved pairs of AE jeans are super stretchy and I did just buy a new pair of black jeggings at Target that fit very comfortably that I’ll be able to wear after. ALSO - these pants at Target. If you’re pregnant, get some. If you’re not pregnant, get some. They have a built in band, yet they’re not maternity? So freaking comfy and loungy. Target rules. 

STRETCH MARKS// Nope — still lathering up on that cocoa butter! 

SLEEP// Uhhh friggen HORRIBLE. I now know what it feels like to go numb in my legs and hips. Tossing and turning occurs a lot throughout the night and I just don’t do body pillows. Sucksalot. 

BEST MOMENTS THIS WEEK// Announcing to the world! aka - Facebook & Insta. 

MISS ANYTHING// I think my feet are growing. Can they shrink instead? I think all of my shoes are starting to not fit. 

MOVEMENT// You know… I feel weird nudges while I’m laying down at night or after I’ve eaten. Whenever I notice it I stop and stare and then nothing happens haha.

FOOD CRAVINGS// Little baby oranges. Those tangelos, or cuties, or halos or whatever the hell you call them. They is gud and I eat too many at a time. 

ANYTHING MAKING YOU FEEL NAUSEOUS// This babe has been SO good to me that I’ve felt great more than anything.

SYMPTOMS// Very tired, especially now that I’m back at work for the season and my sleepless nights are in full effect. 

BELLY BUTTON IN OR OUT// Still in, but let me tell you - my belly is fuzzzzzzyyyyy. I have developed a very pronounced ‘happy trail’. It’s not the infamous linea nigra either, it’s straight up hair. 

HAPPY OR MOODY// Very happy, so happy I just may start to sprout a glow here soon! I hope!

LOOKING FORWARD TO// Hmmm summer so I can sport dresses, flip flops, and a bikini. 

I'm just so damn happy!

 

GENDER REVEAL | WE'RE HAVING A...

We found out the gender of our pumpkin today! I've been waiting for Wednesday, April 9th for weeks now and here it is... We are having a baby GIRL! How shocking! This whole time we thought it was a boy... we even had a name! Now it's time to start thinking of some little lady names. We have a squirmer in there and it wasn't exactly easy for the ultrasound tech to be 100% sure, but he said he was 'sure' hah. What a wonderful surprise :)

MEMORY BOOK | WEEK 16

Digging out my baby pictures and drooling over Max's sweet baby face has really got me motivated to start a memory book for our baby. My best friend has two of the most precious girls in my heart and she created a memory book for both of them. It was so neat getting to look back on her experiences of what it was like to have each of them in her tummy and I can't even imagine how they will feel to read it when they are older! Ashley really encouraged me to get a memory book of my own.

I was so anxious to get started that I created ANOTHER free trial of Amazon Prime. I'm basically a rockstar or a fraud but when it comes to getting good deals and freebies online, I will travel at any length. I think this is my third go with prime but only because I got issued a new debit card with a new number due to bank security. Hah! So I will gladly take that free two day shipping.

If you can't tell, I'm really diggin' the woodland theme. I can't get enough of foxes. It's cute without being too overwhelmingly cutesy. This book definitely falls more towards the boy gender with the blues, greens, and greys but I adore it. 

The brand is Carters and it goes up all the way to year 5. It's binded so you can't add or take pages out but it's very well organized and put together. I'm happy that it came with a box and also a separate plastic film to store it in that way it will last forever!

This is one of the first things that I have bought for baby - minus a little tee I got at Target on sale like 6 months ago before I even knew I was going to soon be pregnant -- but it had friggin' planets and an astronaut on it! I can't wait to fill it out and put their pictures, little baby prints, and other memorabilia in it...

OLD WIVES TALES

That special moment when you’re closer to finding out more about your baby is almost here! Of course, finding out that your baby is growing their little heart away and continuing to become healthy is very much important too.

Since becoming pregnant, and even before, I’ve always wanted a BOY! Max is very much in agreement. We both just have ‘that feeling’ that its a little guy and I really hope its true. I’m very gender neutral to begin with, especially when it comes to colors and themes, however; I am not fond of the color pink, hellll nah! Don’t get me wrong though, if this pumpkin turns out to be a princess I can’t wait to dress her up in kitties and cupcakes! My dad mentioned blacks, red, and skulls and I am totally down for that too!!! Finding out the gender brings so much MORE joy and excitement to the table and we just can’t freaking wait!

I thought it would be fun to share some of my symptoms compared to old wives tales below.

Majority certainly points to a boy! There’s only one point for the girl {heart rate at 154} and our doctor immediately said you just cannot base gender on that because the heartbeat always changes! These guesses are obviously for fun but wouldn’t it be crazy if we ended up having a girl?! May the odds be ever in our favor… :) Keep your eyes out around April 9th! 

PUMPKIN BUMP | WEEK 14

We made it to the second trimester! Max and I went in for my second appointment this last Friday and got to hear the heartbeat and we learned the babe's heart rate was perfectly beating at 154bpm. I'm currently fighting off a cold and it's an odd thing to deal with when I can only drink water and blow my nose to make it go away. Since I'm not up for much of a photo shoot here is a little pregnancy along the way update. 

HOW FAR ALONG// 14 weeks and 1 day. It's crazy to calculate that I've been pregnant for about 3 and a half months! 

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN// I have gained about 3 pounds so far. For the longest time my weight stayed the same and its just now starting to fluctuate along with my growing belly. 

MATERNITY CLOTHES// I used to deeeeeply roll my eyes at the thought of wearing maternity clothes. Just, no. But now -- it doesn't sound like such a bad idea…  my jeans are tight in the button so I'm starting to use the hair tie trick. Last Christmas my brother got me a really cool pair of maroon cords -- but they had a built in band. Graham! How could you not know you bought me maternity pants?! I honestly kept them for when the time came when I needed to wear them and I am going to bust them out soon. I also made some savvy purchases online at Old Navy for some comfy skirts, dresses, and tees. Can't wait to wear them! 

STRETCH MARKS// None yet! On my belly anyway. I'm very tall and back in the day when I had a growth spurt I gained quite a bit of stretch marks in my thighs and even my knee caps but they're pretty light in color and I've learned to live with them. 

SLEEP// I'm tired often but that doesn't exactly allow me to sleep. I usually stay up past 11:30am most nights and can sleep in until about 9am. With this cold though I am losing a lot of quality good-feeling sleep but I am getting my rest on. Also, this friggen time change has got me out of WHACK.

BEST MOMENTS THIS WEEK// Being able to go to the doctors with Max and listen to the heartbeat.

MISS ANYTHING// I miss being able to take ibuprofen when my head is pounding!

MOVEMENT// It's a little too early for me to actually feel movement but I am positive this Pumpkin is bouncing away in there!

FOOD CRAVINGS// How about you just give me all the foods, mmk? Pickles, green apples, frozen raspberries, peppers dipped in ranch, and bagels are motivation to keep me going through the day. 

ANYTHING MAKING YOU FEEL NAUSEOUS// Hmm I've noticed some perfumes are a little too strong for me but it doesn't make me feel sick.

GENDER// We will find out April 9! 

SYMPTOMS// Tired. Maybe a little more moody than usual.

BELLY BUTTON IN OR OUT// There's very much a deep hole in my belly still.

HAPPY OR MOODY// Like I said, moody but I'm just unable to breath out of my nose, I'm surrounded by many snotty tissues, I can't taste any of the delicious foods I want, and I need to get rid of this headache.

LOOKING FORWARD TO// Definitely finding out if this Pumpkin is a boy! Or girl… Just healthy :) 

OH PUMPKIN | FIRST TRIMESTER FAVORITES

I have arrived near the finish line of my first trimester! It was undeniably smooth, fast, but also hesitant. Because I found out so early and didn't get to meet my doctor for almost two months afterward I certainly felt lost and uncertain. This first trimester was a fairytale. Almost sort of make-believe. I was extremely blessed to not experience any of the deathly ill and horrible sickness that could have taken over most of my days. I was treated with inspiration, hope, and even motivation! As the weeks have gone by I've truly started to realize that this is for real and it is so amazing and wonderful. Telling our loved ones and opening about conversations of our soon to be little one makes everything so fun and we are very eager to meet them! I got all of the lucks with my first trimester! Here are some essentials that have become favorites of mine within these last few months to make pregnancy for me that much more special. Enjoy!

1// Nutribullet - I can truly say I feel like I'm getting some of the most healthiest nutrition I can (especially during pregnancy) with this handy machine. Odd as it may seem,  in the beginning I was craving salads like crazy but eating a salad still doesn't add up to how many fruits and veggies I throw in here on a daily basis. Kale, baby spinach, carrots, avocado, banana, pineapple, mango, and strawberries with some water is my go to magic smoothie! 

2// Infinity Scarf - During these winter months of my first trimester I have been so damn cold! Fafafafareeeezin'. We haven't even really had much of a winter until February but a scarf wrapped around my neck really helps keep the heat in, plus it's really cozy too. I wear my dark grey cowl everywhere, I don't even care if it doesn't match. But dark grey pretty much matches with anything so...

3// Fleece Lined Leggings - Speaking of keeping warm and cozy :: these leggings surely do the trick. Leggings are just about the only thing I wear but the fact that I stumbled upon the wonderful invention of a pair of leggings lined with incredibly soft and plush fleece has blown BOTH of my legs away. I bought these at the store but you can actually find them for so cheap on ebay or amazon!

4// Apple Cider and Hot Chocolate - I used to go to bed excited knowing that I would wake up to drink coffee. Strangely, my love and addiction for coffee has subsided. I can barely make it through one cup. Not to mention my Keurig has recently took a big fat poo poo. Weird timing! I love having something warm to drink and especially look forward to sip on something hot while I crochet or do homework. I LOVE apple cider, just the aroma alone is enough to satisfy me. Also, if you haven't tried the Candycane Cocoa PLEASE do. It tastes like there is bits of candy cane in there but it is so smooth and its just the right amount of peppermint. MMM. These both help cure my sweet tooth.

5// Palmers Cocoa Butter - Not gonna lie, I'm a lotion freak! I need it on me at all times. If you've been around me, you know how often I feel the need to apply lotion. It makes me feel good knowing that getting started on stretch mark control early won't be such a task because I actually enjoy doing it! I recently ran out of my favorite huge bottle of Suave Cocoa butter so I decided to give this brand a try. It is much thicker and moisturizing and is directed towards reducing stretch marks. I definitely recommend the pump rather than the tub. So convenient and less messy. It has a very strong scent of chocolate though. I'm not sure if I want to smell like a chocolate bar, I might start to lick myself. Okay, too far. 

6// Sour Candy - Not even ashamed to admit my whacked craving for all things sweet and sour! I will eat these until my tongue bleeds. Max would kill me if he knew I had these stocked in a drawer :/ Well now he probably does… My excuse is the craving! I look forward to Valentine's Day specifically for these Jolly Rancher sour heart chews. They come out every year and its the one time I get to enjoy them so…

7// Bobble Water Bottle - Drinking water is really important and I find that having a water bottle around me at all times really helps me to actually drink it! My best friend got me this and it's neat because it has a built in carbon filter. It doesn't help with my constant need to pee but that's okay. I've also noticed I've gone through a lot of toilet paper since being pregnant! 

8// Chapstick and Lip Scrub - You're looking at the number one Chapstick Nazi right here. The eos lip balms are cute and fun but they don't give me the moisture and hydration as much as the simple tube does. I have one of these everywhere :: in my bedside table drawer, desk drawer, bathroom, coat pocket, purse, car, you get the idea. The cake batter flavor is to die for! SO creamy and yummy. This cheap e.l.f. lip scrub is also really handy for getting rid of chapped lips, especially in the winter. 

9// Freeman Clay Mask - Every girl has got to love pampering herself right? I snagged a HUGE box of Freeman Beauty products for $20 this past October and have been finding myself really enjoying some of these products now! My skin decides to act up whenever it feels like it, especially if I get my grubby fingers on it. I haven't noticed any good or bad changes in my skin since becoming pregnant but I like to indulge in a face mask every so often, especially during a bath. Now this, I could lick the chocolate and strawberry mask off of my face! Samples in a few varieties are available at Walmart. It's so fun to try them out. 

10// Bubble Bath - Awww yeah. Just typing about this makes me want to get in a tub right now. I was certainly weary at first about taking baths. Like, first I have to give up alcohol and now my beloved bath time?! Fortunately, baths taken in moderation with warm (not scorching hot) water are fine. Have you ever gotten a gift set from Bath and Body Works that included shower gel? I never like getting shower gel, it's not like I was actually going to wash my body with it. I have quite a few gels that have piled up and decided to use it as bubble bath one day. Whoa was I missing out. These suds up like crazy and the smell is wonderful! Note the 'Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin'  :) Oh my pumpkin do I love this scent! If you find yourself with some unwanted Bath and Body Work shower gel, try this out in the bath or give them to me!

PUMPKIN BUMP | WEEK 12

How do you even take mirror pictures? I struggled trying to get a picture of myself. I am selfie-illiterate. I bought Tums today. Hello, heartburn! The Winter Olympics are finnaaallly over and my shows are back on this week! Although, the only thing that makes me even come close to barfing is Juan Pablo. The last week of my first trimester is creeping up. Squats aren't my best friend but I know they will be once summer rolls around. Also, I just wanted to let everyone know the Marshmallow Crispy Oreos taste no different than the vanilla ones. Get chu some Cookie Dough Oreos instead! Max makes fun of this because he say's I'm "arching". I guess I'm just ready to visibly see this babe in my belly already.

ZZZZZ | WEEK 11

11 weeks now and I. am. tired. I could sleep my entire day away and not even be ashamed about it. I've never been the type of person to loath Monday's and the week ahead but lately I feel like there's always something I have to do and get done on this day for the last few weeks and it's one of my 'day's off'. Pufftt. I guess I'm just bummin' because Max and I had a great weekend! Valentine's Day couldn't have been better. Max actually got me flowers! The cutest rainbow flowers I've ever seen. TWO bags of sour patch kids o'lorrrrrdd. And a silly kitty cat card. I save all of the cards he gets me, furr'real. We were smart kids and headed over to Texas Roadhouse for an early dinner at around 2pm and it was still busy! We managed to get in right away though and enjoyed some very delicious food. Afterwards, we hung out at home full and happy.

On Saturday, Max's parents took us all out for dinner. We had been debating alllll day when and how we should tell them the news. I wanted to on Valentine's day but they were out of town. That night in the restaurant Max had whispered to me if we should then, and I just got so nervous that I couldn't! I don't know why I was so nervous, but it was mostly just a happy, excited nervous. After we got home from dinner, Max casually took out the ultra sound picture as we were sitting down and asked how they would feel about being grandparents. HAH! They were very surprised, shocked and excited! They had no idea it was coming but couldn't be more happier for us.

On Sunday we met up with our closest friends, Josh and Nichole and their little gal, Harper. After revealing the news to Max's parents, we couldn't wait to tell them also and we were so happy we did! They were so unbelievably pumped and happy because now we can become close again and be parents all togethaaa!
I'm feeling antsy for my dad and his girlfriend Joey to know, so we will share the news with them this week!

Pumpkin is the size of a fig, which reminds me, figs are good and I keep forgetting to get some for my smoothies. I still don't feel pregnant other than this new found exhaustion. With that I am so over school already but really trying to push through this week!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Max and I won't be announcing today, although I couldn't let a cute opportunity pass to create this chalkboard print! I'm still only 10 weeks and we'd really like to wait after 12 weeks, maybe even until my next Doctor visit. Gahhh I HATE keeping this from our family and friends, especially the ones that have little ones of their own, but soon! Today is an excuse for me to get ready, wear a pretty necklace, eat candy, watch netflix :: new season of House of Cards today! :: and give/get hugs & kisses. 

PUMPKIN BUMP | WEEK 10

Week 10 has arrived and reality has kicked in. On my first day of this week the morning of had me feeling crampy and stuffed. I felt like I ate too many donuts and had a massive belly ache and the only thing that could relieve it would be a trip to the bathroom but that wasn't happening. Throughout the day exhaustion crept up like dense fog and I could not get rid of it! There were moments in the day when I was out and about and got that dreaded watery feeling in my mouth. Had I been next to a toilet I probably would have tried to see if I could throw up but I wasn't, and I was glad because throwing up BLOWS. I passed out a little after 7:30pm that evening.

I believe I was given just a little taste of what feeling like you're pregnant actually is like. For a second there I was worried I wasn't going to have any motivation throughout the week to get my homework done and study for a test, let alone go to class to take the test. But for the remainder of the week I honestly felt back to normal. I caught little tiny waves of nausea but nothing crazy.

This is how I look and feel most days :: braless, hair up, makeup off, glasses on, complete with some type of stretchy pant. My belly makes an appearance after I eat but it's mostly just bloat. I'm totally okay with not showing just yet! I also wouldn't mind being a small pregnant lady. If I wanted to, I feel like I could hide this pregnancy for awhile but I'm ready to share the news!

This little pumpkin is the size of a prune and I'm currently craving lots of sweet and sour! I've ate an entire jar of pickles this week and considered sipping some of the juice (they gotta be claussen though.) I've also been enjoying large amounts of mexican and making myself eat loads of yogurt because I'm currently fighting a yeast infection.

P.S. There's really no bump there, I'm just pooching out for fun.
 

MY FIRST ULTRASOUND

There actually is a baby in there, huh? I was so surprised! There is a live, moving, baby in my uterus and I saw it with my own eyes! With much relief, the doctor also pointed out the flicker of the heartbeat. Wow. 

My very first prenatal appointment was on Friday, February 7th 2014. I was happy to invite my momma along (Yes, I still totally refer to my mom as 'momma') and I was so glad she got to experience it with me. This is her first grandchild, and she didn't get to experience this type of excitement and newness with her mother. I did much research beforehand as to what to expect with your first exam and it was just like everything had mentioned. I got asked tons of questions about my health and family history and what not. Things seem to run pretty normal on both sides of mine and Max's family. I got lots of information, a PAP smear :/  and an ultrasound! My EDD matches exactly with what I calculated from my last menstrual period and the baby should arrive on September 7th, 2014. 

Things are moving along right on track. I'm healthy and my doctor assured me it's okay to not feel any symptoms. I couldn't be happier with the office I chose. They are all so calm, warm, informative, funny, and caring. Feeling very grateful and comfortable!

PUMPKIN BUMP | WEEK 6

Currently you see me here standing here at 6 weeks. I have absolutely nothing to show except for some excess belly pooch I should have worked off LAST summer. I like food. I found out I was pregnant at just four weeks. Since then until now it still doesn't feel real. I am literally knocking on wood right now as I type this - I have experienced absolutely zero sickness. I feel great! I can't get over it! Woo! One major symptom I can tell you I've been experiencing is a never ending deep and dark pit of hunger. I will eat anything edible. I've even resorted to not even bothering to pick off fragments of mushrooms off my slice of pizza(s). I'm so hungrrrrrrry. Let's also talk about constipation. I knew this was a thing but I didn't know it would go into full effect right away. With all of the food I've been nomming it's kinda just been hanging out in my colon I guess? Luckily, I picked up an amazing new habit of making green dranks. I've smartly invested (thanks to Max) in a Nutribullet. It's basically a personal blender that pulverizes leafy greens and fiber-y veggies mixed in with some yummy fruit to make a healthy and freaking delicious juice/smoothie/meal. I hope to get more into this dranky phenom later in the blog but it has helped my body wonders. I feel so good AND I'm able to go to the bathroom and I think a lot of it has to do with making one of these every day. 

So far I'm feeling pretty dang good, which is another reason why I feel like this thing is totally not real. Once I visit the doctor for my first initial exam it will start to kick in but that isn't for another month. Until then, I will be taking my prenatals, try to get some sleep and rest, eat healthy and think positively! I've been enjoying some really helpful pregnancy apps that are helping me learn so much along the way. Our 'Pumpkin' is basically the size of a pumpkin seed and will be growing faster than I know. 

POSITIVELY HOPEFUL.

I have always trusted my body ::  known when things were wrong and just right. This feels right. I'm sure my first post may have raised eyebrows as if I didn't want to be pregnant. Puhlease! It's just a huge gulp to swallow but a very new and exciting one. Within these last few years we haven't exactly given a stern thought as to having children. There may have been a whimsical conversation or two in my fairyland mind. In reality, the idea of having a baby with Max has always been extremely wanted and vice versa for him. I could openly tell him that he would make the most handsome babies and I would be overjoyed to have them. We weren't trying to get pregnant and we weren't really not trying either. (I mean when you've been together for almost eight years…) To be completely honest, as months went by and more friends were popping out with exciting belly news, it made me sad that I didn't have news to tell, but at the same time, I was okay with that. 

I could say for us both, we like to be prepared and plan the smart way for every situation. I am completely aware that preparing and planning for children NEVER comes as expected. I guess thats what makes this whole thing so scary. Max and I aren't the least bit prepared! Being the positive person that I am, I am ever so gratefully taking this as a sign that it's meant to be and couldn't be happier to have the man that I do by my side. 

SHIT JUST GOT REAL.

I entered the year 2014 with a literal lump in my stomach. It was a gut feeling. Okay - puns, yes I want to use all of them. On a serious note, my body was changing and I knew it. It was a heavy thought in the back of my brain as I cautiously pretended to sip out of a Coors Lite can for the entire duration of that New Year's eve. I describe the word 'heavy' as this thought was extremely unknown, scary, good, exciting, panicked, and just a butt load of emotions. It was almost as if I didn't want to know, for fear as long as I didn't know, it wouldn't be true. I was expecting my Aunt Flow within a day or two and I guess her flight was delayed? Just for kicks and also reassurance, I went ahead and bought a "preg test", as my boyfriend calmly referred to them as. I had never been more nervous to pee. I peed on that stick real good and without any hesitation an immediate result came through the window. IMMEDIATE. Positive is the term that test revealed to me. Welp.