It's My Birthday Today.

I hope it's not weird or annoying that I am doing a birthday post. ha.  It isn't to amass a ton of Happy Birthday wishes although that does make me smile.  I basically want to reflect.  My 31st year of life was a typical year in life.  You know, the roller coaster metaphor?  Full of ups and downs.  You know what I have learned, though?  The downs have a purpose.  Things that we think are just horrible rotten things to go through, they actually help us to grow into stronger more capable people.  At least that's how I see it.  Here are some highlights from my 31st year...

1.  Realizing I have some really terrific friends in my life.  This includes my husband, and my siblings... who most would consider to be default friends, but I know lots of people who hate their husband's and their siblings... not the case for me :).  These friends are the people that I know I can turn to about anything and people that I am glad to be there for when they need me.  I have appreciated so much the advice given, the support shown, the grace when I mess up, the love in spite of it all.  Genuinely great people.  Hopefully my 32nd year will bring many more trips to Bambu, Red Velvet, Orange Leaf, and the Bistro.

2.  Letting go of people who aren't good for me and me not good for them.  I won't elaborate much on this one.  I am only listing it because it was a big piece of my 31st year.

3.  Spending a lot of time with my brother and seeing him fall in love.  Hopefully that doesn't embarrass him.  I am just happy to see him happy.

4.  Roller skating.  I really can't tell you how much I love to roller skate.  I got to do quite a bit of it during my 31st year and it really added some fun to it.  Sometimes activities are viewed as only for kids, well, I'm here to tell you that adults need to do fun things too.

5.  Conflicted about this one.  Finding out I am pregnant, that was a huge shock for me.  While I wasn't too thrilled at first, it is becoming something that I am very determined to see to the end.  I am trying my hardest to keep myself healthy so that this pregnancy has the best chance of thriving.

During my 31st year I read some amazing books... The Hunger Games series... The Name of the Wind... and The Stand.  Hoping my 32nd year brings many more amazing reads.

My 31st year saw Bren and Lindsey get another year older... My kids are my entire heart.  I love them so much.  Life without them in it wouldn't be life anymore.

Lastly I made so many great blogger friends.  I would name them all, I just don't want to leave anyone out!  I am thankful for all of you and so excited to keep in touch through this crazy blogging world.

My 31st year had so much more to it than all of this, but these things stick out to me.  Have a great Wednesday everyone... Tonight I am going to eat dinner with all of my closest friends and not think once about the fact that I am another year older.  Thanks for being along for the adventure during my 31st year I hope that year 32 is a great one!  Main thing to look forward to is bringing a new kidlett into the world.  That ought to be great fun ;) ha.  Catch ya on the flippity flip.

16 Weeks

Main symptom I have right now is grumpiness.  It takes very little to set me off and the hubs thinks it's fun for all of 5 seconds to press my buttons.

I am of the opinion that I am going to take down my 14 week belly pic or put up a disclaimer.  If you look at it, you will notice that I am standing at an angle so it isn't giving an accurate portrayal of how my belly really looked at 14 weeks.  It's bumming me out because I will take a new picture and while there is a noticeable difference between week 15 and week 16 week 14's belly looks bigger than all three which was making me stress then I noticed I am kinda standing at an angle.  So.  I really am messing up these pictures.
Here is week 16... I'll get this right soon.

I'm getting really eager to go to the Dr. again because my anxieties about the baby being ok and thriving are getting worse.  I am doing everything I should, but since it's so early and I am just now approaching the time where the baby's movements are noticeable I am freaking out.  I want to know that it's the baby I'm feeling when I get odd sensations in my belly.

Other than that I am doing well.  Just irritable. ha.  Cravings are the same.  Dairy, Mangoes, and sweet stuff.  Oh and carbs.  I usually always want carbs.  Unfortunately.

I am still taking my walks everyday.  Allergies are starting to calm down, now it's battling the heat.  Not a big deal.  I either take my walk in the morning or an hour before sunset, so I am good.  I sometimes snap some instagrams while taking my walk... I am so blessed to have such a beautiful nature trail practically in my backyard.  It is LITERALLY saving my butt...

Other than that not much to tell.  Next Dr. appointment is June 22, so instead of doing my weekly update on Tuesday like normal I will post on wednesday so I can give you an update.  After this next appointment it will be time for my ultrasound... very nervous and excited.

Hope everyone has an awesome Tuesday!

My Summertime Twist and Week 15

My hair is getting longer, which means I tend to get frustrated with it and chop it because I have no clue how to style long hair cute at all.  I usually just straighten it and there, I'm done.  I always get jealous of the cute hairstyles I see on long hair and it's usually what motivates me to grow my hair long in the first place, but once I get there, I don't know what to do.  Well.  Thank goodness for this post on A Beautiful Mess: How to Style a Summertime Twist.  Here is my attempt...

I am taking my walks everyday.  Not letting hot temps or allergies stop me.  I have been drinking primarily water with the occasional glass of milk.  I refuse to weigh myself in between Dr. visits... so you will have to be in suspense about that until June 22.  I haven't been eating too poorly.  I did make chocolate chip cookies last night, but I only ate 1 1/2.

Cravings are primarily dairy.  Milk and sour cream.  I also crave fruit.  Mangoes and apples.  I also had a craving for fish... and I normally do not like fish.  I know that I am getting the Omega 3 from my prenatle vitamins, so I don't think it's that I am deficient on that.  I think I am craving the tartar sauce on the fish more than I am the fish itself.

So.  Here is a week 15 picture. Not much change, but still.  Gotta photo document.  I didn't do this with Lindsey or Brendan and I regretted it.

I think I have felt the baby move, but it's so light, that I don't want to say for sure. I felt Lindsey and Bren both at about 16 weeks. They say that women that have had previous pregnancies will tend to feel baby move a lot sooner. Who knows really? ha. Not me.

I'm feeling REALLY chubby.  I know my walks are doing me good, but this stage in pregnancy just sucks.  The belly is just starting to take shape and it's pushing everything out and up including fat and organs so my waist is just THICK.  I'm not complaining... just saying.

Well.  5 more weeks I will know what I am having.  BOY OR GIRL.  Make your guess.  What do you think I am having?

customer survey

P.S. Happy Birthday to one of my awesome friends LIZ from Liz Lemon blog.

14 Weeks! Welcome to the 2nd Trimester

Now.  Some people say the 2nd Trimester begins at 13 weeks... but you will find that most pregnancy books and sites will tell you that your last week of your 1st trimester is week 13 and your actual first week of your 2nd trimester is week 14.  WHATEVER you go by... I'm going by week 14... and I'm here.  I have arrived!  If you remember, I told you in an earlier post that at the end of this month I could possibly have a belly pic for you.  Well.  Here is my first belly pic.  Now.  Mind you... it's nothing major.  My baby is still the size of a lemon so he or she isn't going to be taking up much space.  But.  Here you go.  My 14 week belly.  DISCLAIMER:   I didn't realize I was standing at a slight angle in this picture, I think it is making my belly appear larger than it actually is.

To me it just looks like I ate way too many salt and vinegar chips... but it's getting there.  By week 18 the belly should be taking shape nicely. ha.

Ok.  I am feeling so much better.  The 2nd trimester has proven faithful.  In my previous pregnancies, it marked the banishment of most of my morning sickness... and it didn't fail me this time.  I haven't felt nauseous since a couple days ago.  My energy level has gone up! Thank the Lord!  I have been doing so much lately!  Today I was on my feet nearly all day.  Cleaning the kitchen up, Going out to lunch with my good friend and neighbor Tiffany, shopping for summer clothes for the kids, then for my long walk that I try to take daily.  I have been busy!  I hope my energy level stays because I need to keep up with the housework!

Other than that, not much else to update you on.  Everything is going fine.  Ready for the summer with my kids.  Lindsey had her last day of school on Thursday of last week so I plan on doing lots of playing outside with them this summer.  Even though allergies are kicking my butt.  Can't let that stop me!

Looking forward to this summer!

Week 13

I am in the last week of my 1st Trimester.  So happy.  Week 14 marks the beginning of the golden months of pregnancy.  I am looking forward to it.  I really hope that some of my symptoms go away.

Right now I am dealing with the nightly nausea... heartburn... and a horrible taste in my mouth that makes it nearly impossible for me to drink water.  I am on the hunt for drinks with a flavor but not so high on the calories. Lately I have been sucking down juice and decaf sweet tea... while they don't help the bad taste in my mouth to go away, at least it doesn't taste like I am drinking the bad taste, like it does when I just drink straight water.  This is a new symptom to me.  I didn't get this symptom during my other pregnancies.

So.  I have my doctor's visit today at 3:20.  I am typing most of this out before the visit so that all I have to do is enter in my Dr. visit details when I get home and post it.  I am supposed to hear the heartbeat today. I am a little nervous.  Hoping and praying that the heartbeat is there.  I appreciate so much Christa, from Sugarfoot Speaks, who has been really helpful, supportive, and caring.  It really meant a lot to me that you remembered that my big appointment was today and that you have been praying for me!

And with that... I will tell you that I got to hear the heartbeat!  It was good and strong and fast!  I was so happy! Also, I was happy with my weight.  I haven't been able to drink water so I thought for sure my weight gain would send me into the 140's, but I was pleasantly surprised to weigh in a 138.8 lbs.  Starting out at 135... that weight gain isn't bad at all!  Very happy.  Next appointment is much the same... just check my blood pressure, check my weight, my growth (uterus wise), listen to the heartbeat, and then see if I have any concerns.

After that it's the ULTRASOUND!  So... be looking forward to week 20 peeps. :)  I know I am.

Week 11 &12

I'm starting week 12. Woo hoo. Getting closer and closer to that magical 2nd Trimester. Week 14 I'm breaking out the non-alcoholic booze. (oxymoron).

So far, my symptoms are really subsiding, I hope this doesn't make any of you severe morning sickness sufferers mad at me, ha.  With Bren and Lindsey my nausea was really strong.  I only ever upchucked once with both of them, but my nausea and food adversions were so strong and annoying.  This time around good smells are overwhelmingly good... Bad smells aren't getting to me as much.  My nausea hasn't been too terrible.  It gets me at night if I have eaten a big meal a few hours before laying down.

Really I would take some stronger sickness because now I'm sitting here worried if everything is ok. I haven't had a chance to listen to the heartbeat yet, so I am just taking my mild nausea and growing stomach as a sign that that things are progressing ok. That and the fact that Aunt Flo has kept her distance.

Some annoying symptoms... Acne. I have been plagued with bad skin throughout this pregnancy so far. See...

EWE! Gross right?  Yeah.  My skin NEVER breaks out like this.  This is me no make-up OBVIOUSLY. ha.
Well.  I have been so frustrated with it that I decided to get actual FACE STUFF.  I went and got some cleanser (I usually just cleaned my face with soap because my skin wasn't picky) and then I got some neutagena sensitive skin moisturizer.  I also got some new make-up.  Nothing fancy, just some Cover Girl, Maybelline and Revlon stuff.  However, it takes me from the above to this...

much more visually appealing, if you ask me.  A really good buy.  :)

Cravings... SOUR CREAM... I love sour cream right now.  I can eat bites of it.  It's so yummy, but I prefer to dip food in it.  I have been making these quesadilla's of sorts.  Corn tortillas with a slice of sharp cheddar salted.  Then a big dollop of sour cream to dip the slices in.

Really, I have been wanting just about any dairy products... except for ice cream.  Not a big fan... but Frozen Yogurt?  That is a different story.  Milk, cheese, cottage cheese (which I normally hate), cream cheese, sour cream... list goes on.  Dairy is it!

I get to hear the heart beat next Wednesday and I am so excited.  So rather than blog on my usual Tuesday, I am going to blog on Wednesday after my appointment.  I am hoping beyond hopes that I come back with a good report and that a heart beat was heard.  Even though I am experiencing pregnancy symptoms doesn't mean that everything is a o k.  A body can miss a miscarriage and still produce the pregnancy hormones which bring on the symptoms of pregnancy.  Why can I talk about this so nonchalantly?  Well, because I am a realist and this is just a way things COULD go.  However, I am hoping hoping hoping that Wednesday will be the day that I hear the baby's heartbeat and it will become that much more real to me.  As unplanned as this pregnancy was, experiencing a loss is so difficult.  I had a miscarriage in my 6th week of pregnancy in between Lindsey and Brendan, and it was a very emotionally taxing time.  I am preparing myself for the best and worst.

So much about pregnancy is uncertain.  The whole time you are one big ball of worry.  Then once you have the baby and it is healthy and crying in your arms its a whole new level of worry.  It just doesn't stop.  It slows down but doesn't stop.

10 Weeks!

We are in week 10. Let me tell you things are strange. This pregnancy is so unlike my others. I am usually nauseous all day long, but with this one, it hits at about 6:30pm and lasts until sometime while I'm sleeping at night. It's really weird. I have food adversions, but they aren't strong. I really don't love Mexican food right now. I think I could eat a burrito from some place like Qdoba, but authentic Mexican food is out. I am craving lots of sweet starchy high carb things like donuts and french toast and Panera Bagels (I don't give into these cravings everyday or I would be a big fat fatty, but I am going to have a French Toast Casserole for dinner on Thursday night. I am also craving fruity things. This leads me to believe that I may be pregnant with a baby girl, because even though the adversions and cravings aren't as strong they very much resemble my pregnancy with Lindsey. With Bren I wanted a lot of salty things like hot dogs, chips, mexican food etc. :) Having a girl would be ok with me. Lindsey was my easiest baby. Bren has been my terror, I mean, I love him, he's my cuddle bug, but he tears my living space apart! I don't know that I could handle 2 boys. If I must I must, though.

Heartburn is kicking in. I had heartburn though out both of my previous pregnancies. I could drink water and get heartburn, it was insane. NOT looking forward to that part of pregnancy. Heartburn was a lot less with Bren but I got it. The old wives tale about heartburn meaning a baby with lots of hair... I think it is true. Lindsey, I had VISCIOUS heartburn and she had a full head of dark brown hair... Bren, I had heartburn, but not as bad. He was born with just a bit of golden blonde hair. I still have a while to see how viscious this heartburn is going to get.

Anyway. I think by the looks of things now, I should be able to post some "bump" pictures by the end of this month. Also by the end of this month I hope to hear the heartbeat. May 25. Fingers crossed and prayers being said.

That is about all the pregnancy info that I have for you.

Enjoy your week.