22 Week Bump Pic...

I realize I'm closer to 23 weeks than I am 22.  I think I look bigger in my 20 week picture than I do this one, but I'm guessing its just the angle.  I always have Michael take them but may have to start doing them myself because he refuses to do re-takes if need be.  I met with the Dr. that will be delivering me today (Dr. Gratkins) I usually meet with the nurse practioner, Deb, and I LOVE her.  Today was kinda of a boring appointment (no U/S, so I refer to them as the "not fun ones", I mean I love going and hearing the heartbeat, but I'd much rather see him :).  I gained 2-2.5 lbs since the last time, which I thought for sure I'd gained at least another 5-6, so that made me happy.  Little mans heartbeat was in the 140's.  Other than that nothing else exciting really took place other than I go back in 4 weeks and then start going every 2 weeks after that- CrAzY!!! A lot is going to be changing around here in the next few months, I will update more on that later!  But for now I will leave you with my belly pics. :)

See I do have other sweatpants than the gray ones I always wear! :)

I need a tan!!

Before my appt. I made a few stops and one of them was to Motherhood-- O-M-Goodness, I coulda cried walking in there- nothing cute! I found stuff online but was not impressed with the actual store, I think I'll gladly pay the shipping! They don't have the selection in the store like they do online.  I just miss cute clothes! ha. :) Oh well only going to get bigger from here.

'Little Mans' name...

The name process wasn't the easiest for us, well it was for me.  I had a list of both boy and girl names, we had a girls name picked out and agreed on, boys not so much.  With Michael, choosing names isn't the easiest or maybe I like some off-the-wall names (according to him).  It seems like almost every name I would suggest he would have some wise comment or 'nickname' for it. We agreed on two boys names and then decided based on the fact that there was already someone in the area with the other name we liked so that is how we got to what we named him.  (Yes we realized that you can't avoid having the same name as someone in your area I mean Michael has one of the most heard of names out there.)  Michael really liked this name since 1. its the name of a UFC fighter and 2. it means badger (He thinks of the honey badger, which if you don't watch college football like my junkie-of-a- husband does you wouldn't understand ;) I love being able to talk about 'him' using his name now and not having to worry about slipping up with it, like I almost did the other night talking to my sister.  We haven't settled on a middle name yet but we have plenty of those to choose from so I'm not too worried about that.  If you scroll down you will see his name along with a cute little profile picture of him!! :)

This isn't a new picture, it was from my 19 week appointment.

22 Weeks

I was too lazy to take a belly picture tonight so I will be sure to get that up either tomorrow or Saturday, along with little mans name!! :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Gender: BOY!!!

Maternity Clothes: Nope (I am having to use my belly band though most of the time) I'm thinking I may need to go start getting some maternity tops here soon though.

Weight gain: So far 7, I go to the Dr. Monday so we'll see then, I'm sure I've gained at least another 5.

Movement:  Yes! Ever since our scare a few weeks ago he has been a moving machine, although the last few days he's slowed down some.  He must have flipped or something this past weekend because it made me jump! I don't think he likes when I lay on my back because that is when I feel him the most.

Sleep: Not too bad

Symptoms: Acid reflux, I swear its almost everytime after I eat something-- Not fun!

Cravings: Haven't really had any cravings lately.

Aversions: Nothing really I can think of!

What I miss: Running and feeling in shape, I miss the feeling you get after a good run!

Best moment this week: Just feeling him move more, getting a much needed massage last night, and sharing his name with some of our family! :) I will be sure to post his name when I post my belly picture! :) I'll give you all a hint... it starts with a "B"!

So much to do

I'm starting to get stressed/anxious about the nursery.  We have NOTHING bought yet.  I know what crib I want, have to finish deciding on the bedding (I'm ordering it off a site where you can design your own) and I've emailed someone about a dresser I found on craigslist.  However, we can't really start on the room until it gets warm enough to put new windows in.  I LOVE our house, I know Michael probably thinks I hate it because I do get depressed every once in a while about how much updating it needs (luckily its all neutral in here and not some 70's orange or green color), but the truth is I would be sad if we had to move.  That being said were planning on not only putting new windows in but new carpet, new trim and doors in the babys room.  So yeah, a LOT to do.  As I sit here and type it all out it really starts to freak me out that we won't get it done in time.  Michael has reassured me that it can be done in a few weekends.  My mom is on spring break at the end of March and she loves to paint, so she may be painting some over her break.  I just feel like we have SO much to do and the time is just ticking away.  On top of wanting to do the nursery I'm wanting to get new living room furniture, paint, new curtains and carpet.  Yes I'm insane.  But a few weeks ago while I was shopping, Michael and one of his friends were wrestling around (yes he's 27 :) and they broke the back of our couch, no our couch wasn't anything fancy but its still a nice couch.  So Michael screwed himself there because now it makes a terrible noise when you go to sit on it.  Whats even better?  I didn't even know until about 4 days later my sister came over  and sat on it and it made a noise and Michael just started smiling and laughed! 

Okay I realize I'm just rambling--- these are just the thoughts that are going on in my head right now!!!
Please pray that we get little mans (that may be the last time he is called that because we'll be sharing his name soon enough) room done in time for him.

Our Friday the 13th....

** This post may gross some of you out.. So don't say I didn't warn you!

Friday the 13th I won't be sad to see you go.  It has been quite a long/emotional day.  Lets just say it started last night.  I went to the bathroom about a half hour before it was time to go home and when I wiped there was a little bit of blood, it happened 2 more times at home.  I called my Dr. when it happened at work freaking out, they told me to just watch it and to go home and get some rest and take it easy.  Fast forward to this morning (13th)....

Michael was off today so I woke him up so he could get the drive way clear before I left for work.  I got to work and everything was fine, I took a stool with me to prop my feet up.  It started sometime shortly after 9, my stomach was cramping (like menstral cramps) and my low back was hurting pretty bad.  At first I thought that my back was just hurting from the not-so-comfortable chair that I sit in.  Finally about 10:15 I text Michael and asked him if he was at his moms.  He said he was headed there so I told him to ask her what she thought about my cramps/back (shes a RN).  They told me I needed to go have my urine checked for a possible UTI, I hesitated for a while because I felt so bad leaving work on such short notice.  Michael started getting really upset/mad with me on the phone saying that I needed to get checked out.  So I decided that maybe I should just to be safe.  I went to the Health Department and they tested my urine for me- everything looked fine with it.  The nurses there told me I needed to at least go to the ER to get checked out (Dr. Gratkins office is closed on Fridays).  They told me Michael was on his way over, and sure enough like 5 minutes later Michael showed up. 

We went to the ER and they sent us up to the OB floor.  They checked us in and I got into a gown and they hooked me and the baby up to a monitor.  Once I heard the heartbeat chugging along I was SO relieved, thats all I wanted to hear.  Little man was NOT liking the monitor being on, he was kicking like CRAZY.  Michael was actually able to see my belly moving so that was neat!  After being there for a little over an hour, they said everything looked fine, my urine sample that I left for them looked fine.  They discharged me and told me to follow up with Dr. Gratkins. 

Once we got to the car I called Dr. Gratkins and they had to page him.  He called back a few minutes later and told me to come see him next Thursday,  I asked if he wanted to see me since they said everything looked fine, and he told me to see how I feel over the weekend and call on Monday if I decide I want to come in an they'll do an U/S.  I just feel awful for missing work, I know I shouldn't and my child comes first I just feel so bad for the other secretaries.  I may go Thursday just because I would feel more comfortable seeing my DR and I'm not a big fan of Pontiac hospital myself.  I was also disappointed they didn't check my cervix or anything else.  So for my peace of mind I may go Thursday just to be safe.

Well that was our CRAZY Friday, not how I wanted to spend it but so glad the little guy is okay.  Prayers definatley worked.  I prayed like crazy the whole way to the hospital and cried most of the way because I was so afraid something was wrong with my baby.

20 Week Belly Pics/ 19 Week Appt.

Look at that belly- its def. getting bigger--- ahh!!

And clothed, had to sport one of my Bama shirts today at work! :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 Weeks-- half way already!

Gender: BOY!!! My Dad finally gets a boy!

Maternity Clothes: Nope (I am using my bella band though for some pants), but I broke down and ordered a pair of  maternity pants and two tops, I wanted to try the pants before I bought more in different colors.

Weight gain: Uhhh I'm ashamed to even write it but, I gained 5 freaking pounds since the last time, so a total of 7!!! I wanted to cry when I saw the number, but was reminded that its for a good reason.

Movement:  Yes!! He moves at night when I lay down to go to bed and in the morning before I get up and take my shower. It is so neat!!

Sleep: Not too bad

Symptoms: Stomach is still itchy and acid reflux, needless to say I have been munching on Tums.

Cravings: These Jamba juice smoothies, all you do is add 8 oz of apple juice and blend in the blender (they are good for you too) :)

Aversions: Nothing really I can think of!

What I miss: Running and feeling in shape, I miss the feeling you get after a good run! We just got an elliptical so I can't wait to switch off using that and the treadmill to get the baby weight off after little man arrives!!

Best moment this week: (this was last week at our appt)Finding out were having a BOY, I had a feeling all along it was a boy, hearing/seeing the baby and everything checking out okay last week at the appointment.  His heartbeat was 159 bpm.  And finding out my thyroid levels have come down, I'm still taking thyroid medicine but was glad to see they are where they need to be!

I am so excited to start the nursery, I have so many ideas and think I've got my bedding figured out for the most part.  I found a crib that I really like too, but I don't think that I want to buy a changing station/ dresser that comes with the crib set.  I'm hoping to find a dresser and paint it and put new knobs/handles on it and put the changing pad on that (we'll see though).  To me it is just a waste of money to buy the whole set because I probably won't use it after were done having kids (thats just my opinon).  I think thats all I have for now, I will upload pictures from last week when we shared the news!!

My Mommy and Daddy would like to tell you something....

ITS A BOY!!!!

Mother knows best, I had a gut feeling all along that it was a little boy in there. I will blog more about the appointment later, it has been a long and exciting day of sharing the news! :)

18 Week Bump Picture

Okay so I'm late on the 18 week picture and I realize its more like 19 weeks.  Better late than never though.  Only 2 more days till we find out what baby is! :)

Milestones/ Things to remember in 2011

2011 was a GREAT first year of "firsts"....

• It was Michael and I's first year of marriage and first year of living with each other, and well were both still alive so I'd say it went pretty well. ha! :)
• We went on two vacations, Cabo San Lucas and Gulf Shores, I perfer Gulf Shores- they have american food and normal ketchup!
• We had to put in a new air conditioner--- That wasn't cheap!
• I had my first flat tire, and wouldn't ya know it happened to be on a night when the hubs was working late, so I had to call the other most important man in my life, my Dad!
• In August we found out that my sister was expecting!! Only three more months until little Miss arrives!
• For fathers day we surprised my dad with tickets to the Alabama V. Arkansas game in Tuscloosa- I will never forget the look on his face- he was sooo SHOCKED!
• In September we headed down to Tuscaloosa for a long weekend of Bama football- It was one of the greatest weekends of 2011- My Dad and Michael were in heaven- My dad was worse than a kid at Christmas- It was great though.
• That Sunday we got back from Tuscaloosa (9/25/11) I came home and decided to take a pregnancy test--- annnnd the test was POSITIVE! This is our BIGGEST/ GREATEST news of 2011. 
• Erica decided to do 3 more years with the Coast Guard and will possibly be moving closer to home--- Like Chicago and you don't know how happy this makes me, she will only be a few hours away! :)

Two of these "firsts" will soon be two blessings of 2012, and I cannot wait to see what else the new year has in store for us! Michael and I didn't do a thing for new years, we ordered some food and ate at my mom and dads, I did my little sisters hair and makeup and then we came home and I was probably asleep by 10 or so.  Maybe next year we'll do dinner, but I'll probably want to take the babe with us! :)

Side note- I have a Dr's appt on Weds- We'll find out if baby is a boy or girl (as long as he/she cooperate)!!! I'm so excited.  Michael took off the afternoon as well. It will be a BUSY week around our house, My dad's birthday is Tuesday and my little sis goes back to Key West Friday! :(((

Hope you all had a great New Years! :)