25 Weeks! Bumpdate

How Far Along?  25 weeks and 2 days
Size of the Baby?  Papaya (getting big!) 
Maternity Clothes? Sort of! I bought a pair of jeans and a shirt, but that's it. Most of my clothes still fit, so I'm waiting to buy until I have to. 
Stretch Marks?  I've found some small ones. :( Bummer!
Gender?  Baby boy! 
Name? Yes! I'll be announcing this soon. 
Sleep? Sleeping well! Getting up sometimes for the bathroom, but nothing too awful. 
Cravings? Not really. I do like fries and fruit; however, nothing that I need to satisfy immediately. 
What I Miss? Feeling skinny. Ha! It's hard to get used to this bump.  
Symptoms? Nothing too notable right now. 
Movement?  Tons! The doctor said I have an anterior placenta so I won't feel kicks as hard as some, and that surprised me since I feel so much! :) He is such an active kiddo!
Belly Button?  In!
Morning Sickness? This has been one of the best parts about the last few weeks... my morning sickness is pretty much gone! I haven't thrown up! I still have some moments where I feel nauseous, but nothing bad at all. 
Weight Gain? I'm sure now that the throwing up is over I probably have. :) At my last appointment I had only gained 3 pounds the whole pregnancy. I'm guessing my next one will be different! Ha!
Best Moment? Joe can finally feel the kicks! It's so fun to be able to "share" this with him. 

Deer Season? More like "Coach's Wife" Season

Ah, it has returned. Basketball training is in full force for my varsity-coach hubby. I suppose I'll see him again sometime in the spring! ;) It's a bit surreal thinking that at the end of this season, we will be preparing for labor and our little prince to arrive.

So much is going to change! Exciting changes, but a bit nerve wracking. In the next three months we will be (Lord willing) putting an offer in on a house, going through basketball season, living it up through out last childless holiday season, and having a BABY! Everything just seems like a weird dream.

I'm so excited to experience everything with my husband. As silly as it sounds, we've bonded a lot throughout just the last year. Obviously I loved him enough before that to marry him, (ha!) but it seems like we've grown so much closer. I always had trouble with communication. I am not the most open book in the world, and it took a long time for me to try to explain to Joe exactly what was going through my head. I finally feel like I'm in a place where I can talk to him about anything. I still have my Anna-bubble moments, but being able to talk to him like a best friend has been nothing short of amazing. I'm thankful he puts up with my introvert ways. :)

In other news, I'm planning out a Peter Pan/Neverland themed nursery for our little guy. I can't tell you how excited I am about this! It is such a fun theme, and I hope I can pull it off! I would love to hear any ideas you have. I'm hoping to keep it subtle and whimsical with a nautical feel. This can totally work, right? ;) I've been having a tough time finding bedding I like, but I do like the comforter and bed skirt of this set from Target. I found navy blue anchor sheets from Babies R Us that I would use instead of the alligator ones. I'm hoping this works out like it does in my head. :)

I'm also debating cloth diapering. Maybe it's just because I've been throwing up for 6 months straight, but It's hard for me to fathom dealing with that. I am tempted to try it though. Hopefully someone out there has some encouragement on this! So far I love these by Charlie Banana.

I am also the proud new owner of an Ergo baby carrier! I found it on sale for $67, so am determined to give it a try. I've heard so many good things about these!

 

I'm loving everything by Aden + Anais. Their swaddles are so soft! I hope that their products are worth the higher price point. They seem like great quality. 

I can't believe we only have 2 weeks left until the Holiday craziness begins. My favorite time of year! My birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all within a month! :) My favorite gingerbread candle is burning strong, and I've already played way too much Christmas music. So excited for the next couple weeks!

House Hunting Woes & Preparing for the Tiny Bro

 

See this picture of my 4 year old self? House hunting gives me the same expression.

House hunting stinks. It is full on my worst enemy. We are in the process of searching for a house before baby boy gets here, and it just seems like the most impossible task around. The last 4 houses I loved sold while we were literally on our way to them. How does that even happen? Today I found one that was spectacular. I loved everything about it. It had only been on the market an hour when... kaboom. Gone. Sold. That marks 5.

Like... do people not have jobs? Do people just wait outside houses they like and run full speed ahead as soon as one goes on the market? Am I the only one who actually needs to tour a house before I spend my entire life savings on a down payment? Really... am I the crazy one?

The wild thing is, I live near Detroit. Yeah, that Detroit. There should be no way on this planet that houses in this area sell like hotcakes during rush hour. So now I'm at the point of pondering what this could mean. Is this God telling us that he's going to change our life plans? Is this his way of preventing us from settling when he has something bigger for us? I suppose this is the time where I need to just trust. That's a bit easier said than done. I need to trust that his plan is better than mine, and that he's got this under control. He's never out of control, so why do I stress?

I just want to feel settled. I want to have a home prepared for this baby. I want to spend time decorating a nursery. I want to "nest" and get everything in place. We can hardly fit our own stuff in our little 1 bedroom apartment in the shady part of town... so what will we do if the baby gets here before the house does? I know we will manage, but I want so badly to have a place that we can call ours.

The good thing about looking through 500 houses, is I've really narrowed down my necessities for a house. I've chosen a short list of things that are requirements for me and combined them with things my husband wants. They are simple. Very simple. Yet, so many houses don't even have one!

1. I want a garage. An attached garage is preferred. I don't know what's up with this area, but very few houses even have a garage. It might sound silly, but in Michigan we have the craziest weather ever. We only have one car... I want to protect that thing.

2. I want a fireplace. I don't care what kind, but it's something that I've always wanted. I know you can purchase fake ones, so that's always an option if we find one that we love without one.

3. Three or more bedrooms and 1.5 or more bathrooms. Again, I'm not looking for a mansion. I'm looking for something that can support a growing family.

4. A basement. Joe would love a finished basement, but even a normal one will do. Again, I've been through too many tornados in this crazy state not to have one.

5. Something that won't need a crazy load of maintenance. We are not handy people. Give me a hammer and I'll probably just hit you with it. (Okay, not really, but whatev.) I don't want to move into  a place that needs extensive remodeling to be livable.

6. Something that's not a little tiny box with walls. I don't need a mansion, but I would like something over 1300 square feet. I want to have space to have space. Does that make sense? One of the problems of our apartment is you can never escape each other. I love my husband to pieces, but sometimes I need my bubble.

7. Safe. I just want to be in a neighborhood where I feel comfortable letting our son out to play. 



See! That's it. I feel like my list is realistic. I don't need a 10 acre yard with a pool, or some 5000 sq ft mansion with a spiral staircase (but if you are offering....) I just want a simple home that we can raise an extremely awesome little boy in.

So, here goes another week of seeing what God's plan is for us. I would appreciate your prayers as we try to get this stuff figured out, and that I would be at peace with whatever we end up with. Here goes nothing! 

It's A...

I'm going to let you in on a little secret... I've been so busy these last two weeks that I totally forgot about my blog! It wasn't until last night when my sister-in-law messaged me saying people would start getting worried if I didn't post that I remembered I had one. Haha! Oops!

I plan to talk about my gender reveal party on the next post. It was so much fun, and I'm so glad we chose to throw one. My Mom was amazing in putting it together. She worked so hard!
 
So what is Baby W?

Yay! I'm so excited, and incredibly nervous. I know diddly squat about boys. Like, nothing. I grew up with a sister.I'm hoping I'll catch on to things quickly. Please keep me in your prayers that God will prepare me to be a great Momma to a little guy.

I can't wait to meet you, baby! You are going to be so, so loved.

The Big Day!

Today is HUGE. Today is the day I've been waiting for since the day those two lines showed up on that pregnancy test. Today is the day I find out if my baby is a he or a she!
I surprisingly slept very well last night. I was expecting to not get a wink of shut eye with this big day on the horizon. I am, however, a giant bundle of nerves. My stomach is in a big knot, and I'm just downright nervous. I don't really know why. Maybe it's because I really want my first to be a girl because I don't know anything about boys. Maybe it's due to the fact that it makes everything so much more real. It still hasn't really clicked that I'm going to be a mom, so maybe this is what will make that happen. All of the "signs" point to a little girl, but for some reason I've psyched myself out to think it's a boy so that way there's no gender disappointment. Ha! I cannot believe that this is real life. I'm going to be a MOM. It's terrifying and exciting at the same time.

I found this fun list of different old wives tales on a forum. Here are my answers so far!

Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.  Prediction outcome: GIRL (Always over 160 for us!)

Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, a little boy it is. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.  Prediction outcome: GIRL

Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.  Prediction outcome: GIRL (Somehow I've magically learned how to walk without tripping the last few months. It's been nice.)

Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl. Prediction outcome: GIRL (All of the websites say you are supposed to lay on your left side, but I always end up flipping to my right no matter what.)

Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy. Prediction outcome: BOY (My hubby never gains! haha!)

What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having. Prediction outcome: BOY

Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy. Prediction outcome: Both- My headaches lessened and became less severe (I used to have terrible migraines all the time) with this pregnancy. So I guess it could go either way.

Baby Names
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby. Prediction outcome: Both. We have a name for each. :)

Baby's Side on Early Ultrasound 
If you are having a girl, the baby will be on the left side of the uterus during the 6-8 week ultrasound. If it's a boy, it will be on the right side. Prediction outcome: GIRL

18 Weeks= DONE! :)

 

Every week I'm absolutely shocked at how FAST this pregnancy is going. I'm one of the most impatient people in the world, so for it to be going this rapidly is incredible.

How Far Along? 18 weeks and 1 day!
Size of the Baby?  Bell Pepper
Maternity Clothes? Not yet! Thankful for that, because they are crazy expensive!
Stretch Marks?  Nope! Crossing my fingers... and toes...
Gender?  We will know within the next week. I've never been so excited in my life.
Name?  I think we've settled on the first name for a boy or a girl.
Sleep? I've been sleeping through the night lately like a baby.
Cravings? My husband officially went on his first craving run this week. ;) I was in dire need of a baked potato and a frosty from Wendy's.
What I Miss? Food... especially food that stays down.
Symptoms?  throwing up still and very sleepy
Movement?  I have been feeling super soft kicks. It is the most spectacular feeling ever. I even felt a little roll yesterday while in the car. :)
Belly Button?  In, but it looks weird. I feel like it will pop out by the end of this pregnancy. :(
Morning Sickness? Still pretty bad.  
Weight Gain? I will find out on Friday! I am guessing if I have, it won't be much since I'm still getting sick.
Best Moment? Feeling the first few tiny kicks. I am anxiously awaiting the day my hubby will be able to feel them too!



I still can't believe the gender scan will be done within a week! I'm in the middle of debating if I want to find out at the scan (my husband has to work) or wait until our gender reveal party the next week. Usually I would say yes right away to finding out at the party, but I'm also wanting to be able to see everything on the ultrasound. :) Choices, choices. 

This week I also opened up my first baby registry at Buy Buy Baby. That was overwhelming! It's amazing how much stuff there is out there for such little people. So, I would love your opinions on the must have baby items. Were you crazy about your Mamaroo? Was Sophie the Giraffe a necessity? What stroller did you love? 

 Have a wonderful week!  

 

2nd Trimester Fashion and Bumpdate

Pregnancy Update and Bump-date

I'm almost to the 16 week mark! I'm SO happy that this pregnancy is flying by so far. Only a few short weeks before I find out the gender of this sweet pea. I'm so ready for that appointment! I'm not exactly sure if I will find out at the appointment, or at the gender reveal party with everyone else. I know I'll probably be too excited to wait! :) Here's a quick bump-date for you:

How Far Along? Almost 16 weeks!
Size of the Baby?  Avocado
Maternity Clothes? At last I'm fitting back into my regular clothes! :) I don't even have to use the belly band anymore. The bloating has diminished, and I'm expecting the real bump to pop out any time now.
Stretch Marks?  Nope! Still hoping and praying! Thankfully, most of this comes down to genetics, and my mom did not have them.
Gender?  We are down to the 3 week mark to find out! I have been so tempted to pay for an early ultrasound!
Name?  We have a few that we really like. My husband cracks me up... after we watch a TV show he always goes through the names on the credits to see if any sound good with our last name. Haha!
Sleep? Still sleepy all the time. I wake up multiple times a night to use the restroom- oh, joy!
Cravings? The worst craving yet... chick fil a! And I live in Michigan...  which doesn't have one. Torture!
What I Miss? Sleeping through the night and not throwing up.
Symptoms?  Morning Sickness, headaches, sleepy, nightly bathroom breaks
Movement?  I'm pretty sure I've been feeling some flutters. It's so hard to tell since I'm not sure what I'm looking for.  
Belly Button?  In.  
Morning Sickness? Still pretty bad.  
Weight Gain? Nope! I've lost quite a bit, though!
Best Moment? My husband talking about how excited he is for this baby to get here. :) It melts my heart! 

Fall Maternity Fashion

I'm still in the weird phase of maternity where I'm starting to get a little bump, but I'm still way too small for maternity clothes. Thankfully fall weather has come on at full force in Michigan, so I've brought out the sweaters, blazers, and boots! The key to this point in the pregnancy is comfy-chic. My style tends to be fairly "preppy" and I love to incorporate equestrian inspired pieces to my closet. I try to wear looser items to conceal the belly. Dark pants are great right now as they help to create a slimmer look. I love American Eagle's Jeggings as they have a ton of stretch but still look pulled together.

Other Happenings...

1. PSI Bands- I tried these for Morning sickness and they didn't help me at all. Such a bummer because I've heard wonderful things! At least they are pink?

2. I finally am brave enough to park in the maternity parking spots at stores. Best invention ever! 

3. I saw the CUTEST baby boy clothes at Babies R Us. The little old man cardigan absolutely melted my heart. In my heart I'm absolutely dying for a little baby girl, so I've been trying to look at more boys things to get me excited if life goes that way instead. I feel so selfish for wanting a daughter, and I know I'd love a son JUST as much... I'm just trying to prepare myself so I can be excited no matter what. 

4. Look what's back! :) I was absolutely THRILLED when I saw this two-pack of Pumpkin Spice Creamer at SAM'S Club! 




Have a fantastic week everyone! I hope that this week brings lots of good memories and happiness to you.