*18 weeks*

 

It's the little things...

 

I can't believe we're almost half way there! These past few months have been flying by like it's no one's business! I sat down to just really think about and appreciate the little things that come with pregnancy.

 

1. The flutters. Feeling the baby dancing on my tummy is seriously the COOLEST thing ever. One of my friends told me to appreciate it, because in a few months I'll be begging the baby to stop kicking my ribs! So every time I feel a little dance, I slow down and appreciate it :)

 

2. Andrew's reactions. He has seriously been such an amazing partner through all of this. Whether it's rubbing my  feet, fetching my favorite food, or just telling me I look great :p His reactions to the baby though have been my favorite part. I remember the first time I really felt this hard lump pushing out of my stomach in the middle of the night. I shook him awake and yelled, "OH MY GOSH FEEL THIS!!!" For weeks I had been telling myself there was a bump, and he had always agreed (just to make me feel better.) He ran his hand over the bump and just looked at me amazed like, whoa...there's really a baby in there! From that moment on he always talks to my tummy, reminding our baby just how loved he/she is. :)

 

3. Nice people. I've heard that once you're pregnant you get royal treatment, but HOLY COW was that an understatement! I have bags being carried for me, extra love from waiters, I even had a facial the other day and she gave me an extra 30 minutes with a massage! People are so wonderful, and I think everyone loves seeing a new miracle being made. I love the south.

 

4. The Mommy Club. I have more friends now than I have in years, and I am SO thankful. They aren't women I see every day, some I haven't even talked to in ages; but once you become a mama, everything is out the window but love. The advice and encouragements I have pouring in from all over the country has been overwhelming and SO needed! Especially being a young mom, it's been incredible having ladies to reach out too with my million questions. Even the mom I nanny for brought out a HUGE bin of gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous, maternity clothes for me to take home. It's something I can't even explain, but it's wonderful. And to all of you who read my blog that have reached out to me...THANK YOU. You know who you are :)

 

5. My relationship with God. I've always had a very strong relationship with my Lord, but since I found out I was preggo it has evolved SO deeply. I've realized just how selfish and careless I really have been in my life. My body isn't mine anymore, it's this baby's. The peace and calm that prayers have given me is something I can't even begin to explain. He is so quick to answer prayers. He has blessed mine and Andrew's relationship. Honestly since this baby came into the picture, He has truly saved me from the confusing path of life I've been on. Knowing that He controls the ENTIRE universe gives me such a peace of mind about this pregnancy. It's easy to catch myself worrying away about what might happen or might be, but He calms my heart and assures me that no matter what, He is beside me.

 

So that's all for now :) I'm just a happy, blessed, loved pregnant lady and I could not be luckier.

 

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How far along? 18 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? but seriously...I need to get a scale.

Maternity clothes? OH MY GOSH the joy of maternity clothes. Seriously, I came home last night squeeling and ran straight into the bedroom trying on all the clothes I had just been given. I would run out and scream "LOOK HOW CUTE THIS IS!" and Andrew just kinda watched me and laughed from afar. Seriously, he's been a saint. But I now have the CUTEST maternity clothes, which I thought were impossible to find. The picture up there? ALL maternity clothes. YUP!

Stretch Marks? no, and fingers crossed can avoid big ones! I'm growing so I gotta watch it

Sleep? Not a whole lot during the night. It's just hard to get comfortable, and I feel like little one loves to just sit on my bladder.

Best moment this week? Still the flutters of the baby :))

Told family/friends? Yes!

Miss anything? Tonight Andrew took me out to a really nice steakhouse. I was surrounded by wine bottles. I was sad.

Movement? Little dance moves!

Cravings?  Food in general haha Luckily I pack our fridge with healthy food, or else I would PIG OUT. 

Started showing yet? Ohh yeah. It's obvious, I'm preggo.

Gender prediction? No clue! We have our gender appointment Tuesday though :)) The doctor's keeping it a secret for us though until the wedding. It's killing me!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In but it's amazing how quickly it's become more shallow. I feel like it's going to pop out a lot sooner than most women.

Happy or moody? I've been really happy! I'm just so blessed!

Looking forward too? Finding out what we're having FINALLY!! And having all of our friends and family come in for our WEDDING!!!!



*17 weeks*

I FELT THE BABY MOVE!!!!

I was lucky enough to be getting pampered with a facial this past week. As I was lying there listening to creeks bubble, I felt my own bubble! By this point, I definitely know what's baby and what's...not. I felt it really high up and just a few minutes later I felt it again! I wanted to scream and call my mom and Andrew, but I was still in a spa coma so I just grinned like a fool.

I know it was only a little blip of what's to come, but it's already the most amazing feeling I have ever felt. I am SO in love with this baby!       

I officially popped!

     

At my beautiful wedding shower!

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? no clue! But I know it's gotta be something.

Maternity clothes? I finally got a belly band, and thank goodness for it. I have some Gap maternity leggings that are still too big but the the band holds Em up! And holds up my sad jeans.

Stretch Marks? no, and fingers crossed can avoid big ones! I'm growing so I gotta watch it

Sleep? I'm up every few hours to pee, but otherwise it's been ok. I nap a lot! It's just hard to get comfortable laying only on my side

Best moment this week? Feeling the baby!!!!!! Also, my mom and her incredible friends threw me the most beautiful wedding shower. We are SO blessed by such loving people in our lives!

Told family/friends? Yes!

Miss anything? Coffee. Even smelling it just makes me a little sad inside

Movement? A little bit! Soon enough I know it'll be a lot a bit!

Cravings?  Mac and cheese and Mexican. The healthy foods obviously. 

Started showing yet? Yep! I even had a woman at Kroger water day ask when I'm due. Probably because I was rubbing my belly as I tried to remember why I was even in the store.

Gender prediction? I'm clueless. I'm carrying really high, but I haven't been sick. Every wives tale has me confused because I have all of them going on. Ha! :)

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In but it's amazing how quickly it's become more shallow. I feel like it's going to pop out a lot sooner than most women.

Happy or moody? I've been really happy! I'm more sappy and elated than anything :)

Looking forward too? Finding out the sex :) and marrying my best friend! One month!!

*16 weeks*

I need to find a new place with better lighting! Also, I just devoured an entire pizza so I'm at full capacity here! Never bet a pregnant woman she can't eat something :)

How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? no clue! But I know it's gotta be something.

Maternity clothes? I officially can't button, or zip, my jeans anymore! I live in leggings and yoga pants :)

Stretch Marks? nope. i will be rubbing body butter all over this belly till I'm in labor

Sleep? It's more uncomfortable sleeping at night, but I'm always pretty sleepy!

Best moment this week? Seeing my belly pop :))

Told family/friends? Yes!

Miss anything? Wine!

Movement? Not yet, but hopefully the next few 

Cravings?  Food. Cheese on anything! I'm just always hungry haha!

Started showing yet? Yep! I'm officially you bumpin out!

Gender prediction? Boy!! Andrew still votes girl

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Happy or moody? I've been all over the place! But I always end up just smitten :)

Looking forward too? Going to Georgia this weekend :) feelin the baby and finding out the sex!!

*15 weeks*



How far along? 15 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? no clue

Maternity clothes? Ive got them! :) luckily i can still fit in most of my clothes!

Stretch Marks? nope. i will be rubbing body butter all over this belly till I'm in labor

Sleep? I'm not sleeping through the night, but my mid day naps knock me out like it's no one's business!

Best moment this week? the bump! i can not explain how much i seriously love being pregnant!

Told family/friends? Yes!

Miss anything? full energy. 

Movement? Nothing yet but I can't waittt!!!

Food cravings? we were driving home from church tonight talking about the sermon  when I stopped the conversation and blurted out, "I want corn dogs!!" Andrew just stared at me giggling. being the incredible fiance that he is, he ran us to the store and i am now blissfully full of corn dogs. strangest craving i have had yet!

Started showing yet? yes! :) little bump

Gender prediction? Boy!! Andrew still votes girl

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Happy or moody? little bit of everything :) but so happy!
Looking forward too? Finding out what we're having :))

*14 weeks*

I have been slacking this past week! I started nannying a few days a week, and let me tell you, it kicks my butt getting up at 6 am. I give a standing ovation to every full time working pregnant mama out there because I do not know how you do it! I'm exhausted by the time I get home, and I'm only gone a few hours playing with precious babies! Might be cause I'm just a big baby, but anyways... :)

I didn't make a sign since I couldn't seem to drag myself out of bed at all. The house needs desperate cleaning but I just couldn't manage to do that either. Ha! Tomorrow it is.

So instead, here's a picture of the BUMP!! The bump has made it's grand appearance. I can not tell you how much I LOVE being pregnant :)

The baby can start hearing our voices now, especially mine since I'm always yapping or singing. Andrew's been hiding around corners of the house trying to catch me singing lately haha :) He's excited for the baby to learn my voice. I want to find a good song to be able to sing Baby Mitchell to sleep and start now so maybe he/she will recognize it!



How far along? 14 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? I think I've gained around 5 pounds since the beginning. No clue though, I need to buy a scale.

Maternity clothes? I got a big ol' box of beautiful maternity clothes (including the sweater in the picture) Although they're mostly still too big, I want to wear them all the time because they are SOO soft.

Stretch Marks? nope. i will be rubbing body butter all over this belly till I'm in labor

Sleep? I'm not sleeping through the night, but my mid day naps knock me out like it's no one's business!

Best moment this week? We heard the heartbeat!!!!!!!! :)) Every appointment seems to take 5 years to get here, even though it's only 4 weeks. I get so nervous and anxious before each appointment just because I want to make sure our baby is healthy! Now that I'm showing more, I think I've calmed down a bit. God truly knew what He was doing when He created the pregnancy process. Just when I think I'm going to freak out because of worry, oh HEY belly! It's God's little reminder like, hey girl, I know what I'm doing. Just trust me! :)

Told family/friends? Yes!

Miss anything? Coffee lately with these early mornings! Also after having a day of stress or planning I miss having a nice glass of wine.

Movement? Nothing yet but I can't waittt!!!

Food cravings? macaroni and cheese will be the death of me. but lots of mexican!

Nausea? not too bad!

Started showing yet? yes! :) little bump

Gender prediction? Boy. I'm starving all the time and not sick. Even the mom I nanny for thinks I'm having a boy. We get to find out next month!!! AHH!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Happy or moody? I still am a bit of a mess somedays :) But I'm just so happy. I get to marry my absolute best friend in 1 month and then we get to start our incredible family together not too long after! God has provided for us in ways we couldn't even begin to fathom. He is so good!
Looking forward too? Finding out what we're having :))