Week 13 - a Peach!

About ME:

My energy is coming back! My hormones are settling down a bit! WOO-hoo!  My memory is gone and so is my waistline!  I think that I've officially gone from looking like I ate too much Pizza to having a little Monster bump...and it feels nice. 

Pretty sure that it is about time to post the "bump" picture...so if you are lucky, that will come this week.  Also, Ultrasound and listening to the heart beat on Thursday!  Maybe you will even get to see a picture of the Little Monster...after all, that is what this is all about, right?!?!

About MONSTER:

A freaking PEACH...2.9 inches long...it just seems like MONSTER is growing up before our eyes and we haven't even had a chance to see the little thing since week 5/6...

Monster is able to now flex his/her little arms and legs!  It's just amazing!

Planning for MONSTER:

A quiet week on the planning front for MONSTER...but mama got some new jeans, a bella band and some shirts that don't look like they shrunk in the dryer!  Also, we were able to go camping this weekend and Monster and Mama both had a blast!  So far, this little person has made our life pretty easy and similar to "normal"...

Week 12 - a Plum!

About Me:

Me, me, me...well, this week I discovered it is no longer just me, me, me...Monster has done a number on my emotions from highs to lows, but I'm feeling great physically.  The baby bump is moving up and soon, it won't be just Rich and I who can tell I'm pregnant.  Last night, I wanted to where a t-shirt that said, "leave me alone, I'm pregnant"...I still have that "fat" feeling, but the good news it the scale hasn't tipped yet (I'm thinking that Rich locked it at a certain number so that I don't freak)....

About Monster:

Monster is just making a home and growing, growing, growing.  It seems that most of the critical body systems have formed and now it all about getting bigger, stronger, and able to handle the world outside.  Monster's facial features are becoming more defined and the little fingers are about to be able to open and close.  Also, in Monster's brain synapses are rapidly forming.

Planning for Monster:

The only "planning" for Monster we really did this week is thinking that we probably won't start the nursery until September...then it gives us our Guest room for a few more months (and a cool place to be in the summer, should I need it).  At this point, we still don't know, what we don't know...but are happy that Monster seems to be pretty low-key little person!  We have our next ultrasound in a little over a week...so we can confirm how the little Monster is progressing!  Until then...

Boy or Girl?!?!

Based on the "quiz" I took today...I have a 50% chance of a BOY...which I assume means 50% chance of a girl! I'm happy it was so decisive!

A few pointers to help us decide:

1. Craving Orange Juice = Girl
2. No morning sickness = Boy
3. Dad gaining weight = Boy
4. Your left breast is larger than you right = Girl (mine is opposite, so Boy)
5. You crave fruit = Girl
6. Your face breaks out more than normal = Girl

I guess that we have about 29 more weeks (+/-) until we actually find out "what" Monster is!

Originally, I felt BOY all the way...but about 1 week ago, it flipped and now I'm feeling girl! Who knows, maybe there are 2 little heartbeats?!?!

Week 11 - a Lime!

About Me:

I'd like to refer to WEEK 11 as the "I'm Pregnant Week"...I have a baby bump, I'm a little moodier and have had a lot of anxiety about becoming a mom. I stopped feeling like "me" and realized that for the next 6.5 months, it isn't just me...and for that point, it will never be just me again. We're having a baby and it's really starting to sink it. Of course, we couldn't be more excited! I've also come to the realization that maternity jeans and shirts are only a few days/weeks away...the good news is, still no weight gain, but this might be the last week I get to say that ;)

About Monster:

Monster is officially 2 inches long and hair follicle are forming...fingernail and toenail beds are beginning to develop and will start to grow over the next few weeks/months! Monster is also becoming very active and can perform some cool moves, such as: stretches, somersaults, and forward rolls! Our own little gymnast.

Planning for Monster:

We've done some research this past week and have picked our OB and scheduled our first appointment with her. We will officially meet with her on May 15th (about 4 more weeks), but it is nice to know we have made a decision there. She came highly recommended from a friend who has delivered both her babies with this OB, so I trust that she is amazing! Also, we have been blessed with great friends that have "gifted" us so many things for the little monster (and mama) including: a dual breast pump, a gym set, a boopy, a baby tub, a swing and so much more!

Week 10 - a Prune!

About Me:

Wow! What a week...I can honestly say that this was the HARDEST week of my pregnancy to date. After a long weekend, I was run down and got a NASTY cold. Normally a cold doesn't knock me out, but when you can take anything, even echinacea to help with the symptoms, it really puts a damper on things. The good news is that I'm feeling LOADS better today and am ready to get back into the gym routine and make sure that I don't pack on the pounds. Side note: I don't think that it is a coincidence that Monster is the size of a prune because I'm pretty sure I could use a few in my diet (if you know what I mean...wink, wink)! Still no morning sickness...but have a very strong gag reflux to smells like dog food, dog barf, and wine. My body is definitely changing, but for now, I'm still able to button my jeans and not tip the scale!


About Monster:

It was a BIG week for the little "IT"...bones and cartlilage are forming, as well as knees and ankles are starting to develop! The coolest thing also this week is that monster's little chompers are forming under the gums...of course, we won't get to see those for about a year from now, but they are already busy at work. Each week such amazing things are happening...and I'm happy to think that Monster is just marinating is some good karma right now.


Planning for Monster:

Although we haven't done much planning for Monster this week...some people have definitely had Monster on the brain and started filling our how with lovely things!

This might be the cutest bib ever...since we all know that MONSTER will probably outshine Chukar pretty soon in the blog sphere! Also, a hand knitted blanket in the colors that we think the room is going to be...Yellow and Grey! Look at the cute booties too...are you kidding me?!?!

Next up, the most precious and soft LAMB for Monster's room...with a Tickle Monster book and a sleeper/bib with Koala's on it (for any one who has know me awhile, I LOVE KOALAS)!!!

More lovely things for Monster...Monster themed onesies and bibs!

Monster is already so blessed with LOVE and SUPPORT that it is just amazing! Mom and Dad will definitely jump on the planning committee soon...but for right now, we are just enjoying this time thinking about Monster!

Until next week....

Week 9 - an Olive!

About Me:

Exhaustion has set in...and so have the hormones. Wow! I have the energy to do something one minute, but if I delay even 5 seconds, it may or may not be GONE! Just poof! It's not even something that my positive attitude can fight through...if I wait to nap, then it just is a downward spiral. The great news is that I still feel awesome otherwise...appetite is great, no morning sickness and really NO other symptons. I can deal with exhaustion and at least there is something I can do about it. NAP! NAP! NAP! It looks like over the next few weeks I will need to be a little more careful with my scheduling and make sure that there is a little down time in there. The skin has also taken a little turn....I don't think anyone can notice the "GLOW" through the breakouts! Oh well, those should be gone soon too (right?!?!)

About Monster:

Monster is beginning to look less like a "Monster" and more like a baby...this week the embryonic tail disappers and the fingers and toes are becoming more distinguishable and less like paddles. Also, this week Monster's reproductive organs are forming...even though WE won't know what formed until October/November. Yes, you heard it hear...we are waiting to be surprised in the delivery room what sex our little Monster is.

Planning for Monster:

Can't say that we did ANYTHING this week...we are still in the exciting phase of telling family and friends the great news! A few people thought that it was maybe our April Fool's Day joke for 2012, but my hormones can assure you that there is definitely a little Monster "brewing" inside!