Eighteen

already 18 weeks

The past few weeks, things have felt pretty much the same. Not too much weight gain (a pound or two up and down on any given day) and I haven't had any kind of weird cravings. I still haven't felt really any sort of movement, though. I've been super tuned into it but I guess having a 15 month old jumping up and down all over you would kind of overpower anything else.

Inside though things are looking like this:

photo taken by Lennart Nillson
Pretty amazing huh?

The baby now weighs 7 ounces and is 5 1/2 inches long- the size of a bell pepper.

I think Slade definitely has some sort of intuition about it because he has become even more clingy than usual (didn't think it was possible) and his new favorite word has become Mama.
 Mama everything.

We are now down to 12 days on our countdown & I have sent out the invites to our gender reveal party. It's getting more real now! So excited.

today, I am thankful.

Today, I am thankful for...

Pickle Juice

Yeah it probably sounds super nasty, especially if you aren't pregnant but it seriously puts a stop to leg cramps. I have forever been searching for a natural remedy & I promise this works- instantly!

Nap Time

Even though I didn't get to nap today with Slade, just having an hour of peace and quiet is awesome.

(Especially when you are being plagued with migraines daily)

Fioricet

My best friend, who kicks my worst enemy's butt. Having a full bottle of these puppies is getting me through my life right now.

The maxi dress

Perfect for a big pregger. Breathable, stretchy, comfortable. Easy to dress up with some accessories. This one, from American Apparel is on my current "want" list.

Fresh Fruit

My current craving I guess you could say. Especially strawberries & melons. I guess that's a good thing and contributing to my minor weigh gain thus far.

The end of a VERY long wait...

I finally feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel that is waiting for our gender ultrasound appointment. April is almost over! In two weeks we will be standing on the beach doing something similiar and I am beyond excited to find out with our family & friends.

Let the countdown begin.

Go vote on the poll on my home page!

bookworm

Just finished reading Bloom this morning while Slade took his nap.

I couldn't put the thing down the entire weekend (despite my husbands demands) and I am actually kind of sad it's over. It was just simply amazing. I want to share it with everyone I know, especially moms.

I'm immediately sending it in the mail to my sister.

I had many tears, laughs, & favorites- but one part really struck me hard today so I wanted to share it.

"But here's the one thing: once you become a parent...once you start feeling a little funny and you buy that pregnancy test...once you see that pink plus sign...once you know it's not just you anymore...well, you automatically carry around, for the rest of your life, an increased likelihood of having your heart broken. And it's a constant fear we struggle to put to rest. We can choose to be afraid or we can choose to live. And I choose to live. Because an increased likelihood of having your heart broken also carries with it an increased likelihood of finding yourself the happiest you've ever been in life. And I was learning that when the "what if" voices came, I could tell them to shut the hell up and advocate for my child- attentively, fiercely, fully."

Amazingly written and so true. No one tells you that when you become a parent, your entire world will revolve around someone else for the rest of your life. It's a sick but beautiful feeling. I enjoy being a mother and I'm sitting on the edge of my seat everyday just waiting to see what this new life brings.

We find out the sex of the baby on May 1st. My appointment is at 1pm, but I am debating on throwing a little "gender announcement" party for family and friends later that afternoon. I'm on to research some ideas...

but I leave you with a thought for the day (and a few cute pictures of my little guy):

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" -- Mary Oliver

`

Baby "W" Update

I'm on the last leg of the fourth month. Things have settled down for me emotionally, but I'm still getting the horrible migraines about every 2-3 days! Luckily Monday I go back to my OBGYN so I can possibly either get more medication or they might want to send me to a neurologist.


Just four days away from finding out the exact date we will find out the sex! So exciting, and I'm really hoping it's before May. I'm not sure how much longer I can wait!!

This week the baby is the size of an avocado, or as my sister referred to it: guacamole baby...
4 1/2 inches long and 3 1/2 ounces. I've been feeling more baby movements but they are really subtle.

Dane and I are still throwing names around, and I have a feeling I will be naming this baby because he hasn't gotten very serious about it. He's been suggesting things like "Theodore" and "Jasmine"...uh, yeah. I'll stick with my names thank you.

I've been very happy with my weight gain thus far- only about 8 lbs that I've gained. I'm doing much better this time!! Is it just me or am I carrying high this time?!