Tuesday, September 19, 2017

9 Weeks

Originally written July 20, 2017


Size of Baby: Baby J is the size of a cherry and as long as .9 inches!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 161.5, so up 1.5 lbs so far. Feeling good in this category. I do feel that I'm eating more, but maybe I'm not. I'm trying to split my meals into 2 each, so that I can eat every 3 hours or so. If I stay on top of my eating and hunger, it really helps with the nausea.

Maternity Clothes: No maternity clothes yet, but I think I've only worn pants one day this week. It really helps that it's summer, because I usually wear a ton of dresses in the summer. I did place my first clothing order with several maternity items in it today! I couldn't help it. Ann Taylor Loft was having 50% off and free shipping. I got a maternity cardigan, a maternity dress, maternity shorts and 2 non-maternity flowy tops. I got 6 pieces for under $130!!!


Movement: It's too early to feel the baby moving. The farther along I've gotten, I get less twinges and pings, which has been nice.

Sleep: My sleep has been pretty good, except for CRAZY dreams. I've gotten used to waking up to pee multiple times per night.

What I Miss: Jimmy Johns! I was craving a sandwich at some point this week and wanted JJ's with extra peppers. But they only serve their sandwiches cold, and Dr. Martin made it very clear not to eat any cold-cuts.

Cravings: Fried Chicken. I stopped Monday after my lash appointment to pick up Chick-Fil-A for lunch and brought it back to the office, and then last night I was craving fried chicken. I also had a cobb salad Monday night at dinner club with lightly fried chicken on it. I am SO glad I'm still able to eat chicken, since I haven't been able to stomach my protein shakes in the morning.

Symptoms: Nausea, Sore Boobs and Very Tender Nipples, A little moody, CRAZY dreams (so detailed, weird people in them, and I usually can remember then). This week I've had a couple headaches. I was worried about it because I never get headaches. But then my Bump update this week mentioned headaches as a symptom during this time because of the surge in hormones.

One symptom I've been having since before I even knew I was pregnant is blurry vision. I have heard of other women having it. But mine can get pretty bad sometimes in the afternoon, especially when I get tired. Apparently, this is normal.

Best Moment this Week: Friday - I received a gift that knocked me over. My friend Tyler sent me a lovely James Avery charm that says "Expect a Miracle." On the back she got it engraved with Baby Jordan.


Moments with Dave this Week: This week Dave has really started being sweet to the belly. He has talked to it, rubbed it and prayed over it. I love it :)

We had the opportunity to hike at Robber's Cave and spend the evening with our friends Jenny and Cody at their lake house in Eufala.


Milestones: Baby J is officially a fetus, no longer an embryo!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Becoming calmer and less anxious as time goes on. This is taking some effort on my part, but it is getting better. I had high anxiety Monday, because I noticed my resting heart rate had dropped 2 beats per minute. But I think it was due to relaxing over the weekend. By Tuesday, my resting average heart rate was back up to 65 bpm. And today it is 64 bpm. After thinking about it, the baby's heartbeat should drop a little by the time we have our next appointment, so it makes sense that mine would drop a bit too. I'm trying my best to pick up my shield of faith, and envision a beautiful, healthy baby being born in February.

Favorite Quote from a Stranger this Week: I can't think of one from a stranger. But I had my annual dermatologist appointment yesterday. She said I have time to have at least 2 more kids. She didn't have her kids till she was 39 and 42, and she loved being pregnant. She is probably almost 6' tall though and maybe 145 pounds :)

What the Doctor Said this Week: N/A Next doctor appointment is August 9!

Weirdest Thing I ate this Week: Nothing too strange that I can think of. I was able to take the Goldfish crackers out of the car for a few days, but this morning they were back with me. I almost threw up while brushing my teeth this morning. It was a tad rough.

I bought myself 2 bagels at Panera Tuesday night at the Myrtle meeting. So I've been eating one half at a time up at the office. Asiago cheese bagel get in my belly!

Verse I'm Clinging to this Week: Ephesians 6:16 "Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." I got this from Jesus Calling. On Wednesday, the reading was about fear and anxiety (perfect!) and it talked about the enemy shooting arrows of fear at us. They recommend affirming our trust in Jesus, regardless of how we feel. With persistence, my feelings will eventually fall in line with my faith. Wonderful advice.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

8 Weeks

Originally written July 13, 2017

Size of Baby: I believe Baby J is the size of a raspberry! And is as long as .63 inches.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 162.0 yesterday. Still hanging on to that 2 pounds, maybe it wasn't the Mexican food after all :)

Maternity Clothes: Nope, but I still feel the most comfortable in dresses.

Movement: I had one night where I had some bad cramping this week, maybe Monday night. It was disconcerting, but I guess it's just things moving around and stretching.

Sleep: I honestly have not been sleeping that great. I wake up so much to pee, even before midnight, I've usually been up twice.

What I Miss: Kombucha (the only reason why is because we asked Dr. Martin if I could have some, and she said no.)

Cravings: Hmmm, honestly nothing. The nausea really came to life this past week. I am driving around with an economy size tub of goldfish in my passenger seat.


Symptoms: Nausea, Sore Boobs, A little moody

Best Moment this Week: Hearing that crazy fast heart beat yesterday at our 2nd ultrasound. The heartbeat was 181!!!


Moments with Dave this Week: After our appointment, we shared a pizza at Mario's, even though it was only 4:30. While we were ordering, I threw a huge stink about him wanting half Italian sausage and half mushroom. But I ended up really loving their Italian sausage. The pizza was amazing. I had 3 giant slices. Big mistake! After that, we went to Margaux and Greg's and met Baby Mason. Later in the evening, we went for a walk in his parent's neighborhood. After our walk, we swung in and told his parents. Their reactions will be etched in my memory forever.


Milestones: 2nd ultrasound and 2nd time hearing my baby's heartbeat was on Wednesday, July 12

What I'm Looking Forward To: Purchasing my first maternity clothes, even though I know it's not for a while

Favorite Quote from a Stranger this Week: Dave and I went to Echo Shop for just a second over the weekend, and I asked if there was a maternity section. There wasn't, but the girl shouted out "Congratulations!" as I left. It felt so surreal :)

What the Doctor Said this Week: She said I can be as active as I was before, but if I don't feel like running, then don't do it. She said I can eat Subway sandwiches, and not to drink kombucha. She told Dave she thinks I will be good to go on our Utah hiking trip in October (at 20 weeks) pregnant. She said we could come back in 2 weeks, and I asked if it was mandatory, and she said no, you can come back in 4! So that's what we're doing. Being there gives me EXTREME anxiety. My blood pressure was very high, and Kristin took it before the ultrasound and after the ultrasound.

Weirdest Thing I ate this Week: Hmmmm, oh yes, on Monday, I ate 2 snacks at 10am and 2pm of Little Caesar's breadsticks with marinara sauce. But it helped my nausea stay away. Unlike yesterday, I didn't eat a morning snack, and I had to lay down after lunch because I felt so sick.

Verse I'm Clinging to this Week: 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-confidence."

Monday, September 11, 2017

7 Weeks

Originally written July 6, 2017


How Far Along: 7 weeks exactly, according to the last ultrasound, and 7 weeks 4 days according to my last period.

Size of Baby: A Blueberry! 1/2 inch!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 162.0 this morning, so up 2 lbs. But really, I'm attributing that to being in Texas over the 4th of July. I had all my favorites there including Bill Miller's, Los Barrios and my mom's French Breakfast puffs and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Maternity Clothes: Nope, but my first stitch fix box will be arriving early next week. I'll show some pics when I get them!

For now, I'm still wearing lots of dresses. Today, I'm wearing jeggings, which I usually wouldn't find appropriate for work. But I need the elastic.

Movement: Still too early to feel the baby. The twinges and aches have gotten less and less during the day. But I'd say every other night, I'll get uncomfortable in one position and have to move to make the aches go away.

Sleep: I'm getting up to pee ALOT. Last night, it was at least 3 times. 11:30, 12:30, 4:00 and 5:00. That's 4 times!!!

What I Miss: I can't think of anything I really miss. We chose to forgo the ultrasound this week, since Dave had to work a full day yesterday. Now I really can't wait to see this baby next Wednesday.

Cravings: SALT. I made pasta with salt and butter last night and it tasted amazing! I added roasted okra and snap peas, and that was a hit too. I also made Dave stop for Little Caesar's on the way home from the airport. It tasted delicious. For breakfast this morning I had 2 bread sticks and half a grapefruit.

Symptoms: Very sore boobs when I wake up. It feels like I've been smashing them. I'm also still having the heavy feeling on the tops of them toward the inside. Like something is laying on them.

Saturday and Sunday mornings I woke up very hungry, which is unusual for me. I was at Jessica's home, and I tried to lay in bed and wait for them to wake up. As soon as I heard someone around, I popped out of bed. Luckily, Michael made eggs both mornings, which was perfect!

Sunday afternoon I was at my mom's house, and I had my first true bout of pregnancy nauseau. She was prepping for a family get-together and was cutting onions and opening cans of hot dog chili. I seriously thought I was going to puke. Then Monday, I woke up from a nap at my Grandma's house, and my mom gave me some pudding cake. I had one or two bites and thought I was going to puke again. I think I could have if I had gone into the bathroom, but I just sat still taking deep breaths and putting a cold rag on my forehead and wrists.

Since then, I have had nausea every day at least a little. Usually it is in the morning about 10 minutes after I get out of the shower. I think I must be getting too hot.

Best Moment this Week: Telling my Granny in person that we are pregnant!

Moments with Dave this Week: Dave hates Little Caesars, and the fact that he pulled over in a scary neighborhood on the way home from the airport and got me some, was truly a sign of pure love. He also sold his bike this week in preparation for being a dad, and he wants us to start cleaning up the garage and putting stuff in the attic this weekend. He wants us to do something every weekend to prep for the baby.

First Times with Baby: I traveled for the first time by airplane since pregnant. I flew to Austin SUPER early Friday morning, catching the 5:40am flight. There was a slight flight delay in Dallas Love Field, that allowed me time to scarf down Chick-Fil-A nuggets and fries at 8:30am!!!

I loved spending time with Jessica's family. Sunday, Jess met my mom and Granny in Buda (pronounced Beuda). Then I got to see Erin's family that night at our family party. They are part of our family :)


Milestones: Week 7 Bump Photo Tonight!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Next Wednesday's Ultrasound. I can't wait to hear that baby heartbeat again!

Favorite Quote from a Stranger this Week: I got nothing :) But my mom did grab my belly multiple times while I was with her in San Antonio, and it was such an odd feeling. But it brought me lots of joy.

Weirdest Thing I ate this Week: I'd say breakfast this morning. 2 Little Caesar's Breadsticks with marinara sauce and half a grapefruit.

Verse I'm Clinging to this Week: Numbers 26:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Gender Prediction Based on Wive's Tales

Originally written August 23, 2017

Cravings...Sweet or Salty - Salty! - Boy

Glowing - No - Girl

Carrying High or Low - Kinda High - Girl

Moody - Yes - Girl

Left Boob Bigger - Yes - Girl

Heart Rate Under 140 - No - Girl

Dreams of Snakes - This did happen once, but I thought only because we saw a ginormous snake on our walk that night. - Boy

Dad Gaining or Losing Weight - Dave's been losing - Girl

Areola becomes dark - Not yet - Girl

Craving Meat - Yes - Boy

Shape of Belly Like a Basketball - Definitely Not - Girl

Gaining Weight in Thighs - No - Girl

If You Become Clumsy - Not Yet - Girl

No Morning Sickness and Feeling God - Nope - Girl

Cold Feet - If this is literal, no - Girl

Frequent Headaches - I have gotten headaches, but I wouldn't call them frequent. - Girl

Dry Skin - Yes - Boy

Hair is Growing and Glowing - Nope - Girl

Fingernails and Toenails grow fast - Not especially - Girl

Leg Hair is Growing Faster than Before You Were Pregnant - Nope - Girl

Face Shape is Long and Lean - Nope - Girl

Have acne and pimples all over - Not all over, but more than usual - Girl

Carrying High - Yes - Girl

Shape of Belly Like Watermelon - Yes (more so than a basketball) - Girl


And the results are 4 Boy and 20 Girl - SOOOOOOO....we're probably having a boy!!!! :)