27 Weeks!

Originally written November 20 and December 1, 2017

Size of Baby: Baby J is the size of lettuce, 14.4 inches and 1 pound 15 ounces in weight (according to the Bump app).

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 182, up 22 pounds so far.

Maternity Clothes: I pretty much have to stick to them. On Thanksgiving day, the picture above, I was wearing normal clothes, but even those leggings just hit in a funny spot.

Surprise of the Week: Book Club Baby Shower!!!! I showed up to the Brook on Monday night for dinner with a few girlfriends, and found 12 of my favorite book club ladies waiting to shower me and baby Savannah! Thank you SO much Megan, Adri, Anna, Amanda, Lauren and Lindsay for throwing me such a cute surprise shower.

Shocking Moment This Week: This doesn't have to do with the pregnancy, but a new friend!

I went outside to feed the horses carrots on Thursday afternoon. Ali wasn't acting herself. She was being so nice and cuddly. She put her face right up next to mine. Usually she is finicky as all get out. Eventually I bent down to see if this was a girl or boy horse, because she sure wasn't acting like Ali. Well, it was a new boy horse. And he is so sweet. I love him! I don't know his name yet, but I will find out soon. The new boy horse is actually the second photo on this post with my 27 week sign. Ali's last picture in the backyard is this one. She is the dark horse on the far left.

Cravings: Chicken - fried. This week I've been craving fried chicken. After work on Friday, I kinda wanted Chick-Fil-A. But I went to Target to run errands, needed a rotisserie chicken, and in the same area saw boneless chicken wings and chicken tenders. I picked up chicken tenders...amazing deal, $2.58 for .43 pounds of crispy delicious chicken tenders.

Saturday morning we met Greg, Margaux and baby Mason at Dilly Diner for breakfast.

At breakfast, I got chicken and waffles. I eat them as two separate things. Ate my fried chicken breast with ketchup. And when I'm done, my waffle with butter and syrup.

I'm also craving chicken in general. I wanted my mom's homemade chicken soup really bad on Friday, the 17th. So I made a big ole' batch. It is so soothing to my soul and belly.

Symptoms: Heartburn - I think this is getting a little better than last week.

I've started running into things. My brain hasn't caught up with my body growth. So I've started running into things like walls, doorways, my car while trying to maneuver in the garage. It's pretty embarrassing, and one of the number one reasons I try to avoid shopping right now. At grocery stores, I run into the ends of aisles when turning the corner. Ridiculous.

Snoring - Dave has said in the last couple of weeks "last night your snoring sounded like a whistling elevator(?)", "last night you sounded like a 350 pound man with a mustache (?)", "last night you sounded like a moose" and my least favorite "last night you sounded like a walrus." Hahahah!!!!! I wish he recorded all of these crazy sounds. But I do know he isn't lying, because I've woken myself up snoring.

Dreams - Still out of this world. Last night I dreamt that I was in Italy and Maks from Dancing with the Stars was working behind the counter at one of the restaurants. And I kept ordering more and more food, and he said "slow down, girl!" And I said "No, I'm pregnant. I need ALL of the food. And make it snappy!"

Best Moment this Week: Sorting the new and hand-me-down clothes we've received by size and hanging the 0-6 month clothes in her closet and putting some away in drawers. They are so little and cute!

Moments with Dave this Week: We spent a good chunk of the day on Sunday out at Oologah Lake. We hiked, made dinner out there and even put up the tent in case we wanted to take a nap. It's so nice spending quality time with my baby daddy before baby arrives. I may not be able to move at quite the same speed as him, but I still love hiking and being outdoors.

Milestones: Baby is breathing amniotic fluid in and out and officially showing brain activity as of this week.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Seeing baby girl on Wednesday!

What the Doctor Said this Week: N/A Next doctor's appointment is November 29.

New Place We Went this Week: Cirque Coffee with Kevin and Hannah early Saturday morning. It was really yummy and had a cool laid-back vibe. They even brought their pups!

Verse I'm Clinging to this Week: Isaiah 40:31 "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

26 Weeks!

Originally written November 15, 2017

Photo taken after the gym this morning. Since the time change, I've given up on after-work photos.

Size of Baby: Baby J is the size of kale, 14 inches and 1 pound 10.9 ounces in weight (according to the Bump app).

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 178, up 18 pounds so far. First time for everything...actually down 1/2 a pound this week.

Maternity Clothes: Today I tried wearing a regular long shirt to work. I had it on for about 10 minutes before I left the house. I kept looking in the mirror and realized it just wasn't going to work today. I should enjoy wearing the maternity clothes I do have, cause I only have 14 weeks left to wear them!

Shocking Moment This Week: I think my belly button is becoming flat. I've always had such a deep innie belly button that I never imagined I would be a pregnant girl with a flat or popping belly button. But it is actually becoming flat!

Numbers: 26 weeks pregnant means I've spent half a year pregnant! 26 weeks pregnant means only 1 week left in the second trimester.

Movement: She is moving alot. This week Dave got to feel her. And Tia and Catherine were able to feel her this morning at work after I ate a burrito!

Sometimes when I feel her, like this morning, I can feel her on both the right and left sides of my belly at the exact same time. She is starting to stretch out.

Sleep: I feel like the pattern is still one good night, one bad night, one good night, one bad night. Last night my dreams were outrageous and kept me up quite a bit.

What I Miss: Sleeping in any other position than my side, which is really starting to make my neck and hips ache.

Cravings: Still cheese.

Symptoms: Heartburn - still happening like crazy.

I got sick this week on Tuesday. I don't know if it was pregnancy related though. In general, I just didn't feel good all day. I did have a really bad headache, and per the Bump update this week, it mentioned headaches can start getting bad again around week 26. I ended up leaving the office around 2 and went home to try and get some sleep. Dave made dinner when he got home, and after eating I promptly got sick. He is SO good to me when I get sick.

Thankfully, I woke up feeling better on Wednesday.

Best Moment this Week: We celebrated Baby Savannah with friends in Dallas this weekend! The shower was perfect! The decorations were beautiful...fall-themed pumpkins and colors. The guests were some of my friends that I haven't seen in years. I felt like the luckiest momma in the world to be spoiled by friends who love me so much. Thank you Erin, Kami, Carolyn and Eva for hosting such a beautiful shower for me and Savannah!

I also got to see Eva's little Carter Sunday morning at breakfast before we hit the road. He is a doll!

Moments with Dave this Week: Holy Moly Maternity Photos! It's a little early to be taking maternity photos according to some sources, but I've learned to seize my moments where I can. As soon as I found out the weekend we'd be in Dallas for the baby shower, I contacted Sarah Avitua. She is one of my best friend's from childhood's older sister, and I've been following her photography for years. I've always dreamed of her taking my maternity photos. And this weekend, my dreams came true. I woke up to a sneak peek of the shoot this morning, and they are even more beautiful than I could have imagined.

Taking the photos was so emotional. For the shots that Dave was with me and we were looking in eachother's eyes, I couldn't help but well up with tears. It's been such a painful, long process to get to this point, and honestly I wasn't sure we were ever going to get here. I had even gotten to the point of embracing whatever life God might have in store for us, even if it meant not being a mommy. To say I'm grateful that God decided to bless us with this baby girl is an understatement. I am overwhelmed by His goodness and His timing.

On Friday before we left for Dallas, Dave wanted his dad to get some pictures of us in Tulsa at Woodward Park with all of the fall colors. His dad took our engagement photos in the same park in 2008.

Milestones: Baby girl's eyes are forming according to the Bump app. Soon she will start practicing opening and closing them.

I've also scheduled two interviews with pediatricians, and I'll pick my favorite out of those two. They both come highly recommended and are 11 minutes from the house.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Enjoying a weekend at home with no real to-do's!

What the Doctor Said this Week: N/A Next doctor's appointment is November 29.

Weirdest Thing I ate this Week: Yesterday since I wasn't feeling good, I tried eating soup for breakfast and also had the rest of the pimento cheese Carolyn got for me while I was in Dallas.

Verse I'm Clinging to this Week: Isaiah 40:31 "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

25 Weeks!

Originally written November 8, 2017

Size of Baby: Baby J is the size of a head of cauliflower, 13.5 inches and 1 pound 7.4 ounces in weight (according to the Bump app). I'm guessing she weighs more than that, since last week her doctor estimated she weighed 1 pound 9 oz.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 178.5, up 18.5 pounds so far. Man, second trimester has been a doozy in the weight gain category. This weekend in San Antonio, I really enjoyed all my family and the FOOD :) I had all of my favorites.

Friday for lunch we went to Los Barrios where I had a cheese enchilada, puffy beef taco and split a tamale with momma. Friday night mom and I had her infamous homemade spaghetti sauce.

Saturday morning I had 2 tamales with chili sauce. Is that weird? I'm just not wanting traditional breakfast food right now. For lunch, Erin served amazing Mexican food at the shower. For dinner that night, mom and I picked up poor boys from Bill Miller's and she made the most amazing homemade macaroni and cheese ever. I had told her I wasn't feeling good, so I wasn't going to eat dinner. But when I pulled that mac and cheese out of the oven, I had to have some.

Sunday morning I ate the second half of my ham poorboy and leftover mac and cheese for breakfast. That afternoon we celebrated Granny's 86th birthday with pizza. And I think I had more leftover mac and cheese for dinner Sunday night.

SOOOOO...I'm not surprised that my weight went up 1.5 pounds since last week. I really really really enjoyed all the food San Antonio has to offer :)

Maternity Clothes: I have been SOOOOO blessed by so many people giving me hand-me-downs. I've picked up a few pieces myself from Old Navy, Stitch Fix and Motherhood Maternity. I'm trying to dress in clothes that make me feel happy and confident. It's hard to see not only my body change, but also see my face getting rounder, and even my feet and legs swelling.

Movement: Baby girl is a mover and a shaker. This week her kicks have changed from being cute poofs of air into more big rolling motions and tap dancing on my cervix. I'm glad she is practicing her dance moves, but if she wants to tap dance a little higher up, I'd be totally ok with that.

Probably the biggest change this week is her kicks. They feel so different. Not necessarily painful yet, but more uncomfortable than cute.

Sleep: Depends on the night. I feel like I'll have a great night, then a poor night and recycle.

What I Miss: Hmmmmm, moving as fast as I usually do. I've noticed that when I walk for exercise, it takes me more minutes to go the same distance I was going just a month ago.

Cravings: Lipton Noodle Soup. I've asked Dave to make this for me several times during pregnancy, but now that it's cold outside, that soup sounds so good. Unfortunately, I'm still craving salty items.

Symptoms: I'm starting to noticeably swell in the feet and ankles. Yesterday I was stunned by my feet and legs when I took off my boots at the end of the work day. So today, I've made it a point to elevate my legs at least 10 minutes per hour. I wish I could make myself stop eating salt, but it is still what I crave. I am trying to back off of it a little though.

Heartburn and constipation are also both present at the end of week 25.

Best Moment this Week: We celebrated Baby Savannah with tons of family down in San Antonio. Thank you Erin for throwing me and Savannah an amazing shower!

I've also loved receiving gifts from family that couldn't make it to the shower this weekend. This super soft blanket and this changing pad cover are some of my favorite prints out of the multitude of prints I registered for. And this elephant is destined to be one of baby girl's favorites!

Moments with Dave this Week: We really missed eachother while I was away in San Antonio. This coming weekend we are driving down to Dallas together. I'm excited about the time I will have with him. When I got home Monday night, he went through all of the gifts we got at the shower. I love seeing him go through the cute little baby girl clothes. It warms my heart.

Milestones: I had to buy some new shoes due to my swelling. I ordered 5 pairs off Payless.com. Hopefully some of them work, because shoe shopping in a store while pregnant is one of my least favorite things to do.

When I got my 25 Week Bump.com update this morning, one of the 3 to-do's this week was get new shoes. :) Check!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Going to Dallas this weekend to get spoiled by my Dallas friends!

What Kind of Mom I'm Going to Be Per The Bump's Article on Zodiac Signs:
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21)
“Sagittarius moms love the great outdoors and are definitely not inclined to be couch potatoes. The first shoes she’s going to buy for her kids are hiking boots,” Angel says. “As a fire sign, they’re not known to be the most patient, but they’re very good natured people, so when they lose their temper, they get over it quickly.” Sagittarius moms also tend to be forward-thinking and action-oriented, and raise their kids to be optimistic and colorful. ”Since Sagittarius is the sign of travel, they want to show their children the world and teach them to broaden their horizons through hands-on learning,” she adds. “Instead of just Googling the pyramids, she would actually take the kids to see them in person.”

I sure hope I'm this kind of mom. It sounds like it could be me to a T!

What the Doctor Said this Week: N/A Next doctor's appointment is November 29.

Weirdest Thing I ate this Week: Probably the tamales with chili for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Verse I'm Clinging to this Week: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

This verse is so special to me. I had a science teacher in highschool that loved this verse so much, that he would give us an extra point on exams if we wrote this verse on the top before turning in our paper.

Also, my friend Caroline, has claimed this verse as her own as she waits for God to bless her with a baby.

24 Weeks!

Originally written November 2, 2017

Size of Baby: Baby J is the size of a cantaloupe, 11.8 inches and 1 pound 9 ounces in weight (according to her doctor's appointment yesterday)!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 177, up 17 pounds so far.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and loving them! I wore my first shirt from Aunt Joanie this week to work.

Movement: Fireworks! This little girl likes to do firework-like shows. She kicks away for about 10 minutes and then rests for a while. Occasionally, I'll feel a kick here or there, but usually it's in show-like succession. At church on Sunday, she was kicking down. It was slightly uncomfortable :)

Sleep: I'm doing ok this week. The World Series has been on. Go Astros! So I've stayed up later than usual.

What I Miss: The Tulsa Run was last weekend, and it really made me miss running. I'm looking forward to doing the Tulsa Run next year.

Cravings: I actually ate ice cream this week. I had some Blue Bell vanilla with fresh raspberries one night, and it tasted good. But I can't say I've really been craving anything this week.

Symptoms: Heartburn city. I've said it before, but I hope she is born with hair to make up for all this heartburn I've been having. It doesn't seem like anything specific really triggers it, because even after drinking water, I'll have the burning sensation.

I threw up twice this week. I think it might be the only time I've thrown up twice in a week during this pregnancy. One was a toothbrush/morning incident. But Saturday night, I felt really sick after taking one of my first pregnant baths. I did lukewarm water. But after about 5 minutes in, I just didn't feel right. I got out, told Dave I wasn't going to be able to make dinner and I was just going to lay on the couch. 5 minutes later, I was running for the bathroom. It was very unpleasant. Much like the fruit pie incident from our Utah trip. (I still need to post the weeks 21 and 22 udpate.)

Best Moment this Week: Our little buddy, Jace, got baptized on Sunday. I loved being part of his special day.

Moments with Dave this Week: Saturday morning, Dave and I had a day date. We started off by walking Manion Park, and then we went to brunch at Smoke, one of our favorite restaurants. It was chilly Saturday and a great day to snuggle and watch football in the afternoon.

Milestones: Baby's first Halloween! Debbie made me a momma kangaroo costume that I wore to the office.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Going to San Antonio this weekend to see my family and celebrate Baby Girl!

What the Doctor Said this Week: Baby Girl's heartbeat per minute was 155. Dr. Martin measured her head, belly and femur bone and told us she weighed 1 pound 9 oz, which was on track for 24 weeks. She is currently head up, but Dr. Martin told us she has plenty of time to flip around to the ideal head down position for delivery. We're signed up for the hospital class on January 6. My next appointment will be the glucose check and our last 4 week appointment. After that, we go every 2 weeks.

She gave us her best Halloween pose yesterday!

Weirdest Thing I ate this Week: I actually ate poptarts for breakfast one morning with a huge glass of milk. It tasted delicious at the time. But then I didn't feel very good the rest of the day. It's hard to eat the perfect thing to make me feel ok. I know I should be eating protein. But eggs are not sitting well with me right now since I'm still having a problem with mushy textures.

Verse I'm Clinging to this Week: From my daily calendar "It's never a question of whether or not God will bless you - it's a matter of having your faith stretched out enough to receive the incredible measure of goodness God wants to pour into your life!"