First day of Spring in Texas

Yup ... we finished of a crazy, snowy winter with a blizzard and about 2 inches of snow on the first day of Spring. Is it weird to say I'm excited to get back to Washington where the weather is a little more predictable?

These veggie are getting big!

You are 25 weeks and your baby is the size of an Eggplant!

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

24 weeks!

How far along? 24 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes, please! I have the best mom who bought me the cutest pair of maternity jeans and a dress.
Stretch marks? No thank you.
Sleep: Great lately! Now that I have gotten rid of this head cold, I am sleeping like a baby.
Best moment this week: Playing games with this wild baby in my belly. He kicks, I poke at him, he kicks back. It's so fun to interact.
Movement: TONS!
Food cravings: Just food in general. I could eat all day long if you let me.
Gender: A little man
Pregnancy Symptoms: The one thing I have been noticing lately is my ankles are getting wabbly. I think I need to put my heels away for a while.
Labor Signs: Nada
Belly Button in or out? It's growing, that's all I can say.
What I miss: Honestly? Nothing lately. I am really enjoying this experience and feel great!
What I am looking forward to: Meeting our new doctor in Washington and getting to see our little man on the ultrasound again.
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy every day! Life is too short and full of changes to take anything for granted.

This scares me

What scares me so much about this is that as my belly gets bigger, and summer nears, I will be afraid to sport a 2-piece swim suit, or any tight shirt for that matter, because I have a feeling my belly button is going in the direction of looking like this ...

Someone, please say something to me if I suddenly lose all sense of self-awareness and start to resemble Michael Kors.

23 weeks

We are still a papaya this week, but here's a fun little fact:

Baby's little face is fully formed...minus the baby fat, of course. The next task at hand for baby: sprouting two teeny-tiny nipples!

And I will be taking a pass this week on my bump photos. I know I know, you are probably so disappointed. I am fighting a head cold and just can't get myself to take the pictures. I promise to be back in full force next week.

It's official!

Our house is on the market and we are moving back to Washington!
To finally answer the questions about all of Brian's "business" trips to Washington and my lack of details in certain departments ... Brian has gotten a job in Washington and will begin working in mid April. What will he be doing? He is making a MAJOR career change and will be working the streets ... as a police officer! We both think that this is going to be a great change for him, not to mention our future.
We are looking forward to living closer to all of our family and friends, although, our time in Texas has been a great experience. There will definitely be days when I will miss the 70 degree weather in December.
As for me, I am hoping to find a job in the Tacoma area before we move, otherwise I might be hanging out in Texas for a couple extra weeks to make a little extra money during the transition process. Or ... better yet ... if we could just find someone who wants to buy our house, that will relieve a lot of pressure. (any interested buyers out there?)
But I am so excited to finally be able to share this great news with everyone. 2010 is going to be quite the year of change, with the move and the baby. Let's just hope everything goes smoothly and we can settle into our new life in Washington in no time.

22 week check-in

How far along? 22 weeks
Maternity clothes? Bought a new big girl bra and a few new shirts, but nothing specifically maternity. I love that current styles are long shirts and loose blouses. I could use some more jeans and pants though.
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Once I fall asleep, I have been sleeping great, but this little guy likes to play the drums on my inside as soon as I settle into bed.
Best moment this week: As weird as it might sound, catching people looking at my belly and then smiling at me. It just reminds me how lucky I am to get to experience this.
Movement: A whole lot of movin' and shakin' going on.
Food cravings: Ice cream cones and milkshakes.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: No thanks!
Belly Button in or out? Oye...let's not talk about it.

What I miss: Laying on my stomach. I have caught myself going to lay down on my stomach and get halfway there before I remember.
What I am looking forward to: My 4 week appointment this week. I love hearing that little heartbeat and getting more details from the doctor on how my progression is going. It will also be interesting to see how much weight I have gained since my belly has tripled in size.
Weekly Wisdom: Just smile...life is good.
Milestones: Lots of movement, lots of growth and lots of things going on in other aspects of life. (more to come on this soon)

No more weekly fruit?

22 weeks and we are on to only once a month fruit updates!

You are 5 months and your baby is now the size of a Papaya!
Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

Because they are so cute...

That's all.

21 week check-in

How far along? 21 weeks
Maternity clothes? Officially sporting a hot pair of Habitual maternity jeans, and looking forward to adding more cute clothes soon.
Stretch marks? Lathering on the Palmer's stretch mark cream daily
Sleep: It's beginning to get more difficult to get comfortable. I might need a belly support soon.
Best moment this week: (see next entry)
Movement: This boy can kick! I have been getting some great movement these days and love that Brian can feel them too.
Food cravings: Everything! My appetite is back in full force.
Gender: Boy
Pregnancy symptoms: I can feel some major stretching going on inside as my belly grows by the day.
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? Um...I'm afraid to report that it's beginning to pop.
What I miss: This week I have been missing sushi. I would love a big plate of the Las Vegas rolls from Ra right about now.
What I am looking forward to: Picking out all of our little man's nursery stuff and other goodies!
Weekly Wisdom: Be proud, not offended, when you catch people staring at your belly. (It has started happening quite frequently)
Milestones: Feeling a lot of movement and passing the halfway point with no troubles. Here's to another smooth trimester.

A banana?!?!

I'm not sure I believe these anymore...how do you go from a canteloupe to a banana? nonetheless...

This week your baby is the size of a banana.
Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.