Week 16

This has been the best week of pregnancy so far!  My nausea has dissipated, my appetite is coming back, and oh my goodness baby girl stuff is the cutest.  Tutus, headbands, leggings, oh my!  I've had to ban myself from Target and all other baby stores.  Harper is already being spoiled by all of her fashionable aunts and I can't wait to get her nursery and closet all set up soon!

We had a doctors appointment this week and everything is on track.  Her heartbeat was 144, my previous blood work was all good, and I go back in a month.  At 16 weeks, my doctor does not do an ultrasound, but fortunately I've made friends with the woman who did my early gender scan in my office building and I got to see Harper again!  She has grown so much in a week - girl has long legs and big feet.  I watched her yawn, scratch her head, hiccup, and take a nap -- so amazing.

How far along? 16 weeks

Maternity clothes? Always. 

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: Ha.     

Best moment(s) this week: Hearing Harrison practice saying Harper 💗

Miss Anything? Blue Moon... the weather is warming up and I would love nothing more than to sit outside and sip on a refreshing, fruity beer.   

Movement: The kicks are getting stronger, but they are still only happening occasionally.  

Food cravings: Those juicy and delicious little orange cuties.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Thankfully no! 

Gender: GIRL!  Her first mini bow headband was ordered this week. 

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms:  My only symptom this week is being tired.  I am defintely lacking in the energy department, which makes me feel like a bad mom to Harrison and a lazy wife, but I mean, I am growing a human...

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy this week 😀

Looking forward to: My growing belly and getting ready for our baby girl.  

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Week 15

We went to an early gender scan last week and after 30 minutes or so of an uncooperative baby, we finally found out that it's a GIRL!  She's modest and apparently likes to be in upside down yoga positions.  We are so excited and feel so grateful.  I can't wait to see Harrison take care of his little sister and for Mike to be completely wrapped around her little finger.  I am looking forward to raising a little girl and guiding her to be a strong woman who stands up for herself, respects and is accepting of all people, and who wants to make the world a better place.  

We've had a girl name picked out for a while now.  Her first name has been my favorite name for years and is probably the only thing I've never changed my mind about, and surprisingly Mike loves it, so that miraculously worked out.  Her middle name is the most important though; she is named after my dad's oldest sister who passed away before I was born.  She had a son in Australia, and after years of my Dad searching, found him in Ireland in 2009 and connected our families back together.  It was like watching my dad find a piece of his heart and is a moment in time I will never forget.   Finding her son was such an important journey for my father and it only makes sense that our daughter should be connected to someone so special to our family.  

Harper Ellen Hall

We love you so much already and can't wait to meet you in August. 

How far along? 15 weeks

Maternity clothes? I wouldn't wear anything else 😀

Stretch marks? Still no

Sleep: I wake up tired and go to bed tired.

Best moment(s) this week: Finding out we are having a daughter and meeting our godson!  Welcome to the world Jensen!  It was truly a wonderful week filled with so much happiness and joy.  

Miss Anything? Mimosas and energy.   

Movement: The kicks are getting stronger, but they are still sporadic and not daily.  

Food cravings: Still nothing.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: I still get the occasional wave of nausea, but there is no specific cause. 
Gender: Baby girl 💖

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Emotional, tired, nauseous, and my boobs hurt. 

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Moody overall, but much happier this week than most.  

Looking forward to: Getting everything ready for Harper -- time to start shopping and looking for nursery decor! 

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Week 14

It's time for some old wives tale fun!  Tomorrow we find out the gender of our baby and I am FREAKING out.  This is our second and last baby, barring any surprises, and I am so ready to know if I'll be a mom of boys or if we'll have one of each.  I really meant it last week when I said that I'm happy either way, I truly am, I am just ready to know.  So, let's see what the old wives have to offer...

Heart Rate:  GIRL.  It's a boy if the heart rate falls in the low range (110-130s).  It's a girl if the heart rate falls in the high range (140-160s).  At our 12 week appointment the heart rate ranged from 168-174.    

Morning Sickness:  GIRL.  They say if you are nauseated it's a girl and if not it's a boy.  SO much nausea this time around.  The first trimester was really a struggle, and although the nausea has gotten better during the second trimester it still shows up every now and then.  There has also been some vomiting this pregnancy, which never happened the first time around. 

Chinese Calendar:  GIRL.  You use the age you conceived and the month you are due to calculate the gender of the baby.  It was right with Harrison...

Cravings:  UNDECIDED.  If you crave sweets, it's a girl.  If you crave salty or sour foods, it's a boy. I don't even want food, so this one is a bust. 

Skin:  BOY.  If you have acne, girl.  No acne, boy.  I've had one pimple this pregnancy, but other than that my skin has been clear, so I'll go with boy on this one. 

Sympathy Weight:  BOY.  They say that if your significant other gains weight then it's a girl.  Mike has actually lost weight... he's the only person I know that can drink beer and eat cookies and lose five pounds. But to be fair, he has been joining me (for the most part) on this sober journey, which is probably attributing to his weight loss.  

Ring Test:  UNDECIDED.  Tie a ring to a string and hold it still above your belly.  If it goes in a circle, it's a girl.  Back and forth, it's a boy.  It didn't do anything... should I be worried?

Mommy's Prediction:  GIRL.  This pregnancy has felt very different than the first one, so I'm going with girl.  

Daddy's Prediction:  GIRL.   Are tea parties and dress up in Mike's future?! 

5/9 Girl, 2/9 Boy, 2/9 Undecided  ... Tell me your guesses! 

How far along? 14 weeks
Maternity clothes? Absolutely.  I'm sure some people are questioning if my belly is an actual human or just leftover holiday pounds, but they are so much more comfortable and if I touch my stomach enough hopefully people will get the hint.   Stretch marks? No, but I should probably start using some lotion to prevent them.  Sleep: It depends, I'm either up all night or sleep like a rock.  Best moment(s) this week: Taking some time for myself!  On Sunday, Harrison and I went on a boat with the Rowans and it was much needed.  I didn't look at my phone, told my clients I was unavailable, and got a little too much sun.  It was fantastic.  Miss Anything? Boat drinks.Movement: This baby is a tease.  One day I'll feel a few kicks, and then the next it's nothing. Food cravings: Pizza lunchables have been tolerable so feel free to send my way.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I got really sick this week, but I think it was a 24 hour stomach bug, and not baby related- either way, it was awful and I'm still recovering.  Gender: TOMORROW!! Labor Signs: NopeSymptoms: I am tired, itchy, and irritable.  Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? OnHappy or Moody most of the time: Moodiness is still at an all time high.
Looking forward to: Our gender scan tomorrow! I'll keep everyone posted.  

Also.. bestie bumps 😍

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Week 13

The end of the first trimester ranges from 12-14 weeks depending on who you ask and what you google, so now that week 13 is complete I can officially say peace out to the first trimester and welcome the second trimester with open arms.  

How far along? 13 weeks
Maternity clothes? Every freaking day.  It's leggings and dresses for me until August! Stretch marks? NoSleep: Really starting to miss it... I can't stay asleep and it's really starting to catch up with me.  I'm drinking some extra coffee (3/4 of a cup, wild, I know) to try and make up for it, but by 2:00 I'm a zombie.   Best moment(s) this week: Honestly, this week has been tough.  I constantly feel overwhelmed and ready to break into tears at any moment.  I'm so tired, yet can't sleep, and am really wanting a break from life.  A vacation sounds nice right about now...   I don't want to sound ungrateful or whiny, but this is real life and I don't have a best moment of the week.  It was just a week.  
Miss Anything? Beer and margaritas.  I desperately want to have a drink and relax.  6 more months...
Movement: Every now and then I feel a little something, and of course that leads to excessive worrying when I don't.  I'm ready for some constant kicking to know everything is ok. Food cravings: Nothing.  I really miss wanting to eat.
Anything making you queasy or sick: On the flipside, nothing really grosses me out, food just doesn't seem appetizing. Gender: The million dollar question- "Do you want a boy or girl this time?"  Honestly, besides the PC answer of saying I want a healthy baby, I don't care.  Part of me wants a girl-- I would love to see a mini version of me and dress her in all of the headbands and tutus.  It would be really awesome to see Mike with a daughter and experience the opposite gender.  But, I also LOVE being a boy mom and raising a little gentlemen.  At this point, I just want to know! Labor Signs: Nope Symptoms: Headaches, mood swings, exhaustion, and cramping like pain in my abdomen.  
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? OnHappy or Moody most of the time: Moooooooody. 
Looking forward to: Our 4 year wedding anniversary and gender scan coming up! 

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