Listen Carefully Baby

Hey Baby B,

It's me Mommy! And I'm a week late on our update...again. But honestly not too much excitement to report on here. We've gotten through Week 16 and you've grown to the size of an avocado.

Last weekend I got to show off our little bump to some family at a bridal shower. Here's a picture of us afterwards. We are definitely growing!!!

During the week I actually had my first maternity "shopping spree". We're still in that frustrating stage where some things fit and some don't, but I'm sure this phase won't last long. I feel bigger and bigger every day. On top of that we have this crazy Chicago weather where I don't know whether to dress and buy for summer or fall/winter. I've managed to find some pretty cute stuff though so far! And I'm excited for the winter wardrobe.

This week we are starting Week 17 and by the end of the week you will have reached the size of an onion.

One of the most exciting developments you've made now is that at this point they say your ears are set in place and you are able to hear us talking. So now we are trying to talk directly to you more and more so you recognize our voices once you are here. I even like to play the piano for you now - my favorite song to play you is "Baby Mine" from the movie Dumbo. Again you are supposedly moving more and more and any time in the next few weeks I should be able to feel those movements. Which I admit I am excited to feel but also a little anxious/nervous. Does it truly feel like someone is poking me from the inside? That's crazy for me to imagine. I also worry that I won't even realize I feel you moving and I'll mistake it for gas or something else. My tummy does do some strange things and make some bizarre noises (and that was before I was pregnant with you).

Physically I am feeling much better. I'm still fairly tired but I can manage to stay up past 8:30pm now. Only new symptom I am noticing lately is some congestion and nose bleeds. Which from what I read - is normal. Oh and my appetite has DEFINITELY increased! I feel like I'm hungry all the time now! But no crazy cravings for us yet. Just if I have a taste for something then I am determined to get it ASAP. Like the Dunkin' Donuts Long John yesterday and the chocolate milk shake I'm about to dig in to now!

Well next week we have our next doctor's appointment. So there will definitely be an update later in the week. We will definitely hear your heartbeat at this visit because I'm not leaving that office without hearing it! I can't wait any longer!!!!

I love you little one!!

XO Mommy OX

Sleeping Beauty

To my Baby B,

Well Mommy has been trying to write this post since early last week, but honestly, I've fallen asleep trying to do it at least twice! Although most of the early pregnancy symptoms have passed (thankfully), the exhaustion is definitely still there. But it's hard to say is that from being pregnant, working midnights, or raising our new puppy! Speaking of which...Puppy Chip is now Puppy Belle, because HE turned up to be a SHE! Oops!

So since I last wrote, we have soared through our 14th week:

And are now flying through week 15:

It's amazing how quickly we are growing! At this stage, my books tell me that you are moving all over the place now, although it's still too early to feel you.  We got evidence of that a couple weeks ago when we went for our doctor's visit. Although we were disappointed that the doctor was not able to find the heartbeat with the doppler, we got another sneak peak of you with an ultrasound. And boy oh boy were you rolling around; it's no wonder the doctor couldn't find your heart beat. Sadly Daddy and I weren't so fond of this doctor, but that's not unlikely when you see 5 different doctors. He was very nice but seemed rushed and didn't show us the attention we like and are used to. Our next appointment is at the end of the month (September 30th).

Aside from that, Mommy's belly is growing growing growing! I actually came home from work this morning and couldn't believe how big my belly looked! It's like it doubled in size since I went to work. Crazy! Here's a pic from last week in my first maternity outfit :

Until next week...Daddy & I & Belle love you! :-*

Mommy XOXO

Things Are Just Peachy!

Our Lil' Baby B,

We are quickly zipping through our 13th week! You are now the size of a peach (which is Papa and Grandma's favorite fruit):

On Thursday, we had our first trimester screening. Daddy had to work so Grandma came along for the ultrasound and boy was she happy to get to see you! It's amazing how much you've grown since our last ultrasound. We were able to see your legs, feet, head, tummy, and even saw you moving your arms! A couple times it looked like you even hiccuped or yawned 'cause you were bouncing around! It not only teared up Grandma's eyes, but made Mommy's heart melt! Here are just a few snapshots that they let us come home with:

 It's also starting to get more and more obvious that Mommy's pregnant. As some clothes are starting to get a little bit snugger, my tummy is growing and we're starting to put on those few extra pounds.

On Thursday, Daddy and I are going for our next doctor appointment so I'm sure we'll have updates then! We're keeping our fingers crossed to hear that heart beat! It's getting faster (at the ultrasound they were able to count it at 156)!

OH! One more thing Baby B! Last night, Mommy and Daddy brought home someone who is sure to be your first playmate and best friend as you grow up together. Meet our new puppy Chip!

All of Mommy & Daddy's Love,

Mommy XOXO

Getting Bumpy

Baby B,

This week we are at 11 weeks, meaning we're now in the 12th week of pregnancy and almost through the 1st trimester! Wow! You are now the size of a large plum:

And as you are starting to grow, so is Mommy's belly:

There is the bump that Daddy and I have been waiting to see! It is amazing how that tiny, little bump can be so reassuring to us that you are growing, growing, growing! Something that will be even more reassuring is when we hear your little heartbeat at our doctor visit next week (September 2nd). This week we have an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday for our 1st trimester screening. Hopefully we'll get some great pics since you've grown so much over the last 3 weeks. We'll see soon enough.

This weekend you received your first baby gift! Uncle Fran and Angela came over to visit and brought this beautiful blanket that Angela made for you:

It's so soft it will surely be one of your favorites once you arrive. For now it's stored away in your closet in the soon-to-be nursery.

Well until later this week when we post your new pics...

Mommy loves you!

<3 Mommy <3

Weekly Confusion

Hi Baby B,

It's me again, Mommy! Not much to update on today, but that's kind of a good thing. I'm definitely start to feel better, and a little more like myself again. Knock on wood, the nausea appears to have subsided for the most part! The tiredness still comes and go, however, it is much better. I actually have the motivation again to get things done around the house here; and Daddy's happy because I feel up to cooking again.

After thinking about it, I think that my weekly pictures have been a little off. This weekly thing gets kind of confusing. Yesterday made 10 weeks for us, meaning you have reached the size of a prune:

Your bones and cartilage have formed and your arms can already flex (although your little arms are as small as this number "1"). Crazy! Stuff like that just amazes me!

Now, although we are 10 weeks, we are entering week 11 (again so confusing). But this week you are growing to the size of a lime:

This week you are almost 2 inches long and 1/4 oz, it's amazing how fast you are growing! You are starting to form hair follicles and nails are starting to grow. Although I can't feel you moving yet, the books tell me that you are moving in there; doing things like stretching, somersaults and forward rolls. Lastly, this week you are starting to develop your sex organs, although it isn't apparent to us yet.

Which brings up the good old topic of will we or won't we find out. For those of you who don't know yet, I have always said that we were going to be surprised and I am sticking to that! Daddy doesn't voice a strong opinion one way or the other on the subject so he's agreeing with me. It may just be that he knows how stubborn your Mommy is and he wouldn't win this battle anyway :) I just like the thought that for a few minutes only you, me & Daddy will know if you're a boy or girl and then Daddy will be the one who gets to share the great news with everyone! I get so excited just thinking about it!!

Plus it will keep everyone guessing for the next 30 or so weeks! I will say that I have had 2 dreams that have had little girls in them, but Daddy had a dream about a little boy. So who really knows - only God and maybe you! We've had people tell us both boy and girl, although it seems like more have felt girl as of now. But I know that will go back and forth as I start to show more and more.

Speaking of which, here is our 10 week "bump" picture. Not too much to brag about, but Daddy and I think there's a little something there.

I truly haven't gained any weight yet, but my clothes are now starting to feel a little snugger. And now that I am not quite so nauseous my appetite is definitely increasing. So until our next update Baby B - Mommy and Daddy love you!


Love,

Mommy XOXO

Grow, Baby, Grow

Baby B...

Growing is definitely something that you're doing. We had another ultrasound done at the doctor yesterday and you are definitely bigger than you were just 10 days before. Here's our latest peek.

The doctor saw no reason to change your due date from what they originally stated, so we are back to a due date of March 11. Which is just fine with Momma and Daddy, cause that means we can expect you sooner (not that you'll necessarily come sooner, but we'll see). Someone that may be here a little sooner than that is yet another new cousin you'll have around the same age as you. Your Auntie Jenni and Uncle Todd are having another baby and they are due March 3! We're so excited for them!

So with a March 11th due date, that made me 9 weeks yesterday. So you're now the size of a green olive (Daddy and Auntie Jenni's favorite garnish).

It was still too early to hear your heartbeat yet, but we did get to see it beating this time; and boy was that pretty cool! Not sure if it was seeing that beating heart or the fact that I ate half a container of Kaukauna spreadable cheese last night, but Mommy definitely feels preggers now! And it's such an amazing feeling!

Our next doctor's appointment is September 2nd. In between then we will have another ultrasound in 2-3 weeks for the first trimester screening. Doctor doesn't see anything of concern, but they highly recommend everyone go for this screening. So that's what we'll do; and how can we complain if it means getting another picture of you! You're just so easy to look at already!!

Love you Baby!

Mommy

Snowflake

Hey Baby B!

Oh what a crazy busy week we have had in this house! And it all started with some fantastic news about you! I'll get to the details in a minute, I just can't wait to share your first picture:

There you are! At a tiny 6 weeks and 6 days, and according to Momma's family, you look like a snowflake. So that's what we've taken to nicknaming you lately. :-) If you do the math, you'll realize that they have moved your due date back by four days (at least according to the ultrasound tech). So now we are expecting you to arrive on March 15; which honestly, Mommy thinks is more accurate.  Aside from getting your first picture last Monday, they were also able to track your heart beat - nice and strong at 132 beats! Although it was still a little too early to hear. Maybe at our appointment on Friday...we'll see.

So today actually marks 8 weeks for us. Which according to our picture time line that Uncle Fran sent us, you have now reached the size of a raspberry.

And let me tell you, you must be doing some major growing this week because Mommy is absolutely exhausted! I'm actually planning a nap after writing this letter. :-) The nausea kind of comes and goes, but hasn't been anything too terrible; and the feeling of being bloated has become the normal. No bump yet, but I am so anticipating that day. Although, as I told your Daddy, it is getting a little harder to suck in my "gut."  Here's our 8 week pic together.

Additionally this week, your Papa (my daddy) had surgery on his back, your Auntie Lisa had her c-section, your cousin Brooklyn Hope was born, and she had her surgery as well, and we spent a couple days living with your cousins Emma & Kendall. Thankfully everyone is doing great. Papa is recovering on the inpatient rehab unit and will hopefully be home Friday. Brooklyn is out of the NICU and recovering beautifully as well and will hopefully be home in 2 weeks! Speaking of beautiful...isn't she???

So that's all for now (and that's enough isn't it)! Friday we go to the doctor and for my glucose test. Let's keep our fingers crossed we pass that one, cause Mommy won't survive without her sweets! We're also hoping to get another glimpse at you because that was the original plan.

We love you Baby!

Mommy (& Daddy too)