Baby Bump?

Well, it's official...I definitely can't fit into my pants anymore! HAHA! I've put the Bella Band to good use this week (Bella Band is something that you wear over the top of your pants so they can remain unbuttoned and unzipped), but I'm still pretty uncomfortable! Guess it's time to start looking at some maternity clothes, huh? I know not to go overboard with maternity clothes, but I'm looking for COMFORT. I've already been perusing Old Navy's maternity website and I think that's a good place to start.

I still don't feel like I have a true "baby" bump yet...more like "I-had-too-many-doughnuts" bump! But, per several requests, I'll post a picture anyway! =)

I've been feeling better this week...especially with the 70 degree weather we're having! Oh, I had my first baby dream - in the dream, we found out we were having a little girl - only time will tell! We should be able to find out in April.

Just a quick post this week - I'm 13 weeks today! Go back to the doctor a week from Monday to hear that strong little heartbeat =) Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Hello 2nd Trimester!

I'm officially entering my second trimester tomorrow! Six short months to go! The last week or so hasn't really been the best - I feel like I took a step back in regards to how I'm feeling. The all-day nausea returned, got sick, lost my appetite, etc. I texted Eric on Tuesday and said "I think I'm having my first major pregnancy emotional meltdown." Haha...and don't worry, I've had another since then too =) I think I was just overwhelmed with how crummy I felt. But, all in all, I really can't complain at how the first trimester went! Besides some nausea and the exhaustion, everything else went very smoothly! I'm definitely looking forward to that extra 'burst' of energy people say you gain during the second trimester. I know everyone is different, but I've had several friends say around week 14-16 they felt like a whole new person.

While I haven't gotten addicted to the Pinterest craze (Google it if you need to find out what it is), I did get inspired when I saw a cute picture on there announcing your pregnancy. It was such a simple idea so my friend Alyson came up from Hatteras and took this picture for us. We had obviously told our families and some friends that we were pregnant, but this was a GREAT way for us to surprise everyone else! Let me tell you, all the phone calls, emails, and texts made it SO worth it! There were a lot of squeals on the other end of the phone! =) It melts my heart how excited everyone is for us - this baby is definitely going to be loved! 

Here's a quick update:
How Far Along: 12 weeks! 
Size: just over two inches...the size of a lime!
Development: baby can open and close its fingers, curl its toes, and make sucking movements with its mouth. All the major systems have formed and baby is about to enter the growth and maturation stage, in which its organs and tissues will grow and develop rapidly.  
How I'm Feeling: On a scale from 1 to 10, I'd say I'm a 7. The only thing I want right now is tomatoes and bread! I've always loved tomatoes, but I'm taking it to a whole new level! And anything with carbs sounds good - bread, english muffins, spaghetti, breadsticks, etc. My days right now usually consist of cereal with strawberries, yogurt with granola, tomatoes and cottage cheese, english muffins with peanut butter, apple/banana with peanut butter. And I'm still thoroughly enjoying my naps on the days I can take one! 
Next Appointment:  March 5

Our Little Peanut!

We were so excited to see our little baby again today! The ultrasound went great! Baby has grown SO much in just a short two weeks! Everything looked much more recognizable...we could even see it's little developing nose! Baby definitely put on a show because it was moving around like crazy!! It looked like a mexican jumping bean! It had both Eric, myself, and the ultrasound tech laughing.

One funny thing happened today - I was going in to the appointment expecting to hear the baby's heartbeat (like everyone told me and from what I had read). I'm thinking in my mind that the ultrasound tech will turn on the volume and I'll hear a steady, constant heartbeat and I'll have this moving, mommy experience with tears streaming down my face. Not so much.  She turns it on for literally a second - enough to hear about two beats. I was so focused on the screen and watching the baby that I really didn't pay ANY attention to the sound. So, I pretty much missed it. Eric said, however, that it sounded like a helicopter =) The funny part came when I was in to see Dr. Kling and he was using the handheld machine to listen to the heartbeat. Well, wouldn't you know it starts making these loud beeping noises and its batteries died before we could hear anything!! Haha! He reassured me that at my next appointment, on March 6, the baby's heartbeat will be nice and strong and I won't miss it! 

Here's a quick update on baby:

How Far Along: 10 weeks, 4 days

Size: just over 1 in. long - about the size of a cocktail shrimp and similar in shape =)

Development: vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver are in place and starting to function; tiny nails are forming on fingers and toes; peach-fuzz hair is beginning to grow on tender skin; baby's limbs can bend now - his hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body.

How I'm Feeling: I have definitely noticed the all-day nausea has subsided a little - woohoo! Now, it really only comes on if I let myself get hungry so I'm sticking with eating little meals throughout the day. More than anything, I'm feeling completely exhausted. I never knew I could feel so tired! Some days I even try and sneak a nap in my car during my lunch break! =) Hopefully, I'll get my energy back in a few short weeks. Oh, and don't worry, I'm still hungry all the time.

Our doctor gave us our 'welcome pack' today full of free stuff, magazines, etc. I am really excited to dive into all these parenting magazines and see what the latest products are, tips and advice, and what to expect for the remaining months ahead!