"Oh, we're halfway there...."

How far along? 20 weeks!! Yaye! Halfway there! He's about 10 inches from head to heel- size of a banana and about 10.5 oz. He's got working taste buds and is gulping down amniotic fluid to help practice breathing. 

Clothes: Fully embracing maternity clothing. Pretty comfy for this growing belly! I'm still able to wear a few regular clothes though. 

Purchases: I haven't bought anything for him this week. But, he did get a lot of great stuff for Christmas! I have been looking at starting his registry and at nursery decor. I think I have decided on a nautical/ocean theme. I cannot believe how much some of the bedding is. I love a custom one on etsy, but it was $200+!! So I found another one that I like for more than half the price. 

Body: oh my goodness, as I sit here, my stomach feels like it cannot stretch anymore. I have been very hungry today. My back has also been hurting a little more. I have also been trying to keep track of my blood pressure. I took a few days off of taking the mess to get a true reading. It all showed normal range, so it could be because I am on break. I am going to start taking them again until I talk to the dr.

Sleep: It has been going well, especially being on Christmas break. I'm able to sleep whenever I want to. Although, sleeping in isn't past 8. I'm going to enjoy it now before school starts back after next week.

Best moments of the week: Earlier this week, the blog contest ended and....I was one of the winners! I will be  receiving a gift certificate to diapers.com and I will be one of 3 guest bloggers for babycenter for the rest of the pregnancy! Well, Christmas was great. Love spending time with family, watching Christmas movies and eating! Then, on Christmas morning, Jared was able to feel baby kicking...FINALLY!

Looking forward to... Slowly embracing and loving the rest of my break. Getting enough rest and relaxation to get me through! And the new year! I can't believe it's just around the corner. I need to start thinking of my goals and resolutions. 2015 is going to be a great year!

I miss: caffeinated coffee, especially my caramel brûlée from Starbucks! When I went there this week, they were out! :(

My best friend, Mandi, and I are pregnant together! I am so happy we get to ride this crazy ride at the same time. She is 13 weeks.

 Here's my belly shot! It is noticeable now, isn't it?

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to the new year!

week nineteen

How far along? 19 Weeks
How big is baby? About the size of a mango! Approximately 6.5 inches and probably bigger than 9 oz now!
Total weight gain: 10 pounds
Sleep: Definitely better than the first and some of the second trimester! It's just annoying to constantly worry about how I am laying...not on my belly and not on my back.
Best moment of the week: Actually hearing my little man's movements. On one of the online yard sale sites, a lady was giving away a fetal doppler because it was given to her, so she wanted to pass it on. Jared was sweet and decided to go pick it up for me. So now I can hear his heartbeat and movements anytime I want! 
Food cravings: Just food please
Food aversions: None
Symptoms: Round ligament pains...My uterus is stretching so it can be a little sore, but not bad. 
Movement: YES! Some days he is very active and some days he must be taking a break
Gender: ALL boy!
Looking forward to: Christmas break starts tomorrow! I'll have two whole weeks with my Percy and I'll really start planning nursery, registries, etc.
I miss: being able to eat anything I want. I forgot to mention that at the Dr.'s office last week, she told me that the time before and at that appointment, my blood pressure was a little high. She put me on some meds to lower it. Right now I'm taking a low dosage but she said that it'll probably get worse as I go on. I've been exercising more and trying to watch my sodium intake, PLEASE be praying for me and little man!

I told my students on Monday and they were all surprised and happy! I asked for a few suggestions on names....This is what I have so far from them...Jack, MoJo, Carson, Carrots....?? lol

I cannot believe I will be 20 weeks in a few days! Halfway through...The first trimester seemed so slow, and now I feel like it's going quickly. 

I also entered in the BabyCenter Blog contest. I am now a top 5 finalist. Up until Dec. 23rd @ 3, you can go vote for me! The top 3 finalists will get gift cards for diapers and will be guest bloggers on their website for the duration of our pregnancies. If you haven't already... check it out! Thank you!

Blog Contest

Week 18 and Gender Reveal

At week 18, Baby Bartlam was the size of a sweet potato! Baby can now yawn, hiccup and swallow!

This is a picture of Percy and I at 18 weeks! 

Jared and I went to my 4th appointment last week (wk 18)! We had an ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby. During my 12 week appointment, when I had to get all the blood drawn, the nurse asked if I would be interested in taking a blood test, called Harmony, for Downs Syndrome. At first, we said no, but she explained that we could also find out the sex of the baby through the blood test and that it was covered by insurance. So... I thought, why not! The nurse called me back on Nov. 10th and told me that I was low risk for DS and I had her call Jared with the sex results! So Jared knew for over a month! He felt like he had a lot of power! haha.

So at the appointment, the sonographer checked the baby over. She showed us the 4 chambers of the heart, the kidneys, spine, fingers, toes, etc. I told her that I did not want to know the sex of the baby because we were having a party that weekend. So, she had me close my eyes and checked all that out!

Finally, Saturday rolled around....Gender Reveal Day! I was so excited! Here are a few pictures from the party...

 I made these pom poms! Thanks to Katie, Meredith, TJ and Aunt Jan who helped set up the night before!

Here is Natalie and I...one week apart!

After everyone ate and mingled, it was time for the big surprise!

Here is TEAM BLUE! and...

TEAM PINK!

Click here for the video!
Gender Reveal Video

HE's a BOY!

Here is the evidence!

We also got a few gifts from some of our loved ones!

 HIS first outfits from Aunt Meredith, April, Katie, Kacee, Mandi and Tiffany! 

 Guess How Much I Love You from Aunt Ashley and Planes books from Aunt Meredith, April, Katie , Kacee, Mandi and Tiffany!

I also bought this Dr. Seuss book a few weeks ago, it's meant to be read in utero, and since baby can hear now, I thought it was perfect! I bought HIS first Christmas book this weekend, too!

Week 17 Update

Here is the birthday cake that mama bought me! I guess this is her way of telling me that it's my last birthday without a little one!

Today, I feel like baby Bart popped out of nowhere! Baby Bartlam is the size of a: pomegranate/turnip/onion...depending on which app I look at. He/she is about 5 inches long and weighs about 5+ ounces. Baby is putting on fat and the cartilage is turning into bone!

Baby Bartlam received a gift from Tori today! Thanks for the cute owl hat! He/she will looks so cute next year!

And this would be mister rotten...laying in my spot in bed...pregnancy pillow and all!

Movement?!!

According to various websites and apps...a pregnant woman can begin feeling movements ("quickening") anywhere from 14-25 weeks. The few apps that I have on my phone mentioned it this week- 16. I may have felt some earlier...but, my Dr. told me that it can be hard to distinguish movement from gas...awesome. Well 2 days ago, the day before Thanksgiving, Jared went to play in the annual Turkey Bowl and I stayed home because I didn't want to sit in the cold. I cuddled in bed with Percy and watched Christmas movies (my fave)! I was sitting up and all of a sudden felt something that I thought was a little roll. I thought that was a little strange and like nothing I had felt before. So I put my hand on my belly and began rolling my fingers. The next thing I know, I feel a little jab. So I continued doing it after each jab, and Baby Bartlam continued too. I was overjoyed! It was such a strange but overwhelming feeling of love and happiness. I called my mom and began crying (pregnancy hormones? or just my usual sensitive self??). I told her that I felt the baby moving and she was surprised I could feel he/she so early! Each day since then, I have felt a little here and there. I tried getting Jared to feel today, but he couldn't feel anything yet. Baby is so little, it can only be felt from the inside!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got to spend it with the people the love! I am very thankful and blessed!

Week 16

Updates:

Here is my week 16! Each Saturday is when my new week begins! I cannot believe I've already made it this far...

I am excited for Thanksgiving in 2 days...yum, yum! My favorite is Sweet Potato Souffle! It also happens to be my 28th birthday...Whoa. Getting old!

I did a little shopping yesterday. Spent too much money, but it was needed for this growing, little belly.

So, from what I've read, I COULD start feeling Baby Bartlam move around a little bit. Apparently it's called "quickening" and could feel like small jabs, flutters, or bubbles. It can be mistaken for gas...so I have noticed something going on, but can't decide if it IS gas or baby's first movements! Hopefully within the coming weeks, I should start feeling a pattern of movements.

I am enjoying the beginning of my Thanksgiving break! Hope everyone has a great week and wonderful Turkey Day!

Week 14 and 15

How far along? 15 weeks (16 tomorrow)
How big is baby? Navel orange
Total weight gain: haha...not sure. I'll find out at my next appointment
Sleep: still off and on, even with my huge wrap around pregnancy pillow. Wondering if I should have gotten a memory foam body pillow instead
Best moment of the week: this has nothing to do with baby Bart, but today is the beginning of thanksgiving break!!
Food cravings: still nothing other than Japanese food, but that's always
Food aversions: nothing yet
Symptoms: holy bloating, indigestion, heartburn...whatever it is, it hurts! I read not to eat too quickly, but if I'm always hungry...it's hard!
Movement: nothing yet, waiting patiently
Gender: I still think it's a girl....but we won't know for a few more weeks!
Looking forward to: our next appointment- Dec. 10th, gender reveal and Christmas!
I miss: coffee! I've been doing some decaf, but it's not the same if I'm still tired- and it's been cold out!

Week 13 Update

So we went to the Dr last Thursday for our 12 week check up. We did not get an ultrasound this time, but the tech did use the doppler to find the heartbeat! She warned us that sometimes, because the way the baby is positioned, the heartbeat may be hard to find at first. Well not our little one! Right when she put the doppler on my belly, the heartbeat came up immediately, beating at 160 bpm! Oh...and I also gained 9 pounds since my last appointment!!! I was shocked! I have been eating more and too tired to work out or exercise by the time I get home....but 9 lbs! I don't see where it's going! It HAD to have been water weight or something else... haha. So, I am going to be walking (at least) to keep it under control! I'm only supposed to gain 25-30, and I know I'll probably gain a lot during the 3rd trimester. Being the same weight all through high school and college, then jumping 9 lbs in 5 weeks was crazy! (I understand I have a human growing inside of me) I also had to get my yearly exam done and like 9 tubes of blood taken! My next appointment will be Dec. 10th, where we will get to find out the gender! (Well, I won't be finding out- Only Jared will be)

We are planning to have a gender reveal party that weekend, to reveal to me and everyone else! I'm excited!

We also announced to Facebook and the world using our furbaby!

\

He is sssooooo handsome!

Here are some other random pictures that I forgot to post!

 Here is our 7 week ultrasound.

Here is Baby Bartlam's very first gift from Aunt Meredith!

This was my first purchase for BB at a yard sale. Diaper Genie Elite for only $8!

My first maternity wear- a BellaBand to help hold my Pre-Pregnancy pants up, while being unbuttoned. I also bought 2 pairs of maternity jeans last weekend and they are so comfy!

And a picture I found that I loved. I wanted to post this when we first found out, but I refrained. Baby Bartlam was our little baby at conception, and most definitely when it's precious heart began beating!

Dr Appt. #2 and Fall Party

So after my first appointment on Wednesday, September 17th...that following Sunday I felt like I lost all of those pregnancy symptoms that were so apparent from the beginning. Of course, I did what I wasn't suppose to do and I Googled it...Well there is a thing called a "Missed Miscarriage" where you don't get the bleeding or cramping- you just lose all of the symptoms. I freaked out for the next day and finally called the Dr. on Tuesday and scheduled an ultrasound for later that day. I took a half day at school and Jared took me to the Dr. I was so stressed and worried, I know, not good at all! It turns out, everything was fine! We HEARD the heartbeat @ 143 bpm! Jared just looked at me and smiled while shaking his head! The minute that I saw the ultrasound on the screen, I began to tear up, because my baby was ok!!

So that night, Meredith was throwing a "fall party", where we were all going to bring fall snacks and do crafts! (Side note: Meredith ended up finding out first because she came over to put together a gift and I let her use our bathroom- which still had the tests out on the counter! She couldn't keep it a secret for long so wanted to throw a party to reveal to the girls) I picked up some mini pumpkin cupcakes and put a label on it that said, "If I have to get fat, so do you!"
I was excited because all the girls were going to be there (except Kacee :( )
So we carried on as usual, ate dinner, chit chatted...an hour or so went by and a few of them read and glanced at the cupcakes, but it didn't click...

I kept looking at Meredith, like REALLY?? So finally, I took my cupcakes and said, "If no one wants to eat my cupcakes that say, "If I have to get fat, so do you", I'm PREGNANT!" and they all were surprised! I showed them my ultrasound which was tape to the bottom of the cupcakes. They were all excited and I told them all of the details.

Then that Friday, I ended up telling Courtney, the girl I ride to school with everyday and Megan, my assistant teacher. I made them cinnamon rolls and muffins with the same label attached. They both knew something was going on, and was very excited for me!
I couldn't keep it in much longer from my other co-workers because I had been going to the Dr, when they all know I never go to the Dr unless I am dying...so that Monday, I made some Apple Fritter Bread and told them all to come get a treat in a my room.... I attached this poem I wrote to it:

"I hope that you enjoy this treat,

Now that you are able to meet...

Someone that is close to my heart...

Raspberry size---Baby Bart!"

They were also all excited for the news!

From the beginning...

I'll try to spare ALL of the details...

My last cycle began on July 24th. I went to the pharmacy sometime that week to pick up my next round of B.C. Turns out, my prescription for the year had expired that month, because I was supposed to have gone for my yearly checkup. When I called the doctor earlier that month, she was so booked that they couldn't get me in until the beginning of August. After I began pre-planning for school that next week, I realized that my appointment would be during the first week of school and during the first few weeks, it's all about getting the kids home the correct way! So I decided to reschedule to the beginning of September (because again, my Dr is just ridiculously booked!). 

Well, because I couldn't get my birth control, I decided to talk to Jared about trying to add a little one to our little family. Surprisingly he said, Why Not? (Usually when I ask him, and am mostly kidding, his response is: "Someday soon") So, I was like, Wait...What? Seriously??

So, August was our first month of "trying". I did download an app to track things- Ovia and MyDays. So according to MyDays, my next cycle should have started on August 23rd. I bought a test and tested the next morning- it was negative. Well the next week... I knew something was up... I had "upper body" soreness ;) and a slight pelvic cramping on the right side. Normally, I don't think that it would have been something I noticed, but because I was so in tuned with what was going on, I mentioned it to Jared. Of course, he thought I was crazy and that we couldn't get pregnant the first month. 

So I continued keeping track of everything and on August 31st, I noticed some spotting. It only lasted a day. When I Googled it, Google told me that it could be Implantation bleeding or that my next cycle would be coming soon. If it was IB, it said that a blood test would show a positive within 2-3 days and an at home test would be positive 4-5 days. I waited until that weekend, while Jared was at work. I remember being anxious about it the night before and that morning. So finally, I got out of bed and tested. Well, it didn't take long before a big "pregnant" came across the screen! I could not believe it and automatically started crying and praising God.

Ignore my squinty eye! haha.

I got back and bed and thought of a way to tell Jared when he got home a few hours later... I called him and he said he would be home around 10. (He had no idea- I told him I wanted to make him breakfast and that's why I wanted to know what time)

So, as you can see, I wrote Hi, Dad on my belly with the test. He came home and gave me a kiss. I kind of looked at him and he saw the news! He immediately said, "Are you serious?!" and of course, I started crying again! He got in bed with me and we talked for a while.

I was really excited because I wanted to share the news with our family, and the next weekend my mom was having a birthday party for Jared and Jordan at her house. My yearly appointment was supposed to be that coming Wednesday, so it was perfect! I called my Dr's nurse on Monday and told her everything and she said that according to my last cycle, I would be around 6 weeks and for me to come in the next Wednesday. I was a little bummed because I wanted to show the family our ultrasound pictures. We decided to go ahead and tell our family that weekend.

I ended up telling TJ earlier that same day (she teared up) but I told her she had to keep it a secret until that night and she could record the reactions. It was mom's birthday too, so I got her a gift that explained...

The Korean writing says, "The best moms get promoted to grandma"- or at least that's what I typed into Google translation!

Here's the reactions!

As you can see, we had two reactions....My mom cried with excitement and Rhonda screamed with excitement! I'm so glad we got to capture this moment on video! and yes mom has still not been able to stop talking about it (she has been asking me for the past 3 years) and she even tried listening to my belly that night!

Symptoms that I noticed at the beginning: more frequent bathroom breaks, wanting more H2O, overwhelming tiredness, hunger like no other, and something new I learned about- pregnancy rhinitis. I thought I was getting a sinus infection because my throat started to become sore and I had some mucus, but it never progressed- mostly just in the morning. I looked it up and apparently because of all the changing hormones, it causes pregnancy rhinitis. After the next couple of days my face started breaking out (it's still not cleared up!) and bloating!

Finally my Dr's appointment came and they thought I was 7 weeks and 6 days. The ultrasound confirmed that we did have a growing baby inside me, but that I ovulated late due to coming off BC and I was actually 6 weeks and 3 days. That would make the due date May 10th- Mother's Day! We couldn't quite hear the heartbeat, but we were able to see it thumping away at 113 bpm! They scheduled my next appointment for the end of October, when I would be 12 weeks. I didn't think i could wait that long...and I didn't....

Today...

I don't even know where to start...so, we'll start from today! Today I am 12 weeks and 3 days pregnant! It's still crazy to say! Jared and I have been married for 5 years, and have been careful because we didn't feel like we were "ready" for the joy of parenthood and the financial responsibilities it entails. and now... WE ARE! :)

So this week, Baby Bartlam is the size of an apricot and weighs about .5 oz. So...still TINY and as you can see, so is my belly! I've had a lot of bloating...so in the morning, my stomach will be flat and by the end of the day when I have eaten, it begins to grow!

How far along? 12 weeks 3 days
Total weight gain: I think the our scale is off from the Dr's office, so I'm going to wait to see. If it's not, then about 3 lbs.
Maternity clothes? The shirt in the picture above is my first maternity shirt. I did purchase a bellaband so I can wear my pre-preggo clothes longer
Stretch marks? Not yet!
Sleep: Not very good. I have not been sleeping well at night. I am tired all day, so I don't understand! Sometimes I just can't fall asleep, other times I'll wake up and can't get back to sleep :(
Exercise? I wish... I keep telling myself I need to get out and walk (I mean I do chase around 4 year olds all day). I've just been so hungry and tired when I get home!
Best moment of the week? Finally reaching the 3 month/12 week mark
Miss anything? Coffee! I've been drinking a little decaf, but it's not the same
Movement? Nothing yet.
Food cravings? Not really, other than something sweet after dinner.
Symptoms: Hungry, tired, a headache
Anything make you queasy or sick? The smell of air freshner got me today
Gender: Won't know for a month or two! I've had a dream it's a girl, though...
Labor signs? THANKFULLY no!
Belly button in/out: Going to be an innie, for a while at least.
Wedding rings on/off: They still fit
Happy or Moody? I feel like I've been pretty happy
Looking forward to: My doctor's appointment on Thursday!