"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!