NOW It's Official

July 21, 2016

Time to finally announce to the world. I still get nervous letting the cat out of the bag but we're at 12 weeks without any issues, let's just keep praying for healthy and safe, and let the world know!

It's official:

Dear New Baby: Part Six

July 20, 2016

Dear New Baby,

So I did it. I broke down and put on the maternity pants. I forgot how comfortable these things were. I was resisting because 12 weeks just seems like way to early to be wearing maternity clothes (in my defense, it's JUST the pants, and they are pretty loose ;) but I just couldn't handle being uncomfortable anymore. Some of my pants still fit and others do with the "hair-tie" method, but on Sunday, the day after a long wedding, I just didn't want to deal with that mess. On with the maternity stuff and I haven't worn anything else out of the house yet ;)

On the bright side, I'm getting less tired. It never completely goes away, but it's definitely an improvement. And though I'm still nauseous, I'm not puking very often and just occasionally gaggy. Not eating doesn't make it worse, although eating does usually make it better. That's an improvement, right?! Anyway, the second trimester is so close and the feeling better should be too. I can't wait, for real.

Oh, and your Aunt Kristin is pregnant now too! So early yet, but she is and I'm so excited. Both my friends who were pregnant when I was pregnant with your big sister are pregnant while I'm pregnant with you. We are MUCH closer together this time AND I'm in the lead, though I still think it will be a race with Aunt Angie when it comes down to delivery. It's so exciting.

Anyway, I was in front of the mirror today, feeling pregnant, so I snapped my first belly photo. I'm sucking it in here, so that must be you! I'm bigger when I don't suck my gut in, but this is the part that you can lay claim too. Very very exciting. I can't wait to hear your heartbeat again in less than two weeks!!! STAY HEALTHY IN THERE, little one :)

Love, Mommy

Swim, swim!

July 9, 2016

Livvy, Kristin and Andy came over for a mini cookout and pool session (for the girls) last weekend so here are the photos from all the pool excitement :)

^At least SOMEONE poses for photos ;)

^Silly ladies.

^Splashing is certainly the best!

Dear New Baby: Part Five

July 12, 2016

Dear New Baby,

Though I still can't see the end of the tunnel, I think I MIGHT see a light. While I'm still having a lot of nausea (today isn't too bad, but yesterday I got sick big time at work, gross!), I feel like the extreme tired is starting to let up a little. Though I'm definitely still pooped (especially when trying to get up in the morning and after I get Jules in bed at night), it seems to be a little better during the day. That's amazing because one less symptom would be wonderful. I have our second wedding together this weekend, and with the heat and possible nausea, at least not being super duper pooped out would be very nice!

Julie spent the weekend with lots of friends. She went to the Children's Museum with little Allie, our friend from swim class. Her mommy is having another girl sometime probably in November, I think? She's not a chatty little girl, but very cute. The girls played music together until Julie got crabby and it was time to go.

Aunt Angie and Ellie helped me out Friday and watched Jules around nap time while I had photos to do. Then we hung out for a few hours with Daddy and Uncle Josh. Pizza, mmmm! They are moving soon and though I'm excited to see their new place (a LITTLE bit closer to us), I will miss their cute little house. They've been there so long, I can't picture them anywhere else!

On Saturday, Livvy and her mom and dad came to have dinner. The girls played in the blow up pool for a little while. Not too long, though I think Julie regretted her "all done" statement as we were getting back into our clothes. Oh well. Another fun time with friends. Needless to say, I was pretty pooped on Sunday, but like I said, not as bad as I have been. Yay!

Last night, Daddy was travelling for work, so us girls went to Auntie Kara's for dinner. It was pretty fun, but poor Jules doesn't know what to do with herself. We won't let her touch much, I think she gets frustrated. She really wanted to pet Kath, and luckily Kath was at least kind of okay with it, a few times ;)

You are 11 weeks in there today. The size of a lime, pretty big! I hope all is well. I haven't had too many pains, just the occasional one. A few headaches but nothing too crazy. Even better, I'm off my blood pressure medication and my BP has been really good. That's encouraging too. We'll see what happens AFTER you arrive (or even before, fingers crossed we don't have a repeat of what happened with Jules) but maybe things are back where they should be.

I had some anxiety today. I'm still worrying about Julie and the rest of us getting sick. It gets a little out of hand sometimes. I felt like I more or less had a handle on it for awhile but it reared it's head again. I think I'm okay again now, but it's something I struggle with, for sure. Prayers, little one. I don't need to stress YOU out too ;)

I love you. Please stay safe and healthy in there. Only probably about 9 weeks until we can see you for the first time in there. I can't wait to find out what you are (boy or girl)!

Love, Mommy

P.S. Caught you a Bulbasaur. My first Pokemon, and it's dedicated to my little lime!

Dear New Baby: Part Four

July 5, 2016

Dear New Baby

I got to hear your heartbeat for the very first time today. By our calculations, we are at 10 weeks, and Dr. Lown said somewhere between 10 and 12 weeks, the heartbeat should be able to be heard, so it was POSSIBLE but not necessarily going to happen. He listened around in there for a bit and then, on my right side, down low, we found your heartbeat! It was in the 170s, so very fast! He says everything is looking good, so I'm very happy. I do feel bad, I didn't have your daddy come in to hear it too. I figured they would do the whole exam and that he wouldn't be able to come anyway so now I feel bad. I suppose if he wants to hear it, next time he can come. It's a very exciting sound to hear.

Mommy is still feeling sick and sometimes SO tired. But it's to be expected and there's not much to do about it. The only symptom that is different with you so far is that I have been getting headaches. Julie never gave me any headaches, even less than when I'm not pregnant. Not that it's your fault, of course. It happens to a lot of people. It's just no fun when you are already dealing with other stuff. But all this other stuff SHOULD be going away soon... or at least I hope! We'll see.

To celebrate, we went to Potbelly's for lunch and I had some baked Cheetos and a smoothie. Probably not a GOOD choice since I have been feeling fat and gross lately. Oh well, time to get back on my walking regiment ;) 

Love you, and so excited I got to listen to your little heart for the very first time!!!

Love, 

Mommy

Holiday Weekend at Brady Lake

July 3, 2016

I've been feeling so crummy, I just haven't had the desire to take any photos other than the ones I've had to, so I made a point to bring my camera to the lake for July 4th festivities (even though they were on the 3rd). Though we did other things, I only took photos of Julie playing with Daddy and Sophie at the beach. We also took a ride on the boat to watch the boys tube (and Julie barfed on herself without minding much... seasick?!) and watched the fireworks before heading home. Julie was so tired and refused to keep her earmuffs on so we had to take her in the house. Logan wanted to sit with her and came in with us when we went in. He missed the fireworks to spend time with Julie. He sang her "The Hot Dog Song" and read her "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and showed her his Minecraft game. What a sweetheart!

^She fell backwards... the water wings work!

^Phia loved playing with the baby :)

^Just a few swims without the floaties.

^Such a good daddy.