November 4, 2012: I picked up a pregnancy test at the local Rite Aid earlier in the week. My period was late, but it was ALWAYS late, so I wasn't really that concerned. I woke up this Sunday morning and decided to take the test - I didn't even tell your Daddy I was doing it! I thought I was taking it more to prove that I wasn't pregnant. So I went downstairs (your Dad was in the shower) and took the test...I waited a few minutes...and walked back in to look at it. And I was shocked!! There were 2 little blue lines on the test instead of just 1...that meant BABY! I was pretty much laughing, crying, and shaking all at once, and I walked upstairs. I walked into the bathroom and your Daddy asked me if I was ok, and I looked at him and said "I think I'm pregnant!" We were both so excited and surprised!! I think I actually scared your Dad a little bit because I was shaking so much haha! (I took another one the next day just to make sure - and yep - positive again!!).
November 18, 2012: We invited my Mom and Dad over today to tell them our good news. I had been so sick, and my Mom is a nurse, so we kind of wanted her to check me out a little bit. Because you are my first little baby, I didn't really know what to expect or how to deal with these little pregnancy side effects. I wish I could have planned a more elaborate way to tell them, but I was feeling so yucky that I couldn't come up with anything. When they walked in I was laying on the couch, and they asked if I was ok, and I said "I'm pregnant" Kinda boring, but they didn't care one bit - they are SO excited for a little grandbaby!!
November 20, 2012: This morning sickness stuff isn't very fun! I had been throwing up a lot over the past few weeks, and your Dad was starting to get a little worried. He encouraged me to call the doctor to make sure everything was ok. We wanted to make sure that you were safe! The doctor told us to come in right away for an ultrasound, so we headed over to the office later in the afternoon. The first time they tried to find you it wasn't working, and I was pretty scared, but then the technician tried something a little different, and there you were!! It was amazing!! You were about the size of a lentil bean, so we started calling you Lenny, and your heart was beating so fast! When I saw your Daddy's face looking at the screen he was smiling so big and squeezing my hand. We love you so much already!
December 19, 2012: We got to see you again today!! You were kicking your little legs and dancing around in there, and we got so many good pictures of you! The doctor said you were looking great and everything is right on schedule.
December 20, 2012: Today we got to tell my sisters that they are going to be aunties this summer! They were so excited!!! Devon's face was seriously a big, smiling, jaw drop, and Erin's was an "I knew it!" face.
Week 12: Christmas! We got to share our news of our precious little baby with our families this week, and it was so fun! Your grandparents, aunts, and uncle are pretty pumped! You were definitely everyone's favorite Christmas present!
Week 13: This week I started telling some people at work that you're going to be arriving in July. Everyone was really excited! You've decided to be kind to me this week and lay off the morning sickness a little bit - thank you! I'm only feeling sick about every other day now, so hopefully that will all go away in the next week or so. I also started working out again. I hope that you enjoy running and that it feels like you're just in a fun bounce house when I go out for jogs. You also went to powerflex and your Dad and I were just laughing the whole time the instructor was having us do ab workouts because I was totally slacking!
Week 14: I know these things are kind of crazy and silly, but I went to the doctor this week and your heart was beating at 144 bpm. The normal range is 120-160, and according to an old wive's tale if you're 140-160, that means you're a boy! Either way, boy or girl, I just hope you are healthy. That's all that really matters. Your Dad and I started reading some books this week to learn a little bit more about what's going on with you and me right now, and all the fun things we have to look forward to in the next few months.
14 weeks, 3 days -
Your heart - 144 bpm
I ordered my first maternity clothes from the Gap because they had a really good sale - we'll see if any of them actually fit!
Week 15: This week I'm starting to feel a little bit more "normal" again. I'm getting my energy back and I haven't been sick all week - YES!! Your Dad went to the auto show this weekend, and I stayed home and had some crazy dreams that I think were because I don't sleep well when he's gone. I also read that sometimes pregnancy can cause some insomnia - so silly! I've been really busy at work this week with tax season now in full swing - I'm trying to stay on top of things so that I still have time to take care of you and be a good Mommy while you're growing inside me.
Week 16: We scheduled a bunch of classes to take to learn how to be good parents to you this week - hopefully they will be good! It's getting a little harder to hide you under my clothes! But I'm actually starting to get a little more excited about seeing myself with a bigger belly and wearing some really stretchy tops and pants. I've been wearing my belly band a little more now because even my bigger pants aren't fitting me quite like they used to. It makes me excited to know you're growing in there! This week you're about the size of an avocado, so I picked one up from the grocery store on Sunday in honor of you!
Week 17: I wore my first maternity clothes this week! I haven't really been having any major cravings yet, but I do love my spicy food, and luckily you don't seem to mind it either! We've been eating lots of Mexican, Thai, and anything buffalo. I still haven't felt you moving around in me yet for sure, but anytime something moves at all I wonder if its you!
Week 18: I started feeling you kick this week. At first I didn't know for sure so I think I actually felt it last week too, and it felt like some little bubbles. But I loved it!!
On 2/11/12 we both felt you kick!!! Your Dad and I were sitting on the couch together and I felt a big kick inside. I put my hand on my tummy to see if I could feel it and sure enough I could! So I grabbed your Dad's hand and he felt you too...his mouth was hanging open and he couldn't believe it...we were so excited!!
Week 19: You're finally starting to make me gain some weight, my sweet little baby! That just means that you are growing strong and healthy in there, so it actually makes me happy. It's my birthday this week so your Dad and I went out on a fancy date to the Chop House - I think you like steak as much as we do. Your Daddy got me a gorgeous watch! You've been kicking like crazy again this week and I always notice it more at night when your Dad and I are relaxing before bed. Hopefully that's not a sign that you're going to be a total night owl ;-)
Week 20: HALFWAY!!! We got to see you again this week! We had the big 20 week ultrasound, and we loved seeing you move around inside me. You are measuring perfectly! The doctor said they saw everything they wanted to and that you and I are right where we are supposed to be - yay for us! They even called you a textbook baby...I think that means you'll also be very smart. We decided to keep your gender a surprise! Your Dad and I started making a list this week of names for you. We both have our favorites, and we just can't seem to agree on any of them! Good thing we've still got a little while yet before we make your name official.
Week 21: Your Dad and I started planning a little 'babymoon' for ourselves this week. We're going to take a nice relaxing trip to Charleston to rest up and spend some time together before your arrival - we're pretty excited! I think you grew a LOT this week because my bump seriously looks bigger by the day! We visited a daycare at the Y downtown this week too to see if that would be a good place for you to hang out while your Dad and I are working - they were really nice there and we think you'd have a lot of fun. I got some girl scout cookies delivered this week, and I think the chocolate cravings have begun. You and I like sweets!
Week 22: Baby, I'll be honest, I'm missing myself some cocktails right about now...busy season is kicking my butt! And you're kicking my bladder all day! I'm starting to get a little run down, but I just need to remember that I'm always pretty tired during this time of year. We went to a Griffins game on Friday night this week, and we saw lots of babies there in little carriers, and we think you'll probably love hockey and we'll still be able to go once you arrive!
Week 23: POP! Goes me....and you...we are growing! You weigh a whole pound now and are almost a foot long. You kick me constantly, and I'm always amazed how my little 1lb baby has so much strength! My Mom and I went and did some shopping for maternity clothes this week. It was nice to have her in the dressing room with me to tell if things looked ok. She loves that you are growing bigger and she can't wait to meet you too! I feel a little funny with these crazy maternity pants on, but they are so much more comfortable than my regular clothes!
Week 24: Your Dad and I went out on a nice date on Friday. We know that these might become few and far between once you're around, so we've been trying to take advantage. I've been planning your nursery for several weeks, but we are finally starting to buy some things now and it is so exciting. I can't wait to see everything come together in the end. I had my glucose test this week to make sure I'm sitll healthy. I passed with flying colors! I'm trying to stay pretty healthy because everything I do goes straight to you.
Week 25: Happy Easter! This Sunday (3/31) was Easter, and you were loving Easter candy :-) (and by you, I mean me). I stayed in Grand Rapids because I had to work and both your aunties were going to be in town, and your Dad went to Saginaw to see his family. We both had a great time celebrating, but I think your Dad missed seeing you grow for a few days. He could not stop talking to you and feeling you kick on Sunday night. I love that he loves you so much. You had a big 1st time experience this week - we took you to the Kid Rock concert at Van Andel!
Week 26: Baby, my hormones are getting the best of me. This week I had to have a gum surgery and because I've got to protect you, there were no pain meds allowed for this Momma - ouch! Hopefully I'll feel better again soon though. Your Dad and I took a fun little trip to Buy Buy Baby this week to test out a few things for you. We ordered you a crib, and we picked out a carseat, a stroller, and a couple other fun things. I'm so excited to start getting your nursery pulled together!
Week 27: END OF TAX SEASON! This is a big week for us! Tax season ended and this is the last week of my 2nd trimester. AND your crib came this week! I also went to a cloth diapering class to learn a little bit more about it and decide if it is the right thing for us to do as a family. Your Daddy and I loved having a lazy Saturday together lounging around and watching you roll around and kick in my belly. You have some pretty sweet moves! With every day that goes by I love you more and more and I can't wait for you to get here!
Week 28: Third trimester is here! Your Dad put together your crib this weekend and your mattress came! Its so exciting to see where you'll be sleeping (hopefully) for the next couple of years. I'm starting to get a little bit uncomfortable - you're squishing my ribs and my tummy and my back is hurting a little. I know the aches and pains are all worth it though. We had an ultrasound this week at my doctor's appointment because you were being a little stubborn last time and they couldn't see your aortic arch. We loved it though because we got to see you again AND your Grandma Lynn got to come along too! You were trying to put your foot in your mouth and it was so cute.
Week 29: This weekend we had our "Preparing for Childbirth" classes. We learned so much! It was 2 days of pretty intense training on labor, relaxation, and how to take care of our little baby (you!) once you come home. Hopefully we can still remember everything in July! It was also a little bit of a reality check - we have lots to do to get ready for your arrival. Your Dad and I had a nice date on Saturday - we went and got some burgers and froyo and then walked around downtown together and enjoyed the warm weather finally. I also got to tag along with your Dad this week when he went to hang out with his little brothers at the park. He is so good with them and I can't wait to see him be a Daddy to you.
Week 30: Only 10 more weeks to go. Crazy! We did a bunch of yard work this weekend (outdoor nesting) and got a lot done around the house trying to get ready for your arrival. Your Dad and I are leaving for our babymoon this week! We are so excited to get away and relax for a week. We've got some big restaurant plans, some beach days, and some exploring days all planned out. I'm getting pretty curious to find out whether you are a boy or a girl. I keep saying 'she' and your Dad keeps saying 'he.' We'll just have to wait and see!
