Half Baked

20 Weeks

How far along: 20 Weeks. There has been some discrepancy with the baby's measurements (based off the last ultrasound) and my last missed cycle. The measurements are showing the baby a week and half behind. However, I am sticking with my gut and saying I am half baked, baby!
Gender: Boy, oh, Boy!
Weight gain: Surprisingly, I weighed in right at 126. That is a total gain of seven pounds!
Maternity clothes: My favorite Gap jeans are starting to leave indentions around my waste. I think it's time to invest in the belly band. However, my J.Crew leggings and long sleeve cotton t's are still my go to "maternity" items.
Stretch marks: Nope.
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: I have been sleeping great, but definitely having extremely weird dreams. The last one I remember was Baby A was born with no brains, but everyone kept saying he would grow them and that it was completely normal. Whatttttt?!
Best moment this week: Our gender reveal was awesome! That entire day was so special. Prior to getting pregnant I prayed that God would give me a friend nearby to go through this pregnancy with. He answered. One of my dearest friends from church, Jada, unexpectedly got pregnant right around the same time. (You are welcome for my prayer!) She was able to go the anatomy ultrasound with me due to Brian's work schedule. It was such a special moment to share and she along with my friend, Katie, did an amazing job on our gender reveal party. (I will do a full post on the reveal once I organize the photos!) Also, I got to visit one my best friends, Morgan. She SPOILED baby boy rotten. It was so great catching up and spending time together.
Worst moment this week: This weather has got to stop. 20 degrees and below does not do this Charleston girl any favors. Plus I feel more like casper everyday. I need some color back to my translucent skin!
Miss anything: My jeans fitting.
Movement: Very little. The tech did tell us that my placenta is right between the baby and my stomach and that was why I am not feeling any movement. As the placenta adjusts I should begin to feel more in the next month.
Cravings: Still loving anything fresh and juicy. Kiwi, strawberries, cucumbers are making be crave for summer!
Queasy or sick: Nope
Looking forward to: Working on a few nursery projects and buying lots and lots of navy and grey baby clothes! Also, my best friend, Martha is having her shower this upcoming weekend and I cannot wait to spoil her little boy!


Nursery Plans

I probably dreamt of planning for a nursery long before I planned for a baby.  I absolutely love to decorate our house.  Something about switching up a furniture arrangement or adding new throw pillows to the couch gets me really excited.  So what better way to fulfill that joy than planning a whole new room for our soon to be baby.

With this new room we have had to do some furniture mix-ups.  The office furniture will go into the piano room.  The guest room furniture (what will soon be the nursery) will go into the old office, and TA-DA! a new nursery is born. WHEW! I am tired already and we haven't even done any physical labor.  Our original plan was to transform the office into a nursery. However, there is far too much light that comes into that room; and as much as I love the sea green color that could work for either boy or girl it just wasn't practical for nap time.

The soon to be nursery is painted one of my all-time colors: navy blue or as Valspar refers to it, the writer's ink cup.  I wasn't entirely keen on doing a navy nursery for a potential girl; yet, Brian said there was no chance in hell that he was painting all the way up to those vaulted ceilings again. Honestly, I can't say that I blame him. Here is a look at the guest room/nursery now:

                                       

 Yes. All of that junk on the bed is for our baby. I know, right! How can someone who isn't even here yet have so much STUFF!!! I will eventually stuff  organize it into the closet next to the window.  Now as the saying goes "out with the old and in with the new!"  

I have used two nurseries that I pretty much love as my inspiration. Both were found via Pinterest. 

Boy:

 

                                          Click here for more photos and details of this nursery.

I absolutely love the clean, fresh look of this neutral nursery.  I am a huge fan of mixing rustic pieces, like the wooden beam, with more contemporary pieces, like that gorgeous glider. There is a bit too much white for me, which is where I think those navy blue walls are going to come in handy.  The gold and vintage accents are right up my alley.  I am definitely going to be on a hunt for some unique pieces to throw around the room.

Girl:

Click here for more photos and details of this nursery.        
    

As much as I have hoped for a boy, this nursery makes me drool over the thought of a precious baby girl! I love the mixed patterns of fabric on the crib. Oh, not to mention that coral is to die for against the navy wall! There again is no true theme, but a beautiful mix of eclectic decorations. The furniture arrangement is a bit cramped. I plan to move the crib down the main wall a bit and place our glider by the window with a much smaller end table than the one in my inspiration picture.  All-in-all this nursery is a winner in my book!   Below is my design board for Baby A's nursery.
    














19 Weeks

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 Weeks. Oh so close to the halfway mark.
Gender: We find out one week from today! Our sweet friends are gracious enough to throw us a gender reveal so keep an eye for that post.
Weight gain: I will update this once I go to my apt. next week.
Maternity clothes: Nah, just my yoga pants and the couple of maternity leggings. It has been a rough week (if you couldn't tell from my pic) so I have been crashing into t-shirts and sweats after the professional clothes come off.
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Really great!
Best moment this week: I am heading to Houston tomorrow to visit friends that are like family! Can't wait to spend a weekend with the Cockerhams!
Worst moment this week: Work has been insane with meetings, fundraisers, testing, oh and what I was hired to do: teach. (Sorry lack of alcohol hormones just kicked in there. I am working on that.)
Miss anything: A glass of merlot after work.
Movement: YES! I finally got one good kick from Baby A. Brian tried to feel for another one, but so far no such luck.
Cravings: Nothing in particular.
Queasy or sick: Nope. I cannot stress enough how much of a blessing this has been!
Looking forward to: A nice long weekend with good friends. Also, finding out Baby A's gender of course! I seriously cannot wait!

18 Weeks

18 Weeks

How far along: 18 Weeks
Gender: We still won't know for another week and a half. I still feel like baby is a boy.
Weight gain: Another uncertainty until our next appointment. I am estimating 5 or 6 pounds though.
Maternity clothes: Definitely leggings, especially with the cold weather. I also bough my first few maternity shirts from Old Navy. The store near us has its own maternity department with amazing sales. LOVE!
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In, but my stomach in general has taken on a completely different shape. It truly does amaze me.
Sleep: I no longer can sleep on my stomach. It doesn't hurt, but it is completely uncomfortable. I have also started waking up around 3 every morning to use the restroom. Such. A. Pain.
Best moment this week: Due to such low temperatures we have had two 2 hour delays at school. It has been GREAT getting 30-45 extra minutes in the morning.
Worst moment this week: The cold weather has made it really hard to stay awake in the afternoon. I am beyond read for daylights savings and warm weather.
Miss anything: Nope. I am really loving pregnancy and preparing to be a first time mom.
Movement: I have felt what I think is a small flutter here and there, but I am still unsure if it is really baby or gas.
Cravings: TACO BELL this week.
Queasy or sick: Nope, but I am definitely suffering from indigestion from different foods.
Looking forward to: The weekend. I am hoping to start putting together our nursery plans!

Baby Shower in Connecticut


I had such an amazing time at my first baby shower. The shower was so special not only because of baby A, but because this was one of the last family events at Brian's childhood home.  His family will soon be moving to the Charlotte area. Therefore, this Christmas was truly a special gathering of family and friends with lots of love and good memories.  

Brian's mom and two sisters worked so hard to make this day special for me and the baby.  I couldn't thank them enough for all of their hard work and love. 



               
         
How precious are these treats.  The cake was absolutely adorable. 






Brian's two sisters (Kristen and Lisa) and Brian's mom (Anne)


On to one of my favorite parts! GIFTS!!!! I wish I could take pictures of every last present; however, there are just too many.  I loved each and every item. It makes the arrival of this little one seem so much of a reality. 



A few of the highlights:  This child will not be short on Gamecock clothing. My sister, Jess, spoiled this child with USC items galore! (She is a  huge UGA fan, which tells me how much she truly does love this baby!)  Other than tons of linens and plenty of clothes we received our swing (Aunt Gerri, Tara, and Erin), our high chair (Jess & Erik), our play gym, and our stroller/cars seat combo. (Graciously given by Brian's mom and dad.) 


We want to thank everyone who was able to make it to this special event! For those who weren't, you were sincerely missed and we were so blessed by the wonderful gifts you sent our way.  This baby is so lucky to have such kind and loving friends and family already.  Brian and I love you each! 


17 Weeks

17 Weeks

How far along: 17 Weeks.... SAY WHAT!!!!!?
Gender: Still unknown. Only a couple more weeks until our next apt. I may pee my pants I am so excited for our reveal!
Weight gain: I won't have an updated weight gain until my next apt. However, I am pretty sure I gained a zillion pounds from the holidays. Thank you gingerbread cookies and baby shower cake!
Maternity clothes: Still rocking my leggings. I did buy my first maternity shirt, but it's still a little big.
Stretch marks: Nope, I am using cocoa butter everyday. I have heard that you can prevent it by using lotions from some. Others say there ain't no use in trying. If they come, they come. We shall see.
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Great!
Best moment this week: I had a terrific first shower. Brian's mom and sisters did a fantastic job! (I will be posting pics on a separate post.)
Worst moment this week: We did SO MUCH traveling over the last few days. I am exhausted.
Miss anything: The holidays. It was so fun seeing family and sharing time with all of our loved ones. I am definitely going to miss having my belly rubbed all week. (I know that weirds some people out, but I feel like the baby and I are so loved when family/friends do it! )
Movement: I felt my first flutter this past week! It is like crack... I can't wait to experience it again!
Cravings: Nothing in particular.
Queasy or sick: Nope
Looking forward to: Getting back to work with my fifth grade team. I sure have missed them the past two weeks!