So thankful

My husband is so unbelieveable.  He's on Spring Break this week from work and therefore is home during the day while I am at work.  Honestly, if it were my SB, I'd be sleeping the whole time or lounging around like a bump on a log!  But not Chad...I'm sure he does his fair share of lounging and enjoying his downtime, but I came home yesterday to a spotless house--it was so clean!  I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a thoughtful and caring man, my very own, who takes such great care of our family :)   Love you honey!!

Scrumptious

I don't think I've had any "weird" pregnancy cravings, but I have definitely had cravings!
#1 Waffles:  I think I could eat waffles for every meal of the day!  Good thing I don't, but let me tell ya...lately I've been thinking about it :)
#2 Junior Mints:  Perfect amount of satisfaction for my chocolate cravings--just the right amount of deliciousness.
#3 Macaroni and Cheese:  And no, there is no such as thing as "too much cheese."
#4 Sushi:  California Roll with Spicy Sauce. Oh my head...I might have to eat one right now...
#5 Baked Potatoes:  sooooo yummmmmyyyy!

In other news, felt Gracie's hiccups for the first time yesterday!  Took some convincing for me to finally believe it, but after being reassured enough...it was such a weird feeling!  She's also kicking like crazy, big big kicks :)  They don't hurt yet, but I get the feeling that they might soon.  She's definitely growing and getting stronger, I love  love LOVE all the movement.

On to weird pregnancy symptoms # 4,073.  I unfortunately had to get a root canal/crown done today (thanks Dr. Boling!).  It was a fairly long process and the whole time I was in that chair, my hands and fingers kept falling asleep and going numb!  Carpal Tunnel...that's got to be one of the most bizarre pregnancy side effects ever!  It had been so long since I had been to the dentist that I couldn't help be a little nervous, but Gracie kicked the whole time--kept me smiling...well, at least on the inside.  Smiling on the outside would've been hard with Ashley's fingers in my mouth!  I'm so thankful to have it all over with and now I can chew on both sides of my mouth--PTL.  But I never thought I would have my first root canal when I was 6 months pregnant--quite the experience.  Hope I never have to do it again!

Feeling Good...Most of the Time

I think I am right on the edge of the "uncomfortable stage" of pregnancy.  I'm not quite there yet, but I can tell I'm on the verge...well, just the verge of the beginning, not about to delve into the deepend.  I started to notice it about a week ago when it was a little harder to breathe after coming up the stairs. Then the other night as I was crawling into bed and was getting all settled, I felt for the first time (when I wasn't moving, walking, etc) that it was harder to breathe.  I think my lungs are beginning to run out of room!  I was working hard to take a deep breath and every time I rolled over or readjusted, it was the same kind of feeling.  It's okay though...if my little girl needs more room to grow, I'll sacrifice some more space for her :)  Naturally, I say that now when she's yet to stick her foot in my ribs, but I think in the long haul, I'd still feel the same way.

Season of Life

I've definitely joined the ranks of people who are so over Winter and so ready for Spring to come!  It's a common thought process that with Spring comes new life, restoration of life, creation of life, and flourishing of life.  It's such a wonderful thought and being 22 weeks pregnant as Spring is approaching is making this time all that much sweeter for me.  Every kick, roll, twirl, and jab brings a smile to my face because it reassures me that the little life growing inside me is flourishing!  (Also, I want to enjoy them while they are still slight because I know I am quickyl approaching the day that those kicks and jabs will be followed by a loud, "Ow!!!" instead of my excited "Wow!") 

As I'm working my way through Week 23 of this pregnancy I've learned that at this point Gracie should begin a pretty big growth spurt, doubling her current weight within a month!  No wonder I've recently started eating like a horse and I'm as tired as a mule!  Thankfully, my comfort level is still very high most of the time :)

21 weeks and counting

So much for keeping this thing updated!

I'm 21 weeks and 4 days pregnant and Bada-bop-bop-baaaa!  I'm lovin' it!  SOOOOO thankful for the 2nd trimester, there really is a renewed energy and I have had relief from nausea and the "fat" feeling.  Now I'm sporting a genuine baby BUMP and boy oh boy is she active!  That's right--it's a girl!  Her name is Grace Estelle and we'll call her Gracie because it's so stinkin' adorable.  Chad and I are just blessed beyond words and everyday we get a little bit closer to meeting her :)  She's pretty active and likes to kick her Daddy--which doesn't upset him at all, but actually thrills him to the core (I'm sure one day that feeling will change, HA!)

At our 20 weeks ultrasound we found out that she was already 14oz (a little ahead of schedule) and I'm convinced that she'll come a smidge early.  Her due date is July 16th, but we shall see when she makes her grand appearance.

Here's a little catch up for you:

Peanut likes to cuddle with Grace at 16 weeks

19 weeks



20 weeks and on my 26th birthday!

C'mon 2nd Trimester!

I'm almost to my 2nd trimester and I can't wait!  I'm excited to feel Baby Hughie move around and to not be in that in between stage where regular clothes are too small, but maternity clothes are too big..haha, and I can't wait to EAT. (Have I mentioned that before?)
I think I might be in the middle of  a bit of sickness, possibly a sinus infection?  I've had a headache going on 3 days now, and it's all right behind my eyes :(  Boo--I hate it. How ironic that pregnancy brings all kinds of aches and pains and headaches and you're "limited" on taking any medication!  Tylenol just doesn't cut it...my wonderful husband has been wonderful, he just takes such great care of me.  Thanks Sweetie! 

In other news, Cleveland is in the middle the Blizzard of 2011 and it's been absolutely gorgeous out!  We got 7 inches of  snow here!!  Walking in a Winter Wonderland :)

I miss food!

So, glad to hear I'm not alone in the whole "first trimester = heartburn + indigestion + hungry but can't eat anything because it all makes me feel gassy and bloated and disgusting" equation.  I think I always imagined pregnancy being like camping out at an all-you-can-eat-buffet for 9 months, but so far I haven't even made it into the parking lot of the restaurant!    This is a huge problem for me because I really like food and I miss it A LOT.  Combine these issues with my new favorite pregnancy symptoms, lightheadedness and dizziness, and I'm one charming person to be around.  I think that by the time the 3rd trimester gets here all the preggos out there "forget" about this misery because they've moved on to the exhaustion and discomfort stage that leaves the 1st trimester in the dust, so no one warns you about all of this until you start complaining about it and then (thankfully!) the waves of encouragement and advice start flooding in. :)    I just want to see food and actually want to eat it...is that too much to ask?

In other news, if you're still reading this despite my grouchiness, we had an ultrasound appt last week and our little blur has grown to actually look like a baby!  Our first ultrasound was at 6 weeks and 2 days and this past one was 12 weeks and 2 days :)

                                                                                        He's waving!

We don't actually know it's a boy yet, but we kinda think it is!  We'll find out Feb 28th (day after my bday) at our 20 weeks ultrasound.  He'll be huge by then :) That is....if I ever get my appetite back!