How far along? 21 weeks !

Total Weight Gain: Somewhere between 15 and 17 lbs. Im trying not to think about it (slash OBSESS over it) too much.  ;)

Stretch Marks: None

Showing: Definitely! 2 people at work that didn’t know asked. Fun!

Movement: I am starting to notice sleep and wake patterns – so interesting! She’s most active at the gym and in the evening. I guess all the moving around during the day and the kids voices sooth her. Ha.

Feeling: Good and energetic, but starting to feel big! Most of my clothes, minus pants, have fit up until now but I am starting to feel like I’m growing out of them.

Cravings: So my craving completely switched gears this week – from clementines and watermelon to CEREAL! Can’t figure out what my body is trying to get out of cereal but Im definitely noshing down on some Honey Nut Os.

Symptoms: Just a growing belly!

Missing: Skiing! This is such a good winter for skiing – I sooo wish I could go. I could technically go and just do the small slopes but it would be a waste of money in reality and not much fun. Booo.

Looking Forward to: Completing the nursery! Donovan put the crib together this weekend – it becomes more and more real which each week!

Sleep: I’ve actually been sleeping better this week. I got a pregnancy pillow from my aunt Christy…aunt? Step-Step aunt technically but she feels more like a cousin! Haha…anyway, I haven’t had to use it yet because I’ve been pretty comfy on my stomach with a pillow wedged under one side of me. It gives enough cushion and room for my belly so I’ll take that while I can!

Exercise: We are going 3-5 times a week and still lifting. I’m going to be incorporating some more cardio with a friend a couple times a week at work – T25, I’ve been missing me some Shaun T! I am looking forward to that. I’ve been feeling frustrated lately at my inability to lift heavier and I haven’t been breaking much of a sweat during my lifting workouts. :(

Eating: I am not as hungry as I was – she must have been going through a growth spurt. I’m eating at my regular meal times and enjoying many bowls of cereal daily…  :p

Thoughts this week: Her closet is full, toys are already scattered around, and the crib is built! Woohoo for 2^nd trimester progress! I am already in nesting mode. We also got a futon for the basement – we are trying to make it a great space to hang out before she comes. We’ve got the man cave thing going on with a play area in the back. He’s happy to share.  :)
 My students are so excited about the baby. I think they FINALLY get that she isn’t coming until summer – for a while there they would ask me on Mondays if the baby came over the weekend! Funny moment – a child was rubbing my belly, felt my belly ring, and gasped, “I can feel its head! Its HEAD!!!!” Hahaha, that made me literally LOL.

A book given to a friend and recommended by another friend! Apparently its good to we are beginning our reading.

New futon! The basement is coming together.

My husband started his grad classes again this week.  :( That means class on Wednesdays and Thursdays (he's home by 7:30 so not that bad) and lots of homework and studying!

Have to widen my stance to make room for baby belly! Lifting tip: Your joints start to soften during pregnancy, so keep your depth at 90 degrees, not lower.

14 weeks vs. 21 weeks! The first picture was when I first noticed a bump. Hehe.

A note from a student this week - how poetic!  :)

"You're pregnant Mrs. B! A flower (I mean a girl) will bloom out your stomach!"

The crib is done!!! Soooo exciting! Donovan said he had the thought that this would be the first of many things he would build for his daughter.  :)

Mirror selfie before work.  :)

How far along? 20 weeks – 5 months! We are officially HALFWAY!!!

Total Weight Gain: 15 lbs! Hoping I only gain 10 more, but hey we will let this baby do what she’s gonna do. Just please don’t be over 7 lbs!  :/

Stretch Marks: None

Showing: Definitly!

Movement: Every day! I have started to notice that she moves the most when I am at rest – usually in the morning and in the evening. She also kicks around a lot in the gym. Donovan got to feel her this week! He said it felt like a bubble. So exciting!

Feeling: Good and energetic!

Cravings: My cravings for clementines and watermelon have gone down! I cant say I am really ‘craving’ anything right now.

Symptoms: Just a growing belly!

Missing: Sleeping comfortably on my stomach! I have to have a pillow wedged under me, and have my knee way up to provide some give. And I wake up with cramps in my stomach if I stay in one position for too long. Annoying!

Looking Forward to: Meeting her.  :)

Sleep: See above…  :)

Exercise: We are going 3-5 times a week and still lifting. I am lifting very light weight compared to what I was lifting before so it feels so odd to me, but I know its best for my body and growing baby. Donovan has been extra watchful over me, making sure I am breathing and keeping proper form.  :)

Eating: I am still hungry more often, and enjoying treats more often than ever before! Hey might as well enjoy my growing belly while I can.  :) Our meals are clean and healthy but I have been saying ‘yes’ to many more indulgences. Poor Donovan and his sympathy weight.  ;)

Thoughts this week: Her closet is full, toys are already scattered around, and the crib is on its way…ok baby we are ready for you!  ;)

How far along? 19 weeks

Total Weight Gain: 14 lbs! Ay...

Stretch Marks: None

Showing: Definitly!

Movement: Every day now! Since the first time last weekend I didn’t feel much. Then on Thursday at the gym it was like there was an acrobat in my lower abdomen! It was the most exciting thing! Donovan tried to feel, and right as he pulled his hand away she kicked! I think he would have felt that. Now I am feeling every little turn and kick – it feels like a little bubble. So fun.

Feeling: Good and energetic!

Cravings: Clementines and watermelon still!

Symptoms: Just a growing belly!

Missing: Summersummersummer…

Looking Forward to: Getting the crib!

Sleep: Sleeping on my stomach is getting harder. Some nights it’s possible for short intervals, other nights I’m on my side the whole time!

Exercise: We are going 3-5 times a week and still lifting. This past week was the first week I really felt the need to purposely lower the weight I’ve been doing. My belly is starting to get in the way and I can feel a stretch in my abdomen when I strain. My focus lately has been to make sure I can breath throughout each rep and not strain during full body exercises like squats and dead lifts, which is hard to do! It means a definite decrease in the weight I am lifting.

Eating: Though I am hungry more often, every time I eat I feel like the food is right at the top of my throat. Ug.

Thoughts this week: Feeling her move more now is so crazy and fun! Donovan and I can’t wait until he can feel it too! Starting to plan the showers in El Paso and Maryland – both will be in March. We definitely feel like theres been a growth spurt between 16 weeks and now because I just popped!

Belly shot! 

 My belly view looking down at the gym - odd.

 Sooo exxcited at feeling her flip around and move at the gym! This was a major deal for us.  :) Give that baby some mini dumbbells!

Total Weight Gain: 12 lbs! Ah!

Stretch Marks: None

Showing: Definitely! Coming back from Christmas break, many people at work are commenting, “Ok you look pregnant now!” Ha.

Movement: Felt her move for the first time yesterday! I was sitting in a chair watching TV with Donovan and my sister and I felt this weird bubble right below my belly button, but deeper in. Then I felt it again, and I was sure it was a roll or summersault of some sort! So cool. Haven’t felt it since but I am paying attention!

Feeling: Great.  J

Cravings: Clementines like crazy, and watermelon.

Symptoms: Just a growing belly!

Missing: Summer time…

Looking Forward to: Completing the nursery! Walls are painted, just waiting on the crib. 

Sleep: Sleeping well but I am starting to get woken up in the middle of the night feeling uncomfortable. I sleep on my stomach and have been dreading the day where I can’t anymore! So far its still ok, as long as I change positions frequently.

Exercise:  Feeling energetic in the gym still, but I am starting to drop my weights even more. I dropped them much lower after the 1^st trimester and have stayed there steadily since, but Its like I can feel a stretching in my lower abdomen now at all times and its causing me to be much more aware of the straining in my body. I am focusing on low weight and high reps.

Eating: I have been a lot hungrier all of a sudden this week! I eat 6 times a day, every 3 hours, but I have been getting hungry only about an hour and a half after I eat, so Ive obviously been eating more. I hear that between 16-18 weeks the baby has a growth spirt, so that would explain the hunger and seemingly rapid growth since Christmas! Haven’t had much indigestion since last week, so that’s good!

Thoughts this week: Living in maternity jeans! All of my regular clothes are tight on me now – I am starting to feel the need to expand my wardrobe further. I honestly thought Id be able to wear almost all of my clothes at least through 7 months, but that’s definitely not happening! Even my ‘baggy’ sweater dress hugs my body.  

The nursery in progress! Donovan painted and added the molding. I am loving the color!

How far along? 17 weeks

Total Weight Gain: Closing in on 10 lbs.  :)

Stretch Marks: None

Showing: Yep! May still not be evident to strangers but hardly any of my old clothes fit!

Movement: Still none – but Im paying attention!

Feeling: Great.  :)

Cravings: Still clementines. My husband and I go through a crate in 3 days!

Symptoms: Just a growing belly!

Missing: Summer time! Nothing to do with pregnancy but its been SO cold…

Looking Forward to: Meeting our daughter!

Sleep: Same!

Exercise:  Feeling energetic and strong, though my weights are less than they used to be.

Eating: 5-6 meals a day, clean. Started feeling indigestion after eating this past week – not fun!

Thoughts this week: We painted the nursery and sorted through baby clothes this week – that made it feel so real, and I don’t know how we’re going to wait 5 more months! Baby coos on TV are starting to pull at something deep in my gut.

How far along? 16 weeks

Gender: It’s a GIRL!!!!

Total Weight Gain: Its looking like 8 lbs! 116 pre-pregnancy, about 124 currently. I think a bit of that might be holiday weight also.  :)

Stretch Marks: None

Showing: Finally am! I would say I kinda ‘popped’ this week. Though its still hard to tell if you don’t know me, my friends and family and definitely noticing. In the morning its VERY evident, as you can tell from the picture below of me laying on my back!

Movement: None that I can feel yet, however I hear that the first ‘flutters’ can be felt between 16-18 weeks so I am definitely paying attention!

Feeling: Fantastic! Frustrated that my clothes aren’t fitting but I am adjusting.  :)

Cravings: Watermelon and Clementines! I want them because they are so juicy and cold, which makes me think I might be dehydrated so I am trying to drink more water.

Symptoms: None! Boob soreness is starting to diminish thank god!

Missing: My Buckle skinny jeans.  :( Until next year my loves…

Looking Forward to: Meeting our daughter! It feels so much more real now that she has an identity.

Sleep: Great!

Exercise:  Sticking to hitting the gym 3-4 days a week. We do a split of back and tris/chest, shoulders and bis/legs, with 15-20 minutes of cardio. Any gym time we get outside of that we do cardio. Overall I have felt great at the gym, although my strength has dropped between first trimester struggles with even getting to the gym and general pregnancy precautions. So far so good, but we will see what trimester 3 brings.  :)

Eating: Now that the holidays are officially over we are back on track with clean eating. I am focusing on making sure I get at least 300 calories more than I was pre-pregnancy.

Thoughts this week: We were in El Paso over the holidays and so we booked our gender sonogram there. Baby B was active and cooperative and the tech was 99.9% sure that she’s a GIRL! Papi is extremely excited (and petrified!) to have his “Daddy’s Little Girl” – he is going to be so amazing! 

We told our MD friends about baby girl on New Years at Abu and Arushi's - we concealed pink balloons in a trash bag (hey it was easy!). Most of them were convinced it was a boy, but were so excited to find out she was a SHE! It was also fun dancing my pregnant butt around in a tight cocktail dress…  :)