12 weeks = major mile stones

Little baby Butrimas...sucking her thumb perhaps? 

Tech said 70/30 GIRL...looks like pac-man to me! Thoughts?

Blurry bathroom pic? Yes. But when your best friend asks for a belly pic, you stop what you're doing, go to the bathroom, and click ;).  

Wow, 12 weeks already! I just can't believe how much has happened just over these last two weeks. For starters, look at that belly! Showing - sort of a "pop" as the girls on my secret FB page like to call it. Then there is, well, the baby. Last time we saw her (yes, I will be referring to baby as her from now on...unless we find a growth has happened on the next u/s ;)) she was just a little nugget. Big head, blob for a body and the size of a fig or something. We're up to a peach now! It says 11cm on the sonogram. That's 4.5 inches!!!! Holy cow!

We had our NT scan on Friday. This is to test for a bunch of different chromosomal disorders, including Downs. Even though we are not at risk for any of them, I think it's standard practice at most offices unless you're just against all testing. Our view is it's better to find out sooner than later. We'd like to have more time to prep, research and prepare if we need to. So the scan was an ultrasound and a finger prick. After I read more about the NT scan, I was really nervous to get it done. There are a lot of false positives, and the results aren't even 90% accurate. So I just focused on seeing the baby again. I was really excited to see her again on the screen because I knew she would look like a baby, finally. (Everything looked normal, thankfully.)

So we got in the room and the tech put the (surprisingly) warm jelly on my belly and started scanning away. [Now, I'm not sure if you remember, but the 1st time I went through this, all I could do was laugh. It was bad, and we didn't get to see much. So all I could think was "please don't laugh". I was really calm though.] We saw our baby! She was really still, and it scared me at 1st, I thought there might be something wrong. It turned out she was just sleeping :). Once the tech had to jab the wand into my belly she woke up and started moving. When we saw her sort of sit up, and then rub her eye I lost it. She was moving her hands and feet...acting like a real baby. It was amazing. Bron and I were just beaming with joy.

Bron let the tech know that we were really excited to find out the gender if she can tell this early. So when she was done with her measurements and showing us the baby moving all around, she moved the wand and I saw two legs...I knew what was coming next and I got really anxious! She said, "well, it might be too early, but it looks like you're having a little girl". My eyes welled up again and Bron was smiling so big. He said "so, would you say like 60/40?" The tech said, "I'd probably say more like 70/30". She reminded us that this was not to go out and paint the walls pink or buy anything gender specific, but that it was a pretty accurate guess. She saved the picture for us, so that we could say down the line that we found out at 12 weeks, as long as nothing grows down there ;). 

She printed about 6 pictures and showed us to the next waiting room. Of course I was still trying to pull myself together as we sat down. After waiting, texting, and looking at all our photos again it was finger prickin' time. Finger pricks aren't bad though. She got a lot of blood from it. She put like 5-6 quarter-sized circles on a piece of paper. I found this very strange. I can only guess that they look at it under a microscope when they get it at the lab.

So there you have it, our most exciting appointment yet. And, from what I hear, it only gets better from here. This is truly an amazing blessing and experience that I am grateful for every day. 

How far along? 12 weeks 

Total weight gain: They didn't weigh me at the appt. and every time I weigh myself here it's the same. So I'm sticking with 3 lbs still. 
Maternity clothes? Yes. I bought some hideous pants at Destination Maternity last Monday. They are capri's for work that look like my butt is in a parachute. (I guess I should add that they looked cute the 2 minutes I had them on in the dressing room. I'm hoping I'll grow into them.) I also got a cute skirt and two tops from Target. I'll be working to expand. I'm looking forward to H&M opening up soon in the Avenues. They have some cute maternity clothes on their website - and they're cheap! 
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: It's alright. A bit uncomfortable.  
Best moment this week: See the novel above ;). 
Miss Anything? Hmm, I can't really think of anything this week. Well, except my mom. She's planning a trip in a few weeks though, don't you worry. 
Food cravings: I've had a lot of different cravings this week. Many that I haven't been able to fulfill because they aren't very specific. But I had Chili's for lunch yesterday and it was the most amazing meal I've had at Chili's (& I didn't even have queso!)...I think it was the carbs haha. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Some meats. I also get pretty queasy in the AM when I'm getting ready. Usually right after the shower. I get too hot. 
Have you started to show yet: A little more, yes. 
Gender prediction: GIRL! 
Belly Button in or out? In 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: Planning & shopping more, feeling kicks and picking names. 

First Timers

Bron and I had our 1^st official baby shopping outing this afternoon. Our 1^st stop was Buy Buy Baby. They just opened a Buy Buy Baby (I had not previously heard of it) on the Southside. If you too have not heard of it, or been there yet, it’s EXACTLY like Bed Bath and Beyond – only with all baby things. I know. Amazing. I’m definitely registering there. So I decided we should go and take a tour and only check out 1-2 big ticket items so we wouldn't get overwhelmed our 1^st time baby shopping :). It was really cool and I didn’t get too side tracked – of course Bron really helped in that department lol. They have a few nurseries set up, just as they do bedding and beds at BB&B. I really like the changing tables with the drawers underneath and came across one that was staged with wipes and newborn diapers. I picked up the teeny tiny diaper and...lost it haha! Tears right there in the store. As I walked away embarrassed, trying to hide from anyone that might be able to see me I started to tear more because I was tearing on our 1^st trip hah. So I pulled it together and Bron was already trying to show me another changing table he liked. We checked out the City Mini stroller (awesome!) and a few other things. We did make 1 purchase…our 1^st pack of Pampers – size 1.

Off to Barns & Noble we went. Every boy name I throw at Bron he immediately vetoes, so I wanted to get a book to keep all our suggestions together in one place. (We are 90% sure on our girl name.) While we were there we got baby’s 1^st book. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a childhood favorite for Bron or I but it was short, sweet, and shiny so I thought it will be a good 1^st book. That might be the thing we’re most excited about in the nursery, the book collection. We can’t wait to fill the shelves with children’s books! Old ones, new ones, tall ones, short ones, ones with texture, ones with noise…BOOKS!

Our last stop was to Old Navy. I’ve been sporting this belly band for a few weeks now and I thought it might be time to at least try on some maternity jeans. I only had them on for a few minutes, but OMG what a life changer…okay maybe not that dramatic...but they were awesome! SO much more comfortable than the stupid belly band!! They just didn’t want to fit my calves (capris) and were a little loose on the booty. So we’re going to Motherhood tomorrow after work to start my maternity collection. Bring on the BUMP! ;)

I will leave you with some exciting things for this week: Tomorrow I'm buying my 1st of many maternity clothing items, getting back to the GYM (because I have some energy back & it feels awesome), and our ultrasound that is scheduled on Friday. This ultrasound is especially exciting because SOMETIMES the tech can tell the gender on the 12 week ultrasound. I'll be 12 weeks and 2 days so we'll see. Keep your fingers crossed! 

11 weeks!!

Mother's day before our lunch date <3 

How far along? 11 weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: Still only about 3lbs 
Maternity clothes? Not yet. 
Stretch marks? Nope! But my belly is getting monkey-like with all this hair! What the heck! Haha
Sleep: I'm sleeping well. 
Best moment this week: Felling good.
Have you told family and friends: Yes! 
Miss Anything? I've missed alcohol this week. I didn't think I would even think about a drink while pregnant, since I didn't drink much before. But I get in the mood for, or cravings for wine, beer and margaritas. :)
Food cravings: Ice cream. I got Ben & Jerry's American Dream. YUM. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this week, thank goodness!
Have you started to show yet: A small bump that is most likely bloating. But it's in the right spot so that's all that counts right? ;) But I can tell baby is getting bigger. 
Gender prediction: This has changed this week too. I'm back to not being sure. (Indecisiveness...also a semi-new thing during pregnancy. So many huge decisions!)
Belly Button in or out? In & hairy...ew 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Weekly Wisdom: Don't listen to all the crazies. Everyone around you seems to be a doctor when you're pregnant. Listen to your intuition and your own doctor. 
Looking forward to: I'm on serious "feel watch" for the 1st flutter of movement. I do realize that usually this doesn't happen for some time, but it CAN happen this early, lol. 

10 weeks

Bitty Baby Butrimas <3

We had our 2nd doctor's visit yesterday. It was pretty awesome. I really love everyone at the office. Bron and I had a good time, which sounds strange, I know :). It's just super exciting! 

How far along? 10 weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: According to the doctor's visit yesterday only 1lb. But  my 1st "weigh in" there was at 6 weeks. So I'll still say 3lbs. 
Maternity clothes? No. I think I'll have to buy a pair of maternity jeans soon though. The belly band is working now. 
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: I'm sleeping well. Still have a lot of back pain. 
Best moment this week: Yesterday at the doctor's: seeing our little baby wave, and move all around. 
Have you told family and friends: Yes! 
Miss Anything? Just my energy. 
Food cravings: I didn't really have many cravings this week. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: I've been feeling really well this week, it's been awesome! I still have a pretty overactive gag reflex when it comes to certain foods. 
Have you started to show yet: A little bump so far. It's weird, I actually look pregnant in certain clothes now. 
Gender prediction: Boy
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & moody! Haha, I guess that's just plain moody ;). 
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy it!
Looking forward to: All the fun and exciting things ahead! Mainly our next appt in 2 weeks, showing more, and feeling the baby for the 1st time. 

Oh JOYous Day

A little progress pic for ya ;).  Makes it real, huh? I'm not sure if you can see the captions because the photo showed up so small, but from left to right: 7 weeks, 8 weeks and 9 weeks.

I grabbed this survey off a blog that I follow. I think it's a cute way to let you all in on the pregnancy week-by-week. 

How far along? 9 weeks today

Total weight gain/loss: 2.8 lbs
Maternity clothes? Not just yet. I did buy a belly band. I don't really like it though...
Stretch marks? Hopefully never, but no, we're clear right now.
Sleep: I'm sleeping okay, but my favorite position is on my back right now. The unfortunate part is this is causing moderate-extreme lower back pain. I'm going to try to get a body pillow this weekend.
Best moment this week: Today actually. I've been really emotional the last week and today I got a super surprise delivery at work that made me realize that I have just been going about it all wrong ;).
Have you told family and friends: Yes! & the hygienist and the temp agency rep and...lol.
Miss Anything? I did have a craving for a margarita today. I think it was because we had tacos for lunch and Cinco is right around the corner.
Movement: Not yet.
Food cravings: Nothing really on a regular basis. When I was more nauseous I would have to crave something before I could eat. My most specific request was LongHorn loaded mashed potatoes :). And let me tell you, when I tasted them, they tasted like GOLD!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Certain smells make me queasy. Mainly related to food. My puking was really random and I don't think any 1 thing set it off.
Have you started to show yet: A little bump so far
Gender prediction: I think it is going to be a boy, but I know most of our families (us included) are pulling for team pink. But of course, we'll all be thrilled either way.
Belly Button in or out? I've got an "inny".
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Emotional, but happy
Weekly Wisdom: Eat protein for breakfast! I started with eggs & peanut butter this past Monday & haven't been nauseous or sick once this week. YAY!
Looking forward to: My next doctor's appointment and picture #2 of the LO next Wednesday, and this growing bump!