Grandma's Prediction

Well baby J your grandma felt you kick and said, "she is strong." Now your grandma thinks you are a girl.

Oh how there are times I want to know... Then others I think how neat it would be to have an idea of if you are a boy or girl.

Know that no matter what, I am beyond blessed to feel each movement, squirm, etc.

Can't wait to meet you baby J.

Flip-flop & Assumptions

Contemplating a gender reveal. We are 22 weeks.... Should we hold out or find out?

I haven't heard one definite reason as to why people find out that would make holding out not worth it, but then I can flip the coin and say the same to holding out.

A HUGE part of me feels as though finding out would take away my last aspect of this pregnancy I had originally planned on doing. Then another part tells me that in finding out we would find it easier to come up with a definite girl name, to be more connected, etc.

Not finding out would be an amazing surprise at delivery... I won't ever forget Owen when he first arrived. Amanda asking what it is - the joy of knowing it is a boy and her saying, "Hi, Owen!" No matter how crazy your delivery is NOTHING would over power hearing, "It's a..." As a mother I am sure every aspect is noted somewhere in the brain and the moment you waited on - the birth of your child, knowing the gender - would not be swept to the side.

I don't know. Maybe this means I truly am a flip-flopper and can't decide on my own. We are 22 weeks so why not just hold out....

My plan was to surprise everyone we were pregnant, that didn't go 100% as planned, my plan was to have the baby at home, could still happen but unlikely since we have a CMW, to not know the sex, that too can change....

Maybe I need to stop being such a planner and let life takes it course. Who knows maybe during our 3D ultrasound the lil nugget will be spread eagle saying here mom - no worries I did it for you.

Oh I can't wait!!!!! :)

So, baby J, as you are kicking me now and I write this.... I want you to know boy or girl as long as you arrive happy and healthy I will be more than overjoyed. I love you so much baby.

No more room!

Little Baby J/Baby Nugget....

You in the tummy! I want you to know that I think my belly can stretch no more. Around the end of the day it seems as though my stomach has reached capacity.

It is truly amazing to me what the human body can do. How is it possible to go from 30" - ?, it seems a little far fetched. I had great advice given to me about the stretching feeling.... and you know what I am so glad I have so many friends who are expecting around the same time as your dad and I.

You will have so many friends in the church, in school, and in daily life. I promise to keep you in the mix at church so you don't feel like the outsider. I promise that when you ask for a friend to come over I won't say no. I will try to let you experience life the way you choose. That is unless it is a bad decision then I will be there to step in....

Can't wait to meet you baby! Oh and here is a photo I never shared!

Moved to Love

We seem to be moving a lot lately. At times it feels like you are dancing on my bladder and others it is so still and quiet I start to wonder what you are doing.

When I sit and watch you kick from inside, and the movement I see on the outside I am overcome with joy. You are a little part of me that I will forever get to call my child. No matter what comes between us you will always be my baby and I will always be your momma.

The connection between a mother and child starts so early. It seems unreal at times how  much you can love something with out even knowing their name, what they look like, etc. Yet, here I sit over joyed and beaming with love for you.

So, kick away little child of mine. Continue to remind me of the life I am creating. You will be here in a few short months and I know my life will never be the same and I am perfectly fine with that.

The small things that seem to matter to me are really nothing of concern. Once you arrive I know my selfish needs and wants will fall away and everything will be about raising you to know God, to love others, and to be happy.

I love you baby J!

21 Weeks

How far long are you? 21 Weeks 0 Days
Total weight gain/loss:  7 lbs (from 134 to 141)
Maternity clothes? Love the idea of still wearing my own clothes but looking pregnant!
Belly bands make this possible.
Stretch marks? None that are new.
Sleep: Had a cold this week so that was a little harder than normal.
Best moment this week: Your dad laying his head on my stomach and feeling your kick. You sure are a strong one!
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? My weight going down not up.
Movement: Almost daily, hourly. Baby loves peanut butter/fudge shakes :)
Food cravings: Those Hostess donuts... chocolate, powder, and coconut. I finally got some chocolate ones!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing much this week. Heartburn was even good to me.
Have you started to show yet: Yep... I love it!
Gender prediction: Sorta... momma has a prediction but is afraid to say...
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In - Dad said soon it will be all level.
Wedding rings on or off? On and loose
Happy or Moody most of the time: A little moody. Emotions are scattered.
Looking forward to: Our next Ultrasound on June 14th.... :)

Soccer Player?

Soccer player?
Our kid could be the next greatest soccer player in the world. I can feel this little nugget kicking, not only from the inside but from the outside. It is by far one of the neatest feelings.

I guess if I had to describe the sensation it would be a thump. Like someone flicking you (not hard) but flicking you from the inside. If I think too long on it I get a mental image of a small fetus playing soccer in its sleep.

I will take those kicks baby - because it means you are alive and well... so keep em coming!

Kicked by a Fetus

Your daddy said he felt you kick last night. We were laying in bed and he put his ear to my belly and listened.

I can feel you kick but didn't say anything to daddy just to see if he really could. He did - he felt you 3 times.

That was a pretty awesome moment for the both of us. I just can't wait to see your face in August.

Ultrasound

Here is the ultrasound of our little nugget waving hello. I am still in awe that I am the one bringing this child into the world. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be a mother. I thank God for giving me this chance and I pray I do it all with his counsel.

20 Weeks - Halfway - 5 Months

We made it to the halfway point! I am so beyond excited to see this day. You are doing amazing as is momma. We hit the 5 month mark as well. It seems surreal to think we have been together for 5 months. I remember the day I saw the "pregnant". The feeling of knowing you are growing a life changes everything.

I am constantly worried for my safety (which is also yours), thinking of you, names, gender, getting ready, labor.... it is all so stressful and sooooo amazing. I can't wait for you to meet your momma and daddy!!!!! We love you!


How far long are you? 20 Weeks 0 Days
Total weight gain/loss: 4.4 lbs (from 134 to 138.4)
Maternity clothes? Wearing the belly band, dresses, and so excited to start wearing the full on momma clothes.
Stretch marks? None that are new.
Sleep: Trying to find a way to stay on my side. It is hard when you never sleep on your side and it is the only way to sleep now.
Best moment this week: Hearing your heart beat, knowing your dad and I will possibly know what you are soon.
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? Some of my cute skinny clothes.... I will wear them again.
Movement: A lot at 19w 6d... in the lower abs.
Food cravings: Cereal, Donuts, Corn dogs, gummy worms, root beer float.
Anything making you queasy or sick: My heartburn.
Have you started to show yet: Yep... I love it!
Gender prediction: Not sure... momma has a prediction but is afraid to say...
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On and loose
Happy or Moody most of the time: Super happy all this week.
Looking forward to: Our next Ultrasound on June 14th.... :)

Kicks, heart beats, & smiles.

Well baby J - we have had a lot happen this week. Another appointment with the midwife. Found out you have a heart rate of 144 and your momma is finally gaining weight but maintaining the blood pressure.... It is so awesome to hear your heart beat.

I felt you kicking me last night and couldn't help but smile. Soon your dad will be able to feel you kicking me. I can't wait for that moment. I think he is excited for that as well.

We are thinking of possibly doing a reveal because momma is having a hard time not knowing. Mainly because we are having a hard time with girl names... the boy name is done. So in a way I hope you are a little boy so the name dilemma would go away. Either way I will love you to the moon!

Although, we may have a hard time with a girl name you should know no matter what you are we are going to find a perfect name for you, we will have arms open to hold you, and will have tons of love to pour over you.

If we decide to do a reveal it will be between your dad and I, and then later we will do a big reveal for your aunts, uncles, gma's, and gpa's.... etc. Maybe by the time the big reveal comes, if you are a girl, we will have the perfect name for you!

I love you little baby J.

Monthly - almost 5 months in...

 

I can't believe we are almost at the 5 month mark. This weekend I will be adding a 5th photo to the collage. It seems so surreal. We are about halfway there!

 

I can't wait to meet this bundle of joy that will forever change our lives. Such a sweet blessing. Momma is so excited to meet you.

 

As you can tell the baby is growing at a great pace, and we will know even more tomorrow at our 3rd Midwife appointment. I will keep you updated. 

19 Weeks & Counting

How far long are you? 19 Weeks 1 Day
Total weight gain/loss: 2.4 lbs (from 134 to 136.4)
Maternity clothes? Love them!!!!!
Stretch marks? None that are new.
Sleep: I am off the couch and in a real bed now!
Best moment this week: Well I was actually 18 w 2 d, but I felt Baby J kick, and at 18 w 3 d we saw Baby J in an ultrasound!
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? Exercising, Insanity!
Movement: Just the MASSIVE kick I spoke of earlier!
Food cravings: Cereal, milk, cheese, water!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still a lil iffy on broccoli.
Have you started to show yet: Yep - Aunt JO says I am all belly!
Gender prediction: Not sure, we won't know until he/she arrives.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On and loose (lost a diamond though)
Happy or Moody most of the time: Super happy all this week.
Looking forward to: Our meeting Tuesday April 9th, and next Ultrasound on June 14th.... :)

Dreams

Little Baby J,
I had a dream about you. Although I may not be able to remember it all I do remember seeing a face so sweet. I remember the joy of you being in my arms and the announcing of your birth.

It seems so surreal to think that in 4.5 months that dream will be a reality. I am so blessed to have the chance to be a mother to something so amazing.

I know we are waiting to find out the gender, but after my dream I am almost 100% sure what we will be blessed with. I won't write it nor will I say. I want to see if my dreams are still as strong as they used to be. God gave me my power in dreams and I want to stand firm on the fact he is still guiding me.

Little Baby J you will be so welcomed and loved once you enter this world. I can not wait for your arrival. Momma loves you so much.

~ Momma

Little Baby J

Yesterday I felt a kick. Straight on kick to the left side of the belly button. It felt like someone flicked me from the inside. Right now I am getting a few of those kicks as well. It is rather nice knowing you are alive and well. I can't wait to see you this afternoon.

It is easy to say how I want your gender to be a surprise but a small part of me is crying out to know what you will be. I think if I can make it past this appointment not knowing everything would be fine. It is the fact I have the ability to find out today and how I can walk away not knowing.

We shall see if you are spread eagle, or very modest!



Conclusion:
We still do not know the gender of the baby. It was so neat to see the changes that have taken place in the last two months. Heart rate was 142, he/she waved at us, and everything is there.

I am honestly a gutless flip-flopper. I don't want to know but as soon as baby J showed up on the screen I couldn't help it. Momma wanted to know. Luckily Tim is stronger than I am. He covered my eyes and turned around. Now our gender sits in an envelope.... oh the temptation!!!!

Anywho, it was an AMAZING day. Here are some photos. If I can figure out the video part I will add that.

Baby J says hello!!!!

The tempting envelope momma bear wants to open sooooo badly.

Gender Guesses

Well today I decided to do a gender guess from people. As of right now we are tied 50/50 boy/girl.

I think it is awesome that those are the results. Mainly because either way I would be beyond happy. Your Aunt Micah says without a doubt a girl. She almost had your Grandpa believe her too.

Tomorrow we are scheduled for an ultrasound. Where, if we want, we could find out what you are. Your dad says to put it in an envelope and if we decide to find out then we can look. I honestly think that is torture. :)

I say if we do it, then we mail it or give it to someone so we don't sneak glances. I am a strong woman, but I don't think that strong.

I can't wait until tomorrow... I am so nervous, excited, and happy!