Happier Day

Definitely a brighter better day today.  Figuratively and actually.

When people say when the baby starts to move and it just gets more and more they really mean it.  I'm not sure she ever stopped moving yesterday.  She was still going at 9:30pm when I went to bed and 2am when I woke up to pee and so forth.  However she normally moves at lunch everyday and today I hadn't felt her, so I decided to try a trick and put my headphones to my stomach to see if she could hear.

It's safe to say I think she could or else it was really ironic timing.

She was probably like "Mom, I'm trying to sleep", Yeah? Sing it to the choir sister! :)

Love my little M&M so much already.

:)

Moody Day

Why I'm posting a pic on a day that I feel like a FAT WHALE is beyond me, but I'm doing it anyway.  I feel as though I'm falling behind on my pics and maybe "catching up" will make me feel better? I feel like I have a million things to do which include starting an exercise regime.  Better late than never?

Whatever....here I am

My sister in law, Kim, gave me 2 cute maternity sweaters that I love. I am wearing one here but decided to move it to the side just so you could get the full view of the monstrosity that is my belly.  I made my coworker take this pic, lol. At least I can laugh at myself.

Obviously everyone says "oh you look great", but would anyone really go up to a pregnant person they know and say "wow you look awful".  I've already had one stranger tell me I'm big and that was like 4 WEEKS AGO!

Dr. today said "don't worry you'll stop feeling fat soon and start feeling pregnant because you'll start to look pregnant"  DO I NOT LOOK PREGNANT TODAY?

I HATE TODAY!  :)

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain: 23 lbs. :(  momma was not happy when she got off the scale today.  I blame Thanksgiving and Christmas and Mexico!  Needless to say Chris and I are going to the gym after work today.
Maternity clothes? Yes Please.
Stretch marks? A few, but I'm feeling pretty good on that front.
Sleep: Eh.  The 2 am pee wakeup call is getting old.
Best moment this week: Hearing heartbeat at my 24 week appointment that everything is still looking good & going smoothly! and sharing the name with everyone. EMMA JEAN MOHER!
Miss Anything? Wine.  I got some cute wine glasses for Christmas so it will be nice to bust those out when baby is here.
Movement: Lots - I love that I can actually see her move from the outside now.
Food cravings: Everything and Anything at the moment.  Apperently I'm going to have to work on that.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not these days (knock on wood)
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Nice dark line down my belly, rib pain from time to time, tired, moody :)  I'm a joy to be around today, let me tell you.
Belly Button in or out? In-ish - it's hanging on by a thread these days.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody at the moment. Probably because of my answer to #2!
Looking forward to: Painting Emma's room next weekend and feeling a little closer to complete. 

I realize I'm slacking on the pics.  Hopefully I can pick it up in that area soon!

To Eat or Not To Eat

I must say pregnancy diets are probably the most interesting things I have ever come across.

I find it crazy that I can talk to one person and say "I eat ____" and they say "I WOULD NEVER EAT THAT" and the next person say "Yeah, I ate that all the time".

And other things I say, "While I'm pregnant I'm just definitely not going to eat _____" and in return I get "I ate that all the time" and the next person says "Yeah, I laid off that too".

Then someone comes up and says "You aren't supposed to eat _____" and I think, wow, I've never heard that before.

I bet 90% of foods go through someone's DO NOT EAT list while the next person doesn't care.  It's also definitely interesting talking to people of different generations because apparently there were no rules "back then" (whenever then was) and we all turned out fine.  In my own experience it does seem like some people in the older generations judge what I won't eat like I'm an idiot. But on the same note, I judge other girls like they are idiots when I hear their no no list.

Remember when I said I live off strawberry milkshakes? Well apparently soft-serve is a no no. OOPS!

And is it just me or do you get more and more lax on your convictions as your pregnancy goes on???

DAY 1 - MAYBE DAY 30 - NO COFFEE

DAY 150 - COFFEE MOST DAYS though I do try and stick decaf in there often.

Every appt. tells me baby girl is doing just fine.  I think every rule is more of a guideline.  If they said I COULD have as much caffeine as I wanted I would be back to my 4 cups a day, but since I'm not "supposed" to have caffeine I stick with 1 (maybe 2 sometimes).  Everything in moderation and good judgement.

Enough ranting for today....

PS. Was in the grocery store and an older woman looked at me, then said "is that????" while pointing frantically at her stomach.  It better be lady or you're about to make both of us embarrassed   People really are interesting.

23 Weeks

You may be wondering, where did week 22 go?  Well, I've made an executive decision.  Baby is measuring ahead. 2 scans have told me that, so I'm giving myself the week.  YAY!  Only 17 more to go :)

How far along? 23 Weeks and 1 days
Total weight gain/loss: 12 lbs+
Maternity clothes? You know it.
Stretch marks? A few :( Working on keeping it that way
Sleep: Last night, sleep was good (woke up 3 times, but that is a good night for me these days).  I just can't seem to get comfortable. I always wake up on my back which FREAKS ME OUT! Maybe that's why i'm waking up and the dreams i'm having are the craziest dreams I've ever had in my life and if you know me, that is saying a lot.
Best moment this week: Savannah Lee's 1st birthday party.  Got to see family and little princess open her presents.  She was sick though so no cake yet :(  Also got to see Brook and her ever so slightly growing baby bump #2! That's right ladies and gents, the baby boom has hit the Smith clan.  We're poppin them out left and right and i'm lovin every minute of it.  Hoping for another nephew (I have 3 already on the Moher side), but want another one :)
Miss Anything? I would say alcohol, but we had my work Christmas party last night so I had some champagne and a sip of red and a sip of white and a sip of dessert wine. OOPS!  I loved it though :) I miss field hockey. Indoor is starting soon and I wish I could play. I am not going to be able to move for a WEEK once I get back to that.
Movement: Feel movement all the time.  Christ felt 1 little kick so far, but hoping that increases.  She moves the most during the day when i'm at work, so it makes it tough.  Maybe over the holiday weekend he'll get more chances. 
Food cravings: Lunch meat!  I broke down and microwaved some, then cooled it off int he freezer, doesn't sound that great, but it really hit the spot yesterday for lunch. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Apperently when 1 year olds throw up it makes me wanna puke, hahaha. but I didn't. Poor little girl sick on her birthday.
Have you started to show yet: Definitely and it's nice to know people know i'm preggo and not just extra wide :)
Gender: Girl :) CAN'T WAIT TO SCREAM HER NAME FROM THE ROOFTOPS
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In for now....it's getting scary
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy most of the time. Always happy when daydreaming about baby girl.
Looking forward to: Christmas and more nursery decorations!

Anatomy Scan #2

I knew that happened for a reason.

Anatomy Scan #2 was a success and one of the best experiences so far.  We went to an actual baby ultrasound place so that is all they focus on and it's obvious.  The woman who did my scan was amazing and so nice and pointed out everything.  There was even a separate TV for me to see all the pics at an easy angle.

Only hiccup in the situation was a crazy traffic jam, which caused Chris to miss most of it.  It was sad to be sitting in the waiting room watching some significant others obviously forced to be there and not wanting to be there,  when my DH wanted so badly to be there and he just couldn't get there on time due to unforeseen circumstances. Fortunately with a little smooth talking and lots of kissing up the nurse took extra long and waited until Chris could get there so he could get to see some of the magic too.

It's definitely 100% a girl now (thank goodness) and we got to see her in 3D, which made me cry because you could see her face. She looks like a little person in there.  I can't wait for her to come out so I can hold her and tell her how much I am in love with her already.  After Dr. came in he gave us the green light on everything. I do realize nothing is 100%, but he said spine looks good, brain looks good, lips look good (reason for 2nd scan). All signs point to a healthy baby girl with him.  He asked the name and we told him and he said his niece has the same name and she's perfect and it was a good name.  I'll take that as a good sign. :)

Baby is still measuring a week ahead and is officially 1 lb. 2 oz right now.  I saw her little feet and her hands and everything and it was just the best feeling in the world.  I wish I could get one of those every week! Here she is......



She's amazing already.  Mommy and Daddy are very happy to have a little princess in a few short months and will spoil her rotten, but we're ok with that.

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 Weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: 12 lbs+
Maternity clothes? You know it.
Stretch marks? A few :( Working on keeping it that way
Sleep: Sleep has been awful this week for the most part.  I can not get comfortable and I can not stay asleep.  Last night was my first good night of sleep in a while. Crossing my fingers it lasts for a few days.
Best moment this week: Went to Christmas party at friend's house.  Stayed out til Midnight which I thought was a success to be a the "good sport" for DH!

Miss Anything? A glass of wine, a nice cold beer - that would have been nice at the party, but having my 2 girlfriends (2 lovely ladies next to me in above pic) being preggo and no drinking helped A LOT!, hot steaming bath, LAYING ON MY STOMACH AND MY BACK
Movement: Definitely feeling her more and more.  I feel as though I felt the slightest outside tummy kick the other day, but when I tried to get Chris to feel it she stopped. 
Food cravings: STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKES! I can't get enough of those things. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still dealing with the heartburn. 
Have you started to show yet: Yes, hopefully not too much.  It's hard not to get self-concious about that
Gender: Girl :) CAN'T WAIT TO SCREAM HER NAME FROM THE ROOFTOPS
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In for now....
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy most of the time. Always happy when daydreaming about baby girl.
Looking forward to: Christmas and more nursery decorations and feeling baby kick on the outside and Anatomy Scan #2 - I love every chance I get to see baby girl.

APPOINTMENTS, APPOINTMENT APPOINTMENTS

Currently I feel as though half my life is spent making/changing/attending appointments.  

I LOVE going to baby appointments, but what I don't like are messages saying, please call us back to change your appointment. I spent about 2 hours today trying to get a hold of someone human to talk to so I could change my appointments.  Not because I needed to, but because Dr. needed to.  

Best part is I changed 1 appointment for the exact same day and exact same time, just in a different office. For the best, because I am now going somewhere my Dr. specifically recommended for anatomy scan so they can see all of baby.

Appointment #2 was changed to the exact same day just 6 hours earlier with a different Dr. and 1 building down from where originally planned. 

I can't wait until appointments are every 2 weeks, that should be extra fun!  It doesn't help I have a non-regular work schedule where I need to be at client sites more than not, so it is turning into a sophisticated ballet of timeline scheduling in my life.  Only 18 1/2 weeks left YIKES!!!!

I am looking forward to date night in the City tonight with DH though.  I love it when he brings up little dates that catch me off guard.  :)

PS.  Completely off baby topic, been watching The Walking Dead lately.  Probably not the best thing to watch before bed, but I say "believe the hype" it's awesome and I highly recommend it with the caveat that you better be ready to hide your eyes a lot. (very gruesome, I'm surprised I can handle it right now).  I can't seem to watch Breaking Bad though, which I hear is equally awesome.  I've decided the reason for this is because Breaking Bad is about despair and Walking Dead is about hope. (completely my own opinion on that one).

Also, if your preggo, don't watch "What to Expect When your Expecting".  If you're expecting a happy go lucky comedy (as advertised), you went to the wrong place with that movie.  I cried so hard my eye were puffy for hours! NOT COOL!

Hello Christmas Time :)

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Christmas?

Well, I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

If I hadn't already made my Christmas cards, this pic would have been in the running...........

He's a little monster and a model rolled all into one.  I don't know how many of you out there have pets and brought home newborns, but I can only assume I'm not going crazy for being worried.  This creep into my head like, what if he tries to jump in the pack and play while the baby is in there and knocks it over or puts holes in the sides.  What if he tries to get in the crib and suffocate the baby? Not that he would do it on purpose, William is just a cuddler at heart :) I'm sure everything will be fine, just need to keep an eye on him in the beginning.

Here are a few of my other fav. Christmas decorations:

I bet you can guess who the little stocking is for and it isn't William :)

Fun thing #2 we recently did as I mentioned in a previous post was BUILD THE CRIB! Our wonderful friend Matt helped us get the stuff from babies R us and up the stairs. It was quite an accomplishment, those things did not look light. So once we got everything upstairs Chris and I got started and put it all together.

William is definitely curious about the new furniture smells and after changing the room around several times I think I'm happy where the two main pieces are to start.  We even have a mattress! Now all we need is a baby :) and I guess a few other things wouldn't hurt.  I also bought big letters of baby girl's name to hang on the wall.  I haven't decided if I want to paint them, wrap them in yarn, or leave them white. We'll see!  

We have been very busy and even ordered blinds for the downstairs/baby room/master bathroom today.  It was actually from a field hockey friend's dad, so hopefully within the next week or two we will have 1 more thing crossed off of our list.  I do love to be proactive and plan ahead. I think I'm doing a good job so far, because what I hear is once baby arrives that all goes out the window.  I hope not!

Well,  tonight starts the holiday festivities of the month.  We have a Christmas party for our community this evening (should be awkward enough) then Christmas Party tomorrow with friends. Very excited for the second one.  Then Sunday it's shopping with Mom and Savy (my niece AKA love of my LIFE)  I'll be sure to post pics of her soon enough.  Can't wait to give her a little cousin to boss around!

Until next time...............

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 Weeks and 5 days
Total weight gain/loss: 12 lbs+
Maternity clothes? You know it.
Stretch marks? A few :( Working on keeping it that way
Sleep: Sleeping has been hit or miss. Last night I woke up at 2:30am, but I'm sure the work travel doesn't help my sleeping schedule either.
Best moment this week: PUTTING TOGETHER BABY CRIB with Chris (pics to follow at some point)
Miss Anything? A glass of wine, a nice cold beer, hot steaming bath, LAYING ON MY STOMACH AND MY BACK
Movement: She has her days of moving a lot, and her days of barely a peep.  I like the moving a lot times and hope they come more often!
Food cravings: Milk and spicy stuff
Anything making you queasy or sick: No, BUT heartburn has reared it's ugly head and likes to make itself known at all times.  The spicy stuff I eat probably doesn't help either.
Have you started to show yet: Yes, hopefully not too much.  It's hard not to get self-concious about that
Gender: Girl :) CAN'T WAIT TO SCREAM HER NAME FROM THE ROOFTOPS
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In for now....
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy most of the time. Always happy when daydreaming about baby girl.
Looking forward to: Christmas and more nursery decorations and feeling baby kick on the outside and Anatomy Scan #2 - I love every chance I get to see baby girl.

20 Week Appointment

So just had my 20 week appointment yesterday.  I must say this whole pregnancy thing is really a roller coaster of emotions.  (mostly good one I might add).  Every time the phone rings and it's the doctor you wonder, WHY ARE THEY CALLING ME? and yes you wonder in capital letters.

How far along: 19 weeks 5 day

Total weight gain/loss: 12  lbs - yes I was weighed yesterday. You like my earlier estimation? Yeah, that means 9 lbs. in 4 WEEKS! Although my Dr. was AMAZING as usual and she said baby is growing at the perfect rate and I am growing at the perfect rate, I still think I should slow that rate down.  I blame Mexico.  Maybe you aren't supposed to have dessert after EVERY meal??? It was fun while it lasted, but back to reality now.

Maternity clothes: Wearing them proudly.  My bigger bras aren't so big on me anymore though.  I may have to go up another size after this is all said and done.  We'll see.

Sleep:  I am happy to announce that sleep is still great! I give credit to my borrowed Snoogle.  Although last night I did wake up at 3am to pee. First time in a while, we'll see if this is the restart of something annoying.  I even made the mistake of trying to hold it for a while, why do we think we can do that? 

Best moment this week: Hearing baby kicking and moving around at our 20 week appointment and CRIB CAME IN! When you order furniture it can take 1 week or 12 weeks, you never know! So Crib and Dresser are in, hopefully picking up the crib tomorrow, because we got the dresser home, but it was tricky and it's stuck in the garage, becuase I obviously can't lift it. The crib didn't fit in the car. Julie - if you're reading this you will be getting a call from us to borrow Matt's super huge muscles :) and hopefully semi bigger car so we can get everything upstairs 

Movement: Definitely feeling her on the inside, but nothing on the outside yet.  Hopefully sooner rather than later, but DR. said probably not for another 4 to 6 weeks.  

Food cravings: SPICY STUFF, milk and pickles

Labor Signs: nope.

Belly Button in or out: innie, but I did notice it isn't as deep as it used to be, hahaha (gross)

What I miss: Wine to help me relax after a stressful day!

What I am looking forward to: Outside Baby Movements

Weekly Wisdom:  Relax and Enjoy! as always :)

So we had our Anatomy Scan as you know and I did get one of those dreadful calls afterwards and it's only dreadful because when they call you think "WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME" as I stated before.  Well apparently they didn't get a good look at her face and they have to rule out cleft lip and any other things with the face. I take this as a Godsend because I very very much disliked my scan lady. She was curt and cold and just said the wrong things.  I even told my Dr. some of the things that happened and Dr. agreed with me :) So I'm going to a different place and hopefully will have a different person and a different experience.  Also great to see baby again in 2 weeks :)

Another note.  So went to dentist yesterday and in the elevator a man stood across from me and said "when are you due?" with a smile on his face. I immediately started beeming. No one noticed before. No one asked. This was my first time for a stranger :) YAY YAY (or so I thought). I reply "i'm due in April.  I'm halfway" he then replies "You're kinda big aren't ya?" ENTER WORLD SHATTERING FEELING. Really? People really say this? So surprisingly I find the words to speak and I say "You're kinda rude aren't ya?"  He then shuffles uncomfortably and says "Oh I didnt mean it that way".  Fortunately elevator opens, I give him the evilest eye I can gather up and I walk away.  Unfortuantely we then both walk into the dentist office.  I sit and begin texting my mother and DH this horrible story and he sits there until the person he is picking up comes out and he leaves.  I can only hope time #2 is better.  Seems to me these big things in pregnancy need do overs.  Anatomy Scan and When ya due question prove that so far.  Hopefully 2nd times a Charm.

Note #3 - We had our hospital tour last night.  I was probably the least along.  One girl is due MONDAY!  there were about 12 of us (6 preggos and 6 significant others) It was a great time.  Everyone asked lots of questions. Even DH asked one, which was a total happy surprise that he got into it.  It was also very very exciting and a little scary because it was definitley getting real.  And if I do say so myself, I looked tiny compared to some of those girls so THERE! 

Until next time.

Tracey :)

I CAN'T STOP EATING!

So I'm in my 19th week of pregnancy.  Ultrasound tech said I was measuring a week ahead, but she wasn't very nice so I don't trust anything she says.

And I don't know if this is normal, but I CAN'T STOP EATING!  I feel like I'm always hungry.  This is not good!

It would be one thing if I was craving salads and veggies and fruits, but I'm not, I'm craving anything and everything I see.  For example,  a coworker brought in chocolate cake his wife made (i'm on piece #3!!!!)  Mind you, the first two pieces were very small, but now I've taken an even bigger piece!!! HAHAHA! Somebody stop me.

This was my food today:

Blueberry Morning Cereal - 6:50am
Lance Cheese Crackers - 7:45am
Oreo Yoplait Yogurt - 9am
Tuna Fish Sandwich - 12am
Green Apple - 1pm
3 PIECES OF CHOCOLATE CAKE - 1:21pm

and i'm not even close to stuffed.

Fortunately Chris forced me on a walk yesterday (not that motivated these days).  Hopefully he can work his magic again soon!

On a side note - I met Patrick Henry Elwell for the first time on Saturday.  Son of proud parents Lauren and Mark.  He was ADORABLE and such a good baby.  I like to think I'm cooking him up a nice little girlfriend, but he better never break her heart :)  Here is a pic of Chris holding the little angel.  He's a natural already!

RIVIERA MAYA

So,

We are back from a week in Mexico.  It was AMAZING, WONDERFUL AND PERFECT! The weather was beautiful 90% of the time. The food was good and the pool was very refreshing!  Here are some pics

ON OUR WAY

 FINALLY RELAXING

 They had very nice day beds right on the beach to lay in...I liked that there was always a chair to sit in somewhere, never over crowded.

 Lots of fun Wildlife to look at.

 Belly Shot :)

 This is the day we saw a stingray in the ocean and the last day i got in the ocean :)

 Did I mention the food was great? Well the desserts were AMAZING!

 These are coati.  Kind of freaked me out, but they were really harmless and cute.

 This is the day Chris and I walked to this lagoon he found. It was the best thing all week.  Crystal clear water with fish everywhere and sandbars that went out very far to walk and sit on.  LOVED IT!

 Watched the Mayan Show and got our pics taken with the performers.  It was fun.

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: 7 - 10  lbs

Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity clothes because they are just more comfortable.  Still wearing regular shirts just as much though and regular sweatpants too.

Sleep: Sleep as been amazing. (knock on wood)  I haven't been waking up to anything or anyone, which I can only imagine won't last forever. We'll see :)

Best moment this week: Finding out we are having a BABY GIRL :)

Movement: Still nothing concrete, but still "thinking" i'm feeling movement. Impatiently waiting for the "definitely no doubt about it" kicks

Food cravings: SPICY STUFF, milk and pickles

Labor Signs: nope.

Belly Button in or out: innie.

What I miss: Wine to help me relax after a stressful day!

What I am looking forward to: Feeling baby move for sure 

Weekly Wisdom:  Relax and Enjoy! as always :)

Pic included in Riviera Maya post.... :)

17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks 3 day

Total weight gain/loss: 3 - 5 lbs

Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity clothes because they are just more comfortable.  Still wearing regular shirts just as much though and regular sweatpants too.

Sleep: A very good friend of mine loaned me her Snoogle. I bought my own cover for it and I LOVE IT! Thank you LINDSAY KLEIN! I feel like I'm in a cocoon at night that makes me feel nice. I also don't need any other pillow but that one instead of the 4 I was using. Now if only I could fit it in my carry on for work trips :)

Best moment this week: Will come tomorrow when I board my flight to RIVIERA MAYA!

Movement: Well, I can't say for sure, but i definitely THINK I felt it. Last night when I got back to the hotel room there were definitely lots of "bubble" like "popcorn popping" like movements when I laid down for the night. It wasn't other things like upset stomach or gas or hunger. So who knows. We'll see if the feelings get stronger!

Food cravings: SPICY STUFF. I've been eating lots of hot peppers/jalapenos, probably a good time to head to Mexico 

Labor Signs: nope.

Belly Button in or out: innie.

What I miss: Wine to help me relax after a stressful day!

What I am looking forward to: Feeling baby move for sure and on the outside and FINDING OUT THE GENDER!

Weekly Wisdom:  Relax and Enjoy! as always :)

Internet Info: Try not to get freaked out by the numbers on your scale. At 17 weeks, baby’s working on getting stronger, and your body’s working on getting bigger. That means putting on some pounds and -- we hate to break it to you -- getting some stretch marks. Make sure you document your growing bump by taking lots of photos. Sure, you might not always feel so pretty, but one day you’re going to look back at pregnancy and reminisce (really -- we promise). You’ll also want to start figuring out some plans, like whether or not you’re going to find out baby’s gender (you should be able to soon!), and what kind of childbirth class you’d like to take. As you start making these decisions, the pregnancy will feel even more real, which is probably super exciting, but part of you is probably feeling a little nervous. After all, you’re at week 17; that’s almost halfway there and there’s still a lot left to do. Chill! You’ll get it done. Just remember not to try to do it all yourself -- ask for help!



your baby's the size of an onion!
Baby continues to beef up. Now she's about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces.

Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.
And she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.
She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.