On a 25 week high-A Back Story

I just wrapped up my 25 week appointment and am feeling really good with where I am and Baby C is.

When I got pregnant, I was nowhere happy with what my weight was and hoped that when I got pregnant, I would have been at a healthier weight. That didn't happen, which is fine, but I knew I needed to make some lifestyle choices to have a healthy pregnancy. Since Day 1, I was very intentional and conscientious with the decisions I was going to make during this pregnancy.

I knew I wasn't going to be one of those women who NEEDED to gain 25-30 lbs but gain the amount of weight needed for this baby to grow and develop, and that is what I am doing. It could have been really easy for me to use the mentality of "eating for two" and become a couch potato, but I didn't. Coming out of this 25 week appointment, my goal was to have gained just 8 lbs. I am pleased to say that I have only gained 7 and my doctor said that is just fine as long as the baby is growing, which he/she is. 

I think I have one of the best doctors. She isn't judgmental and really just wants me to do what I need to do to have a healthy baby and is proud of me for managing my weight so well. 

In addition to my weight gain, I am pleased to announce I passed my glucose test with flying colors and am not anemic! Woohoo! Hopefully I am done with tests for a while!

I honestly think this is the healthiest I have been in a long time. I do have my "splurge" and "couch potato" moments, but what I have learned through this, is that I want to be an energetic and healthy mother. Once this baby is born, I am hoping to not only lose the baby weight but continue losing weight to be healthier. Fingers crossed!

25 Weeks!

I cannot believe we have about 15 weeks left! This time has been flying by and with how busy our summer is, I am sure the rest of the time will go by fast (hopefully)!

I have a doctor's appointment this week. I will have one more in about month and then I will start seeing her every 2 weeks since I will be in my 3rd trimester! Crazy!!! I get to do the dreaded glucose test at my appointment. Some say isn't that bad and some say they can't keep it down. Regardless, I am really not looking forward to it but hope the results come out good!

The nursery projects have officially started. Adam stripped a dresser and is getting ready to paint it for the nursery. I have started gathering supplies for projects for the nursery. I just have to hold off on buying paint and other other colors until the gender is revealed!

When I had my ultrasound last week, the doctor said it was very clear what Baby C was and there was no mistaking it so we cannot wait until next week!

Since Adam is gone, I took a picture with the self-timer. But, since the move happened, I am not sure where the cord is to upload the picture from my camera...Of course!

• How far along? 25 Weeks
• Total weight gain/loss: Not sure...I haven't been weighing myself at home but I don't think it is more than a couple pounds. My goal is to have only gained about 8-9 pounds total by my appointment this week so we will see!
• Maternity clothes? Remarkably, today I am still wearing a pair of white capris that were pre-pregnancy and I am still able to wear a pair of dress pants. I am milking this as long as I can. I know at some point, barely anything will fit and it will probably seem like I am wearing the same things all the time. 
• Stretch marks? Fortunately, no more than my last post. I have been putting Palmers on my belly religiously twice a day. This isn't really to prevent them because I don't think that is possibly, but to start fading the current ones I have gotten. 
• Sleep: Depending on how much water I drink in the evening, I wake up about twice a night. I am really hoping for one more night of sleep without waking up before the baby gets here!
•  Best moment this week: My dad came to Omaha to visit me and my brother. I also hadn't seen Adam in two weeks so it was great seeing him as well!
• Miss Anything? It was really humid this past weekend and I really just wanted a big margarita! Next summer :)
• Movement: Oh yes! My favorite thing has been laying in bed when I first wake up or am going to bed and feeling our little babe move everywhere! Baby C has had some really strong kicks, enough for me to feel with my hand, but those are still a little sporatic. Unfortunately, Adam was unable to feel any when I saw him. 
• Food cravings: Not really anything
• Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
• Gender: I still think girl
• Labor Signs: NO WAY!!!
• Symptoms: Some round ligament pain but that's about it-especially when I am walking. If I slow it down a bit, its a lot better!
• Belly Button in or out? In and I wonder if it will ever pop out because it shows no signs of doing that right now. 
• Wedding rings on or off? On!
• Happy or Moody most of the time: Now that we are fully settled into the new place and I have gotten more used to Adam not being around, my mood has been better. 
• Looking forward to: Working on nursery projects!

Nursery Projects

I recently ordered this crib for the nursery and I can't wait for it to come in! There is a really great baby store in Kearney that I ordered it through and they said it would be delivered in about 4-6 weeks!

I will be taking a dresser to Adam for him to paint. I was hoping it could also serve as a changing table but it is too shallow. I don't know how necessary a changing table is anyway so I think it will be fine. Adam will also be staining a plain, pine bookshelf for the nursery the same color as a crib-Cherry.

Once we know what our little babe is, I want to start making this mobile. The problem is, I have a clear idea of how I want the nursery to be if we have a little girl. My ideas are still up in the air if we have a boy! I have some of the items from when I was little that I want to use...if its a girl!

We will find out what we are having in two short weeks and then the real fun can begin on the nursery!

Happy Anniversary...24 Weeks

I can't believe Adam and I have been married for three years! Time really does fly when you are having fun! To recap the last three years:

• We lived in Rolla our first year and I think it was great for Adam to get to know my family more and for me to grow closer to my family
• We moved to Nebraska which was great for Adam and I to really learn to rely on each other
• Adam became a full-time student again and has just one year left!
• We moved a total of three times-yes we are ready to be in one place for at least five years!
• We were able to go on some pretty amazing vacations-Honeymoon which was a cruise to the Bahamas, Door County which is one of my happy places, and to Key West which was incredible!
• We became a long-distance couple again when Adam packed up and moved to Omaha for the summer to intern with Kiewit.
• And last, but certainly not least, we are expecting our first child.

I read somewhere that the first three years of marriage can be the hardest because your relationship is going through such  transition. Clearly I am not an expert and Adam and I still have a long way to go with many more ups and downs but I think we have done a pretty good job at tackling the changes and pressures placed upon us. 

Lately I have thought about how this little life will change us. Undoubtedly, our lives will never be the same which can be scary but exciting. I think the most important thing for use to keep in mind is to always make time for us and keep each other a priority. 

Whenever I think about how I felt on our wedding day, I think of the picture below. Completely happy and loving every moment! 

And whenever I think about Adam on our wedding day, I will always think of this picture. So handsome and I am lucky to have him by my side!

Tiny Baby Kicks

This baby has been kicking up a storm the past few days. Usually I could feel really tiny kicks more just in the evening, after I ate dinner. Now, although not quite consistent, I can feel them throughout the day and they are becoming increasingly more intense as the little muscles are growing. 

A couple nights ago, I was laying in bed talking to Adam and all of the sudden I felt really hard kicks. I placed my hand on my belly and that was the first time I could feel the kicks on the outside. While it was exciting, I was sad because I feel that it was the one thing that Adam can do to feel and connect with the baby and he wasn't there to feel it. Obviously when I see Adam on the weekends, he will hopefully have a chance to feel the kicks as they become more frequent and intense. 

Lately, I have been waking up early (like 4:30 am early) and my favorite thing to do is to lay in bed and feel the baby wake up and move around. I hope I still think this is my favorite thing when I am waking up constantly to feed the baby in the middle of the night :)

Happy Mother's Day...23 Weeks (Almost)

Adam and I were able to go to Rolla this weekend for my niece's baptism. I cannot believe how much she has grow in the last three months and being around her so much made me realize that in just a few short months, it will never be just Adam and I anymore.

We were lucky that her baptism fell on Mother's Day and I was able to see my mom for a bit this weekend. As I reflect on Mother's Day and think about the kind of mother I want to be, I have been forced to think about the strong, influential women in my life who aren't necessarily mothers. I want to be able to instill creativity, respect, compassion, patience, love, and dedication in my children. Those qualities cannot happen without me displaying them. When I think of the kind of mother my mom was to me (and still is), I am thankful for her showing me how to love deeply, care for others, and be independent.

Today also is the day Adam went to Omaha for the summer to start his internship with Kiewit. It will be hard not having him here on a daily basis but I need to keep in mind that it is best for his future career and is a great opportunity. Between family visits, baby showers, birthing classes, the summer is going to fly by!

• How far along? 23 Weeks (well tomorrow I will be)
• Total weight gain/loss: Gained 6 pounds total
• Maternity clothes? Pretty much all of my clothes are maternity with the exception of some dresses in which I plan on living in this summer!
• Stretch marks? Same as last post. Really small marks (not really lines) but they haven't gotten worst since the last time I posted. 
• Sleep: I wake up about once/night 
• Best moment this week: Seeing my family
• Miss Anything? Margaritas
• Movement: Yup-more and more every day! I can't wait until the baby is big enough for Adam to feel!
• Food cravings: Not really anything
• Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
• Gender: I still think girl
• Labor Signs: NO WAY!!!
• Symptoms: Some round ligament pain but that's about it
• Belly Button in or out? In!
• Wedding rings on or off? On!
• Happy or Moody most of the time: For the most part happy. I have been more emotional lately with Adam leaving for the summer
• Looking forward to: Next week we have another ultrasound! I am excited to see Baby C again and hopefully he/she will cooperate and the doctor can see the gender!

Letter to Baby C...21 Weeks

Dear Little One,

We are over half way there! You have already brought so much excitement and love to your daddy and me which seems impossible because we haven't even met you! Many people describe having a child as a love they have never felt before. I love a lot of people in my life: Your dad, my parents, my siblings but the love for you will be different and will be overwhelming.

It is easy to get caught up in our hopes and dreams for you: "This little baby will be smart just like its dad," or "This little one will have its mommy's laugh and zest for life." or "This little baby will be an athlete and scholar and successful." But, whatever becomes of you, Little Baby C, we will always love you unconditionally. We know whatever you do, you will positively impact other people's lives. Our true hopes and dreams for you are to follow your heart and ambitions. There will be times it will be easy to allow others define you but always remember who are. We want you to take chances and risks and challenge, but respect, others-develop a mind of your own.

As I feel you moving around more and more, I am constantly reminded of your quiet and growing presence in our lives. We know you will forever change our lives but wouldn't want it any other way. We can't wait to meet you in a a few months!

Love always!

Your mother!