19 Weeks and ALMOST Half-Way There

How far along: 19 weeks and 5 days

Maternity clothes: Yes and no.  I wore some of those pants that I was able to zip last week to work this week.  They still fit, but now they just fit ok. I have a feeling that the band (the gift from above that allows you to wear regular pants while covering up the fact that your pants are unzipped!) is going to be getting some serious use.  More people are able to tell I'm pregnant which is good.  I like rocking a little bump.  Notice I said little! I hate the stage where you just look like you've had one too many doughnuts and everyone is afraid to mention you've  gained some LBs.

Stretch marks: Nope, but who knows what happens after a 2nd baby.

Sleep: It's ok.  I'm really over sleeping on my side.  I have found myself on my stomach more and more when I wake up in the middle of the night.  Still waking up around 2AM.  It's kind of annoying.  But I am able to get comfortable so I really can't complain.

Best moment last week: We had a really good, but busy weekend.  We went to two kiddie parties and visited Santa Claus.  It was great to have some good family time.  As Christmas draws near I keep thinking how different our life will be a year from now.  It makes me cherish these days and also loo forward to our family's future.

Movement: Yes and I'm feeling more movement each day.  I was rocking C tonight and she kept kicking her big brother as if to say hi.  Earlier in the evening C put his head on my belly and snuggled there for a while.  I think he was listening to his sissy.

Food cravings: Nothing too crazy.  I've been extra hungry so I think there is a growth spurt upon us.  I'm trying to eat healthy, but the holidays make it so hard!  I've been walking to help fight the holiday bulge, but people keep bringing doughnuts to work.  I need some self control or an intervention!! Or maybe just an apple.

Gender: GIRL

I officially have bought the child some girly clothes!!  I went to Carter's to get C some jeans and spent about a hour bouncing from the boy section to the girl section.  It was kind of fun to not be limited by a "side."  I got a little navy dress and a seafoam green legging outfit.  No pink yet and I'm totally ok with that.  

Labor signs: Zilch, thank goodness.

Belly button - in or out? Out almost immediately. Bleh.  One of my least favorite parts of pregnancy.

What I miss: Wine.  School has been rough lately. The kids are bouncing off the wall and there have been some high blood pressure days.  My nonpregnant self usually remedies those days with some pinot grigio, but now I'm settling for grapefruit juice in a wine glass!  It still feels fancy!

What I am looking forward to: Christmas break!!!  SO CLOSE!!  We are having some family visit and going to LR.  It's going to be busy, but oh so fun.  

Milestones: Making it to Christmas break and getting to spend some QT with my boys!

Oh Boy!! It's A Girl!

ow far along: 18 weeks and 4 days

Maternity clothes: Still mixing regular clothes and maternity clothes.  I unpacked some winter clothes today and found a few old pair of pants that I could still zip.  I was pretty pumped about that.  I am in that weird stage where maternity clothes do not look just right and regular are getting a little tight.  Again the leggings and dress look is my best friend.

Stretch marks: Nope.  Fingers crossed!

Sleep: I am sleeping a little bit better.  I have figured out my pillow arrangement which makes sleeping easier.  C has been teething so he has been waking at odd hours, poor guy.  He slept over at grandma's this weekend so we could get some sleep.  I was able to sleep in on Sunday until 9:00.  It.  Was. Heavenly.  I had so much energy all day that I was able to get winter clothes unpacked, the house straightened, and had some great family time with J and C.  Sleep is not overrated!

Best moment last week: We found out that we are having a GIRL!  We were both shocked and a little nervous when the tech told that we are having a daughter.  Whoa!  It looks crazy when I type it out.  We are all boy in this house, so the pink thing will be an adjustment.  Lucky for us we have time.  After our appointment we went and got C a pink balloon.  He loved his balloon, but I know that he is too little to truly understand that our family is growing.  We got to share the news with our family which was fun.  Everyone is very excited for a little girl to join our family.  

Another great moment this week happened when C started giving kisses goodnight.  That sweet boy has been giving kisses and hugs during the day that melt my heart for a while now.  But the other night I laid him in his crib and he stood up and grabbed me for a hug.  Then he planted a big ole kiss on his mama.  And he did it the night after that and the night after that.  Let's just say I was a big ball of mush and it is now the BEST part of my day.

One more great moment:  Jeremy and I had a nice date night on Saturday.  We went to Fish Bites (one of our favorites) and had fun just being adults.  We then came back to the house and had cocktails and mocktails while watching football and just hanging out.  It was good to just spend time with my hubby.  However we did spend an amount of time looking a C pics, talking about our baby girl and growing little boy, and throwing around girl names,  I'm grateful to have nights like that with my best friend.

Movement: Yes, the girl has moves!  She is a dancer for sure.  During her ultrasound she was always in motion.  It was hard to get some pictures with our tiny dancing shaking it all about.  

Food cravings: Still loving my red berry cereal.  I also had a craving for lemon bars and spaghetti.  And cold sandwiches have sounded good as well.  I'm not having as bad heart burn in week's past so I've been enjoying mealtime this week, thankfully.

Gender: GIRL

I'm struggling with the idea of a lot of pink, but excited to go to the "other" side of the baby clothing store.  Plus I am excited to work on a girly nursery!

Labor signs: Zilch, thank goodness.

Belly button - in or out? Out almost immediately. Bleh.

What I miss: Running.  I was able to run on the treadmill this week for about 5 minutes.  It felt great, but I wished I could have done more without that baby bouncing on my bladder.  Walking on the treadmill is boring, but running passes the time better.  

What I am looking forward to: Christmas vacation, decorating the tree, family visits!

Milestones: Starting to get organized around the house to prep for this baby!