17 Weeks

I think I'm sporting somewhat of a bump at this point.  It bums me out that my "upper" tummy is so large and bumpy too :(  That's what makes me look bigger than I should.  If it wasn't for that, I think I'd have a cute little pooch at this point.  Instead, I end up with more of a "B" shape instead of that cute "D" shape.  Haha, oh well!!

There isn't a lot of progression so far, but I happened to be looking back at my earlier pictures the other day and realizing that I'm showing more than I thought I was.  At 8 weeks, my tummy was relatively "flat", but it definitely already started getting "bumpy" at week 10, not cute bumpy, but more like lumpy :)

How far along? 17 weeks

Maternity clothes? Same as always, but I am probably going to be needing fall and winter things.

Exercising: Been struggling with that lately.  Thank God for yoga, cuz our walks have been few and far between!  The heat lately has not been helping for wanting to go out for a walk. I better start getting on this more before the 3rd trimester when I'm huge and exhausted again!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Been doing ok with sleep, pees per night seem to be down.  At this point it's usually Clyde walking on my head or meowing because I'm not giving him attention that wakes me up!

 Using the remote as a pillow :)

Best moment this week: Hmm being almost certain I am feeling kicks is pretty awesome.  Also making our first trip to Buy Buy Baby (or Baby World as Dan calls it :) ) was pretty fun/overwhelming.  And Brewer game with most of the fam was pretty fun. 

Should have probably stayed seated, we look like giants!

Have you told family and friends: Yes.  I was just telling Dano the other day how weird it feels that everybody knows!  It felt like I kept it secret for a REALLY long time!  Pretty much ONLY our immediate families knew from about week 6-12.  That was extremely long and hard for me!  So the other day when one of our flooring suppliers at work congratulated me, it was definitely a little weird!!  Not bad, just odd that it really is out there!

Miss Anything? Nothing new.  Whenever we have a new event to go to, I remember how much I miss an ice cold beer or cocktail.  We had our high school reunion this week, and MAN I could have used a beer there!

Movement: I'm pretty sure I am feeling it at this point.  It's like a light popping or tapping in my lower belly.  SO FUN!  I can't wait to start feeling it more and definitely knowing for sure!

Food cravings: Sweets and fruit, especially pineapple!  YUM!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Same as always; tuna, subs, and coffee :(  booo.  I have not had a sub since I had Jimmy Johns back in like April...and eww just typing Jimmy Johns kinda made me want to heave!  I can however drink those cold Frappuccino things that Starbucks makes that they sell at gas stations or the grocery store!

Have you started to show yet: I guess, I can still suck some of it in, but not all of it, and lately I've just been letting it hang out!

Gender prediction: GIRL!  I feel like Dan and I are already set that it IS a girl, so hopefully we won't be too disappointed if it's a boy, because I still think it probably is...just because we are so set on girl.  I mean whenever we talk about names, it's only girl names, whenever I think about room decorating it's always pinks and purples and girly stuff, whenever I picture our gender reveal I always see pink.  We went "baby shopping" for the first time the other day and I could not stop looking at little tutus and hair bows and flowers!  AWW!!!  ... oh man, it's definitely going to be a boy...we will know NEXT WEEK!!!!!!

Labor Signs: Nope
 

Belly Button in or out? In and it better stay that way!  I HATE belly buttons!!  So for anyone who doesn't know or has been wondering about this, I seriously HATE belly buttons, they give me the heebie geebies!  I can't stand seeing people stick their finger in theirs and I can't stick my finger in my own or even really get near it!  It really makes me kind of nauseous, and this isn't just a pregnancy thing either, it's all the time.  So if that sucker pops out, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do, maybe put a bandaid on it, haha!

Wedding rings on or off? On, but definitely getting tighter and tighter!

Happy or Moody most of the time: I'd say happy.  Still have my crabby days here and there, but having a lot to look forward to helps!  See next question...

Looking forward to: So much!  We are FINALLY getting a new fridge, range, and kitchen table!  When Dan moved in, there were no appliances, so I'm pretty sure he bought a fridge, range, washer, AND dryer for about $400!!  They all "worked" (well the washer pooped out not long ago) but they were definitely ugly and kinda gross!  So that will be a huge improvement to the kitchen.  Our anatomy/gender ultrasound is only a week away!  Which, by the way, how cute is it that in Dan's little calendar that he has (his "paper iPhone" he calls it) he wrote "baby appt" on that day.  Haha, I just thought that was adorable :)  Also the State Fair, going to Sturgeon Bay in a few weeks, a group Brewer game, PACKERS!  Lots of fun things coming up, which will also make summer come to an end quicker, and I am totally fine with that!  I have major fall fever already!

  

Not loving: My new symptom; acid reflux...or maybe heartburn!?  I'm not totally sure what it is, because I don't think I've ever had it before, but it feels like my throat or esophagus is on FIRE!!  It's been happening a lot after I eat, it just feels like my throat is burning.  So, Tums have become my friend.  Also I'm getting hungrier.  I've been eating 2 breakfasts most days; cereal when I get up and then a bagel or something on the way to work and then I'm ready for my piece of fruit by 10am....and my crackers and cheese...and am pretty much still dying for lunch by noon!


Thanks for reading!
~Michelle

16 Weeks

Pretty boring this week, STILL not showing much...maybe a little...and not a lot of changes.  I think I might need a new questionnaire.

How far along? 16 weeks

Maternity clothes? Broke down and bought a pair of shorts; it's been too hot, I didn't think I'd make it the rest of summer.

Exercising: Again, not too great, but we did do our extra long walk one day.  AND I didn't pass out or even almost pass out at yoga this week!!  Yeah!  My doctor said it was probably due to low blood pressure, which happens at this point in pregnancy, and that I just need to be careful.

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Same as usual, still peeing a lot and trying different pillow configurations.  I have a feeling this is only going to get worse.

Best moment this week: Definitely did not have one. 

Have you told family and friends: Yup!

Miss Anything? Nothing new.

Movement: I'm not sure, I've been getting the "popcorn popping" sensation that some people describe it as, but it's possible it could still be gas...I have a feeling I'll know in a week or 2!

Food cravings: Sweets 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Same, and man are lunches hard to make when you don't like cold cuts OR tuna, 2 of my staple lunches.

Have you started to show yet: Maybe a LITTLE.

Gender prediction: Don't necessarily have feelings, I am just hoping girl.

Labor Signs: Nope
 

Belly Button in or out? In and it better stay that way!  I HATE belly buttons!!
 

Wedding rings on or off? On, but they seem to be getting harder to get on in the morning (I take them off at night)

Happy or Moody most of the time: Definitely been feeling down this week :(

Looking forward to: Gender appointment in 2.5 weeks and getting a new fridge!!!!!!
  

Not loving: Headaches and not being able to BREATHE!!!  But my doctor prescribed me something for my headaches, and since I've gotten the prescription a week ago, I've only taken one!  So I think they are getting a little better.

15 Weeks

So, per a request, I took a few pictures this week.  I usually try to suck it in when I take the pic, because I figure if I still CAN suck it in, then I'm not technically showing yet.  So I originally took 3 pics; the 2 you see here and one at the end of the day.  But the end of the day one was just TOO horrible, I could not bring myself to post it!  The first pic is in the morning after only a bowl of cereal and I am sucking in.  The second I'm not sucking in, just letting it hang out!  The third one was after eating all day and having a GIANT dinner and not sucking in.  I look HUGE, trust me!!!  But it's obviously all bloat and food.

How far along? 15 weeks

Maternity clothes? Same as always.  I know you were all waiting on the edge of your seats to find out if I bought that winter coat....I did!  haha!  And I like it, definitely room for belly in there, and cozy!  I think I need some more pants, and hopefully I can survive the rest of summer in dresses and my one pair of capris that somehow still fit.

Exercising: This week was not so pretty for that :(  we didn't even do that great on our walking.  Booo.  But yoga started up this week...however it did not go very well :(  I was so excited to get back to it, and I was doing fine, until we started doing some standing poses.  I kept getting really light headed, the back of my neck got hot, and I was seeing stars.  My teacher came over and said I was white as ghost.  It happened like 3 times, every time I tried to do our standing series of poses, I had to stop and drop to my knees or I was going to be on the floor passed out.  So I don't know what that was about, but I'm really hoping it was a one time thing because I really don't want to give up yoga :(

Stretch marks? Not yet, I finally remembered to ask my mother if she got any (that's supposed to be a good preview of if you will), and she couldn't really remember!  But then she thought she didn't, haha.  I also asked her if she had any epidurals with any of the 4 of us (did they even have them back then??) and she couldn't remember that either!!  I tell ya!  I said, "MOM!  Did they put a giant needle in your back that made you numb from about the waist down??!?"  Then she said "Oh, no!"  Haha.  She also breastfed all 4 of us with no problems whatsoever.  I'm hoping I can follow in her footsteps in all 3 of these things!

Sleep: All over the place.  Trying different combos of pillows, but I usually end up on my back and my right side (it's supposed to be your left, which I think is a little ridiculous, so whatever!).  It doesn't help that now Clyde has to sleep RIGHT next to me, it used to be at our feet, and now he literally has to "spoon" with me when I'm on my side.  And if I turn and face away from him, he gets up until I face him again, or he stands there for awhile and then leaves.  Crazy crazy kitten!

  Best   Worst moment this week: No best moment this week, but definitely a worst, and this questionnaire doesn't really have a "worst" question.  My dad's cousin, Mary, has been fighting leukemia since late last year.  She's been in and out of the hospital, had rounds of chemo, and just been really sick.  Well this week, she finally lost her battle.  "Dad's cousin" may seem like a somewhat obscure relative, but she was a very big part of our lives.  My dad doesn't have any brothers or sisters, so she and her mom, "Auntie" to us, were at all of our holidays and family functions from the time we were little.  It was always "Grandma and Grandpa, and Auntie and Mary".  Grandpa has been gone since I was about 16 and Auntie since I was about 21 or 22...and now Mary.  Mary was an older woman (she died one day before her 83rd birthday) but she was THE world's BIGGEST Packer fan!!!  And I'm not kidding!!  She has the Milwaukee season tickets to Packer games every year, which was about 4 games, and her and my dad always went.  Ol Mary could hold a conversation with ANY Packer fan, male or female, and be step for step with them.  I know the people that sit around her and my dad at games are going to miss her too :(  She also loved gardening and had a beautiful garden in her backyard.  It seems like just yesterday she was at our wedding (which I'm so thankful she could be at) and our gift opening sitting next to Dan's dad watching the Packers and looking perfectly healthy.  She will definitely be missed :(

Mary and I (and my blankie :) )

Have you told family and friends: Yup!

Miss Anything? Nothing new.

Movement: No, but really, it's gotta be soon...right?!

Food cravings:  Still sweets, but nothing in particular.
 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Same.

Have you started to show yet: Not particularly, just fat.  I had on a tighter shirt the other day and I asked Dan how my belly looked and he just said "preggo".  HA.

Gender prediction: I'm leaning more and more towards girl, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up because now, I will admit that, I REALLY want a girl!!!  Obviously I'll be happy with either, but I just REALLLLY want a girl :)  Boys somewhat run in both of our families...so the hope is not great for a girl.

Labor Signs: Nope
 

Belly Button in or out? In and it better stay that way!  I HATE belly buttons!!
 

Wedding rings on or off? On, but the heat lately has made them a struggle to get off sometimes and they leave big indents on my finger.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but definitely had a few crabby days this week!

Looking forward to: Dano being into his weekends off again!!  YAY!  And State Fair, there are some ridiculous, yummy sounding foods there this year.  I always thought it would be amazing to go to State Fair preggo!  I'm sure all that fried goodness is GREAT for me and baby too, right?! ;)
  

Not loving: Constant headaches, nasal (and throat!) congestion, and not being able to BREATHE!!!

14 Weeks

I was not excited about the pic this week.  I loved the board, but not so much me.  Ugh.  "Bump" may be rounding a little, but probably just pushing out more fat!  And where are these ginormous pregnancy boobs you are supposed to get?!?!  I was really looking forward to that!  But I think I need a magnifying glass to see them instead!  

Notice the red, white, and blue nails too :)

How far along? 14weeks 2days
 

Maternity clothes? Same as always.  Thinking about purchasing a maternity winter coat because a) I am SURE I am going to need one since I'm due in January and am a baby about cold weather and b) they are marked way down right now.  So it's only $50 for a long, puffer, maternity coat.  Still deciding, so many people ascribe to the "I just can't spend money on something I'll only wear for 2 or 3 months" theory, but what else can I do??  Any thoughts from past cold weather mommies?? 

Exercising: Went to the gym this week!!  Did some elliptical and light weights, and it felt GREAT!  Definitely have to try to keep it up.  And the next yoga session is just around the corner!  

Stretch marks? Not yet.
 

Sleep: Eh, some nights good, some nights bad.  Still getting up to pee a lot and from being extremely hot these past few days, even though our air is turned WAY down.  I also am always thinking about this "no sleeping on your back thing".  I've heard you are supposed to start that around you 2nd trimester...is that true?  Doesn't it matter more when both the baby and I get bigger??  Either way, everytime I roll to my back or wake up on my back, I'm like "crap!"  and then I can't get comfy.  I'm also starting to think I shouldn't sleep directly on my tummy, which I do a lot too.  It's not that I'm having "trouble" sleeping or uncomfortable, I'm just always thinking about these things and then that's keeping me up worrying! 

Best moment this week: Dan having off on the 3rd of July and getting to go to the lakefront fireworks together!  

Have you told family and friends: Yes, it's out!
 

Miss Anything? Nothing new. 

Movement: Not yet, hopefully soon-ish!
 

Food cravings:  Not so much lately, still loving sweets and homemade fruit smoothies!  I feel like I get REALLY full and uncomfortable really quickly and easily and then feel like poop for hours!  I think my stomach is running out of room in there...so maybe if my tummy would just pop.... ;)
 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Tuna, coffee, cold cuts/subs.  Although I'm starting to think that maybe if I just forced myself to take a bite of these things, I might be past the aversion.  It's not so much that the thought of them makes me want to vom anymore, but I still just have no desire to consume them.  I'll probably just leave well enough alone because, ironically, they are all things you are "supposed" to avoid or have in moderation when preggo. 

Have you started to show yet: Don't wanna talk about this!!!! 

Gender prediction: 5 weeks 5 weeks 5 weeks!!!!  And we are planning a VERY exciting gender reveal photo shoot courtesy of Molly Johnson Photography!  So stay tuned for that!! 

Labor Signs: Nope
 

Belly Button in or out? In and it better stay that way!  I HATE belly buttons!!
 

Wedding rings on or off? On
 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but starting to get depressed that my clothes really do NOT fit me.  I think it's bothering me most because I had lost some weight around our wedding last year, and since the wedding I've unfortunately been putting it back on :(  So a lot of my clothes were already starting to get tight before I even got pregnant.  I've been in maternity pants for weeks now, and I've accepted it, but I tried to put on a button up shirt the other day and could literally NOT get it buttoned :(  It's the most depressing because I really have no visible bump yet, and my boobs have not even gotten bigger!  So it's really just because I'm FAT and not because I'm pregnant!  It's like, I don't necessarily need maternity clothes, I just need a bigger size clothes in general :(  And I'm only 3 months along, I am going to need an entire new wardrobe to get through this pregnancy and after :(

Looking forward to: I guess my next ultrasound for the gender on August 9th.  Wish we had more going on to make the time go faster right now.
  

Not loving: Being SOO BOOGERY!!  Haha, this is just ridiculous, I just cannot blow my nose enough!  I'm never like this!  And also not loving not having clothes that fit :(

Beautifying the Bachelor Pad

I thought it would be fun to post a few updates that we've done to the house.  We haven't done a TON, but considering Dano lived here alone and every single wall was pure white and furniture was just floating around, we have made some vast improvements!!

And who doesn't love a good before and after :)

Disclaimer: there is still A LOT to be done!!   I would say this room is about 60% done, still need some window treatments, throw pillows, more decorative things, entry table and mirror...you get the picture.  Long way to go, but has come a long way too!

Before: Dano had the TV somewhere else first, but we thought this nook was a convenient, out-of-the-way place for it.

 After: Dano mounted the TV to the wall, mostly so Clyde wouldn't destroy it: still working on managing the cords.  The grapes aren't part of the decor, I was actually eating them :)

Before: like I said, furniture strewn about, tennis shoes, laundry, that disgusting "basket" chair.  Ugh!  Keep in mind, I did NOT live here at this point!!

After: Still need some window treatments, among other things, but a big improvement!  Sidenote: the leather furniture was NOT my doing, but Dan purchased it before we got back together for the millionth time, so I had no input and now we are stuck with it.  But I'm trying to make the best of it!

13 Weeks

C'mon bump!!

How far along? 13 weeks
 

Maternity clothes? Still doin ok in 2 pairs of work pants and lots of laundry.  I did buy a few versatile tops and some leggings, which may be even more amazingly comfortable than the pants, if that's even possible.  I'm sure I will be living in those come fall and winter.  I really am not sure how I'm going to go back to normal pants!  I have always had SUCH a hard time finding dress pants and jeans that fit me well and are comfortable; I somehow always seem to be between sizes or something.  So this whole stretchy waist band part of maternity pants has been heaven! 
 

Exercising: Yoga session is over, but only for 2 weeks, then I'll be back!  Really really trying to get up some motivation to actually get to the gym.  I feel like such a slug these days.  

Stretch marks? Not yet.
 

Sleep: Slept good while Dano was on vacation, but now that he's back to work, it seems that's over :(  
 

Best moment this week: Finally being able to comfortably tell people our news!  And telling work and having it go very well!
 

Have you told family and friends: Yes!!  We have officially told the world and it feels great!!!
 

Miss Anything? Nothing new, went to Summerfest twice and Sharps beer is. Just. Not. Good.
 

Movement: Not yet, hopefully soon-ish!
 

Food cravings: Not much, the sweet cravings seem to have gone down some.  But if I think about something and realize I want it, I HAVE to have it!!
 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new, still tuna, coffee, cold cuts/subs.  Not liking subs makes life pretty difficult!  I ate subs and sandwiches for lunch a lot, so I have been really struggling with lunches; they are such easy, go-to things.  Dan and I are going to see some fireworks over the 4th and want to pack some food.  Subs would be the easy obvious choice but I just can't do it!  We have no idea what to bring!
 

Have you started to show yet: Ugh, feeling extremely large, but it just really is not a "baby bump" yet.  Mostly still a "food baby" that could be about 6 months along at the end of the day.  It's getting really hard to suck in and sticks out a little in some shirts if I don't, but I just don't feel like it's a BUMP yet, so I'm really self-consious about it :(  Once I have a clear actual BABY bump, I'll feel much better about it sticking out and people actually thinking I'm preggo, and not just had too many beers :(
 

Gender prediction: Still leaning towards and pulling for girl!  But then there's something that still tells me it's a boy....only about a month til we find out!!!
 

Labor Signs: Nope
 

Belly Button in or out? In and it better stay that way!  I HATE belly buttons!!
 

Wedding rings on or off? On
 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, yet stressed.  Just starting to think about nursery purchases and rearranging our lives is starting to freak me out.  I started crying the other day talking to Dan about it because he went to put on a CLEAN pair of underwear to go play softball!!!  (I realize both parts of that sentence are ridiculous)  Dan wears about 5 shirts, 3 pants, 3 underwears, and who knows how many socks a day.  So I seriously started crying about how we are going to keep up with his laundry, baby's laundry, and our laundry with puke and poop all over it, AND caring for a baby!  Ridiculous?  Maybe.  Still, realistic.  But no use crying over dirty underwear!  Hormones I tell ya! 

Looking forward to: I wish there was something closer, but I guess our 19/20 week ultrasound to find out the sex!!!  It's not until August 9th though, so I need something closer than that to get me by.  I guess I'm looking forward to my bump showing up.  I think it wants to, so hopefully soon!!  
  

Not loving: The cold I developed over the weekend.  UGH.  I very very rarely get sick.  In fact, I usually get one cold and one flu a year and they are both in fall/winter.  So a cold in summer is very rare for me!  And it SUCKED!  And of course it had to be over the weekend when I had plans and a concert to go to!  BUT my doctor said I can take Sudafed, so did and wow it was amazing!  Also still headaches, a lot, and sometimes really painful.