19 Weeks!

How far along: 19 Weeks, 1 Day! 
Maternity Clothes: Yup! And I just ordered a bunch more online. Thank you, weekend sales!
Stretch marks: Yes. They seem to be holding steady.
Sleep: I am waking up constantly. Back pain is not my friend.
Best moment of the Week: SO MANY! First, A and I picked out our little guy's name! Henry George is on the way, and we love it. It's also so nice to have honored family through his middle name. Then the very next day my mom and I got to see Henry at his anatomy scan! He's confirmed a boy, but more importantly he's confirmed healthy and normal. It's such a relief to make it through this last big health check up. Really now he just has to stay snug and get bigger! He is a mover and a shaker, twisting around all over the place in there. Maybe this means he's getting A's athleticism.
Miss Anything? Lunch meat. I really want a turkey sandwich.
Movement: No. It sucks. I KNOW why, and I know it's fine and he's fine. But seriously, it is sad to me that I'll have less time to feel him wiggling in there than moms with posterior placentas.
Food Cravings: A few days ago I was desperate for frozen yogurt. Like, I drooled thinking about it. Literally.
Queasy or Sick? No. And yes I know how lucky I am!
Have you started to show?  Yes! Some days/clothes I see it more than other days, but he's definitely making himself known.
Gender: Henry! 
Labor signs: No!
Belly button in, or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? Ugh. Off :( Yesterday I noticed my fingers were swollen so I took the rings off and put them on my necklace chain. I figured by the time I woke up today they'd be normal again. No such luck. Even if they go down again (maybe I just need more water?) I'm nervous to wear them . . . NO WAY am I getting my beautiful rings cut off! I just ordered a band from Khols two sizes up to wear in the meantime, though I'll keep my rings on a chain too. I just thought I had a few months till this was an issue??
Happy or moody? Happy! Though I am definitely crying a ton over the weirdest things - like watching the marching band walk by at last night's football game (what?). I'm just over emotional.

Henry George

We have had an exciting 24 hours! We've chosen your name, confirmed you're a boy, AND confirmed that you are a healthy little squirming baby!

Last night, your dad and I talked through our top two name choices. You were definitely going to be either Nathan James or Henry George. They were the clear favorites, but your dad and I had different preferences. After talking it through, and seeing how much your dad loved the name Henry, and imagined playing with you and loving you, it was a clear decision. Your dad talking about you was positively heart-melting, and made it VERY clear - you're our little Henry! And it's made even more special that your middle name is George, since you're the new "heir" of the family name and you're sharing a name with your dad's grandfather! We are excited to give him a call and let him know you'll help carry on his name and memory.

I made this for you today, and I think we'll hang it in your nursery (aka your captain's quarters)!

Then today we had your anatomy scan! This is a big important ultrasound where the doctor makes sure you measure healthy and on track. Everything looked perfect! Once again, you were a little wiggle worm in there are made the tech's job difficult. Your dad had to work, so Gram came and got to watch your little heart beat and you sucking your thumb and making fists. You did quite a few somersaults in there while we watched, but thankfully we got all of the information we needed. You are healthy, and the tech from a few weeks ago was right . . . you are 100% BOY!

18 weeks, 6 days

So now we really know exactly who you are. Our little Henry. And it's so very nice to see you again <3

Registering - The Most Intimidating Thing Ever

Seriously, babies need so much stuff.

Rather . . . babies need very little, but we need a whole lot of stuff to not freak out about having babies.

Anyway, I've started poking around with an online registry. We'll go in person to the baby store at some point to pick things out, but you can't beat online selection and information! It's nice because the registry serves as a shopping list for us, plus we'll get a completion discount before the baby is born. But putting it together is kind of intimidating. How do you know what you actually need?

So moms who read this . . . registry must haves? Registry idiotic things to ignore? I'd love experienced feedback.

18 Weeks!

How far along: 18 Weeks, 1 Day! 
Maternity Clothes: Indeed. And now they are making me look pregnant :)
Stretch marks: Yes but no new ones over the past two weeks or so.
Sleep: I wake up a lot. The big thing bothering me now is that my hands fall asleep while I'm sleeping on my side, which is apparently really common. It's annoying.
Best moment of the Week: I had a few students who were really excited I was showing this week, so it was sweet how complimentary and happy they were.
Miss Anything? Still a hot bath. I've been having back pain and it sucks to not soak it away.
Movement: No, and it's bumming me out. I understand that it will be a while but I want to feel him wiggling in there.
Food Cravings: Still carbs. Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing . . . I want all the bready stuff.
Queasy or Sick? Nope! I felt more sensitive to smells this week in particular, though.
Have you started to show?  Yes! Check out that bump . . . it looks like baby and not burgers, finally!

17 weeks 6 days

Gender: Our boy! A and I are kind of split on his name at the moment. I have one fave and he has another. I just want it decided! 
Labor signs: No!
Belly button in, or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? On!
Happy or moody? Happy and grateful.

You're So Fancy!

This is a post all about baby clothes!

So, before we found out what this baby was, we still had some shopping on the brain. While we were in Orlando, we got two sweet outfits for our little guy.

Aunt Sherri and Aunt Jess got us this adorable onesie from Universal Studios . . . I'm sure our boy will certainly be a fiesty minion, so it's fitting!

We also went shopping at the outlets, and got these fuzzy pajamas. This is the first outfit A and I picked out together for the baby! I love the fox feet!

Then today I hit up Khols. They were having a big sale, so I grabbed some maternity wear for me, and of course a few outfits for baby boy :)

It's so nice to know we have a boy on our hands, because now I can really get excited about some of this adorable stuff!

17 Weeks!

How far along: 17 Weeks! 
Maternity Clothes: Why did I ever NOT live in elastic waist bands? I mean seriously.
Stretch marks: Yes but they seem to be holding steady.
Sleep: Got a snoogle pregnancy pillow! It's not as comfortable as my normal sleeping positions but my back and hip pain has been much better so it's worth it!
Best moment of the Week: OBVIOUSLY our elective ultrasound last week letting us know we have a little boy on the way! I already gushed about it in a previous post, but it is so amazing to know "who" is in there. I think we even have baby boy's name picked out. We're going to sit on it for a bit and see that we still love it before officially settling on it, but the more I think about it the less I can imagine anything else. 
Miss Anything? A scalding hot bath. Yes, I could take a lukewarm bath, but why would I? Ew. I want a LONG HOT BATH with a book and bubbles and I want to luxuriate in it for an hour. This is not to be as I don't want to cook my little guy.
Movement: No, and it is going to be a while, probably. I have an anterior placenta which isn't a problem by any means, but makes it likely that I won't feel movement until later, maybe not until over 20 weeks when baby is bigger.
Food Cravings: Still mac and cheese. I seriously want to go to Panera but I've been very well behaved. Oh, and also hashbrowns.
Queasy or Sick? Nope! Man have I been lucky.
Have you started to show?  No denying it now.
Gender: Our sweet boy :)
Labor signs: No!
Belly button in, or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? On!
Happy or moody? Happy! I have to say I don't think I've been overly hormonal in the rage-y moody department, just in the easily brought to tears department.

Happy Thoughts

Oh, baby, has fun stuff been happening the past few days!

You got an amazingly cute gift from your Aunt Amber, Uncle Josh, and cousin Jack as a sweet surprise in the mail:

Considering that your nursery is probably going to be nautical, this is just the best. Heck, maybe this is the outfit you'll come home from the hospital in!

Daddy and I have been talking about your NAME, and I think we're pretty close on a final decision. I also asked my students for name suggestions, just for fun. Some of them are really into the task, suggesting sweet names like Benjamin or Carson. Others are being sarcastic (I love their humor) suggesting Batman or Link. It's been really amusing, and every day they come in with more ideas.

I've been pinning nursery items for you, and I think I've found the bedding and stuff that I want. It will be such a cozy room.

And today at my 16 week appointment, I got to hear your heartbeat on the doppler chugging away nice and strong. I have yet to get sick of that sound.

It's been so much more real knowing you're our boy. It's like I know who you are now. We're sure to not be strangers when we actually meet in February :)

Baby BOY!

Yes, that's right, Baby C is no longer an "it," but a "HE!"

Our appointment this morning ran longer than we anticipated, because as A said, "this baby is willfully disobedient!" When the ultrasound began, baby boy flashed the goods and the tech immediately knew we had a little man on our hands, but after that brief moment, he got really difficult.

Baby was really hopping in there, and loved sitting ankles crossed while his feet trapped the umbilical cord RIGHT over his pelvis. Of course. No matter how he moved (and oh, did he MOVE) the cord wouldn't budge. The tech was positive he was a boy, but wanted to be sure we left with the "money shot" as proof. After an hour of poking and pushing, she finally had me lie on my side, and that's when he finally cooperated, and we got a VERY clear shot:

Little Man's butt, two extended legs, and *cough* junk in the middle. PROOF.

We are so thrilled to know this is our boy. We would have been excited to have a little girl, but having a boy is pretty special for us since A is the last male of his family name. We know that his family is really happy to see the line carry on through our son!

As for me, I'm really looking forward to the mother-son relationship. My sister's bond with her oldest, a boy, is incredibly strong, and my SIL loves her little guy SO much. I think it will be really special. Plus now the really exciting stuff starts - naming and nursery planning!

Names will be harder on us for a boy than a girl would be. Girl names we loved were a pretty short list. I love SO MANY boy names, so narrowing it down could be hard. But now we get to do it, and I am so ready!

Pinterest awaits :)

16 Weeks - Our Boy

16 Weeks!

Baby's current hand size. So tiny, and yet so BIG.

How far along: 16 Weeks! It is crazy to believe I am just four weeks away from the halfway point!
Maternity Clothes: Yup, and they are the best.
Stretch marks: Yes but not too bad on darkness lately.
Sleep: Extremely tired, but waking up constantly. I'm struggling with side sleep. I think it's time to get a pregnancy pillow.
Best moment of the Week: Seeing Amber and baby Jack for A's birthday! He is such a cutie and it's always amazing to see them. A even held Jack and it was adorable. I can't believe he'll be holding OUR OWN soon. 
Miss Anything? Having more than one caffeinated beverage in a day, and ibuprofen. I've had some headaches that are hard to make go away, and those are things that would help.
Movement: No, and I'll be glad when I can. I still hate not knowing what's up in there between appointments! 
Food Cravings: I need Panera Mac and Cheese. Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed it.
Queasy or Sick? Nope!
Have you started to show?  All of a sudden this morning I looked super pregnant in my dress! I'll have to actually start taking bump pics!
Gender: TOMORROW! Please cooperate, baby, and go spread eagle so we get a good look!!!!
Labor signs: No!
Belly button in, or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? On! But today I took it off for a bit because my classroom was so hot and humid my fingers were swollen. Back to normal now.
Happy or moody? Happy and excited for tomorrow!