17 Week Update

It's hard to believe that we are only 3 weeks from the half way point in this pregnancy!!!!  WOW!!

Da belly is growing!!  AND, please note my highlighted hair!  I think we can all agree - 1000% better!!

Pregnancy Highlights: 

How Far Along: 17 Weeks 

Size of Baby: around 5.1 inches, and 5.9 oz - about the size of a large onion!

Maternity Clothes: Brad and I went on our first maternity clothes shopping trip on Friday.  I had gotten a little "too big for my britches"! HA!!  I have very mixed feelings about maternity clothes.  I'm not a fan of the skin tight shirts that show case the belly...I'm super modest, and the feeling of wearing tight clothes on PURPOSE just makes me feel really odd!!  Thankfully, I did find some pants, which I needed the most, and a few cute tops.  

Gender: I'm about to DIE to know...we'll know at our gender reveal party in LESS than 4 weeks!! WOOHOO!!!! :)

Movement: I've felt some pains/weird feelings that I've wondered might possibly be the baby, but nothing confirmed yet.  

Sleep: Still the most frustrating part of my day...up and down going to the bathroom, and constantly trying to find a comfortable way to sleep.  

What I miss:  I still miss my walking/running time, but I've been able to do that some on pretty days!

Cravings:  Tomato sandwiches, raw vegetables, Coke (this is a very odd craving for me because I rarely drink soft drinks EVER!), and sugar! 

Symptoms: This weekend I actually had a few sporadic contractions/cramping (confirmed by my doctor)...nothing to worry about though!  Other than that, my sleep problems have been my only other symptom.  I feel REALLY good - thank you, Lord!!

Crazy Dreams:  Every night, people.  Every night.  Once I finally get to sleep, I dream the most ridiculous dreams EVER!   

Things People Say: Everyone is getting really anxious to know the gender, and baby names...however, we're keeping the names quiet until we know what we're having! :)

Weekly Wisdom: This month I had my first true regular OB check up.  I had not seen a doctor in 4 weeks.  That's the norm.  However, coming from seeing the doctor, hearing the heart beat, AND seeing the baby in ultrasound every 1 or 2 weeks - the past 4 weeks has been COMPLETE torture.  This pregnancy has stretched my faith and taught me what true trust means.  A very wise friend told me that God uses the waiting period of pregnancy - the not knowing, the out of control feeling - to help you learn how to start trusting Him as a parent.  Wise, wise words.  

Best Moment(s) This Week: Buying my first maternity clothes!  And, getting to hear our miracle baby's heart beat...what a precious sound to a mama-to-be's ears!  

Goodbye 1st Trimester!

We have made it to the 2nd trimester!!  WHOOP WHOOP!!!

(Week 14 baby bump picture...it's a tiny bump, but believe me it's there!)

This week has been a week I've been looking soooooo forward to!  The beginning of the 2nd trimester means the chance of miscarriage drops significantly (less than 1% chance).

This has been H.U.G.E. for me!  This is something to celebrate!!!  

AND...
I can finally get my hair highlighted now that I'm out of my 1st trimester.  Everyone that has seen my hair is joining together in the Hallelujah chorus.  The gray is shining.  It's bad, people!!  

I know a lot of bloggers do a week by week pregnancy update, but I know myself well enough to know...if I don't keep that up, I'll feel like I've failed, and then it won't be any fun.  SOOO, if I don't commit, I won't fail, right?! HA!!  No, really I just don't want anyone to get bored with that...I just want to document weeks that something new/extra special happens that I want to remember...I may do every week or I may not.  Just come and be surprised each time! :)  Alright, on to the fun stuff -

Pregnancy Highlights: 

How Far Along: 14 Weeks - I've graduated to the 2nd trimester!!  Thank you, Lord!!!!

Size of Baby: around 3.4 inches, and 1.5 oz - about the size of a lemon 

Maternity Clothes: I haven't bought any yet - since I knew we were doing IVF, I tried to buy things back in the summer and early fall that could easily work for early pregnancy clothes too.  So, I've LIVED in leggings, knit dresses/tunics and cardigans.  I can not wear ANY regular pants, except for my jeans which I have to use a hair tie through the button hole to even make those work! HA!!  

Gender: We'll know in 6 weeks - can not wait!!  We're in full swing of planning a super fun gender reveal party!  

Movement: None yet...should feel something in a few weeks!

Sleep: Oh mercy, this is the time of day when I truly feel pregnant.  Sleeping is already AWFUL! I can not get comfortable, no matter what I do.  ANY ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!  We have bought a body pillow, a Snoogle, and a wedge pillow...none completely help.  I guess the Lord is just preparing me for being up at night with the baby! 

What I miss:  I desperately miss my walking/running time!  My doctor does want me to exercise, but not to the extent I was pre-pregnancy.  

Cravings:  Mostly just [unhealthy] food in general.  AND, I could eat about a dozen Cuties [manderins] every day and it still not be enough! 

Symptoms: Just feeling uncomfortable/yucky/blah. Kinda just want to lay around and do nothing, which is not exactly possible!

Crazy Dreams:  I have always been a crazy dreamer, but sweet Jesus have my dreams been in overdrive CRAZINESS since being pregnant!!  I've dreamt my mother was also pregnant, and it was oh so real.  Yes, ridiculous.  I know.  

Things People Say: Everyone has just been SO encouraging and excited!!  Sooo many wonderful, happy conversations!  

Weekly Wisdom: This pregnancy has been ANYTHING but textbook.  I've had strange symptoms, weird bleeding, etc.  I've been reminded repeatedly, every pregnancy is different.  While it's good to talk to others who've been pregnant before, it's also good to not compare your pregnancy with theirs.  It can cause unnecessary anxiety and fear that something is wrong.  I'm praying that God will help me to be content and secure in MY pregnancy alone and to TRUST HIM!!!!

Best Moment(s) This Week: Hearing our sweet baby's heartbeat at the doctor's office.  Hearing the doctor say everything looks perfect.  Brad and I going on our first crib shopping trip! :)