First Kick

I started feeling her move at around 17 weeks, it felt like bubbles popping, and it has been consistently getting stronger and stronger. Yesterday I felt her kick/jab my hand for the first time. For those of you who know me well, you know the beginning of this pregnancy was a little rough for me. Not because I was overly sick but because the pregnancy was not planned. I am not saying I wasn't thrilled because I know its a gift from God but I was/am so scared. I am a worrier, just ask Steven he will tell you. In the past couple of years there have been quite a few "obstacles" thrown our way and we have been playing catch up. Now that we have a baby on the way I have a whole new set of worries. Having a child is a big responsibility! You have so much influence over a person's life when you become a parent and they depend on YOU! Feeling her kick for the first time has made her become that much more "real" to me. I want to be the best mother I can and I want to her to know who God is. I don't have many Christian friends who have had children or even friends who have had children so if you are one of them you better believe I am going to be coming to you for advice! I just want everyone to know I feel elated that God would see me fit to be a parent.

"It's Normal"

I went to the doctors on Monday 10/18 for my check up and again on 10/22 because I was having some pain/pressure. A phrase I heard constantly last week was "it's normal." Did you know everything is "normal" during pregnancy? I have never had a nose bleed until I got pregnant, normal. Random stomach pains, normal. Feeling like your bladder is going to explode, normal. UTIs, normal. Starving one minute and couldn’t eat a thing the next, normal. Nauseous but still hungry, normal. Numbness, normal. Headaches, normal. Leg pain/cramps, normal. Oh and my favorite... the emotional roller coaster, normal. I am not sure how I feel about all of these wonderful "normal" symptoms of pregnancy. Can't wait to find out whats next!!

On a brighter note, I got my results back from the "testing" ultrasound and blood work, everything came back negative so she's great! Next, I have my "anatomy" ultrasound on 11/03 (I will be exactly 20 weeks!).

P.S. Unrelated to this post... I want to thank my cousin Stephanie for all the amazing maternity clothes and my sister-in-law Randi, it means so much to me!! I won't have to buy a thing (more for Stella)!! Also, a huge thanks to Shirley, whom I work with and won't read this, she has been picking me up toys and books since I told her I was pregnant. The things she has gotten me will be a huge help and savings!

Overwhelmed

I went to babies R us over the weekend to begin my registry. I spent over an hour there trying to decided what I would need and only ended up registering for a total of 16 items. Out of these 16 items my sister-in-law helped me pick out half when I first found out I was pregnant, so on my own I registered for about 8 items. I do however have a registry on Amazon.com and I have been adding items as I research them. Babies R us is just so overwhelming... say I need a stroller, what kind of stroller, what brand, what color, etc. babies R us has everything right there which is good and bad. Good because you do get to see the product, bad because if your a first time mom with NO experience you get a little freaked out.
I feel so unprepared! I still have to clean the entire house, get rid of anything that may be harmful (baby proof), design and set up a nursery, think about childcare, find a pediatrician, cook food and freeze, wash everything, pack hospital bags, schedule a "babymoon", oh and sleep! I know I know... I have time but its all going by so quick and there are major holidays in between! I am already 17 weeks and have only decided on which room to put her in.
As of today I have gained 0.8lbs and I am definitely showing (I look more fat then pregnant), I only get sick now if I don't eat fast enough and I no longer feel comfortable in my regular pants (I feel like I am squishing her)... on to maternity pants! I am currently reading two amazing books (pregnancy related), Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize and Expectant Prayers for Expectant Mothers by Jennifer Weiss. I have a few others I will be reading but they are mostly "How To" books. If anyone has books they would recommend let me know!

It's a...

GIRL!!!

We are absolutely thrilled and
can't wait to meet HER!!

The baby is happy, healthy and growing like SHE should.

Boy or Girl?

I had an ultrasound this weekend and we got to find out what we were having but before I share I want to hear your opinions. Do you think its going to be a boy or a girl? My most recent "belly" picture is in my last post. I want to hear what you think...

 

Here it is again!