The Name Game

For years, I was set on my future daughter's first name (or so I thought). And I really thought if we had a boy first, deciding on his name would be really tough and take some time. Yeah, so not true.

After the reveal and learning that we are having a girl, Dan tells me he's just not sure about the name. Gah! And I'm thinking, "Um, you could've mentioned this years ago!"

We are trying out names. We're referring to our little girl as one name for a few days and another name next week and seeing how that goes. :)

The problem I'm having is that the first name "J" could end up being her middle name, but I keep playing the "What if" game and thinking, "What if our 2nd child is a girl as well and I want to use "J"" and "But if we have a boy and I don't use "J" as at least as a middle name then the name would be gone".

The name we are trying out first is not a traditional name and we're thinking that if she grows up and absolutely hates her first name, then her middle name "J" or another traditional name would be what she goes by.

::sigh::

The name game is tough. Maybe she'll just be Jackalinas Jackson. :D

19 weeks!

How far along? 19 Weeks

Weight gain/loss: No weight gain/loss this week. Total weight gain so far 4 lbs.

Maternity clothes? None yet, but I just may need to buy some maternity pants soon.

Stretch marks?

None.

Sleep?

Not good. My parents were so nice and they bought me this body pillow, but it's just not working for me. I toss and turn and would end up on my back in the middle of the night or early morning. Also, it was too firm for me and my neck was aching by the time I woke up in the a.m. For now, I'm going back to a small pillow in between my knees and a wedge pillow tucked just under my growing belly.

Best moment this week?

We found out we are having a girl! I still can't believe it.

Food cravings:

The other day I went from craving french toast to craving shrimp cocktail within minutes and I realized that those were the REAL cravings you read/hear about. I was good though and didn't have either. I had grilled chicken with pico de gallo on top and for dessert I had blueberries with homemade whipped cream. :)

Gender:

Female!

Belly button in or out?

I still have an "innie".

Movement?

I've been feeling more flutters lately and now I'm sure it's not just gas. And yesterday evening I felt a kick. It was crazy weird. It was amazing. I loved it! It kind of makes sense since based on the sonogram measurements last week I'm probably closer to measuring at around 19 weeks 4 days today. :) And this morning I felt more flutters. Exciting stuff.

What I miss?

Being able to clean the house and not have my body ache. I've been breaking up the cleaning into different days so that has helped a lot. Having this shower:

is a pain (literally, in my back) because I have to squat or bend over to scrub in between the tiles. I'm done. It's going to be Dan's chore for the next few months. We'll just have to see if I can give up control and let him do it. Damn control issues!

What I'm looking forward to:

Meeting and holding our little girl. :)

Milestones:

Feeling movement and knowing we have a little girl in there!

SEX REVEAL (CAKE REVEAL)

It's a...

GIRL!

Okay so yesterday, we had our anatomy scan and it was so wonderful to see our baby girl "Jackalinas" after 10 weeks. Baby girl is doing great. Her brain, heart, kidneys, stomach and limbs all looked wonderful. She was moving a lot and lying on her side and stomach. She likes to sleep like mama! :) Baby girl was measuring at 18 weeks & 4 days, but of course that's not enough to change the due date (which would make the EDD October 30th). She was also measuring in the 78th percentile. She's big. lol Dan weighed 9 lbs. 12 oz. so I was a little scared when the sonographer said 78th, but I'm not going to worry about that right now. :)

She wasn't cooperating and showing her goods (good girl!). So we left the u/s tech and went to meet with our midwife. After our appt. we went back to a different u/s tech. As soon as the u/s started she said, "Baby must like me more because I already have what I need." I thought for sure it was going to be boy by those words. lol

The u/s tech took some pics, wrote down the gender in the card and we were off to the bakery! :)

Yesterday evening we did the cake reveal with our parents. Dan was being a meanie and not letting me get my way. We had to eat dinner first. Boo. We ate dinner (I finished first) ;) and then it was time to cut the cake!

(FYI we have a video of the cake reveal, that will one day be edited and posted.)

Yummy chocolate cake!

It's PINK! It's a GIRL!

Wow, talk about shocked. I didn't have a feeling either way (like some mommies do), but as we were cutting the cake I thought "It's going to be a BOY". Ha! I was wrong. Then I heard Dan's mom say "It's a Girl". And then Dan slid his knife out and I saw bright pink icing. Aaaahhhhh! We were all like "It's a GIRL!"

I jumped up so high. I was so surprised and thrilled. Really? A baby girl. We're going to have a little girl. Wow! Everyone was happy. Mama and Papa are thrilled!

The happy Parents & Grandparents!

Happy Mama & Papa!

This is the card that I made for the u/s tech to write the gender in.

Inside the card. :) You can guarantee owls will make an appearance in her nursery.

It seems so surreal. We have a little girl on the way. It's just weird to say "her" or "girl" now after using "it" or just "baby".

Baby J lying on her side, facing us. :) This pic is both sweet & creepy. lol Seriously. I'm the mama though so I can say that about my baby girl. :)

Baby girl on her stomach!

Baby girl on her back!

I do worry a bit that the u/s was wrong or if our baby does have a penis and the u/s tech just didn't see it. It's just so early on, what if they missed something. lol Oh well. Worst case scenario, we are even more shocked later if she is really a he. ;)

I already love my growing family! Now we just have to decide on a name. :)

18 weeks & the Bump!

How far along? 18 Weeks

Weight gain/loss:

1 more pound gained. (4 pounds gained so far)

Maternity clothes?

I'm thinking about buying these pants.

Stretch marks?

None.

Sleep?

Sleep is still good, but I'm hating having to sleep on my left side.

Best moment this week?

Our anatomy scan ultrasound appointment is today!

Food cravings:

No real cravings this past week.

Gender:

We should find out today!

Belly button in or out?

I still have an "innie".

Movement?

I think I felt something Tuesday afternoon & Wednesday evening, but I'm not 100% sure it was flutters.

What I miss?

Being able to sleep however I want! I hate having to sleep on my left side. I hate it! And when I have nights like I did last night where my allergies kicked my ass I would like to move freely and now get stopped up in one nostril. I can't wait until I can sleep (I know it will be very little sleep) on my back, stomach or right side like the good ol' days. :)

What I'm looking forward to:

Today's appointment! We haven't seen our little one in 10 weeks. I'm also looking forward to sharing the news on whether baby is a boy or a girl with everyone!

Milestones:

I'm 18 weeks. Wow! It's crazy how the weeks seem to take forever to get here (especially when you're looking forward to an ultrasound appt.!), but then when you really think about it you're almost halfway there. Ahhhh! I guess time really is flying by. :)

Will it be a boy or a girl? Stay tuned!!!

17 weeks & the Bump!

How far along? 17 Weeks

Weight gain/loss:

Almost 2 pounds gained. I'm finally gaining weight. :)

Maternity clothes?

No official maternity clothes, but my mom and I went shopping this past weekend and she bought me a lot of cute dresses. :) Thanks again, Mama.

Stretch marks?

None.

Sleep?

Sleep is still good.

Best moment this week?

Again, watching my belly grow. It confirms there's a little somebody in there.

Food cravings:

No real cravings this past week. I satisfied my gyoza, grapes and elote cravings and I'm still enjoying fruit, cucumbers & pickles. :)

Gender:

1 more week until our appt. and hopefully "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" will be written in an envelope and we'll find out the sex with our parents.

Belly button in or out?

In, but more shallow. It looks so weird. I like it.

Movement?

I think I felt something early this morning while I laid on my left side.

What I miss?

Same...less backaches, smaller boobs, being able to jump up and go, no leg cramps & normal bowel movements. But I'm grateful to have these things because it means I'm pregnant!

What I'm looking forward to:

Ultrasound appt. and finding out the sex!

Milestones:

I'm 17 weeks. I'm almost halfway there. Eek! That's hard to believe.

16 weeks & the Bump!

Wow! My bump is really sticking out there. :)

How far along? 16 Weeks

Weight gain/loss:

1 ounce. really? I feel like I've gained a ton.

Maternity clothes?

None.

Stretch marks?

None.

Sleep?

Sleep is still good, but I now find that I'm getting up 3 times every morning to pee. I need to cut off drinking water after a certain time.

Best moment this week?

Watching my bump grow. I no longer look like I've been eating too many tacos. I actually look pregnant now and can flaunt the belly. :)

Food cravings:

Dumplings/Gyozas/Potstickers. I have yet to satisfy this craving.

Gender:

Hopefully we'll find out in 2 weeks!

Belly button in or out?

In, but it seems to be getting wider. :)

Movement?

None. I think those "butterfly flutters" was gas last week. :D

What I miss? I never thought I'd say this, but I miss my smaller boobs. I've always wanted bigger boobs, but big boobs are over-rated and a pain to deal with. :P I sweat more in that area & have to dry under them after showers etc. They are growing for a good reason though. :)

What I'm looking forward to:

Ultrasound appt. on June 2nd & possibly doing a reveal with our parents. It'll be fun to find out together. :)

Milestones:

I'm 4 months today! Eeek!

Happy 15th Birthday, Sissy & Baby Dan!

Thank you for bringing smiles, laughter & unconditional love to our lives. You’ve been the best kids we could ever ask for. You’ll always be our #1 4-legged kids! Happy 15th Birthday, Rooster & Bear. We love you!

May you always have each other to lean on and sit on, for many more years to come. :)

We made them a Peanut Butter Carrot Cake. (Dan did his best cutting a bone-shape out of the cake :))

They really enjoyed their birthday cake!

I got really emotional today thinking about my babies and how old they are and the inevitable that one day they won't be here. It breaks my heart. But they are here now and they are behaving like they are no older than 10. I need to stop thinking about when they are no longer with us and and live in the now and cherish every moment we have with them.

Happy 15th Birthday, Rooster & Bear. We love you!

15 weeks & the Bump!

How far along? 15 Weeks

Weight gain/loss: 2 ounces gained.

Maternity clothes? None yet. I did borrow my friend's bella band and I love it! I also need to buy new bras and a few dresses.

Stretch marks? None.

Sleep? Sleep is good. I get up twice in the a.m. to go to the bathroom, but I'm still able to get back to sleep. I've been sleeping with a pillow in between my leg and that has helped me stay on my left side and sleep more comfortably.

Best moment this week? My first Mother's Day! :)

Food cravings: Elote (Mexican corn on the cob) with all the fixins.

Gender: Don't know yet. I will be happy either way. I kind of like the idea of having a boy now. For shits & giggles, Dan and I checked out some of those old wives tales to find out the sex (heart rate, chinese prediction, thread & wedding ring, quizzes, carrying high/low). :)

Belly button in or out? In, but it feels like it's getting more shallow.

Movement? I think I felt butterfly flutters the other day.

What I miss? I miss being able fit into my pants comfortably. I also miss not having leg cramps in the middle of the night & being pain free (whether it's round ligament pain or muscle twinges).

What I'm looking forward to: I'm still looking forward to our 18 week appt. in 3 weeks!

Milestones: It feels amazing to be at 15 weeks!