24 Weeks... and Counting

     

     That's right!  We made have made it to 24 weeks.  Quite a bit has changed in 2 weeks, my weight for one.  There is now no denying I have a prego belly.  I am slowly growing out of "my" clothes and moving into maternity clothes.  Although I was totally dreading being pregnant in the summer, there is one good thing about it... I can wear maxi dresses in lieu of buying maternity clothes.  WOO HOO!  So, without further ado, week 24 updates.

Week 24 Pregnancy Updates

Baby Guy's Size:  At our 24 week appointment we only got to hear her sweet and STRONG heartbeat.  The doctor even mentioned how strong it is.  My fundal height is measuring exactly where it should be and everything is going smoothly.  According to The Bump, Baby Guy is almost 1 foot long is is around 1.5 pounds.  Luckily there is lots more room for her to grow!

My belly: Although I have been saying it for awhile, there really is no denying the bump.  Multiple people have noticed the bump though I know deep down it isn't that big.  And truthfully, who cares?  I am making a human!

My Size: My have the scales have turned!  I kid you not, I woke up one morning and BAM!  Three pounds added to the scale... overnight!  I knew all those carbs were going to catch up to me!  This puts me at a total of 5 pounds so far.  If I stay on track and gain the 1 pound a week like I am supposed to, that puts me right at 20 pounds for the entire pregnancy.  I can handle that!

Movement: BILLY FINALLY FELT BABY GUY MOVE!  I kept telling him he was very close, he just needed to be a bit more patient.  Since Baby Guy is most active late at night, I knew there was a small window of opportunity.  Last Saturday I just knew he was going to be able to feel her.  She was kicking so hard at times on Saturday I thought I might actually pee my pants!  I knew it was our chance.  I told Billy to sit nice and calm and after about 20 minutes, Baby Guy kicked and Billy's finger visibly lifted off my belly.  He was so excited he started babbling like a fool and telling me to have her do it again!  HA!  Yeah right.  If she is anything like her momma, she probably did the exact opposite and laid still for the next half hour!  Billy immediately texted everyone he knows to spread the news!

Most exciting thing: Watching Billy get to experience our baby for the first time.  I have been thinking about this moment since I first felt Baby Guy kick and I knew he was going to be over-the-moon excited.  It is obvious to everyone that knows Billy how excited he is for this baby and now that he finally gets to experience something, well, it it just so fun.  If he hadn't started babbling like a lunatic I probably would have cried because it was just so sweet!

Most annoying thing: Backaches!  Due to my backaches, we finally had our first rough night.  6 months in before the first rough night, I will take it.  The problem with backaches is that the rational side of your head knows this is common with pregnancy.  The irrational side has you thinking you should call the doctor just to make sure there isn't something wrong.  Although most of Wednesday was spent with a sore back, I did some lower back exercises and now I feel much better!  The heating pad is my best friend.

Cravings: I wish I had something crazy to report.  Don't get me wrong, I a still eating my fair share, but nothing really sticks out.  Unless you count sweets.  I spent $12.00 on junk food at the Family Dollar on Wednesday!  Oops!


Sickness:  Still not really sick but acid reflux and backaches sure do stink!


Next appointment: The time has finally come.  The dreaded Glucola test.  On Tuesday, July 23, we go for the glucose test and our 28 week appointment.  After that, we start going to the doctor every 2 weeks.  I can't believe we are almost to this milestone already!  It really is flying by!

And Baby Guy is... a GIRL!

     I knew it!  Billy knew it!  Pretty much everyone we know thought Baby Guy was a girl and we were all right! 

     It is so nice to FINALLY be able to to call my sweet baby Guy a she.  For the first 11 or so weeks she (eek!) was an it because we couldn't say the word "baby" around anyone.  Then for the next 10 or so weeks she (eek!) was Baby Guy.  Soon, hopefully, we will be able to start calling her by her name, but Billy and I aren't quite ready to announce to the world Baby Guy's name.  Do we have one... well, we think so.  In fact, we have only ever discussed one baby girl name and while we are both pretty sure that it is it, we still have a LONG way to go in our pregnancy and I don't want to commit and then change my mind.  I do that sometimes.  :)  I can tell you what her name Won't be...

1) Franketta (thanks Randy!)
2) Juanita Agnes (thanks Justin!)
3) Billie (thanks Billy, Sr.)
4) Harriet (thanks Kelli)

    So now that we all know Baby Guy is a girl, let's take a moment and recap how we all found out.  Billy and I had our anatomy screening on Thursday, May 30.  I am going to be COMPLETELY honest and tell you I did drink just a little bit of caffeine before we went because I wanted Baby Guy to cooperate and give us the shot we needed.  This, like most of my plans, backfired.  Baby Guy was ALL OVER THE PLACE!  In fact, the ultrasound tech had to spend about 15 to 20 minutes "searching" for the "money shot" (her words, not mine) because Baby Guy wouldn't sit still!  I have known very early on that I have an active baby, but actually being able to see it was AMAZING!  Billy, being the ever-inquisitive man he is, asked my multiple times if the ultrasound "hurt" because the tech was pushing pretty hard for such a long period of time.  Pain wasn't the issue, it was the amount of times she pushed on my bladder that made me almost pee my pants that I wanted to yell about!  Finally, finally, the ultrasound tech declared she had found the shot she was looking for, she marked it in the envelope, 1 for boy, 2 for girl, printed some profile pictures of our sweet baby (she looks like me... JUST KIDDING), and we went on our merry way... only to have to wait 27 hours to find out what we were having.

     27 hours.. the LONGEST of my life.  I got absolutely NOTHING done at work on the following Friday because I was dying to know.  I had spent almost the entire pregnancy sure Baby Guy was a girl, but the three days leading up to finding out, my brain totally switched.  I guess it decided that it need to be "prepared" in case Baby Guy turned out to be, well, a guy!

     The two hours leading up to the party were a bit of a frenzy.  My friend Hallie hosted the party at her house, but I had prepared most of the snacks and decorations.  I was WAY more picky about this party than I was my own wedding! HA!  AT 7pm, our family and friends started showing up wearing their pink and blue and just as excited about the big reveal as Billy and I were.  After an hour or so of mingling and eating desserts, everyone moved outside for the BIG REVEAL!  First, though, I made everyone sit through a list of Old Wives Tales while Billy answered.  There were questions like, "Has Jaymi been crabby or happy?" (Crabby - girl, Happy - boy) and "Is Jaymi craving sweet foods or salty foods?"  in which everyone replied SWEET!  I do love me some candy!  As you can see from the picture below, the Old Wives Tales were leaning towards Baby Guy being a girl.

    Then it became the moment of truth.  Billy and I handed out the confetti poppers to everyone in attendance.  We told them NOT to pop them until the count of three.  Everyone stood behind us so the photographer could get a picture and then 3.. 2.. 1... POP! Pink confetti blew everywhere!  It was so much fun to see all of that pink and to be honest, Billy and I weren't really surprised.  Like I said, we thought all along Baby Guy was a girl but it was great to actually have verification she was, in fact, a she. 

     Our friends and family were very excited for us and I tell everyone that Billy's lot in life is to be surrounded by women, but I know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that Billy is going to make an excellent father to a little girl.  There are some men who were put on Earth to be Daddys to little girls, and Billy is definitely one of them.

     So now that it is all starting to sink in I can't even describe how we are feeling.  Billy is already complaining about too many baby girl outfits in her closet, for the record there are 9- two of which include and IU Cheerleading uniform and an Andrew Luck jersey.. yeah, I have my priorities straight... and I am daydreaming about all of the fun things we have in store, like softball games, dance recitals, and cheer clinic.  We are both getting into the mindset of how much stuff we have to get and starting the process of cleaning out what will be her room.  Baby classes have been booked and registries have been started though we haven't actually gone to the store.  In fact, the only thing we have looked at while at the store was furniture, which I am pestering Billy daily about ordering because I just can't wait to get started! 

     And since it has taken me so long to get this post up I am actually already at 22 weeks!  Hooray! The weeks we have left is smaller than how many weeks along we are.  I still feel fantastic and have just started putting on pounds (1 at the time of this post) and next on the list is scheduling a 3D/4D ultrasound followed by maternity photos and a baby shower (or two) somewhere in between all of this.  As previously mentioned, Billy and I purchased a 3D/4D package for our mothers as a mother's day present and I can't wait to take them with us to meet Baby Guy.  This could be the only time we see Baby Guy again before we deliver and I am DYING to know who she will look like as Billy and I both STRONGLY resemble our mothers.  It will be so fun and exciting that I literally cannot wait.

     As for maternity pictures, Billy's cousin does some AMAZING work and she will be taking our maternity photos as well as Baby Guy's newborn, 6 month, and 12 month photos.  She specialized in lifestyle photos which I love since something just seems wrong about Billy and I being forced to pose for a picture.  If you want to take a look at some of her work, visit Kelly's website at www.kellygibbsphotography.com.  Kelly is about to give birth to her second baby, a little girl, hopefully within the next two or three weeks, so she will be taking some time off, but if you are intersted in booking something, shoot her a message.

     Now that we are caught up on everything that happened in weeks 20 and 21, how about some 22 week stats?

Week 22 Pregnancy Updates

Baby Guy's Size:  They measured Baby Guy at her (eek!) 20 week appointment and said everything is right on track.  Her heartbeat was 156 bpm and the doctor stated that size wise she is in the 50th percentile which makes her 100% average!  That was GREAT news not only because she is health, but also because we were once told she (eek!) was going to be a big baby. Baby Guy is about a pound and almost 12 inches tall!

My belly: No more guessing, there is a bump.  Its not huge, and I am not complaining.  I have gotten told a couple times that I actually "look pregnant" which is good.  I was afraid of the whole "you look like you have gained a couple pounds" so its nice to be "pregnant-looking."  Maternity clothes have been busted out a couple of times, more so pants than tops, but trust me... I know its coming. 

My Size: At 22 weeks I have gained 1 pound.  However, if I continue to be a member of the Clean-Plate Club, like I have been lately, this may change drastically.

Movement:  Still lots of movement and usually right before bed.  I am still waiting for the day she (eek!) gives one or two good jabs and Billy is able to see, but we haven't gotten there yet and I know Billy is dying!  Right now her movements are high and usually right behind my belly button which often makes me laugh because it tickles!

Most exciting thing: Knowing Baby Guy is a girl!  There really is nothing better than getting to call her she.  Its absolutely amazing how much more "real" it becomes when they are no longer "it" or "baby" and actually become a he or a she.

Most annoying thing: Running in to things.  One of the Old Wives Tales questions at the Gender Reveal party was whether or not I had become more clutzy.  I didn't realize it until Billy, without missing a beat, said very enthusiatically.. YES!  But he's right.  I actually had to move my desk at work, and make it crooked, because I ran in to it with my belly.  I guess I just have a complete LACK of body recognition in terms of size and space.

Cravings: Still nothing crazy though I think I could live on Gummy Lifesavers, Chewy Sweet Tarts, potato chips, and strawberries.  One healthy thing in there at least.

Sickness:  Still doing good, though acid reflux has reared its ugly head!


Next appointment: Monday, June 24 we go for our 24 week appointment.  I think we have one more 4 week appointment at 28 weeks, then we should move in to going to the doctor every 2 weeks.  Sometime soon I know I will have to take a glucose test which I have heard from everyone are horrible.  It is just crazy to think we are inching our way closer and closer to the third trimester!



   Baby Guy is really lucky to have such an amazing family.  In the past week she has received her first present from Disney World (I can't wait to take her when she is bigger) as well as a few outfits from Billy's brother and his fiancee.  

     This little girl is going to be spoiled rotten if we aren't careful, but truthfully, I wouldn't have it any other way.  With such a large family, Baby Guy is going to have to learn quickly that there is plenty of love to go around!

 

2 Weeks and Counting...

     In just under two weeks Billy and I will be finding out the BIGGEST surprise of our lives to this date.

       BOY  or  GIRL   BOY  or  GIRL  BOY  or  GIRL  BOY  or  GIRL

    In preparation for this big event, Billy and I decided to have a gender reveal party.  What better way to share the wonderful news of what we are having than having all of our friends and family in one place?  So... for the past two weeks, I have been accumulating all kinds ideas via Pinterest, too many in fact.  Though focusing my attention on this party is helping me NOT focus on how desperately I am DYING to find out what we are having.

So, as not to ruin any of the surprises, the only thing I am willing to show is the party invitations since they already went out.  That, and I am still working on making some of the other decorations.  

And to conclude, since its been a couple of weeks... let's continue with the updates.

Week 18 Pregnancy Updates 

Baby Guy's Size:  We aren't yet to the point where they are measuring how big Baby Guy is, so we just have to go off The Bump.  According to thebump.com, Baby Guy is the size of a sweet potato.  This means Baby Guy is about 5.6 inches long and 6.7 ounces, but growing rapidly!

My belly: There is officially a baby bump.  Not big enough for me to wear maternity clothes, but definitely something I can see.  I have been told at least 5 times within the past week that I don't even look pregnant, which is great!

My Size: Still no sufficient weight gain.  At this point, I am down 5 pounds.  I am not complaining as long as everything is ok.


Movement:  Well, ask and you shall receive.  This baby is a mover and a shaker!  Since the day that I first felt movement, it hasn't stopped.  Baby Guy seems to be a morning person and night owl.  I always have lots of movement right around breakfast time and right before bed.

Most exciting thing: Getting ready for the gender reveal! Seriously, I am so excited I have no idea how people go the entire time without finding out.  While I have been leaning toward baby girl the entire time, as the party gets closer, I am slowly starting to change my mind.  All Billy and I want is a healthy baby but finding out what we are having is going to make this all VERY REAL!

Most annoying thing: I broke down and bought some maternity clothes.  As I mentioned, I don't really need them yet, however, I wanted to be prepared.  I didn't buy too much since I will be the biggest in the summer months, but I am hoping to get by with wearing dresses, but I had to have a few essentials.

Cravings: Still not craving much.  Though I could eat fruit-flavored candy all day long.


Sickness:  I think we are in the clear, at least for now.  Here's hoping it doesn't make an appearance in the third trimester.

Next appointment:Thursday, May 30 is the big day.  Although we will not be finding out until May 31, we go for our anatomy screening on this day.  I am so excited to see Baby Guy as it has been SO LONG.  I can't wait to see how much bigger Baby Guy has gotten in 8 weeks.


One more exciting thing... Billy and I decided to purchase a 3D/4D ultrasound package through a business in Greenwood called Sneak Peak.  We did this as a Mother's Day gift for our moms, so they will both be able to go with us and meet Baby Guy before he/she is born!  It will be a bit of time before we go, but I am so excited to share this with them, I can barely wait!

That's it for now.  Maybe I can get Billy to post next time on his thoughts about the upcoming gender reveal!  I now he's excited, maybe even more so than me!

Something Just Happened....

I know I JUST posted an update, but something just happened!  Something that I have been talking about wanting to happen for weeks now!  Something that is making this pregnancy very real!

BABY GUY KICKED!  AND I FELT IT!

I wasn't so sure at first that what I was feeling was what I thought it was, but not 5 minutes later, same feeling happened again!  It hasn't happened again yet and its been a few hours, but I read that sometimes you feel it and won't again for a while when you are this early on in the pregnancy.

So, I wanted to mark this moment down for my own memory that Baby Guy kicked and I felt it for the first time today, Thursday, May 2, right at 16 weeks pregnant!

HOORAY!  So exciting!  Now I can't wait for Billy to be able to experience this!

Short and Sweet...

I had an appointment on Friday, April 26 and it was short and sweet.  15 minutes and I was in and out.  I LOVE appointments like that.  Not much was discussed except.. WE FIND OUT WHAT WE ARE HAVING SO SOON!

We made our anatomy appointment for the last week of May and I do not think I can wait that long!  We are still discussing doing a Gender Reveal party, but I am ALL ABOUT IT!  I think they are so much fun and will allow Billy and I to share the news of what we are having with all of our friends and family without having to wait 20 more weeks until the baby is born.  I am pretty sure I have Billy talked into, we just need to figure out the logistics.

So without much to report, I am just going to give a quick pregnancy update for week 15.

Week 15 Pregnancy Updates

Baby Guy's Size:  Still not quite sure because we didn't have an ultrasound, but according to The Bump, Baby Guy is about the size of a navel orange. Although we didn't get to see Baby Guy, we did get to hear the heartbeat again.  Baby Guy's heartbeat was about 157 so we can't even look to the old wive's tales to decide if Baby Guy is a he or a she!  Little stinker!

My belly: I think I can see a little growth, but still not much.  I am still excited to be wearing my own clothes comfortably and the goal is to make it to 20 before having to wear maternity!  We will see.

My Size: Still down 6 pounds.  I had gained two back by my appointment on Friday, but when I got up today, back down two.  I know this will change soon, but its nice to know I have a little leeway in the 11-20 pounds the doctor wants me to gain.

Movement:  Still nothing, but I am hoping to feel it soon.  From everything I have read, I don't expect to feel it befor 17-18 weeks, but you never know!

Most exciting thing: Hearing Baby Guy's strong and steady heartbeat.  When you can't feel anything, you sometimes forget there is a living person inside of you.  So being able to hear that wondrous sounds makes it so much fun.

Side note:  We did have a moment where all we heard were loud THUNKS! Doc told us apparently Baby Guy does not like the Doppler as he/she was moving around and kicking at it which was the loud thunks we were hearing.

Most annoying thing: The amount of times I have to use the bathroom in a single day!  I am one of those people who views going to the potty as the BIGGEST waste of time.  So now that I got about every stinking hour, I am highly irritated by it.

Cravings: Nothing crazy yet.  In fact, I suffer from craving nothing.  I still eat, but nothing ever sounds good.

Sickness:  Still feeling great... thank goodness!

Next appointment: Friday, May 24 though we may change it.  This is the BIG ONE!  Although we will be "finding out" what we are having, we are actually not going to find out until our Gender Reveal party.  And I think I have figured out a way to make it a surprise for everyone including the person hosting the party!


Stay tuned for the next post! We are going to be discussing the big GENDER REVEAL!

Done with One!

    

 

 

     That’s right! It’s hard to believe, but we are officially done with the first trimester!  HOORAY!  Truthfully, it seems like it flew by.  Mostly because the first four weeks you don’t even know your pregnant.  The next seven to eight, however, were the MOST difficult!  I so badly wanted to tell people but knew it was not what Billy and I had decided.  I am just so happy that everyone knows and we can tell whomever we like.

     So now that I am done with the first trimester, I am going to do a little recap and some updates.  I actually borrowed this idea and questions from Billy’s cousin Kelly!  She is pregnant with her and her husband Duane’s second child and she had done this for both babies.  It’s a great way to keep everyone in the loop while also writing down the facts for Billy and me to remember in the future.  I LOVE IT!

 

Week 14 Pregnancy Updates 

 

 

Baby Guy's Size:  Truthfully, I have no idea.  I had an ulstrasound done at 12 weeks, in the name of education, but the tech didn't really say how big Baby Guy was.  According to "The Bump" website, Baby Guy should be measuring about 3.4 inches and weigh 1.5 oz., or in food terms, Baby Guy is about the size of a lemon.

My belly: I can't decide if it has popped just a little bit or not. I have never had a flat stomach, but with losing six pounds, I think my belly is sticking out just a bit in even though I am slimming down. Haven't had to invest in maternity clothes just yet, but I know it is just around the corner. Billy is already cringing.

My Size: As I mentioned, I am actually slimming down.  I have actually lost six pounds so far in this pregnancy.  Great, right? My doctor said this is totally normal and I will be gaining it back before I know it.  In total, for this pregnancy, the doctors would like to see me gain between 11 and 20 pounds.  Doesn't sound like much, but as long as Baby Guy remains healthy, I will try to do whatever the docs say.

Movement:  Nothing yet, but I am anxisouly awaiting this.  According to my doc, I probably won't feel movement for a couple more weeks.  Every mom I talk to says feeling your baby move is the absolute best feeling and I KNOW Billy is excited for this to begin too as he is just dying to actually be able to see and feel something.

Most exciting thing: Every ultrasound!  Billy and I have been lucky enough to see our baby 3 times so far.  This most recent time, though, Billy wasn't with me as I was having an ultrasound done for some students who were interseted in becoming ultrasound techs.  They were interested in seeing how the machine works and what the job looks like and I got to see my sweet baby one more time out of the deal!

Most annoying thing: Prenatal vitamins!  What is it with vitamins?  They never taste good.  I know they are so important to keeping myself and Baby Guy healthy, but boy do they sure taste bad!

Cravings: Throughout the first trimester all I wanted was mashed potatoes and gravy.  Now that my stomach has settled down, I don't crave much.  Usually, if something is on television, that's what I want!  Most recently it was blueberry muffins.

Sickness:  I am one of the lucky ones!  While I experienced some nausea here and there, I never actually got physically sick.  Thank goodness!  I am keeping my fingers crossed that this continues through the next two trimesters.

Next appointment: I go to the doctor next Friday morning for a monthly check-up.  My following appointment in May should put us right on target for finding out the sex of our baby!  Billy is totally set on finding out what we are having while I keep going back and forth!

Go ahead and leave us a comment and let us know what you think about whether or not Billy and I should find out Baby Guy's sex!

Interview with a (Not-So) Soon To-Be-Dad

Billy here.  My wife told me it was my turn to make an appearance on the blog, especially since she promised it on the last post.  She had a pre-set list of questions for me to answer, but I added a couple of my own as well.  So here you have it from a (not-so) soon-to-be dad.

P.S.  How great is the latest ultrasound of our baby?  He/she is waving!

 

What was your first thought when you found out you were having a baby?

I couldn't believe it… I have always wanted children.  Because I have wanted children for so long, I was sure we would have the misfortune of it taking a long time before we were so lucky.  Boy was I wrong... WAY wrong!

What has Jaymi been craving so far?
Jaymi has not had any of the crazy cravings that you normally hear but she has found a few items that she is frequently asks for… mashed potatoes and gravy even if the main course is Chinese (like last night) or peanut butter on cheese crackers (I should honestly buy stock in Nabisco).  Who knows what she may request in the future.

 

What's the one word that would best describe Jaymi's moods thus far?

Nauseated is what first came to mind, but Jaymi told me that isn’t a mood.  So I guess I will say exhausted.

 

Will you or Jaymi be more likely to say no to your child?

Depends, if Jaymi really wants to say no she will probably have me do it for her.

 

** Editor's Note:  I, Jaymi, totally disagree.  I believe Billy will be a big softy and I will have to be the disciplinarian.

 

What are you looking forward to purchasing for the new baby?

Matching shirts—I have always wanted to have a shirt that said “Big Guy” with my baby’s onesie saying “Little Guy”.  That may be odd but just one of those things that I have always wanted.

 

** Editor's Note:  I, Jaymi, am totally shaking my head at this, but in the words of Billy, "It will make a great picture!"

 

Which grandparent will spoil your baby the most?

Wow, more like which grandparent will spoil the baby the least? Honestly I would guess Sara (Jaymi’s mom) will be the leader in the spoiling department, especially since she works with Jaymi so it will be easy for her to drop things off for the baby.

What are you going to be most worried about if this baby is a girl?

BOYS, isn’t that every Dad’s biggest worry?

 

What about if it's a boy?

Along the same lines, I guess I worry about the heartbreak that he will have and trying to help him through it.

 

When do you think you and Jaymi will buy your first minivan?

My guess is never… I think we will have SUV’s as Jaymi swears she will never drive a minivan but we will have to see on that.

 

What are you most looking forward to about being a dad?

This was a tough one because even though I am looking forward to watching and supporting him or her in her sports, dancing, etc.; I really just look forward to playing with my child. I am referred to as a jungle gym by the kids in our families and can’t wait to have fun playing with my own kid(s).