17 Weeks!

Today I am 17 weeks and 2 days! Can't believe in a few weeks I'll be half way done with this pregnancy.

He or she is weighing in at almost 6 ounces! Holy moly he/she made a big jump in weight! And measuring about 5.1 inches long!

His/her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.

And he or she is growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.

He/she's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.

 

David and I made one of our first purchases the other day... diapers and wipes! We also took a trip to the nearest Kid to Kid just to get a feel of what they had. Needless to say, I am so eager to start buying baby items! We are trying to find a new place so I'm trying to hold out buying a crib until then, but man, it is hard. I am planner, so the fact that we haven't bought much is driving me a little insane. Hopefully we'll be able to get the ball rolling soon, though.

 

How far along? 17 weeks (2 days), 4 months

Total weight gain:  As of a week or so ago, I've only gained 1 pound. That being said, I did lose 5 pounds during the first 3 months because of being sick every single day. But I technically gained that back, plus one. 

Maternity clothes? I'm still wearing all of my normal shirts and sometimes my old pants, but they are definitely snug and hard to sit in. I've mostly been wearing maternity jeans or sweats, because they are just so darn comfy.

Stretch marks? No new ones that I can recall.

 
Sleep: Lots of tossing and turning, insomnia here and there. Still getting up 3x a night to go to the bathroom. But when I am tired, boy am I tired.

Best moment this week: I thought I felt some distinct movement and David came running over and put his hand and head on my stomach. It was so precious!

Miss Anything? Nope!

Movement: Yes, but if I didn't know better I would just think it had to do with my digestive system. I have been feeling little pops/bubbles and yesterday it felt like a little goldfish was swimming in there, so I'm pretty dang sure it's the baby. If that's the case, I've been feeling him/her for a few weeks.

Food cravings: Luckily I'm not having too many aversions now that my morning sickness is nearly over! I'm still enjoying Arby's like crazy. I would not have gotten through the first few months without it, to be honest.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Doing the dishes makes me queasy, that's about it. Sometimes different smells here and there get me a little sick, but it's not that bad.

Gender prediction: We both think we're having a boy.

Labor Signs: Geez, hope not!

Symptoms:  Heartburn, sciatic nerve pain (ow!), forgetful, tender stomach, and lots of round ligament pains.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Beyond happy! I do get my bouts of emotions though.

Looking forward to: Every single day from here on out!
 

And then there were three...

We found out we were expecting on New Years Day! What a blessing it has been thus far. I figured since we have opened up and told mostly everyone that I would give you a few more details.

As some of you may or may not know, we had a loss this past July. The baby had stopped growing at around six-seven weeks and my body didn't get the message until week twelve. I had known from the very start of that pregnancy that it wouldn't last and I'm quite certain that Heavenly Father let me know this to help soften the blow. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about that little one. I am so very grateful for the Gospel and for eternal families. I can't put into words how much the Gospel means to me and I cannot imagine going through that experience without it.

Since having a loss, I have been more sensitive to those families surrounding me that also experienced a loss, miscarriage, or infertility problems. As happy as I am for my dearest friends and family who have brought precious children into the world as of late, I cannot express how much it hurt to read on Facebook or hear them in person complain constantly about pregnancy or motherhood. I understand completely that it is the toughest job in the world! And yes, I have caught myself complaining since becoming pregnant. But then I mentally slap myself and think, there are so many women and families out there who have lost a child or cannot get pregnant. These families would willingly put up with all of the downsides of pregnancy and parenthood just for the chance to hold their baby. It's then in those moments that I realize how truly grateful and blessed I am. I have a healthy pregnancy and I love my child already... I am going to appreciate this moment for as long as I possibly can.

We are due on September 11, 2013 and we are SO excited to become parents. I have always wanted to be a mother... that's all I want to be. David is especially excited to become a father. You should hear some of the things he says about become a dad, it is so precious. I know he will be great! Our first doctors appointment went very well. We are so lucky to have such an amazing doctor that gave us reassurance with an ultrasound. The heartbeat was around 150-160! A few weeks later I had some bleeding so she got us in again and much to our surprise, little buttercup was dancing away and waving at us. Everything looks great so far and I am SO thankful. Our next appointment will be next week at 15 1/2 weeks. As far as morning sickness and all that jazz go, I have been sick almost every single day with no signs of it easing up haha. The only day that I went without any sickness was our anniversary on the 18th of February! It was glorious! Even with all of the morning sickness and headaches, I would do it one hundred times over because we love this kid so much already.

I'm normally not one to really read into horoscopes, but on the front of yahoo they had predictions for 2013. I couldn't help but look at mine! Here is what distinctly stood out to me...

Get ready for a year of fabulous expansion, sweetness and love galore, Cancer. This summer, lucky Jupiter is moving into your constellation to bring amazing opportunity and expansion to your world -- all the way into 2014! You've been preparing for the breakthrough and surge in success, so you'll be more than ready to take your rightful place in the limelight. All areas of your life receive the benefits and blessings of Jupiter for the second half of 2013. Your confidence is sky high and you feel more optimistic about life and your future than you have in ages. All of the suffering, heaviness and loss of 2012 will quickly become a thing of the past as you embrace the amazing opportunities being showered upon you in 2013.

Now, whether or not horoscopes are true, I am going to be more hopeful this new year. I am going to find the good in all situations and in all people, even in myself. I am going to apply what I learn and continue to grow as a wife, as an individual and perhaps even as a mother if that's what God has in store for me. I am going to let go of the little things and try to focus on the big picture.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Well, it's official. We have moved out of our first apartment as a married couple. We still have a few days to clean out the old one, but for the most part, all of our things are arranged in our new place. We are a few blocks west of the U of U and we absolutely love it so far. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels much more like home than our previous place. There are a few things I dislike about it (lack of counter space, no vanity for the bathroom, inside cabinets are pretty nasty) but I think we are going to like it here. The community is great! We have our best friends, Josh and Danielle, living right above us and we have Terrell and Melanie in the same building as well. Our church is just a block away so we can walk whenever we want (or whenever I'm not wearing comfortable shoes haha.)

The first thing we put up in our new apartment were the pictures and mirror in the living room. Then our Christmas tree. Priorities, I tell you! We are really proud of how everything turned out in the living room, so I took a few pictures.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Fantastic New Year!

Well, I fail at this...

It's no surprise that I have failed to update this thing in quite sometime considering I am a terrible journal writer. But, you've gotta start somewhere, right? It'll be painless.

David finally decided that he is majoring in Political Science (big shocker there....) and so far he's loving it! It's so fun watching him comparing and contrasting all of these debats lately. I never thought I would be a political person, but he has been patient with me while he teaches me all about politics.

We have loved living downtown SLC and we are going to be moving just a few minutes away from where we are now (at least, that's the plan as of now). Our lease is up Christmas Eve, so we are planning on moving in the first week of December so we don't have to spend our Christmas unpacking.

I've been unemployed since late June, and have been applying EVERYWHERE. Luckily, last week I had two interviews with the Disney store and Athleta down in the City Creek mall. Turns out, as soon as my background check goes through, I'll be working for Disney! Dream come true!!! Tomorrow I have an interview with Gymboree, because I'm debating having two part time jobs if the schedule allows me to do so. So, I might be working there or at Athleta as well.

The Beginning...

So, I finally decided I need to blog to keep in touch with family and friends. My life is extremely boring, but I can't wait to bore you with my projects, baking and silly adventures my sweet husband and I have.

For my first post, here is my favorite Peanut Butter Brownie recipe.

1 box of your favorite brownie mix (and ingredients it calls for)
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease 40 mini-muffin cups.

Prepare boxed brownie mix as directed. Add in 1/2 cup of peanut butter chips and 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter. Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups (about 1 heaping teaspoon). Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into center comes out slightly wet. After brownies are out of the oven, wait for centers to fall. This will happen upon cooling. If not then tap the centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole for the peanut butter.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir. While brownies are still warm spoon about half a teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.