A sweet baby boy!!!!!

WOW!! What a day! I am so overwhelmingly happy & feel so incredibly blessed! I don't know if I have stopped smiling since we left the ultrasound! Now that we know baby is a HE, things are beginning to feel much more real, and knowing baby is happy and healthy is such a good feeling!! I was so nervous for our appointment that I barely got any sleep last night, but our tech said everything looked great!  He is right on track for size and is just movin' and groovin' like you wouldn't believe. He didn't sit still for one moment during the entire hour!!

When we first went in to the appointment the ultrasound tech asked us how many weeks we were and when we told her 18.5 she said she didn't know if she would be able to tell us the gender because we weren't 20 weeks. I was so disappointed because our midwife said we could go anywhere from 18-21 weeks and that they should be able to give us all the info. Well, we needn't have worried because baby boy was listening to mommy's pleas to "show us his goodies," and when she found him on the screen he was spread eagle! She immediately pointed to something and said "do you know what that is?" We, of course, did not -- but she told us it was his little boy part and that he was "100%, definitely a boy!" Phew! I'm not sure I could have waited until his birth to find out! James and I were so unbelievably ecstatic!

She did a VERY detailed ultrasound of all his little body parts and said that everything looked perfect. We also found out that our baby is very well-behaved....he cooperated and showed the tech everything she needed to measure! We got to see him attempt to suck his little thumb and move his arms and legs all over. We saw a good shot of his sweet little face and, although it was hard for me to make out his features, our tech said he was "very good looking" and I believe her!

My measurements came back almost perfectly in line with my LP due date -- just three days earlier. So, baby's official due date is March 13th. We got a whole CD full of the ultrasound pictures & we commissioned some strangers in the parking lot to take our picture.....

Not bad for a parking lot photo shoot! :)


Unfortunately, the CD is full of crazy, weird files that I cannot even open so I have to call tomorrow and ask them what the deal is. Stay tuned for those baby shots...(*Update* smart hubby figured it out...pics at bottom of post!)







After our appointment I immediately went shopping at Children's Orchard! I eventually had to force myself to leave so that I didn't spend our mortgage $, but not without scoring some super-cute gear!

How cute is this bouncer! Half off of the original price!

I could not resist these sweet little outfits... baby and daddy have matching flannels!!

 To top off an already wonderful day I came home to find this gift on our doorstep from Auntie Cori!! Baby's first socks and an adorable pumpkin for mommy (all in a super cute bag with a very sweet card!) She is so thoughtful!! <3





Ultrasound photos!

They said no pictures but James managed to sneak one in!

Face & body!

Upside down, cute lil' booty in the air!

Woah! Lil' boy bits!!

Trying to suck his thumb!

Baby Sweet Potato... Boy or Girl?

OK... so I promise we're going to start exercising this week! But in our defense, we had a busy week... in a super fun way!

Midweek we got to hear baby again, and baby's heart wouldn't give any clues as to whether it's a boy or a girl (apparently the range is between 130-150; the slower the beat, the more likely it's a boy). Baby is hovering around 140.

We got to meet another midwife, Allison, who Ashley and I both really like. But she was hesitant to guess the gender :) BUT, we found out that we can schedule our requisite ultrasound at 18 weeks, so Wednesday, October 16th we get to find out for sure! I'M SO EXCITED - needless to say, Ashley is losing her mind :)

Sooooo - in the interim, we enlisted our Facebook friends' opinions and posted this:

Results:

Girl - 16

Boy - 11

HMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Really liking our experience so far, we feel very calm and confident.

We also got to enjoy a lovely home-cooked meal Friday night, prepared by Ashley, to celebrate my sister's birthday. We had a lovely evening with my mom and Cori laughing ourselves to tears. It was a fun way to end the week.

Saturday, we headed to Tanaka farms in Irvine with Anthony, Maggie and Anabelle to soak in the pumpkin patch / Fall vibes. There was a corn maze, a tractor ride and other Fall activities. Can you say pumpkin cannon? Best part of the experience, aside of course from our fun photo opps!

 

THENNNNN, Sunday we got to visit with family at my cousin Tammy and her husband Mike's house. We got to visit their new baby boy Noel; what a laid back, handsome little dude. Anthony, Maggie and Anabelle came by too. Then my cousin Jessica and her little baby girl Sofia came over with my Uncle Robert and Aunt Marcie. OOOOOOWeeeeeeeeEeee, that's a lot of babies! Ashley was in heaven.

We capped the night off with a lovely sunset gondola cruise in Long Beach harbor with catered vegan cuisine for my HPRMA board retreat! What a super packed, super fun week. Baby, little baby and I had quite the adventures.

So baby is now the size of a sweet potato and we'll soon know if it's a boy tater or a girl tater!!!!! Stay Tuned!!!!!

Here is Ashley's Pregnancy Update & Photo!

How far along? 18 weeks

Total weight gain:  ≈ 4.2
Maternity clothes? Yes! I am wearing my new maternity leggings as I type (and in this picture!) They are super comfy!
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Same, lots of tinkle breaks!
Best moment this week: Lots of fun moments this week!! Our prenatal appointment where we got our blood work results back (fabulous iron levels, yay vegan!); hearing baby's heart beat & movements; finding out we could schedule our anatomy scan anywhere from 18-21 weeks and IMMEDIATELY scheduling it for this coming Wednesday!!; having Bev & Cori over for dinner on Friday night; visiting the pumpkin patch with Maggie, Ant, & Anabelle; visiting Tammy, Mike, and teeny-tiny baby Noel (and getting to see more extended family while we were there...it was baby central!!)

Miss anything? Having jeans that button (and can stay buttoned when I sit down!) and I'm still craving coffee, especially when I'm feeling sleepy and hubby gets Starbucks!

Movement: It's still up in the air...gas? digestion? baby? Who knows!
Food cravings: Chocolate (although this is an all-the-time-pre-baby-craving) and I am still having random pickle cravings! I made homemade peanut butter cups this week and they were very, very decadent & delicious!
Anything making you queasy or sick: When I don't get enough sleep I am more prone to nausea, but for the most part I am feeling pretty good!

Showing? Yes!

Gender: We find out THIS WEDNESDAY!!! Baby better show us its goodies!!!! So excited!
Labor signs:  No
Symptoms: Pretty much the same: itchy skin, bigger appetite, and easily fatigued.
Belly button in or out? In, but will probably be out sooner than I imagined! 

Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy!
Looking forward to:  Anatomy ultrasound!! Getting to finally see baby and find out the gender!

Baby’s size: Sweet Potato!

We have a pear baby!

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain:  ≈ 4.2 Er....I think you are only supposed to gain 1 lb per week - Woops!
Maternity clothes? Yes! Hubby and I went shopping today and I got a pair of black maternity leggings and Jessica Simpson maternity skinny jeans!!! As we were waiting to check out James said "aw, your first pair of mom jeans." HA!
Stretch marks? No, trying grapeseed oil lately.
Sleep: Pretty good, lots of switching sides and getting up to pee!
Best moment this week: Celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary!!! Also, I attended a vegan potluck on Saturday which was super fun; I loved hanging out with a bunch of girls who wanted to talk about nothing but vegan diets and babies!! AND going shopping with hubby and picking out some super cute bags (see below for pics!)
Miss anything? Coffee sometimes....forbidden fruit and all. :)

Movement: I keep thinking that MAYBE I am feeling baby but it's often after I eat and I can't tell if it is me digesting...or gas bubbles??
Food cravings: Still loving my almond butter and jelly sandwiches!! We got amazing greasy pizza on our anniversary from this cute vegan restaurant called Free Soul Cafe and followed it up with a small thing of vegan Toffee Almond Fudge ice cream and a few minutes later all I wanted was a pickle, lol! So cliche, but I think its because I have been craving anything salty!
Anything making you queasy or sick: I feel a bit sick when it gets really hot (where is my fall weather?!) but other than that I have been feeling pretty darn good!

Showing? No stranger bump comments this week but my bump seems to get bigger by the day!

Gender: Ah, I can't wait to find out!!!!!!!! 3 week countdown!
Labor signs:  No
Symptoms: Itchy, itchy skin, round ligament pain (I think), and feeling constantly hungry (which explains the 2 extra lbs this week!)
Belly button in or out? In, although James insists it is already getting more shallow...

Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to:  Same as last week.....our next prenatal, the gender reveal,  and feeling baby move!

Baby’s fruit size: A pear! Baby is about 5 inches long and weighs around 5 ounces!!

On Wednesday, hubby & I exchanged our anniversary gifts.....



He got me a super cute purse and an adorable handmade coupon good for a massage at Life Reflexology (in addition to my fabulous pumpkin!), and I got him a pair of shoes and a tie that I knew he would promptly return. He is notoriously difficult to shop for and I always have such anxiety when trying to find a present he will like! Although I loved the purse he picked out, I already have 3 black purses so we both decided to return our gifts and go shopping together (so fun!!!)

 After exchanging gifts we went to a romantic, casual dinner.....

We did our "gift-replacement-shopping" this weekend and I immediately found super cute replacements for my purse and (surprise, surprise) picky hubby came home with nothing. I made him promise to keep looking for something he likes and I am holding him to it! Here is what I got....

I was able to get two super cute purses (one from Urban Outfitters & one from TJ Maxx) for the price of the one hubby got me, and I got an adorable scarf at Zumies for only $10! In love! And to the right is a shot of my new "mom jeans".....


All in all, an awesome week! I am so blessed to have such an amazing, supportive husband! <3

Did I swallow a pineapple?

 

 My belly officially

sticks out more even when he pushes his out!

How far along? 16 weeks (ok, so technically closer to 16.5)

Total weight gain:  ≈ 2.4 lbs
Maternity clothes? Haven't found any yet but would like to get a pair of stretchy skinnys! Some jeans still fit but I had to use the hair tie trick for at least one pair this week!
Stretch marks? No...the slather routine continues.
Sleep: I am sleeping pretty well but am still waking up several times to pee. I did this before but it's definitely a lot more now!
Best moment this week: Getting baby gear in the mail!
Miss anything? Hmm, not really. I guess energy and school motivation!

Movement: Still waiting...I thought I felt something the other night but it turned out to be stomach gurgles from eating grapes!
Food cravings: Cinnamon rolls! I keep seeing pictures of them posted on pinterest (Shh!) but when I finally made a batch on Saturday they did not turn out gooey and fluffy like I had anticipated..very disappointing. I feel like I can't get enough water lately either...other than that I can't think of any crazy cravings.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Silly me decided to do a ballet class on Tuesday. I haven't done ballet in over 8 years and after all the turns I felt so,  so nauseous and it lasted all night long! I guess I can scratch that off my workout plan! I felt a little sick today when we went to a birthday party, but I think it was the heat. Other than those two incidents I have felt pretty good this week!

Showing? So, I was at the store on Thursday and the cashier asks "how many months are you?" This time I didn't even have my hand on my belly so it was a legit stranger-bump-notice! I was so taken aback that I stumbled over my answer! I was wearing a maxi skirt and baggy white t-shirt, and while I definitely have a belly, I was shocked that a stranger would be brave enough to ask. To me it still looks like I am just a little chubby! I was slightly offended until I realized how silly that was since I am, in fact, pregnant. Sometimes I look in the mirror and feel huge and at other times I think that I don't look that much different at all...too funny.

Gender: I don't know but I am getting very, very excited to find out!! I have my colors picked out for both a boy and a girl and am equally excited about both!
Labor signs:  Nope!
Symptoms: Crazy dreams & very itchy skin! I am feeling more hungry than usual and according to my very cruel husband, I am getting slower by the day. :( We were jogging the other day and he started laughing and said "I can't believe how slow you are!" Ugh, rude! Then he told me I had a "pregnant run" and proceeded to show me his impression of it (which is totally false). If only men could get pregnant...
Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: Pretty good this week!
Looking forward to: Next prenatal, gender reveal, first movement, getting a more defined bump!

Baby’s fruit size:An avocado!! Crazy!

I got a goodie box in the mail from my friend Lindsey today!! Check out these super cute diaper covers! I can't get over how adorable and tiny they are!! 

15 week update!

Daddy decorated the chalkboard this week, and he did such a good job that he put Mommy's boards to shame...

How far along? 15 weeks

Total weight gain: 1.8 lbs (although it seems to be a bit different every morning and who knows if this scale is right!)
Maternity clothes? About ready to start shopping for some stretchy-top skinny jeans!
Stretch marks? Slathering, hoping, and praying that they stay away!
Sleep: Getting up to pee about 7,000 times per night....
Best moment this week: Lots of good moments this week! Hubby surprising me with a Halloween decoration, decorating our home for one of my favorite holidays, finding a Ergo baby carrier for $50 on craigslist (woo hoo!), spending time with baby Anabelle, picking up our crib (not the actual picking up part, that turned out to be a pain, but knowing that we have it now), and my friend Lindsey offering to send us items her baby has outgrown (8 thirsties diaper covers and bottles!!)
Miss anything? Today we walked into Starbucks and I missed my trenta iced coffee and pumpkin scones (although I can't blame the scones on baby, I had to give those up awhile ago).

Movement: Not yet, can't wait to feel baby movin' and groovin'!
Food cravings: Lots of random cravings this week. I made grilled cheese (vegan version) with tomato and avocado with a side of tomato soup earlier this week and I was in heaven! I seem to be much more flexible with my "healthy eating" standards now that I am pregnant...woops!
Anything making you queasy or sick: My nausea has gotten much better this week, thank goodness! I get waves of it sometimes at night or first thing in the morning but it is pretty brief/mild now. Still feeling very sensitive to smells (I'm looking at you hubby!)

Showing? My belly is definitely stickin' out! I continue to catch James staring at it and chuckling...A classmate who didn't know I was pregnant saw me with my hand on my belly tonight and gasped in recognition -- then she stopped herself because she was afraid maybe I wasn't pregnant and had just gained weight, lol. My first "stranger" bump notice! I made her squirm for just a minute before I told her that I was actually pregnant. :)

Gender: Still up in the air...other people have very strong opinions about what they think it is, but I am still unsure.
Labor signs:  No
Symptoms: Emotional/irritable, itchy back (stretching skin?), still extra sleepy, and apparently -- a serious pinterest addiction.
Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: I'd still say 50/50, but I am pretty sensitive these days and have had a few "snappy" moments.
Looking forward to: 20 weeks so we can find out the gender!! Also, I'm looking forward to our next prental visit, which I had to reschedule for the 9th. No word yet on my blood work, so I am anxious to hear the results.

Baby’s fruit size: A navel orange (or an Apple, depending on which book or blog you believe!)

Last Friday we had one day of chilly weather and I got so excited for Fall that I decorated our house for Halloween (one of my favorite holidays!!) I raided the dollar store for decorations and then hubby came home with my awesome surprise (third picture below!)

See the cute little scarecrow in our plant and the stickers on the window (next to the ugly stickers I cannot get off)?!? I can't wait to add pumpkins to the mix!!

I lined our stairway with glittery orange and black bows!

And my favorite decoration of all -- my awesome rustic pumpkin from TJ Maxx! Hubby has seen me drool over the Halloween decorations there for a month now so he decided to surprise me with this as one of my presents for our upcoming 3rd wedding anniversary....lucky for me he couldn't wait until then to hand it over!

The 'Apple' of Our Eyes

Here I sit, enjoying a Chargers game and facing the prospect of my first calligraphy endeavor with our week-marking chalk board. Our little one is now about the size of an apple, and the lady is starting to feel a bit better.
We had a bit of a rough week, as we had the memorial service for my Nana Tuesday. I'm sad our baby won't get the pleasure of meeting her. She was such a wonderful, loving, joyful woman; but it was nice to see how much of an impression she made on so many people, and it really gave us an opportunity to take pause and reflect on the kind of parents we want to be, and the legacy we want to leave for our little one. Not to mention how wonderful it always is to get to see our I.E. family.

The weeks seem to be just flying by, an observation and feeling not shared by the wife... understandably so, my body isn't undergoing the same seen and unseen, miraculous changes. Although I'm fairly certain I've put on some couvade pounds...
Another observation I've made this week - Pinterest is like crack for pregnant women.  I think I'm going to have to stage an intervention for Ashley, and potentially check her into a wifi-less facility. You think I kid? I saw her look at baby patterns for a blanket for over 3 hours. And don't get me started on colors. (Fingers crossed that baby likes Cambridge blue and lemon chiffon yellow minky).
This last few weeks has done nothing but reinforce my previously held supposition that Ash is going to be the best mommy our baby could ask for - what a lucky child. I'm glad she knows what she's doing. At least one of us does.

This week also brought with it some baby purchases! We picked up our crib at Walmart (thanks Maggie & Ant for the last minute car swap!) Ashley found the carrier she has been wanting on craigslist for $50 (originally $135), and she insisted that we both practice putting it on with the baby insert...

 15 week belly picture and update to come!

Our lovely little lemon loaf!

We are officially in the second trimester, hoorah!!

How far along? 14 weeks

Total weight gain: ?? Forgot to check this morning!
Maternity clothes? Not yet
Stretch marks? No, I have been alternating between coconut oil, vitamin E oil, grapeseed oil, argan oil, and cocoa butter (although the smell of this makes me want to gag!) Fingers crossed this concoction keeps them away!
Sleep: Still wanting to nap all the time! Having some difficulty staying on my sides, my hips end up hurting a bit. If James catches me on my back he pushes me back over onto my side, lol.  
Best moment this week: Hearing baby's heartbeat at our first prenatal appointment!! I was too overwhelmed to remember to ask about the heart rate, but James said he looked at the screen at it said 155.
Miss anything? Being motivated to engage in school... all I care about is baby!

Movement: No, but my abs have been super sore this week!
Food cravings: Salt & fruit (not together, ew!)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still feeling icky at night before bed and first thing in the morning but doing better during the day!

Showing? A bit of a bump but I don't think a stranger would know I was prego.

Gender: Not sure, we have people guessing both boy and girl now. If we believe in the heart rate fortune tellers, it's more likely to be a girl! If we believe in the craving folks, it's a boy!
Labor signs:  Nope
Symptoms: Exhaustion, little bit of queasiness, irritability! 
Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: 50% happy, 50% irritable (Sorry babe!)
Looking forward to: Our next prenatal visit (October 7th) and watching my baby bump grow!

Baby’s fruit size: Lemon (since when are lemons bigger than peaches?)


We decided that James' belly makes him look like he is starving...please don't feel sorry for my hubby,  I do feed him! <3