26 weeks

26 weeks

how far along: 26 weeks
total weight gain/loss: +9 from first dr. visit (+3 from pre-pregnancy)
circumference at belly button: 33 inches
how big baby is: 14 inches long, 2 lbs - apparently the size of lettuce
maternity clothes: no but the jeans are getting a little snug
stretch marks: not that I know of
sleep: fitful, I am usually awake for about an hour around 3am and little princess is just having a ball playing jungle gym at that hour as well.
best moment this week: buying her crib and mostly deciding on her bedding/room theme and decor
movement: all the time!  unless of course I want her to move...
food cravings: none
gender: GIRL!
labor signs: Nope
belly button: in but I did notice that it's more out than I have ever seen it
what i miss: Margaritas.  Non-pregnancy: the BEACH!
what i am looking forward to: My trip to Florida in April and our baby shower.  Finding out for sure if the rest of the bedding set is coming in.

Not much else to report on the home front this week.  I'm starting to really hone in on my design choices and getting everything ready to purchase, given that the bedding is officially what we go with.  I am crossing my fingers that I get a big fat yes from the store that it is shipping tomorrow.  I really, really want that final piece!!  I'm looking forward to getting things settled and arranged so that we can get the last few pieces of furniture and I can decide if I am going to paint her room here or not.  I'm torn as I just don't feel like we are going to be here long enough to make it really worth it, but I don't want to leave her room just shy of completed either.  Decisions, decisions...  Well for the most part I'm just planning and putting lots of things into online shopping bags, ready to hit purchase when I get the final word.  For now, that's all that's going on in the never ending cold tundra we call home...

~Becky

25 Weeks... Better late that never, right?

So I was actually 25 weeks last Tuesday but I figured I would fill you in on the week anyway.  It still counts till the week officially rolls over, right??

There's officially a bump!  I finally have something, even if it's little, to show for all the sickness and hormonal changes that this darling little girl has caused me.  (sorry that i always seem to be in my PJ's when we get around to taking a picture).  It's been a pretty good second trimester and I've really enjoyed having the reprieve from sickness and other such things.  She is a very active little girl, that's for sure!  She has decided to begin making room for herself up under my ribs and into the area my stomach used to occupy.  Not only does this make eating an interesting new tasks as she does not let me eat much at one time, but I now also randomly feel a little foot kicking the inside of my rib cage.  There truly is no way to describe this feeling to someone who has not experienced it.  Suffice it to say, it's very strange!  I'm thankful that she is active though as it tends to lessen my tendency towards anxiety that there is something wrong.  As long as I wait a little bit, each something sugary or refuse to go to the bathroom, she will start moving around and relieve my fears that something might be wrong.  I guess I'm just a little too worried about it but there is so much I don't know and so much going on I have no control over that it makes me a little nervous.  I'll be happy for her to come out and then I will be able to look at her and know she's doing fine.  

So we have started making some decisions on the nursery and the housing issue.  We have decided, at least for the time being, to stay in our current apartment and attempt to do some serious rearranging to make everything work.  It will be a little tight but we just can't find the right place and I don't want to move again after this next time so it's really got to be perfect cuz we will be there for quite a while most likely.  We went  to IKEA and purchased her crib and the nightstand for the nursery.  

It's certainly not everything we will need but it's at least a start so I can put things up and start visualizing what I want to see the room transform into.  It's hard to design and create when you have absolutely nothing to start with.  I am very happy with these purchases and will hopefully be getting her dresser soon.

On another note, this whole nursery thing has really shown me how indecisive I can be.  I was all set to make her bedding because I hadn't found anything that I really loved and the things I at least liked where ridiculously expensive.  I'm certainly not going to spend a ton of money on something my child is most likely going to pee on and spit up on.  It's not worth it!  So I had picked out the fabric and was gathering up the courage to actually buy it and start working on it, when I came across the most beautiful bedding set on a design website.  I scoured the internet for the set and discovered that it was from PB Kids, way out of my price range, but it was on clearance.  Only problem with that is that it also was not available from the website or my local store, so I worked with the lady at the store and we located all but one piece at a store in Cinncinati.  The final piece was listed as very limited stock in the warehouse but she went ahead and ordered it for me, hoping that it would be fulfilled and I could get all the pieces I need.  I am still waiting to see on the final piece, but we picked up everything else today.  It was 50% off what it originally would have cost!  I'm so excited and I think if it all works out it will be my little slice of heaven.  The theme or her room is changing to be a beach house feel with sea shells, canvas totes, distressed wood art work and the works.  My mind is already off and running designing this little paradise in the middle of landlocked Kentucky.  It will remind me of home.  At the risk of this not working and having to start from scratch again, here is the bedding collection that I am crossing my fingers will come together.  

Beautiful beachy Hawaiian feel

This is the whole set together (not the boy one of course)

I'm just waiting on confirmation that the quilt will ship and then we will be all set to go.  I already have a lot of other pieces picked out to complete the room.  If only there were no budget in the world! ;-)  What did people do without the internet...  Well I guess that's about it for now.  

(PS. I'll do the survey for next week)

~Becky

24 weeks (6 months) and only 16 left to go!!

I can't believe how fast time is flying by and at the same time going slow as molasses.  Our little girl is going to be here in just about 4 months and there is so much to do!!  We don't even have a place for her to sleep and so no furniture or really anything yet.  Still on the lookout for an apartment or house that fits the bill.  Man I'm really wishing we had just gotten the three bedroom when we moved in last year!  Oh well, God will provide, I don't need to worry about it.  So onto more exciting things in the world of baby at least.  Miykal may not have a room yet but I have been hard at work picking out all of the things she will need, putting them on a registry and selecting furniture/bedding for her.  At the moment I am planning on making the bedding (at least most of it) as I don't love anything that is out there right now.  I have one set that I am going to pattern hers after.  
                           
It will not look exactly like this.  I plan on probably putting light pink in place of the white on the bumper and making the blanket patchwork and with some more substantial edging.  I'm nervous to order the fabric and start as I have never undertaken anything like this and I don't have anyone here as moral support to tell me I'm doing it right.  I'm working up the nerve to order the first set of fabric to get started here shortly.  Hopefully my husband is ready for part of the house to become sewing central!
We are going to get furniture from IKEA, white crib and a dresser and possibly a bookcase and nightstand as well to have next to the chair in her room.  I'm hoping to get a few little accessories for her as well like a large beanbag chair so that she has her own place to lay and then sit in as she grows.  Seems easier to grow with than a baby chair... I'll also make some pillow covers for throw pillows and some other various things.  Maybe another blanket, more minky and soft.  We shall see how I'm feeling once I've started the process.  

Now on to the questionnaire portion of the post...

how far along: 24 weeks today
total weight gain/loss: 0- +2 lbs (from pre-pregnancy) not really sure but it looks like I'm closer to even
circumference at belly button: 31 inches
how big baby is: According to The Bump she is the size of a cantalope.  The dr. estimated about 13 inches and about 1lb as of a couple weeks ago so I would say at least that.
maternity clothes: not yet but I am starting to break out some leggings.  Most of my regular clothes still fit just fine though.
stretch marks: none
sleep: mostly good.  I have been waking up around 2:30 in the morning and tossing for an hour or so, then back to sleep.  Not sure what that's all about.
best moment this week: Going to our birthing classes last night.  I always feel empowered and encouraged when we go.  I don't know that I have learned anything new yet but I'm really enjoying them.
movement: She has decided to take up Karate, I have decided.  She will be a master by the time she is born.  Very active in the morning and afternoon most days and super active anytime I have sugar!
food cravings: coffee cake, particularly the one I always used to make as a kid.  Sadly I have not figured out how to make it gluten free so I'm still lacking on that fulfillment. 
gender: a GIRL!
labor signs: no
belly button: still very much in
what i miss: sleeping on my stomach, my flat stomach.
what i am looking forward to: finding a house to give this little one a room in, seeing the sun and upcoming baby shower(s)!  
PS.  Anyone who is in the Tampa area, I am having a baby shower April 6th, location to be determined.  Formal invitations will be sent out but just in case you wanna mark it on your calendar.  My momma is gonna throw me one while I'm down there!  Isn't she the sweetest!

22 weeks and counting...

how far along: 22 weeks 2 days
total weight gain/loss: -2 lbs (from pre-pregnancy)
circumference at belly button: 28.5 in.
how big baby is: the size of a papaya: about 1 lb and about 12 inches long
maternity clothes: not yet but too many days like today and I'll feel like I should be
stretch marks: none
sleep: mostly good.  Depends if I do my stretches before bed.  Almost always get up once to use the bathroom
best moment this week: I haven't really had a good baby moment this week.  Feeling a little uncomfortable in my own skin.  I'm looking forward to the weekend though, that will be a good moment.
movement: every day around 1pm and in the evenings around 6pm.  She also likes to tell me if I forgot to eat!  She's a bossy one.
food cravings: none really.  Captain Crunch last week but I satiated that.
gender: a GIRL!
labor signs: no
belly button: still very much in
what i miss: sleeping on my stomach, feeling skinny, sushi/oysters
what i am looking forward to: finding a house to give this little one a room in, making decisions about bedding and design, seeing the sun!

So it's been an interesting week for us.  We had our iPad stolen this past weekend and were sure it was gone forever, we then had it returned by someone who found it in the bushes on Wednesday.  Man am I glad we did not have that added expense, though Rob would have liked to get a new machine.  We are so thankful that God provided in that situation and even in little ways.  I know it's not the end of the world but it sure is nice to not have a huge loss and expense to replace.  I'm working as usual, still overwhelmed with baby planning.  I am such a planner that I really don't know what I would do without the internet and all of the other wonderful resources giving me ideas.  I don't have anything nailed down yet but I'm making progress, at least in my head.  Life is fairly uneventful at the moment, as the semester tends to be.  Rob is taking 5 classes which leads to a whole lot of work to do and time away from me so I'm learning to find other things to do with my time.  I'm very much looking forward to it getting consistently warm outside so I can start going for walks around here.  I've been trying to go down to the gym at school and walk on the track a couple days a week but I have a hard time motivating myself for that one.  Gotta do something though to keep the body moving and blood pumping. :)  I guess that's all I have for now.

~Becky

Well it's official...

...I'ts a girl!
So we have arrived at the halfway point in pregnancy and I am honestly feeling much better.  I really struggled through the first trimester as I couldn't eat or smell anything, was nauseated all the time, and basically survived on oatmeal and smoothies.  Yummy!  Moving into the second trimester, that subsided a bit but introduced a new stage of pregnancy side effects, throwing up with no warning or reason.  I was nauseated all the time during trimester 1 but never threw up, not so this round.  It was a little less consuming but still a little annoying.  Thankfully, except for a few random occasions  that has subsided as well and baby and I are eating lots and enjoying it.  I don't really have an appetite for too much and certainly no cravings but overall we are keeping food down and able to be out without many smells effecting us.  Rob and I were kind of like little school kids waiting nervously for our first day of class before the ultrasound.  Not sure how to feel, nervous, excited, uncertain.  We were both very excited to see our little one for the first time and to hear that everything was right on target, 50% in everything, which is apparently exactly where you want them at this point.  Finally after the tech had done all her measuring she asked if we wanted to know what it was.  Emphatically we both said YES, so she moved around to see if she could get a good shot.  Man our little one was doing so good and gave us a great and clear view.  It's a girl, no question about it and she's perfect. 

Isn't she just beautiful ;)  Don't worry if you can't see anything, I never could either

I wasn't really feeling excited or really anything about the pregnancy until I saw her.  Now everything feels more real and concrete and I'm actually feeling some emotional attachement to her.  It's a little hard because I really don't look pregnant at all.  I more look like I had a really big dinner or something... But she certainly does let me know she is there so that helps.  

This is what I have to show for 20 weeks pregnant

So I decided that I should start keeping track of how I'm feeling and what's been happening so I might be able to remember after she's born.  I'll be trying to update this about every week or two to keep everyone posted on how it's going.

Weekly Questionaire

How far along? 20 weeks 6 days

Total weight gain: -3 lbs     

Maternity clothes? Not even close, though I would really like a wardrobe of leggings and tunics       

Stretch marks? Nope  

Sleep: I sleep fairly well, just can't sleep on my stomach anymore which has made it a little difficult.  Up usually once a night for the bathroom   

Best moment this week: Best moment of the last week was getting to "meet" our baby for the first time and finding out who she's going to be

What's been on your mind? I have been overwhelmed with planning everything for her.  Nursery furniture, bedding, apartment, feeding, hospital needs/expectations 

Miss Anything?  Seriously have been missing Margaritas for quite a while.  Strange since I don't usually drink them but maybe it's cuz I can't.

Movement: She's been moving around for about 3 weeks now.  Nothing crazy but lets me know she's there.      

Food cravings: Nothing really, chocolate has come onto my radar but that's about it.       

Symptoms: Finally I don't really have any right now.  I'm sure they will pick up soon again though.   

~Becky

I'm back... And long overdue I know :-(

Well life here has settled down a bit and since I feel I might have some extra time, with only working one job, I figured it was high time I started writing on this blog again and see where it takes me.  It's been almost 10 months since I wrote last so sorry to those who were hoping this would keep you better informed on our lives...  Over the last year since we have been here, I have had two jobs, Rob has had two jobs, we have completed an entire year of seminary (yay!) and we are now cleaning up from the holiday craziness.  In about March I got two jobs within a week of each other.  First, I went back to Starbucks full time with the intention of moving up in the company and pursuing management.  I was also offered a job doing case management, similar to what I was doing in Florida, and I began doing that part time.  As time went on, I was asked to take on more cases and go full time at the case management office, and was also being pursued for management through Starbucks.  Makes for some fun decisions!  After much prayer, we decided that I should step back from Starbucks a bit and work more full time doing case management as this offered us more income and thus flexibility as well.  That continued for several more months.  I was transferred to a new and much busier store in August, where I really enjoyed working.  However, in early October we discovered that we were pregnant and the intensity of work became increasingly more difficult due to the increased exhaustion from 1st trimester pregnancy intensified by the fact that I was having a very difficult time eating anything or really maintaining my strength in any way.  After a few weeks of struggling through work, we decided that it would be best for me to stop working at Starbucks and focus on picking up more cases to supplement at work.  I told my boss and we set my time to end after the holidays were through.  I officially had my final day at Starbucks, for the 3rd time, on December 31st.  It was such a relief to know that I would not have to get up at 4am again or stay up till 11pm (until the baby).  We have just returned from 10 whole days home with my family and our friends in Tampa and I am so refreshed and ready to see what this next chapter brings for us.  We have had so many first this past year.  Big move together, starting seminary, new jobs, first place, first Christmas together married (and last one alone) and finally we move on to the new chapter that 2013 brings our way.  In just a short 5 months, we will hopefully be bringing home a new baby, to another new house that we have yet to find and we will be embarking on that journey of parenting that will change our lives forever.  I praise God for his mercy and guidance and know that he will lead us and give us all the strength we need.

Heres to 2013!!!

~ Becky

Sorry it's been a bit

Hey all, I'm sorry it's been a bit since I posted.  It's been a combination of being sick for a week and then not having much new to report.  So now that there is some news, I will write!

I officially start at Starbucks today, working as a shift supervisor, so not the kind of money I would like to be making, but they have plans for/with me to get me on the management track as soon as possible for our district so hopefully it won't be too long of a wait for that.  I will be training for the next couple weeks and then I'll be on my own to run shifts.  I will be working in a mall store which has good qualities and bad.  The best part is the hours, we have to be in to open at 8:30 and we close out at 9:30.  Not bad compared to other stores!  So this will be my life for a while, back at the Bucks and I think I will like it.  I always look at is as my favorite job that I have done and though it's back to hourly pay, hopefully it won't stay that way for too long.  I'm excited to have something to do finally.

We are still on the church hunt, probably will have a decision after another month.  We want to pick our top three and then go to each of them again to get a better feel for what they do and who they are.  During this search I have really been wishing that there were more Sunday's in a week so it didn't take so long!  I'm ready to find a home and start getting involved in ministry and meeting the people there.  A friend brought up something we have been thinking, around here when you pick your church home it often feels like you are choosing the group of friends you will and won't have for the next 3 years.  That's kinda a strange thought when you meet people outside of that setting.  Hopefully we will be able to maintain the friendships that we have started already once things get into full swing.

One big change for us is we have decided to fully (almost) embrace the Paleo diet and start making meal plans according to that.  Always gotta keep things interesting for me in the planning department!  I'm learning all the new ways of cooking and how to use different things that I'm used to.  It's been educational and interesting, though it does take a little more work.  We're getting the hang of it though and hopefully will be feeling fabulous in a short while!

It seems time is really flying around here.  From what everyone tells us, March is an insane month for weather and if the first few days are any indication then we are right on track for that.  Last week we had a couple days of 65-70 degree weather, I almost went without a coat!  And then, as I'm sure most of you saw, we had tornadoes all around us on Friday.  It's a scary thing when suddenly all the tornado warnings start going off around you.  Not even 20 miles away they caused massive devastation and several deaths, thankfully we did not get any of it though.  So then we wake up on Monday morning and there is 3 inches of snow on the ground, and on our cars.  Crazy is a mild word for it for sure!! We are getting used to it though and I'm really looking forward to spring cause from what I hear life begins to start picking up.  We have farmers markets and events all over the place.  Our home will be a hotel of sorts the week after Easter for the Together for the Gospel conference (so excited!) and then I think derby is close after that!  This town might grow on me yet. 

Well I guess that's enough for now.  I'll try to post again before the weekend and get a little more consistent at it so ya'll know what's going on in our world!

Becky