Week 17

Sorry I'm late on this post! Week 17 was crazy and I couldn't blog on Sunday like I usually do! I'm a slacker.

Last week we had 2 weddings and a bridal session, as well as getting our taxes done last minute, meeting with a debt consolidator and meeting with our lawn care company to fix our yard (which is thanks to the people who first landscaped it and now 1/4 of my yard is in sitting water). So it was a full week for sure! Lots of stress, but thankfully my body was able to handle it all! I don't want to jinx myself but it's been longer than a week since my last migraine and I haven't vomited in a long time! So they weren't lying when they told me 2nd trimester would be the best! I feel super fortunate in this pregnancy and am glad I am having more good days than bad.

Week 17 is when I bought a million gabillion clothes for baby. Thankfully I decided to check out clearance at all the stores when they were having their spring sales... so I'm talking like $3 shirts and $2 shorts! I got him a super warm coat/jumper thing that snaps into legs or keeps them in a caccoon like thing for $8 down from like $50! So basically a LOT of his clothing is already covered for the first 12 months of his life. A lot of people think I'm cray and keep asking me if I'm having a baby shower and the answer is yes! I just rather get clearance clothing and have people buy me stuff that will never clearance out (like boppies or nose frida or bath stuff). If you're interested in looking at my growing registry, here's a link! I have a few things on there that are unreasonable but I just like to look at them (like the $500 bassinet I have on there haha! No way am I getting it, I just think it's beautiful and it makes me happy to look at). You'll see there's another bassinet on there that is cheaper ;) https://www.babylist.com/jostlyn

We know we announced his name, but now we're unsure if we want to name him possibly our 2nd son's picked out name. I guess we'll figure it out soon enough, or maybe when he comes out, but now I feel weird calling him baby Oliver. So right now he's just baby Stilson.

How far along? 17 weeks!

How big is the peanut? A pomegranate. I should eat more of those! 

Total weight gain/loss? I'm the same. So still -16lbs from right before pregnancy and -23 lbs from when we started actively trying for baby.

Maternity clothes? I tried a belly band and I think I got too small of a size. I didn't like it. So I'm going to try a bigger one. Also, I bought a nursing/maternity bra and it's been so nice not to have underwire jabbing me. I guess I could have just got a regular bra without underwire, but this way I can use it after pregnancy too if I decide to nurse. It's comfortable. I haven't worn too many maternity stuff, just lots of dresses that show off my bump! 

Sleep? Pretty good still! Spoiler alert for week 18, that has kind of changed haha. 

Best moment this week? hmm... being done with it! 

Symptoms? Back pain when I do weddings... gas and burping. But constipation has left me and all is well with my bowels. I knew you all were wondering.

Food cravings? My cravings are in the moment, so nothing that sticks around. I had major craving for chinese, so we drove into town at 9pm and got me takeout. It was so yum. I also craved costa vida and that didn't disappoint either. 

Food aversions? None that I can think of... I'm really not picky right now in this stage and that's been nice! I still don't love taking a lot of pills but it's slowly getting better.

Gender? Boy! 

Labor signs? None! 

Belly button in or out? In!

What I miss? Being able to work a wedding with zero pain haha! I'm honestly still feeling way good, I just need my sitting breaks and that doesn't always happen.  

What I'm looking forward to? Feeling baby move! Another spoiler, he moves at 18 weeks! 

Bump? Yes! It's still mostly leftover chub from my previous weight gain.. baby is really low still but I'll just let baby take credit for my cute bump ;) 

Week 16

Week 16 whoop whoop!

Wow, each week goes by pretty fast! I love it, bring on the baby! This week was extra exciting because SO much happened! We had a doctor appointment and found out the gender on Tuesday. We decided to have them put the gender photo in an envelope so we could find out at our gender reveal party. I ran the envelope to my friend Millie right after the appointment so I wouldn't be tempted to open it. She ordered all of the confetti poppers in the right color and we all waited not so patiently for Friday. I wanted to have all my closest friends and our family with us and luckily Friday worked with everyone's schedules. We had Port of Subs sandwiches because I have craved them throughout this pregnancy haha! And fruit and veggies and a pineapple lemonade (but I was told it was mostly pineapple juice.. another thing I've been loving in this pregnancy). I was so nervous for the reveal that I almost didn't want to know! Such a big step! But now I'm so so so so thrilled that we know, I can finally start picking out things for our baby and planning... cuz you all know me! I'm a planner. Soooo we found out we are having a BOY! I knew it all along. For small moments I thought maybe a girl.. but in the end I knew it was a boy. We have decided on Oliver as a name, but we have another boy name picked out too just in case we change our minds last minute haha! It was a perfect way to kick off Easter weekend, which was perfect in every way. Today for church we taught our primary class, had Easter dinner with my family and watched my siblings in their egg hunts. My mom even got us an Easter basket and I have had WAY too much sugar today. Naughty. I'm going to have to ration it out because I just want to eat it all right now ;)

How far along? 16 weeks!

How big is the peanut? An avocado or a pickle! mmm pickles have sounded so good recently. Luckily not pickles and ice cream, that sounds gross ;)

Total weight gain/loss? I'm the same! Although my belly is getting bigger so I don't know how that's working out. I hope to gain soon! 

Maternity clothes? I totally wore a blue and pink striped maternity dress for our gender reveal and I loved it! It made my belly look pregnant and super comfy. I decided I'm living in dresses.

Sleep? Pretty good! I am waking up once to pee, usually early morning. I've had some vivid dreams the last few nights so those kind have woken me up but I fall back pretty easy. 

Best moment this week? Finding out our gender! AND my mom picking out cute outfits the night we found out he was a boy... it just made it that much more real picking out things for MY baby. Crazy.

Symptoms? Just back pain if I stand for too long and growing pains in my pelvis/uterus. So that's fun.

Food cravings? just the same stuff as before... I love sandwiches from tom's deli or port of subs (but my heart lies with Blimpie)... salads, chicken, fruit, all the good stuff. We got some really yummy grape tomatoes and they have been heavenly.  

Food aversions? mmm none that I can think of for this week! Except I tried a different prenatal that I got as a sample from my doctor's office because I was too lazy to get up and get my other one and I was burping what I think is the fish part of the vitamin... and it was DISGUSTING. The worst taste ever.

Gender? Boy! 

Labor signs? None! Besides just regular growing pain crap. 

Belly button in or out? In!

What I miss? umm... honestly nothing!   

What I'm looking forward to? Feeling baby Oliver kick/move

Bump? Yes! 

Week 15

I feel like my 2nd trimester finally hit this week! You know, the "good" part of pregnancy where you get some energy back and you're not constantly gagging. Hazzah!

The first half of the week I was still tending my siblings. I was able to go see my friend Michele's new baby at the hospital and it was SO fun holding Rosie and hearing her experience and hoping I looked as glowing as Michele did!

Thursday I spent the day editing in my pajamas, did a batch of laundry and just really tried to relax and mentally prepare myself for the 3 weddings I had back to back this weekend. We went and picked up a trial pair of contacts for me (I have gotten worse by .5 in each eye since I've been pregnant, so weird!) and walked around a store and then went to bed really early. I wanted as much rest as possible. Weddings are really emotionally draining for me (especially pregnant) and I'm an outgoing introvert. I need my alone time and I can't be "on" for too long or I go into a migraine or get really tired, etc. So I was a little worried about this weekend but it actually was an A+, 100% weekend for me! Friday morning early I did feel a migraine wanting to settle in, so I took some pain relief approved by my doctor to prevent it and it worked! I woke up for my wedding and felt fantastic. Saturday was an 8 hour wedding and I've noticed in this pregnancy I have horrible lower back pain if I stand for too long. They were super nice about me sitting when I needed to and actually one of the guests who also helped with the wedding offered me a mini massage during a break! It was heavenly. I think I need to go in for regular massages during wedding season because I think that will make all the difference for me.

But basically, it's been a really good week! I feel a wave of nausea every once and a while, so zofran is still a helping factor, but I don't feel like I need to throw up when I brush my teeth. haha! Taking pills is still a little scary but if I don't think about it too much I can get it done.

Also. Guys. An update from last week about constipation... I've been relieved if you know what I mean and I feeeeeeeeel soooooo goooooood! (Imagine me singing that in a 90's U2 kind of song).

How far along? 15 weeks! (Again, I'm actually 16 weeks but I like to blog about my entire 15 week at the end on Sunday's)

How big is the peanut? An orange! mmm an orange sounds good right now.

Total weight gain/loss? Hmm, maybe gained 1lb? I had a lot of good wedding food this weekend so it could be more. I shall go weigh myself in the morning. I feel like I'm eating more and more and that makes me happy.

Maternity clothes? Not needed yet, except I've been wanting to get some maternity jeans because the ones I wear now were from when I was 20lbs heavier and they fit my waist/belly right now, but my bum and legs are really saggy because of all the weight loss. So I need to get smaller pants but with a belly haha! 

Sleep? Really good. About 9 hours every night. If I get less I usually headache. 

Best moment this week? Getting Katering Koncepts food 2 days in a row. Seriously people... it made my week.  

Symptoms? I felt a little cold/sore throat coming on but that went away pretty fast! And then lower back pain and round ligament pain. I'll take pain anywhere other than my head... that really messes me up. 

Food cravings? Good, crunchy salad... like... all the fixins in it. Katering Koncepts nailed it for me. Uh.. and their lemonade. mmm. 

Food aversions? So you know how last week I was saying fruit was tasting sour? No, it was just bad fruit haha! I had some this weekend, again from Katering Koncepts and it was divine. Carson got a shrimp basket before our Friday wedding and I made him eat with the windows down. That stuff is STINKY and sounds super gross.  

Gender? We find out Tuesday! Well, we find out Friday, but I'm trying to figure out how Tuesday would work... we'll see I guess! I'm growing impatient. 

Labor signs? mmm not labor signs, just round ligament pain and back pain. Oof. 

Belly button in or out? In!

What I miss? Oh gosh, I don't miss anything really this week!  

What I'm looking forward to? Gender reveal!! 

Bump? Yes! I think I can confidently say I have a bump. Check out my insta for updated photos. Some of it is still just how I carry my "fat" ... I'm just really prone to belly weight even at my thinnest... but some of it is baby and that makes me stick it out proudly! 

Dear Baby - A letter about your Dad

Dear baby,

I got the impression a few nights ago to write you and tell you how awesome your dad is going to be. For starters, he already is awesome. The thing about your dad is that he's kind of like cheese; he gets better as he gets older haha! (You'll find out just how much he loves cheese too!) I knew I loved him when we first started dating, but I didn't know how much more that love could grow throughout our marriage. When we decided to get pregnant with you, my heart grew 2 sizes! (That's from the Grinch, we'll watch it at Christmas time). One size for you, and one size for Carson. He has become so selfless and always puts us first. He never complains when I ask him for something, even when it's really out of his way or he's just as tired as me. He does things even without me asking and I know he's going to really be involved with raising you and helping with the not-so-fun stuff (like diapers and throw-up). I belong to this mom group on Facebook and some of the things that the women are dealing with are just so heartbreaking. Now, not saying our marriage is perfect. We definitely have our trials and there's things about each other we would change... but the thing about your dad is that he loves me in spite of my flaws and can turn any sad or frustrating situation into a growing and learning experience for us to become even stronger. He's the first to apologize and always makes us dinner, even if I've laid around all day doing nothing. And you think he loves me... just wait until you're born! He is so excited to meet you. There's been times in this pregnancy that I've been sad and scared and not sure if I'm cut out to be a mom. Not once has your dad let me feel this way for long. Through patience and support, I know first hand he will always make you feel loved. And he'll always make you laugh! He also says he plans to make you a fancy breakfast every day before school (which I don't even get so just know you're very lucky haha!) Your dad is very forgiving and knows you'll make mistakes. He plans to teach you to confide in us and realize it's ok, very much like our Father in Heaven. He is a good provider and is working extra hard to make sure we're ready for when you come into this world. I sure love him and know that you will too :)

14 Weeks

Made it another week! It was a pretty good one, although I got another migraine and broke my streak of no puking (I had made it about a week!).

On Thursday my parents left for Hawaii for their 10 year anniversary. I have twin 6 year old sisters and a 14 year old brother so I get to play mom for a week! We live just around the corner so it's nice being close to home to get my work done when the kid are at school. I have been super spoiled by my mattress though, so on Friday, Carson threw it on top of our mini cooper and brought it over for me so I could sleep just like at home! Who needs a truck when you have a mini? ;)

How far along? 14 weeks! (well, I'm 15 tomorrow but I like to write my blog posts on Sundays)

How big is the peanut? A peach! About 3.4 inches and 1.5 oz

Total weight gain/loss? No loss or gain since last week, just the same! 

Maternity clothes? Not needed, but I love wearing dresses that show off my little bump!

Sleep? Only good when I'm on my mattress haha! 

Best moment this week? Probably when we moved our mattress over haha!  

Symptoms? I had a migraine... throwing up with that. But my energy seems to be getting more and more which is good because I have 3 weddings this weekend! 

Food cravings? I love me some slushes! Salads are always a win. I was able to eat pizza today and that was awesome!  

Food aversions? I notice that strawberries and grapes are more sour now which makes me sad because I love fruit! But wow, they are sour! 

Gender? I had yet another dream it was a boy last night so I'm really thinking boy! We go in for the ultrasound in about a week and find out that Friday, so 12 days to be exact! 

Labor signs? It's not really a labor sign, I just can feel my insides growing and that's kind of painful sometimes. 

Belly button in or out? In!

What I miss? Pooping. Sorry, had to say it. 

What I'm looking forward to? Probably pooping :( AND the gender reveal.

Bump? It looks more prominant in the dress I'm wearing today! But it could just be that my tummy is filled with poo :( Guys, this is a problem. haha!