21 weeks!

How far along: 21 weeks!
Baby is the size of a: Pomegranate or Length of a Carrot
Maternity clothes: We are all maternity on the bottom half :)
Food cravings: Not really.
Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope. 

Miss anything: Sleeping however I please.  

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes. 

Boy or Girl: Boy!

Movement: Everyday. Although, he has seemed to not be quite as active over the past week., or I have been active and haven't taken the time to notice.

Birthing Classes: We had our last crash course on Sunday.

Best moment this week: Celebrating Thanksgiving and buying a new couch for our living room.
Worst moment this week: Let's just say that as soon as I got in the car after our birthing class, I cried. I felt (and still feel) overwhelmed by the idea of giving birth and feel very lost.
Best kid comment about the baby this week: My class had a pretty rough day behaviorally on Tuesday and at one point of the day when another teacher was in the room teaching for a bit, they were all over the place and not paying attention. After she was gone and I was talking to my class about their behavior, they asked, "How did you know that? Did the baby tell you?" Apparently they think that standing behind them by the door, I cannot see them AND I don't have eyes.
Other tidbits: We have been receiving some sweet gifts from our family. One aunt made us a handmade crocheted blanket which I L.O.V.E. Another auntie gave us a picture frame that says "Love at first Sight" with a picture of the ultrasound (which is now proudly displayed on my nightstand) and a Christmas ornament for the baby boy. Another auntie gave us an adorable dress shirt onsie. AND another auntie gave him some flannel :) I told you, he is one very loved child :)
How have I been feeling: I was having back pain earlier in the week but since we finally found a sleeping position that works and is comfortable, the pain has left. I guess the back pain was from sleeping wrong. I also had a pretty bad leg cramp in the middle of the night last night and since our Bradley class is about relaxing through the pain, Justin woke up and the first thing he said was, "Are you relaxed?!?" I am very thankful to be feeling as great as I do!
Looking forward to: Baby boy is excited to celebrate grandpa's birthday on Saturday as well as having a Christmas filled weekend: we might get our tree this weekend and I am going to the Biltmore Candlelight Tour with my mom and sister on Sunday! We might also be checking out the National Gingerbread House display this week! Pictures to come!

Happy Thanksgiving

 Cute Nieces

 Biltmore the day after Thanksgiving

20 weeks!

 How far along: 20 weeks! Can you believe that we are 1/2 there?!?
Baby is the size of a: Banana
Maternity clothes: About the same as it has been. I am thinking about switching over to my maternity jeans.
Food cravings: Thanksgiving is tomorrow! I am so looking forward to filling up my plate, and seconds, and maybe thirds... and probably mooching off the in-laws the next day ;)

Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope. 

Miss anything: Turkey sandwiches. Caffeine. Sleeping on my stomach and back. I think I am actually thinking about not my sleeping position when I sleep that I wake up and find myself on my back and get stressed out. So I keep waking up.....  

Have you started to show yet: Yes! I didn't think the bump had too much growth the past week, but when I got to school on Monday, my TA and other co-workers said that I grew over the weekend. I think the kids noticed too because they have been giving a lot more attention to my belly this week. 

Boy or Girl: Boy!

Movement: Yep! I have been feeling him everyday. He was very active last night and I told Justin to feel. What do you know, daddy was able to feel our little boy!!

Birthing Classes: I've been reading through the Bradley Method book and have started practicing my daily exercises and eating more protein (which is actually not as easy at it sounds)!

Best moment this week: Getting to go on a date with my husband. For those of you who do not know, Justin started a seminary graduate program about a month ago and has been extremely busy. Between working two jobs and doing all his coursework he does not have a lot of free time. So I was very happy that we were able to get out for a date! I also loved having a 2-day school week :)
Worst moment this week: I had a few emotional breakdowns :(
Best kid comment about the baby this week: One of my student's asked if she could keep the baby after he was born. My response was that I would miss him too much and that she was only 6 years old.... Also, with it being Thanksgiving, my class was writing what they were thankful for and one student wrote that she was thankful for Mrs. P's baby :) I'm thankful for him too!
Other tidbits: I have started compiling a list of things to register for. I had a little panic attack when I realized I was halfway through my pregnancy and still had no idea what to get. And with the holidays fast approaching, I knew that the weeks were going to be flying by, so I wanted to start planning. Thanks so some momma friends and my sister in-laws for all their advice and recommendations, I finally feel like I have a handle on what to get. I also know what I would like to do for the baby room and have narrowed down furniture and bedding. HOWEVER- we are currently in a one bedroom apartment, with our lease ending on April 6th. Perfect timing, huh? Things are up in the air right now as to whether we will be moving before the baby arrives or sticking out our one bedroom for a couple more months. So until we have some more direction, no furniture purchases and no preparations for a baby room will be happening. I have also been searching for a cute and affordable diaper bag and really have not found anything that I like. If you have any recommendations, please let me know! Also, let me know if you know where I could find a glider chair.
How have I been feeling: Great besides the back pain. I have started having back pain the last couple days and I have been trying to figure out the cause of it: standing too much, bad sitting position, bad sleep position, just getting bigger?
Looking forward to: 5 days off! Woo hoo! Celebrating Thanksgiving, although I will miss my family.

19 weeks!

 

How far along: 19 weeks! Almost 1/2 way there.
Baby is the size of a: Mango or an Heirloom Tomato- I don't really how the bump and these apps get their info. In my mind a bell pepper is larger than a mango....
Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity dress pants and some shirts. I can still fit into my normal jeans. Can you say low rise?!?

Food cravings: The school's Thanksgiving dinner is tomorrow for lunch! For the first time in my ENTIRE life, I am buying a school meal. I also made a pumpkin pie on Monday so I am currently snacking on that and getting a little taste of Thanksgiving.  

Anything make you queasy or sick: Sometimes brushing my teeth.

Miss anything: Sleeping on my back. Although I do think that I found a way to use my body pillow to sleep on my side that has been working out. 

Have you started to show yet: About the same sized bump as last week.   

Boy or Girl: BOY!!! It honestly was not too much of a surprise to either us or our parents because there were some indications that it might have been a boy a couple months ago. I had actually made the "It's a boy" banner the night before the ultrasound ;) We are thrilled and can't wait to meet him. He will also be the first grandson for my parents. I also told my students on Tuesday. I had a black balloon filled with blue confetti and popped it in front of them. The boys were screaming and excited and the girls honestly had looks of shock and disappointment on their faces (they wanted a girl). However, once they got their treat and the initial shock wore off, the whole class was excited. 

Movement: Yes! I have felt him everyday. At our ultrasound yesterday, the technician said that we was head down, in a C-shape with his feet near my right, which makes complete sense because I mostly feel kicks on my right side. When I asked the doctor about it, he said that was him! I love feeling him move :) I notice that he moves near lunch time and dinner time, but that might be because I am actually sitting still to notice. I also notice him more in the evening because I am not running around trying to take care of 19 6-year olds. I have tried to have Justin feel him, but he seems to stop moving whenever daddy comes near. Hopefully sometime soon dad can feel him too :)

Birthing Classes: We had our first crash course on Sunday and boy was it a crash course! We have lots of reading to do but I think we'll be okay.

Best moment this week: I think you all know the answer to this one- but finding out it is a BOY! I also loved getting the ultrasound and I am so thankful that he is healthy and doing great.  
Worst moment this week: We gave the ultrasound technician a blank DVD to record the ultrasound on, and we went to watch it and there was nothing there :( She must have forgotten to hit the record button. Bummer....
Best kid comment about the baby this week: One of my student's asked me if it was true that there were tubes in me that fed the baby. I did clarify that there was something called the umbilical cord that did feed the baby. I just liked how he phrased it as tubes, like I am some type of plumbing equipment. Another funny moment was yesterday I was leaning over a group of students, helping them on their math, and I feel this little hand rubbing my belly but it was none of my students in front of me. One of my sweet little girls who is so excited for the baby snuck up behind me and wanted to say hello.
How have I been feeling: Great! I have woken up with a few headaches and I am starting to think they might be dehydration headaches because they go away pretty quickly.
Looking forward to: Thanksgiving Break and having a 2 day school week next week :) And I know that we are not even half way there, but I am so excited to meet this little guy :)

Here are some pictures from this week:

 Aunt Jessica is excited to have a nephew!

 The little man himself:

 I love his tiny hands in this picture.

 Isn't he just adorable? I can't wait to actually meet him!

Little baby foot.

It's a....

BOY!

We found out yesterday that our little babe is a BOY! We are so very excited and had fun telling our families yesterday. It is so fun to know that it is a boy and start referring to him as a him and not an it. I loved getting the ultrasound done and seeing him all active on the screen. It is amazing to think how a couple of weeks ago, he looked like a little gummy bear (as Justin called it) and yesterday we were able to see so many details. The ultrasound technician went from head to toe and we were able to see the different parts of the brain, the spinal cord and tailbone, the four chambers of the heart, his tiny little fingers and toes. He is truly a gift from God and we are so blessed. The doctor said that he looked very healthy and everything looked great!

It was so sweet- yesterday after we got home from out appointment, Justin was looking at the sonogram pictures and he said he just wanted him (our little babe) to be here right now. Although we still have lots of preparing to do before his arrival, we love this little boy so much and can't wait to meet him! 

Boy or Girl?!?

On Monday, we find out if our little babe is a boy or girl. We are very excited, as well as our family and friends, and my little first graders. Almost everyday they ask if it is a boy or girl and on Tuesday they will finally get an answer. This year, we have to teach opinion writing, so I had the kids write whether they thought the baby was a boy or girl and give some reasons why. Now we are still working on using reasons to support our opinions, so some of the reasons didn't make a whole lot of sense. It was so fun to see what they are wanting the baby to be and with six and seven year olds, you always get a good laugh. Here are some of my favorites: I will translate below the picture if you are not an expert at reading 1st grade writing like I am ;)

 

I think the baby is a boy because the baby might be beautiful or handsome. He or she will be nice. He or she will like their mom. 

**So sweet :) ** 

 I think the baby is a girl because Mrs. P is a girl too. And because I like girls. And they are sweet sometimes. 

**I asked her why sometimes and she said that no one is perfect.**

 I think the baby is a boy because I like boys. Because boys are tough. Boys keep bad guys away. Because boys can pick heavy stuff. 

 I think the baby is a boy because he will play with you. He will be muddy. He will play with worms.

 I think the baby is a boy because boys are smart. I like boys. Boys have smart dogs.

It came down to a 50/50 split. All the boys want the baby to be a boy and all the girls want it to be a girl. We had a conversation about how the baby cannot be both and so when I come in on Tuesday, I don't want to hear any boo's in response to it being a boy or girl. 

It is fun to be pregnant and being an elementary school teacher at the same time. The kids or so honest, and genuinely excited. They love to come up and touch by belly or give me (well actually give the baby) a hug. They are so excited for this little babe and it just touches my heart. 

I am still trying to think of a creative way to tell my class if it is a boy or girl, so if you have any great ideas over the weekend, let me know!

18 weeks!

 When I got home from work today the first thing I did was change into my comfy clothes and you better believe me that I am not changing out of them for a cute picture. So I leave you with a picture from yesterday when the babe and I voted!

How far along: 18 weeks!
Baby is the size of a: sweet potato/ bell pepper

Maternity clothes: Yes! I went shopping this past weekend with my mom and sister. I got a pair of maternity dress pants, a dress, a shirt and a scarf :) I have started to wear some of the items while mixing them with my normal clothes.

Food cravings: Thanksgiving dinner. Do you really have to be two weeks away? 

Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope.

Miss anything: Not really.

Have you started to show yet: I finally look like a pregnant woman! This babe must of had a growth spurt because people who said that I did not have a bump before could finally see it. 

Movement: I am pretty sure it is a definite yes! I have been trying to pay more attention to the feelings and I think they are little punches or kicks that I feel. Most of the time I feel them toward the right side or middle of the uterus. I felt them again on Friday night when I was driving home from my parent's house, and I have felt them everyday since. Sometimes I feel the movement while eating lunch, but most of the time I feel them when I am home and lying on the couch. I love it and I can't wait to actually know for sure :)

Birthing Classes: Start this Sunday! There has been a change in plans with our birthing classes. We were signed up to take the Bradley Method which is a 10-12 week class. In this area there is only ONE person who teaches the Bradley Method. This past Sunday we heard from our teacher that she is actually moving to Georgia near Christmas and would be cancelling her classes. So we had to decide if we were still going to take her 'crash course' or sign up for a new class. We decided to do the 'crash course' so we will be attending 2 Bradley Method classes as well as getting all the workbooks. My parents said that they would be able to help us out since they were actually certified (I think) to teach the Bradley Method.

Best moment this week: Spending time with our families. My parents had us over for dinner on Friday night and Justin's parents had us over after church on Sunday. It was nice to hang out with all of them :)  
Worst moment this week: Having to take my antibiotics. I hate swallowing pills and these pills are HUGE! Thankfully, last night was my last one although I had some difficulty getting it down.
Best kid comment about the baby this week: There were not too many kid comments this week. They are all just very excited to find out if it is a boy or girl :) Non-pregnancy related, we were talking about the election results today and we were playing this game on the Smartboard where they clicked on states and had to get to 270 votes before the computer. At one point I heard all the students shout, "Click on Ohawaii! Ohawaii!" Apparently they thought OHIO was a mixture of Ohio and Hawaii. We only wish Ohio was that nice :) It made me laugh out loud and since I am from Ohio, I thought all my family up there would find it amusing.
How have I been feeling: Minus some side effects to the antibiotics I have been feeling really good. I have a lot more energy these days. I have cooked dinner many nights and have done the dishes. I honestly cannot remember the last time I washed dishes after dinner. However, between getting my wifely duties back and having parent teacher conferences before and after school, I feel like I crashed today.
Looking forward to: The ultrasound on Monday morning!! I am so excited to see our baby again and to find out if it is a boy or girl!! :D

17 weeks!

 

How far along: 17 weeks, 1 day.
Baby is the size of an: onion

Maternity clothes: This may be my last week in my normal clothes (pants at least). My last and final pair of dress pants did not button yesterday. I did wear one of my maternity tops on Friday. It was pink day and it was a pink shirt so it was perfect. I think I am going to hit up some shops this weekend and make a few more purchases :)

Food cravings: Not really this week. 

Anything make you queasy or sick: Fish sticks. They should be banned for the next 5 months!

Miss anything: Not having to worry that my every move and sickness will affect another human being. 

Have you started to show yet: About the same as it has been. Noticeable to me but still just looking like chub to other people. 

Movement: I think I may have felt the babe move on Sunday night! I was sitting on the couch at night on my computer and I felt something in my lower stomach/uterus. It was not like the other feelings (gas and hunger pains) that I have felt before. I noticed that it was also where the doctor listens for the heartbeat, so I think it may have been our little babe :) 

Birthing Classes: Starting November 11th.

Best moment this week: Since I was forced to stay home on Monday, I loved getting to sleep in and spend the day with Justin. He has been very busy with grad school, as well as working two jobs, so it was really nice to just be around him during the day. And.... since it was a teacher work day, I didn't have to worry about sub plans or how the kids were behaving with the sub. It is honestly harder and more work to miss a day of work as a teacher than it is to show up, so it was nice knowing that I could truly relax. It also snowed here yesterday morning. 
Worst moment this week: Getting strep throat. Grrrr... I had 4 students last week who had strep throat. I went to urgent care on Sunday morning and found out that I had it as well. I am pretty bummed that I have to be on antibiotics for the next 10 days. I honestly think that this is the first time I have had strep in my life.
Best kid comment about the baby this week: At the end of the day yesterday, the kids who were left in my room somehow got on the topic of how boys can't have babies. One of my students came up to me and said, "I don't get it. Boys and girls are the same. They both have hair, they both have heads. Why can't boys have babies?" I quickly scooted her off to the bus before the conversation could go any further.

How have I been feeling: Having strep hasn't been too much fun. My throat seems to hurt more at night and I get a cough to go along with it, so I haven't been sleeping the best. It has also been a crazy busy week at school with report cards and parent teacher conferences. 
Looking forward to: Feeling the baby move and knowing for sure it is the babe.