16 weeks

Hello 16 weeks! My new weeks start every Thursday, but I have a hard time updating because of my busy schedule during the week. This is kind of my first maternity outfit as well. I've been wearing the pants for a while, but I got some new tops online and was excited to wear this one out to dinner on Friday night. Which brings me to my next picture...

I was craving seafood so bad! In Tuscaloosa, I shopped at Publix which is like my all time favorite grocery store, which had fresh shrimp and marinated salmon that I would pick up every week. I haven't had that in so long that it became a hankering (which I would define as a craving x10). Boy did this 20 shrimp feast satisfy that craving! 

The time frame on my mind at the moment is 2 weeks. I have 2 weeks of school until Spring Break and I am wondering if I'm gonna make it. Aaron is excited for his Haiti trip that he's been praying about and raising money for. I am excited for a week of rest with my parents and family in NC. 

We also go back to the Dr. this Wednesday, the 2nd. It's not supposed to be a "big" appointment, I think she's just going to check the heart rate and make sure everything is ok. Our big day to find out gender is March 25th. Less than 4 weeks now, and we are very excited. We actually have NO names picked out yet; we have both kind of come to the conclusion that we can't decide until we know for sure boy or girl.

I can't wait until summer time when I get to stay at home and rest! In the spirit of that, I am still trying to find a way to stay at home and work next year. Let me know if you have any ideas about that!  

Cravings and first baby purchase...

It's official...we are now in the 2nd trimester! I feel slightly relieved that most of the huge risks are over and I can breathe a little bit! I am still having a hard time really believing that in about 6 months there will be a little one in our house. When does it become real? When you feel him/her kick? When they finally arrive?

I have been watching a lot of Food Network lately for some reason...I mean, I like to cook so it's no surprise. Cupcake wars was a bad idea. I went to the grocery store today and HAD to have funfetti cake mix and icing. Also on the craving list was more fresh pineapple for Aaron to cut up for me. And pina colada and strawberry daiquiri mix! Shew...not a whole lot of healthy cravings coming my way.

We got some advice to go ahead and start buying baby stuff each time we are at the store so that we spend a little bit at the time. So here is a picture of our very first baby purchase (and the cravings):

Just a couple of things I've noticed...

Pregnancy is a totally new experience. Things happen all the time that completely catch me off guard. I often say to myself or Aaron, "What's wrong with me?" And...he always politely reminds me...."You're pregnant!" Duh. A couple of examples:

1. At week 13 and 4 days :) , the nausea/aversion to foods is still not gone. Thursday night, we cooked a wonderful (looking) dinner of cheeseburgers, baked potatoes, and steamed broccoli. It all smelled marvelous, but when it was time to sit down and bite, I couldn't do it. The banana milkshake i was thinking of from Sonic, however, sounded (and tasted) good. I figured some calories were better than no calories.

2. I am starting to have trouble sleeping. My sides cramp up when I lay on them for a substantial amount of time. My back and neck cramp up when I lay on my back for a while. Stomach is off limits. How to be comfortable?

3. It is INCREDIBLY hard to find cute maternity clothes. The pants I have bought should last me awhile. I am not so concerned about those being "cute." However, tops? Ridiculous. I am going to wear my regular clothes as long as I can and then pray that the designers of maternity tops and dresses come to their senses. Meanwhile should anyone have clothing they would like to donate, I would greatly appreciate it. (That was the other huge issue: the cute stuff was outrageously priced!)

4. Without being completely inappropriate and providing TMI, there are "other things" that we are finding difficult as well. I mean, when this belly gets much bigger, as it will, I don't see how we are going to do "certain things." Ok...I'm stopping right there.

5. I forgot the 5th thing I was going to rant about. Maybe I should mention pregnancy brain and forgetfulness.

And I know I've mentioned a lot of negative things here. One great thing is that I have started having a bit more energy and have gotten out and walked a few days. Another thing is that I have started telling myself everyday that at the end of all this, I am going to have a little, precious mixture of Aaron and me to hold and raise and teach about Jesus. I say everyday "I'm going to have a baby" and I've started to believe and understand it. It's pretty cool and definitely trumps 1-5 :)

I'll try to post a pic later.