Week 18

(I'm a little behind; I'm actually 19 weeks now!)

Fruit/Veggie

Bell pepper

Size

5 1/2 inches, 7 oz.

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

He's busy flexing his arms & legs. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, & his ears are now in their final position. A protective cover of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born.

Best Moment this Week

Finding out who is in my belly! (See Gender below.) We also got to go hang out with some old friends this weekend at a lake house, which was fun & relaxing.

Gender

BOY - Jack Wesley. Jack is the name of one of my dad's grandfathers who helped raise him. We wanted to pass on a name from my dad's side since he doesn't have any sons or brothers to carry on his last name. Jack was quick to show us his gender during the ultrasound! Thankfully, the little guy is measuring a little smaller than his brother was at that point (though his head is measuring big & round, no surprise there!). But everything looks perfectly healthy so we are thankful!

Movement

I'm still not feeling Jack near as much or as strongly as I felt Elliot at this point. But Elliot came out a really strong little guy, so Jack may just be a little smaller, or less active. I usually feel him when he is feeling a bit cramped by how I am sitting or laying, or when he has the hiccups.

Food Craving

The cravings are getting a little out of hand. Seriously, I never craved sweets with Elliot. This time is a different story. I am praying for self-control because I shouldn't eat whatever I want! However, here are some of the past week's cravings: root beer, Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream, mint chocolate chip ice cream, coconut cream pie.

Sleep

I'm sleeping okay still. I am still sleeping without the pregnancy pillow & want to keep it that way as long as possible!

What I am looking forward to

Josh & I get to go on our anniversary trip soon! I'm so excited to get away with him. Life has been busy lately, & we both need a break from just STUFF, to just spend time with each other, relaxing. Can't WAIT.

Symptoms

I'm really feeling pretty decent at this point. I had some nauseous days last week, which I'm sure was a growth spurt. It's starting to get harder to get my rings on, which makes sense as it gets warmer out.

Week 17

Fruit/Veggie

Turnip

Size

5 inches, 5 oz.

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, & the umbilical cord is growing thicker & stronger. He can move his joints, & his sweat glands are starting to develop.

Best Moment this Week

Umm, as far as I can remember, this week was pretty mundane. Elliot either had some allergy issues on Sunday, or lots of snots as a result of teething, but we thought he was sick so he & Josh stayed home from church on Easter while I went to work with the babies. Then teething has made this week a little difficult. He has taken two nearly 3-hr naps this week, so that's been nice! :)

Gender

Next week, wahoo!

Movement

I feel B2 a few times every day now, which is nice. Overall, he or she doesn't seem to be a super active baby at this point, just a kick here or there.

Food Craving

I got Mexican food this week, yum. I had a mega Chick-Fil-A craving this week for a spicy chicken sandwich with pickles & honey roasted BBQ sauce & it was SO GOOD. I now want a nice greasy cheeseburger. I've also been wanting soda, which I stopped drinking before I got pregnant, so that's weird. I have had such bad cravings this time!

Sleep

Eh, it's been okay. Once I'm asleep, I'm usually out (except potty breaks or to turn over), & still dragging in the morning. I haven't NEEDED a full nap every day lately which has been nice, but I usually get at least 30 minutes of shut eye during naptime.

What I am looking forward to

Next Thursday!! I just can't wait to see this baby, & hopefully see that everything is healthy & looking good, & finding out who is in there!

Symptoms

Occasional nausea, a little fatigue, but overall I am feeling pretty decent now, which is nice. I'm definitely trying to enjoy it before I start feeling yucky again!

Week 16

Fruit/Veggie

Avocado

Size

4 1/2 inches long, 3 1/2 ounces

Baby Changes

In the next few weeks, baby will double his weight & add inches to his length. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. His heart is now pumping 25 quarts of blood a day!

Best Moment this Week

Yesterday was our annual Good Friday family day. We went to breakfast at the Guenther House & loaded up on very good food (I even drank some decaf coffee - that is a big step when it made me want to vomit up until now!) then we went on a walk around the King William District. There are really old, huge homes down there along the river. The weather was perfect & it was a lot of fun!

Gender

2 weeks!

Movement

I am pretty sure I am feeling B2 as of yesterday. I mean, I'd still like a little more confirmation over the next couple of days to be completely sure!

Food Craving

This week I was really liking a turkey sandwich with cheese, avocado, salt & pepper. Yum. Still want Mexican food.

Sleep

I'm not able to sleep on my back at all anymore, which stinks. So I wake up when I need to switch sides but am able to fall back to sleep pretty quickly. I had a couple insomnia nights this week, but it's not a complete trend yet. I also got hit pretty hard by allergies a couple of days ago, so sleep has been rough the past couple of nights.

What I am looking forward to

At this point, I'm definitely focused on finding out the gender. Soon enough, I know!

Symptoms

Nausea sometimes after I eat, fatigue (still napping every day), but for the most part, I'm feeling decent at this point. Yay!

Week 15

Fruit/Veggie

Apple (weight)

Size

4 inches long, 2 1/2 ounces

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light.

Best Moment this Week

Not pregnancy related, we went to the farmer's market last Saturday. I really enjoy going there & checking out all the things people are selling. We bought some yummy produce & pesto that I made some good meals out of this week. We also bought me a mom car! We sold the Corolla a few weeks ago & just bought me a 3-row SUV. I love it!

Gender

3 more weeks!! It's been hard to "connect" with this pregnancy since Elliot keeps me so busy, so I'm ready to know who is in there, & I think it'll help it be a little more real for me!

Movement

I don't THINK I'm feeling anything yet. I've wondered a few times, but nothing certain. I had felt Elliot by now last time, so I'm hoping that means his little sibling is a bit smaller than he was!!

Food Craving

I have had some crazy cravings this pregnancy - more so than last time for sure. This week, hmm... pickles (so cliche), hummus, Mexican food (have yet to fulfill that one) & barbecue (Josh's fault for mentioning it recently). I also just discovered that after a lifetime of never drinking milk because I think it's gross, I do enjoy drinking vanilla coconut milk! Crazy!

Sleep

I'm sleeping pretty well right now. I had some nights of insomnia last week, but they went away & now I'm falling asleep fairly quickly & only waking once for a potty break. I do wake up on my back sometimes which hurts, & I'm really, really tired in the mornings & it's hard for me to get up. I am still napping every day during Elliot's nap.

What I am looking forward to

Knowing who we are baking in there! We also have some fun travels coming up - a weekend with friends, then our 5-year anniversary trip! Those will be so great.

Symptoms

Exhaustion is the most prominent for sure. Nausea that comes & goes, occasional back pain, huge aversion to water (again!) so it's hard to stay hydrated.

B2

How does the mom of a toddler spend the first trimester of a pregnancy?

6:30-12:00: survive

12:00-2:00: nap while toddler naps

2:00-6:00: survive until husband gets home

6:00-9:00: slowly crash (especially after toddler's bedtime)

9:00-6:30: sleep (minus some potty breaks).

Basically, not blog. Or do much of anything else that doesn't have to be done!

Now that I'm starting to feel a little better, & it's not a secret anymore, hopefully I'll be able to post every now & again. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to do the weekly pregnancy reports - if I do, it's not because I actually think anyone's necessarily interested, but just for my records.

This pregnancy has been similar & different than my first. I have the same aversion to water & coffee (though a little stronger this time - it's really hard to stay hydrated) but not peppermint (phew!); nausea during week 6 was way worse than it ever was with Elliot, but I think it has tapered off a little quicker; & instead of having to force food down my throat because everything sounds gross, this time, I get random cravings for not so great things! Chinese food, Chick-Fil-A, root beer, brie - & if I get it right when I want it, it's the most delicious thing! I didn't experience that last time for sure.

The first trimester still went by slowly (I'm not sure it's possible for it to go quickly when you feel bad & just want to know everything is okay) but I have definitely been more distracted & not as focused on being pregnant this time - I can't be! Elliot keeps me very busy. It's also a little easier this time, knowing kind of what to expect. There is also a little more acceptance of all the yucky pregnancy things because I truly know that one day I will be normal again! There is some comfort in that for sure.

We (hopefully) find out the gender in 5 weeks! I think that'll make things a little more real for me, when we are able to put a name to this baby. We think it might be a girl, & we definitely want one (Josh would be the BEST dad to a girl) but who knows! We will be good with either one since this, God willing, is not our last baby.

Elliot has been sick with a fever for the last three days. Some of the day he acts completely normal, & sometimes he gets super grumpy. It's been rough, honestly, staying at home all day for this long. He hasn't been sleeping very well, so neither have I, which is why I'm going to end this thing now & get a little shut eye before Elliot wakes up!

2011 to 2012

2011 is over. With a baby, a year sure does go by fast! I already know my memory is failing regarding what last year held for us since I was sleep deprived for a good part of it, so I'd like to write out some of the highlights of last year, for my own sake.

-Traveled to North Carolina for Zac & Cara's wedding - Elliot did great. Having a baby in a hotel room is much easier when you can put them on another bed & know they won't fall off!

-Got food poisoning on my birthday (not a good memory, but memorable nonetheless).

-Visited our friends in Houston a couple of times - the Yaws, the Smiths, the Lamberts, Kristin, Aaron.

-Paige & Jason came to visit.

-Celebrated our anniversary at a yummy French restaurant then went to see a movie.

-Got away for a weekend to Dripping Springs & stayed at a B&B while Elliot stayed with my mom & sister.

-I quit my job, worked for a few more months, then was able to really quit. :)

-Josh started looking for a new job in a different industry in June, got an offer a couple of weeks later, started with a new company & is thriving (won the first MVP award!).

-Found out we were going to become an aunt & uncle in March 2012!

-I went to a girls' weekend in August with my close friends from high school.

-Started leading a Life Group.

-Elliot turned one year old! We had some close friends & family over for a Pooh themed party.

-Went to our second Family Life Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference at the Hyatt Hill Country (love that place!). It was really good for us to get away & be able to talk about our marriage & see how far we have come in the past 4.5 years.

-Went to Disney World. Elliot did great with traveling & having a crazy sleep schedule, though he ended up in our bed instead of the pack n play - he would have none of it! Got food poisoning the last day & missed out on Epcot :(. I don't think I've ever had food poisoning, then twice in one year!

-Had our second Roberts family Christmas at home, & rang in the new year at home by ourselves - I think it's the first year that I've never had any plans. But it was nice!

Now on to 2012! As a friend wrote on her blog, I know two things: 1) I will experience trouble, & 2) Jesus will be with me!

It's Christmastime

I refuse to do anything Christmas-y until the day after Thanksgiving, but once it's Christmastime, I'm all in! I love the trees & the lights on the mantle & the smells & the songs. (Have you ever really listened to the words of Christmas songs? The ones we've always known & have sung since we were little kids? They're about Jesus! [Okay, maybe not Jingle Bells.] Amazing really, that those words are played over secular radio every year. I pray that they bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus!)

If you know me well, you know my middle name might as well be "tradition." My family jokes that if we do something twice, that means we'll do it forever. I do get stuck in my ways. They are familiar & bring back memories while making new ones all at the same time. But every Christmas, God causes us to think about the ways we celebrate. We want Christmas to be about Jesus. So how do we do that? How do we keep our hearts focused on Him during this time of busyness, traffic, & materialism?

I read this blog yesterday & I love the heart that it comes from. I'm so thankful other families can help lead the way in this desire to do Christmas a little differently. Here is a resource regarding the season of Advent. If you have any great websites, please let me know!

It's all a process, & we just want to make sure our hearts are in the right place. What is eternal & what is pleasing to Jesus? We want to do those things! So every year we consider, & every year something changes. Who knows what Christmas will look like for us in the years to come! But it's a wonderful time of realizing that one night, so many years ago, a baby was born who would become the Savior of the world, & one day that Savior will come back again, riding on a white horse, in victory, to take those of us who love Him to be with Him forever. Amazing!!