12 weeks pregnant!

I have been looking forward to making it to 12 weeks since the day we found out we were pregnant! But then I realized the second trimester doesn't actually start until 13 weeks, so a few more days!

Baby Growth:  Baby P is a little over two inches long and weighs about half an ounce.  This means that, from crown to rump, our baby is about the size of a lime.  Our little one can now move his/her hands and feet individually.  He/she can also respond to sensations in and around them and can even flinch in response.  The eyes have finally made their way to the front of the head and the ears are in place, also.  Some organs that are starting to work this week are: thyroid gland, pancreas, and gallbladder.  If we had an ultrasound this week, we might be able to see our baby smile, frown, squint, fold the lips, and even wrinkle the forehead!  The baby is starting to grow hair this week.  Finally, my placenta is finally starting to take over to provide nutrients and oxygen to the baby.

My Symptoms: I've still been taking my Zofran everyday to prevent the terrible nausea/weakness/dizziness I've had! We didn't have anything to do Sunday (yesterday) so I decided to try again not to take it. It wasn't as bad as it has been, but I did start feeling bad that afternoon and got extremely weak and thought I was going to pass out when we went to Wal-Mart! So, I guess I'm still not in the clear and I'll probably try to stop taking it again next weekend. I felt pretty bad this weekend with sinus junk. My throat starting hurting so bad Thursday and I had a low grade fever on Friday. But now its draining into my chest and I'm blowing my nose every 5 minutes, but at least I'm feeling much better. I also had a massive headache yesterday I couldn't seem to get rid of!

Weight: Well according to the scale at the gym this morning, I've gained 5 pounds since pre-pregnancy, yikes!!!! But last time I went to the Dr. the scale was about 3 pounds lighter than the gym so I'm hoping for the same thing this time! Haha


Belly Pictures: I still feel like I'm in that awkward stage where my belly hasn't completely formed as a "bump" but still just looks fat! Ready for the belly to be defined so there is no question!

The bump forming in clothes!

Gender: Still don't have a "feeling" either way. So far, 3 dreams its a girl and 1 dream it's a boy. Only 3 more weeks and we will know for sure!



Maternity Clothes: A friend of mine just brought me a tub of her maternity clothes but it will be a while before I can fit into them. Except for the jeans, I may be rocking those bad boys pretty soon!



Movement: Still don't think I have felt anything that is the baby. Although I really don't know if I will be able to tell what is the baby and whats not.



Sleep: Pretty good, still up at least once a night for a potty break!

What I Miss: Feeling good without having to take medicine to make it that way!  


What I'm Looking Forward To: Getting to the second trimester and hopefully feeling better! And finding out what Baby P is in a few weeks!!!


Cravings: Sweets, sweets, and more sweets! I never normally want them or think about them like I do now!


Best Pregnancy Moment of the Week:  Spending ALL day Sunday staying in my pj's and resting! I've been going and doing so much lately that I desperately needed a day to do nothing!


My Concerns or Questions: Wondering if I can start doing some more moderately intense cardio (other than walking) when the second trimester hits. At least I can ask all my questions at my appointment next week!


Goals for the Week: Eating better this week (kinda let myself go last week, haha) and workout at least four times this week

11 weeks pregnant

This week actually turned out being a lot more fun than I had planned on! We planned on announcing the pregnancy this coming Wednesday, when I turn 12 weeks. But our plans got changed a little bit from a little slip up on Facebook. So, we decided to go ahead and announce because we were getting so many calls and questions. It was actually a relief to go ahead and announce though because it was getting really hard to hide it now and several people were catching on! We announced on Thursday and it was so much fun getting all the calls and texts from people congratulating us! Sooooo glad it's out in the open now!

Baby Growth: This week, our baby is almost 2 inches in length, about the same size as a fig! The baby is also moving a ton! He/She can do summersaults, kick, and move his/her arms and legs. The webbing between the fingers and toes is now gone! The kidneys are fully functioning and the baby is producing urine. Also this week, blood will begin circulating through the baby’s body. The placenta will start functioning this week, as well. Up until now, the baby has been receiving all he/she needs through the yolk sack. Baby is also able to get hiccups now!

My Symptoms: I had one bad day last week. We went to the gym and I didn't take my Zofran or eat breakfast (I did have some crackers though) until we got home and after I got a shower. I guess the Zofran didn't have time to start working because that terrible weak, nauseous, and lightheaded feeling began to come over me again! I managed to get ready and go to work on time, despite how I felt, and eventually I started feeling better. Needless to say, I have been taking the Zofran as soon as I wake up now! My back continues to hurt, on and off, throughout the day and I've been getting headaches a lot more than I ever have before. Still continue to be exhausted!!!!!!! I'm ready for this to get better!


Weight: I weighed at the gym last week and I had gained 2 pounds, ahhhh!!!!

Belly Pictures:  My brother in law and sister have been so nice to come and take growth pics every few weeks! Misty is so helpful and creative and has decorated the super cute chalkboard for me each time! Here is the one we did last Sunday, a week ago. Actually seeing more of a bump now!

I took these pictures the day I turned 11 weeks. The bump is getting bigger, but still kinda hard to see under clothes!

Major gut!!!! Haha!

Gender: Beginning to feel more like its a girl or maybe I'm just hoping it is :) I have had several friends that have told me they think its a girl too, so we will see! I set my appointment for us to find out the gender at the 3d ultrasound studio (The Bump) in town on July 13th, yay!!! Only 4 more weeks until we know!




Maternity Clothes: Not yet but it's coming closer. I'm still using the hair tie for my jeans and shorts, to make it more comfortable. 


Movement: Nothing that I can feel yet. I'm not sure if I would actually know what it is when I do feel it, but I really hope I can distinguish between the actual baby and feeling gas!


Sleep: I have still been sleeping good and still exhausted everyday! We had friends over this weekend because Myron and Christie were in town and I stayed up with everyone until 1 and then I just couldn't take it anymore! I've been paying for it today though because I've been so tired!



What I Miss:  Just feeling good and not so tired all day. But I'm hopeful that this will be nearing an end soon!


What I’m Looking Forward To:  Finding out what we are having and being able to start picking out nursery colors and fabric!


Cravings: Nothing that I've HAD to have. I have had more of a craving for Chick-fil-a than usual and ate there a couple times last week. 


Best Pregnancy Moment of the Week: Hands down, being able to announce to everyone that our blessing is on the way!!! We also listened to the baby's heartbeat again on the Doppler, that a friend of mine let me borrow, and it is AMAZING! I could just lay in bed and listen to it all day! I also enjoyed being able to spend Merlin's first Father's Day with him today!


My Concerns or Questions: Nothing really. Maybe just finding something good and healthy for me to eat for lunches since deli meat can contain bacteria harmful during pregnancy. I need something fast and easy, but also healthy at the same time!


Goals for the Week: Get the office cleaned out to start moving the extra bedroom into that room (this seems to be reoccurring here but we have just been putting it off!) :)

10 weeks pregnant

This has been a fun week, starting to really see the baby growing and taking announcement pictures for when we finally release our news! Here's a look into my week 10 :)


Baby Growth: This week the baby is the size of a kumquat. Several different books and places, say the baby is measuring as different things. Some say prune, some say lime, but below is the picture of a kumquat, so we will just stick with that! The baby is starting to grow bones and cartilage this week. The liver and kidneys are formed and starting to function. The baby is starting to swallow amniotic fluid and is starting to produce urine. It’s thought that he/she might already be able to “taste” some different things that I eat through my amniotic fluid. Baby is also starting to form nails this week! 

My Symptoms: I started taking my Zofran Tuesday and feel a million times better! I finally feel like a normal person again and can go about my work day without any problems. I have been taking it every day since because I'm scared now not to take it and feel like I have been the last 5 weeks. I did try not to take it this morning but I started getting dizzy and nauseous in the shower so that changed my mind really quickly! I have started getting super picky about what I will eat and things that I used to love, I can't even be around anymore! I'm still extremely exhausted everyday and if I'm able to get a small nap in, it makes me feel so much better. I have had mood swings lately too (Merlin can attest to this), it makes me feel bad when I'm snappy for no reason, but it's also very hard to control!


Weight: I honestly haven't weighed this week :) I guess I need to get a scale at home so I can keep up with this! 

Belly Pictures:  Yay! I love weekly pictures and seeing the baby growing! Please excuse the location of all these pictures. It is what we call our "office" (really, its just our junk room) and it is filthy and first on our list of things to clean to get ready for Baby P!

10 week belly pudge!!!!

Here is a front angle that you can really tell how its starting to stick out more than normal! Yikes!

Gender: Still don’t know. Obviously we want a healthy baby no matter what, but I'm still hopeful for a girl and Merlin is still hopeful for a boy! :) We plan to make our appointment  for when I am 15 weeks, so only about 4 and 1/2 more weeks, yay!

Maternity Clothes: I’m still in normal clothes, for now. However, my clothes are definitely starting to fit tighter, especially my jeans. This weekend, for the first time, I used the hair tie trick to keep my jeans fastened. I can still button them, but it just feels uncomfortable and puts pressure on my belly which I don't like. I'm going to search soon for a belly band to help with this and not have to worry about a hair tie all the time! Luckily, a friend of mine that was pregnant this time last year, lent me several looser shirts and some with an empire style waist that will help me hide the baby and be more comfortable for a few more weeks. 

Belly button: Still in and praying it stays that way!


Movement: Still nothing yet, I can't wait for this time to come but I'm sure it will still be several more weeks!


Sleep: Still about the same, I continue to be exhausted and normally fall asleep on the couch pretty early while Merlin is watching TV. I'm also still getting up once a night to use the bathroom. 


What I Miss: Feeling comfortable in my clothes!!!


What I’m Looking Forward To: Revealing the news!!!!! Only about a week and a half and we are going to officially announce and I can't wait! Also, feeling normal again and not being so tired, nauseated, moody all the time. 


Cravings: Last week I mentioned it was pizza and oh did that craving hit hard this week! On Wednesday, I wanted it so bad that I thought I smelled it in our garage when I got home from work! But Merlin had already cooked a Hawaiian crock pot chicken for us so I tried to fight it. Usually, I love that meal, but now I couldn't even stand smelling it cooking in the house, so I fixed myself a PB&J for dinner that night! Thursday, I finally got my wish and Merlin and I stuffed our faces with Pizza Hut and it was even better than I imagined! It is so funny because pizza is never anything that I want and I never eat it, but WOW was it good now! haha!



Best Pregnancy Moment of the Week: Taking our announcement pictures with A-dawg and Misty! I can't wait to actually be able to post it! Yay!


My Concerns or Questions: Still getting that pain in my back, right above my butt, fairly constant now. I'm still thinking its the sciatic nerve, but I'm going to look into it a little bit more. 


Goals for the Week: Keep my house clean! I spent most of my day Friday cleaning it because it needed it so badly, and Merlin's brother and wife are coming to stay with us this weekend so I need to make sure it stays that way! And I need to get started on cleaning up the office/junk room! :)

9 weeks pregnant

We FINALLY got to go to the Doctor this week! I felt like I had been anticipating this day for so long since we found out we were pregnant at 4 weeks. I had a lot of anxiety leading up to this day and really, this week. With my first two pregnancies, I never made it past week 8, so just to get to week 9 this week was a huge weight lifted off. Then, going to the doctor made it so much better! We had a wonderful appointment and we got to see Baby Paulk and it's little heart beating! It was such an amazing thing to actually see what has been giving me all these body and emotional changes. I surprisingly didn't lose it completely in the office, I suppose I was just so overjoyed by seeing our baby, that I couldn't be anything but ecstatic! The doctor told us things look great and everything was going as it should this time around and we go back in four weeks to hear the heartbeat!

Here are a couple pictures of our sweet Baby P!

Baby Growth: This week, the baby is the size of a grape! Also, the baby is now officially a fetus instead of an embryo! The head is still pretty big and is measuring about the same size of the body. It is developing his/her tongue, lips, and nose. The eyes are there and already have eyelids! The baby is also starting to move around and moves its limbs a lot, but the baby is still too little to feel this. Little baby also has a gender now! Woo hoo! Last, but not least, the baby is forming it’s fingerprints this week.

My symptoms: Week 9 started out with me getting dizzy and feeling like I was going to pass out in the shower, followed by being extremely nauseous all morning long. I still have not actually gotten "sick" yet. The Doctor prescribed me Zofran at my appointment this week so hopefully that will help when I start getting these feelings. I started getting some pain in my lower back area, which after researching, seems that it could be the baby already on my sciatic nerve. Lastly, I totally look pregnant now, especially at night and after I eat. My stomach gets so poochy and there is no sucking in anymore! We plan on not going completely public with the pregnancy until a few more weeks, but this is going to be hard to hide with this baby already sticking out!

Weight: After I said last week that I had gained 2 pounds, I got on the Doctor's scale Friday and it said that I am the same weight I was when I first found out, so I'll take that!

Gender: The baby has one now! A friend of ours is opening a 4D ultrasound studio here in town in a few weeks so we plan to find out what we are having in about 6 weeks, yay! I haven't felt any "hunches" on what it is yet, but last night I did have a dream that we had a girl! Then I talked to a friend of mine today who also had a dream last night that we had a girl and my niece, Addison, told me yesterday that we were having a girl, so.....fingers crossed! :)


Maternity Clothes: Not yet!


Belly button: Still in!


Movement: We saw the baby moving around on the ultrasound this week, but it's still too small for me to feel it yet! I can't wait for that moment though!

Sleep: I'm still staying exhausted all day long. I've been able to sneak in naps everyday this weekend, which does wonders for me. But its not feasible with me working all week unfortunately! Still waking up to go to the bathroom once a night.

What I Miss: looking good in a bathing suit! haha


What I’m Looking Forward To: Getting to the second trimester so that I can feel even less worried and so we can FINALLY tell the world our news! It has been SO hard to keep it in, especially after getting pictures of the baby that I want to show off to everyone!

Cravings: Nothing, really. I have thought a lot about pizza lately, which is really weird for me because it's not something I ever want. I haven't given into it yet, but Pizza Hut may be calling my name soon! :)

Best Pregnancy Moment of the Week: By far, seeing Baby Paulk for the first time! Seeing our baby and knowing it is fine, just left me with such a peace all weekend! I know God is completely in control of this pregnancy and he is blessing us with a baby this year!

My Concerns or Questions: None really right now, since I asked all my questions and got such a huge relief at our appointment this week!

Goals for the week: Continue to rest and take naps if I’m tired without feeling like I'm being lazy and wasting the day away.