Baby Pino: 21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained five pounds

Size of baby: We had our formal ultrasound today and the tech said she's measuring in at 14 ounces (I forgot to ask her length); the size of a cantaloupe. Heartbeat was about 148.

Gender: Girl! Gender was re-confirmed today which was a relief.

Movement: Finally, the movement started this week, and I'm obsessed with it! It's relatively soft movement, but definitely noticeable. Grammy and Grandpa both got to feel her move over the weekend. She stays as quiet as a mouse when Kevin tries to feel movement though.

Sleep: I've been sleeping much better. I'm trying to stay away from sugar after 8pm because I read that could contribute to night sweats. So far so good. My dreams have mellowed out some. Still some crazy ones here and there.

Maternity clothes: Yup.

Symptoms: I've been having very achy feet and calves by the end of the day, which is to be expected. I've noticed I've become more emotional, in the crying sort of way. Anything romantic or baby-related I can start crying. Other than that, not much else to report.

Aversions: Nothing really.

Cravings: This week my cravings have become very specific, and I have to have what I'm craving. Yesterday, I was craving McDonald's Chicken McNuggets (don't judge) and I had some for lunch today and they were excellent. I am also craving chocolate pudding, and have yet to appease that craving. Not sure how much longer I can hold out on that. And as always, root beer.

What I miss: It was tough to not be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine with Thanksgiving dinner, and mimosas, but I made due with some sparkling juices instead.

Best moment this week: Obviously, the ultrasound this morning. We got a full hour of getting to see her. It was such a trip to see her move on the screen and also feel the movements in my belly at the same time. The last 15 minutes the tech had me in all kinds of different positions because Preslie wouldn't budge and the tech had only a couple more measurements to take. Luckily, she got them. She sure was pressing hard on my stomach with that wand!

What I'm looking forward to: Ordering the bedding (now that gender has been confirmed twice) and getting that out of the way.

Baby Daddy: Kevin took one of the ultrasound pictures to work with him today and put it up in his cubicle. He said that every time he'd look up at the picture it would make him smile and that he's so proud and can't wait until she gets here. I may or may not have shed a tear when he told me that.

Hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones!

Baby Pino: 20 Weeks!

 How far along: 20 weeks. It feels so good to be halfway there!!!

Weight gain/loss: Gained five pounds

Size of baby: 10 inches from head to heel; 10 1/2 ounces; the size of a coconut.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Lots of flutters and just today I've started feeling real movement, but only from the inside. I can't feel her from the outside when I put my hand on my tummy.

Sleep: Not very good at all. Lots of bad dreams and I'm having horrific night sweats (attractive, I know). I've read they're common during pregnancy but it makes sleeping very uncomfortable. I had to get some vaccines in my shoulders last week which made it painful to sleep on my sides. But it's a new week and I'm hoping for good sleep!

Maternity clothes: Yes.

Symptoms: Night sweats. I've been having some nausea a couple days here and there, luckily nothing consistent. I've noticed a slight heat rash on each side of my belly and I think it's from being so hot when I sleep.

Aversions: Nothing in particular.

Cravings: Root beer! I can't get enough of it. Luckily, it's caffeine-free and I try to only have one or two throughout the week, but I think about the root beer all the time. I am also liking anything cold, like fruit and stuff like that.

What I miss: I do miss having a cocktail here and there. I don't necessarily crave them, but just the freedom of enjoying one after a long day (or week). It's worth it though. ;)

Best moment this week: Hearing Preslie's heartbeat on Thursday. The nurse said it sounds nice and strong!

What I'm looking forward to: Having family over for our first Thanksgiving in our house and also seeing Baby Girl in action at our formal ultrasound next Monday.

Baby Daddy: Kevin blew a raspberry on my belly and it was so loud! We decided he wouldn't do that again because it probably scared Preslie half to death. It was funny though and we couldn't stop laughing.

Baby Pino: 19 Weeks

How far along: 19 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained three pounds.

Size of baby: 8 1/2 ounces; 6 inches head to bottom; about the size of a large heirloom tomato.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Stronger flutters and I can feel her roll around. I have yet to feel any jabs or kicks, and nothing I can feel from the outside. Just waiting

im

patiently...

Sleep: It's been okay. I've been having scary dreams that wake me up a lot. And the night sweats! Good Lord!

Maternity clothes: Yup.

Symptoms: Round ligament pain on my sides. My belly and "the girls" have been more itchy than usual. Pretty sure everything is starting to stretch.

Aversions: Nothing specific. My mom and I went to Chili's on Saturday for lunch and I ordered their tortilla soup and the chicken in it made me gag. It was just nasty.

Cravings: ROOT BEER!!! It's just so good to me.

What I miss: Nothing too much.

Best moment this week: Picking out paint colors for the nursery. I want the walls to be gray but I'm having a hard time finding a gray that's not too blue and not too purple. I'm not in a rush just yet, so I'm taking my time.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling kicks and jabs! Also my 20 week appointment this week and hearing her heartbeat. It's always reaffirming to hear it at each appointment.

Baby Daddy: Kevin has informed me that I can't buy Preslie anymore clothes until after baby showers. Oops! I told him I couldn't make any promises. Ha!

Flashback Friday

I took a look back at last year's post on this day and apparently I was in the middle of doing the 30 Days of Thankfulness challenge and posting pictures from our wedding.

If you'd like to see them, here's the link because I'm not about to try and upload all those photos again. ;) ha!

It's so funny to me how seasons in life change so much. This time last year I remember being so excited that our wedding photos were done. We had been married for a little over three months with not a care in the world.

Now this year it feels like we've been married forever and the main things on our minds now are the baby and our house.

AND...in 2010 on this day I went dress shopping for my wedding dress! That was so much fun. I kind of wish it took me longer to find my dress so I could've tried more on. It was meant to be though.

Happy Friday!

Thursday Thoughts

1. I am so glad the election is over. Can I get an "Amen!"? I can't believe how hateful people can get, no matter what party they were pulling for. What happened to the important stuff like pictures of red Starbucks cups and complaining about the weather? ;)

2. Speaking of weather, my heart goes out to those on the East Coast. It's like as soon as they try to get back to somewhat normalcy after Sandy hit, they get knocked down with this horrible snowstorm.

3. Kevin is so worried he won't have anything to bond over with our daughter. We saw a news story about this little girl.

{via Yahoo!}

 Who is pretty much awesome. Check out this link. I highly doubt our daughter will be an all-star football player, but never say never!

4. I'm so excited to decorate for Christmas! I want to do two trees this year. We already have a fake one and we've talked about getting a real one for the second one, but I just don't know. One: all the mess and there could be bugs living in a real one. Two: if I'm gonna spend that much on a real one that will only last a month why not spend that much on a fake one that will last a really long time?

5. My mom is coming to visit this weekend while Kevin is away on a camping trip with my dad, brother and uncle. I'm hoping to get started on Baby Girl's dresser/changing table while my mom's here. She asked "Should I bring the truck just in case we find some furniture to buy?" Ha! She knows me well.

6. We went to Walmart last night to stock up on groceries and pick up a bookcase. I don't usually shop at Walmart and boy was I blown away by the Walmart clientele. There are just no words!!!

7. I got my haircut last night and it feels loads better! She thinned it out a lot, cut about two inches off and gave it some "umph."

8. I haven't ordered our Christmas cards yet. I had this idea in my head that I was going to schedule a session with a photographer for some shots with our pups and whatnot and have failed to do so. I guess we'll just have to get some pictures on Thanksgiving and make-do.

9. Truth: I don't like working.

I can't wait until maternity leave. I'll get five months off (one prior to baby, four after baby) which I'm so thankful for, but I already know how hard it's going to be when I have to return.

10. I want cake.

The End.

Baby Pino: 18 Weeks

We were large and in charge today.

How far along: 18 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained three pounds. I think I'm making up for lost time and weight. ;)

Size of baby: About 5 1/2 inches long; weighs almost 7 ounces; the size of a pear.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Nothing really. I know it'll be any day now until and I'm looking forward to it.

Sleep: It's been okay. My dreams have been scary so I don't feel like I get a restful night of sleep.

Maternity clothes: Yes!

Symptoms: I've learned that sneezing can be dangerous. Bad, crazy dreams. Tire easily.

Aversions: My appetite seems to have returned so I haven't really been averse to any type of food this week.

Cravings: Nothing in particular.

What I miss: Not being so tired all the time.

Best moment this week: Ordering a few personalized items for Preslie. :) I'll tell you what, it's addicting! I just want to buy all the baby things all the time!

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling her kick.

Baby Daddy: Kev and I went out Saturday night and met up with some friends (FYI...I won't be going to a bar while pregnant for the rest of this pregnancy; talk about awkward!!!) and when we'd run into some friends he would be so proud to point out that we were pregnant and expecting a girl. You could see how proud he was already.

PS: Thank you for all the name love!

The Name Game

We have decided to name our baby girl...

Her name is a mixture of different names in our families:

Priscilla: My mom's name

Preston: My mom's maiden name

Kaysie: Spelling of the end of my name

Kay: My MIL's middle name

Kaysie: Spelling of the beginning of my name

Marie: Family middle name of some of the girls in Kevin's family

I've loved the name Preslie for the longest time. I also love that we were able to incorporate the names from some of the important women in our families.

Kevin wasn't sure about it at first, but it's come to grow on him. :)

When I talk to her I usually call her Preslie Kay.

Having her name determined makes this all seem that much more real!

XOXO,

From the Front Door

Given that Halloween fell in the middle of the week, we had a pretty quiet one.....

....Let's be honest, it would've been quiet regardless. You wouldn't find me or my belly dressed up as anything this year.

We didn't have too many trick-or-treaters, either. We thought for sure we'd have a whole bunch because there are a lot of kids in our neighborhood, but given that it was a school night and it started raining at 8:00, I think that had something to do with it.

Kevin handed out most of the candy. It felt like too much of an effort for me to groan and lift myself off the couch and get to the door. ;) Ha! He was funny because he'd come back and tell me what the kids were dressed as.

One little girl was apparently dressed as Nicki Minaj, and as she was waiting for Kevin to put candy in her bag she was striking poses. HAHAHA! Hand on hip, head cocked to the side and everything.

I did get up at one point and answered the door and handed out candy to a few kids and they peeked in and one girl said, "Woah! That's a nice room." Her brother then followed up with "It's like a gigantic playroom!" The room is our formal room and it's big. Right now there's just our dining room table, two sitting chairs and a bar. It needs more furniture eventually, but I thought it was funny that kids would notice a room like that.

Oh, and as I was pulling up to the house that evening, Kevin had placed Homer on display. Homer is his favorite.

Have a great weekend, everyone!