Half Baked!

Yay for today! I've officially reached 20 weeks, which means I've halfway done being pregnant!! WOO HOO!

How far along? 20 week! Baby Boy is the size of a banana.

Gender: All BOY!

Total Weight Gain: Around 7 lbs. My pregnancy tracker says I should have gained 10 pounds at 20 weeks, so I'm not complaining!!!

Stretch Marks: Nada

Belly Button: In.

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On. 

Movement: Kicking and moving lots!! It is the best feeling in the world. Jon can't feel them quite yet, every time I try to put Jon's hand on my stomach, he immediately stops moving. Little stinker!

Feeling: Feeling great!

Cravings: Hardly any, anymore. I am not as hungry as I used to be! I fill up really fast and can almost never finish a full meal.

Symptoms: Occasionally I get REALLY bad heartburn. Other than that, nothing. Feeling big but I know I'll laugh at that when I'm in my 3rd trimester.

Missing: Nothing! I could not feel more grateful for this sweet babe. 

Looking Forward to: Dr's appointment tomorrow. 

Sleep: Pretty good, just really hot since we don't have A/C

Exercise:  2-3 days a week. Jon and I have been working out together when he gets home from work. Cardio + weights and body weight exercises. Planks continue to get harder.

I feel extremely grateful this week for the generosity of friends and family. I have been given so many gently used or new things, gifts, etc. I think we have spent $60 TOTAL on baby things (a breast pump), and we have almost everything we need already. Diapers in various sizes, so many clothes, bottles, furniture, etc. People are so generous and kind and we cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we are!!!

Let's talk $$

Having a baby does NOT have to cost thousands of dollars. In fact, you can get most everything you want for your baby (yes, name brand things)without EVER paying full price. I repeat, DO NOT EVER pay full price for baby things. If you feel comfortable buying things off craigslist, this is a great place to start. Often, people sell their baby things that have been used for ONE child for maybe 6 or less months. Read: Brand new. For usually around 50% off. Stores like Once Upon a Child are also useful in finding gently used baby things. If you're not comfortable or really want new things for your baby, you can find those, too! You have to find the sales and most of all, BE PATIENT. Here's a few examples of deals I (my mom) has scored. We are deal fiends!

Chicco Keyfit 30 carseat

Currently selling on Amazon for: $190

I bought for: $113

HOW? Target's semi-annual baby sale. The carseat was 30% off, bringing down the total to $133. But wait! I also had a $20 off $100 coupon on baby things at target. That brought my total down to $113.

 I saved 60% on a brand new carseat.

Babysuite 300 deluxe

Selling on Amazon for $90

I bought for: $25

HOW!? My mom was scouring the clearance aisles at target and found it selling for $25. Why? It was an, "online only" purchase. These are AMAZING finds at target. What it means is that someone bought this online, then returned it to the store. However, they don't sell it in the store, so it automatically gets marked down.

I saved 72% on a pack n play

Carter's Cotton Zip Up Sleeper

Carters.com for: $9.60

I bought for: $3.20

NEVER NEVER NEVER pay full price for baby clothes! They outgrow them SO FAST and they get ruined too quickly! They are not worth anything. I went to the Carter's outlet near my house, where there was a clearance rack.  ALSO, there was an extra 20% off clearance sale happening. While it is great to shop the clearance racks alone, patiently wait a few weeks until there is an EXTRA % off clearance to save even more money. I know people who consistently pay full price for baby clothes. Upwards of $15-20 for ONE shirt. It makes me cringe! Baby clothes are not something to invest money in to.

I saved 50% on this (and lots of other) baby clothes.

Fisher-Price Bath

Target.com for: $28 

I paid: $7

Again, this was a clearance find at Target. Just make a quick target run one time a week and you will find everything you need!

I saved 75% on a brand new baby tub

Halo Sleep Sack:

Target.com: $20

I paid: $5

Clearance, clearance, clearance!!!

I saved 75% on this sleep sack

Buying baby things is FUN!!! However, the cost of all the small things you need, furniture, essentials, diapers, wipes, etc., can really add up fast. If you are patient and wait until a good deal comes along ( I promise, it will) you can literally save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on cost. A special thanks goes out to my mom who taught me how to bargain shop, and found like 90% off these deals for me :) Thanks mom!!! She really is the best!!

Good luck in your shopping, and lots of clearance dust to you! 

XOXO

It's a BOY!!!

We are so thrilled and excited to know that we are having a little BOY in January! Eeeeeeek! While we both would have been happy with a girl, we thought it would be fun to have a boy, too. I was dreaming of pink and lacy things for a while, but Jon was CONVINCED (and dreamed) it was a boy. Looks like I'll have to defer to him in the future for guessing!

We went to an ultrasound clinic in Vancouver on Friday, July 18th. It was a really sweet little clinic. The US technician was SO nice. Our appointment was only supposed to last 10 minutes, but lasted almost 20! It was so nice of her to let us see the baby more.

She put the goop on my belly and turned the screen on (It was projected on to a nice big flatscreen TV on the opposite wall). She immediately found his little bum and it was clear he was a boy. I shouted before anything said anything, "IS IT A BOY!?" She laughed and said, "Yes! I didn't even get a chance to tell you!". Tears started rolling and Jon sat next to me holding my hand. We watched our sweet boy snuggled up inside of me kicking and squirming. He started with his head on the right side, then did a complete 360 throughout the session! He wasn't going crazy, but he was moving quite a bit. He ended up sleeping on his stomach with his feet curled underneath and his hands up by his face. It was precious! We saw the umbilical cord, his spine, his hands, feet, knees, and he looked directly at the "camera". That was awesome! The lady was kind enough to switch the video to 3D for a good 5 minutes (this generally costs way more). He started getting really active when she switched to 3D, it was SO COOL!!!

Here are some pictures

15 weeks

Helloooooo 15 weeks! Man, this pregnancy is sure flying by! (If I keep saying that, does it make it true?)

How far along? 15 weeks. Baby is the size of an apple

Gender: We find out on Friday! So far, family votes are: 7 for boy, 7 for girl. Perfectly split! uh oh! 

Total Weight Gain: 3 pounds. However, I'm going to blame these 3 pounds on what I ate this weekend and assume it's mostly water weight. We'll see! I fluctuate about 5 pounds weekly, but usually end up right around my pre-pregnancy weight.

Stretch Marks: Nada

Belly Button: In.

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On. 

Movement: Not yet. SO excited! Hopefully next week I'll get some flutters!

Feeling: Feeling great!

Cravings: Hardly any, anymore. I am not as hungry as I used to be! I fill up really fast and can almost never finish a full meal.

Symptoms: Exhaustion is my only symptom! And anxiousness at finding out the gender :)

Missing: Nothing! I could not feel more grateful for this sweet babe.

Looking Forward to: Our Ultrasound!!

Sleep: Pretty good, just really hot since we don't have A/C

Exercise:  2-3 days a week. Cardio for 15 minutes and weights. Not a lot, but there is NO AC. Let me repeat, pregnant lady working out in 90 degree weather with NO AC. I think I deserve a medal. ;)

Eating: Definitely giving in to some cravings, trying to pull back this week! Trying to start eating healthy again, this weekend was a crash and burn one...

Still not showing, which is a bummer. Even naked me does not have a belly. I'm excited for people to know, and strangers to ask. We'll announce soon :) Pretty much everyone already knows that we want to know. Facebook---eeek, who cares. My mom is INCREDIBLE and sent me some awesome nursery stuff---I'll post pictures hopefully tomorrow or wednesday after I get everything set up! We did some serious target scheming to get these deals. I am so so so excited! So far we have:

-Pack n play

-Carseat

-Stroller

Need:
-Crib

-Bouncer

-Odds and Ends

Debating on whether we need:

-Swing

-Baby bath (but blooming baths are AWESOME)

-high chair (yet)

-Baby Gym

Thoughts? We don't have a huge place, and I'd like to keep things minimalistic! 

xoxo

11 weeks part 2

Here is a picture from 10 weeks---I look pretty much the same as before I was pregnant, so I'll probably hold off on lots of pictures until I start getting a bump! I am READY for a bump (I know, i'll regret saying that in about 6 months!). But I am excited to feel my baby move around my belly and let strangers know without me having to say anything! I haven't bought any maternity clothes yet, but my clothes aren't really getting tight. I don't feel very different from pre-pregnancy, thankfully! I am hoping I can still wear all of my clothes until at least 16-20 weeks. I will probably have to pull out the hairband trick soon, and maybe get a belly band or something. So far, so good. At the end of the day when I'm really bloated, I have to unbutton my pants, they are soooo uncomfortable! Ready for a belly!

11 weeks

Hi Sweet Pea!
I have been gone for quite a few weeks, haven't I? Well, I had good reason! You gave us quite the scare. I started bleeding from 6-8 weeks. It was really, really scary, and really hard to go to work everyday while being worried about you. Thanks to Heavenly Father, the bleeding completely stopped right at 8 weeks, and I haven't had any since. I hear your heartbeat at least 3 times a week. I rented a doppler to use. I knew I couldn't rush to the ER every time I got nervous, and it was only $20 for some peace of mind. I am going to return it soon, but I LOVE hearing your thumping, galloping heartbeat. It makes me melt! I love you sweet thing! Next Thursday I have my 12 week Dr. appointment. I am so excited! I don't think I'll get another ultrasound, but I'm sure I'll get to hear you again. This week some exciting things are happening:

• You are 1 1/2 inches long
• The size of a fig
• You are kicking and stretching like crazy
• Tiny teeth are forming
• All of your important parts are fully formed!

I pray everyday that you keep growing and developing correctly and STAY INSIDE ME for another 7 months! We cannot wait to see what you are (We both think you're a BOY!) and tell our families about you!

Love,

mama bear

First Doctor's visit!

My Dear Sweet Pea,
        Today your daddy and I visited the doctor's office. Nothing too excited, mommy had to let the doctor know that she really IS pregnant and that all those tests she took were accurate! They took a urine sample, and a blood sample. In a week, they'll call me and tell me I'm pregnant! Yay!!! They don't do an early ultrasound, which I really wanted. They won't even see me until 10 weeks! I got them to take me at 9.5 so papa bear can be there. I really hope they can find your heartbeat on the doppler! The doctor will make sure I am healthy and taking care of you (I'm trying really hard!). I am so nervous that they won't find it because you are still so small! I pray that they will so dad can hear you before he leaves for Portland. Grow big and strong these next four weeks so we can get to hear you! I love you I love you I love you! Stay inside and keep growing :) Show me a sign that you're in there! So far, no symptoms. I'm grateful and also worried. If I was sick, I would KNOW you were there. I just have to trust you and Heavenly Father and pray that you stay healthy and strong.
Stay strong my sweat pea,
love,
momma

Papa Bear

Papa Bear is the sweetest papa of all time! He is so excited for little bean, and is the *sweetest* husband of all time! After finding out about little bean, papa bear brought home a single red rose, martinelli's sparkling cider, and the biggest smile in the world! He is so kind and thoughtful!! I am so grateful for him and how compassionate, kind, and helpful he is!

5 weeks

I'm PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am excited times 10 billion!!!! OK, ok, I could go on forever with the exclamation points. Let's get down to the good stuff!

When are you due? January 11th, 2015 

When did you find out that you were pregnant? Thursday, May 8th....although, I took about 10 pregnancy tests over the course of the weekend. When I took the first test it was in the morning as we were both getting ready for work. I remember seeing two lines and just kept saying to Jon while shoving the test in his face, "Why are there TWO LINES?!" And WHY ARE THERE TWO LINES!?

I could NOT concentrate at all the rest of the week! I always imagined telling Jon in this amazing pinterest-y way...Nope! luckily, I had brushed my teeth, so lots of kissing and hugging ensued :)

How did Jon react? Shocked and excited. He is more ready than I am! He has been wanting a little one forever! 

Any morning sickness? No, not really 

Will you find out what you're having? Yes.

Where are you delivering? Somewhere in Portland...no idea where yet!

Was this planned? No. Huge surprise! My period was a week late and I started freaking out. We planned on starting our family this year, but not until much later (fall/winter). We are thrilled but surprised!

Are you excited? YES!!!

Are you going to work outside the home after having a baby? No, probably not right away. I will be finishing my student teaching until August 2014 (working 50 hours a week....) then finishing some independent study classes when I move to Portland fall semester.

My sweet SIL Ari, found out the day I found out :) I texted her the picture of the pregnancy test on the way to school and said, "Are there two lines? What does a faint line mean?" Over the course of the next two days, she assured me that yes, I was pregnant, and yes, a faint line is still a positive (luckily, it got much darker as the days went by). She answered my every woe and concern with such sweetness and patience! She is my best friend and I LOVE that lady. She is a treasure!

I am 5 weeks tomorrow (Monday, May 12th). Let the adventure begin!!