15 Week Update

I'm actually 16 weeks (as of Sunday) but I'll be running about a week behind with updates.  I'm doing this cute little survey that I've found on other blogs and including my weekly bump picture.

How far along: 15 weeks

Baby's size: Apple (About 4 in and 2.5 oz)

Total weight gain: Holding steady at 4lbs

Stretch marks? None, yet.

Sleep: About the same. I have to pee about twice a night, but other than that, I'm sleeping pretty well. 

Best moment this week: Week 15 ultrasound! My doctor does one at every visit. Baby P was moving his/her arms all around and had a steady heartbeat at 155. Unfortunately Baby P refused to cooperate and show the doctor what gender she/he is. The doctor gave us a percentage of what she thinks the gender is, but recommended we not start buying anything until the official anatomy and gender scan.

Miss anything? Not really. At times I miss wine, but it's not overwhelming. 

Movement: I've felt movement since I was about 13 weeks. It gets stronger each week. Some days I feel it more than others.

Food cravings: Not as many as in the beginning. This week it was Cran-Grape Ocean Spray. I haven't been a big juice drinker the past few years, but this pregnancy makes me crave all sorts of juice. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? The thought of certain muffins still makes me queasy. A few weeks ago I was craving pesto, now the thought seems kind of gross.

Gender: No idea yet. I've had dreams that it's been both a boy and a girl. Sean thinks it's a girl.

Labor signs: Nope. Too early for that.

Symptoms: Peeing all the time. This started almost as soon as my second trimester hit. Some round ligament pain.

Belly button in or out: In

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, but I'll cry at the drop of a hat (especially when it's something sad when it comes to animals). Christmas Day I also had a meltdown when it was time to leave my parents' house.

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender so I can finally start shopping.

Flashback Friday- Wedding Edition

Since the 6th anniversary of Sean and I's wedding ceremony is coming up on December 29th, I decided to make it the theme of today's Flashback Friday.

If you don't know, Sean and I ran off and got married on July 5th, 2007, but we had our actual wedding ceremony December 29th, 2007.  We always celebrate our anniversary in July, but it's still fun to look back at our wedding photos. Although if I could change one thing about our wedding, it would be to hire a different photographer. *sigh*  You live and learn.

What I'm Loving: December Edition

It's been a long, long time since I've done of these lists, so I thought it was high time I did another.

1. Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer

Ever since I got to college I've been cursed with dark under eye circles. My mom tried to tell me it was that I wasn't getting enough sleep, but even with 10 hours of sleep those ghastly purple circles are still there. I've searched for something to conceal them for years without much luck. Inevitably the concealer wears off halfway through the day and the circles are back. Enter Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer.  I actually heard about these products a year or two ago, but never made it to a place that had them in store and I certainty wasn't going to try to guess which shade was going to work for me. I finally hit up Sephora a month or two ago and had them color match what shades were going to work for me and then had them show me how to apply it. I can honestly say I've never been happier with a product.  You really need to buy both the corrector and the concealer to get the best effect and I highly recommend them. You will not regret it! Especially if you have circles to hide like me!

2. The Santa Claus book by Alden Perkes

I really should have told you guys about this before Christmas, but better late than never. I've been reading this book since I was in the 4th grade. I won't tell you how long that's been, because that makes me seem old.

This book is amazing. It gives in-depth stories and history(fictionalized by the author, of course) about how Santa came to be, how he met Mrs. Claus, what the elves are like, interviews with reindeer, etc...  I actually bought this book for my best friend for Christmas this year, because she was just as obsessed as I was with it growing up and I knew her kids would love it.  It can be hard to find at times since it's out of print, but I found mine on Amazon during the off-season last year and it wasn't a bad price at all.

3. Jalapeno Popper Dip

I found this recipe on Pinterest a few years ago and it's been a match made in heaven ever since. If you love jalapenos, then you're going to love this recipe.  I've been bringing this recipe to family functions and it disappears every single time.

4. Tocca Liliana Perfume (Roller ball)

I'm new to the perfume roller ball game, but I'm kind of sad I didn't jump on the bandwagon sooner. It gives me the opportunity to try out new scents without spending a fortune and it's convenient for carrying in your purse or in your carry-on. It's win-win!  Plus, I love this scent from Tocca.

 

 

There you have it! My list of faves for the month of December. Do you guys have any favorites you'd like to share?

Oh, Baby!

Can I do this announcement like Ron Burgundy? 

"I have urgent and important breaking news......I'm pregnant!"

Now I know those that are on my Instagram and Facebook have already seen this announcement, but I thought I'd be an awful blogger if I didn't share it on here too.

Just as a little backstory, now that Sean was retired (medically) from the Army, we both had jobs and we had a house, I thought (and Sean agreed) that it was time we started trying for a baby. Imagine our surprise when I got pregnant the very first month we tried. We were NOT expecting that at all. Why I don't know. I always had in my mind that getting pregnant was going to be very difficult for me, so I was shocked when I started having odd symptoms. In fact, I told Sean that "either something was really wrong with me or I was pregnant." Thankfully, I was just pregnant.  I figured it out pretty early on, I'm guessing about four weeks into it and had very few symptoms. I foolishly thought that I would get away with having no morning sickness. HA! In the fifth week the all day nausea started and didn't really let up until about the 9th week. Then it was afternoon and evening nausea, which was equally as sucky. Other than nausea/vomiting (thank God for Zofran) some dizzy spells and few other minor symptoms, I've been feeling great. The nausea is finally tapering off at about 12 weeks and I hope it stays that way. Apparently of all the people I know, my mother is the only other one who has experienced nausea like I have. Thanks Mom! I appreciate that being passed down to me.

In the beginning Sean and I only told our parents and a few close friends. Then I told my boss and coworkers, because it was quite obvious I was going to have to when I was running to the bathroom to vomit at work. We waited to tell our extended families, friends and the social media world until Thanksgiving and the few days after that. To say people are excited are putting it mildly. I've had so many awesome comments from friends and family and I love people are so excited that Sean and I are adding to our family.

 

(This is our photo for our official Facebook announcement. Sean is an OU fan and I graduated from OSU and this Saturday is Bedlam. Hence the theme.)

I've actually had two ultrasounds already, as my doctor does ultrasounds at every appointment, which I like, because I like being able to see the baby and it's progress every time I go in. I had an ultrasound at what I thought was my 8 week appointment, but the baby was measuring closer to 6 weeks, 5 days. I still heard a very strong heartbeat at that time (144) and the last time I went in for an ultrasound at 11 weeks, 1 day, I heard and saw the heartbeat and the got to see the baby move around. The baby was putting on a show, kicking it's feet and squirming all around. In fact, it was moving so much the doctor didn't get a super clear picture because it wouldn't hold still. Last time the heartbeat was 163.

Honestly, it kind of freaks me out when I go to the ultrasounds, because although I'm so excited to see the baby, it seems very odd that there is something growing inside me that I can't even feel moving. I know that will change in the coming weeks, but it's just a very surreal feeling for me.

The most exciting thing is that the doctor said at our next appointment, which is just two days before Christmas, that if the baby cooperates, we can find out the gender! I'm so so excited! I don't have a feeling either way or what I think it is. Sean thinks it's a girl, but if I'm guessing, I'd say boy.

Memphis- Have you been?

Since Sean and I have yet to take a vacay together since we moved back from Europe, we planned a road trip in October when we both have a few vacation days we can use.  We've decided on Memphis, as it's not a long drive from where we are and neither of us have ever been there.

We have a few ideas for restaurants or food places we want to try: Rizzo's, Muddy's Bake Shop, Deja Vu and Brother Juniper's and we're still trying to decide on where might have the best BBQ.

We also would like to see Graceland, Sun Studios, the Gibson Guitar Factory and the National Civil Rights museum.

So..my question is this: Have you been to Memphis? If so, what do you recommend both food wise, activity wise and attraction wise? We already have our hotel booked, so no suggestions needed there.

Up, Up and Away!

Last night I had the chance to do something I've never done, I got to see hot air balloons up close and personal. Somehow in all my adventures, I've never been to a hot air balloon festival. How that's possible, I don't know, but when I heard that a town nearby was having one, I decided I had to go and take pictures.

I ended up going by myself because Sean had to work and a friend had to cancel because of a migraine, but it was a fine time and that meant I didn't have to worry about someone getting bored while I was snapping away.

I only have a few pictures edited, but I wanted to share them with you.

Have any of you ever been to a festival with hot air balloons? What did you think? Ours had the option to take a ride (tethered) but the line was at least an hour long, so I skipped out on it.

We Bought a House!

I've been silent for awhile, but it's due to a several things. The biggest thing being we bought a house! When I haven't been at work, I've been trying to unpack and organize the house/yard and pool.

I wish I could say the home buying process was a breeze for us, but I'd be lying if I did.  Our realtor was great and I'd be happy to work with her again, but the mortgage company we went through to get our loan was awful. I would never recommend them to anyone and I'd never work with them again.

Anyway, those of you that are on my Instagram or Facebook have already seen photos of the house, but those of you that aren't, I'm uploading some photos for you. Later in the week or next week, I'll try to post the photos with ideas written in and some mood boards of what I'm trying to accomplish in the house, but for now...just pictures. Keep in mind I also took these pictures with my wide angle lens, so that some of the interior shots might look a little larger than they actually are.

This is the outside of the house. It's a little too much tan for me, but I love that we have a three car garage.

The kitchen, living room, dining area and sitting room are all an open floor plan.  I don't love the open floor plan, but it's growing on me. I love this kitchen, because I actually have enough room to store all my kitchen stuff which hasn't been possible the last few houses we've lived in.

More of the kitchen, looking towards the living room.

 

 

This is the living room, looking towards the door that leads to the backyard. Ignore our futon, we've ordered a couch, but it is on backorder and isn't in yet.

This is the view from our front door, the entryway is open, as our sitting area is right off the entryway. 

Another view of the living room looking towards the kitchen.

This is our sitting area. The chairs are hideous, but will be recovered. The decals on the wall were left from the previous owners, but I liked them, so I kept them up. Boomer also decided to photo bomb.

Hallway shot. I'm standing at the doorway of our guest bedroom. The second bathroom is off to the right, the door straight ahead leads to the third bedroom, which we're using as an office.

Our second bathroom. Sean mainly uses this one.

Our guest bedroom, which will be painted, a nightstand will be brought in and painted (I'm using it in our master bedroom right now and art will be put on the wall. You can't see the closet in either this shot or the shot of the office, but they are there. I assure you.

The office, which is currently the messiest room in the house. I keep putting off organizing it. I'm also not sure what's going to go on in here color or décor wise. It's giving me fits.

The laundry room, which opens into the garage.

Nice, big garage. Room for both cars and a whole bunch of crap.

Our master bedroom. It looks ghetto right now because our bed isn't on a frame, but we took care of that last weekend and have one being delivered this Saturday. Woo-hoo! The room also will be painted and something will have to happen with the furniture. Either it will be painted or we'll sell it and get something new.

Our closet, which needs organization, but there is plenty of room for my clothes and Sean's too...of course.

Another view of the bedroom.

Master bathroom, looking towards the bedroom.

Our back porch (which needs to be re-stained) looking towards the right side of the backyard and the pool.

Left side of the yard. The patio area has a sliding glass door into the kitchen.

Right side of the yard.

I know the pictures aren't the best and I don't feel like they show the house to it's full potential, but it gives you guys an idea of what our house looks like. Like I said, in the next week or so, I'll have to put up some mood boards and my ideas for the house.