It's a...

Let me start off by saying amen and hallelujah for early morning appointments. I woke up with butterflies in my tummy yesterday which soon turned to a combination of nerves and excitement which made me feel like I was going to throw up. In fact, I kept saying to Shawn, "I think I might throw up..." But by the time I was showered, finished getting ready, and ate a little breakfast, it was time to go!

Our first part of the appointment was our fetal echo. Since I have a congenital heart condition, they wanted to take a look at baby's ticker as well. Thankfully everything looks nice and normal and there is no sign of any heart issues with baby, although they do want to take another look in the rare chance that something changes between now and then (around 32 weeks). The cardiologist did tell us her prediction on the gender but said it wasn't her "specialty" so not to fully trust her. Honestly, I'm a little disappointed she did this because we didn't ask her to and it took away from the build up of the whole "it's a....!!!" but that's fine. A healthy baby was our main focus!

After the fetal echo was complete, it was back out to the waiting room to wait for the tech to call us back. Thank goodness that didn't take too long. She showed us baby's head and brain, legs, arms, abdomen, spine, and profile. Pretty sure we saw some other body parts too but I find it impossible to remember everything at this point. Our little wiggle worm was in a position with its back up and head down and tucked under the chin, so it was a little difficult to get a perfect picture of the profile, but I am definitely happy with what we got :) I am so happy to report that baby looks healthy! Again, that was our main focus and I was so relieved to hear that all is well!

After all the odds and ends were measured... she took a look between the legs. She checked with us to make sure we wanted to know and we gave her the go-ahead. (For the record, the cardiologist was correct in her prediction.)

So without further ado, I present to you our little...

GIRL!!!!!!!

We are delighted to be welcoming a DAUGHTER come July! I really don't think it's fully set in yet but every time I refer to Baby B as a "she" or a "her" I just smile. I can't stop looking at her little profile picture and wondering who she will look like. I can't wait to seriously start discussing names and to see her little face. I think of so many wonderful opportunities I will get to experience being the mama of a little girl. Our little princess!

And now... let the shopping begin!

Babymoon

I admit. When I first heard of a "babymoon" I rolled my eyes.

Us Time: Exhibit A

Us Time: Exhibit B

Then I got pregnant. And life got busy and hectic and OMG where has all my time gone? Where has my MIND gone? It's hard. Much harder than I thought it would be. Definitely one of those things that you don't "get" until you go through it. People can continually tell you that you won't understand until you go through it... but you won't understand the reality of what they are saying until you go through it either. But now I know better. And this past long holiday weekend Shawn and I took a "babymoon." And it was heaven.

Friend Time: Exhibit A

Friend Time: Exhibit B

Shawn and I are travelers. We will go anywhere, anytime. We just love to get away. I know this won't be as much of an option once baby comes, so we decided to book one last trip. With not wanting to use any vacation days at work so I could save for maternity leave, it had to be something relatively quick. Luckily, Presidents' Day falls right between our birthdays. So why not have a combined birthday/Valentine's Day/"babymoon" long weekend? Right now we have the money, the time, and the freedom. All of which might be running dry come the month of July. So we booked it. A trip to Arizona. Just a Friday to Monday get away. Our time was short but we only had a few main goals for our trip: Us time, visiting friends, yummy food, and sunshine. All of these were more than accomplished this past weekend.

Yummy Food: Exhibit A

Yummy Food: Exhibit B

Honestly? I needed this for myself. We needed this as a couple. I rolled my eyes at the thought of a "babymoon" before I was pregnant because I was just thinking it was a cutesy way to say vacation. But it was so much more. I came back feeling refreshed and renewed. It gave us time away from "reality" to enjoy ourselves and focus on each other. Whether or not it is intentional, day to day life is hectic and busy these days and sometimes the "us" gets pushed aside. I know anyone can really claim that to be true, but I have really been feeling the pressure and these overwhelming feelings since finding out we were expecting. So now, as I sit here and eat my words, I would like to declare myself a believer of the babymoon (no quotations needed this time).

Sunshine: Exhibit A

Sunshine: Exhibit B

And now that we have returned relaxed, refreshed, and renewed... we get to look forward to finding out a little more about the little one growing in my belly! That's right, we find out TOMORROW if we are on Team Pink or Team Blue! Have you voted yet?! Watch out for our announcement on Friday!

18w2d bump in AZ

Lastly, I wanted to wish a very happy birthday to my husband and baby daddy (too klassy not to laugh) - I love you Shawn! Looking forward to making this our best year yet ;)

18 Weeks

Leaving on a jet plane...

How far along are you?: 18 weeks!

How I'm feeling: Besides being coughy, congested, and stuffy this past week I feel great baby-wise. It just sucks being sick and pregnant.

How big is baby?: Today, a sweet potato. Tomorrow, a mango!

Maternity clothes: Yes, yes, yes!

Stretch marks?: Nope. 

Sleep: I have been waking up 1-5 times a night due to coughing and being sick, but I think I'm about over that. Hoping to get a full night's sleep in again soon!

Best moment this week: We leave tonight for Arizona! Consider this our birthday/Valentine's Day/babymoon. I can't wait for warm weather!

Movement: Still feeling flutters occasionally. Nothing consistent yet.

Food cravings: Still varies by day, but usually something salty.

Food aversions: None. 

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: In.

What I miss: Being able to take the real-deal medicine. Options are limited these days and frankly, they don't get the job done.

What I'm looking forward to: Leaving for Arizona tonight for a long weekend and our gender scan next week!

Milestone: Monday was my 27th birthday. This is the year I will meet my baby. This blows my mind.

Don't forget to cast your vote in our Team Pink or Team Blue poll below!

Pink or Blue?

To keep me occupied while we wait...

Another lovely mama-to-be, Pam, posted the same poll to her blog and I knew I had to copy her immediately!

Here is a list of some old wives' tales and what they "say" to thoroughly confuse your vote:

Heartbeat: Has been in the 160-170's. GIRL.

Cravings: More salty than sweet. BOY.

Morning Sickness: Some nausea but no actual, physical sickness. BOY.

Moody/Happy: Shawn just told me last night that he thinks I'm handling the pregnancy "well" and that I've been in a good mood. We'll go with that. BOY.

Skin: I've always be lucky to have nice skin. Until I got pregnant. They say little ladies "steal your beauty." GIRL.

Sleep: I've been sleeping mostly on my right side. GIRL.

Headaches: Yes. Lots. BOY.

Needle/Thread: A coworker who has a "winning" streak of 15 years did the needle and thread trick on me. The result? BOY.

Mama: What do I think? Ha. I am just as clueless as these old wives tales ;) If you made me guess I would say boy, but I honestly do not have a strong feeling either way. I wouldn't be shocked if Baby B turns out to be a BOY or a GIRL... how's that for neutral?

So it's safe to say my body,  brain, and the old wives who tell their tales are not leaning one way or another. Inconclusive. I guess they have a 50/50 shot at being right though!

So what's your vote? Click here to let us know!

We will be finding out next Thursday, February 21!

Year 27

At age 23 I graduated college and got engaged. A year later at 24 I was married. Year 25 Shawn and I moved back home to PA and then at 26 we bought a house to make our home. Now, in my 27th year, we will be welcoming a new addition into our family. Life has been busy, yet beautiful. I am feeling so blessed.

16 Weeks

16 weeks

How far along are you?: 16 weeks... cannot believe I am 4 months already.

How I'm feeling: Good! No complaints. I feel very fortunate that I've had such an easy pregnancy thus far. Hopefully that doesn't mean labor and delivery is going to make up for lost time ;) 

How big is baby?: An avocado! My favorite! And you better believe my coworkers and I are ordering Chipotle today in celebration.

Maternity clothes: Thanks to Katie I am completely set for maternity clothes! I am loving the maternity jeans and their stretchy waist... I want to wear them like, forever. I am still wearing mostly non-maternity tops.

Stretch marks?: Nope. 

Sleep: I can't complain.

Best moment this week: I think the bump has officially shown itself for good! Also....

Movement: Another best moment. I think *think* I have felt movement while lying in bed one night this week. It felt kind of like popcorn popping very lightly. I'm not positive, but I'm going to go with it ;) Definitely not consistent yet though.

Food cravings: Whatever I feel like that day. Nothing in particular!

Food aversions: None really. 

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: Innie.

What I miss: Zumba. I did take one (and a half) classes at the new gym I joined. These classes are much lower impact than my old Zumba classes so I can usually do it with modifications. I got too overheated the last time I tried though. I miss shakin' it!

What I'm looking forward to: A birthday weekend/"babymoon" to Arizona! We are just going for a long weekend but I cannot wait! Also, we have our gender ultrasound on February 21!

Milestone: The "flutters" - if that's what they were ;)