Better Together

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Maternity Photos

Maternity photos were something I knew that I had to have when I got pregnant. I found Pink Shutter Photography & booked our session immediately. Kevin & I hadn't had professional photos taken together since our wedding - 8 years ago so this was extra special for us to do.

I'll be honest, about a week before the photoshoot I almost cancelled because I wasn't feeling my best. I was getting quite large & the aches/pains of the third trimester were starting to get the best of me. Looking back, I am so glad that I didn't cancel because these are photos that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I truly love them so much & damn is my husband good looking.

Our photos were taken when I was 29 weeks & 4 days pregnant. Here are some of my favorites...

Thank you Jesus for this sweet blessing.

All photography was done by Pink Shutter Photography.

Second Trimester Wrap Up (22wks. - 27wks.)

I thought blogging during pregnancy would be a piece of cake ... turns out that it isn't that easy after all. So before this baby makes his arrival I wanted to play a bit of catch up so here is a general second trimester wrap up.

How far along?

22 weeks through 27 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:

Lost 12 pounds -- 125

Gained back too many pounds -- mid 150's

Maternity clothes?

Maternity pants during this second trimester are a total must besides lounge pants - I have been squeezing my big ass into non-maternity. As for maternity shirts, I can still fit into a lot of my small & medium flowy non-maternity tops but I am definitely reaching for my comfy maternity shirts instead.

Sleep:

Sleep is hard. The bigger & heavier my belly gets the worse it seems. And the bathroom is my best friend at night time. Seems every 3 hours I need to sit on the pot -- where the heck does it all come from? I don't get it.

Best moments from second trimester:

Continuing to feel my sweet baby boy move around.

Our bi-weekly appointments - I love hearing his heartbeat & just being assured that all these crazy hormones & aches/pains are normal.

Passing my glucose test - I was worked up & it wasn't bad at all.

Have you told family and friends:

A long time ago ! They are all so pumped & cannot wait until he is here.

Miss Anything?

Being able to shave my legs & actually see where I am shaving. All I have to say is... God should have stopped hair growth during pregnancy not amp it up.

Fitting into small clothes & feeling 'normal' and not having so much pain.

The flexibility to easily cut & paint my toenails.

A nice, chilled, ice coca cola or Dr. Pepper.

Movement:

Absolutely.

He is super active all the time. Everytime he moves I feel at east & thank God for this angel of mine. He also has been getting the hiccups which is such a crazy feeling. Kevin was able to feel & he thought it was the craziest!!

Food cravings:

Chick Fil A Fries & Sauce

Iced Sprite

I haven't had too many consist cravings -- it seems to change all the time.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Raw & Cooked Meat.

Veggies.

Have you started to show yet:

Haha !! Just call me big momma. I love this growing belly of mine. It is strange because even though I feel uncomfortable & still unsure of all these sudden changes with my body, I feel like I feel the most secure that I have felt in a long time. I kind of feel like I can wear what I want, when I want & it is okay.

Gender prediction:

Sweet baby boy !!

Labor Signs:

Lots of braxton hicks contractions but no actual signs of labor.

Belly Button in or out?

It is only a matter of time before it pops out. I am also getting the linea nigra line on my tummy - it is pretty light in color still but definitely starting to show.

Wedding rings on or off?

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Per usual my moods are all over the place. I could be smiling and crying all at the same time.

Looking forward to:

Keeping this sweet baby cooking until it is close to his due date.

Seeing how much more my belly can grow as we enter the third trimester.

Continuing to get things ready in his room.

Our baby shower.

Our maternity photos.

Our mini vacation to beach condo.

And just feeling him move constantly.

Here are some pictures:

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Pregnancy: Week 18 - Week 21

Week 18 & 19:

How far along?

18 weeks & 19 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:

Lost 12 pounds -- 125

Gained back 12 pounds - 137

Maternity clothes?

Definitely wearing maternity pants. I am still wearing my normal tops.

Sleep:

I feel like it has been a million years since I got a good night sleep; they are very seldom.

Best moment this week:

Just feeling our sweet little baby move around in my tummy. And slowly putting his little room together.

Have you told family and friends:

Yes.

Miss Anything?

Coffee.

Sleep.

Feeling normal.

Movement:

Flutters throughout the day & then sometimes he gets super pumped up and does karate.

Food cravings:

Green olives.

Van's blueberry waffles.

Grapes.

Apples.

Sprite.

Vegan Mac & Cheese

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Raw & Cooked Meat.

Veggies.

Have you started to show yet:

There is no longer any confusion if I am fat or pregnant!!

Gender prediction:

Sweet baby boy !!

Labor Signs:

Belly Button in or out?

Wedding rings on or off?

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Per usual my moods are all over the place. I could be smiling and crying all at the same time.

Looking forward to:

Seeing our sweet baby boy at our 20 weeks anatomy ultrasound.

Week 20 & 21:

Just call me Big Momma

How far along?

20 weeks & 21 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:

Lost 12 pounds -- 125

Gained back 15 pounds - 140

*The weight is starting to creep on a lot*

Maternity clothes?

Still wearing maternity pants & continuing to squeeze this tummy in my normal shirts.

Sleep:

I probably get 2 nights a week where I can get a good night sleep; the rest are pretty restless & I toss and turn constantly.

Best moment this week:

Getting to see our baby boy at our 20 weeks anatomy ultrasound. He is a healthy boy - thank God!! I literally was in a daze just staring at him. He was stretching, moving around & he was trying to suck his thumb. I am so in love with him - I cannot wait until July.

Have you told family and friends:

Everyone knows & excited to meet him in July.

Miss Anything?

Sleep.

Feeling normal.

Movement:

Some days he is super active - flutters and kicks & other days he is taking a break. At 21 weeks I saw my tummy move when he was moving around inside - I started to cry. It is the most wonderful feeling, ever.

Food cravings:

Van's blueberry waffles.

Gluten free bread !!

Sprite.

Vegan Cheese

Steve's dairy free ice cream

Organic sour chews

Iced Coffee - Decaf Vanilla Creme

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Raw & Cooked Meat.

Veggies.

Have you started to show yet:

Just call me Big Momma !! I am getting so large. It is so bittersweet. I am so beyond grateful & thankful for this sweet baby boy. And the bigger my tummy gets, that just means that he is growing big & strong.

But with this being so new to me, I am insecure at the growth and largeness of my stomach. Like am I too big, am I going to get in trouble at doctor for weight gain? I am just constantly worried and happy all at once.

Gender prediction:

Little boy.

Labor Signs:

Belly Button in or out?

Wedding rings on or off?

Happy or Moody most of the time:

I've been super emotional this week - happy, sad, overwhelmed, anxious. It is just part of this journey. I have had anxiety about my body growing at a rapid pace - I love that my belly is growing because it means that he is growing but it is hard because it seemed like it was overnight. I am also just constantly wondering what life will be like once he is here. And quite overwhelmed with everything that he needs & what we have to do before he gets here.

Also, the closer I get to July the more I become absolutely terrified of labor. Not the actual pain.. but what is going to happen to my body.

Looking forward to:

Putting up his little shelves in his room with decorations.

Starting to wash all his little clothes.

Setting up his cute little crib.

Our doctor's appointment next week (22 weeks) so we can meet another doctor in the practice & hear B's heartbeat.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Pregnancy: Week 14 and Week 17

Week 14:

How far along?

14 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:

Lost 12 pounds -- 125

Gained back 3 pounds - 128

Maternity clothes?

Purchased some maternity pants but have not worn them yet.

Sleep:

Majority of nights I toss & turn due to being uncomfortable & having a racing mind.

Best moment this week:

Hearing baby's heart beat at our doctor appointment.

Have you told family and friends:

We have only told family & a few friends. Waiting a few more weeks to tell everyone else. I am having such a hard time letting this secret go. I feel this sense of feeling protective & keeping it close.

Miss Anything?

Coffee.

Sleep.

Feeling normal.

Movement:

Felt flutters randomly but it truly could have been gas.

Food cravings:

Green olives.

Van's blueberry waffles.

Grapes.

Apples.

Sprite.

Vegan Mac & Cheese

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Raw & Cooked Meat.

Veggies.

Have you started to show yet:

Yes a little bump is starting to form.

Gender prediction:

Me - Boy

Kevin & both sides of Family - Girl

Labor Signs:

Belly Button in or out?

Wedding rings on or off?

Happy or Moody most of the time:

My moods are all over the places. One minute I am so happy & the next I am crying. I am so grateful for the baby but tend to get overwhelmed with everything the baby will need & how our life is going to change.

Looking forward to:

Finding out the gender of our baby !!

Week 16 & Week 17:

How far along?

16 weeks & 17 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:

Lost 12 pounds -- 125

Gained back 4 pounds - 129

Maternity clothes?

I've been wearing all maternity pants now. I'll need to get some maternity shirts and dresses soon but they are super hard to find.

Sleep:

More sleepless nights then not.

Best moment this week:

Telling our entire family the gender of our baby Boy !!

Have you told family and friends:

Everyone knows now !! So secret is out to the entire world.

Miss Anything?

Coffee.

Sleep.

Feeling normal.

Movement:

Felt flutters randomly but it truly could have been gas. Praying the movements will come soon.

Food cravings:

Green olives.

Van's blueberry waffles.

Grapes.

Apples.

Sprite.

Vegan Mac & Cheese

Vegan Grilled Cheese

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Raw & Cooked Meat.

Veggies.

Have you started to show yet:

At 15 weeks my tummy popped out of nowhere. It is no longer just bloating. It is a full on little baby bump. It is exciting but a little scary.. ha!

Gender prediction:

It's a baby BOY!! We chose Brantley Emory Raulerson as his name.

Labor Signs:

Belly Button in or out?

Wedding rings on or off?

Happy or Moody most of the time:

I've been super emotional this week - happy, sad, overwhelmed, anxious. It is just part of this journey.

Looking forward to:

Hearing the baby's heartbeat at our 18 weeks appointment.

Shopping for Baby Boy -- clothing & decorating his room.

Oh Baby Boy

On January 26 - Kevin & I went for an early ultrasound to figure out the gender of our baby. I was almost 16 weeks so there was a good chance that we would be able to see the baby's little privates. Kevin was back & forth for weeks on whether or not we should find out during our appointment or wait until the family gender reveal that we were hosting the following weekend. In the end we decided to find out just the two of us at our appointment.

The ultrasound tech was able to determine it right away -- it is a BOY !! I knew deep down that it was a boy the entire time. Kevin seemed to be a bit shocked & kept asking the tech if the baby's parts could just be swollen. She insisted that she got the money shot & it was indeed a little boy. I've always dreamt of myself having a girl. So having a boy is going to be a different experience then what I've imagined but I cannot wait for this sweet boy. Part of me feels that this was God's way of giving me back something I lost in my life the last few years - my Dad & Grandpa passed away & they were the two men who meant most to me. So a boy is just what my heart needs. Next time around it'll be a girl !

After our appointment we went to Buy Buy Baby to look at some stuff we registered for & to pick up a few gender specific outfits for this little baby boy. And I told a few of my closest friends. The week leading up to the gender reveal was so hard. I've never kept a secret from my mom this long before - it was torture & I almost slipped a bunch of times.

February 3 was the special day - I've planned this day in my head long before I was even pregnant. This pregnancy journey, even through the difficult parts, is a total dream/answered prayers.

So for the decorations, I pretty much kept it simple. Tons of pink & blue balloons, gorgeous flowers, a banner, white oreos with pink & blue, Panera brunch foods & Krispy Kreme donuts filled with BLUE.

Let's let the pictures explain the rest...