Week 27(:

   I wrote a rather long blog (at least I thought it was long) last week, and I'm warning you now.. This one might be a bit lengthy too! I complained a bit last week, but I feel like I have no complaints this week. Some of y'all must have prayed for me!(: 

   

   I am 27 weeks and can now say I'm in the third trimester! Some people wait till week 28, and some say it starts around week 26. I'm gonna stick with the middle number and say I've finally made it! I can now sit in my dad's lazy boy without him saying anything! He would always ask me if it was third trimester yet when I'd be sitting in it, and sadly I'd say no and get up. Now when I get home, I at least get the comfiest chair in the house!;) 

   With three more months (hopefully) of growing left, Ryder looks like he will when he will be born almost. He is just wrinkly and still needs to fatten up a bit. He can control his lungs and regulate his own temperature as of this week. He is about the size/weight of a head of cauliflower or a bunch of bananas.

   The glucose test was not that bad (which I was worried it might be). I'm pretty healthy, so I'm sure I'll pass it (watch me have to take the three hour test now just because I said that..). It tasted like orange soda, it looked like orange soda, I'm pretty sure it was orange soda and they switched stickers.

   I got to see my baby this week, and the ultrasound was awesome. I promise that in the actual ultrasound and on the screen, you could see his face and his features. I may be biased, but I already think he is so adorable.(: 

   I am in Texas this week and I adore it here. The air is so dry, which is very nice compared to the usual Florida humidity. Even when it is raining, there is dry air (but maybe that is just me)! The traveling wasn't bad either. I'm sure being in a twelve passenger van with a lot more room helped!

   I am here for my church association this week. Everyone I have interacted with so far has been wonderful and so nice. I've even had a few people come up and tell me they read my blog (which was one of the coolest things). It is nice to know my mom isn't the only one who reads this. I was going to take this week off and not blog, but hearing those few people made me excited to write today (and a bit nervous, so blame them if this blog isn't as good as usual! Ha).

   So now the best part.

How far along: 27 weeks

Gender: Boy!

Weight gain: 9+ lbs. hopefully not too much more, I think I've been pretty healthy since my last doctor appt.

Maternity clothes: I'm finally using the belly band with my jeans, I made it to third trimester, so I'm pretty proud of myself(:

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: Still in, but I promise it is slightly shallow

Sleep: Still not the best, and I'm thankful for every little bit of sleep I get. If it's not one thing, it's another. Ryder has started to kick me to where I can feel it, which is the newest reason of being awake at night.

Best moment this week: Being in Texas and being with my family. I also enjoy seeing old friends and people I have seen and known for years.

Miss anything: This week (well as of right now anyway) I can't think of anything I miss, except a few of my dresses are way too short now because of my belly. There were two dresses I bought and wanted to wear so badly, but couldn't because of this baby.. But other than that, nothing that I miss!

Movement: Three siblings down, two to go! Another sister of mine finally felt him. He is favoring my ribs a lot, but hopefully he will move enough for some friends to feel him before I go home. I secretly love them touching my belly too.. (I know, I'm weird, ha, I'm sure I wouldn't like it if it were strangers!)

Cravings: I don't really have any cravings this week. I've definitely had anti-cravings though. Too many to name, we have just gone to eat and I will decide that I'm just not feeling any of the food that they serve.. 

Looking forward to: Baby showers should be soon! I hope my mom and sister will at least start planning one. I feel like time is flying by and I am going to run out of time! I have another appt soon to find out how my glucose test went and if my baby boy is healthy and all.(: 

   I feel like I could have written a few more paragraphs, but I won't bore y'all anymore! I am so thankful for everyone who reads this. If you do read this, please remember to pray for me and this little boy of mine. Prayers and God's grace/blessings are what have gotten me this far, and they will be what keep me going!

xx

   

Week number 24!

   Week 24 is here and I'm so happy. Last week was so busy, and I couldn't wait to have time to sit down and write this weeks blog. I had a doctor appointment and I've been feeling Ryder kick and move even more.(:

   First off, I went to Destin with two of my good friends and we got FREE Chipotle and shopped around a bit. We got free Chipotle because we just happened to be there the day before it's grand opening and the line was slow. We asked the guy at the door what was going on, and he told us that we could go ahead in. He was really nice, and our luck must have been full that afternoon.(:

   How cute is this bracelet piece. It made me smile and I almost got it, but one must save money when you have a baby on the way.

   The day after my Destin adventure. I got a package in the mail (which I adore packages and snail mail) from a friend in Nashville. Rachel got me the cutest onesie (look at the bowtie!!), mittens, baby rags, and she wrote a note to me and Ryder. I feel so blessed to know that Ryder is gonna be so loved, even in Nashville!(:

   The Fourth of July was also this weekend. We had a nice little family get together at the beach and grilled food. When it started getting dark, we drove to my grandmothers' house to watch fireworks. We sat on the pier across from my grandmother's house and could see across the bay. We saw so many different fireworks. It had to have been one of the coolest things, just seeing all the different fireworks shooting across town.

   I can't wait for the next Fourth of July. Ryder will be here to celebrate one of my favorite holidays, and we will be decked out in red, white, and blue.(:

   I also had a baby shower this week that I attended. It was for Judith and her little one, Parker Saige. She is due about a month and a half before me. We got in the pool after the baby shower and took this belly picture (which I think is an awesome picture). Maybe Judith and I can get a picture like this next year with the babies feet in the water. Talk about cute!

How far along: 24 weeks

Gender: Boy

Weight gain: So I have gained 9 lbs. (I need to lay off the sweets!!) 

Maternity clothes: I bought a shirt and some leggings in Destin. Maternity clothes are pretty comfortable, who knew??

Stretch marks: No new ones.

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: I have been sleeping on the couch this week, because for some reason, it is more comfortable than my bed.

Best moment this week: I don't have a favorite moment, maybe just feeling Ryder kick while I'm watching tv. Oh, and I literally just won some crochet bow ties for Ryder. Winning a contest is pretty awesome, plus I get something for Ryder out of it. I will have to take a picture of the bow ties when I get them in the mail next week!

Miss anything: I miss sleep so much...

Movement: Becca felt him kick some last night while watching tv, I think he moves while I'm sleeping more than anything.

Cravings: Chocolate and soda (I need to start craving salads again)

Looking forward to: I have another ultrasound in less than two weeks, and I will be going to visit the University of Alabama's campus soon.(:

   And I will leave y'all with a picture of me when I was six months old with my daddy. I wonder if Ryder will favor me a lot or not. I also adore this picture.(:

xx

Week 23!

   It is finally July, and I love the month of July. It is such a busy month for me, but not a bad kind of busy. Hopefully it will fly by.(: I am 23 weeks along now, which leaves only 17 weeks left. It seems so long and so short at the same time! I know I keep saying that, but honestly, I'll probably say it a lot more. 

   Ryder is supposed to be about a foot long and weigh a little over a pound. That means he is about the size of a foot long sub from subway! His taste buds are supposed to have formed by this week, which means he can taste most of what I eat (which has been a lot of sweet stuff this past week). He has been moving quite a bit, and I absolutely adore it. 

   This past week has been a pretty good week, it went by rather fast. I feel like my belly is finally starting to look pregnant. I had my first stranger touch my belly the other day. It was flattering and strange all at the same time. I know that it irritates some people to no end when strangers touch their pregnant bellies, but I honestly do not think I will mind too much. I say that now, but who knows, my opinion could change down the road.

Here is a picture of my bare belly. I *think* I have a cute small bump right now.(:

How far along: 23 weeks

Gender: Boyy

Weight gain: I'm gonna say 5+ lbs. and I'll give a for sure answer next week

Maternity clothes: I'm still mostly in regular clothes, but it's gonna be time to get some maternity work clothes soon.

Stretch marks: No new ones, I feel like I can feel my stomach stretching though sometimes.

Belly button in or out: Still in

Sleep: Sleep has been interesting, it is really hard to get comfortable lately, the most comfortable I can get is on my back, which you aren't supposed to sleep on your back.. So.. It's been difficult.

Best moment this week: Nothing in particular, I made baby shower gifts for some of my friends who are having babies and I'm excited to give them their gifts(:

Miss anything: I miss when my back didn't hurt and falling asleep easily

Movement: He is moving in there more and more everyday(: I can't wait till people can feel and see him move too

Cravings: I've been craving sweet things this week

Looking forward to: My appointment which is Thursday, and my friend's baby shower is Sunday. 

And here is another mirror pic from this week. This was taken at the end of the day, so far I've only gained weight in my belly. I'm hoping it stays that way!

xx

Week 22

   I feel like the weeks are going by so slowly.. Yet I only have about 18 weeks left, which is crazy. Part of me loves being pregnant and having Ryder in my tummy, and another part of me is already ready for it to be October so I can hold and love on my little boy.

   Pregnancy has gone so well for me so far. I honestly (I don't think anyway, ha) haven't really complained too much. My bladder fills up faster and I'm tired. At least up until this last week. So I know I'm not the most in shape person ever, but I haven't been able to catch my breath lately. Which is not fun, Ryder is already squishing my lungs. The other symptom that has been killing me is my back. I feel like an old woman with this back pain, hopefully it is just Ryder on a kidney or something (my mom said it probably was, so I'm hoping it is and that Ryder will get off my kidney!) 

   Other than those few things, I really do enjoy being pregnant. Knowing there is a little life in me and that God is fearful and wonderfully making him perfectly is just amazing to me. I feel like pregnancy is such a beautiful thing. 

How far along: 22 weeks

Gender: Boy(:

Weight gain: 1+ lbs. I feel like I've probably gained around five pounds, I'll find out next week at my appointment though 

Maternity clothes: My pants are still buttoning, and I feel so proud(: but I'm loving dresses, I feel so pretty(:

Stretch marks: Just ones from before pregnancy, no new ones yet (hopefully never)

Belly button in or out: In, I'm wondering if my belly button will stick out ever, I looked it up and some women's belly buttons are in the whole time

Sleep: I could sleep better, the past two nights haven't been good to me, so I can't answer this question without being bitter about the past two nights, ha

Best moment this week: Actually feeling Ryder from the outside(: My little sister Rebecca felt him too<3

Miss anything: I kinda have been paying attention to what I eat and drink, because some things just make me feel blehh, so I miss being able to just eat whatever I wanted 

Movement: Felt him from the outside, I'm starting to finally feel him more

Cravings: Coke slushies still, and them if I hear someone talking about food, I'll crave it until someone mentions another food sometimes, ha

Looking forward to: My appointment and the baby showers that will be coming up. I have a cousin and two friends who are pregnant and due a month or so ahead of me which I think is pretty cool(:

   Ryder is about the length of an ear of corn this week. About 10 inches or so and around 13 ounces. 

   So I know I shouldn't buy things for Ryder yet because I'll be getting so much from friends and family. I need to wait till after baby showers, so I can buy what I need. I'm buying everything on sale though, so I'm not being completely awful. 

   I finally found a little stuffed fox, so I am pleased with my purchases.(:

xx

21 weeks!

   It's blog time again, this week went by pretty fast. It was rather uneventful, but good. People are actually noticing I'm pregnant now. I still feel like I'm looking like I had a few too many fries and slushies (which may or may not be partly true as well, ha). 

How far along: 21 weeks

Gender: Boyyy

Weight gain: 1+ lbs. I'm sure I've gained some, but I'll leave the weighing to the doctor office visits(:

Maternity clothes: I'm slowly but surely starting to wear one or two pieces of maternity clothing here and there

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: In, you can tell in my picture below, this was candid and not planned, ha, excuse the wet hair

Sleep: I am sleeping as well as possible for being pregnant I guess, ha

Best moment this week: No huge moments this past week, I got told I looked skinny though, which was pretty cool(:

Miss anything: I've started taking a tum here and there because I guess I've been having heartburn or something, but I'm not sure because I've never had heartburn before really.

Movement: Same as last week, still not feeling as much as I want to though 

Cravings: Coke slushies !! I've had one almost every day.. (Told you I might have had too many !)

Looking forward to: Seeing Baby Ryder again and feeling him kick more.

   So all around good week, I'm so tired still. I'm ready for the magical kick of energy that most pregnant women get in second trimester, hopefully it will come. I did register this week, which was interesting. I registered at target and babies-r-us, I feel like there is so much stuff and I didn't know what to register for. I didn't wanna register for diapers and clothes, because people are gonna get me what they want in those departments, ha. So I only scanned things I knew I for sure wanted. It'll be interesting to see what all I get for Ryder, who knew baby things were so fun. (:

xx

20 Weeks

   I am a day late, but I am now 20 weeks along. Halfway to seeing my sweet baby boy(: It is hard to believe I am already halfway there, part of me feels like I've been pregnant for so long, and the other part of me feels like I just found out the other day. I'm sure that I will probably feel that way until Ryder is born though! 

   Here are a few picture of my slowly, yet ever growing growing belly.

   I know I look fabulous in my sunglasses, my sisters made fun of me when I put them on, ha. 

How far along: 20 weeks

Gender: I am having a little BOY!!!

Weight gain: Last week it put 5+ lbs, but I was wrong, when I went to my doctors' appt last Thursday, I'd gained exactly one pound. I'd say I'm doing pretty good for being halfway pregnant;)

Maternity clothes: I bought my first maternity clothes this week, just two dresses from old navy. They are super comfortable, and I could wear them everyday.

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: I told my mom I was having trouble sleeping the other day and she laughed at me! I've always been a big sleeper and can sleep anyplace anytime.. Usually.. I had a few days off from work though, so I think I've caught up on a little bit of sleep.

Best moment this week: Finding out that I'm having a boy(:

Miss anything: I still miss sleeping on my tummy.. 

Movement: I've felt Ryder kick a few times, but still not a lot..

Cravings: I craved seafood gumbo this week, and I got some at a creole restaurant yesterday. Talk about the best gumbo ever.

Looking forward to: Seeing Baby Ryder again and feeling him kick more.

   I've had an all around pretty good week. I've gone to the beach, been watching my aunt's puppies, and catching up on sleep. I still have some things that I am hoping and praying for. I have two prayer requests, 1. Pray that I can find an affordable and nice place for me and Ryder to live and 2. Pray that Ryder will be a healthy baby and that there will be no complications throughout the rest of this pregnancy. 

xx

It's a Boy!!!

   So I went to the doctor yesterday and found out that I'm having a baby boy! I am so excited, I just know I will have the cutest baby boy ever (I know I will be slightly biased, but still)! 

   So meet Baby Ryder!

   I feel like he has the cutest nose. (: The ultrasound went really well and the doctor said everything looked good. There was one thing she saw that she wanted me to get checked out again, so I'll be going to get another ultrasound later this week. Hopefully it's nothing and I'll just be able to see my sweet baby again and have some better pictures. 

   I let my mom and dad know right away what I was having, and I kept it a secret for about two hours. I had my family and a couple friends meet me at Moe's for lunch and I handed out peanut M&M's as their hint. Everyone very quickly realized I was having a boy;)

   

   One of my long-time best friends came with me to the ultrasound and then we had to take a picture together. I feel like I don't look pregnant at all (even though I'm almost already halfway through!). I was wearing a loose shirt, and I hadn't eaten yet though. After a little shopping, we grabbed a blue slushie for obvious reasons (and I was craving a slushie reallyyyy badly..).

   My sister offered to take a picture for me to put up on Facebook, so we had this really cool idea of blowing up balloons and white ribbon. As you can see.. Balloons popped and it wasn't as grand an idea as we thought. It was fun though(:

   We decided to just look cute and we set off a color smoke bomb and got what I think is a pretty good picture. I look pregnant after having lunch and a slushie and other random snacks throughout the day(:

   And here are some of the baby clothes I bought(: I'm so excited to get Ryder clothes and things. I've decided to get him fox things. I'll be ordering a little fox stuffed animal soon, I'm so excited.

   I feel like I wrote a lot, and I know I've stated how happy/excited I am more than once, but I am proud of my baby already. It's starting to become more real as the weeks go by, hopefully I'll be feeling him kick more by my next post!