Week 24, right on track!

Oh man has time flown by! I was looking at my calendar and just one more month until I have my baby doctor appointments every 2 weeks! That is when you know it is really getting close, you have to go to the doctor a whole lot more. The last two weeks have been filled with baking holiday treats (and eating plenty) and making gifts for friends and family. I am so glad I had the time to do this for everyone this year, next year will not be as easy. I had my 24 week appointment yesterday and Doc is pretty impressed by mine, and my baby's growth. Believe it or not I have gained 17 lbs. since the start, which they are totally happy with (I am not sure I am!!), and when the baby's leg was measured the age produced was 24 weeks and 2 days, my baby's exact age to the day! Hopefully she won't be stuck with 29 inch long legs like Mom, and have some height to her like Dad. Thank goodness for both of the grandmas she will have! They both contribute so much, and in different ways so it seems that everything is taken care of because one of them has it covered! There are some new pains that are starting mostly back and upper stomach, however I have never felt better during the whole pregnancy.
One tip to share with newly pregnant moms is to always wear a shirt showing your belly when you are out and about shopping, it will turn a much needed restroom from 'not a public restroom' to 'yes right this way'. They can't turn down a pregnant lady, who knows if she'll be able to hold it long enough to not pee all over the floor! Another I wish someone would have told me is the best way to sleep is to surround yourself with pillows. that way sleeping on your side isn't so hard to do, and you're always nice and comfy.
One last shout out is to Amy Campbell who has been giving me pre-natal massages which are amazing! I don't know what I would do without those, to those who have not had one, you need to get one!!
Below is a pic of me wearing a dress my mom sent to help be stay comfy, and super classy!

I feel like I look pretty big in this picture, but hey it is what it is and that only means my baby will be nice and healthy, and hopefully not a midget like her Mom :)

 

 

I have also lived my dream by telling someone who asked me if I was pregnant that I wasn't. I know them enough that they were not upset after I told them the truth, but you pregnant friends of mine need to try it at least once, as long as you don't have to pee, because you will be laughing really really hard because of their reaction!

Baby Week 22-Kicking!

Before these last two weeks I thought I had felt some kicking but more recently I definitely know what a baby kick feels like! Little baby girl likes to do most of her stretching in the middle of the night, which in turn is teaching me what staying up all night will somewhat feel like once she shows up. Dad is very excited to feel her kicks, but she seems to stop at the exact moment he puts his hand on my stomach to feel it. Typical Merchen! I am sure he will be able to feel some good movement here soon enough.
I also cleared out my entire craft room with only a tote or two left for baby stuff. I just can't wait to get some cute pink stuff in this house! Its pretty obvious these days that I am carrying a baby, the customers who come into the bank are all very surprised like it showed up out of no where. Today one girl asked me if I was pregnant or just fat, I was tempted to tell her I have been having weight problems and start crying, but I didn't want to get fired from my job :).
There are a lot of really hilarious things that happen to you while you are pregnant, most women would probably know what I mean. For example when your husband catches you with your shirt lifted and scratching furiously at your stomach because of how itchy you get.
One of my favorite things to do is look at hilarious baby onesies online as well. I am half tempted to buy them, but it seems difficult for me to justify spending so much on one little outfit.... I think that is my Mom that instilled frugalness in me, and knowing that that kid will not wear it more than 3 months.  Here are some of my favorites: http://www.rag-a-muffinz.com/#!laugh-out-loud/cvvv
Who ever thought is pretty awesome!

 Me at 22 Weeks!

Baby week 20, Its a GIRL!!!

We finally found out the gender and much to our surprise (besides everyone telling us), the doctor revealed its a little baby girl! The last few week have been a bit tough in the self esteem department, I realized that being pregnant and short is sometimes a little bit hard. I was asked 2 times if I was having twins, and most people cannot believe I'm ONLY 5 months. One of the people who commented this way was even pregnant herself! Some peoples kids.... However today I decided that I didn't care, I would rather have a bigger healthy baby if that is what my body will allow to do. Clint and I are very excited, but now he realizes that someday that little cute baby will grow up into being a teenager, and if she is as wild as all of her previous Merchen aunts uncles and cousins, she is going to do whatever the hell she wants :). We haven't really started compiling outfits and baby goodies yet, but Nannie (her chosen name) Susan has been texting me all day with outfits and toys, while Grandma Laura I am sure has the yarn picked out for an awesome blanket. Now my new goal is to start Christmas present making, and watching out for great deals on baby girl stuff. Oh here is the nice family picture we took when we got home. Charlie was so excited about having a little sister he wanted to wear my purple scarf, and Clint was beaming with joy as well (can't you tell?! :)) In all fairness this is a look into her future about 14 years from now....

Baby week 16

16 weeks! Holy cow its crazy to think we will get to find out what we are having in 3.5 weeks from now! People keep asking me what I think I am having which is a hard question to answer. Mostly because EVERYONE says I am having a girl, which I believe has made my dreams create a tiny little girl that I dress up in headbands and dresses with big blue eyes and toe head blonde hair. But the more I think about it a boy would not be so bad either. His dad is handsome so I wouldn't mind having a handsome little boy that he could take out hunting, fishing, and working on man stuff you know? Either way Clint and I are both VERY anxious to find out so very soon. The past two weeks were great, my very best friend Kenna came to visit and kept referring to my little bean as baby Ulysses. What a terrible name for a child! She was just being funny, and she did give us some much better ideas for names that we are still passing around. I am also very anxious to start feeling some kicking I hear that is just the absolute best thing about being pregnant and I can't wait to experience that miracle. As each day goes on I feel like I get bigger and bigger but still waiting for that 'pregnant' look. I am sure this is probably frustrating for all new moms since no one can tell you are actually pregnant, and you are barely fitting into your favorite jeans. Needless to say after my next appointment I will be hitting up Target for some hopefully awesome maternity deals!

Baby week 14!

So I have decided to follow in the footsteps of my great friend Melinda. She made a blog for her first child and I thought I might do the same. Not only to track my progress physically, but mentally as I go through this crazy life journey of pregnancy and becoming a mom (Ah! I can't believe that is going to happen!). So this is my first post of me at 14 weeks. I honestly didn't think I would ever get my energy back, but I finally have this week. Things are really starting to excite me and I'm ready to start buying things! My last few weeks were pretty hard to get through, I had the morning sickness, headaches, tiredness, you name it I had it! Clint is finally getting dinners when he gets home from work, and I can start actually walking my dog rather than driving him to the park. Another great new trait is that before I felt very angry in my first few weeks, not for any reason really but just mad and angry most of the time. Now I find myself just being very carefree and happy about almost anything. I even got insulted at work by a fellow co-worker and thought it was just hilarious! Hopefully that stays and I start getting a belly that I can be proud of. I am very excited for what is ahead for me in the future and to see how this new journey gives me paths to being a great mom. Oh and here is my first picture! My belly seems to be showing, but it is mostly Reeses's Puffs and Pizza (At least that is what I think!).
Chantel