19 Weeks- Happy New Year!!

Wow, we are almost halfway there. Although sometimes I've felt like this pregnancy is dragging it does seem amazing that we will meet this little guy less than 5 months!

We have had a pretty crazy '08. After 3 surgeries, countless injections and more tears and heartache than I could have been prepared for we feel so blessed to be expecting our little one. A year ago I never would have imagined what this year would bring but honestly I now can't imagine not going through it all. I think this process has taught me patience, perseverance, and hope and I think I will be a better mother because of it. We are looking forward to an exciting '09! Hopefully we will see some changes for the better taking place in the economy and of course we will becoming parents.

We are looking forward to a pretty low key New Year's Eve. We're heading over to some friend's house and then heading up to the cabin with the Vann family for a few days. Next Tuesday we have our big ultrasound where we will confirm the sex and get the baby's measurements. I'm really excited to be able to see him moving around again. I'm starting to feel him more consistently now. I love feeling him kick and move around and I'm anxious for J to be able to feel him too! I'll post more pics later but here is the belly pic from today at 19 weeks. The little guys is now about 6 in. long and weighs about 9 oz. Mango's are one of my favorite fruits, too bad they really aren't in season because my mouth is watering looking at that one!

A Crazy Christmas!

We are just getting over having the worst snow storm in 100 years here in the lovely Pacific NW which made for an interesting X Mas. Luckily after almost 6 hours of white knuckled driving we were able to make it to my parent's house for the festivities. We had a great time and received lots fun baby things. We couldn't have been more thrilled and appreciative for all of the love and support this little guy is already receiving. We are so lucky! Here are a few pics from the holiday. I'll get a new belly pic on later this week, I know I'm a little behind. Next up...New Years!

Mom, Jimmy & Me on X Mas.

Jimmy trying out the new Ergo...love it!

My Grandma on Christmas Eve.

The little Vann House covered in snow.

My dedicated huband shoveling a walkway for his pregnant wife.

Holiday Baking

We had a huge snow storm today that gave us about 4 inches and now it's in the 20's so looks like we are going to be stuck at home for a while. We stayed in today because most of the roads were impassable so I took the opportunity to do some holiday baking. Don't worry, the baby isn't that hungry! I made it all to give away, although I did have to have a small taste of everything to make sure it was up to par! For recipes check out my food blog.

Then, on top of all the baking I made a really good dinner too! I'm very proud of myself and J was beyond thrilled with the day's events :-)

Alive & Kickin'

That's right, I'm starting to feel this little guy moving around. He's pretty active in the morning and in the evening kicking and jabbing me. It's so fun to feel him dancing in there.

Other than the freezing temps around here this week (we are waking up to temps in the teens which is very unusual for us), we have nothing very eventful going on. We are just getting ready for the holidays and trying to stay warm.

We watched my friend's daughter Nevaeh on Sat evening which is always fun. She is such a sweet little girl and is starting to crawl. She was born on May 30th so she and our baby will be exactly 1 year apart. Here's a pic of Jimmy and Nevaeh checking out the 1st snow of the year.

And, of course here is the weekly belly pic for week 17. I think it's gotten a little bigger in the past few weeks but it's pretty hard to tell.

Last but not least, the fruit of the week which is no such thing this week. It's actually an onion. Onion's are pretty much my least favorite food. Yuck, although my little guy is an onion I won't hold it against him. Hopefully he won't make me cry like onions do!

Don't YOU have anything better to do???

I got a comment on one of my earlier posts that stated "Don't you have anything better to do than obsess about a baby????????"

Um, no...I actually don't!!!! This baby is obviously the most important thing in my husband's and my life right now and probably will continue to be so until the day I die. If you had been through what I went through to create this little guy you might understand but if I am offending you for keeping a blog about my pregnancy then by all means, don't read it. And, certainly don't take the time out of your busy day to comment about it.

Whoever you are please take your negative comments elsewhere...enough said.

He is huge!

I had an appt today and I was able to hear the heartbeat and hear him moving around. When he is moving it sounds like a loud swishing sound on the monitor and he was swishing all over the place. I still haven't felt any definite movement but I'm sure it will happen soon. The Dr. also told me that my uterus is measuring between 18-20 weeks and today I am only 16 weeks 3 days. Oh no!!! I'm going to have a huge baby!! This makes me nervous but it does make sense because I think I am a little big for 16 weeks. Here are some new belly pics taken today. You be the judge, is he making my butt look big...lol!?

Does this baby make my butt look big??

I think it might a little! I'm just a little bigger all over right now. I know it is great that I am gaining weight and my belly is getting bigger but it is honestly a little hard to get on that scale and see a # that I have NEVER seen before. I know it's all worth it though!

We had a good weekend hanging out with friends and relaxing at home. This weekend I think it's time to get started on the X Mas shopping. I have done none so far (I feel like scrooge this year) so I'd better get the ball rolling.

I had my first comments from strangers this week on my popping stomach. A stewardess on a plane last week told me she thought she saw it kick! I had to laugh since I've hardly felt him kick yet but at least she knew I was pregnant and not just fat. Also at the dry cleaners today the woman behind the counter asked me if I was expecting. I proudly said "YES!" It's fun to walk around with a pregnant belly. It makes me feel special like I have the importance of a whole human growing inside me. People look at you differently.

I am feeling great, pretty normal, just bigger. Tonight when I was sitting I think I might have felt him for the first time. I felt a little tap tap, 2 times. I don't think it was gas and it was in the spot where his little foot could be. I can't wait to feel more!

This week the baby is as big as an avocado. He is almost 5 inches long and can now hear us! I told Jimmy to watch his mouth now that his son can pick up his voice! He is also now growing eyelashes, eyebrows, hair and toenails.

The Fruit of the Womb

The fruit in my womb is now the size of an orange and is about 4 inches long. Apparently he is moving and kicking up a storm but I have yet to feel any movement. I'm really looking forward to those first flutters or kicks!We had a great Thanksgiving at our house with family. We have so much to be thankful for this year and we were thrilled to host the holiday and share it with our families. It was a small group which was nice and J and I have now eaten our weight in leftovers. I don't think we'll mind if we don't see turkey, potatoes, stuffing and gravy until next year! Here are a few pics of our day.

I took J to Babies R Us for the 1st time on Sat. which was a fun experience. He was having a hard time keeping everything straight (apparently bassinet, boppy, swing, glider, stroller, Ergo, etc. all start to sound the same after a while). It was fun though and now I am looking forward to registering in a few months. Nothing else very exciting going on around here. I am off to San Fran tomorrow morning for my work X Mas party and then we have a pretty quiet weekend ahead of us.

I'll leave you with another belly pic taken today at 15 weeks. I'm starting to look more pregnant by the day!