2nd trimester-Week 13

Another week has flown by and we are officially in the 2nd trimester!!! We have shared the news with most of our friends and family at this point, but have yet to make it "Facebook Official".


This week Baby G is the size of a peach and now has the ability to suck his/her thumb. The bones are continuing to form and get stronger. I have had a little nausea in the morning but haven't been sick for several days. Knock on wood!

I had to travel to Cleveland this week for a couple days to lead a training. I stumbled across a super cute little bakery with GIANT cupcakes and couldn't help myself.  Once I got back to my hotel room (right after dinner), I climbed in bed and enjoyed a sweet treat.

I was unable to get through even half but it was delicious and I intend to finish it soon!!!

How far along? 13 weeks

Total weight gain: I haven't checked....probably a few pounds with all the Easter candy in the house.

Maternity clothes? I unpacked my maternity clothes and have purchased a few new things. I definitely feel more comfortable with the extra room.

Stretch marks? nope

Sleep:  Waking up 3-4 a night to pee....but overall, sleeping well.

Best moment this week: Seeing Nick and Carli after traveling overnight.

Miss Anything? Really wanted to order a glass of wine with dinner in Cleveland.  

Movement:  not yet

Food cravings:  Nothing specific....

Anything making you queasy or sick:  I think I may need to change my prenatal vitamins. I think that could be the culprit.

Gender:  feeling a boy this week

Labor Signs:  Lord no!

Symptoms: little baby bump

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off?  On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and thankful.

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender this weekend!! Then telling everyone, especially Carli.

12 weeks and the Easter Bunny!

The last few days have flown by! I've thought about updating but we have just been having so much fun, I didn't find time.


We are almost to the end of the first trimester...such a blessing!! This week baby's muscular system and nervous system are responding to each other and baby can bend, stretch, kick, and even make faces. Baby G has a distinct profile with a little nose and chin and is about the size of a plum.

After several weeks of feeling pretty good...no nausea and better sleep. Morning sickness smacked me in the face (hard). The first time I was driving Carli to Patti's and had to pull over. She was concerned and asked "Why is the baby choking you, mommy?" I explained the baby wasn't hurting me but sometimes I would throw up if I skipped breakfast. It returned two more times this week, but luckily I was at home. Time to start putting crackers by the bed. My little mimic was feeling my pain and had to "frow up" too.  I have read that at this stage the placenta starts to take over and that can cause a surge in hormones. I had forgotten but when looking back, the same thing happened when I was pregnant with Carli.

We had fantastic weather for Easter weekend and spent most of it outside. On Saturday, Carli went to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt and had a ball. It was nearly 70 degrees so our cul-de-sac decided to throw together a cookout. It was so fun! We had the Easter bunny visit and pass out baskets, the dad's hid 200 Easter eggs for more hunting and the kids played on trampolines and bounce houses all afternoon. We capped the night with a bonfire that lasted until nearly midnight. Carli and dipped out about 8pm but we all agreed, it was one of our favorites days since we have moved in. We are so lucky to have a great street and neighbors for our kids to grow up on. Sunday we hosted our family for Easter dinner. Mother Nature was good to us again and we got to spend a lot of the day outside. We even broke out the water table. It was truly a perfect weekend!

My little artist added a picture at the bottom when no one was looking.

I wore the same dress this Easter I did 4 years ago on Easter Sunday. It is so fun to see the difference in baby bumps!

15 weeks pregnant with Carli and almost 13 weeks pregnant with Baby G.

11 Weeks

Week 11 has been a big week! We had an ultrasound, we told our bosses and several of our friends we are pregnant, we (sort of ) celebrated St. Patrick's Day, and March Madness. Whew! I am tired!

Our doctors appointment on Monday went great! Baby G is actually measuring about 4 days ahead and had a strong heartbeat at 170bpm. My doctor isn't changing my due date but said that based on my history and measuring big...we should be prepared for baby by mid-September. Oh boy (or girl)!! All my blood work came back in a normal range and the doctor is pleased. This week the baby is the size of a lime and will have a huge growth spurt over the next 3 weeks, doubling in size.  I can tell because my pants are getting a little snug.

Carli and I were talking the other night and she asked about the sex of the baby. I told her we still don't know, but God does. She seemed ok with that for now but suggested we name the baby Zoey if it's a girl and Porcupine if its a boy. When I told her a porcupine was an animal, she said "I think that is ok". We have had a little difficulty adjusting after daylight savings time and after my travel last week, Carli is extremely clingy to mama. I can't help wonder how she will react when she has to "share" me.

On St. Patrick's Day, Nick and I have officially been together for 10 years! My, how time flies! On one hand it seems like we were just kids back then and have come SO far. On the other hand, I feel like we are still those young, thin, fun kids we once were....at least at heart!!

10 year lilies from my baby daddy

How far along? 11 weeks

Total weight gain: actually lost 2lbs

Maternity clothes? not yet...bit I prefer stretchy pants when I can get away with it.

Stretch marks? nope

Sleep:  Pretty good most nights 

Best moment this week: seeing that strong beating heart

Miss Anything? not really

Movement:  I wondered this week but I doubt it yet

Food cravings:  Apples and Peanut Butter...still!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nausea has gotten so much better this week.

Gender:  Thinking boy after our appointment....hmmm

Labor Signs:  um, no!

Symptoms: tighter pants 

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off?  On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: very, very happy!

Looking forward to: the Easter Bunny!!

Double Digits! 10 weeks!

Hey y'all!!
I am behind posting for week 10 because I spent most of the week in Texas for work. It was a pretty easy trip but I missed Carli terribly and couldn't wait to get home!
We are 1/4 of the way through the pregnancy...I love the milestone weeks!


We have been taking advantage of the early Spring weather and playing outside every chance we get. It wears us all out! I feel like my belly has grown a bit and a few people may be suspicious, including neighbors and co-workers. We have a check up at 11 weeks and will probably be more comfortable sharing the news after that. We did make the announcement to Nick's family. Everyone is very excited to add another Groves to the family in the fall.


This week our little buckeye has all of the internal organs and the heart is almost fully developed. The ears are in the final stages of taking shape and will soon be able to hear.

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain: 2lbs

Maternity clothes? Pants have started to get a little snug and I am forced to be more creative to hide a tiny bump.

Stretch marks? nope

Sleep:  Pretty good most nights 

Best moment this week: Telling our family

Miss Anything? I wanted a Coors Light during our bonfire Saturday night.

Movement:  not yet

Food cravings:  Apples and Peanut Butter

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nausea has gotten so much better this week.

Gender:  A few more weeks.

Labor Signs:  Lord no!

Symptoms: actually, no 

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off?  On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!!

Looking forward to: Ultrasound!!!

9 weeks

The first trimester is such a marathon. At times it seems to fly by, other moments, it is dragging. Everything has been going really well. Morning sickness has subsided this week which is a huge relief. I typically hit a brick wall about 3pm every afternoon and find myself yawning through meetings.
We told Carli that she was going to be a big sister and her reaction was priceless. She squealed, jumped up and down, and was SO very happy! She immediately wanted to go into planning mode (her mothers daughter)...telling me we need a crib, diapers, and lots of "baby things". It was the sweetest thing. We took a quick shopping trip to Target where she was throwing all kinds of baby gear in our cart. I just didn't have the heart to stop her.

Every day since, she asks about the baby. She talks to and kisses my belly. Asking "are you a boy or a girl?" I can't wait to really start shopping and planning. I know my little helper will be right in tow.


Baby is officially considered a "fetus" this week. The kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs are all beginning to function. Baby is the size of a grape this week. We had an ultrasound at 8 weeks 2 days and Baby G was measuring right on target. Strong heartbeat at 167 bpm...much faster than just a few weeks before.  So no clue on gender there....


For fun we did a few gender predication tests. 1. I did the baking soda test that predicated girl. 2. My sister held a necklace over my belly and that predicted boy. 3. The ultrasound tech said that the shape of my placenta and the baby indicated boy based on the Ramzi method. 4. Chinese gender chart also says a boy.
Only 4 more  weeks until we can find out!!! I can't wait!