Little Baby Groves

Thursday, May 12, 2016

19 weeks

How the weeks are flying by now that we are hitting warmer weather. I look ahead at our social calendar and see how much we have planned and I know this summer is going to be gone in the blink of an eye!

Baby girl is going through a growth spurt this week! She is about half a pound and 9 inches long. We will get her exact size confirmed tomorrow at our anatomy scan. I had a regular check up earlier this week and everything looks great! Dr. Keder immediately found a strong heartbeat and said my belly is measuring right on track (although I feel big). She actually didn't think the tingling and numbness in my right leg is sciatica but maybe just circulation. It is something I will continue to keep an eye on and I am hopeful it gets better soon! Nick did get me a prenatal massage for Mother's Day that I will be taking advantage of (very soon).

I got a little help on the chalkboard this week!

I have started to clean out the nursery and hope to get more done this weekend so we can select paint colors. Carli and I have also done a little more shopping! She loves picking out cute jammies and dresses for her little sister. She loves showing anyone that will look as well!

How far along? 19 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 5lbs pounds

Maternity Clothes? lots of dresses and leggings

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: I have slept great this week. Bathroom trips are down to about 2 a night and I feel rested in the morning.

Best moment this week: celebrating Mother's Day with my momma and family

Miss anything? Not really, feeling pretty content:)

Movement: Yes! But still very sporadic. Ready for some good kicks!

Food Cravings? Butterfinger Bar

Anything make you sick or queasy? Just one day of a little queasiness this week...I needed breakfast!

Gender: GIRL:)

Labor signs: no

Symptoms: baby bump

Belly button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: our anatomy scan tomorrow and vacation!

Mother's Day!

We spent the day together as a family and I was showered with homemade cards, pancakes, and lots of kisses. We grilled hotdogs, played outside, and enjoyed good company with my mom, Kelli and Mike.

It was a very special day and I can't wait to double the love next year with another sweet babe! It seems surreal that I have been a mom this long, yet I look back and really can't remember much about what life was like before. It won't be long before these precious years are gone, the years of bringing life into this world, snuggling your tiny babies whose smell you never want to forget & being needed every minute of every day. The few short years of your life where you will lose your patience over another lost shoe or find yourself on your hands and knees three times a day scooping up food from the floor. Those toes won't be little for long, their voices won't be so small & there will eventually be things they'd much rather do than follow you to the bathroom.

Motherhood has this way of breaking us down & building us right back up all within mere seconds. It is hard, and it is draining, but there is still so much beauty in this journey. I wanted to be a mom my whole life, I couldn't wait. I hoped and wished and prayed to have little girls some day, and now here we are, four whole years into it. And it has gone by so fast. These are the days, right here in the palms of our hands.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

18 weeks and sick

Yay for May and 18 weeks! I came down with a cold at the end of last week that has since moved to my chest/lungs. I am coughing and sound like a barking dog...or maybe a seal. Regardless, it isn't great! Luckily, everything I have read says that the baby is protected in there and isn't affected at all...except for maybe when I cough so hard that my belly moves. She may not like that!

This week she is developing yawning and hiccupping skills. Carli used to get the hiccups all the time so I am curious to see if this baby will get them too. She is about 8.5 inches long and the size of a sweet potato. All very exciting, but most of all, she can hear us now! Carli has been talking to her for weeks (it is the sweetest thing). I love that she is getting used to the sound of our voices.

I have had the best doctor/nurse since I have been feeling under the weather. Carli and Nick are letting me rest, tucking me in at night, and bringing me breakfast in bed. I am such a lucky mama!

I am 99% that I am experiencing sciatica. I spoke to a nurse and she said it sounds like "classic sciatica". She suggested a heating pad, warm baths, and stretches. If the pressure/pain gets too crazy I can see a physical therapist. It doesn't cause any harm to the baby and really can't hurt me either (long term) with the exception of a risk of falling. I am going to keep a close eye and pray that baby G doesn't get too comfortable in that spot for long.

Good news!! We have officially decided on a baby name! Bad news!! We have decided to keep it a secret until she is born. I love sharing super wonderful exciting news so this may be difficult for me at times but Nick and I agree that it will be a sweet surprise for our friends and family. I can tell you....we LOVE her name and I think it sounds beautiful with Miss. Caroline Olivia. {my darling girls}.

I can still see my feet!!!

Nick decided to take advantage of a sunny afternoon last weekend and have a few beers on the front porch. I joined him with my H20....in a wine glass. It made me feel (somewhat) like I was enjoying a nice cold one too!

Thursday, April 28, 2016

17 weeks

Baby girl has grown so much the last few weeks. She is about 7 inches long and 6 ounces. Her heart is now regulated by her brain (no more random beats) and is about 140-150 bpm. She is starting to roll around and kick and the big news this week is I can feel her moving!! It is the coolest feeling ever and I forgot how much I love feeling my babies moving around. I can't wait until Nick and Carli can feel her kick from the outside.

I am visibly pregnant. I feel like my belly popped out almost overnight and a little earlier this time around. Pretty normal according to all the second time mama's I speak to.
My hands/arms are falling asleep at night and I wake up with the pins and needles feeling at least once. Something that is a little different this time is my right leg is falling asleep when I stand in one place for an extended amount of time. I did a little self diagnoses and all signs point to the extra pressure on my sciatic nerve. Apparently this is totally normal but it does make me a little nervous as to how it may feel in another 20-25lbs. I will definitely be running it by my doctor at my next appointment.

Carli loving on her baby sister during our evening cuddle session.

How far along? 17 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 5lbs pounds

Maternity Clothes? living in maxi dresses

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: pretty good

Best moment this week: feeling her moving!

Miss anything? maybe a glass of vino

Movement: Yes!!

Food Cravings? jello, fruit, chocolate milkshakes

Anything make you sick or queasy? empty stomach and bending over for too long

Gender: GIRL:)

Labor signs: no

Symptoms: baby bump

Belly button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: a low key weekend at home and Mother's Day!

Monday, April 25, 2016

Mama in Vegas!

I must say Las Vegas may be one of the few cities that is NOT pregnant lady friendly. The trip was great. Robert Half really took care of us and set us up to have a wonderful time for 3 days.
I had forgotten that people are able to smoke EVERYWHERE...so I found myself holding my breath as I sprinted through the casino. The drinks were flowing at the pool and ALL NIGHT LONG...I was sticking to Shirley Temples, virgin margarita's, and bottled water.....all worth it for a healthy little bundle of joy in a few months.

One thing you can do is rock a baby bump at the pool....the 90 degree weather and relaxation was wonderful!!

It was super fun getting all glammed up! I had my make up professionally done, so I felt extra pampered and special. Had to take a quick shot of the baby bump in an evening gown too:)

April 22nd marked two years since dad (poppy) passed away. I hated that I couldn't be with my family but I was very glad that Mom, Kelli, and Carli all were together and had a picnic at the cemetery. He loved being a daddy and a poppy and I know he would be so excited for this baby too!

We miss him so much and talk about him a lot. Carli kissed his headstone and told him to get out of that stone! She knows and understands he is in heaven and watches over her every day.

Pretty sure she is wearing one of Mamaw's tank tops as a dress!! That girl!

16 weeks!

Boy is the time flying by!
Baby girl is about 5-6 inches long and can hear us talking to her. Carli loves to give hugs and talk to her all the time.
I have started to feel much better. I don't feel as tired and morning sickness has subsided. Hallelujah!
I am preparing for my trip to Las Vegas for the Reach for the Stars event. It has been challenging finding evening wear for the formal night but I finally was able to find something that was cute and comfortable.

I picked up the first matching outfits for the girls. I am considering having them wear it the day we bring baby girl home. Carli's t-shirt also has a hot pink tutu (obviously).

We have had a few bonfires with the neighbors over the last few weekends and with a trip to Vegas coming up, I thought that this onesie was appropriate too!

Monday, April 11, 2016

Apple of my Eye

Baby girl (yay) is the size of an apple this week. I am still eating green apples and peanut butter pretty regularly and Carli has picked up on my new favorite snack. Coincidence I am sure! This week her ears and eyes have positioned themselves where they belong. She is also able to move her fingers and toes and make breathing movements. I am convinced I have felt her move but it is still very inconsistent. She is about 4 inches long. I had a regular check up today and everything went great. Heartbeat is right around 140bpm.
I took a little road trip to see Garth Brooks perform and shop at Ikea with Megan. We had a great time!! Lots of girl talk and planning for our futures! I even spotted a crib that I really, really like!!