It's a......

Today we found out today we are officially having a GIRL!!!! That's right, this bundle of love that's growing and being molded in my belly is a girl. Everything is looking as it should and every time we get to see our baby it warms our hearts, making me also get teary eyed. We are beyond thrilled and can now officially start doing things for the nursery and most importantly try to pin down a name! We've had a boy named picked out forever, but the girl name has been a whole different story. Names I liked Steven didn't like, and vice versa. (We've talked about names since before we were even trying, because I knew it could be a process to agree on one and boy was I right.) Now, we think we have one picked but are going to give it some time and see how referring to the little miss by it feels and sounds (and if we just decide we don't like it in general). 

A little while after our appointment we went to the store and while we were passing the baby clothes I told Steven, "I REALLY want to buy some baby clothes now!!!!" Though, this last weekend I met up with some family and my sister in laws gave me a ton of my nieces clothes she's grown out of and I need to go through that FIRST, see what's in there, and THEN I can begin our shopping for our girl! 

I have felt a couple kicks...I think, but nothing too for sure. During my ultrasound we found out my placenta is anterior in my uterus, so that means it's in the front of my belly and is acting like a pillow, muffling the kicks. Any time though I, and Steven, could start to feel some actual kicks, which I am really excited for!

Every day is something to be grateful for and is so precious. I thank God for all He is doing in our lives; everything He has been teaching us. We are learning and opening our hearts and minds to how this next chapter will deepen our (Steven and I's) relationship with another, with our baby and especially the one who created us all. 

nineteen weeks

 

I have had every intention to start doing weekly photos and updates of the baby bump...but things have been a bit busy around here with getting things done for our new house!

I'll try to do at least every other week now. And I want to keep good record of these events too, it's such exciting stuff! 

From what my apps say, baby is around 6 inches, around the size of a mango/zucchini. Don't you just love the fruit comparisons? I find them interesting and entertaining to see what they come up with next.

My appetite hasn't increased (from it's already increased state) nor decreased so I'm trying to feed this baby good (eating 6 times a day) and as you can tell the bump has gotten bigger (and some other things up top and little below the belly keep getting bigger if you know what I mean and I am like, 'ookkkaayy, I have about 4/5 months left and can only imagine how much more they might grow-YIKES'!!!! Sorry if that's TMI, but for real?!)!!!! Twice this week strangers have said I have a cute bump and get all excited for us. At first it took me off guard because I know I have a baby growing in there, but on some days I still feel like I could just look really bloated/chubby-depending on what I'm wearing (and some people, after I tell them I am pregnant, say, 'Ok, I wasn't sure so I didn't want to say/ask). But of course I love the excitement and compliments from whoever! I've been able to make most of my clothes work and haven't bought any bigger clothes or maternity clothes. My sister in laws did give some of theirs, so I think I'll be able to hold back buying some of my own for awhile anyways. When I do feel the desire/need to get some I'm going to try to find pieces that I'll be able to wear post pregnancy-spending money on maternity stuff just gets me because even if we do have another baby they won't be worn a ton. Although I hear getting maternity pants is one thing I will probably want and I'm sure I'll grow out of mine with my growing mid section. We shall see how I feel down the road, but that's my thinking at the moment.

Last week one of Steven's coworkers gave us some gender neutral baby gear which was so sweet! We personally haven't bought any baby stuff and I feel the urge every time we pass anything baby. BUT on the 30th we have our BIG ultrasound and hopefully baby cooperates and we will find out the GENDER!!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm ready for it?!?! Steven is really looking forward to it, too and I love it when he shares his excitement and gives the bump some love. Thinking about the day(s) I will see him giving our newborn love overflows my heart even more and makes me get choked up (like as I write this).  So after we find out the gender there will definitely be some purchases made...though I'll try to not go too crazy ; ).

We are loving this time and look forward to sharing more with you along the way!

 

We are HOME OWNERS!

This week we became home owners! YAAAY!

Knowing this will be the home we make into our own and bring our children to brings us such joy! I love picturing our babies in their future rooms, crawling on our living room floor, learning to walk all around, probably making their own artwork on the walls : / playing in the backyard and so much more. (and I know I'm slacking on the baby bump photos...I'm working on it and stay tuned for one sooner than later.)

We have touches and upgrades to make and we have already begun the steps for some. It has some great potential to be even better than it is and we will be doing some improvements along the way!

Wednesday events

Yesterday was a beautiful day that Steven and I spent together, just the two of us. It started with a leisurely morning and then mid morning hike. We have been hiking somewhere new each time and I am enjoying the new surroundings. However, after we were on this certain path for a little Steven was leading a couple feet ahead of me and...I keep a very good eye on the path...not just because I'm graceful, but there are some bugs, insects, etc I want to be aware of and it's a good thing I do because...right by Steven's foot there was about a foot and half long SNAKE!!!! I of course scream/jump and Steven looks down and sees the snake slither through his feet and across the path to the other side, into the bushes. He laughed at me and thought I had been attacked by something, but no, just that I SAW a snake close by. If you couldn't tell I'm terrified of snakes. They are one thing I was dreading coming across after we moved here (Alaska supposedly doesn't have any...and I never saw one the whole 6 years I was there...thank goodness). And just my luck I have seen 2 snakes already within the month we've been here. On one of the first hikes I went on when I got here, it was just my girlfriend and I and we brought up snakes. She was glad to hear I was just as afraid of snakes as she is because she said she would feel bad running away from a snake while leaving me, the pregnant lady, behind. But I reassured her I'd be right there with her screaming AND running. Ugh, I need to get over my fear one these days.

Well, other than the snake occurrence on the hike it was beautiful and peaceful. Then close to where we hiked is an area called Hyde Park, with some cute shops, cafes and restaurants. So we ate lunch at one place, walked to a toy store called G. Willikers (cleaver name I must say) and then a candy/ice cream place called Goody's. Oh so yummy it was! We will definitely be making that a regular stop.

Then home we went. We cleaned up and laid down with a book and ended up falling asleep for like 2 hours. The evening came and we stopped by our church's youth event called Chocolate Syrup Slip n' Slim. It's crazy fun for all of them. They recreate the Nickelodeon green slim on one tarp slide. Then on the bottom of another they do chocolate syrup. They spray the slides with water and the kids just keep going down them into either the slim or the chocolate pools at the bottom. It's a great way for youth to see church can be fun and makes kids want to come back for more.

It was a great day, like many. Steven only works 3 days a week and the other 4 is quite enjoyed by us doing things just the two of us or with friends!