Week 23

How Far Along: 23 Weeks
Weight Gain: About 13-15 pounds.
Stretch Marks? Nope! Hooray!!!
Maternity Clothes: Yes. I'm also buying sizes up in shirts and dresses as needed. The only legit maternity thing I've really bought are pants and shorts cause the buttons bother me.
Sleep: Fine, the dogs wake me up sometimes, and I have to get up to go to the bathroom constantly. You would think I chug a liter of water throughout the night while I'm sleeping.
Best Moment This Week: So much progress in the nursery! The walls are almost done, we have a dresser, a night stand, and the glider and ottoman are ordered! We found the crib but sadly it's on back-order.. But I started organizing her dresser, can't wait to share with you!
Worst Moment This Week: Can't say that I've had one.. If anything, not being able to help my hubby paint the nursery and being able to have that experience with him, because paint fumes are a no no, even though I definitely snuck in there a couple of times haha!
Movement: Whoa movement!!! People can finally feel her from the outside, and it's so much more intense. It's weird and sometimes I'm like ok little lady, cut it out, but I love knowing that she's in there and that she's ok!
Cravings: Tuna Salad. Also, bananas. The other day I wanted a banana smoothie so bad, and I feel like I smell bananas all day lol. I haven't really been eating them though! :-P
Queasy or Sick: A little queasy sometimes actually, after I eat certain things.
Have You Started To Show Yet: Yup! Even wearing baggy t-shirts!
Gender: It's a girl!
Labor Signs: Not at all. When do those start showing up anyways?
Belly Button In or Out? In, but not all the way in. But not out. Haha.
Wedding Rings On or Off? On.
Happy or Moody Most of the Time: Happy! The 2nd trimester is definitely awesome! I feel so good!
Looking Forward To: Getting the rest of the furniture for the nursery, and nesting hard!

Get ready for bump pics overload below!

I finally have a BUMP and I'm feeling pretty good!!!

So I want to take lots of pics of this amazing time in my life! :)

23w1d

23w3d

23w4d

23w5d

Week 22

How Far Along: 22 Weeks
Weight Gain: Depends when I weight myself! But about 12-14 pounds give or take.
Stretch Marks? No! My stomach is probably greasier than Danny Zuko's hair most of the time, but nope, no stretch marks yay!!!
Maternity Clothes: Yes. No more buttons for me.. I don't think I could ever go back to buttons even after I deliver.. So uncomfortable lol!
Sleep: Pretty good!
Best Moment This Week: Getting more things out of my guest room AKA nursery! I think I finally picked a color for the walls, and a crib! It's so excitingggggggggg!!!!!!!!
Worst Moment This Week: Call me shallow or annoying but OMG I HAVE A LINEA NIGRA! It's faint, and hard to see, fine, but I totally can see it! It goes from the bottom of my belly button to "downstairs".. Ewwww!!! I hope it doesn't get darker, and I hope it goes away right after I give birth, like right away. Gross! Finding it was definitely heart breaking.
Movement: Just flutters! Dang placenta in the way! I just want to feel my baby girl move more!
Cravings: Same old.. Sweets.
Queasy or Sick: Nope! :)
Have You Started To Show Yet: Yes I have.
Gender: It's a girl!
Labor Signs: Nope!!!
Belly Button In or Out? In, but you can tell it wants to come out.. Nooooo!!!!!
Wedding Rings On or Off? On.
Happy or Moody Most of the Time: Happy!
Looking Forward To: Getting rid of the left over things in the nursery so we can paint the walls and buy the crib and just start setting it up!

Things A First Time Pregnant Woman NEVER Wants To Hear...

So I wanted to write a post about what my pregnancy has felt like to me so far.

Today, as I write this I am 22 weeks and 4 days.

This is me before pregnancy:

Petite, small, pretty flat stomach (which I didn't really realize at the time)..

Fine.. I was skinny.

Now I'm not saying I'm huge right now.

I'm not saying that at all!

But compared to how I was before, I, personally feel big!

I know I am growing a beautiful baby inside my body.

My body is changing because it's creating a life!

It's an amazing thing, and I am so thankful and blessed to be able to do that.

I don't regret it, I don't take it for granted. I am excited, shit, I am THRILLED!!!!

I cannot wait to have my baby in my arms, and I already love her unconditionally.

BUT!

That doesn't mean that all these changes my body is going through doesn't make me sad sometimes.
It's very different, it's weird, it's not what I'm used to.

I've looked a certain way for 20+ years and now all of the sudden my body is changing, and changing so rapidly I can't even keep up with it!

Looking at myself in the mirror, and seeing all these things my body is doing freaks me out.

Yes, I get over it, but that doesn't mean that I don't pout about them, or sometimes want to cry.

And I am not ashamed to admit it.

One of the things I feel like I can't do as a pregnant woman is "vent".

And that's sad to me.

If I say anything like "Oh man, I feel like I just ate 5 meals" after I have lunch I always hear it!

People really make me sound like I'm ridiculous.. WHY?!

Now I came up with a list, that applies to me, and might apply to some of you too haha..

Here are a few things I personally think a first-time pregnant woman NEVER wants to hear..

(And things I want to say to those people who tell these things to me.) Enjoy!

1- Mom to be just finished complaining about something.

Veteran Mom says: "Ha! You just wait!" or "It gets so much worse, you'll see..."

Ok, that's great, I realize pregnancy gets harder and harder as you get bigger, but I've never experienced it before! So I'm taking this day by day, week by week, month by month. I'm learning to deal with it, my body has never gone through this before!! 

Thank you though for making it seem like what I am currently going through is nothing.

2- Mom to be says she feels huge.

Veteran Mom (or anyone really) says: "Shut up, you are so small still!"

BUT I DON'T FEEL SMALL!!!!! I'm a small person, I get it, but to me, I feel huge, especially after a meal, I feel big, my body is going through a bunch of changes, my stomach feels like it's going to explode. Awesome! I look small to the whole world, but I FEEL HUGE!

3- Veteran Mom: "Child Birth is the most painful, horrible thing EVER!!! But it's so worth it!"

Why? Why do you need to say that to me? Of course it's gonna be painful!!! And yeah it's going to be worth it! The reason why I got pregnant in the first place was so I could have a baby!

4-Veteran Mom gives you gory details about labor or tells you a horror story about their experience.

OMG why!!! Why would you scare me like that? I am sorry you had a bad experience, but don't tell me things like that, it freaks me out! It doesn't help me, it doesn't "prepare" me, it scares me!! Pregnancy is already scary as is, personally I am terrified of child birth and don't want to think about it at all! I don't need horror stories!!! Please stop! Tell me after I have my baby lol!! And look "it was so worth it" wasn't it? Haha!

5- Mom to be says "Man, I miss lunch meat!"

Old-School Mom: "What? You can't have lunch meat? That's ridiculous! Back when I was pregnant we didn't have to deal with this nonsense! Times have sure changed!"

Yup. Times HAVE changed. And that's freaking awesome that you ate lunch meat your whole pregnancy and now you have a beautiful, healthy 30 year old who never had a problem, but if my doctor tells me to lay off the lunch meat, I'm going to listen to her.

This applies to any food, or anything that pregnant ladies ate or had back in the day, that's now not recommended, not just lunch meat, that was just my example haha!

6- Mom to be doesn't want to lift heavy items, climb up on tables for example, or do crazy physical things while pregnant.

Old-School Mom: "They don't make them like they used to anymore, when I was pregnant I did it all!"

Goooood forrrr youuuuuu!!!!! But again, if my doctor tells me that I shouldn't be lifting stuff, or I just don't feel comfortable climbing up on stuff because I'm afraid of falling or something, I'm not going to do it. Period.

7- Mom to be is laying out, or posts a picture laying out.

Veteran Mom: "OMG! Make sure you drink plenty of water!" or "OMG! I hope you are protecting your skin!! The sun is evil!!!!' or "OMG! You're in the sun!!! Don't overdo it!!"

Yes, I am keeping myself hydrated, and yes, I am protecting my skin, thank you very much.

I do those things when I'm in the sun regardless if I have a baby in my belly or not.

I'm pregnant, not stupid..

8- Mom to be is at a sushi place.

Veteran Mom (or anyone who knows pregnant chicks can't eat raw fish): "You're eating sushi? You know you can't have sushi when you're pregnant right?"

Correction- YES.. I actually CAN have sushi while pregnant. What I CAN'T have is raw fish, and there are plenty of sushi rolls and other menu items that are completely safe to eat.

But thanks for judging me for going out for sushi, trust me, I am dying inside wishing I could eat all the raw fish everyone else in my table is enjoying.

And the list goes on.. I'm sure as I get farther and farther into my pregnancy I'll be hearing more things and the list will continue to grow.. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to write a part two!

Now, if you are one of those people who have said those things to me, it's ok!!!

I don't hate you for it, I'm not mad at you and I definitely don't want you to come up to me if you read this and apologize because that will just be awkward, lol! Trust me, no hard feelings.

The reason why I wanted to write this post was because I need to tell myself the following things:

1- It is OKAY to feel how you feel! No matter what other people say, they are not YOU, everyone is different, everyone goes through things in different ways.

2- Everyone will have opinions, learn to take them with a smile.

3- You will probably be one of those "know-it-all" moms too after your first child. Control yourself!

The other reason I wrote this was also for those moms out there who totally get it, who can relate, and who will read this and get a laugh because that's exactly how you feel too!!! Haha.

Don't take me too seriously! ;)

Week 21

How Far Along: 21 Weeks
Weight Gain: Kinda changes every time I weight myself lol! I would still say it's been like 10-12 pounds so far.
Stretch Marks? No! Thank you God!!!
Maternity Clothes: I don't love the full belly cover on the pants, but they are the most comfy. The problem is that I live in South Florida and it's 1,000 degrees all the time, so the band, plus my shirt make me sweat sometimes! :(
Sleep: This week has been good! Can't complain! I've been sleeping all night for the most part, besides the waking up to use the bathroom.
Best Moment This Week: Taking "baby" to the beach! Actually, I was technically on my last day of my 20 weeks, but still haha! It was great, the water was beautiful so I was able to be in the ocean for a long time, the waves were splashing my belly and then when I got out of the water to lay out I could feel her move so much! The most intense I've ever felt her!
Worst Moment This Week: I've actually been hurting, I'm sure it's just growing pains but my back has been hurting so much and my belly feels like it's being stretched! Very uncomfortable!
Miss Anything: Not being out of breath from just standing up lol!
Movement: Same old flutters, but definitely more intense now! Daddy has been trying hard to feel the kicks, but they are super soft still and not very noticeable. My friend Ashly and my mom did get to feel her kick when I was in the pool on Mother's Day though! Men.. Lol! I'm sure he has felt her but is in denial because it's weak haha.
Cravings: Nothing really specific this week haha.
Queasy or Sick: Nope! :)
Have You Started To Show Yet: Yes I have.
Gender Prediction: It's a girl!
Labor Signs: Nope!!!
Belly Button In or Out? In, but round and weird haha. Don't come out, please!
Wedding Rings On or Off? On.
Happy or Moody Most of the Time: Happy!
Looking Forward To: Seriously, I cannot wait to do the nursery! And I will be saying this every single day until I'm finally putting it all together haha!

Here are some pictures of our fun this week:

And it was soooooo good! I'm not gonna lie, I did not even miss the rum!

We went all out on the appetizers haha, lobster mac n cheese, mozzarella rings and shrimp tacos.

Enjoying the water! Such a beautiful day!

My class threw me a surprise Baby Shower! How sweet was that?!

Baby Girl got lots of cute outfits, blankies and accessories.

My Mother's Day collage, here was my post:

So yes, I'm one of "those" people who are obsessively in love with her pets, but unless you have a pet, you don't know the amount of love you can give these little beings!  So today is technically my second Mother's Day! Last year I got to celebrate being Dexter's mommy and this year I not only get to celebrate being Zoey and Cooper's mommy, I get to celebrate being a Baby Girl's mommy to be! I am so blessed to have these 4 babies who make my life so happy every day!

Beautiful flowers, card and gift from the hubby! :)

I made my first tutu for Baby Girl!

Zozo had no problem modeling it for me!

Week 20

How Far Along: 20 Weeks
Weight Gain: Has to be around 10-12 pounds so far.
Stretch Marks? No! Every time I feel an itch I freak out! Only 20 more weeks, come on!!
Maternity Clothes: Yes.
Sleep: Still a little sick, so it hasn't been the best.
Best Moment This Week: Seeing baby girl's 20 week ultrasound. She wasn't as active as she was at her 12 weeks, but I still got to see her suck her thumb and touch her face. And we confirmed that it was a girl LOL! I would have been ok with a boy, if that's what I was told first, but once I heard girl 3 weeks ago, it's been girl girl girl, so it was a relief to get a second confirmation haha. Also, my mom got to come see the ultrasound with Jaime and I, which was sweet. I know it meant a lot to her!
Worst Moment This Week: Still sick! When will it go away? I feel better, but the coughing is out of control and annoying.
Miss Anything: Not being sick........
Movement: I asked the doctor yesterday why I wasn't feeling her as much as other pregnant first time moms in the same week as me have been feeling. All I feel are flutters, really, and she said it's totally normal, not everyone is the same (I know I know) and that my placenta is actually in the front, so it's kind of like a cover for the baby! That's why I haven't been feeling much from the outside (when I touch my belly) or seeing anything. I was worried she wasn't growing on track or something lol! But in the doctor's words, she's perfect! So in about 2 weeks I should be REALLY feeling her, I'm excited!
Cravings: Orange Juice, Chocolate Milk, Sushi.
Queasy or Sick: Nope! :)
Have You Started To Show Yet: Yes I have.
Gender Prediction: It's a girl!
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button In or Out? Definitely not poking out, but it's so different from how it normally looks lol. It's weird.
Wedding Rings On or Off? On.
Happy or Moody Most of the Time: Happy!
Looking Forward To: Decorating the nursery! I can't make up my mind on the wall color, ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! I thought I was so sure! :(

20 Weeks!

Banana Baby!

So this is what bikini pics will look like this summer haha!

Baby Girl at 20w4d!

Week 19

How Far Along: 19 Weeks

Weight Gain: About 8 pounds. It seems to keep changing every time I weight myself lol.
Stretch Marks? No!

Maternity Clothes: Yes, they are the comfiest.

Sleep: Considering the fact that I've been sick.. Not so good. Very stuffy nose, waking me up at night, so uncomfortable.

Best Moment This Week: Getting things for baby girl. She has swaddles, clothes, sunglasses, shoes, bows, and even a dresser for her room! I would have been happy with a little guy, but girls are so much fun to shop for! My credit card bill though....... And I registered for the baby shower, yay!

Worst Moment This Week: Being super sick. Throat is killing me, coughing all day, coughing making me lightheaded and making me want to throw up. Stuffy nose.. AND! I cut my finger so badly with a X-Acto knife! Like BAD, to the point where it flaps over!! Hurt so badly. I currently have it wrapped with 3 band-aids, hopefully the flaps stuck back together cause if not it looks like I'll be going to Urgent Care or something to see if they can glue them together. Not fun!

Miss Anything: Not being sick........

Movement: I can't explain it. What I have noticed though is that baby girl either loves or hates the shower lol! I can feel her move a lot in there. I can't feel movement from the outside though!

Cravings: I pretty much just want sweets all the time.

Queasy or Sick: Besides being sick, no.
Have You Started To Show Yet: Yup! Even with looser clothes, there's a bump that does not hide.

Gender Prediction: It's a girl!

Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button In or Out? In. But it looks like it wants to pop out, ewww!

Wedding Rings On or Off? On.

Happy or Moody Most of the Time: Considering the fact that I've been sick, I've just been feeling moody and tired and I just want to take days off and sleep all day.

Looking Forward To: Seeing Baby Girl next week at our 20 week check-up!

Here are some pictures from this week.

The last one (after the soup) is gross so beware!

My bump looks bigger from the right because Baby Girl is ALWAYS on my right side.

Even though it looks like it's the left, but it's a mirror pic! Haha.

This is how I spent my Sunday.

This picture truly does it no justice. I got myself good!

I cut from the tip top, all the way down below my nail bed on the side.

And it kept flapping open!

Grossest thing I've ever done to myself, ouch!