16 weeks...a girl?

There isn't one single person that thinks I'm having a boy. I'm not sure why that is and it certainly doesn't make it fact, but I'm surprised by the overwhelming "girl" vote. But I think it's a girl too. Guess we'll find out in a few weeks! I've already been exploring boy names and boy decor just in case. I'm prepared either way. My friend Julie gave me all these adorable boy clothes that Evan's just now fitting into. I wouldn't mind having another boy to put in those sweet clothes! And if we have a girl, watch out. A perfect excuse to break the bank! Oh man, that's gonna require some MAJOR self control that I'm not sure I have.

The past 4 days I've had a stomach bug. OMG it's been awful. I just can't seem to catch a break this pregnancy. I barely got over the nausea and now this. I keep telling God that this baby better be a DREAM after this pregnancy! :) I'm so happy to finally be at 16 weeks. It's been a long road already but I'm confident it's going to get better really soon.

We move into our new house in 2 weeks! Sooooo excited and soooo dreading the unpacking. But it will all be worth it. We don't plan to move again for a very, very long time. I can't wait to setup Evan's room, the bonus room and the baby's room. Evan's room is huge...almost as big as our Master. And it connects to the bonus room, which he will love. Sorry little baby, your room's a little smaller, but closer to Mama's room.

I really can't fathom all the changes we're about to go through again. But we're excited about them and we're trying to prepare the best we can. We haven't slowed down since we got married, so why start now?! I'm so looking forward to being close to our church and my MOPS group. And while we'll be father from some family, we have friends in Nolensville, Brentwood and Franklin and some family in Eagleville. I hope that there's great people in our neighborhood...hopefully a good mix of young kids, grandparents, middle agers and a few teenagers that like to babysit! Guess we'll find out soon enough. Let the new adventure begin...

Those ARE kicks!

15 weeks and I definitely felt the baby kick! Ah, so sweet. Brings all the joy to pregnancy. I just told Steve it's a shame men don't get to experience that feeling because it is so magical. Knowing there's a life inside me is surreal. This is when the fun begins.

My belly is definitely looking pregnant too. Last time I was able to conceal it for a few weeks longer, but this time the belly is out! I'm glad though. That's the fun part of pregnancy when people KNOW you're pregnant. I went to a class at the gym the other day and one lady said something to me about being pregnant. It was nice to know that she actually knew I was pregnant rather than chunky. I am literally dying to know if this baby is a boy or girl. I think I'm more anxious to find out this time than last time. I don't care which sex it is, I just want to start planning how I'm going to decorate the room and buying gender specific clothes and blankets!

I worked in the church nursery today. I was in Evan's class. And let me say that he does NOT like it when I hold other kids. This little girl wanted to sit on my lap because she missed her daddy. And Evan acted like I abandoned his love forever! Geez, I'm worried about bringing the new baby home. All my thoughts race to how my niece Chloe pushed her newborn baby brother off the table (he was in a bouncy seat). I know that Ev will get used to it, but something tells me I'm gonna have to work really hard when I first bring home the baby to make sure Evan knows he's still my baby too and I've not deserted him. I know that he'll eventually LOVE having a brother or sister. The kid needs someone to play with desperately!

Are those little kicks?

I believe so. I'm not 100% sure because they're so light, but I'm almost positive that I'm starting to feel the baby kick sometimes. It's early, but I've heard that some women do feel their baby move as early as 14 weeks with their second pregnancy. I hope I start feeling more kicks. This makes it all real.

Just like last time, the beginning of pregnancy is sooo long. You don't have any positive evidence that the baby is actually there. Only negative evidence...nausea and fatigue! Once the bump starts showing a good bit (where people know you're pregnant and not fat), the nausea and fatigue subsides and you start feeling movement, then the fun begins. Thus the much loved, second trimester. :)

Finally better?

I don't think I was sick today. Hooray! 14 weeks today. Still got psycho hungry a few times, but I can deal with that. Dying to know if this baby is a boy or girl. Honest to God, I'm thrilled either way. Just want to put a gender on it. :)

Music to my ears

Today we heard baby's heartbeat steady and strong! The nurse and the doctor both found it on the first try. Last time with Ev, they couldn't find it once and freaked me out. Heartbeat was 156...on the fast side which usually means girl. Then again, they said that last time. :) It was nice that they found it immediately. It's kind of nice knowing what to expect at these appointments this time around. I immediately knew what those loud swish noises were on the doppler...kicks! They sound like karate kicks...amazing that I can't feel them yet. I have a feeling that it won't be much longer until I can feel the baby move though.

My doctor gave me LOTS of options for delivery this time, which was extremely comforting. He said he'd allow me to have the baby up to 10 days early, I could opt for a c-section, I could push for an hour and then go for a c-section, etc. These options were definitely not on the table last time, so I greatly appreciate having them now (especially after a hard delivery last time). Once again he thinks I'll have an easy delivery, but then again, he said that last time.

My next appointment is in a month and hopefully he'll let me have an ultrasound then. He may make me wait another week, but it's exciting to know if we'll be having another boy or a girl! Around that same time, we'll be moving in our new house. So much excitement, I can't contain myself! Happy happy. :)