Christmas Eve, package ONE

On Christmas Eve we got 3 packages in the mail. The first one we opened was from some friends we had while stationed in VA, before kids. Great friends who supported us through deployments and miscarriages and 5 years later they support our growing little family. Thank you Nancy and Jamie!

Caden got some construction vehicles. He was pretty darn happy about these!

Kayla got a beach Barbie doll which she was also very happy about.

Baby Carly got a hand made diaper bag and some pooh pajamas! 

26 weeks

Glucose test on Jan 7th, 28 week appointment Jan 8th!

Seriously getting huge now.

2012 Christmas ornaments chosen!

Every year the kids get to pick out any Christmas ornament in the store that they choose. This is one thing that I do not put a limit on. After they pick them out, I write on the back their names and the year, and then we hang them on our sentimental/memory Christmas tree.

Next year (or rather the year after because next year Nick will be deployed, we plan to start doing 2 trees. One decorative tree and our sentimental tree)

This year we happened to be at Target when the ornaments were picked out. Kayla went from strongly wanting one of the first ornaments she saw...a $9 Cinderella. Which would have been ok if she even liked the movie Cinderella but she doesn't. I suggested she look around first. She went from Cinderella, to a pair of knitted mittens, to a star, to I don't know what else in between and then once she saw the little owl it was all over and she stuck to it!

Caden chose his pretty quickly. He went from a pair of small knitted ice skates to this as soon as he saw and it and the only problem he had was picking out which color he wanted.

We also picked out an ornament to represent myself being 6 months pregnant with Carly this year.

A pink glittered 'JOY' since her middle name is Joy.

Christmas picture

We attempted our own family Christmas pictures a couple weeks ago. The pictures were nothing close to what I had pictured in my head. But out of them all, this is one of my favorites.

25 weeks

My 24 week appointment was last week, as I have posted about already. But I failed to mention that the midwife I saw this time had said my due date was 30 March instead of 1 April. So that makes me start a new week on Fridays instead of Mondays. The picture below were taken Friday, not today.

I'm good with this and am now going by the 30 March due date because from the very beginning I have always said this will be a March baby. For many reasons...We got engaged in the month of March. We found out we were nearly 6 weeks pregnant in August which was our wedding anniversary month. She was conceived in July just a week after Nick's grandmother passed away in the same month, and March is also the month Nick's Grandfather passed many years ago. It just makes sense and is gut feeling, so this is the due date Im going by now.

Her kicking is amazing. Some days its up high past my belly button, other days its so slow I swear she is kicking my bladder. Kicks are getting stronger every week!

My belly is getting heavy. Its makes my hips and uterus sore. Its getting really hard for me to keep up with house work and chores and errands. I can no longer go to more than 3 places in a day without paying for it later  by hurting. For example, last week I had an appointment in the morning followed by grocery shopping and a stop at the BX to return a maternity bra that broke. I intended to hit the post office after that but by the time I was walking out to the car from the BX I was waddling and SORE. 

Saturday we went to the mall to see Santa, and I barely made it an entire lap around the mall before starting to have backaches and sore legs.

Sunday was really hard for me to do chores. It took all I had to get a shower. I feels like my body is no longer my body or me and it was turned in for someone else's body. Or like my body has been taken over totally by this baby. Some days she just sucks the life right out of me! 

But we only have 14 and half more weeks to go. I can handle that. 

2 weeks left until the 2nd trimester is done...and then you will really get to read about all my complaints! lol.

Your baby's the size of an cauliflower!

During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.

Baby's room so far!

Carly's theme in her room.

I wanted something she could grow into.

With both kids, at around age 1 we had to change the themes in their rooms to something more toddler-ish, and this time I didn't want to have to change it for a long time.

Kayla went from Winnie The Pooh, to Butterflies at about 18 months. Caden went from Jungle theme to, well nothing because we moved so many times, to now Football. 

It's still a work in progress, but so far this is what we have going on. Still need a lamp on the dresser, and I would like to decorate the wood toy box some how. Pictures need to go in the frame still.

We now have a set of white shelves next to the changing table with white baskets. My plan is to get some fabric bins for the changing table to hold diapers, wipes and that sort.

Baby swing will be going down stairs and will be replaced with a glider/ottoman in her room.

Also, want to get either her name in wood letters to hang above the crib...maybe.

Her closet, still needs major help.

I went through, and sorted the sizes of all the clothes we have accumulated from friends and the thrift store to see what we still need. This is the newborn drawer...I think we are go to go here except a few pairs of socks and the hand mittens to keep her from scratching.

0-3 months, we are good in this department too I believe!

3-6 months we still need to improve on.

6 month drawer I think needs improvement in stock and organization.

16 more weeks to go!

24 weeks!

Time is going so fast now. Today is 24 weeks! According to the midwife and my chart, today is 24 weeks and 2 days and my due date is now March 30th instead of April 1st. I love how they change it between each appointment back and forth. As if 2 days really makes a difference. The baby will come when she's ready.

Anyways, appointment went great. My belly is measuring perfect just a hair under 24 cm. (1-ish cm per week of pregnancy) I have been feeling Carly kicking nonstop all day for a few weeks now and the last 3 days her kicking has been much less so I was a little concerned. The  midwife did a quick ultrasound to make sure she was still good and of course she was perfect. As soon as I layed back on the table and getting the gel on my belly she started kicking...she was actually punching me. We watched it on the screen, along with a good face shot and heart beat in the low 150's. Midwife said I should feel movements every single day and if I don't then to call the clinic and or come in. By 28 weeks I can start going kick counts and I should get 10 kicks every 2 hours.

As far as weight, I don't know. I got on the scale backwards and didn't look or ask! I do know last week I had to make a trip to the thrift store because the choice of clothes I'm fitting into had become so slim.

Next is the glucose test at 28 weeks and then my 28 week appointment. I cant believe how fast this is going.

We got the guest bed out of her room, and got her crib together and the bedding put on. I got her wall stickers put up around the boarder of her room and it's really coming together.

This is just so surreal. So hard to believe. For so long we tried, for so long I have accepted the fact that my husband and I would never create a child that looked like us and for so long I have been happy with our family of 4 and then bam. I think even after this baby comes, Im still going to be in shock. I don't think it will ever go away.

 ( my belly button is really starting to change now! It looks so funny!)

Christmas past and present

Previously, Christmas on Guam!

Present, Christmas in our new home, and pregnant!

23 weeks

23 weeks today!

Going to skip the weekly survey because not much has changed. This past week has been very emotional for me. But other than that, all is the same and all is good. Kicks feel different the past few days. Not sure if the baby has changed positions or  because I have grown so she is higher up. But now I feel some kicks right near my belly button area and they aren't toward my belly...they feel more toward my back and are much lighter than they had been.

I had to go out and buy a couple of nice maternity shirts and tank tops for under shirts, for some Christmas parties I had to and will be attending. I cant get by with many of my warmer weather clothes anymore. They just don't fit and it doesn't look nice.

I am getting attention from strangers and it shocks me. I am confused when they comment for a minute. They probably think Im crazy.

One more week until our 24 week appointment!

From what I'm reading, this is where the appointments start to get serious. As in glucose testing, discussing pre-term labor and what not. Crazy. 17 more weeks to go!

We did our family Christmas photos yesterday so stay tuned for those to be posted. We also got baby's first present from her Mimi and Papa and I also plan to do a Christmas tree ornament show and tell blog post. All coming soon!

22 weeks

Hit 22 weeks yesterday!

Next appointment is at 24 weeks, on Dec 10th. 

During week 22, baby’s invading your space, which is why it might be tough to catch your breath and why your back might be killing you. Hey, as she grows, she may be expanding your belly so much (so fast) that you might have some stretch marks -- and you might even have a newfound “outtie”! 

your baby's the size of a papaya!

During month five, the average fetus measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Lots of things are changing now. Lots!

How far along?  22 weeks

Total weight gain: Last doc appt at 20 weeks I was 130 pounds. Up 20 pounds now and Im sure at this point Im a few pounds more. 
Maternity clothes? Mostly all maternity now, except sweat pants and tshirts. My tshirts are getting real snug and I moved all the pants I dont fit anymore into separate drawer.
Stretch marks? Thankfully nothing yet!
Sleep:Horrible. I cant get comfortable.
Best moment this week: Well, its only Tuesday so not much happened yet, but I made my next appointment for Dec 10th. Will be 24 weeks.
Miss anything? Running hard and sweating. Being fit and in shape and 115 on the scale.
Movement: All the time! Shes starting to slowly feel less like gas bubbles more like a twitch.
Food cravings: No cravings. But thirsty all the time.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  No
Gender Predictions: Girl already confirmed. It was my gut instinct from the very beginning of pregnancy and turns out I was right.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Its in still but its slowly changing. Last week I had to finally take out the belly button ring. It was irritating me too much.
Wedding rings on or off?  On. Still fits the same, pretty lose.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and tired. 
Looking forward to: my next doctor appointment and getting more in depth at the appointments. Start discussing preterm labor and breast feeding and glucose test and all that jazz! Oh, and really looking forward to Nick feeling the kicks!

Stomach Virus

Caden I were dealing with a horrible stomach virus all weekend. It started for him Thursday. This morning, Tuesday, he finally seems himself. I had it Saturday and somewhat Sunday but was better by  Monday. Not fun forcing liquids for the baby knowing I was going to puke it all up within an hour. But, all is good now.

And yesterday we hit 21 weeks. So neat feeling her kick and punch around every day. I cant wait until the kids and Nick can feel it. I'm sure they could but its so random that it would be hard for them to catch it just yet.

I weighed in yesterday and I'm up a pound now. So up from 117 to 137 for a total of 20 pounds gained.

Still wearing my size small maternity pants and normal shirts along with small maternity shirts. I must have been bloated last week because I thought by this week there was no way I was wearing a small still. But I am. Either that or I lost water retention from being sick.

Name and a BIG movement milestone reached!

Since our 20 week scan could not have turned out being more healthy, we made the final decision on baby's name and decided to release it. 

Carly Joy.

Last night was a HORRIBLE night of sleep. I get some uncomfortable at times that I cannot sleep. My nose gets so stuffy I cant breathe and every position hurts the crap out of my back. I really need to work harder on not slouching. While I was awake I was noticing the baby kicking around. So wondering if it could be felt from the outside, I put my hand on my belly and waited. And....I could totally feel it from the outside. I couldn't believe it. Cant wait until the Dada gets home tonight so I can tell him this! And hopefully she will cooperate and give him a few good kicks.

20 week scan

Our 20 week appointment was yesterday. The very detailed appointment done by radiology that scans and measures every detail of the baby. From both halves of her brain, to all 4 chambers of her heart, to her kidneys and bladder and her leg bones down to her toes...perfect baby! The placenta was measured, the amniotic fluid, the cervix was measured.

It was neat to see the baby kicking around on the screen and being able to feel it at the same time. Incredible. Every single one of her kicks gets stronger daily. Each day I notice it more and more. Its only been about 4 days since I have been able to feel it if I pay attention but this  morning was the first morning I felt it in the morning and one of the first few times I have felt it without paying attention to it.

After all the details were measured, she checked to verify the gender of baby. She asked if we knew already and I told her we paid a 3d clinic for a gender check and it was a girl at 14 weeks.

And again...baby is still a girl! We saw so clear the 3 lines.

Here are some of the pictures.

Profile with hand

Her 2 arms across the front of her face

Her 2 legs and butt with girl parts.

Face and hand.

Face and hand.

Foot

We also released her name...but I will save that for tomorrows post so this one isnt too long.