A Pregnancy Update: 16 weeks

So I didn't do this much with Dean and wish I had. I read TONS of them (every week!) and I told myself "I won't be that girl!" But I love them! And I love to look back at my pregnancy and reflect so here I go! Doesn't mean I'll do this every week, but occasionally!

My Symptoms: Aside from getting tired by 9pm, and sometimes getting out of breath easier than normal, I really feel pretty normal! Nausea has been gone a while, I haven't gotten tons of headaches. Honestly this pregnancy has been a lot easier than Deans! (And maybe I"m more distracted.)

People have started trying to touch my belly, so I guess that means I'm really showing now. It's funny to see the comparison of me with Dean at 14 weeks and this baby at 14 weeks.

Weight:I have gained about 8-9 pounds. More than I'd like, but I'm right on track with where I was with Dean. I'll be happy if I stay under 40 pounds again (even though it took a good year to get it all off!)

Gender: We will find out Early April! I'm excited! And yes WE WILL tell you :) Just not baby names! (Which we haven't even started to think about!)

Maternity Clothes: Yes.... for a while now. Pants were the first thing to go. Luckily I have some maternity pants that are smaller, and some that are bigger. I don't fit into the big ones (luckily!) Shirts I can wear some of my own, and some maternity. Really I'm in the weird in between stage where nothing fits and I look kind of funny no matter what I wear!

Movement: I think I may have felt some flutters, but it's so hard to tell at this point. With Dean I didn't feel movement for a LONG time because my placenta was in front. I'm hoping this baby is different!

Sleep:A few weeks ago was having a lot of hip pain, played around with pillows and I think I have it figure out! They tell you not to fall asleep on your back because it cuts off blood supply, so occasionally I wake up on my back in a fright! But really enjoying sleep :) Usually sleep from 9-7pm, and I feel rested! I know I will not get to enjoy that soon.

Cravings: Salty stuff, and icecream. Surprisingly I don't want a lot of sweet stuff! I'm also hungry ALL the time... making it difficult to not eat everything in sight! Happily all my aversions (chocolate, spinach, cheese) are pretty much gone!

What I Miss: I don't know... I really like being pregnant. I know that sounds annoying, but I do! Especially 2nd trimester!

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Dean showing what a good brother he'd be by practicing with his new baby doll! He loves her, always wants to tell her bye, and hello and hug her, and feed her her bottle.  Also walking with Julie, Judah and Dean on a beautiful 60 degree day in MN March, I'll take it!

 

Questions/Concerns: I have my next doctors appointment Monday! Just want to hear that heartbeat and make sure everything is normal :)

Goals for the Week: I dropped my fitness classes down from 5 a week to 4 a week. And it is GLORIOUS! I will go down to 3 mid-April, and then hopefully keep teaching as long as I can!

Looking back:I can't believe my baby is becoming a little boy! Just in time thankfully :) Still loves flannel. He's such a little man!

And the Family Keeps Growing!

Well most of you know by now, but we are expecting baby Number 2 sometime the end of August (or early September if this one is anything like Dean!) It's funny how quickly this pregnancy has gone by already! We found out just before Christmas we were pregnant and told family right away even though it was really early. I think Mark and I hate to get excited too soon, and we feel like we've been so lucky when it comes to pregnancy, that we never really let ourselves get super excited, until recently! I'm now into my second trimester, really starting to show, and getting excited! I think more than anything Mark and I are excited for Dean to have a new baby brother or sister. Neither of us has a preference for gender (though I would love a girl someday) I love the idea of two brothers close in age! But Paul and I were super close and we are a boy and a girl, as are Anne and Mark! So we are just hoping for a healthy baby! We will find out around my birthday what the gender is.

Our first pregnancy selfie together (notice Dean below.) About 12 weeks

1st New baby purchase-a changing table. Green or pink what will it be?

Dean's Big Boy room-Not yet sleeping here, 12 Weeks pregnant Dressed

Mark's Birthday Party

Only took pictures of the kids :)

We're happy that now I'm into the second trimester and most signs of nausea and tiredness are improving. I feel silly saying it though, because this pregnancy was SO Much easier than last. I was definitely tired, but I still kept teaching, teaching fitness and being a mommy to Dean. I made meals most evenings (unheard of first pregnancy!) And aside from chocolate, spinach and cheese I was able to eat all things! I'm now able to eat almost everything (though chocolate still doesn't sound good :( Sad!

Although we've gotten to enjoy some last snowy days and sledding, Springtime is just around the corner and we're excited to spend half in NC and half in Texas with Mark's sister Sarah and the Johnston family! Yesterday was 60 degrees and today is cold and snowy.... but we really can't complain! It's been a very mild winter, and in the 10 day forecast we see 40s and 50s, I'll take it! Dean is happy to finally get to play outside and not have snow everywhere! He'll be happy when he can take his favorite thing, CARS, outside!

Enjoying Pancake breakfast...Dean and I ate the whole thing

St. Paul Winter Festival

Hockey Day MN

Dressed Up for Valentine's Day

His Favorite Thing CARS

Fall/Holidays/New Year

It always seems as though keeping up with the blog becomes harder and harder, then I read old posts and realize HOW much I love reading them! I thought I would do this update by months. Because it's been several months since I have!

October 2015:

-Babysitting the Staum's kids so they could enjoy the hideway.

-Walks with Julie and Judah
-Cabin with the Sandhals (no kids slept!)

-Visit to NC (meeting baby Heidi! Henry and Dean falling in love! Henry calling Dean's name all the time. Seeing my parents new home in Garner for the first time. Cousin reunion at Grandma's.)

-Unseasonaly warm weather! Raking leaves with Deaner.

Making Halloween treats.

-Annual pumpkin carving party at the Sandhals.
-Trick or treating with the Biersacks. (Greg and I having more fun than the kids!)

November 2015:

-Painting the nursery yellow

-OULA training and seeing all the girls from Missoula! (Girl's night out and lots of dancing).
-Christmas Decorations-Dean loves the lights!

-Thanksgiving trip to the cabin (Good food, hay rides, chopping wood, naked babies, hamburger ninjas).

December 2015:
-Holidays!
-Christmas at Daycare (Music program, good food, good people!)

-Christmas at the Aronsons (Mark as Santa, Max asking why Mark was santa, Dean HATING Santa, gifts and cousins.)
-Christmas in NC (Time in Winston-Salem, visiting friends, Wake, family, Grandma. Time in Garner, the Daley's visited, hosting the Collins and Betty and Tota. Time for babies to fight over cars, magnets and toys. Walks in the rain, 70 degrees! Trips to the museum, holding hands. Long plane rides, lots of love.)

T-Peeing the Quad

Wearing their parent's shoes!

Best Friends