23 weeks

Size of Baby: According to What to Expect, this week he is the size of a papaya (around 8 inches and 1.2 lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of one week ago I had gained 13 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: I am almost exclusively wearing maternity clothes now!  LIVING in dresses (maxi and short).  I foresee lots of dresses this summer to keep me cool!

Gender: It's a precious baby BOY! *Luca James Bolaños*

Belly Button In/Out: In...but starting to poke more and more out.

 Stretch Marks: Yes :(  a few on my legs, but none on my stomach.

Labor Signs: I had a little scare on Sunday...I was continually cramping for over 1.5 hours along with random tightening of my stomach.  I called the on-call nurse and she told me to take a warm bath and drink a huge glass of water and go to sleep.  I went to the doctor the next day and my blood pressure was low (92/70) but doctor said not a problem.  They hooked me up to the monitor for like 20-30 minutes and did not detect any contractions (praise the Lord!).  She also checked my cervix and it was closed.  Everything was good!

Movement: He is a little wiggle worm!  He moves in the morning, late afternoon and late at night.

Sleep:  Sleep is good except for the horrible heartburn at night when I lay down and insane dreams!

What I miss: Not a thing! :)

What I am looking forward to: I can't wait to finally be in the 3rd trimester in 3.5 weeks!

Cravings/Aversions: Sweets, pizza, apples, broccoli - really anything!

Symptoms: I had never had heartburn in my life before this pregnancy.  It's gotten so bad at night recently that I've had to take Tums to relieve it.  I think Luca is going to be born with a full head of hair with all this heartburn!  Also having CRAZY dreams haha.  Cramping and round ligament pain.

Best Moment This Week:  Getting the all clear on Monday - sweet baby boy is doing just fine!! God is so good!  I also starting swimming at my gym this week and it makes me feel so good!  Love getting a little workout in when I can.

22 weeks

I am enjoying this pregnancy so much.  I really just love being pregnant - I am so happy! :)  This past weekend we had Dragon Boat on the reservoir which was super fun.  We also had our Leadership Madison graduation yesterday.  It was bittersweet that we won't be seeing our class every month after being together since August, but I am so proud of everyone for all the hard work we put in this year!

And here are a few random photos from the last week :)

Me & Sarah...she is due in August and our little boys will be 6 weeks apart!  It is so fun being pregnant with your friends.

And the photo below is a tad embarrassing since I'm so big, but I want to remember everything about this pregnancy! ;)

I had my 22 week appointment on Monday and everything was great!

Size of Baby: According to What to Expect, this week he is the size of a spaghetti squash (??) and weighs around 1 pound!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained 13 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: I've bought a few more maxi dresses from Target and also bought my FIRST MATERNITY SWIMSUIT.  As in the first one piece I've worn since I was 10 years old.  And it is the best thing ever!  I still feel cute and so comfortable in it.

Gender: It's a precious baby BOY! *Luca James Bolaños*

Belly Button In/Out: In...but I think on it's way out :)

 Stretch Marks: Not yet (slathering on cream every night to hopefully avoid this as long as possible)

Labor Signs: No

Movement: He moves all the time!  Mostly in the morning and late afternoon and evening.  Danny has felt him one time - it's so hard to get him to feel it at the exact time he's kicking!

Sleep:  I wake up super easy - at any time of night.  Danny hasn't been sleeping well either for some reason.

What I miss: Not a thing!

What I am looking forward to: Finally ordering our crib bedding hopefully this week or next!  I'm waiting on the fabric swatches to arrive and will order everything then.

Cravings/Aversions: Apples, pizza, ice cream, sweets, chips, strawberries.

Symptoms: Heartburn, random cramping, nose congested/dry, sporadic back pain, getting bigger so getting up and off the ground is not as easy! :)

Best Moment This Week:  We had our 22 week appointment and sonogram on Monday!  Luca looks great and is growing right on track, and his heart rate was 144.  My placenta is anterior which just means it sits higher up and the doctor said it's not a problem.  Love getting good reports!

21 weeks

I don't know what it is but lately I just think Danny is funnier than ever.  I mean I am laughing out loud ALL the time at him.  Nonstop laughter.  He is just hilarious!  When I showed him the photo below he told me my belly looked Homer Simpson....you have to know him I guess to appreciate it but I thought it was so funny.  He also said he wants to start carrying around flashcards to answer the same pregnancy questions he gets asked over and over again ha! (When are y'all due? girl or boy? was she sick? do y'all have a name picked out?) I just love spending time with him and he's making my pregnancy so enjoyable.

Throughout my pregnancy I have let fear and anxiety and worry creep up on me from time to time and I know it is the devil trying to steal my joy.  God gave me this PRECIOUS miracle and I will not let satan take that away from me anymore.  I prayed yesterday that God would take away my worries and give me a peace beyond understanding.  I am surrendering this to Him!  

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  -Philippians 1:6

Size of Baby: According to What to Expect, this week he is the size of a banana (that seems so big to me!).

Total Weight Gain/Loss: At my last appointment two weeks ago I had gained 6lbs.  I will find out on Monday how much more I've gained.

Maternity Clothes: I need to get a few more items to round out my maternity wardrobe. I am LOVING soft, comfy dresses, maxi dresses and maxi skirts.  I also live in maternity tank tops - the BEST!

Gender: It's a precious baby BOY! *Luca James Bolaños*

Belly Button In/Out: In (but it is definitely starting to poke out a little)

 Stretch Marks: Not yet (slathering on cream every night to hopefully avoid this as long as possible)

Labor Signs: No

Movement: He is a little wiggle worm! He moves mostly in the late afternoon and at night.  I was driving today and he kicked so hard that I could actually see it from the outside!  I couldn't believe it - such a sweet moment and I even teared up.  I love connecting to my little man!

Sleep: Sleep is pretty good right now.

What I miss: I really can't think of anything that I truly miss.  I actually really love being pregnant!

What I am looking forward to: Our ultrasound on Monday - love getting to see his sweet little face!

Cravings/Aversions: Um I am eating everything in sight. So hungry.  Pizza, doughnuts, strawberries, apples, bread, etc!

Symptoms: For the first time ever I know what heartburn is like - yuck!  It started this week.  I've also continued having Braxton Hicks - super sporadic and random whenever it happens.  Lower back pain and it's getting harder for me to hop up and down off the floor during my newborn sessions.

Best Moment This Week:  We finally ordered our glider!  I love the fabrics we chose and cannot wait for it to arrive!

20 weeks

Well it was bound to happen eventually!  I totally skipped my 19 week post...oh well, what can you do.  Here are a few iPhone photos I snapped at 19 weeks:

Last week was crazy.  On Monday we had tornados rip through town and it was the most scared I have EVER been during a tornado.  Danny and I were in the guest bathroom with pillows and blankets and I was absolutely hysterical (I'm sure being 19 weeks pregnant didn't help).  We had our dog in there with us and the radio plugged up, and they had the meteorologist on the radio saying moment by moment where the tornado was headed.  At one point he said it was headed right to our area and our neighborhood.  I was crying so hard and just praying over and over that it would pass.  One of the scariest moments of my life.  When we heard the weather man say that it was north of us and had passed us I was so relieved, but I still didn't get out of the bathtub for nearly 20 minutes.  Talk about a moment to put it all in perspective.  Thank you Jesus for protecting us.  

On Saturday we had Danny's graduation from Belhaven.  He got his master's of business administration (MBA)!  So proud of my sweet husband.

And now I'm 20 weeks!  I cannot believe I am half way through this pregnancy.  It feels like yesterday that we found out I was pregnant.  What a precious gift from God.  Thank you Jesus!  I can never thank You enough!

Size of Baby: According to What to Expect, our baby is the size of a mango!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: At my last appointment two weeks ago I had gained 6lbs.  I'm sure I'm up even more now!

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I'm basically wearing the same three outfits over and over again ha!  I guess I need to buy a few more things.  Dresses and maxi skirts are my best friend!

Gender: It's a precious baby BOY!!!!!! We are so excited!

Belly Button In/Out: In (but it is definitely starting to poke out a little)

 Stretch Marks: Not yet

Labor Signs: No

Movement: He is moving like crazy!  It is sporadic but when he moves I can definitely feel it.  I've tried to get Danny to feel him move but I think it is still too light to feel from the outside.

Sleep: Sleep is good just horrible congestion every single night!

What I miss: Not a thing :)

What I am looking forward to: Finalizing nursery plans!  We have a crib and have painted the room.  I'm going to refinish a dresser for the changing table.  We still need a glider and crib bedding.

Cravings/Aversions: Pizza, strawberries, apples, coke, doughnuts, sweets!

Symptoms: Super dry congested nose, and cramping/stretching in tummy.  My stomach got super hard (almost like Braxton Hicks) last week but the nurse said it was too early for BH and that I was probably dehydrated (not unusual for me) and I need to drink more water.

Best Moment This Week:  I got my diaper bag in the mail and I've almost finished our registry!