Weekly Survey - 25 Weeks!

(Baby Boy E belly at 25 weeks... getting LARGE!)

(Actually got in an at-home workout last night, including cardio and weights! Felt great afterwards... however, it is getting so much harder to get motivated! Trying to stick with it though!)

How far along?: 25 Weeks!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER!

 



Maternity clothes?: Other than the few things that don't really need to be maternity to fit, it's full blown maternity (not even another option!) now!

Total weight gain/loss: Gaining!! I'm starting to get a little uncomfortable at times now! And yes, I know it's going to get worse before it gets better... so, please refrain from telling me that! I get it, folks! It's completely worth it and all... just let me complain a little bit, k??! Thanks! haha!

Stretch marks?: Not yet, but just wondering when it will happen, because I feel like it should be happening at any time now!

Sleep: I'm still sleeping pretty well with just a few minor complaints!

Best moment this week: Getting the nursery painted and the furniture is ordered and will be delivered on Saturday (Yayyyyy!!! Can't wait!)! Also, LOVED that the first day of Spring was so beautiful! Ready for that weather to stick around! To celebrate the beautiful weather, this momma had to go and get a much needed mani and pedi! :)

(Looking terrifying in my mask, getting ready to tackle the nursery! haha!)

(Before and After of the nursery paint job! I'm a neutral kind of gal!)

(Enjoying the first day of Spring out on the deck! LOVE the sun and warmer weather!)

(HAPPY DAY for this momma... much needed mani/ pedi!)

 

Movement: Oh yes! He loves just moving and grooving in there! I love watching my belly move while he's flipping, kicking, punching, and turning! Such an awesome feeling and sight! :)

Food cravings: Nothing specific! Pretty much any and all food at this point! I have been trying to eat somewhat healthier lately.

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Nope!

Have you started to show yet?: Um, duh! Starting to show all over! Looking pregnant from all angles!!! Eeeeek!

Labor signs?: Nope... thank goodness!

Belly button in or out?: In still.

Wedding rings on or off?: Currently still on.

Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy!!!

Symptoms: The main ones making me complain these days are heartburn, back pain, and hip pain.

What I miss: Nothing specific comes to mind this week, other than the things I have already mentioned... Mr. Goodcents sandwich (or a sub of some kind!), Running (all the time and for long distances!), and my old body (hahaha!)!!

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the nursery put together, our baby showers, and our baby classes that we are taking at the hospital! :)

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) Oh baby, how you have grown! The spine structures, including 33 vertebrae, 150 joints, and 1,00 ligaments are all coming into place. Your baby is now able to support its body weight, but is weak which makes it a good thing that your baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid. Another big deal this week is that brainwave patterns are beginning to develop. This means your baby will be able to remember things, like the sound of your voice. If you desperately want your baby to adore country music, now is the time to begin playing it for him/ her. Amazingly, the intricate details of the hands and fingers are now 100% complete. Pretty soon, you will be kissing them.

Weekly wisdom: Trying to work on healthy snacking, so I had to check out what all the hype was over these Questbars! Pretty darn good, if you ask me! Sometimes the whole healthy thing is just not what I want though! So, I'm doing the best I can!

 

We're getting more prepared for you, sweet boy! Getting the nursery set up, baby showers on the way, and our classes at the hospital are in May! You will be here before we know it and we can't wait to just love and snuggle you! We love you to the moon and back! *Hugs and Kisses, from Momma and Daddy!*

Weekly Survey - 24 Weeks!

{Baby Boy E belly at 24 weeks! Crazy how fast time is flying by!}

How far along?: 24 Weeks!! (6 Months!)

{Catching up on my reading this week! Can't believe we are already at 6 months!!}

This week, Baby E is the size of a: CANTELOUPE!!

Maternity clothes?: Other than the few items that are stretchy enough to not need to be maternity, I'm all maternity clothes now! 

Total weight gain/ loss: Growing like crazy, so, yes, gaining weight! ha! 

Stretch marks?: Still none on my belly at this point, but feel like I should be getting them soon! Eeek!

Sleep: I LOVE my sleep, and other than my normal complaints of my right arm falling asleep and some hip pain, I'm sleeping pretty great! :)

Best moment this week: We ordered Baby E's furniture on Monday night! Yayyy! Let the nursery makeover begin! I think we have decided on a paint color, which is a tan/ beige color, and we're on the search for the perfect rocker/ glider! Another great moment this week was continuing to receive good reports/ results regarding my blood antibody titres. The nurse said they continue to measure low, which is good! If you want more information on what this means, just ask me. I will gladly share what I know! I'm just glad that I'm still providing a safe home environment for our sweet baby boy. I have also enjoyed decorating our house for Spring this week! Yayyy for nicer weather!

{Baby E's nursery furniture!! We just LOVE it and can't wait to get his room all put together!}

{Signs of Spring at the Ernst Home!!!}

Movement?: Yes, oh yes! Our little peanut's twists, punches, kicks, etc. are getting stronger! They are getting strong enough that I can see my belly move when he's moving. I was cracking up last night while watching my belly move from side to side! Also, I love that Grandma Melia, Grandpa Mike, and Grandma Debbie have all been able to feel our little man move!! Grandpa Gary is next on the list! :)

Food cravings: Nothing specific! Pretty much any and all food right now! haha. 

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Not really. Heartburn has gotten pretty bad though! Ugh!

Have you started to show yet?: Uh, duh!! haha. 

Labor signs?: Nope, thank goodness!

Belly Button in or out?: In still.

Wedding rings on or off?: On, but wondering when I'm going to have to take them off?! They are starting to get a little tighter. 

Happy or Moody most of the time?: HAPPY!

Symptoms: Same as before. My heartburn has been REALLY bad lately. Not fun at all!

What I miss: All the same things from before. With the weather getting nicer, I'm starting to think about all the races that people are signing up for and I'm missing doing that! However, our sweet boy is a great, awesome, and wonderful excuse to NOT sign up for all those runs!! hehe. I'll be back to it at some point, so I'm just going to enjoy this time off, while keeping my little guy safe and snug! :)

What I'm looking forward to: Continuing to get the nursery put together and our upcoming baby showers! So fun! 

Gender: Baby BOY!

Milestones: (Based on pregnancy app) Guess what? Your baby is now considered legally viable. This means that if you were to have your baby right now, your baby has a fair chance of survival. But don't get out the castor oil just yet; your baby still has a long road ahead in order to be a healthy newborn. The lungs are beginning to produce surfactant this week, which will enable your little one to inhale and exhale when born. Additionally, brain development is spiking again and your baby is slowly but surely learning how to coordinate all of the innate functions like heart rhythm, breathing, kidney function, and circulation. Your baby is eagerly gaining fat in the pockets beneath the skin which will give your baby that beautiful, pudgy glow of babyhood when born. 

Weekly Wisdom: This week, we got registered for 3 childbirth classes at the hospital. So glad we got registered for these early on! Also, based on one of my pregnancy apps, recognizing pre-term labor is now important. It can easily be confused with Braxton Hicks contractions. The biggest difference is that Braxton Hicks contractions do not cause the cervix to efface or open. 

{Had a "moment" yesterday when my momma handed me these baby rings for our little guy's baby pictures someday! The one on the left belonged to my Grandpa Jim (my Daddy's Dad) when he was a baby! The one on the right was my baby ring! So special!!}

{Guess what I get to do at my next doctor's appointment??! Ugh! The dreaded glucose test! Please say some prayers! Focusing on passing this bad boy!}

We love you, sweet little man!! Keep growing in there! *Hugs and Kisses!* from Momma and Daddy!

Baby E Belly Progress Pics!

As I stated in my last post, I just LOVE progress pics, so I decided to compile my weekly pics (thus far) to show the baby bump progress! It's crazy how much my body has changed already! Trust me, I know we both have a lot of growing left to do! It's, actually, getting difficult to imagine my body before baby! It's, also, getting crazy to think about EVER getting that body back... haha! However, I know I will (over time!), so I'm not worrying about it and I'm just taking this time to be in COMPLETE AWE over what my body is doing! Such an amazing process and time! This little man is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO worth all the changes! I love him, so much, already! Alright, now on to the pics... ENJOY! :) P.S. Click on the pics to enlarge them.

(Weeks 5-11)

(Weeks 12-17)

(Weeks 18-23)

 

Keep growing, Sweet Boy!! Your movements are getting stronger in there and I'm loving it! Love you bunches!! *Momma*

Weekly Survey - 23 Weeks!

(Baby Boy E belly @ 23 weeks!! I look swollen and puffy in the right picture - could have something to do with taking the picture at 11:00pm last night!)! YIKES!) 

(I LOVE progress pics!! This is 19 weeks vs. 23 weeks... my oh my, what a difference 4 weeks can make! Crazy, but LOVE it! When I sent this progress pic to my husband, he responded with one word (and it pretty much brought me to tears!!)! He said, "Beautiful!" He is the most amazing person and our son and myself are so blessed to have him in our lives!)

How far along?: 23 weeks!!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: GRAPEFRUIT!! Growing like crazy, that's for sure! Keep it up, sweet boy! :)

 



Maternity clothes?: Other than stretchy pants, cardigans, and a couple long stretchy tops... I'm all maternity clothes! Mark assured me (when I asked!!!) this weekend, that I am to the point where I'm looking officially pregnant and not just sporting a big ol' muffin top! These were my words, NOT HIS!!! haha! He has been so amazing through this journey, thus far! He is going to be the best Daddy to our son! :)

Total weight gain/ loss: GOOD GRIEF... gaining indeed! Love it!

Stretch marks?: Small ones on the "girls", but that's it so far! I thought I was starting to get some on the belly, but turns out it was a false alarm. I'm sure it's just a matter of time though! hehehe. I have been using Coconut Oil as a preventative measure (per recommendations! Plus, I already had some at the house... so, didn't have to spend any extra money!)! Fingers crossed!

 

(This is the brand that I had at home and have been using! Coconut Oil is apparently good for so many things! Go google or pinterest some of its many uses!)



Sleep: Been sleeping pretty great lately... other than the few normal complaints!

Best moment this week: Registering!! It was tiring (5.5+ hours on our feet!) and challenging (making all these decisions for our little one!), but so fun!

Movement?: All the time and I love it! It's getting stronger, so other people are starting to be able to feel him moving in there!!

Food cravings: Spicy!!! Loving Mexican food right now... yum! Mi Ranchito is a fave, for sure!

 

 (One word necessary here... YUMMMMMM!!)

Anything making you queasy or sick?: If I consume lots of sugar, I tend to get a little nauseated! Luckily, I'm not a huge sweets person, so this doesn't happen very often.

Have you started to show yet?: Um, ABSOLUTELY!!!! hehehe.

Labor signs?: Nope, thank goodness!

Belly Button in or out?: In.

Wedding rings on or off?: On still.

Happy or Moody most of the time?: Happy. Such a fun and exciting time in our lives!

Symptoms: All the same as before! This heartburn is killer... so, that means little man will come out with lots of hair, right??! hehe.

 

What I miss: Long runs and Cold sandwiches come to mind right now!

 

(Thought my running days were completely over, but I pleasantly surprised myself on Monday! It was such a gorgeous spring day out, so I decided to head out for a walk. However, I got a wild hair and decided to try a light jog... 1.5 miles later (with some walk breaks), I was so excited that my prego plodding days are not COMPLETELY over yet! Hopefully, this spring weather will stick around and keep me motivated!)

 

What I'm looking forward to: Our showers and getting the nursery all set up!

 

Gender: Boy!!!!

 

Milestones: (Based on pregnancy app) Those hormones raging in your body mean big growth for the baby. Your baby's brain is developing again adn the cerebrum (area that controls emotions) is now rapidly forming. Your baby is learning to feel things like hunger, thirst, sadness, fear and even happiness. Hair, skin, and eye pigmenting will now commence and your baby's body is finally in proportion. If you could see your baby 24 hours a day, you would notice that not only your baby is sucking a thumb, but your baby is also strengthening the jaw muscles that will be needed to breast-feed or bottle-feed at delivery (Watching out nipples!). hehehe.

 

Weekly Wisdom: Even though your body is going through some crazy changes right now... stop, enjoy and embrace it! It goes by so fast! Trust me, I can't wait for our little man to get here, but I want him to keep cooking in there, so he's nice and healthy, so I might as well embrace this pregnancy time too!

 

We love you, so much, little man!! We can't wait to meet you! *Hugs and Kisses from Momma and Daddy!* 

Weekly Survey - 22 Weeks!

 (Baby Boy E belly at 22 weeks! Pre- and Post- workout! Growing like crazy - they swore to me that there is only one in there!!! ha!)

How far along?: 22 weeks!! Moving right along!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: PAPAYA!! 

 

Maternity clothes?: Oh yes, for the MOST part (other than a couple of shirts), it is not even an option anymore! My WONDERFUL and AMAZING momma took me shopping this week for some new maternity clothes! Bless her heart! Now, I'm not wearing the exact same outfits everyday of the week! haha... Also, I have graduated to full panel pants, no more under the belly pants! The full panel are so much more comfy at this point too! :) Below are a few of the items that my mom bought for me yesterday from Kohl's!

(Cargo capris - becuase, hopefully, it will get warm again soon and I will need those! Black leggings - sooooooo comfy and I can wear them with anything (dress up or dress down!). No, I will NOT be wearing mine with heels!!! ha!)

(Cute tee and sweater for spring! I got another 3/4 shirt and some work dress pants, but couldn't find pics of them!)

(I also got this dress from Target! Hopefully it looks as cute on me as it does on this girl!! ha!)

 



Total weight gain/ loss: GROWING!! Hence the need for new maternity clothes!

Stretch marks?: Well, not on the belly yet! TMI alert: Starting to get small ones on the "girls!" Ugh!!!

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty well! Only a couple of complaints: hips are hurting a bit at night (when I lay on them), and my right arm is still falling asleep (yuck!).

Best moment this week: Still LOVING feeling our little man move around! Also, excited about getting some new maternity clothes! Yayyy!

Movement?: Yup!! I love how active he is at certain times of the day! Still super active when he hears Daddy get home from work! It makes my heart melt!

Food cravings: ANY AND EVERYTHING!

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Nope.

Have you started to show yet?: Oh good grief, yes! hahaha! I love it though!

Labor signs?: Nope, thank goodness!

Belly Button in or out?: In still.

Wedding rings on or off?: On!

Happy or Moody most of the time?: Happy, most of the time! However, we lost a great lady this week. Baby Boy E's great grandma Ernst (Mark's grandma) passed away on Monday night! Please say your prayers for our family. Such a difficult time - We loved her very much and she will be greatly missed! Thank you, in advance, for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Symptoms: Same as last week! Heartburn has been awful! Grrr...

What I miss: My exercise has been SERIOUSLY lacking lately! I really miss the warm weather! It's supposed to be nice on Monday, so hopefully I can get outside for a walk! It's so hard to get motivated to drag my prego booty to the gym!!

What I'm looking forward to: Registering (we seriously need to get on this!), getting our little peanuts room together, and our baby showers! Such exciting times ahead! :)

Gender: Boy!

Milestones: (Based on pregnancy app) As your baby starts gaining fat, you will definitely be able to feel your baby's movements more accurately. The reproductive organs for both girls and boys are complete this week and the baby will even begin to develop nipples. Your baby's hair color is pretty white at this point - but don't worry, it's only because pigment hasn't developed yet. Color will come into play a few weeks from now. Facial features are just about complete.

Weekly Wisdom: Our weekly wisdom is WE NEED TO GET REGISTERED!!! haha! I would also like to get to moving on the nursery! We have lots of ideas, just need to get started! Hopefully, we can get some stuff done this weekend! :)

 

Sweet Baby Boy, we are already looking forward to meeting you in July! We can't wait to start getting your room all ready! So much to look forward to! We love you so much... to the moon and back! *Hugs and Kisses* from Momma and Daddy!

 

(So in love with this sign for Baby E's room, made by Grandma Melia and Grandpa Mike (from their old fence slats - so much love and meaning!)! Cannot wait to get it hung in the nursery!)