19 Weeks

Dear Daughter,

I am really enjoying this time, you and I, while you're growing big and strong enough to enter into this world and into our arms.  At the same time, I cannot wait the {approximately} 147 days until we get to finally meet you, hold you, kiss you, dress you, hug you, and love on you!  You will be such a special one in our family, and you will be loved without limits.

Some people still say I'm not that big yet, but you're making your mommy feel huge!  Every time Kylie sees me, her eyes get wide as she stares at my ever-growing belly.  She is already one of your biggest fans.  We all are.

We have a small collection of items for you already!  So far we have three beautiful blankets that your Grandma McCoy made with love, one blanket I made in the past, a really soft blanket and lamb from your friends Kynleigh and Anistyn, two swaddle blankets from Aunt Bebe, and 5 pairs of leggings I bought you.  (Also, a onesie and t-shirt I ordered for you haven't arrived yet.)  Lenox lays on your blankets each time I get them out to re-fold them - I think he's going to like you, too!

Your big cousin, McCoy, has been cracking me up lately.  He finally received the gender reveal cookies I mailed to them 8 days prior, and he was excited to see the pink inside (that he already knew would be there).  But he's still a little hesitant to accept a new cousin into his life.  Today, he suggested that we name you Crocodile.  We won't, I promise.  I teasingly offered to name you Francis (McCoy's middle name), and it was rebutted with, "Nooooooooooooo, that's my name and I'm not going to call her that!"  He will love you, I promise.

I hope the next 21 weeks goes by quickly, because your mommy and daddy, brother and sister, aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, and many others are so very excited to meet you!

With love forever and ever,

Mommy

Cravings: Ice cream.  Eggo waffles.


Aversions: None.


Symptoms: Backaches.


Mood: Great.


Missing: Rolling over in bed with ease.  A flat stomach (but at the same time loving my baby bump).


Break-down: None.


Excited for: I will be so excited next Friday when I am 20 weeks - half way there!!! And we'll only be 3 days away from our anatomy scan!


Body changes: Growing more curves (thighs, stomach obviously...).  Hopefully maintaining a health weight gain, which I'll find out officially in 10 days.


Sleep: Or lack there-of.  I am trying not to sleep on my back anymore since it can block/limit the blood supply to the baby, but I'm not realizing how much of a back-sleeper I am.  My sides were going numb but Keane suggested I sleep with a pillow between my legs and that has helped.  I wake up every few hours to roll over (and usually pee).


Movement: On Monday, I felt faint "flutters" (gentle butterfly wings would describe the feeling exactly).  I still mainly feel what I consider a "thumping" from the inside.  I can't wait to feel all the movement on the outside so Keane can feel her too!

Gender Reveal

As soon as we were able to have a "Gender Ultrasound" after 16 weeks, I talked Keane into us paying the extra amount to find out our baby's gender.  I was a little hesitant because I knew in four weeks we would be having our 20 weeks anatomy scan, and finding out then.  But it's the best choice we could have made, in my opinion.  Firstly, we got to see our baby!  We hadn't had an ultrasound since 7 weeks.  At that time, Baby was tiny.  It didn't move (besides it's beautiful beating heart). 


This time, our baby moved!  It would squirm from one side of my tummy to the other, especially when the ultrasound tech pushed on my belly in attempts to reposition the baby to better see its "goods."  We got some neat photos of our sweet, sweet baby.  Seeing that ultrasound made everything so much more real, and so very sweet.

We saw Baby's legs, feet, hands, belly, stomach, heart, and FACE!!!!  The ultrasound tech said she was pretty sure what the gender was, but wanted to make real sure before she called it, which she later did. 

A GIRL!!!

The sweet tears came instantly.  It was surreal to me.  I had said that I thought it was a girl.  But after finding out that our baby was a girl, I realized that I had completely, 100% only imagined us having a boy, ever.  I was sure we would have a boy.  I was never, not for one moment, disappointed in any way.  Having a baby girl was an entirely new idea to me.  A daughter.  I seriously had never put much thought into what if I had a daughter.  I had only imagined me with a son.  And I honestly could not have been more happy.  As soon as I knew that sweet, moving baby inside me was our daughter, I fell even more in love with her.  I was her momma.  I had a sweet daughter, who will grow up to be a beautiful girl, and woman.  I will teach her about love and relationships, manners and kindness.  She will wrap her daddy around her little finger and around her whole heart.


I am so extremely happy to me a momma to a daughter.  And Keane is so very happy too!  He said he has broad enough shoulders to raise two daughters, and he does. 


We waited until we had a chance to tell both of the kids, and soon after tell our families.  Which turned out to be nearly two weeks!  It was a secret that just the three of us had, Mommy, Daddy, and Baby Girl Brooks!  Finally the long awaited day arrived and by that evening, we were all chomping at the bit to let the secret out.  We should have recorded Kaden and Kylie's reaction but we completely forgot about it until immediately afterwards.  We had them sit on the couch and open up their baggie with the cutest gender reveal cookies my mom (grandma) made for this special time!  She had made both pink and blue ones (sugar cookies with pink and blue on the inside) and gave them all to us so that we could share the necessary color)! 

On the count of 3 they both ate a bite of their cookie, and we waited the short and forever long moment while they pulled the cookie away to look inside.  Kylie screamed, "Yeeeeesssssss" with a mouth full of cookie, and Kaden's arms dropped to his side as he declared that Kylie always wins, haha.  He is still very excited to have a little sister, but naturally was hoping to have a brother/another boy in the house.  Kylie couldn't have been more pleased.

Then, we shared with our families!  We brought some cookies over to my parents and brother, and we FaceTimed Kimberly, Lonnie, and McCoy.  I had mailed them cookies but apparently didn't have enough postage so it didn't make it to them in time, but I bit a cookie and showed the camera at the same time my parents and brother ate into their cookie.  Everyone (mostly) expected a girl so nobody was really surprised necessarily, but very happy.  Then we took cookies over to Keane's parents and sister, Kelli (and niece Rylee) who had split guesses on the gender (Karen felt we were having a girl).  They were very pleased as well with the PINK results!

We then shared the news with our close friends and eventually we announced it on Facebook with this picture! 

Nuts or No Nuts?

It's really fun to be able to share our news with our families and friends!  We can't wait to meet our baby girl!

As for a name, Keane and I really like Farrah.  I love Farrah.  We also like Oakley.  We are still working on the middle name, and finalizing her first name.

18 Weeks

I had always hoped that I would love pregnancy and so far I really have (remind me of this in a few more months)!  It's neat watching our baby grow, little by little, week by week, and knowing that the number of days before we meet our sweet one are getting smaller and sooner (which I am ecstatic about)!  I have been going crazy planning the baby room and the baby's arrival, and the baby's young life (more specifically style) -- and anything else Pinterest offers for me to save for later.  I feel the need to plan, and planning is the next best thing to waiting during the next 22 weeks.  Does 22 weeks sound long to you? 


There's probably no doubt when you look at me now that I'm pregnant.  I love, love my little one making its appearance.

Cravings: Taco Bell.  Gender reveal sugar cookies!  Sweets.


Aversions: Nothing really.


Symptoms: A lot of crazy dreams.  Restless leg syndrome in the evenings.  A headache the other day, and extreme tailbone pain when sitting on our couch without lumbar support, and now middle backaches.


Mood: Great -- so, so happy!  Keane says I'm feistier. 


Missing: Being able to help Keane lift/load wood without worrying about Baby.


Break-down: Me and a large chain about had it out last weekend when I was trying to help Keane bring some logs up to the house to cut for firewood -- which resulted in 1 emotional tear-flow, and 1 angry outburst.  But they were followed up with a sweet hug and some chuckles from Keane, which were exactly what I needed.


Excited for: Announcing the baby's gender this weekend!  The baby's room and Kaden and Kylie's new rooms I have all planned!


Body changes: A growing belly!  Pants are beginning to feel too snug to comfortably button.  I have been getting by mostly wearing leggings.


Sleep: I have been sleeping wonderfully!  I may occasionally wake up to pee, and I usually do wake up a few times throughout the night, but only enough to roll over and fall right back to sleep.  I only have about 5 more months of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep, so I'm enjoying it to the max.


Movement: A little thumping every now and then, but nothing I can predict, and it doesn't continue long enough to try to pay close attention to, or try to feel from the outside.

I like this chart that shows where the uterus is located week-by-week throughout pregnancy.  Baby is still right under by belly button now.

17 Weeks

Every day I spend thinking more and more about this baby that I'm growing and what my family's near future looks like with our added love.  I am planning the nursery, the baby registry, the baby shower, and even the names.  Keane has been so good throughout all of this baby-planning process, and I'm doing my very best not to overwhelm him and talk about baby things all. the. time.


The second trimester continues to be great.  I do have energy again (I feel back to normal in that area), my eating has returned to normal (except for being a little extra hungry), and there has been no more sickness or queasiness.  I'm slowly starting to grow that actually baby bump that I have been anticipating, and it's pretty fun to see it starting to appear (even though I thought it was appearing from week 10 -- apparently not so much).  A girl can tell when her body is changing, and mine was beginning the changes those short weeks ago.


I have to admit, as impatient as I am, this pregnancy is going by pretty quickly.  Keeping up with the weekly posts and photos helps, as does the monthly doctors visits.  I am savoring each new stage, because I know before long I will be wishing for a smaller belly again, and not long after that, I will be meeting my sweet, sweet baby.  Until then, Baby needs to continue to grow and develop, and I will do my very best to take care of it in all the ways that I can!

Cravings: Food in general.  This week I have started such hunger.  I keep healthy snacks with me to keep me satisfied through the day, but in between snacks I get so hungry!

Aversions: Not much of anything.

Symptoms: Urgency to pee, often. Restless leg syndrome when relaxing on the couch -- what is this all about? It's annoying.  Intense lower back pain when sitting on the couch without lumbar support.  Hunger.

Mood: Really, really good. 

Excited for: To see our baby at our 20 week anatomy scan in 3 weeks, 3 days.

Body changes: My stomach has grown from a "gut" to a baby belly this week.  If there was a day that it "popped" out, it was Wednesday - 16 weeks, 5 days!  I've been getting by wearing most of my clothes, but the other day my dress pants buttoned extremely tight at my waist, so I wore a belly band for the first time.  So far all of my other clothes still fit just fine, but there is no mistaking there's a baby in there now! 

Movement: For a few weeks, I've been feeling what I consider a "thumping."  I wasn't certain if this was Baby or not, but I have came to the conclusion that it is!  Unfortunately my placenta is located in the front right now (between my belly and Baby), making it harder for me to feel the movements.  But when I do, I love it.  I've been starting to feel the thumping on the outside, too.  I need to have Daddy feel our baby move!

Three days in a row - 16 weeks, 4 days, 5 days, and 6 days.  My belly has officially "popped."

Weeks 10 through 17

16 Weeks

McCoy asked me at Christmas why I have a baby in my belly.  I explained to him and me and Uncle Keane are having a baby and it grows inside my tummy until it gets bigger and it comes out so we can hold it.  He said, "It's going to fall on the floor."  I told him we have to hurry up and catch it so it doesn't fall on the floor.  He reassured me that his tricycle can catch it!  He says he doesn't want a new cousin, and said he doesn't want a good cousin.  I asked, "So you want a bad cousin?"  And he smiled and said yes.  I think he'll love his new cousin.


I had my 16 week appointment today one day shy of 16 weeks.  Everything went well.  My doctor said I'm "growing."  I've only gained 5 lbs so far, and Baby's heart rate was 152 bpm!  We discussed some birthing details.  It's fun starting to plan for the arrival of Baby!


Cravings: Sweets (uh oh).


Aversions: Meat.


Symptoms: Instant urge to pee, like I have an extremely full bladder (and usually I don't), and I need to go!  I've grown accustom to waking up once or twice each night to pee.  Less tired and no more queasiness!  Warmer body temperature than usual.  Round ligament pain (especially when rolling over in bed), noticeable linea nigra, and darker hair!


Mood: I may be slightly more irritable lately, and somewhat emotional in movies and such.


Missing: Sleeping on my back without worrying.  My doctor told me it's okay though, until I feel faint.


Excited for: Making a baby registry, finding out the baby's gender, preparing the baby's room, deciding on a name....all of it!!


Body changes: I definitely have a baby "gut" right now.  I still fit into all my clothes, as I don't think I've gained any weight except right in my stomach, where it sticks out, especially after eating and/or drinking.


Movement: I may have felt some movement last night (15 weeks, 5 days).  It was low (below my belly button), but I could also feel it move a little on the outside, too, so it may not be baby yet.  I'm staying very conscious of any feelings hoping to feel my little one.

2014

2014 was one of my best years! 

January//It started off with Keane asking for my hand in marriage! 

February//Kaden turned 10, we celebrated my father's birthday, and we celebrated Valentine's Day as an engaged couple!

March//Keane and Kylie went to a father/daughter dance, and we continued working on wedding planning.

April//We enjoyed spring weather with fishing, an Easter Day four wheeler ride, and mushroom hunting, my high school best friend's wedding, and Keane and I took a trip to Nashville!

May//We walked/ran in a 5K, had my bridal shower, attended another wedding, celebrated Mother's Day, and finished up our mushroom hunting (finding 326 this year)!

June//Celebrated Father's Day, my sister's birthday, and then, after the last six months of planning, Keane and I were wed!  It all turned out so perfectly, and I wouldn't change a thing. 

July//Enjoyed 4th of July and recovered from all the busyness of the wedding.

August//We went on a float trip and to a cave, wrapped up baseball/softball seasons with my brother's team winning the 13AA World Series, Kaden's kid-pitch team going undefeated, and Kylie's first year of kid-pitch.  Keane and I went to a grazing seminar, we got our new bedroom furniture set, and the kids went back to school: entering 3rd and 5th grades, and my brother his last year of junior high.

September//My 27th, and Keane's nephew's wedding.

October//My nephew turned 3 and brother turned 14, and we welcomed fall, and Halloween!  Also, Keane and I found out we are expecting!

November//Keane's 37th, my mother's birthday, deer hunting, and my cousin's wedding.  Also, we announced that we are expecting our baby!

December//Christmas.  Kylie turned 9.  And I started growing a small baby bump!

I cannot wait to see how much more wonderful 2015 will be with the anticipation of Baby and finally meeting this new loved one in June!  I know the sweet holidays that end the year will be the best yet, as we share them together as a family of five.

My New Year's Resolutions for 2014 were:

-Take a photo of the children, once a week, every week -- as inspired by Bluebird Vintage, and ask them a thought-provoking question. I dropped my phone and broke it terribly in June.  Half the time my camera does not work, and therefore I have lacked tremendously in the photo department.  I only made it 19 weeks.  Fail.

-Blog about stepmotherhood monthly. Fail.

-To get married! Married my loving husband on June 28, 2014.  Check!

-Stick to my newly created budget.  I itemized all of my spending in 2013.  I know what percentage I spent in each category.  In 2014, I will enforce a budget accordingly.  I continued to track my spending, but I failed at spending less where I wanted to.  However, the wedding was costly.

-To create more items to sell.  Or create a way to make passive income. I was almost there on this one.  I worked really hard on a business called  Bridal Bit.  I was so close to launching it and seeing it success.  But somewhere between wedding planning and needing a break from wedding planning, I lost my passion.

I'm so happy with my year in 2014.  All of it.  In 2015, I plan to enjoy pregnancy, meet my baby, get a new phone so I can take more photos again, keep up with my blogging (it keeps me feeling organized), and continue to love my family with my whole heart.  I had another resolution, but it slipped my mind (pregnancy brain, we will blame it on)!