Late HDBD: 20weeks!

How far along?: 20w 3days

How big is baby?: She(!) is now the size of a banana! Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid everyday, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting.  And, these days, those taste buds actually work!  Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid.  Meaning, I'm supposed to think about what I'd like our future child to eat as I prepare my own lunch.  noted.
Weight gain/loss?: no gym this week due to lovely acute bronchitis, but I'm guessing +11 or 12 at this point. 

Stretch marks?:  Okay, so last Friday or so, I could have sworn I saw my first stretch mark on my right side.  I've since been on a moisturizing frenzy and it seems to have disappeared.  phew.

Maternity clothes?: Yes.  I can still wear some of my longer regular shirts, but I don't bother with pants unless there is some sort of elastic waist involved. 

Sleep?:  Other than waking to cough, not too bad.

Food cravings?: Yesterday I wanted Chipotle and made it happen.

Gender?: sweet baby girl.  We aren't settled on her name yet and that's bothering me.  

Movement?: lots in the morning, when I'm sitting at my desk, and before bed.  I love it.

Belly button?: seeing more of the inside. I'm smaller than I was at this point with Adalyn, so I wonder what it will do.  It never really popped out with her, so we shall see.

Symptoms?:  Other than being sick, feeling pretty great.

What are you looking forward to this week?: As I said in my last post, I have a busy working weekend with photography, but we are planning on getting our Christmas tree late Saturday afternoon.  I can't wait to decorate! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

ahhh next to the start of Fall, gearing up for Christmas is my favorite part of the year!  And it's here!!  I'm kind of jumping around our home like Buddy the Elf lately.  In honor of that, this post might seem kind of random. ;)

I've been eyeing all the places that we can take Adalyn sledding...and looking for the perfect sled.  Her first sledding is going to have to be with my dad.  Sledding with my dad is by far one of my happiest childhood memories.

Thanksgiving with our friends was so much fun.  We are truly blessed to have made such wonderful friends through our church.  The funny thing is that I didn't even bring my camera to the festivities, so you will have to settle for cell phone pictures of Adalyn's first real Thanksgiving (since she was on a breastmilk diet last year) Actually, cell phone pics are pretty much all I have for you in this post...sorry.

Anyway, I had to run to the store Wednesday night to get a few missed ingredients for my first ever gluten free cornbread stuffing (for our friend), and Adalyn had her first ride in the car shopping cart!

She liked it, despite the grin she is making here.

The day started with Andrew's homemade bacon and cheese quiche.  He even made the pie dough people.  Have I mentioned that I LOVE that my husband LOVES to cook?

Adalyn was very impatient as it cooled.

But we were all pretty stoked about the holiday....gangnam style

She loved turkey.

But the sweet potatoes were a bit different than she was used to.  I don't think she's ever had anything as sweet as sweet potato pie!

The weekend was just wonderful and Andrew concluded it with homemade gumbo!  mmmmm.

I wish Monday didn't come so fast. But hey, today meant we have made it half way through the pregnancy.  Only 4 more weeks until viability.  Craziness.

I'm gearing up for a busy weekend.  I have mini sessions in the studio all day Saturday and a newborn session in NYC on Sunday.  I'm hoping/praying that Andrew and Addy and will be able to come into the city with me.  I would love to visit Rockefeller Center before the big crowds hit.

My little test subject for Saturday...

19 weeks

How far along?: 19w 3days

How big is baby?: At about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces, she's getting there!  Developing a protective coating over her skin, called vernix caseosa. It's greasy and white and I may see some of it at her birth.  Working on her five senses. Nerve cells for her sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in her brain.

Weight gain/loss?: +10.  Yikes.  But I can't really be upset about when it's meant indulging in 2 girls night outs, danishes from Costco and eating ALL of the homemade pink oreos our nanny brought over.  Thank goodness for the gym.

Stretch marks?:  still none.

Maternity clothes?: I'm still in that annoying in between stage and the maternity pants that I was wearing with Adalyn at this point are still too big, but I can barely even zipper my regular pants.  I'm feeling so blah lately and having clothes that don't fit doesn't help.  My skin in dry, I'm in desperate need of a haircut and I really could use a mani/pedi.  Yup, I think I think I need a spa day, since a massage wouldn't be too bad either ;)

Sleep?:  SO much better!  It only took one Tylenol PM last Thursday night, and my body then just remembered what to do - stay asleep!  It's been wonderful.  

Food cravings?: Hi, my name is Alex and I like sugar. 

Gender?: GIRL, GIRL, GIRL!!!  Can you tell I'm excited?!  We obviously would have loved to have a son as well, but there is just something so exciting and special to me about being the mom of 2 little girls.  Andrew and I have always planned on 3, and this basically guarenteed that we will try for one.  He even made the comment that we are now more likely to have 4, since we would have to try for a boy if the 3rd is a girl.  Please note: Unless I get some clear command from the The Big Man Upstairs, we are stopping at 4, boy or no boy.  

Movement?: More consistent movement throughout the day.  I just love it.  Andrew still can't feel it from the outside yet, but it's just a matter of time before this little gets strong enough.

Belly button?: same as last week. I'm starting to see more of the inside.  

Symptoms?:  Almost symptom free. Oh glorious 2nd tri, how I love thee.

What are you looking forward to this week?:  Well Andrew is off for most of the week and that means someone else to make breakfast, change diapers, and an adult to have dinner with.  We are tag-teaming on cooking for Thanksgiving dinner tonight and heading over to our good friend's house.  There will be 8 kids age 4 and under - should be interesting, but at least there is one adult for every child!!  

Blessed.

There were so many times on Sunday that I thought, "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.".

From my early morning photography session, to an awesome sermon at church, to a few hours with our family on the couch, to Twilight and dinner out with my mommy group, it was just perfect.  Thank you, God, for all of our blessings, including this baby girl growing away in my belly. 

It's a.... | Christmas Gender Reveal Idea

UPDATE:  more photos!!  

We are so thrilled that Adalyn is going to have a little sister!!

I can't thank my friend Ute enough for driving all the way out to this specific Christmas tree Farm bright and early on a Saturday morning to capture this precious moment for us.  It didn't go exactly as I had planned it in my head, but looking back at the photos, it happened exactly how it was supposed to, cranky Adalyn and all.

Here is how the big reveal went:

I went to Michael's craft store last week and carefully crafted an It's a Girl and It's a Boy ornament, along with a matching purple Big Sister ornament - then I bought a cute box from  Home Goods to wrap "the" ornament in.

I handed Ute our sealed envelope from my OB and Ute put the correct ornament in the box.

Now let me back up a second...It look us 45 min. to get there because of stupid traffic and A had completely lost it in the car before we could get there.  Taking her out in the 25 degree air did not make her feel any better.   She cried during the short hike up to the trees, and in an attempt to make her laugh, I jumped and quickly realized that I shattered the Big Sister ornament on the pavement.  booooo

Then because we were late, we were fighting a high sun and had to find a place in the shade by the trees.  Adalyn was still crying and then it was "now or never". So while I had wanted to savor the moment before we opened, we just rushed and ripped the top off the box.  It was still an awesome moment, but it didn't feel all that peaceful with Adalyn losing it and attempting to grab and throw the ornament.  My plan to get pictures of us then putting the ornament on a tree (and then helping Addy put her Big Sister one on) was obviously foiled.  Silly me, I forgot to count in the fact that A is a toddler.

I think this would be a great idea for a first baby or with an older child though!

18 weeks

So I'm 2 days late, but here you go.  18 week update!

How far along?: 18w 4days

How big is baby?: The size of a sweet potato! Baby is about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and keeps on growing rapidly. 

Weight gain/loss?: +8.  That's all I have to say about that.

Stretch marks?:  still none.

Maternity clothes?: Pulled out the maternity pants and some shirts.  The pants are still too big, but my other ones are way too small.  I'm in that in between stage, I guess. 

Sleep?:  It's on and off these days.  My OB okayed Tylenol PM and I took one last night and it made a huge difference.  I'm kind of scared to see what 2 would feel like! 

Food cravings?: Nothing in particular.  It's pretty frustrating. 

Gender?: eeeeeeek!  We will know in exactly 16 hours from now.  The anatomy scan yesterday morning went great and baby is looking healthy on all counts. My guess for the record is another girl.  The envelope has been sitting (sealed) in the glove compartment of our Jeep. 

Movement?: Little movements here and there, but nothing consistent.  I have an anterior placenta again so I can expect less movement than others. 

Belly button?: same as last week. I'm starting to see more of the inside.  Hope that doesn't gross you out, but hey, it's a change, so I'm reporting it.

Symptoms?:  Just hungry and peeing a lot.

What are you looking forward to this week?:  I cannot think of anything else except for tomorrow morning.  I am so freaking excited!!!  Outfits are planned and the only clue I'm giving you as to how we are going to reveal is that we are headed to a Christmas tree farm with ornaments.  

No Bump on Hump Day

...because I've been busy launching the rebranding of my photography business and I haven't had a second to take a snapshot.  But here is my other baby.  Introducing for the first time on this blog, Alex Christine Photography!!

I still have a lot of work to do on updates to my portfolio, but it's almost done.  I've learned so much about white balance, color casts, correct exposure, heck focusing, that I want to go back and refine so many of my photos.  And I have so much to add.   I'm also applying for some professional certifications and associations and they grill your portfolio on white balance, color casts, focusing, composition, etc.
I've become so darn judgy about my photos and other photogs....Like I'm constantly finding what's wrong with them, vs. what's right.  I could use some prayers for that!

Anyway, I LOVE my Facebook Fans and I love the readers of this blog.  So if you're a reader, head on over to my Facebook page and become a fan too!

And now I'm off to bed.  Anatomy scan at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow.  Ahhhhhh!  How am I almost halfway through this pregnancy?

A Christmas Story in November

No surprise here - it's been another busy week.  But like I said in my last post, I think I'm finally getting the groove of being a work at home mom.  And I think Adalyn has adjusted too.  She's figured out that no matter what, her needs come first ;).

We had a surprise snow storm last week which kept us inside and cancelled the remainder of our playgroups for the week.  But it sure was fun getting to play in her new snowsuit from Mimi and Grandpa.  ~GapKids for Lyfe!!~  Well, not exactly.  I was laughing so hard while trying to get this snowsuit on her that I had tears running down my face.  The Christmas Story is one of my favorite movies, and I almost changed one of her nicknames to Randy after this little escapade.  She was flat on the living room floor and crying as I tried to strap on all of the gear.  And the mittens, oh the mittens - that just put her over the top.  The trantrum was short lived, however, since there was this super cool new thing called snow outside.  I think she was way too young to remember the one snowstorm we had last year. She was so amazed and didn't want to go back inside until she realized that "Oh yea, my hands are missing!!!".  hahah I'm still laughing about it.

I had my first newborn in the studio this week and I'm SO excited for my winter sessions and SO grateful for my parents for giving me the space.  I made enough money last month to afford to invest in studio lighting and now I have a whole new type of lighting to learn.  My awesome photographer friend Ute also let me borrow her macro lens yesterday, and I think after a little bit of playtime, I know what I want for Christmas.  Some macro fun:

HDBD | 17 weeks

A little variety for this week.  The far left is 17 weeks with Adalyn (clearly prior to becoming a mom and looking all put together).  Middle is a bare belly shot because I wanted to have one.  And the far right is Adalyn photobombing.  I do our sheets on Wednesdays and hadn't yet made the bed when these were taken.  Judging by that, and the way I look like a hot mess in these photos, you can probably tell that life is a bit more chaotic than 2 years ago.

How far along?: 17w 2days

How big is baby?: Baby is now the size of an onion!  Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it.  His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.


Weight gain/loss?: +7 according to the gym scale.  meh.  I'm actually having a tough time dealing with my body changes this pregnancy. I've gained less than I did with A at this point, but I was still running at this time with A.  I hate not being able to be as active as I want to be, but I know that bedrest would be A LOT worse.  I'm continuing going to the gym at least 3 days a week and doing 30 min. of light cardio and doing the weight machines that don't involve me lifting anything above my head.  It helps me to feel better, but I don't think I look any better.  At least I know I was able to get back into shape quickly after A.  


Stretch marks?:  still none.


Maternity clothes?: I'm still rocking the good old hair elastic on my pants, but I think I'm going to break out a maternity dress tomorrow.  I'm feeling the need to do my hair and look cute, even if it's just for a Community Bible Study meeting.


Sleep?:  A lot better!  I'm almost sleeping through the night again and it feels wonderful!

Food cravings?: No real specifics this week except for a slight obsession with hummus.  I promised myself that I would buy some carrots at the grocery store tomorrow, so I'm at least not eating a box of crackers with my tubs (yes, plural on purpose) of hummus.

Gender?: Are you going to laugh if I tell you that this week I think it's a girl?  Maybe it's because we've almost 100% settled on our girls name and the boys name is still up in the air, but I'm really feeling girl today.

Movement?: I got kicked about an hour ago as I was editing some pictures.  LOVE feeling movement and I'm due to listen to the heartbeat on the doppler again tonight.

Belly button?: I'm starting to see more of the inside.  Hope that doesn't gross you out, but hey, it's a change, so I'm reporting it.

Symptoms?:  Hunger.  Hunger.  Hunger.  And also, I'm very easily irritated by people lately.  

What are you looking forward to this week?:  Andrew's dad and sister are flying in from Texas on Friday and I really do love having his family come visit.  I have a session Friday afternoon, 2 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, and a precious little newborn on Monday.  I love, love, love, being busy with photography, and I finally feel like I'm getting used to never having my to-do list done.  

Adalyn | 15 months!

Sometimes I just look at Adalyn and want to cry.  Ok, maybe it's the pregnancy hormones, but seriously, I can't stand how fast she is growing up.  I really wish there was a pause button for life right now - or maybe even a rewind button.  I know the days of rocking her before bedtime are coming to an end.  :(  I refuse to even attempt to take her pacifier away because that is the last baby thing about her.

Since she turned 15 months on 10/30, I think her Halloween costume pictures are appropriate for this post.

Adalyn had her 15 month appointment this morning and not surprisingly she is in the 95th percentile for height (32 1/2 in.) and 90th for weight (25lbs 12oz.).  At least she has an average sized head ;)

Adalyn, you surpassed all developmental milestones and when your Dr. asked me how many words you can say, I couldn't even tell him.  Mama, Dada, Jada, milk, apple, ah-ba (banana), hello, bye-bye, all done, cracker, croccodile, cross, no, bible, hot, eggs, cold, up, down, help, woof woof (a dog), car, owl, outside, bath, teeth, moon....that's what I can think of right now.  If I tell you to go upstairs, you walk over to the stairs and start climbing up.  Time to brush your teeth?  I just tell you that, and you go to the upstairs bathroom and says "up".  You pick out 2 books by name.  Your favorites:  "Go, Dog, Go" and "Peekaboo Baby".  You love to bring books over to me and then ask to be picked up on my lap.  The record for number of times "Go, Dog, Go" is read in a day currently stands at seven.

You hate getting dressed and getting your diaper changed.  You currently like to hit me in the face when either one of these needs to be done.  We are working on that.  Most of the time, you are the happiest baby on the block.

You go to sleep at 7pm and sleep until 7am without a peep.  You take a 1-1 1/2 hour nap around 1pm.  You eat everything!  Current favorite foods:  apples, eggs, and cheese.

Before bed, we always sing Silent Night and say a prayer.  The song I sing to you when you get upset is still "Baby of Mine" from Dumbo (hence the elephant costume this year...well that, and it was only $9.57 with a coupon at Carters).

Your nicknames: We call you monkey, munchkie, turk (short for turkey) and stink, because well, sometime you really do.  ;)

You are a Daddy's girl and if he is around, you usually prefer to play with him.  I'm ok with it since I get to spend almost everyday all day with you.  I suppose I can get boring after a while. 

You are obsessed with your Grandpa and won't go to anyone else if he is holding you and have a complete meltdown when he leaves.

What else can I say?  You are just the best.  You love to explore new places and meet new people.  You are brave, secure, strong, and like to get.your.way.  Oh, and your absolute favorite thing in the whole world (besides Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)??  DANCING!!  You are definitely my daughter.  Ballet was my life growing up and you better believe you are starting lessons as soon as I can get you enrolled.  

I don't know if all parents say this about their children, but Daddy and I think you are going to be famous and do something really great.

Love you, Monkey...I mean, elephant!