18 Weeks: Snoogle and Movement

Along: 18 weeks

Size of baby: Clementine is the size of a sweet potato. This is the time when Clementine’s vocal cords are forming, and she/he begins to practice vocalizing. Clementine will begin to cry, although without air, no sound will escape her/him.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I’m guessing 4 to 6 pounds. I’m not sure. I will know more on May 31^st.

Maternity Clothes: I’m still wearing my normal clothes. I had a sweet co-worker of mine let me borrow tons of maternity clothes, so I have a feeling I will be busting those out pretty soon. Also, Matt’s amazing grandparents, Oma and Opa, sent me about 7 different precious maternity tops. I’m trying to wear all my non-maternity items as long as I can before my wardrobe becomes limited. Matt and I are seriously so thankful for everyone’s love, support, and prayers.

 

Gender:  It’s back to girl. The funny thing is the consensus for both me and Matt at work is that we are having a girl. My accounting/running bff for life Kim Kuhl is determined it is a boy. She sent us this Baylor onesie this week. Let’s just say I’m OBSESSED. We will have the big sonogram in two weeks.

Movement:  Movement has happened. It was super exciting. I was lying in bed last night and felt this really strange flutter bubble sensation in my belly. I immediately told Matt. He then tried to feel (which of course he can’t), but it was really exciting. I felt Clementine move three or four times while lying there. It was the oddest sensation.

Sleep: It’s good. Matt surprised me with a Snoogle on one of the worst days of my life *Monday*.  (I had car trouble with no cell phone----disastrous). Let’s just say his thoughtful gift added light to my day and has bettered my sleep.

What I miss:  Besides margaritas, I really can’t think of anything.

Cravings:  All Fruit, Italian dressing with salad, turkey/mustard/cheese sandwiches, and sweets. Blue bell has a new flavor, Krazy Kookie Dough. Matt and I demolished a little pint last night. It was Vanilla ice cream with sugar cookie dough- delicious.

Symptoms: I still have back pain. I am getting Charlie horses at night along with round ligament pain. I am thankful for all of these symptoms knowing that Clementine is growing healthy and strong.

Best Moment This Week: I think it would be feeling Clementine move in my belly. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment. He/she moved at the perfect time.

Sneak Peak of our BWCA Adventure

This past week, Matt and I had the amazing opportunity to go on a canoeing/camping trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). My dad had been on this six different times with all of his guy buddies. This past January, he talked about taking my brother on this trip in May after law school was over and offered it to Matt as well.  Matt was all in. He had camped as a kid and loved it. I immediately chimed in and said if Matt is going, I'm going too. I have MOC (Missing out Complex). I knew this trip would be amazing, and I didn't want to be stuck in a cubicle while Matt was hanging out with bears, beavers, and Northern Pike. Our next mission: to get my mom on board. At first she was really hesitant, she said she just stay home and relax. By February, she was convinced. She didn't want to be left behind and miss out on all the memories.

Now this post is just a sneak peak. These pictures are from the last two days. My brother has all the adventure pictures, but we are still waiting on him to get home. Once he gets home, I will update the post. I also want to make a shutterfly book to show baby Clementine what he/she experienced in my tummy.

Here is the smurf village.

Here is what I did a lot of.

This is Matt with our canoe B-5. It survived strong currents, portages, and small fish.

Matt did most of the hard work in our canoe. As you can see, it was packed to the brim and not easy to paddle. I was glad to have him as my partner. He was the best.

Here is Daniel and Dad planning our method of attack on the Dangerous Waters.

There are more to come. :)

Peace, Love, and Canoe Paddles. Natalie

17,5 weeks

Along: 17.5 weeks

Size of baby: Clementine is the size of an onion. This week, Clementine’s different parts of  his/her mini- complex brain are developing to process hearing and other senses, (sight, smell, taste and touch). His/her little limbs are becoming more and more proportionate.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  After the delicious Nutella no bake cookies I ate this past week plus the bags of granola, I’m guessing some pounds have been added. We will know more a week from tomorrow. I have my 19 week check up.

Maternity Clothes: I’m still wearing my normal clothes. As you can see in the picture above taken in our motel (The Paddle Inn), I’m definitely starting to look pregnant.

Gender:  It’s back to girl. Matt and I have come to a decision on a name (I think). We will be announcing in a little over two weeks!

Movement:  No movement yet. My mom thinks it has probably already happened, but I haven’t been paying attention. I do get easily distracted, so who knows.  

Sleep: It’s good. We slept on the ground all week, so my back was definitely feeling it. It got light around 5:30 in Ely, so I was up early and to bed around 10. It was a great week of vacation.  I am quite the pyromaniac, so my hair still smells like smoke. I have a feeling I’m that girl that smells like an ashtray in the elevator.

What I miss:  I’m still missing margaritas. My mom drank an El Presidente from Chili’s yesterday. Boy, did it look delicious.

Cravings:  Sweets. Sweets. Fruit. Salad. Sweets. Turkey, Cheese, and Mustard Sandwiches. Ice Cream.

Symptoms: I am having some round ligament pain. I still have back problems. They are all worth it for this little one to keep growing!

Best Moment This Week: I think the best moment of the week was getting to spend the last eight days with my family. I have pictures to post and stories to tell, but overall, it was the biggest blessing to have so much quality time with my favorite people in the world. We had a lot of good laughs. It’s amazing what you learn while camping for 7 days and 6 nights., no showers, and a throne for a toilet. It is going down for all of us as one of our favorite family vacations.

I've never seen you, Lord, disappointing me... [HQ]

By Cortney Shivley

0:28 Added over a year ago

A list of things I'm excited about....

4 things I’m so excited about….

One of my best friends from college got engaged this past weekend. I have watched this relationship develop over the last five years! Steve and Amanda's relationship is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and sovereignty. I love her SO much!

 (Daniel is on the right, me on the left, and our cat that lived for 19 years in the grocery basket)

I get to see my brother for the first time since Christmas. He is going on the canoe trip with my family! He also got an internship with Rick Perry this summer. He is pretty much a law school stud.

Matt is going to start his Masters at the University of Texas on August 24^th. He has downloaded the UT app for the Iphone. I catch him listening to the fight song quite often. Fight Texas Fight!

Matt’s mom is coming to visit us here in June. We haven’t seen her since the wedding. We cannot wait to take her around Austin. We just hope she doesn’t mind the heat.

16 weeks and Dora the Explorer!!!

Sorry this is couple days late. I came down with the flu. I have slept for the past two days and finally feeling better. The baby must be growing!

Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: Clementine is the size of an avocado. This week Clementine is nearly five inches in length and weighs over three ounces.  

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  It’s official. I’ve gained some baby weight. I have gained 2.5-3 pounds since my last appointment.

Maternity Clothes: I’m still wearing my normal clothes. I’ve noticed more things put pressure on my belly especially gym shorts. It feels a little cramped at the waist, and I know this is only the beginning.

Gender:  I now think boy. I know. I’m changing it up here. The heartbeat last Wednesday was 145. The average rate for a fetus is 120-160. The old wives tale is that if it’s above 150 it’s a girl. Matt and my mom now think it’s a boy because it’s on the lower end of the spectrum and of course, I now have jumped on the bandwagon.

Movement:  No movement yet. I’m very excited to feel the baby!

Sleep: It’s good. My back still hurts, but I don’t think that is going away anytime soon. I’m just glad to be able to sleep.  

What I miss:  I miss being able to drink a margarita. I did not drink them often, but now that I can’t have them, I crave them.

Cravings:  Green Apples, Pickles, Snickers, and Cheese/Mustard.

Symptoms: I have had some of my food aversion come back this week. I will taste something that the baby doesn’t like and completely lose my appetite. The chronic back pain is always around too.  Mood swings are taking place. I had a HUGE breakdown over nothing the other night. I cried for a good twenty minutes. My mom called the next morning to make sure everything was okay. Her response was “that’s just not like you, must be a pregnancy meltdown.”

Best Moment This Week: Four of my good friends from elementary school, high school, and college came into town this past weekend. It was the perfect lake day. We went swimming in the lake; all got very crispy from the sun and enjoyed great food. After the lake, we went to a good friend of ours birthday party. He had a giant Dora the explorer Moonbounce along with super fun party hats. It was quite the day! I also LOVED hearing the heartbeat of the baby last Wednesday. I can’t wait to meet him/her!!!

COUNTDOWN:

1 more day until vacation with Matt my family! I haven't seen my brother for 6 months!

3 more weeks until Ashley and Luke come home! *Then back to regular exercise

26 more days until the gender reveal!

167 more days until this baby is DUE!

 These are my besties from the moonbounce party!

8 Fun Pregnancy Facts

1) According to the Chinese Birth Calendar, we are having a boy.

2) Sunday, Matt and I bought some more prenatal vitamins. There are 240 and I have about 175 days left in my pregnancy. By the time this bottle is doneski, we will have Clementine home with us.

3) All the grandparents have picked out their names.

My parents: Grammy Tammy and Popsy

Dave and Tari: MawMaw and PawPaw

Laurie and Andy: Nana and PopPop

4) We have already received two sets of baby clothes. Matt’s mom sent us a super cute monkey onesie on my birthday. Dave and Tari sent us a sporty UT onesie when we found out Matt got into the University of Texas.

5) The hospital we have chosen to have our baby at is right now about 35 minutes away from our apartment. We picked this one because my mom was determined it was where we HAD to go. She calls it the Renaissance Hotel of Hospitals. Side note: we are probably moving closer up North in Austin starting in August, so I believe it might actually work out perfect. If not, the 35 minute drive is going to become about a 15 when Matt is going a 100 miles an hour down MOPAC while I’m in labor.

6)One of my favorite things about being pregnant now is that my childhood dog Bartlebee will be alive to love on our kid. This dog is probably the sweetest pup you have ever met, and he is going to be the best dog for a baby to grow up with. Mayberry will too if she tones down her energy. They have been around kids quite a bit already, and it is amazing how much these two dogs let kids play rough with them.

7) I am having my first sonogram on June 8^th at 3:00 p.m. 34 days!!!!!!!

8) I have gained 2.5 pounds since being pregnant!

 Here is Matt's Best Bud: Bartlebee