15 weeks

This week was very busy! It always gets this way at the end of the school year. It seems there is always something to do or somewhere to go. One thing that kept me busy this week was RHS soccer tryouts. Usually it's not too stressful, but I'm the only coach left and it was all on me to plan and execute the tryout. Luckily, a few of my graduating seniors came out and helped. I don't know what I would have done without these wonderful ladies. It times like those that I am going to miss. I love being able to invest in these girls and just be there for them. However, I know that giving it up means that I will be able to invest even more time into my own child. And that is what is most important. Even though teaching and coaching have been my ministry, my prayer has been that God would open up new ways for me to invest in others.

As for this pregnancy:

Symptoms: the main problem this week had been sinus problems. I don't usually get sick like this, and if I do, I can take any medicine I want. This has resulted in some serious headaches. I'm going to the doctor this week and will discuss this with her. But I think it's just a sinus thing associated with spring and exaggerated by pregnancy. I also experienced swollen fingers this week, which freaked me out! Next time I'll have to take a picture and post it.

Cravings: anything salty (which I realize doesn't help the swollen fingers. Haha!)

Baby development: Baby Whitlock is growing eyebrows and eyelashes. Also, tiny bones in his/her ears are in place and the baby can likely hear voices! I guess it's time to start cleaning up our speech at home! Haha!

14 weeks

It has been a good and busy week. I should have posted this over the weekend, but I am just now getting around to it. This week I'm starting to show even more and people are starting to comment about it. However, it still doesn't seem quite real...

I'm really looking forward to the school year ending! Not because I won't be working, but because I'll have more time to start getting things in order for Baby Whitlock. I've opened a registry at Target, but haven't really added many items. I also haven't thought a whole lot about the baby's room...until this very minute!

This week, we delivered meals to a few special friends who just recently had babies. It was nice to see them and see how they were doing. It makes me a little nervous thinking about actually having a baby in our home and said baby's very life depending on our decisions, but it also makes me excited! I'm really looking forward to this next chapter and already can't wait to meet this little nugget!

13 weeks

I made it through the first trimester! Hooray! I'm already feeling like I've gained more energy.

Symptoms: I struggled this week with joint pain but I'm not sure if that is from my body changing or from the sudden rainy/cold day we had this week. I'm still trying to run, but I'm not sure I'm going to last much longer because of the knee pain. My plan is to keep running through the school year and then swim at the Tech pool this summer. Hopefully I can keep it up until then.

Maternity clothes: I still haven't purchased any maternity clothes, although I think I'm starting to show a little and my pants are getting more and more snug. I'm sure in a couple of weeks the belly band is not going to be enough! We plan to make a trip to Baton Rouge to visit my parents and go to Destination Maternity in the next month. I'll probably try and buy a few new things then.

Cravings: Loving milk, fruit, yogurt, and anything salty. On my way home from school one day this week, I had to stop at the grocery store and buy a book of Cheezits. Yummy! I also have been enjoying mozzarella sticks from Sonic.

Aversions: Cooking! haha

Project nursery: I haven't done any nursery planning this week and we still haven't bought anything for the baby. I guess there just hasn't been anything I have felt I must have or can't wait to buy. I've been looking at gliders online and think I may have settled on the same one Todd and Brandi have. Dustin and I both like it but we are just unsure of what color we want.

I think once school is over I will be much more motivated to get some baby stuff done. To be honest, I'm really just not too worried about it. Everything will come together and I'll have plenty of time this summer to get registered and fix up the baby's room. I thought that being pregnant in the summer would be horrible, (although the heat will be awful) but it will give me a lot of time to get things ready since I won't be stressed about school. Until then, I'm just trying to finish the school year strong and dedicated.

As for Baby Whitlock:

The baby is starting to sprout hair! But not just on the head. It's growing all over for warmth. And even though I can't feel it, the baby is literally leaping and bounding!

12 weeks: Baby is the size of a plum

This week, I went to the doctor and got to hear the baby's heart beat again! It was very reassuring to hear because between 7 weeks and 11 weeks, I started to get a little paranoid about the pregnancy. Not that I had any reason to be, but it just doesn't seem real sometimes.

My appointment went really well and here are some Baby Whitlock updates:

Heart Rate: 182

Gender: Unknown - the doctor said she was tempted to take a peak because the baby was positioned really well on the ultrasound. However, we have decided to wait until the birth to find out if it is a boy or girl. Or at least we are going to try!

Movement: none yet.

Baby's development: This week, Baby Whitlock's intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to their permanent home in his/her abdomen. Also developing this week is the baby's vocal chords!

Project nursery: We started looking for paint. I'm doing a neutral room, but not the all brown or white type of neutral. Right now I think we are going to paint the room a green color, but there are so many choices! I've already picked out the bedding and it has many different colors and will look cute however I paint the walls. I'm not too concerned about the nursery, just as long as everything is safe and comfortable. I'm pretty easy going...if you didn't already know...

 Paint colors on the wall

 Some books to get the baby's library started!

How I'm changing: No maternity clothes yet, however, I did purchase a belly band about a week ago and it is so awesome! My jeans are getting tighter and the belly band has made them so much more comfortable to wear.
I also weighed-in at my appointment this week and am happy to say that I have not gained any weight yet. It sure doesn't seem that way, especially with my clothes getting tighter. But I think I haven't gained any weight yet because 1) I wasn't super thin to begin with and 2) I have been exercising regularly and eating a more balanced diet. I can't say that I'm always eating right (Dominos pizza for dinner last night) but I'm trying to stay away from the "you're eating for two" lifestyle.

Spring has sprung!

Babies, Babies, and more babies! Spring must be here, because new life is sprouting like crazy! Brandi and Todd welcomed Mia last week. Judith had Alice on Wednesday. Jana had Maylin on Thursday. And I guess to make it online official...

Dustin and I will be having a baby this October!

I'm actually 11 weeks pregnant, and pretty much everyone knows, but I just haven't been ready to share  our news with the online world. I guess I was afraid to really put it out there so early, but things seem to be going really well and I feel less worried about complications now that I'm almost done with the first trimester!

Starting with this week, I'm going to try my best to update the world (or the few people who will actually read this) by posting weekly updates and pictures. I can't promise I'll be consistent, but I'm going to give it a try! I don't have a very good track record when it comes to updating this blog...seeing that my last post was in 2011...

Due date: October 18, 2013

Gender: Unknown

Baby's movement: None yet. I think I'm looking forward to this the most. Sometimes this pregnancy just doesn't seem real, and I know that will change when I can't actually tell there is something in there!

Symptoms: The first trimester hasn't been too bad. I've battled mild nausea early on, which I believe was caused by taking my prenatal vitamin in the morning instead of at night. Since I've switched to taking it at night, I haven't had much nausea at all. I feel like one of the lucky ones! My main symptom has been fatigue. I have never been much of a nap taker, but now I feel like I can't nap enough! Even as I type this I'm thinking about getting in my bed and taking a quick one...which might actually end up lasting a few hours. I've definitely had a heightened sense of smell and sometimes can't even open the fridge.

Cravings/aversions:  I haven't really had any cravings yet. A few weeks ago, I really wanted a chocolate donut with sprinkles and that was pretty weird....I don't like donuts. But I didn't give in because I can't think of any reason my baby would need a sugary donut for nutrition reasons! I've actually been eating much better than I did before I was pregnant. I guess the fact that what I eat is directly connected to the health and growth of another life kind of makes my "wants" a little less important. As for aversions: fish, chicken, and I tried to eat some green beans and couldn't even get them in my mouth. Other than that, I've been pretty good!

Planning: We haven't really done much planning yet. This weekend, we are going to visit my grandparents and my mom is bringing a few items she bought at really low prices. But other than that, I feel like we have had quite a bit of self control!