27 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
Next week we're in our THIRD trimester and it makes me want to CRY! I honestly can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this pregnancy with you. I didn't get to experience pregnancy over the winter holidays with Pemberley, but I'm loving Christmas and New Year's with you and our little baby bump! The chalkboard says it all, sweet girl...the best IS yet to come next year for our family!!

How far along: 27 weeks + 2 days

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yep, and I got spoiled with a bunch of new ones for Christmas from Mom and Grannie. I can't wait to show them off over the next few months!
Best moment this week: Watching Pemberley open her presents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day :) I'd also like to give a shout out to the enormous turkey feast that Raleigh made on Saturday night. d.e.l.i.s.h.
Worst moment this week: Waking up multiple times a night because I can't get comfortable...and we're not even in the third trimester yet :(
Miss anything: Well, I can't help but give the espresso beans I bought as a stocking stuffer for Raleigh the stink eye every time I walk past them. I'm sure one wouldn't hurt, but I doubt I'd be able to stop there. #thestruggleisreal
Movements: Yes! This is the first week when I've been woken up by big movements. But I'm not complaining; I'm loving every wiggle and roll and kick!
Cravings: Crushed ice like WHOA
Queasy or sick: Feeling like a million bucks, minus the whole not sleeping part
Looking forward to: Having another week off so I can rest before the home stretch starts at work, and, of course, continuing to make progress on the nursery!

That's all for this week. I'm going to go try to convince Daddy to help me with hanging the alphabet wall in your nursery while big sister takes a nap. Wish me luck!! I love you SO much!

26 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
Merry first Christmas! You're not even here yet, and you're going to be spoiled rotten!

How far along: 26 weeks + 2 days

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yes! (But not the sweater I'm wearing in this photo. Praise the Lord for warm, cozy, open knit cardigans!)
Best moment this week: Definitely a tie between leaving work on Friday and knowing I don't have to go back until next year, and celebrating my 34th birthday with Raleigh and Pemberley - hellooooo tiramisu cheesecake!
Worst moment this week: Realizing that Christmas is coming and I still have to buy and wrap several presents. I despise wrapping.
Miss anything: A stiff holiday drink & sleeping for more than 3 hours straight.
Movements: Yes! The big movements are finally starting!!!
Cravings: Crushed ice & pancakes with peanut butter
Queasy or sick: Nope, feeling awesome!
Looking forward to: Watching Pemberley open presents on Christmas Eve, and hosting dinner over here for the first time. I FINALLY feel like a real adult now that we get to host!

I can't wait to tell you all about Christmas in a few days! I love you so much, big girl!

25 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,

It's a big time for us! 15 weeks away from meeting you, and I turn the big 3-4 on the 18th! I am pretty excited that I get a half day at work on my birthday, and that I get to spend it with all of my favorite people...Daddy, Pemberley, and you!!

How far along: 25 weeks + 1 day

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yes! And I’m loving them.
Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat at our appointment. A strong 158!
Worst moment this week: Hearing that I apparently lost 6 pounds in the last month. Dr. Shipman isn’t too concerned yet, but they’re going to monitor my weight at my next appointment in January.
Miss anything: A good night’s sleep. But if you regularly read this, you already know that!
Movements: Waverley is a little mover and a shaker! She loves to give little kick reminders when I’m settling down for the night. I’m going to miss those…
Cravings: Crushed ice. I literally have dreams about it and moments throughout the day when I think I’m going to cry if I don’t get to eat any! Also, any kind of breakfast food. Fruit, pancakes, toaster strudels. So what if I ate breakfast for dinner three times this week?
Queasy or sick: Nope, feeling awesome!
Looking forward to: Seeing more nursery progress! The letters for the alphabet wall will be my Christmas break project :) Also looking forward to spending my birthday with my family!

With so much love,

24 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
Well, little miss girl, Daddy and I are so excited to announce your name that we decided we couldn't wait any longer! Without further ado...

And finally I get to tell you all about how we picked your name!! Waverley is from two of Sarah Addison Allen's books, Garden Spells and First Frost. It's actually the last name of her main characters, the Waverley sisters. These books hold a special place in my heart; they're full of such magic and whimsy and every time I read or reread one of her novels, I feel such a peace inside. I mean, when she writes lines like "It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon" and "Crystalline swirls of sugar and flour still lingered in the air like kite tails”,  how can you not stop and just appreciate words???

((I might have worn your Daddy down until he relented with this name, but I simply couldn't help it. You're already my perfect little Waverley!!!))

We were up in the air as to your middle name for quite some time. I was pretty set on Eloise (yes, as in the little girl who lives "in the room on the tippy-top floor" of the Plaza Hotel in NYC), but it just didn't flow like I wanted it to. Daddy and I both loved Violet from the beginning, though. For some reason, Waverley makes me think of the color purple, so Violet made sense. I think your Gigi will also be very pleased, as I know she liked Violet too :)

I say your name all the time and fall more and more in love with it every time I do. I also think it's just too adorable that your name matches so perfectly with your big sister's! Pemberley + Waverley. My heart melts when I think about my two perfect girls with their two perfect names!

Now for the 24 week chalkboard rundown::
How far along: 24 weeks + 3 days
Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Definitely...I mean, have you seen my belly??! I made the mistake of wearing regular leggings to work last week and I was mean mugging my students all day because I was so darn uncomfortable! Lesson learned. Maternity clothes all the way from here on out.
Best moment this week: It'd have to be asking Pemberley to go get her baby, then watching her walk over to the toy bins, dig around for it, and bring it to me! We're still working on gentle kisses and not biting its face, but that will come in time. I hope.
Worst moment this week: When I woke up craving ice at 3am and realized that it was all the way downstairs and that just wasn't happening. It was a sad moment.
Miss anything: The ability to shave my legs in the shower, and to see my toes when I'm standing. I also miss being able to walk up the stairs while holding Pemberley and not feeling like I just got done running a 5K...
Movements: Yes! They've picked up quite a bit in frequency and intensity. I'm definitely in the "sweet spot" of the second trimester!
Cravings: Crushed ice. More crushed ice. And cold to the point of almost frozen pears.
Queasy or sick: Nope, feeling awesome!
Looking forward to: Our 24 week doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and getting more work done in the nursery! It's going to tie Pemberley's room for my favorite place in the house, I can tell already!

I love you so much, little baby Waverley! Love, love, love,

23 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
I know Christmas is still about a month away, but I just couldn't help it...I'm so excited!

How far along: 23 weeks
Gender: Little baby girl <3
Maternity clothes: Yes. Remember last week how I wrote that I was buying a ton of clothes online at random hours of the night because I can't sleep? This red shirt is one of the things I bought. And I now want it in gray, purple, and blue. Hmmm...
Best moment this week: Two-way tie between leaving work on Tuesday and not having to come back until Monday (helloooo Fall break!), and starting to paint baby sister's nursery. It's going to be just g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s!
Worst moment this week: Another two-way tie between watching Pemberley battle yet another cold and realizing on Sunday that I did, in fact, have to go back to work on Monday. Is it Christmas yet? :(
Miss anything: Oh Lordy how I miss a good night's sleep. And a good beer. And rum in my egg nog. And being able to walk around without accidentally bumping into things because I haven't quite realized how big my belly is getting lately.
Movements: Yes! 100% in love with them.
Cravings: Crushed ice. I could literally eat it for every meal. I walk around with a spoon in my water cup all day long, crunching away. ((Just ask my students who constantly ask me to repeat myself because I try to give directions with a mouthful of ice - haha!))
Queasy or sick: Kind of have a sore throat, but probably got that from Pemberley's last cold so...not pregnancy related, but it still sucks.
Looking forward to: Announcing baby sister's name very soon!

That's all for this week, little girl. I am going to curl up in bed with some ice and watch reruns of Gossip Girl because that's how we roll lately. I love you so much!

22 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
Another week, another chalkboard! But this one means that we get to celebrate Thanksgiving in a few days, and this mama couldn't be more excited :)

How far along: 22 weeks + 1 day
Gender: Little baby girl <3
Maternity clothes: Well yes, and with more on the way thanks to it's-midnight-and-I can't-sleep-so-why-not-shop-online impulses
Sleep: Running on about three hours' worth as I type...
Best moment this week: Watching Pemberley walk all around the house! She's doing so great!!!
Worst moment this week: When I crawled into bed and realized that Pemberley peed in it. I swear, she was only in between nakey bath time and diaper for like, 2.5 seconds. Apparently that's all it takes, though. Pemberley - 1, Mommy - 0
Miss anything: COFFEE
Movements: I'm so in love with them! She's still sitting really low, so I can't wait to feel her kicking around in there even more very soon :)
Cravings: Strawberry fruit snacks. If anyone wanted to fill my stocking with them this Christmas, I *really wouldn't mind, Raleigh*
Queasy or sick: Twice this week I felt queasy from the smell of meat cooking. I've never had a food aversion while pregnant (quite the opposite, in fact!), so it kind of threw me both times! I hope it doesn't keep happening, given that we're going to have a delicious turkey in a few days!
Looking forward to: Our next appointment, and getting started on baby girl's nursery. Paint colors are picked out for 3 out of 4 walls, and it's going to be just perfect! I'll be writing up a nursery inspiration post in the next week or so :)

I love you SO much, little baby girl! March can't come soon enough!

21 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
Twenty one weeks. We're well into our second trimester and it just keeps getting better! We got to see you on our anatomy sonogram on Tuesday, and it literally couldn't have been any sweeter.

How far along: 21 weeks + 1 day
Gender: Little baby girl <3
Maternity clothes: Oh yes.
Sleep: I have officially decided that sleep is for the weak.
Best moment this week: Seeing baby girl #2 and hearing that she is perfect and healthy! I loved watching her wiggle around. We even got some good shots of her hands and feet! Soooo precious!
Worst moment this week: Reading about Sally's dad passing. I remember Poppie passing about a year ago, and the memories hit me pretty hard.
Miss anything: Raleigh has been indulging in Fruit Loops-flavored vodka & horchata milk before dinner a few nights this past week. I'm only 1000% jealous every time he rubs it in my face.
Movements: Yes! So much more frequently now! I love the little reassurances that baby girl is wiggling around in there :)
Cravings: I pretty much wake up thinking about half iced tea/ half water & crushed ice from QuikTrip. I may have also stopped for a few hot chocolates on my way to work this week (with whipped cream, but honestly, is it hot chocolate without it??).
Queasy or sick: Feel awesome!
Looking forward to: Picking paint colors for baby girl's nursery. I have BIG PLANS for it, and I can't wait to see it all done!!!

Here are some pictures of you...you're almost a whole pound already (which is hard to believe, since I've only gained 7 pounds so far, thanks mostly to chasing your big sister around the house 24/7)! I also put your 20 week scan profile next to Pemberley's, and I now have my fingers crossed that I'll have little twin baby girls in a few months!!!

I love you so much, sweet baby girl! Only 19 weeks to go!

20 week chalkboard - halfway there!

Hi sweet little baby,
It's here. The halfway point. It honestly feels like we just found out that I was pregnant again, and now we're 20 weeks in and halfway there. I know people say that kids grow up really fast and you'll miss it if you blink, but I rarely hear that about a pregnancy. Except this one. This one has gone by so incredibly fast and has been so easy! I know the hard part is coming up in a few months, but I hope you know how much I've enjoyed this so far.

How far along: 20 weeks
Gender: Little baby girl <3
Maternity clothes: I rocked maternity leggings, yoga pants, and maxi skirts all week. No shame.
Sleep: Nope. In fact, I started drafting this at 3:30am, if that tells you anything.
Best moment this week: Pemberley took her first steps on her own! Also, the Royals won their first World Series in over 30 years, and school was cancelled for the celebration parade on Tuesday. It was a good week.
Worst moment this week: The mood swings I came home from work with on Friday. Holy shit, these hormones are no joke. I legitimately almost ugly cried at the dinner table because Raleigh didn't put enough vegetables on Pemberley's pizza. Ridiculous.
Miss anything: Being able to sit in the car for longer than 15 minutes and not have to move to get comfortable. And the couch is an impossible space to navigate around, which means I pretty much end up in bed by 7pm.
Movements: They're getting more frequent and stronger every day <3
Cravings: Cold strawberries, and iced tea with crushed ice from QuikTrip.
Queasy or sick: Just moody as hell that one day; otherwise feeling fantastic.
Looking forward to: Our anatomy scan on Tuesday!!! Grannie gets to come with me, and I'm really excited to share that with her :)

I'm sure next week will be huge for us, baby girl! I can't wait to keep you updated!
So much love,

19 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
I've been dreading 19 weeks..it's the last one before we're halfway through. I know most mommies would be excited, but it makes me sad!!!! I don't want this pregnancy to end!

How far along: 19 weeks

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Maternity clothes: Yes. Obviously. BUT! I did manage to use the hairband trick to wear a pair of jeans to work today. I'd forgotten all about it! Best. Trick. Ever.
Sleep: Between the extra innings Royals games and the inability to get comfortable in bed, sleep has not been kind to me. But let me just say how much I adore daylight savings time this year. An hour may not seem like much, but it's pure bliss to this mama.
Best moment this week: The Royals are going to clinch the World Series tonight, I can just FEEL IT!!!!! Also, Halloween was a blast with Pemberley this year :) 
Worst moment this week: Crying on my way to work listening to the Royals highlights because I'm so proud of those boys! I'm such a hormonal baby.
Miss anything: Only every Oktoberfest from last month. Remind me why they can't just push back Oktoberfest to April next year?
Movements: Yes! Way more little wiggles this week. Nothing Raleigh can feel yet, but I'm cherishing them when they happen.
Cravings: Chipotle. Unsweetened iced tea. Crushed ice. Halloween candy (it's a good thing I don't know my weight...I'm pretty sure I'd cry seeing as I devoured about a million snacks at my students' party).
Queasy or sick: Nada
Looking forward to: Our sonogram on November 10! Can't wait to see how much baby girl has grown!

That's all for this week! I love you so much, baby girl (who now has a full name that we can't wait to announce!).

18 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
There's no way we're 18 weeks already! I mean, it feels like we JUST found out that you're on your way...make time stop, please! In two short weeks we'll be halfway to meeting you and I don't want to meet you because I want to keep you safe in my tummy forever and ever!!!!

((No raging pregnancy hormones over here lol!))

How far along: 18 weeks + 1 day

Gender: GIRL (with a first name officially picked out, and a strong push by me for an adorbs middle name, too!)
Maternity clothes: It's safe to say my maternity wardrobe almost doubled in size this week. Hello full panel jeans and long sleeved tops!
Sleep: Pffft. What's that? 
Best moment this week: The ROYALS are going to the WORLD SERIES! Raleigh and I stayed up way too late through Friday night's rain delay, and even though I was just about too tired to function the next day, it was so. totally. worth. it.
Worst moment this week: Pemberley picked up another cold somewhere. They're getting old. I hate seeing her sick. Also the 13 hour day I spent at work & parent/teacher conferences last Thursday. Awesome students and parents, but that's just too much time to be at work.
Miss anything: Getting a good night's sleep, still. Cold brew coffee. 
Movements: Mostly at night when I'm winding down before bed. I'm in love with the little wiggles!
Cravings: Raw pancake batter. Pemberley might have caught me eating it this weekend straight out of the mixing bowl. #noshame #itwasdelicious
Queasy or sick: Felt fantastic this week!
Looking forward to: World Series Game 1 tomorrow night, and our upcoming extended sonogram on November 10th.t

As a last note, I posted this picture in the Official Facebook Kansas City Royals Fan Club page before they clenched the ALDS. I thought it was a sign that the only baseball chalkboards I've done so far are your 17 weeks and Pemberley's 38 weeks. (1738 is a major thing with the Royals. It's the beginning lyrics to their favorite team song, Trap Queen by Fetty Wap). I posted the side-by-sides and was blown away by all of our city's support! Almost 750 likes!!! And I took screenshots of the comments too, to show you someday. Needless to say, your Daddy and I aren't the only ones excited for your arrival! 

(Also, holy STOMACH! Was I seriously that big a year ago??!)
That's all for tonight, baby girl. I love you!!

17 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
S.e.v.e.n.t.e.e.n weeks. It's so crazy! I remember being 17 weeks with your big sister, and I must admit, this is the BEST time. You're finally starting to wiggle around in there, my energy levels are mostly back to normal, and I'm not as big as a beached whale (yet)! I'm so happy we've had such an easy go so far :)

How far along: 17 weeks + 1 day

Gender: GIRL (with a first name officially picked out!)
Maternity clothes: Oh yes, and I'm going to buy more this week...I was barely pregnant with Pemberley when it was cold outside, so I have almost nothing to wear.
Sleep: I hate bedtime. Hate, hate it. Not only can I not fall asleep, I can't sleep on my tummy either! I wake up so irritable and so damn tired every day...and we still have 23 weeks to go.
Best moment this week: So many to choose from this week...the Royals kicked some major Houston Astros ass, and we got to hear your sweet little heartbeat! Pemberley is getting so close to walking, and I won my school's annual chili cook-off!!! It was an awesome week.
Worst moment this week: Raleigh rubbing it in my face that he can enjoy spiked egg nog and I can't :(
Miss anything: Getting a good night's sleep. Oh, how I miss it so...also spiked egg nog.
Movements: Definitely more flutters and giggles! They're the BEST!
Cravings: Chalk. It took all of the self-restraint I had not to eat the chill while working on the chalkboard this week. (Yes, I'll get my iron checked!)
Queasy or sick: Sick and tired of not sleeping! (Haha, see what I did there!)
Looking forward to: Watching the Royals clench the ALDS!!

Before I sign off, here's your mommy kicking some major chili cook-off competition ass at OGMS. I've never gotten a chili trophy before!!!

With so much love,

16 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
Four months down, five to go! It's so unreal...

How far along: 16 weeks

Gender: GIRL 
Maternity clothes: Yes! Grannie and Mom bought me some super cute maternity clothes that actually fit. I'm in love with dressing my growing baby bump!
Sleep: I wish. The vivid dreams are already back and are just as crazy as my pregnancy with Pemberley! We also have a few big things going on here at home that are causing some restless nights, but more on that later. Maybe.
Best moment this week: Pemberley's first birthday party! A HUGE thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us. It was a labor of love to put together that party (and to try to find maternity pajamas!), and we were so grateful that we could spend it with our families.
Worst moment this week: Realizing that I am a month away from 20 weeks, which means I'll be halfway done with this pregnancy :( I totes get why some women have 10 kids now.
Miss anything: Sleeping on my tummy, 'fo sho. I miss it sooooo much!
Movement:  Random movements still, but I'm hoping to feel her regularly in the next few weeks!
Cravings: Jelly beans, apples, and pumpkin ice cream. I could honestly eat pumpkin ice cream/custard every. single. meal.
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Looking forward to: Feeling regular baby kicks, and my monthly appointment on Thursday with Dr. Shipman :)

That's all for now! I can't wait to hear your sweet little thumpthumpthump on Thursday! 
With so much love,

15 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
Fifteen weeks already!!! And what a big week it'll be for our family. Your big sister turns ONE on October 9. Happy birthday, big sister!!

How far along: 15 weeks

Gender: GIRL 
Maternity clothes: Yes. Yes, yes, yes. 
Sleep: No. No, no, no. I can't get comfortable no matter how hard I try. I could have 12 pillows tucked around my legs, tummy, neck, and between my legs, and I still can't sleep. 
Best moment this week: Watching Pemberley walk around holding Raleigh's hands. She's getting too big!
Worst moment this week: Realizing that we're going to have 25 people in our house in less than a week for Pemberley's birthday party, and there's still SO much work to do!
Miss anything: After seeing my favorite blogger declare her undying love for sushi, I'm back to missing it on a daily basis.  Also, sleeping for eight hour stretches without getting up to pee. The struggle is real.
Movement: A few more flutters, but I can't wait for the day when I can feel her all the time!
Cravings: Well, sushi, obviously. And chocolate peanut butter straight out of the jar. And anything pumpkin.
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Looking forward to: Waking up to cuddle with a TODDLER a week from today!

Love you so much,

14 week chalkboard + Happy Birthdays

Hi sweet little baby,
Fourteen weeks...second trimester. Twenty-six weeks to go. Bring. It. On!

How far along: 14 weeks

Gender: GIRL (and we might even have a first name picked out already!)
Maternity clothes: Tops, yes, because they're comfortable. I also am planning on living in yoga pants this fall/winter.
Sleep: What's that? I woke up from a dead sleep SEVERAL times this past week, only to stay up for hours worrying about various things. I'm excited for Pemberley's first birthday party to get here so I don't feel guilty sleeping instead of working on it :(
Best moment this week: Going to Escape KC and breaking out of the Secret Agent room with 5:15 left to spare! And watching Pemberley rebound (again) from being sick.
Worst moment this week: Seeing Pemberley get an x-Ray to check for fluid in her lungs. She screamed and cried and I couldn't even be in the room to comfort her. I HATE when she's sick.
Miss anything: Fall beer and margaritas (both of which I had to watch Raleigh drink this weekend. GRRR.).
Movement: Really tiny, quick little wiggles! They're fleeting,  but they're definitely there!
Cravings: Apples with caramel dip, more pumpkin custard (although I was really good all week and didn't get any like I wanted...mostly because Freddy's wasn't open at 6am), and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Queasy or sick: Nope; having a great start to the second trimester.
Looking forward to: When I look obviously pregnant, and not like I just ate a big ass burrito.

We also celebrated TWO birthdays this weekend:: your grandpa Ross and your great Grannie! We went over to Grandma Joanne and Grandpa Ross's house to see him on Saturday because he is working really hard getting Royals stadium ready for October baseball. In fact, here's a neat picture of him at Kauffman after work! 

Sunday we spent at Escape Room KC, where the whole family got locked in a Secret Agent room and had to use clues and riddles to break our way out. Then we celebrated Grannie's birthday at Ponak's in KC, MO. You can't quite tell yet,  but you're in this picture, too!!

Love you so much,

13 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
It's official...another baby GIRL!

How far along: 13 weeks

Gender: 100% GIRL! The Verifi test came back on Tuesday and we are SO HAPPY to give Pemberley a little sister! Raleigh is officially a "girl daddy" for life!
Maternity clothes: Not so much, but I'm in the middle of a pumpkin pie concrete so...might be sooner rather than later.
Sleep: Sleep has sucked this week. Hard core. I am having a lot of trouble shutting down once I crawl into bed, so I wake up grumpy, not to mention I just can't get comfortable! I'll probably bust out the pregnancy pillow and see if that helps.
Best moment this week: Seeing the test results that baby G2 is perfectly healthy, and finding out the gender! And also seeing Pemberley start to feel better. And the aforementioned pumpkin pie concrete.
Worst moment this week: When Pemberley fell off the bed. Scariest. Moment. Of. My. Life. And finishing the concrete.
Miss anything: A good night's sleep! I could use one like whoa right now.
Movement: None yet, but it's getting more uncomfortable to sleep on my belly, so I know movement is coming soon!
Cravings: Pumpkin pie custard and blue coconut cherry Sprite from Sonic.
Queasy or sick: Nope; felt like a rockstar :)
Looking forward to: Feeling those little baby kicks in a few weeks and finally announcing with this picture to our family and friends!

12 Week Chalkboard + Chalkboard with Big Sister

Hi sweet little baby,
Only one more week until the end of the first trimester?? How can time fly by so fast? It honestly makes me sad that we're almost a third of the way done. This will more than likely be my last pregnancy, and I'm trying SO hard to enjoy every minute of it, but it's really hard to do when time goes by like this...anyway! Here's our 12 week chalkboard :)

How far along: 12 weeks

Gender: Based on Tuesday's heartbeat, I'm back to thinking girl :) we should know for sure in less than two weeks!

Maternity clothes: Not really, however judging from the number of side-eyes I've been getting from people at work, I'll have to go shopping for some new pants in the next few weeks.

Sleep: Planning Pemberley's first birthday party has started to give me some anxiety at night so I've lost a little sleep thinking about it, but other than that, I'm sleeping pretty soundly.

Best moment this week: Telling my students and my co-workers about being pregnant. My students were SO EXCITED! 

Worst moment this week: Seeing Pemberley deal with the cold from hell AND pink eye at the same time. My heart literally feels like it's going to break when she coughs.

Miss anything: All of the seasonal fall beers. Ugh. And margaritas, obviously.

Movement: None yet, but excited for the day!

Cravings: Cream cheese chocolate monkey bread, root beer (is there anything better than a fountain soda??), and warm potato salad with bacon. I also got caught by my students this week eating apples with mega amounts of caramel dip. Judge me. Judge me hard.

Queasy or sick: No, I felt AWESOME all week again!

Looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat again in a few days at our monthly appointment, and finding out gender soon thereafter :)

I also have to share this chalkboard picture of your sister and me that we took last week. This will be the only time when our numbers match up! Big sister is 11 months old and we're 11 weeks pregnant...I wouldn't change this life for anything.

I love you SO much,

A Welcomed Surprise

Hi sweet little baby,
Today was a scheduled heartbeat check, just to make sure everything is fine before I announce at my faculty meeting tomorrow that you're on your way. Even though the nurse cautioned me that it's still a little early to hear it with a Doppler, I was beyond scared when she tried for 10 minutes and found nothing. But she fit us in right away for an ultrasound, and I got to see and hear that sweet little thump-thump-thump on the screen at 171 BPM. We also got to take home more pictures of you, which was a nice little surprise.

I love you SO much, and I'm so happy you're healthy!

11 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,

Happy Labor Day weekend! We spent it planning you big sister's birthday party, while Daddy did yard work and homework. We also celebrated the fact that we're almost out of the first trimester!!!

How far along: 11 weeks

Gender: I had a dream that it's a boy. Now I just don't know!!

Maternity clothes: Not so much! In fact, Friday I wore an old pair of American Eagle jeans to work. That made me happy because maternity jeans are all kinds of hideous.

Sleep: Since "sidecar-ing" Pemberley's crib to our bed, I've gotten the most amazing sleep. (Except for the tiny bladder thing.)

Best moment this week: Half day of work on Friday and no school tomorrow! THANK YOU, LABOR DAY!

Worst moment this week: Seeing Pemberley sick. Again. :( Also when Raleigh forgot cheese on my pizza. I mean...how does that even happen?

Miss anything: Coffee and sushi. I'd also give my left arm for a beergarita.

Movement: None yet!

Cravings: Cinnamon roll cake, apples, lemon water, chocolate donuts, and pears.

Queasy or sick: No, I felt AWESOME all week :)

Looking forward to: Blood draw and heartbeat check on Tuesday, and announcing the pregnancy at my faculty meeting next Wednesday!

10 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little baby,
10 weeks means we're officially 25% of the way through this pregnancy, and that much closer to meeting you!

How far along: 10 weeks

Gender: This pregnancy is just too much like Pemberley's, so I have to think we're having another baby girl!

Maternity clothes: I had to use the hair-band trick with a pair of work pants this week...but that also could be due to the fact that I'm starving all the time and constantly snacking.

Sleep: Sleep is not getting any better. We were all sick this past week, so lots of coughing and sniffles in the house. Not to mention getting up four times a night to pee...

Best moment this week: Eating Schlotzsky's. Twice. No shame.

Worst moment this week: Getting sick, and having a sick baby and husband. It's so stressful & overwhelming to have sick household, especially while I'm down & out myself. I hope Pemberley doesn't bring anything else home from daycare.

Miss anything: Sleeping for more than a few hours at a time, our summer schedule, and being a stay at home mom. But not all of those are pregnancy related, I guess.

Movement: None yet!

Cravings: Sushi, Sonic cherry limeades, and Schlotzsky's.

Queasy or sick: I thought I was going to puke my brains out at work one day last week, although that might have been due to the cold I was fighting. 

Looking forward to: Telling Raleigh's parents about the pregnancy tonight on FaceTime!

9 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
Here we are, at 9 weeks! I was just looking at the announcement chalkboard picture, and can definitely tell that bloating is in full swing -haha!

How far along: 9 weeks

Gender: We aren't sure yet, but should know at our next appointment on September 15!

Maternity clothes: Not quite yet, but I'm looking forward to maternity leggings this fall and winter!

Sleep: I could literally sleep all day and all night. I'm so exhausted. It's made for a rough transition from summer to work...and Pemberley's sleeping habits don't make it any easier.

Best moment this week: Getting into the swing of things at work with my new students! I have an awesome group this year:)

Worst moment this week: Not telling my friends at work about the pregnancy. Even though the miscarriage rate is really, really low, we're still going to wait until closer to 12 weeks to announce.

Miss anything: Sleeping in & adult beverages. And sushi. I'm missing the crap out of sushi.

Movement: None yet! 

Cravings: Sushi, blueberry pancakes, and cereal.

Queasy or sick: Neither! I feel better pregnant than when I'm not, except for the bloating that's going on.

Looking forward to: My next appointment on the 8th for the Verifi blood draw. Then about a week after that, we will know gender :)