16 Week Bump-date!

 I think it is finally safe to say that we have hit the point of no more nausea! Woohoo! I still have random food aversions, but the boat I have been feeling like I am floating on for the past 10 weeks has officially left port! Bon voyage...jerk! LOL Now I am compensating for not being able to eat much, and I am hungry ALL the time. I try to eat small meals all day long to keep my blood sugar up and it seems to help. I love that I love food again! I was starting to worry that my relationship with good grub was ruined forever! In other news, my back pain and sciatica still continue to get worse. Yep, doc was right! It doesn't look like I will be having any type of relief from that until after baby is born. 

This week started all the really neat changes in baby's development. Baby can now hear our voices and can sense light being shined on my belly! How cool is that?! I need to start playing some good country music in the house more often! This baby will be born a Garth Brooks fan! ;)

How far along: 16 weeks

Gender Prediction: I get to find out in 12 days! OMG! Still team blue! What do you think it is?

Weight gain: Weighed myself this morning and I have gained 2 pounds this week! Yes!!!

Maternity clothes: Trying to wear what I have, but I think I might have to invest in some maternity tops soon...all my shirts are starting to get stretched out!

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In...for now!

Sleep: Good, but occasional bouts of insomnia. I try to just relax, but I have so much on my mind.

Best moment this week: Finally getting to spend some time with my best friend/sister-in-law, Jenny! She came up on friday and we just bummed on the couch for hours and talked and laughed. :) It was some much-needed girl time.

Worst moment this week: As we were getting ready to go to bed Thursday night I got the bloody nose from Hell! :( It was never ending and no fun...why did no one warn me that pregnancy can cause rhinitis?! lol

Miss anything: I have been craving alcohol all week...I just want a beer or a margarita! Haha

Movement: Here and there...I can tell a difference when I eat something sugary! Baby is like "Whooo!"

Cravings: Milk, cereal, fruit, sourdough bread...oh and chocolate milk! Brian bought me some Ovaltine and I can't get enough of it! Yum!

Anything make you queasy or sick: I still don't really care for the smell of cooking meat, but other than that feeling great!

Looking forward to: Seeing baby at our ultrasound...its been 6 weeks or so since our last one, so I can't wait to see how much baby has changed and grown!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't give up hope...it's true that nothing lasts forever. I was so depressed about my morning sickness, and now that it's gone it seems like a distant memory. Just keep swimming!

15 Week Bump-date!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! I baked funfetti cupcakes for Brian, and he had chocolate covered strawberries delivered to me, so I was definitely a happy preggo! (Just trying to put on that missing weight of course ;) hehehe) Other than the back pain and headaches, I felt pretty good this week! I can't believe how quickly time is starting to fly! We had another appointment on Tuesday where we heard baby's heartbeat (142 bpm) and asked the doc some questions. She said my sciatica is only going to get worse, so she's going to see about sending me to a physical therapist. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing if that helps! We scheduled our appointment for next month which will be one of the most exciting days of my life...the gender reveal ultrasound! I seriously cannot wait!

How far along: 15 weeks

Gender Prediction: Still thinking its a little boy...so happy that we will find out soon!

Weight gain: Finally gained that last pesky pound, so I'm officially at my pre-baby weight! Woohoo! Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes...I'm absolutely loving that I get to gain weight on purpose...bring on the ice cream! However, I know I will be whistling a different tune come August! :oP

Maternity clothes: Still in my bum clothes!

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In...but looking very shallow these days!

Sleep: Soooo much better this week! 

Best moment this week: Spending Valentine's Day evening and this weekend with my love. :) I know soon our alone time will be few and far between so I'm trying to remember to soak in this time while it's still just us two!

Worst moment this week: A 24 hour migraine early in the week had me practically in tears. No fun!

Miss anything: I could totally go for a turkey sandwhich...missing deli meats!

Movement: Yes! Little one has been having midnight dance parties in my belly...looks like we're going to have a little night owl! Ut-oh!

Cravings: Milk, cereal, smoothies, sourdough bread (random right?), and macaroni and cheese

Anything make you queasy or sick: Red meat...ugh.

Looking forward to: Finding out what baby's gender so we can figure out the nursery and register!

Weekly Wisdom: Pray, pray, pray, and PRAY! This is experience has brought me so much closer to God, and praying to Him has really given me strength and kept me smiling! :)

14 Week Bump-date!

I am pleased to report that, although I'm still not feeling up to par, this has been a MUCH better week than the last few! :) I am still not gaining weight (but I bet you won't believe me by this weeks belly pic! haha) and still in a lot of pain, but I'm finding ways to cope. To be honest, I guess I've kind of just reached to point of acceptance. I'm not going to feel like "me" for a while, and that's okay. Meeting our little bundle this summer will make it all worth it! 

How far along: 14 weeks

Gender Prediction: Totally gave birth to a beautiful little boy in a dream last night! He had a full head of dark hair and was soooo cute! :)

Weight gain: Staying steady at a pound under my pre-baby weight. 

Maternity clothes: I'm going to try the yoga pants and bella band thing as long as I can!

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Mostly cruddy, but some good nights. 

Best moment this week: Raspberry cheesecake. OMG.

Worst moment this week: Every time I throw up it feels like, "It has been 2 0 days since our last bathroom episode." Just when I think the morning sickness is gone, it comes back in all it's glory!

Miss anything: Brian has been making coffee lately and every time I'm like "Mmmmm that smells soooo good!" Definitely missing my coffee. Decaf just doesn't taste the same to me.

Movement: Still feeling the little fishy sometimes...mostly at night. :)

Cravings: Milk, cereal, potato salad, and my moms macaroni salad! (Which I made today and is totally deee-licious!)

Anything make you queasy or sick: Still the scent of cooking meat and red meat in general.

Looking forward to: We have another doctor's appointment on Tuesday...I love hearing little baby's heartbeat! Oh, and at this appointment we will schedule our ultrasound where we will get a gender reveal! Yay! It's like waiting for Christmas!

Weekly Wisdom: Lean on your husband and the people you consider your support system. It really makes a difference to know that you have friends and family loving you through the mood swings and bad days! Just make sure you are reminding them how much you appreciate them, even if your hormones are suggesting otherwise!

13 Week Bump-date!

Well, after some super long praying sessions and a lot of thought, I made a doctor's appointment this week to talk to them about my sciatica pain, migraines, and the fact that...oh joy...my morning sickness has decided to make a glorious comeback! Morning Sickness: 2 Ashlee: 0. So, my Mom took me in to offer some support, and once I explained my situation, my doctor did not even hesitate to put me back off of work. Sciatica is no joke, and in pregnancy it gets 100 times worse. Being in constant pain like that puts a lot of stress on me and baby, which is no bueno! Since I can't take anything safe for the pain, I have no choice but to bed rest my booty (literally) as much as possible.

 It's super frustrating to be in excruciating pain from doing something as small as putting away groceries, but Brian has been immensely supportive and understanding. He's trying to keep up with the housework I can't do and when some kind of food actually sounds good, you better believe he makes sure I get it! All I have to say is...God bless the Girl Scouts! ;) This pregnancy is kicking my ass, but I'm trying my best to not let it get me down! I only have 6 more months (maybe less!) to go, and we will be meeting this little one! I cannot wait for this summer!

Please excuse my hair in this pic! We have been having ridiculous wind here in the desert and it makes the static in the house go nuts! I always look like I just rubbed a helium ballon on my head! :oP

How far along: 13 weeks

Gender Prediction: Still leaning toward little boy blue!

Weight gain: Still haven't gained any weight. Boo.

Maternity clothes: PJ pants and bella bands over jeans

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Not a good report here...my back pain has me tossing and turning most nights. Oh, and the 3am bathroom breaks don't help!

Best moment this week: My mom getting to hear little one's heartbeat at my appointment was one of the most heart-swelling moments of my life! So neat!

Worst moment this week: Puke city :(

Miss anything: Feeling like me lol

Movement: Definitely feeling a little fishy swimming every once in a while! I can't wait to feel stronger movements soon!

Cravings: Milk, frozen yogurt, and avocado

Anything make you queasy or sick: Mostly strong smells, but sometimes EVERYTHING! I got queasy in the shower this morning because of the scent of my conditioner! I know...so weird!

Looking forward to: Finding out if baby Tibbetts is a he or a she! We should find out in about a month!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't be afraid to utilize your doctor for advice or help...it's what they are there for and they will be on your team!