34 weeks

I cannot believe how close we are to meeting our sweet baby boy. Next month!?! Wow. I went to the doctor last week and they have moved me up to March 22nd. So at the latest, he will be making his appearance on the 22nd (5 weeks and 6 days... not that I am counting, ha). I am carrying him so much lower than I did Saylor, and keep telling hubs that I am not sure we are going to make it all the way to the 22nd. I also tell him often that I need a scooter! I officially have the pregnancy waddle. Attractive, right? All of this is new to me... with Saylor, I was sick everyday, but had none of the pains and walked and walked until past her due date. This time, no sickness, all pain, and walking isn't the most pleasant. I can't seem to decide which is better ;). 

My parents came down this past weekend and we got the nursery painted and almost ready to go! We have a few more things to order and a few things to hang on the walls, but we are pretty close. 

Here is a peek:

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 34 wks 2 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 18 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yes.

Best Moment this week: Getting the nursery almost finished!

Gender: it's a BOY! - Baker Michael

Movement: Movements hurt now... He is getting big!

Food Craving: grapefruits

What I miss: Sleeping!

Sleep: What is sleep?

What I am looking forward to: Meeting my sweet little fella!

Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: None yet.

Symptoms: Not sleeping and some crazy back pain. Hoping this body holds up for 5 more weeks, ha!

24 weeks and his name...

Today, I am 24 weeks pregnant with the little fella. I cannot believe how much faster pregnancy goes by the second time around! He is growing by leaps and bounds (evident by my growing belly) and is moving around all the time. He is weighing about 1 and a 1/2 pounds and is roughly 11 inches long, crown to rump. I haven't been to the doctor since November 2nd, but go next week for my glucose test and a check.

The nursery furniture is set to be delivered this weekend and I am so excited! I have picked up a few boy items here and there and am definitely getting into the spirit of buying blue :). In other fun news, the little guy has a name...

My maiden name is Baker and I am so thrilled to use that for our little boy! His middle name will be Michael (which is my husband's first name as well as his dad's middle name). 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  24 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Haven't been to the doctor in 5 weeks... I imagine I've put on a few pounds, especially after being in St. Lucia!

Maternity Clothes:  Wearing mostly dresses and maternity leggings.

Best Moment this week: Seeing my belly move around

Gender: it's a BOY! 

Movement: Lot's of movement... Sean is feeling him quite a bit now, too. 

Food Craving: peanut butter

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: sleeping pretty good

What I am looking forward to:  Decorating the nursery!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Still taking a zofran each morning, but otherwise feeling great!

Catch up and Phone dump.

It's Friday and another week has flown by. We are gearing up for the holidays and lots of travels coming up. We'll be spending Thanksgiving in Charleston with family then flying to St. Lucia the next week for a dear friend's wedding. As soon as we return, I imagine we will jump in to Christmas full steam ahead.

Saylor has been sick as a dog the past few weeks and the cough got so bad this past weekend, we ended up at the pediatrician Monday morning. They sent us home with a nebulizer and we were told to do treatments twice a day. The first few rounds of treatments were hard, pitiful and heartbreaking for this momma. Saylor just didn't quite understand what was going on. It has gotten much better throughout the week, though, and we went back in to see the doctor this morning. He said she looks and sounds much better, to move the treatments to once a day, and hopefully we should be good to go. Praying baby girl is on the mend.

Sean and I started watching the Friday Night Lights series about 6 weeks ago and finished the series last night. Best. Show Ever. Hands down. Today, I am mourning the loss of it being over. Texas forever.

I've been doing some Christmas shopping and am feeling pretty good not to be stressed out about it. I've gotten quite a few things here and there, which puts us about half way done with shopping. Love that.

Baby Branch is growing and as of this week, my belly has officially popped out (see recent bump photo here). I feel the little fella move around quite a bit more, especially in the evenings when we lay down to relax. Sean hasn't felt him yet, but I am sure it will be soon. His twists and kicks are getting stronger. Momma is also hungrier these days! I seem to be starving all the time. Oink.

I am so excited about all the new babies joining us in 2012! I have many sweet friends all having babies right around the same time as me, as well as my brother and sister-in-law welcoming their first in May. I heard from one of my dearest friends yesterday that our little boy will be having a girlfriend come April. I am SO excited for them and can't wait to meet their little angel.

And because it's been a little while since I have done one, here is my iphone photo dump friday:

Happy weekend, yall. 

bump.

the baby bump: 21 weeks

21 weeks!

Today, I am 21 weeks (am I really past the 1/2 way point already?!?) pregnant with the little fella. Yes, it's a boy (if you missed this post), and we are beyond thrilled! We had the ultrasound done on November 2nd and chose to keep it a secret until Saylor's 1st birthday party a few days later. Sean and I both did a wonderful job of keeping the news under our hat and it was a huge surprise to our friends and family when blue was inside the cake (reveal video coming soon... or as soon as we find the cord, ha!).

We are so excited to add a boy into the mix! Monday night we ordered the nursery furniture. So fun! Baby boy looked perfect and healthy and we cannot wait to meet him in March!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  21 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  No weight gain yet

Maternity Clothes:  Bought maternity leggings this past weekend, and whew, SO much better! My regular leggings were feeling like compression tights on my belly, ha!

Best Moment this week: Ordering the nursery furniture

Gender: it's a BOY!

Movement: Feel him moving around in the evenings when I get in bed

Food Craving: cheese bread

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: sleeping pretty good

What I am looking forward to:  Decorating the nursery!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Nausea is coming back in the mornings. Worn out in the evenings, but that may just be because it's been a zoo around here lately!

It's a...

BOY!!!

19 weeks!

Today, I am 19 weeks pregnant with Baby B. And as promised, a belly shot... in all my 19 week glory, ha!

Today is also a BIG day. We are heading to our appointment this morning to find out what we are having! I am so excited, nervous, anxious! Lots of emotions. As of today, I am still thinking girl, but many others have said boy. We will be revealing on Saturday to our friends and family at Saylor's first birthday party, so we'll be keeping it under our hat until then. Keep us in your prayers for a healthy peanut tomorrow, when we get to take a peek!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  19 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I think a pound or 2. Will know this morning at the dr. 

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week: Finding out what we are having!!

Gender: We'll know today!

Movement: Feeling baby b move a few times throughout the day

Food Craving: nothing really

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: sleeping pretty good

What I am looking forward to:  Finding out what we are having!!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  A little bit of nausea and feeling exhausted most days, but still feeling pretty good.

Stay tuned for a gender reveal this weekend... 

Will we keep swimming in PINK or add a little BLUE to the mix?

18 weeks!

Today, I am 18 weeks pregnant with Baby B. And next week we find out if the little pumpkin is a boy or a girl. I can't believe it! I am getting really excited! We are doing a gender reveal cake at Saylor's 1st birthday party (next Saturday), so we are waiting to announce until then. Stay tuned :)!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  18 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  will know at the doctor next week

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week: Feeling Baby B move

Gender: We find out next week!

Movement: Few flutters in the early morning

Food Craving:  cheese, bologna sandwiches

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: I sleep pretty good with the exception of the crazy dreams!

What I am looking forward to:  Finding out the sex next week!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Headaches have been better this week. A few mornings I have woken up feeling nauseous, but for the most part, I feel pretty good. 

17 weeks!

Yes, I do realize I have been super bad about taking weekly pictures of myself with this pregnancy :). I did a much better job with Saylor, but life is just busier these days. I am hoping to take one this week or next, before I get half way through. I have felt good this week, just more tired than usual. Hosting events while preg is a bit more taxing! I am sleeping good, with the exception of crazy dreams, and feel pretty good most of the day. Headaches still come and go quite a bit, but my doc has me taking excedrin migraine, which really helps. 

Two weeks from today we find out what we are having. I am thinking girl... hubs is thinking boy. We are having a gender reveal cake at Saylor's 1st birthday party (3 days after we find out), so I am excited about that. I am also wondering how in the world I am going to keep it a secret for 3 days! We have a boy name we are pretty set on, and a long list of girl names we are discussing. We decided to put that topic to rest until we find out what we are having :). 

Here is what Baby B looks like at 17 weeks:

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  17 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  down 1lb (can you hear me cheering?!) 

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week: The girl's dedication at church

Gender: We find out in 2 weeks!

Movement: Few flutters in the early morning

Food Craving:  crushed ice, purple gatorade

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: I sleep pretty good with the exception of the crazy dreams!

What I am looking forward to:  Watching my belly grow, finding out the sex, getting nursery ideas!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Some nausea here and there, killer headaches

16 weeks

I seriously cannot believe I am already 16 weeks pregnant! Having another baby around the house completely takes up my time and I hardly realize I am pregnant most days [except the days nausea comes out to play]. People are right when they say 2nd pregnancies go by so much faster!

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and everything looked great. I had lost weight since last time I was there, so the doctor told me I needed to start gaining. I contemplated whether or not to stop at Chick-fil-a on the way home for a chicken biscuit treat! The heartbeat was 150bpm... which still has me thinking girl. My husband is thinking boy, so I guess one of us will be right ;)!  I head back in 3 weeks for the gender ultrasound. Exciting!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  16 weeks 1 day

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  down 1lb (can you hear me cheering?!) 

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week:  Haven't had any movement this week

Gender: We find out in 3 weeks!

Movement: Nothing this week

Food Craving:  crushed ice, purple gatorade

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep:  I am beat most days, so sleep has been okay

What I am looking forward to:  Watching my belly grow, finding out the sex, getting nursery ideas!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Some nausea here and there, killer headaches

15 weeks and a few other things

Today,  I am 15 weeks pregnant with Baby B, and this pregnancy is completely flying by! I am starting to show a little bit and am getting excited about finding out what we are having sometime within the next month.

Sean and I went to Bald Head Island this past weekend for a few days and enjoyed some down time. It was so nice to be able to relax, sleep late and nap! I felt like my body was re-charged when we got back. We should do that more often :)!

Some special people are really on my heart this week. I am lifting you up in prayer. Also, my wedding photographer, and a sweet friend of mine, Kellie Kano (www.kelliekanophotography.com), is back in the hospital this week. Please keep her in your prayers. She has two darling little fellas awaiting their mommy's return home.

We started a new Mom's Bible Study at church yesterday. I was refreshed at the promises, we as young moms, have. No one... not God, our husbands or our children expect us to be perfect moms. We are challenged to rely on God and his mighty power to guide us as we raise these little beings to walk in His way.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 

- 2 Peter 1:3

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  15 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  not sure, will be at the doctor next week

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week:  I am feeling the baby move every now and then. So much earlier this time than with Saylor!

Gender: Don't know yet

Movement: Flutters here and there

Food Craving:  crushed ice, cinnamon toast

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep:  I am beat most days, so sleep has been okay

What I am looking forward to:  Watching my belly grow, finding out the sex, getting nursery ideas!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Some nausea here and there, killer headaches

13 weeks!

Today, I am 13 weeks pregnant with the little peanut. I am thankful to be out of my first trimester and am also thankful to be feeling better than I did last pregnancy (so far, atleast!). I had a doctor's appointment last Friday and everything looked great! Heart rate was 160, which makes me think girl. Sweet Jesus, help us. All these women in this house! Whew.

The morning sickness has actually tapered off this time around, which is very unlike last pregnancy. With Saylor, it lasted all 40 weeks. I had a rough few weeks of it from around weeks 6 - 11, but it seems better. I, of course, still have plenty of moments and still take zofran daily, but I am certainly thankful this time is a bit better. That kind of sickness, combined with a 10 month old, that might just do this momma in ;).

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  13 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  no gain yet

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week:  It seems like I am feeling baby move, although I feel certain it's too early. Not sure, though.

Gender:  Don't know yet, but I'm thinking girl

Movement: On Monday morning, I woke Sean to tell him I thought I was feeling the baby move, but I'm not exactly sure

Food Craving:  Cheese, oranges, grape juice

What I miss: Sleeping without crazy dreams!

Sleep:  The dreams have been crazy this time around! I wake up in the middle of the night all the time!

What I am looking forward to:  Watching my belly grow, finding out the sex, getting nursery ideas!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  A little bit of nausea, headaches here in there, crazy dreams!

Prego #2, the details...

That's right, we are having another baby! Saylor and Baby B will be 16 months apart. Whew! Baby B is due March 28th.

We found out we were pregnant July 25th, right at the end of the 4th week. I stopped on my way home from running errands that day and bought a pack of 2 tests. I had a feeling I was pregnant, but took both tests just to be sure. Here was my confirmation:

Sean had no idea I thought I was pregnant or that I was even buying a test. When he came home from work that day, Saylor had on this shirt...

It was quite funny, actually. Sean came in and I was holding Saylor. I told him to take a look at her shirt. He was confused and didn't understand why she had that shirt on. After laughing and telling him to think about it, he was surprised and excited. He couldn't believe it! We went out to celebrate that night :).

Morning sickness started in the 5th week this time around (much earlier than last time). Praise God the first trimester is coming to an end (I am currently in my 12th week). I have been quite sick, although a bit different, in comparison, to my pregnancy with Saylor.

Unfortunately, I am pretty much sick all day. I am on both Zofran and Phenergan, although neither seem to be helping too much. I had my first appointment on August 17th and I was 8 weeks. They did an ultrasound to confirm my due date and everything looked great.

I will be heading back to the doctor this week for my 12 week appointment. We are excited and feel so blessed that the Lord has given us this gift! What a joy it is. We love you sweet baby B, and are praying for you. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

-Psalm 139: 13 - 14

A little bit of (big) news...

Saylor's going to be a big sister! Coming March 2012, to a Branch household near you....