33 Week Update!

Sorry I did not update last week! I thought about it briefly, but naturally things are getting busier this time of year and I find that I want to sleep if I ever have an extended amount of time free during the day - so I probably napped instead ;-).

How far along? 33 Weeks! Less than 50 days til little boy's due date!

Total weight gain/loss: I am not completely sure, but I am guessing between 20 and 22 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yes, when they are clean!  I am trying to not have to buy an entire wardrobe, so I wear WBH's tees if I can or leave the bottom buttons of my coat undone, haha.

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL!

Sleep: Some good nights and some less good...I am DEF taking more naps now! (same) Also, we just got some delicious flannel sheets and I sleep MUCH better on them for some reason,

Best moment this week: LOTS of "best" moments. Had an ultrasound at dr appt on Tuesday and Dr said it was "Just beautiful!" Placenta has moved up (it was down at 20 weeks, so they wanted to recheck at 32), baby's head is down (though I guess he could still flip?), and heart rate was great!

Miss Anything? I just stopped being able to bend over without baby getting all in my ribs.  A couple days ago I was shaving and noticed that I physically could not bend over to reach my legs properly because there was a solid mass there!

Movement: Yes! More and more and I try to cherish every one :).

Food cravings: Doughnuts. For real.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Actually no...feeling good!

Have you started to show yet: Yes! Though I can still hide it with a hoodie or baggy enough shirt.

Gender: Tiny boy!

Labor Signs: I have experienced a few Braxton-Hicks contractions, but not actually anything related to labor yet.

Belly Button in or out? Still so far in.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am happy most of the time, but ANYTHING can make me cry and I get frustrated way more easily...this is actually getting a little better though too :).

Size of Baby: They estimated he is 4 lbs 13 oz at the Dr. on Tuesday!  Wow! Almost 5 lbs!  They didn't do a length measurement, but most sites say he would be about 17 inches now. Crazy!

Looking forward to: Right now I am REALLY looking forward to going to VT for Thanksgiving and seeing my mom and brothers and sister-in-law.

And just for general Jones household news: I have the best husband in the whole world.  He is so patient and understanding and loving and makes me feel beautiful even when I know that I have kind of a weirdly distorted body right now.  He works hard at work and still helps so much with cleaning and cooking and taking care of our home.  I am so incredibly blessed to have him and thank Jesus every single day for such a wonderful (and super handsome) man!

Here is my bathroom selfie/bump picture for LAST week.  I will probably take one later today for this week and add it, but am too lazy right now:

32 weeks (11/7/13)

31 Week Update!

How far along? 31 weeks! 2 more months!

Total weight gain/loss: +17 lbs. Little bit less than before, I think just exercising a little bit more and being slightly more conscious of what I'm eating has contributed to this.  Don't worry, I am absolutely not trying to lose weight ;-).

Maternity clothes? Yes yes yes. They are so much more comfy and flattering!

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL!

Sleep: Some good nights and some less good...I am DEF taking more naps now!

Best moment this week: LOTS of "best" moments.  Baby's heart beat was good at doctor's appt, hangin' out with WBH, feeling good enough to run a few days this week, started our birthing class on Monday!

Miss Anything? Not a whole lot really...maybe fitting into some of my clothes.

Movement: Yes! I love feeling him move more and more and become stronger.  My favorite is when he kinda squirms around (vs. prodding).

Food cravings: Sandwiches!!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Actually no...feeling good!

Have you started to show yet: Yes! I think I must have "popped out" this week because starting last Saturday EVERY customer I had asked when I was due, and yesterday I went for a walk and passed a lady at a bus stop that said "That looks like it could be a boy!  You workin' it, ain't you?!"  Hahaha, it is great!

Gender: Little mister!

Labor Signs: Nothing now.

Belly Button in or out? Still so far in.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am happy most of the time, but ANYTHING can make me cry and I get frustrated way more easily...this is actually getting a little better though too :).

Size of Baby: A little over 16 inches and around 3.3 lbs!

Looking forward to: Right now I am REALLY looking forward to going to VT for Thanksgiving and seeing my mom and brothers and sister-in-law.  Also I was going to say Christmas music, but I have been feeling SO Christmassy recently that I broke it out earlier this week :).

Here is my bathroom selfie/bump picture for this week:

31 Weeks! Headin' out for some exercise on a beautiful day!

Just for contrast - this was 21 wks

30 Week Update!

How far along? 30 Weeks!  10ish left to go.

Total weight gain/loss: +20 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Same as last time...Still wearing my stretchy exercise pants, but even some of them cut into my tummy.  Shirts are getting too tight.

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL.

Sleep: Actually only up to pee once a night now, but it takes me a very long time to fall asleep once I've gotten up.

Best moment this week: WBH and I watching my belly move all crazy as baby is getting bigger.

Miss Anything? I get a little jealous of people training for marathons and look forward to training for the Rock N Roll Raleigh Half with my hubby after baby boy is born!

Movement: Yes! He actually kicked/punched my right ribs hard enough earlier this week that it made me jump and let out a yelp.

Food cravings: Kinda craving more sweets (this could just be the weather though).

Anything making you queasy or sick: DEFINITELY more sensitive to how things smell.  If I over extend myself I get really overheated and dizzy (back achy too). Workin' on that.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, more now I think. I have had three customers comment about my pregnant belly without thinking twice, so that makes me feel like I look more pregnant and less just fat.

Gender: Baby boy!

Labor Signs: Nothing now.

Belly Button in or out? Still so far in.

Wedding rings on or off? On and I just got them cleaned, so they look extra pretty :).

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am happy most of the time, but ANYTHING can make me cry and I get frustrated way more easily. :-/

Size of Baby: About 16 inches and about 3 lbs! Can't believe it!

Looking forward to: Still all of those things from before, but even more wanting to meet this baby!

Here is my bathroom selfie/bump picture for this week:

29 wks 6 days (Sorry it's kinda hard to see)

Confessing an Anxious Heart

Over the past week (or more) I have been convicted about my general attitude toward many things.  Although I am abundantly blessed and have so much to be thankful for beyond what I could have ever dreamed, I find myself complaining or being easily frustrated and angered.  As much as I would love to blame it on the pregnancy hormones, I know this is not the character I was called to have regardless of what my hormones are doing.  Honestly, most of my anxiety comes from a lack of intentional time with Jesus and self-discipline.  I am called to love others (ALL others) deeply and selflessly, to serve, to be self-controlled, and to  "be anxious about nothing." These are traits that have not defined me as of late, and I am confessing this because I don't want the pattern to continue.

Having intentional time alone with the Lord the last few days, writing in my journal, and setting goals to help in the self-discipline areas that I struggle with has been so refreshing for my soul.  Instead of getting easily angered at a difficult customer or frustrated and overwhelmed with busyness at work, I am able to start off the day looking forward to the time I have with my amazing coworkers and meeting new friends on the fit stool.  I find that I am less on edge at home and can let things blow over before they start - whereas I had really been struggling to just relax and trust how much WBH loves me and our baby. My desire is to continue engaging in these quiet times and putting into practice what I know to be true, even when my silly, irrational emotions are trying to tell me otherwise.

I am truly blessed beyond measure.  I am so in love with my Savior, and so in love with my husband (I still count down the hours 'til I get to see him again each day).  I am grateful for a wonderful job with supportive and hilarious coworkers that make each day fun.  I am thankful for the life that is kicking in my belly right now. Our church body and life class has been one of the biggest, most surprising blessings of all in these last 9 months of our new marriage.  I am even thankful for the overcast weather we have been enjoying for about a week and a half now - it makes me feel cozy and Fall-like, and mixed with our pumpkin spice candle, it is beyond peaceful.

So this is not a baby bump update or really any post of insight, just me being transparent and throwing some thoughts out there as a nice gentlemen paints our front door and probably 131 spiders are crawling into our home (another reason I am grateful for my husband ;-) ).

28 Week Update!

So a few months back, I had posted on Thursdays and said I was X number of weeks, 6 days...I was wrong.  I actually "age up" on Thursdays, so I was actually up to the next week by those posts.  So that means today I am...

How far along? 27 weeks 6 days - YAY third trimester!

Total weight gain/loss: +15 lbs (I think I am still here, haven't weighed myself in a few days.  Doctor's appt on Tuesday will get us up to date).

Maternity clothes? Oh yeah.  Still wearing my stretchy exercise pants, but even some of them cut into my tummy.  Shirts are getting too tight.  I am SO excited that the weather is cooling down so I can wear Fall clothes and not be dying of heat - I gave up shorts a while ago.

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL.

Sleep: Same same - up to pee several times and sleep is definitely not as restful.

Best moment this week: I have been running a little bit! Just 2-3 miles here and there (maybe 3-4 times in a week), and averaging about a 10:40 pace, but I will take it!  My belly below belly button is usually sore afterward, but I am always glad when I've gotten out there!

Miss Anything? I get a little jealous of people training for marathons and look forward to training for the Rock N Roll Raleigh Half with my hubby after baby boy is born!

Movement: Yes! He's getting more predictable and I feel him more often, which is fun.  I still think he is pretty chill in there, just prodding at me here and there - and then every once in a while he goes bananas and kicks and punches real fast all over for a few minutes.  This makes me and WBH giggle.

Food cravings: I just eat like a lot...a lot.

Anything making you queasy or sick: DEFINITELY more sensitive to how things smell.  If I over extend myself I get really overheated and dizzy (back achy too). Workin' on that.

Have you started to show yet: I think so!  But still don't think folks that don't know me would guess I was pregnant.  It's a little awkward with some of my customers when they ask how much I run and I say "Not a whole lot since I've been pregnant-" and they respond, "Oh, you're pregnant? Cool..." and look me up and down.  I want to just say, "Yes! I am six and a half months pregnant, that's why my gut is stickin' out while I bend down to tie your shoes."

Gender: Little man!

Labor Signs: No no no. (I did have a dream I went into labor though.)

Belly Button in or out? In, and will probably stay that way.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am happy most of the time, but ANYTHING can make me cry and I get frustrated way more easily. :-/

Size of Baby: About 14.9 inches and about 2.25 lbs! He's growin'!

Looking forward to: SO SO much!  I will post below...

Here is my bathroom selfie/bump picture for this week:

In other Jones Family News:

WBH and I are just having a great time bein' in love and being thankful for SO many blessings that God has granted us.  WBH is the BEST (obviously, that's what the 'B' stands for).  I am so grateful for the way he loves me and BabyJ and takes care of us.  He is such a hard worker and is also really really handsome. He starts a new job on Monday that we are so excited about!  Our friends just had a healthy little boy last night and we can't wait to meet him and love on them. Next weekend we are going camping with our Life Class and the State Fair comes to town!  We are going to Vermont for Thanksgiving - I have not been to VT for Thanksgiving in years and years...I think 2007 was the last year I got to go.  We can't wait to share that time with family and friends up there!  Not long after that, we will celebrate Christmas with WBH's family in NC and then it's time for the little one to arrive just after New Year's!

This is such a whirlwind-of-wonderful-things season and we certainly have so much to be thankful for!

25 Week Update!

Remember how I said I would be back to update sooner last time?  Whoops.  SO apologetic.  We are now at 25 weeks and 4 days! Here's what's going on...

How far along? 25 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: +15 lbs (that's what not a whole lot of exercise and eating as your heart desires gets you ;-) ).

Maternity clothes? Definitely way more comfortable and more flattering, but can still wear my jeans with the rubberband trick and most of my shirts.

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL. HowEVs, I did notice the skin on my tummy feeling tight the other day - it's gone away now, but I wonder if that's just the beginning...

Sleep: Peeing a lot, but not as achy in the abdomen.

Best moment this week: Heard baby's heartbeat again on Tuesday- still strong!  HE is also kickin' a whole lot more and all over the place!

Miss Anything? I get a little jealous of people training for marathons and look forward to training for the Rock N Roll Raleigh Half with my hubby after baby boy is born!

Movement: Yes! He's getting more predictable and I feel him more often, which is fun.

Food cravings: I just eat like a lot.

Anything making you queasy or sick: More sensitive to how things smell.  If I over extend myself I get really overheated and dizzy (back achy too). Workin' on that.

Have you started to show yet: I think so!  But still don't think folks that don't know me would guess I was pregnant.

Gender: BABY BOY!!!

Labor Signs: No no no.

Belly Button in or out? In, and will probably stay that way.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am happy most of the time, but ANYTHING can make me cry and I get frustrated way more easily. :-/

Size of Baby: About 14 inches and about 1.7 lbs! Once again, twice as heavy as last post! (This is for week 26, which is technically 3 days away, so subtract a lil from both of those numbers)

Looking forward to: All things Fall!!

Here are my bathroom selfies/bump pictures for this week:

25 weeks!

25 wks 2 days

25 wks 4 days

Okay, I will TRY to be more consistent in posting, I promise!

21 Week Update!

Well...once again, we are a day shy of 21 weeks, but away we go:

How far along? 20 weeks 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: +10 lbs (dealin' with it).

Maternity clothes? Same as last time for the most part - not quite big enough to fill out maternity clothes, but very uncomfortable in regular clothes (especially bras :-( ).

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL.

Sleep: Not very great - still getting up to pee constantly and the last few nights my abdomen has been pretty achy...belly growing??

Best moment this week: Seeing this little one's cute face and learning that he or she is healthy and all is still well on Tuesday!  Heart rate was about 157 bpm.

Miss Anything? Being able to run without have to pee the. entire. time.

Movement: Yes! WBH and I BOTH felt the baby at 18 weeks 1 day! Such a blessing.  The movement is still not super consistent, and we found out at the doctor that it's because I have an anterior placenta- which means baby kicks the placenta instead of me most of the time.

Food cravings: Mostly salty foods (except for CTC at breakfast, but...like that's even new).

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just if I don't eat regularly.  Otherwise good (huge blessing).

Have you started to show yet: Maybe a little bit, people that know me notice, but not obvious that I am pregnant if you do not already know (just looks like my tummy/boobs/thighs are larger).

Gender: Don't know yet!  We had the ultrasound Tuesday, but are having a Gender Reveal Party of Sunday!

Labor Signs: No no no.

Belly Button in or out? In, and will probably stay that way. Although I am amazed that it is actually a little bit shallower.  Crazy times!

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy happy happy, 'cept if I'm stressed about work.

Size of Baby: About 10.5 inches and about 12 ounces. Hello, twice as heavy as last post!

Looking forward to: Finding out if we're having a boy or girl on Sunday!

Here are my bathroom selfies/bump pictures for this week:

I feel like I look more pregnant from this angle.

I will be back sooner this time to update after the reveal!  Everyone asks me what I think we're having, and I have honestly not had a clue, so today I decided I think we're having a boy just so I can have an answer.  What do you think??