Our little blessing!

We can now pray for our baby by name.  Meet Raleigh Kate! 

We found out at my 18-week appointment on Feb. 9.  

We could not be any happier about having a girl!  

I'm 19 weeks today and feeling great! I have been lucky to have not gotten sick at all, with the exception of one night a couple of weeks ago, but I don't think that was prego-related.  My worst symptoms have been a lingering headache (toward the end of the first trimester) and random breakouts on my chin and under my nose.  I haven't had either of those in the past few weeks.  I am so grateful!  Besides a few weeks of fatigue in the first trimester where I wanted to do nothing but sit on my butt, I have been trying to keep up with my muscle pump class and get some cardio in at least twice a week.  

Here are some quick notes and belly pictures if you're interested

     

                                                    

                                                             15 weeks 

17 weeks, 2 days
(at the bowling alley!)

18 weeks, 4 days
(Going out for Valentine's dinner!)

How far along? 19 weeks

Total weight gain: 6 lbs

Maternity clothes? Loving some maternity pants, but still trying to wear my normal work clothes and tops.  My favorite jeans just started being too uncomfortable to wear last week.  I think my butt is getting bigger!  What? Baby's NOT in my butt!  

Stretch marks? None (yet)... using Mustela cream every other night.  

Sleep:  I think my body wakes me up a few times during the night to get me off my back.  But, I haven't had to get up to pee like so many people told me would happen.  Sleep is good!  

Best moment this week: Finding out she's a girl and sharing the news with family and friends!
Miss Anything? WINE... watching the Bachelor does not help.  

Movement: She was moving like crazy during the ultrasound!  She kept grabbing her feet and then playing with her tiny hands.  I think I've felt her a little bit, but I haven't convinced myself that it's not other kinds of bubbles if you know what I mean. Ha! 

Food cravings: Subway - turkey sandwich w/pickles, jalapenos, and mustard; pineapple - which I haven't been able to give in to 

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really, but I don't like to look at or smell raw meat (but I was like that pre-pregnancy, too!) 

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: I'm not even halfway to that point yet. 

Symptoms: Heartburn!  Staying away from any triggers after experiencing a full day/night of heartburn on Monday.  I never knew it could be so bad! 

Belly Button in or out? In - I wonder if it will pop out, it's pretty deep! Haha

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Ray would say moody... actually, his words were "like a pendulum." Haha... I'm happy most of the time, but the house not being perfectly clean really brings out the worst in me! 

Looking forward to: Really feeling her move!

Fun with Friends!

I wish we lived closer to our good friends, but at least they are all within a reasonable drive!  It's so nice to catch up.  I just wish "goodbye" didn't mean "see you in a few months, hopefully!"

RBC Center for the NC State/Virginia game on 1/28.  (We lost by a point!)

We decided to go to Raleigh for our anniversary weekend.  We stayed with Adam & Faith and ate at some of our favorite places... the Farmer's Market with Amy & Brent for lunch on Saturday and Amedeo's for dinner before the game.  On our way out Sunday, we ate lunch with David A.  

Adam "Pook" (Ray's best man) and Faith are also expecting... due just two weeks after our girl!
We had such a fun weekend talking all things pregnancy.  Really wish we lived closer so we could experience it all together! 

Group shot... smiling even after the loss! 

This is the only picture I took while we were with Amy and Brent at the FM--with my phone.  

My next catch-up with friends was the following weekend in Charlotte.  I surprised Jane for her birthday celebration at the bowling alley on Friday night.  It was so much fun to hang out with some of my best friends!

Me with the birthday girl!

                                

                                            Courtney got engaged in January. Here's her gorgeous, sparkly rock!

All the party people! 

On Saturday, I had planned to stay in town for the morning to run a few errands.  But, I found out Friday night that this girl was going to be in town!  I got to catch up with Jennifer for a little bit on Saturday afternoon.  

What would I do without my dad?  He makes everything better! I had to get my complimentary car check-up on Saturday morning at 7:45 a.m.  (Yeah, I made that appointment before I put any thought into it!)  He came with me to the dealership, mainly because we dropped my mom's car off to get the tires fixed and he needed a ride.  But, no matter what the reason, he made the time go by much faster.  And later that day, he took me maternity clothes shopping... he is the best!