15 weeks

Well, my belly is starting to make a move! I'm slowing moving from looking "fat" to actually looking pregnant. I can't stuck my stomach in at all. The little bump is always there. It's so exciting! I'm most looking forward to feeling you move. It should be happening within the next few weeks and I can not wait!

You're about the size of an apple, or about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces. Your legs are growing longer than your arms now, and you can move all of the joints and limbs. Also, you can sense light. If I were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, baby is likely to move away from the beam. Apparently, your holding daily aerobics classes: kicking, curling toes, and moving your little arms and legs. But, because you weigh so little, I can't feel it yet. Start growing so I can feel your movements!

Symptoms: Oh the hormones! They were definitely raging this week. Crying at the drop of a hat. I was petting Jax, and then, for whatever reason, was thinking about Jax dying and it occurred to me that you won't know anyone in heaven, which totally made me cry. Yes, I know it's ridiculous. I could not explain it. :)
Food aversions: Your uncle made salmon and cream cheese pizza when we were up there this weekend, and it sounded terrible to me. I usually really enjoy it, though!
Food cravings: Biscuits and gravy! I was craving them for a while and finally made them for dinner last Tuesday. Hit the spot!
Best moment this week: Shopping for baby clothes with your aunt in Minneapolis.
Suspicions on gender: Still leaning girl. A Mexican girl named Roxie that worked at Chili's with me told me she thought I was having a girl because my skin was yellow and my hips were getting really wide. She really knows how to make a girl feel good, huh? ;)
Miss anything? Being able to stay up past 9pm on weeknights. Still needing at least 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Part of me is afraid to stay up late in case I am totally ruined for the next day.
Next prenatal appointment: April 11!

It was a pretty good week! It's now officially spring, but it doesn't quite feel like it. We've still been dealing with temperatures in the upper 20s, low 30s. March Madness has officially begun! Your dad and I filled out brackets at home. We'll have a little bet (not sure what yet) on the brackets. I'm winning right now!

We spent the weekend visiting your aunt and uncle in Minneapolis. I took Friday off of work and was able to get a few things done around the house before we took off. Anna rode up with us and we had a great time. Saturday, Dana and I went to check out a few maternity and baby consignment shops. Bought a few items of maternity clothing and found a little knit hat for you that was just too cute to pass up. Andy, Anna, Dana, Rob, Matt and me (and I guess you :) ), all went out to dinner Saturday night and it was a great time. You have an awesome aunt and uncle and I know they are going to love you like crazy. Especially because you will be there first niece or nephew.

Workouts, 3/17 - 3/23

Sunday: 30 minutes on the elliptical. I was still pretty tired today, but I figured I could pull out a little time on the elliptical. So, I did, and still felt tired after.

Monday: 5 miles in 52:50. This was forecasted to be the warmest day of the week, so I decided to get my longest run in. It was still only 34 degrees and there were snow flurries. About an inch of wet snow had fallen earlier in the day, so I was soaking wet by the time I was done. I'm ready for some warmer runs!

Tuesday: 30 minutes on the elliptical.

Wednesday: Last day of bartending!

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3.5 mile run

Saturday: 3 mile run in Minneapolis

14 weeks

And just like that, we're in to another week! Baby, you are about the size of a lemon and weigh 1 to 1.5 ounces.You're busy thumb sucking, toe wiggling, kicking, and punching. Your liver starts making bile this week and your spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. How exciting, right? ;)

So far, an excellent, excellent week. We had a doctor's appointment and we're finally able to hear the heart beat! It was unbelievable. Due to a last minute appointment time change, your dad was unable to make it the appointment. I will make sure that never, ever happens again. Your dad was super bummed not to be able to make it to the appointment, and he was bummed all week. I did video tape the heart beat for him to hear it, but I know it was not the same for him. For the rest of the appointments, he will be right there. I did stop and get our usual after-doctors cupcake from the cupcake place next to the doctor's office and brought it home to him.

Back to the heart beat! I was worried going in. We haven'd had any confirmation that everything is still going well since the ultrasound, so I was super nervous. What if they couldn't find it? I would be so crushed, and with your dad not being there, it would've been a nightmare. But, that didn't happen! Dr. Hoelzle found it almost right away! Clocked in at a steady 150 beats per minute. Old wives tales say that if the heart beat is about 140, it's a girl. So, this old wives tale points to a girl. I was so glad that I video taped the heart beat because we were also to share it with your aunt, uncle, and grandparents.

One thing we're going to have to keep an eye on is my blood pressure. It's been just a little bit high these last two appointments. My mom experienced hypertension when she was pregnant with me, so it is definitely in the genes. I'm hoping to keep exercising and try to eat a little less sodium to see if that helps.

Symptoms: Holy tired, Batman! I was so tired all this past week. Sunday night, I was planning on taking a nap around 5:30, and ended up sleeping until Monday morning. I just could not get up! Thankfully, I have had the time to get an early bed time in.
Food aversions: Nothing is really making me nauseous. I still don't really like the idea of vegetables, but am able to force a few servings down a day.
Food cravings: Oh man, cheeseburgers! I ended up making a cheeseburger casserole for dinner one night for a healthier option. I've also been loving Cheetos Jalapenos. It's the Cheetos with jalapeno flavoring added. So good!
Best moment this week: Hearing your little heart beat!
Suspicions on gender: Girl! Not only was the heart beat a little sign, but I also had another dream that you were a girl. In it, you had brown hair and blue eyes. Wouldn't it be crazy it that's what you ended up looking like?

Miss anything? Not being tired all the time! I think about what I used to get done over the weekend, compared to now, and it's crazy.
Next prenatal appointment: April 11!
Things you've done this past week: It was actually a pretty busy weekend. We went to the home and garden show looking for vendors to install a fence in the back yard for you and your big doggie brother. We also celebrated St. Patrick's Day on Sunday with the annual Kliesmet party, a party I'm sure you'll be attending next year!

Workouts, 3/10-3/16

Sunday: Nothing! Just felt too tired and unmotivated. It was raining and gray all day, which didn't help, plus we lost an hour with daylight savings the night before.

Monday: Slow 3 miles outside. It was wet and rainy and I was not motivated to run out all. BUT, I did it! And I was so happy that I did once I finished.

Tuesday: I was having a bit of a sore achilles tendon on Monday, so I decided to skip the run and do 40 minutes on the elliptical. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. I usually can't stand the darn thing. Then I decided to do some shoulders and back weights. Pretty good work out overall.

Wednesday: Bartending! Just a few more shifts to go!

I kind of fell of the wagon for workouts the rest of the week. I've been pretty tired again this week. I'm trying not to make myself feel bad about it, but I still kind of feel like a bum. I just have to remember to listen to my body and do what I can.

13 weeks

Lucky number 13! Once again, moving right along. Just about done with the first trimester. Some say it ends at week 13, others say 14. You are about 3 inches long and the size of a peach. Fingerprints have formed on your tiny fingers, veins and organs are visible through the skin, and your body is starting to catch up with your head. You're growing so fast!

The belly is getting a little bit bigger each week. Not by much, but a slight difference.


Symptoms: Tired again this week! I had a few days where I felt like I could've slept all day. Also, sleeping on my stomach is starting to get a little uncomfortable.
Food aversions: Nothing in particular.
Food cravings: Still cereal. But, I've also really been loving cheeseburgers. Anytime I can get a cheeseburger, I am all about it.
Best moment this week: Cari and I went to check out a few baby consignment shops, and it was so great to check out all the little clothes! As a woman, I think everyone is always kind of excited about the idea of dressing a little girl, but there were so many cute little boy things, too! I can honestly say that I would be so excited about either gender. It truly doesn't matter and I am so excited to find out on the day you're born. I did end up buying a few outfits. Mainly Brewers, Packers, and Badgers gear, but I did get one little sailor outfit that was just too cute to pass up.

Miss anything? Nope. Nothing this week!
Next prenatal appointment: Friday!!! Seriously counting down the hours.

A few other things from this week: It is getting harder and harder to fit into my pants. They are definitely getting snug in the stomach region. Also, I put on one of my baggier tops today, and noticed that it is not quite as baggy as it used to be. Also, your awesome aunt Dana sent us your first official baby gift. She sent us a super cute yellow and gray blanket and a cute footed outfit.

A lady that a work with randomly overheard me talking about being pregnant, and was so shocked. It turns out, about a week ago, she had a dream that I was pregnant. How bizarre is that? Super weird.

In world news, the Catholic church is currently in the process of picking a new pope. That's all anyone is talking about. In all honesty, it's starting to get a little obnoxious.

I know you're not even born yet, but I've already started to worry about you. It just feels like so long ago since we say you on the ultrasound. I'm so anxious for the doctor's appointment on Friday. I just want to hear your heart beat and know that everything is ok. Your dad and I decided to pass up on the first round of prenatal testing because we didn't want to worry ourselves. Now, I'm thinking taking the tests probably would've provided us with just a little more reassurance. I'm sure everything is fine, I just love you so much already, little one, and I want to take the best care of you a possibly can.

13 down, 27 to go.

Workouts, 3/3 - 3/9

I actually started off this week with lots of motivation to run. It helped that Sunday was beautiful and sunny and I was able to run outside. Half marathon training officially begins this week! I am hoping to be able to slowly up my mileage and be able to run the half in May. However, I will be listening to my body every step of the way and if I'm not able to run the whole race, I will not beat myself up over it.

I still take Jax for about a mile and a half walk Monday through Friday. So, even if I don't get a work out in, I still am getting in that longer walk.

Sunday: Ran 4 perfect miles outside in about 38:30. I'm happy that I'm still running sub-10 minute miles, but time will not be a focus for me at all over these next few months. I am just happy to still be moving!

Monday: Another run outside! 3 miles in about 31 minutes. Snow was in the forecast for Tuesday, so I figured I'd get an outdoor run in when I could.

Tuesday: Rest. I had a killer headache courtesy of a lack of caffeine (which I took as a sign that coffee needs to be completely out of the picture).

Wednesday: Bartending at night, so that was enough time on my feet.

Thursday: 3 miles outside (about 29:30), plus some squats and lunges.

Friday: Bartending! Only a few more shifts left.

Saturday: Was planning on going for a 3 mile run, but spent the day with Cari instead.

12 weeks

This has been another uneventful week in the pregnant. No real bump yet. We've got a ways until the next ultrasound. It's just kind of like I'm waiting for all the exciting stuff to happen. :)

This week, you are about the size of a plum, you are developing reflexes, opening and closing hands and toes, and your brain is developing fast.

I must say, seeing babies and kids brings up a whole set of new feelings. There is so much excitement and anticipation that was never there before. I just can't wait until September and to meet you baby. To see your face. Hold you in my arms. But, then I also wonder if I'm up for it. If I can do it. Can I be a great mother? Will I be able to fulfill all your needs and help you grow into an amazing, wonderful, smart, kind person? I hope so. I really hope so. I can start with by doing what I know you'll need lots of: love and encouragement. You will have no question whether or not I love you, because I am going to make sure I show you and tell you every single day.

Last Tuesday, Cari's dad, Keith Jagow, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54. He had a massive heart attack and that was about it. Keith was an amazing man who loved his wife and kids (and everyone around him) very much. I definitely felt the loss this past week. Matt and I actually ran into Keith and Patti at Crawdaddy's a few weekends ago. Obviously they were just over the moon to hear we were pregnant. After dinner, we said good bye to them and Keith just said "God bless your family." I will never, ever forget that.

It has been a trying week saying good bye to Keith, being there for my best friend, and remembering all the emotions that I went through (and do still go through) with my dad's death. But it is also an unbelievable reminder about how precious life is, and what an amazing miracle it is, and to just live life loving everyone and being kind to everyone. The Golden Rule really is the best way to get through life. Please remember that in middle school and high school. Those tough years when it is so easy to be so mean to others in order to fit in. You're only on this earth for a blink of an eye. Make the most of it. Be remembered for the right things.

We also had the opportunity to celebrate Manny's life this past weekend with his 2 birthday. It was so fun to be around him. He's starting to talk and will repeat just about anything you say. We also told all the McChains that you are on your way little baby. You will be so loved. I know it.

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good this week. Starting to feel less tired, less bloated, less everything. I can definitely tell that we're just about into the second trimester. I haven't really mentioned it yet (mainly because I forget), but my "girls" have definitely been sore for the last month or so. It definitely feels best to be wearing a bra than not. Oh, and the pimples! I have been breaking out like crazy. The recent break out is finally starting to clear up, but it was really, really bad for a few days. You can see a few of the culprits in the picture above.
Food aversions: Nothing really stands out this week.
Food cravings: Oh man, I can't ge enough cereal. I would probably eat it for every single meal if I could. Also, it's officially Starburst Jelly Bean season!! It. Is. On.
Best moment this week: Sitting in church and watching this adorable baby (probably about 6 months) a few rows ahead of us. It just makes me so excited to be sitting with you in church!
Miss anything? Would've been nice to have a glass of wine with Cari over the many conversations we had this past week, but I wouldn't say I missed it.
Next prenatal appointment: A week from Friday! We will finally get to hear a little heart beat!