16+5

 This was at 7 weeks -- the size of a blueberry

 This was at 12 weeks -- the size of a lime

Now, at 16 weeks -- the size of an avocado

I've officially gained 10lbs since the start of my pregnancy. I might be a pound or two over where I had hoped to be, but overall I am happy with the progress I am making. The books I have read have recommended that I gain about a pound a week from this point on in my pregnancy. My ultimate goal is to gain less than 35 pounds, but I will be okay if I end up gaining a little bit more than this. I must admit, it is crazy looking at these pictures and already seeing the changes in my body. I can't wait for the extraordinary changes that are yet to come and to finally be recognized as a pregnant woman!

I *think* I may be feeling mildly better this week. I have been gagging less frequently and get this, for the first time in a very long time I can walk up the stairs and the scent of our house doesn't make me gag! Hey, I will take whatever progress I can get -- as silly as it may sound to you! It was also extremely helpful that my husband completely cleaned out our fridge last week. It has made going to the refrigerator an incredibly more pleasurable experience and one that I no longer have to hold my breath in order to do! (It wasn't that nasty!!! I just have a very sensitive nose!) Despite this progress, I have been struggling with headaches and back pain. All I can take to combat headaches is tylenol, which honestly doesn't help much, so I usually end up trying to sleep off the pain. As far as the back pain, I have experienced this same back pain before on-and-off throughout the pregnancy. However, when it does decide to strike, it is brutal! It is especially lovely when I am kneeling down frequently to talk to students at their desks. They probably think I am some old woman when I try to stand up! I've read that the lower back pain that I feel is most likely the result of the loosening of the joints and ligaments that attach my pelvis to my spine.

I've also been feeling some strange feelings in my tummy over the past few days. I wonder if these might be the first signs of the baby fluttering or... it could just be indigestion!

We are starting to really look forward to finding out the gender of our baby! We will be finding out in almost a month from today. We have names officially picked out for either gender, however we don't plan on revealing these until the baby is born or perhaps, if you are lucky we will make this public at the gender reveal as well! Our thoughts are that it will be easier for everyone to accept and love our name selection when we actually hand them the baby and say this is _____. At that point, no one really has the opportunity to pass their judgments because they have to love the name regardless!

15+5

Although everything I have read has promised the second trimester would bring renewed energy, nausea relief, unicorns, and rainbows, I have yet to feel any of these things!  As much as I have crossed my fingers and hoped and prayed for the nausea to desist, it has yet to say goodbye to my pregnant body. I actually threw up for the first time this week. Luckily it was just in my mouth. Not sure if that is something to feel lucky about... but I was definitely surprised! Needless to say, I am quite concerned about what the future of this pregnancy entails as I continue to feel my tummy turn into the wee hours of the night. At my last visit just before my 14th week my doctor appeared visibly concerned that my nausea hadn't lightened up. However, she said that some women take about a month longer to feel relief, which matched what I had read, but by 16 weeks I should be a-okay and in the clear. As the 16 week mark fast approaches (2 days away), I can't describe my emotions in a better a word than fear! Why am I not feeling this relief that I have been promised?! My doctor continued to inform me that if I still feel nauseous at 18 weeks, I can say hello to what will be my new loving and dear pregnancy friend, morning sickness, because it will take permanent residency in my body throughout the rest of my pregnancy until I pop this little bugger out. Will I seriously be in that remarkably small percentage of women who simply don't feel relief from this disgusting feeling? Please say it isn't so!

My other most frustrating pregnancy symptom is the constant constipation! Oh my goodness! Is it so much to ask to just be able to go to the bathroom like a normal person?! You would think that the bird seed I eat every morning (as Donald so lovingly calls it), my constant water intake and fruit consumption would serve me some type of benefit, but no, my poop is too stubborn. I know that neither of these things are very pleasant to read about, but I must admit it feels pretty good to get my complaining out! It is funny that when we were planning pregnancy, I had this incredible romantic idea in my head. I had not considered the negative toll on my body that would coincide with this huge decision. In no way do I regret our choice to get pregnant, but I wish I would have had a little bit more foresight to prepare myself!

Amongst all the unpleasant symptoms, I have many things to be happy and thankful for. This week my mom treated me to a food I have been craving for over a month: homemade macaroni and cheese! My mother also spoiled me with my first maternity clothes. I am a new lover of the belly band which accommodates my ever-expanding waste-line! (However, I must admit it is weird not buttoning my pants, but oh-so comfortable!) Also, my lovely husband surprised me with flowers today which was a wonderful gesture to come home to. What keeps me going through these difficult times is my loved ones' constant support. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by people who genuinely care about my well-being and are fully invested in my pregnancy.

14+5

I decided to start a baby blog to monitor trends in my pregnancy, to vent about the challenges and to revel in the excitement of making a tiny little person.

I am nearing my 15th week and I have to admit that I am extremely disappointed that I am not feeling the relief from nausea and fatigue that I had expected to arrive after my 12th week of pregnancy. I have felt nauseous EVERYDAY for the past 3 months and lately it feels like the nausea is getting worse. Although I have been fortunate to not throw up yet (which I cannot emphasize enough how extremely thankful I am of this), recently I have been gagging much more frequently and at times I feel that if I were to allow myself to, I could easily vomit. I especially struggle with all of the smells from the kitchen -- opening the fridge never ceases to be gagfest 2013. I read that women who have a history of migraines often feel more nausea and I also read that women who feel more nausea in their first trimester are 50% more likely to have a girl! So perhaps either or both of these two things are the cause for continual nausea. Overall, I can sum up my feelings by saying, I am sick of being sick! It really is taking a toll on me and I am starting to feel frustrated and emotional (go figure) about not feeling any progress. From all of my readings, the second trimester is supposed to be a time of renewed energy and health, so hopefully I will see this side of it soon! In the meantime, I am taking refuge in carbs. They are the only thing that help the nausea, besides sweets and lemonade! Bring on my preggo bump with all those extra calories!

Our baby, the size of a lemon now, is starting to make its first appearance on my belly. My bump is small, but beginning to be noticeable. Some days, I love it, other days, I feel like it just makes me look fat! I am looking forward to when it gets bigger and is very obviously a pregnancy bump instead of it just looking like a questionable beer belly. One way that I know that it is the baby though is that I can't suck the bump in! Although this may seem like a "duhhh", this is very strange to me. I will stand sideways and look at the mirror and try to suck my tummy in and it literally looks identical to it being "un-sucked"! How weird! I can't imagine what it will feel like when I have a full-grown baby inside of me!

Despite my sickness frustrations and my belly blues, Don and I are so excited for our new little family member to arrive in less than 26 weeks! We recently bought a new book about the first year of life and have been reading to each other about breast-feeding, introducing the baby to our pets, essential baby buys, and other important/valuable information. Don also makes an effort to regularly talk to the baby, which is endearing and entertaining. I will be the first to admit that Donald has definitely been my life-saver over these trying weeks and has been so kind to cater to my needs and so flexible with my limitations while not feeling well. He has cooked me endless meals and helped with chores that are normally mine and also has been forgiving to the chores that I haven't had the energy to accomplish recently. I do feel guilty about the loads of laundry piling up and the small messes scattered about the house (which at times seriously stress me out), but I am lucky to have someone who is understanding and patient. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to have such a loving and dedicated husband! I am so incredibly lucky to be starting a family with this man. He is going to make the best father -- I have no doubt in that.

Okay, this is all for now. I will do my best to write at least once a week or perhaps more if the mood strikes me!