The Maxi Skirt



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Yesterday, I bought my first "new" outfit for this belly I'm growing. After several mornings of frustration from my shirts and pants feeling too tight, I began feeling fat more then pregnant. I thought that if I just get some clothes that fit, I will feel much better. Well, how true that turned out to be! All this brings me to say, I am so thankful for the Maxi skirt trend this summer. I'm pretty sure they had pregnant women in mind, because these skirts are comfy, stretchy, gives me room to grow, and cute! Maxi skirts are seen on all sorts of celebrities (from pregnant, to super skinny) and you can find them in most stores. I'm sure I will purchase many more and a maxi skirt will probably end up being a staple for me during this pregnancy.

Week 17

This week has been my 17th week...I will be a full 17 on Monday. Peanut is the size of a turnip, and I have been feeling her/him on a daily basis. It kind of feels like popcorn popping in my stomach (don't worry, one piece at a time), or like a butterfly is flying around. It happens so often, I have to wonder if our child is going to be a tiny hyper Eric. On the first day of kindergarten, Eric's teacher told his mom that he needed to be tested for ADD. Awesome. Thanks E.

Weight gain: between 7-10 lbs (it varies depending on the time of day)
Cravings: Every saturday I cook pancakes or french toast
Symptoms: mild fatigue, and I have to keep food in my stomach at all times or I feel sick

Last weekend I was craving a steak. So I texted Eric to let him know what we were having for dinner.

 Luckily our miscommunication didn't last for too long. Right now I am in that awkward stage of, I am too small to wear maternity clothes yet I'm getting to big for my normal clothes. I am having a hard time finding things to wear to work. Hopefully E will take me shopping soon :)

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the best husband in the world! On Wednesday, Eric's mom came into town and took us out to dinner for Eric's birthday. We then went to the Apple store and he got his Ipad that he has been asking for, for months. Thanks to everyone who contributed to his Ipad fund! Thursday was his actual birthday, and we went out to dinner with our good friends Luke and Caroline and came back to our house where Eric blew out his candles and we ate some cake. It was very low key and simple, which is what Eric loves. Thanks for celebrating with us Luke and Caroline! We love your friendship!

Hope you had a wonderful time Eric! I love you so much and I am so thankful that God gave me a husband that is so caring, gracious, and loving! You will make so a great dad!

Belly!

Being my first pregnancy, I especially wanted to document belly growth. I began taking pics at 12 weeks, and when I showed Eric my 12 week pic, he immediately asked, "why are you taking creepy bathroom pics?" I told him it was okay when you are pregnant ;). With that being said, he wanted me to wait until I had a few weeks worth of belly pics before posting...I guess it makes it a little less creepy? Sweet hubby is just looking out :)

12 Weeks

13 Weeks

14 Weeks- Makeshift belly pic in Belize

15 Weeks

16 Weeks



I am a full 16 weeks today, headed into my 17th. We find out the gender on April 30th...I don't know if I can wait that long!!

God's perfect design

Yesterday was such a beautiful day, Eric and I decided to take a run/walk around Shelley Lake. As we were walking, I posed the question to E, "Aren't you so jealous of me? I get to carry human life inside of me, don't you wish you could?" Of course, Eric laughed and said he wasn't jealous...even though I'm sure every man secretly wishes he could ;)

Then I started talking. Talking Eric's ears off about being pregnant and how human life is probably the most incredible yet weirdest thing God ever created.

Although I am only on my 14th week, I am already so amazed at God's design of life. I cannot get over the fact that there is a baby growing inside of me.  It is new amazment for me as I read about the growth of my baby each week. I think about how my baby's heart is forming. The liver forming. The brain, eyes, nose, mouth! But then I ask...Forming out of what?! Nothing! It's not as if I always had an extra heart tucked away in my uterus, just waiting for a child to be conceived. This life, being formed inside of me, constantly reminds me of God's perfect design from the beginning. How He created everything out of nothing, with just His words. What an amazing, creative God we serve! So if you haven't figured it out yet, I love being pregnant. I love thinking about God in the midst of my baby's development...how can something as great as this not bring you back to God?

Let us marvel at His creation but let us worship the Creator!

Pregnancy Secrets

If you are reading this, then we have finally told everyone I AM PREGNANT!!!


I thought it would be fun to write random thoughts through the secret time of my pregnancy, that will be "published" when the cat is out of the bag.
Being my first pregnancy, I don't want to forget anything. My thoughts, my symptoms, our conversations.  We first found out on January24th. I was officialy 4 weeks pregnant. I couldn't believe it. I immediately woke Eric up at 5:30am yelling "Eric! I'm pregnant!"  It is so strange to me that I am keeping such a huge secret. As I hang out with my friends, I cannot stop thinking what huge news we have...and they just think everything is the same.


(6 week thoughts) So far my symtpoms have been soreness, cramps, extreme emotions, fatigue, and slight nausea. I have not once thrown up...yet. I keep waiting for it. Of course everyone is different but I just keep expecting the worst. Call me an optimist ;). 

(6-10 weeks thoughts) I quickly realized how "emotional" I can get. One evening, before little d, I cooked a pizza. Eric wasn't home yet, so I figured I would whip up something quick. I wasn't too hungry so I just ate 1 piece, with the intentions of eating more when I got home. On the ride home from little d, I kept thinking about how I was going to eat a piece of pizza, but when I got home I saw that Eric ate it all. I cried. I cried because Eric ate all the pizza. Then I got mad. Then I lashed out. Poor Eric. I can't even stand pizza now.

Consistent food aversions: pizza, sometimes salad, chipotle

Cravings: anything that doesn't sound nasty

I also have never been so excited to find ice cream in my freezer.


I have taken a nap almost every day.


(10 week thoughts) Saturday mornings I find myself sleeping in, awake for 2-3 hours, then back down for a nap. Honestly I am ready to feel energized again. I have no energy to exercise. I remember thinking (before I was pregnant) how I want to be one of those pregnant girls who run throughout their pregnancy and stay in such good shape. Welp, I am eating those words. And I choose to be okay with it. 


We told all of our families pretty early. After our 8 week appointment, when we saw the sweet tiny baby and heard the tiny heart beat, we just couldn't keep it to ourselves anymore. We told our families when I was almost 9 weeks and swore them to secrecy. 


We also found out my due date is OCTOBER 1st! I learned (after I was pregnant) that calculating your due date is not what I thought. Let's just say I thought I would be due mid-October. I am a bridesmaid in a wedding on September 29th. Not sure how that is going to work yet, but it is something I have been thinking a lot about. 

I have to eat around every 3 hours to keep away the nausea.

Thank you Eric for being so gracious with my aversions, nausea, low energy, and my emotions!

Drumroll please...

So, I know I have been one inconsistent blogger. And I know that I haven't blogged in a few months...but what better time to rekindle this flame then to announce:

I'm Pregnant!!

That's right! I am pregnant with Baby Hovis, due to arrive on October 1st!! And of course, Eric had a big role too. We are so pumped. We have already had two ultrasounds and have been busting at the seams to share this news. I really want to remember all the details about my first pregnancy, so I have been keeping up with an "unpublished" post, that I edited along the way with my pregnancy secrets.

It didn't seem real for the longest time because I, don't hate me, haven't once thrown up. I have had nausea, fatigue, a few food aversions, and of course soreness in the upper region of the bod.

It also looks like (to me) that I have had a few too many dougnuts. My tummy is a little poochy, but no significant bump. I also want to be consistent in taking belly pics, so I can see my progession to week 40! SOOO with that said, I am hoping, hoping, hoping, that I can be consistent in blogging because I want to remember everything!

Confession: before I was preggers, I was totally prideful, thinking "I'm going to be one of those pregnant women who run and stay in shape and look awesome." It was a nice thought. I can throw that out the window, because I have learned that every person is different. My fatigue has been pretty intense, that I have had no energy to exercise. I have learned to be okay with that and hope that my hormone levels even out during 2nd trimester so that I can be a little more active.

Well folks, that's it for now! Stay tuned for Pregnancy Secrets and belly pics (or lack there of) on Monday!