17 week update

My feelings about this week's photo shoot can best be summed up by this photo:

Um yeah.  I'm not really into it today.  I've been feeling super blimpy and sweaty and all-around gross for the past couple of days and that makes me cranky.

So Sprout is the size of an onion and weighs about 6 ounces.  His/her little bones are forming and he/she reacts to loud noises, though I still haven't felt any movement just yet.

We just started thinking this week about how to decorate Bean Sprout's room.  It makes me feel productive since we are at a stalemate on names.  Scott feels indifferent about my favorite name for a boy and I think his favorite name for a boy will too easily become a nickname I think is gross.  So, the search continues.  At least we like our girl name.  I bought the first round of swatches for a quilt for Sprout this week too and I'll post some photos as soon as I start sewing.  I want the design to be the same as the one I made for Gino, just a different theme.  I think it's going to be really cute.

So, here's me sucking it up for the camera and pretending I love being pregnant even though it's a giant pain in the ass this week:

How far along?  17 weeks
Total weight gain?  I still don't have a scale, but if it was 4 pounds two weeks ago, I guess I am on track for the 5-10 I'm supposed to have gained by now.
Maternity clothes? I love my new Gap yoga pants, they are super comfy.  I'm mostly in old dresses though
Stretch marks?  Nope, but I'm on the lookout and constantly lotioning.
Sleep?  Pretty good!
Best moment of the week?  Having my cleaning lady come!  Haha, sometimes it's the little things, people.
Miss anything?  Grrr, let's not enumerate this week.  I just really hope Bean Sprout is like the most awesome kid ever so this feels worth it, you know?
Movement?  No, but I'm telling myself not to be worried about that.
Food craving?  Nothing specific.
Anything make you sick or queasy?  I think I'm finally over the toothpaste hurdle
Gender?  I've heard 3 people guess girl, the rest have said boy
Labor signs? No
Symptoms?  I'm a crankypants for sure.  The sun really wears me out quickly too and headaches are still a problem.
Belly button in or out? Still in for now.
Wedding rings on or off?  On
Happy or moody most of the time?  I suppose we'll say moody for this week.
Looking forward to?  Getting started on Sprout's quilt

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!  Remember to thank the soldiers/veterans in your life and their families for all the sacrifices they make for the rest of us every day.

16 week update

I know I promised you a glamazon picture this week, but we have a lot of work to do out in the garden so it seemed like kind of a waste to get all dolled up for yard work.  So you'll get another frumpy dump picture and you'll like it!

A lot of news this week!  I went to the doctor's on Monday and everything looks good.  Sprout's heartbeat is strong, he's as big as he should be and all is well.  I have to go get a blood test this week to see if he has Down's Syndrome, spina bifida, or a couple of other scary disorders, so I'm kind of nervous for that, but whatever.

So, this week our little Bean Sprout is about the size of an avocado, and is growing hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and forming taste buds.  He can hear our voices, which is pretty cool, and I am now on the lookout for movement.  I had something I thought was a weird muscle twitch yesterday, but so far nothing that I'm sure is Bean Sprout dancing to my beautiful singing voice.  As for me, that "pregnancy glow" everyone tells you about is supposed to be here, so maybe I don't need to glam it up at all for next week's photo after all!  Can you see it?  You can totally see it right?

How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain?  4 pounds, said the doctor on Monday.  That seems....like too little, considering my appearance.

Maternity clothes?  I finally ordered some pants off the interwebs this week and am desperately waiting for them to arrive because even my sweatpants are uncomfortable at this point.  I need it to be hot enough to wear dresses all the time!

Stretch marks?  Nope!

Sleep?  Good.  Really good actually.  Thank goodness.

Best moment of the week?  Going to the doctor's and finding out everything was all good.

Miss anything?  Nope, not even a summer cocktail.

Movement?  I'm hoping this week!

Food craving?  Sausages of any kind.  Scott is making me a sausage mcmuffin for breakfast as I type!

Anything make you sick or queasy?  Toothpaste.  And milk.  So gross.

Gender?  What do you think?

Labor signs?  No.  It just dawned on me that eventually the answer is going to be yes and that is terrifying.

Symptoms?  Headaches, my hunger comes on like a tidal wave, brushing my teeth is a bloody mess, and being out in the sun for too long makes me feel nauseous.  

Belly button in or out?  It's staying in for now, but it won't be long.

Wedding rings on or off?  On

Happy or moody most of the time?  About 70% happy, 30% murderously moody.

Looking forward to?  Getting the scary blood test out of the way, and going to the dentist.

Loot!...and a rant

In all the excitement of Cinco de Manos, I forgot to mention that Sprout got some super cute gifts from fam while we were in Arizona!  Let's take a look:

This blankie came from Cousins Danny, Mary, Makenna and Adelyn.  It is super soft and snuggly and I love the little duckie!

And this cute little hoodie came from Cousins Kristi and Jordan.  It looks so tiny to me I can't believe it will fit anything other than a doll.  I guess I'll learn soon enough.

The background of these photos is the slipcovers for our couch I made few months ago, in case you were wondering (which you weren't, but you needed to know).

I'm so thankful to our generous families and the way they are already embracing the Bean Sprout, but all this gifting made me realize something.  It's almost time to start figuring out what exactly a baby needs.  I mean a crib, clothes, diapers...that's pretty much it right?  Not according to the hundreds of websites I've looked at.  Oh my god, monitors, bouncers, strollers, bassinets (why does Sprout need two beds?  I only have one), toys, car seats, carriers, and don't even get me started on all the accessories my own breasts apparently need.  Oh, and scour all news sources every day to make sure there's no recalls on anything!  This is crazy.

One more thing that's seriously been on my nerves.  Everyone has an opinion on pregnant ladies, and they ain't exactly shy about sharing.  Eat lots of this for a smart baby, don't drink this or your baby will have ADHD, take this kind of vitamin or your baby will have spina bifida, you're really showing a lot more than my daughter, are you sure you're pregnant because you're not showing at all, exercise more, don't exercise it's too jarring, don't eat honey or your baby will have allergies, play music for your stomach, don't read to your stomach it's a waste of time.  Ugh.  I'm not one to listen to anyone telling me what to do in the first place, but this is unreal.  I mean, I was getting a massage the day before the wedding and the entire time the lady was giving me all kinds of unsolicited advice.  Um, I'm here to relax and unless you want to whip out your MD, please STFU.  Sometimes I just feel like less of a person, like I have no autonomy at all because the little Bean Sprout who no one's even met yet is waaaaay more important to people than I am.  I'm just a baby factory, pay no attention to the lady attached to the uterus!  And for the love of God, do not reach out to touch me you creepy stranger, or I'm grabbing your spare tire to see how you like it.

Sorry ya'll.  I had to get that off my chest.

15 week update

Happy Mother's Day to all the hot mamas out there!

I can't believe we're back home after an amazing two weeks in Arizona and Miami!  It was so nice to just relax by the beach after the excitement of wedding weekend and celebrate Carter's graduation.  It would have been nice to stay on our island another week but we really missed our dogs.  We're totally "those people."

Let's talk baby...Bean Sprout is now the size of a navel orange, and weighs about 2.5 ounces, which is pretty big, as you can start to see.  He/she has functional joints and is apparently moving around like crazy, but I still can't feel a thing.  His/her tiny little heart is pumping between 20 and 25 quarts of blood a day and he/she probably already has a hairline!  Dear God, please be merciful if Sprout is a girl...I don't want to have to wax her before sending her to kindergarten.  (I'm not being fanatical, I know of what I speak).

I'm really looking forward to my doctor's appointment tomorrow!  I have Questions.  Should I be able to feel any movement yet?  Why has brushing my teeth become the worst part of my day, because of both nausea and bloody pain?  Most importantly, does little Bean Sprout look like a normal healthy baby?  I'll feel better after I go!

Also, sorry for the ragamuffin-y appearance of my picture!  I'm so tired from traveling.  I'll glam it up next week for ya. :)

How far along?  15 weeks

Total weight gain:  According to the scale in our bathroom in Miami, I lost 4 pounds since my last appointment.

Maternity clothes?  Nope.  All dresses, all the time.  But the pants I'm wearing in this picture are not comfortable anymore...I need preggo yoga pants!

Stretch marks?   No.  My cocoa butter routine starts again tonight.

Sleep?  Let me tell you about our first day in Miami:  I woke up, ate breakfast, blogged, took a nap, woke up, ate lunch, took a nap, woke up, watched a movie, ate dinner and went to bed.  It was GLORIOUS.

Best moment of the week?  Relaxing on the beach with my Mr.

Miss anything?  Not that I can think of.  Maybe really good Italian cold cuts.

Movement?  The book says there's lots going on in there!  I still don't feel it.

Food craving?   I could eat blueberry pancakes every day.  Or pasta and vodka sauce.

Anything make you sick or queasy?  Toothpaste!  One of the only things I can't avoid.

Gender?  I want to hear your guesses!

Labor signs?  No

Symptoms?   Instead of gradually getting hungry, I will be fine and then all of a sudden, ravenous.  This will give me a headache.  Then, if I eat too much, I get a headache.  I did manage to tan myself the same color as the dark line on my stomach this week, so that's gone for the moment!

Belly button in or out?  Scott loves to tell me how shallow it's getting.

Wedding rings on or off?  On.  Getting my wedding band sized this week.

Happy or moody most of the time?  Happy!

Looking forward to?  My doctor's appointment, hanging out with my dogs this week, starting to think about how to decorate Bean Sprout's room.

Cinco de Manos

Okay, I know I'm biased but seriously, I thought that was the best wedding ever.  I had so much fun and I literally would not have changed a thing.  I loved it so much, I want to do it again every year!  Cinco de Manos 4-eva!

Not only did I have a great time, but I felt so surrounded by love from everyone.  My family has been a great support for me my whole life and I wouldn't be who I am without their love and guidance.  The Manos clan has been so welcoming to me and I felt like I belonged to them since my first trip to Phoenix a year and a half ago.  The fact that our two sides got along so well together means the world to me.  Seeing how many friends traveled so many miles to be with us that day was so humbling to me.  And Scott...who could love or understand him more than I do?  Who would love or understand me the way he does?  Obstacles aside, I think it's obvious we're a match.  I am so looking forward to our life together, to seeing what kind of Sprout God gives us, to having many more adventures with our lovely families!  I am so overjoyed.

 Enough schmaltz.  Here are just a couple of photos of the day:

Here are the girls and me about to leave the salon.  I love how everyone's own personal style was able to shine through.  I hate clone bridesmaids!  It's a good-looking group, no?  Also, I love my Lady Hef robe.

Well, now look at this handsome group!  Scott did a great job picking out their outfits.  Not only did they look amazing, but they complimented the bridesmaids' look so well.  It's nice to have a husband with a sense of style!  Best part of this photo:  Griffin had to tie everyone else's bow ties, haha!

Dad and me, making our entrance.  I didn't know how I would react to this part of the day.  I'm glad it was smiles and not tears!  I'm an ugly crier.  Dad was so proud and calm and I'm so happy we had a nice long walk.  It was a great moment.

Mr. and Mrs.

I am so glad my friend Colleen took this picture!  I was totally obsessed with my flowers.  I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wedding.

Please tag me in all your Facebook photos so I can see them!  Enough blogging, I'm going to nap by the water.

14 week update

What a week, ya'll!  We were both so busy, I hardly had time to think about Bean Sprout at all.  Apparently, that wasn't cool because he/she made his/her presence known at the rehearsal dinner and I was just miserable for an hour.  Sorry buddy.  I'll take it easier this week.

Can we pause for a moment and discuss how crazy/awesome a Brizzolara-Manos baby is going to be?  Seriously, after having attended a wedding with you all, I'm worried about keeping Sprout in check.  You'll all be around to help...right?

Anyway, as soon as we got to our hotel at about 2:00 Sunday morning, I had Scott take my 14 week photo with my dress still on.  I worried for two months that I wouldn't fit in it at all but I was really happy with the way it turned out.  The bump wasn't too noticeable but in years to come I think Sprout will always know he/she was there that night, and I think that's kind of sweet.

I did get sick for the first time Sunday morning.  My puke-free streak is over!  But I think that might just be extreme fatigue and dehydration.  Either way, I need to slow down and relax, finally.

How far along?  14 weeks
Total weight gain:  I'll know more in a week after my next doctor's appointment
Maternity clothes?  I'd like to give a shout out to the heat in Phoenix because I've been wearing dresses all week and feeling less frumpy dumpy than when I'm at home.
Stretch marks?   No, but I've been neglecting my twice daily routine with cocoa butter!  I need to get back on that.
Sleep?  I haven't slept for more than 3 hours all week.  I highly doubt that's been Sprout's fault.
Best moment of the week?  Marrying my best friend, finally telling everyone about Bean Sprout, having the best wedding I've ever been to be my own!
Miss anything?  What's to miss?  My life is amazing.  Okay, maybe Josie and Belle.
Movement?  I don't think so but it would have been easy to miss this week.
Food craving?  Rolberto's and Rosita's.  Man, do I love Mexican food.
Anything make you sick or queasy?  Toothpaste.
Gender?  Aunt Chrissy said I look like I'm carrying high which usually means girl!  So now I'm about 80% thinking boy.
Labor signs?  No
Symptoms?  I'm tired but I can't sleep.  I get splitting headaches almost every day and I'm hungry all the time.  Also, I'm beginning to see the dark line from my belly button down.
Belly button in or out? In, but getting shallower every day.
Wedding rings on or off?   I have a wedding ring!  But it's too small.  Engagement ring fits perfectly.
Happy or moody most of the time?  Happy, except when I'm not feeling well.
Looking forward to:  DOWN TIME.

13 week update

It's the end of the first trimester!  It's wedding week!  It's almost time to leave for AZ!  So many things going on this week, so forgive me for not decorating the blackboard better.

What's up bump?  I definitely began to notice it this week, as you can see in my picture.  Well, I'm going to pretend it looks like a bump anyway and not just like I had a huge breakfast (which I did, actually).

So what's up with the Sprout this week?  He/she is the size of a peach, and has vocal cords, teeth and fingerprints already! But he/she is making me TIRED.  I admittedly have had a lot to do this past week, but the past three nights, I fell asleep on the couch at 7:30 pm.  I also have been having headaches, which worries me because I have migraines to begin with and pregnancy can make them worse/more frequent.  I'm going to hope that it's just a side effect of having almost no down time this week.

I feel like we are getting pretty close on names for either a boy or a girl.  Of course, we won't know which one we need until November, but I'm interested to hear all your guesses on what Sprout is.

How far along?  13 weeks (3 months today!)
Total weight gain:  More this week I think, since I have a noticeable bump and had to get new bras again.
Maternity clothes?  The shirt in this pic is a maternity top but that's it so far.
Stretch marks?  No
Sleep?  Not good.  It has become impossible to sleep on my stomach which is what I prefer so now it's just frustrated shifting all night long.
Best moment of the week?  I think writing this blog has been the first time all week I've sat down and didn't feel like my head was exploding out through my eye socket.  So that's nice.
Miss anything?  Nope!
Movement?  Not that I'm aware of
Food Craving?  Blueberry pancakes this morning
Anything make you sick or queasy?  When my head hurts, everything does.
Gender?  Still thinking boy.
Labor signs?  No
Symptoms?  More tired than ever, hungrier than ever, and I'm concerned that my boobs will continue to grow at this rate for the next 6 months.
Belly button?  In for now
Wedding rings on or off?  engagement ring is always on, I'm hoping the wedding ring still fits on Saturday.
Happy or moody most of the time?  Happy
Looking forward to:  Getting married this week!  Seeing all my family and friends in one place!