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Yes, so it is catch-up time with the blog.  There are so many times where I think about something and that it would be a good blog post, but then I always forget later what it was I had thought about.  I really should start writing those things down.  That being said, this might be a random post.

Let's see...I haven't taken a belly picture for a bit, but I think I'll take one for sure this coming Thursday because I will be 20 weeks.  Did you hear that?  20 weeks!! I am almost half way there!  How did that happen?  It's such a surprising thing to say to people when they ask how far along I am.  And I'm sure it will continue to be surprising throughout the rest of my pregnancy.

We have been having such great weather this past week that it got us motivated to get started on painting the nursery.  We invited family (Brita, Lane & family, Kyle & Brianna and mom) over to help and have a BBQ.  We got primer and one coat of paint done.  It is amazing how much paint can change a room.  I love poking my head in the room and seeing it with this new paint color because it is becoming more real that it is our baby girl's room.  It is going to be fun to continue putting this nursery together little by little and I can't wait to see the finished product.  Here is a picture to give you an idea.  It will look better with the second coat and without all the tape on the walls.

It's probably too early, but I think the "nesting" they talk about in pregnancy is starting to kick in because I want to paint the whole house now!  We actually did buy paint for our upstairs bathroom, so we are planning on painting that sometime soon.  We are trying to decide what color we want to paint our entry way, kitchen and the wall up the stairs.  Right now, it's all the same color and all the rooms are connected in a way that it would be hard to break it up to do different colors.  I might ask for opinions soon, so stay tuned!

After we painted and ate our food, we (with Kyle, Brianna and mom) went to the first REAL (pronounced separately: re-al) soccer game of the season.  My Uncle Chris got the tickets for us and we had great seats up close behind one of the goals.  It was great weather too and it was just fun to get out and do something.

This is from two weeks ago, but I was able to hang out with one of my very good friends, Elissa!  She had just returned from her mission in Canada and was traveling to see friends and family.  We didn't go out and do anything too exciting because it was just so nice to sit and talk with one another.  I love good friendships like that--ones to where it can be a long amount of time not seeing or even talking to each other, but once you do, things pick up right where they left off.  I sure hope her transition to real life from mission life goes well for her.

Oh, I almost forgot!  Scott & I went shopping at ROSS not too long ago and Scott saw a new cat scratching post to get for Maddie.  She started to tear apart her other one, so it was time for a new one for her.  I hope she loves all the attention she's getting now because she probably won't get as much once the baby comes. :)

I thought that was going to be the last thing, but Scott reminded me of something else!  Scott has been so great dealing with meals around here.  They are not consistent at all.  During my 1st trimester, I was so sick that cooking was out of the question for a month or two.  It's been a little hard to get back into making consistent meals during the week now that I've been feeling better.  One night, Scott stepped up to the plate and made a great meal for us.  I was very impressed and I love him for how much he does for me and I have no doubt he will be a great help when the baby comes.

As I said earlier, there are many things that I think about turning into blog posts and I always forget to write one. As I've been writing this blog post, some of those things have started to come back.  I'm going to write those down now before I forget so I can write a blog post tomorrow!

A Little Princess

Man, you would think I would be better at posting more frequently, but I am just lazy in all honesty.  Anyways, so my last post was about how excited I was to find out the gender of the baby.  So, obviously Tuesday came and went and we are so excited to have a BABY GIRL!!!

We had this feeling that it would be a girl ever since I got pregnant and then those "myths" are just for fun, but only one of them pointed to a boy.  We weren't too shocked when the ultrasound tech told us, but we were a little disappointed coming out of the appointment.  When I made the appointment, they told me that I needed to make sure I drank something sugary so that the baby would be active and that I needed to have a full bladder.  I really wanted to make sure that I did everything I was supposed to so that we could find out the gender that day.  I woke up at 8:00am and even though I had to go to the bathroom, I didn't because I didn't think I would be able to drink enough to have a full bladder by 10:00am.  Apparently my bladder was too full because they couldn't get a really good full body shot of the baby.  Our ultrasound picture is of the baby's legs and bottom.  Worst picture ever.  I'm not going to post it on here, but if you want to see it, I'll show it to you.  I'm glad my baby has a butt, but I want to see it's face and see a hand waving at me again!

Once we started calling people, we got more excited about the news.  I still hadn't told a lot of people at school, but I wanted to do something cute to announce it.  I saw the idea on pinterest and it worked great!

It was funny because at the beginning of class, I gave a bowl full of these to one student and had them take one and pass it around.  Some of them were completely confused as to why the "she" was colored in pink, some had a suspicion on what it was and then others were just excited that I was giving them chocolate (one even asked if it was because they were good for the substitute the day before. haha!).  It is definitely a relief that people know now.  For one, it was getting hard to hide my belly with my shirts and two, there were quite a few students who had a feeling I was pregnant, but didn't want to ask so it was time to let them know.

We have a few girl names in mind, but I think I'll wait to announce those on the blog.  We might do a little survey to see which name is liked best or we'll just surprise announce the official name.  Who knows, we might be debating names up until she is born. 

It is so funny/cute to hear how excited both of our moms are about us having a girl.  My mom wanted a girl because my brother's last 3 kids are boys, so "it's time for a girl" and my mother-in-law likes girls because they are just "way more fun for grandma".  I totally agree.  I told Scott I wanted a girl because boys are boring and his mom totally agreed with me.  I love it when that happens. :)

The only ideas for a nursery so far are lavender purple (we're going to paint the walls), gray and elephant theme.  I am excited to get that going and I'll of course keep you updated as it gets put together.  Let me know if you find anything cute along those lines!

Well, that's all I can think of for now.  I should probably do a post non-baby related because there is other stuff going on in our lives (not much, but a little) that I should record (like how I didn't have a phone for the past two weeks and Maddie's new present we bought her).

Oh, this little princess of ours is going to be so spoiled!  Can't wait.

16 Weeks

Every Thursday becomes a new week in my pregnancy.  I am now 16 weeks and reading all over the internet to see what should be "normal" with my pregnancy.  And I learned that there really isn't "normal" when it comes to pregnancy because everyone and their body is different.  I keep wondering if my belly is too big or too small for 16 weeks and I don't like how I have this distinct line that is still there from the belly I had before I got pregnant.  I know that the baby is still growing and that a growth spurt is coming.  I guess that it's a little hard to be patient right now especially when I read ahead to see what is to come.  I am excited to find out the gender, I am excited to feel the baby move, I am excited to have a baby bump that actually looks like a baby bump and not just fat, I am excited to finally let people know at school (I wanted to wait until I found out the gender to tell), I guess I'm just excited in general.  :)

Here is the questionnaire for this week!

How far along?: 16 weeks
Total weight gain/loss?: Not too sure.  I haven't really been paying attention to weight, but I've maybe gained a few pounds?
Maternity clothes?: For some reason, I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I went maternity clothes shopping yesterday.  I feel most comfortable in the baby-doll style and it's really the only store with a variety in that style.
Stretch marks?: Nope.
Sleep?: Still have to get up at least once to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.  Will that ever end?
Missing anything?: The sun!  It needs to warm up here soon...I'm tired of the snow.
Movement?: No, still to early for that. 
Food cravings?: Still love cereal!!  I could seriously eat it all day if it wasn't for that whole "eat a healthy, balanced diet" thing.
Anything making you queasy or sick?: Things are getting much, much better!  I haven't gagged at anything in a little bit.  Woo-hoo!
Have you started to show yet?: Again, I think yes, but who knows what other people think.
Gender: Tuesday can't come fast enough!!!
Labor signs: No way! 
Belly button in or out: Still an innie.
Wedding ring on or off: On 
Happy or moody most of the time: A little moody at work, but I'm pretty happy. :) 
Looking forward to: TUESDAY!!!

No picture this week, just wanted to do a little update.

Valentine's Weekend

Scott & I celebrated Valentine's Day over a 3-day period.  We did a little bit of celebrating Thursday-Saturday.  On actual Valentine's Day, I worked at school and my students made sugar cookies all day.  I took some leftover cookie dough and made and decorated some cookies to take home to Scott.  We had decided that we didn't want to go out to dinner on actual Valentine's Day because restaurants would be crowded and we didn't want to deal with that, so we set up going to dinner on Saturday.  I didn't want to not do anything on the actual day though, so I made dinner for us.

I made Scott's favorite meal of roast, vegetables & homemade rolls.  I did it in the crock pot and it turned out delicious!  I had never made us roast before because I was always worried that we would have too many leftovers and wouldn't be able to eat them all quick enough.  Since it was a special occasion, it seemed like a good time to try it out.  The only thing that didn't really turn out was the rolls.  I tried making one hour rolls, but I guess the dough didn't rise quick enough, so they tasted very dense. Oh well.

We had dinner and then watched some of our TV shows to finish off the night.  It was a relaxing & delicious evening.

The one request I had from Scott is that I wanted chocolate covered strawberries.  He totally made these himself.  Look how pretty!  These also tasted amazingly good.

The successful roast in the crock pot!  It was so easy and there weren't that many leftovers that I'll probably make this again.

The table setting.

My Valentine--happy and enjoying his meal.

Friday, I was able to have my pamper day thanks to my lovely husband.  I got a manicure and pedicure along with getting my hair done.  It was so nice and we ended the day watching the movie Pitch Perfect.  I had heard so much about it from people on facebook and I'm glad that it lived up to the hype.

Saturday, Scott & I went to dinner at the Tuscany restaurant in Holladay.  We decided that it was the cheaper version of LaCaille.  We had to valet park, even though we didn't want to, but it was still fun to dress up a little and try something new.

I had a hard time getting him to smile normally.

This sculpture lit up and played music.

This is the best smile I could get.

A successful celebration of Valentine's Day for sure.

Trying Something New

For my Valentine's present, Scott wanted me to have a pamper day.  He wanted me to get a nice haircut and get a manicure and pedicure.  The last time I cut my hair, I went to a Great Clips just down the street, but all I really wanted was a trim anyway, so I was fine it only cost $9.  Scott said that when I get my hair done this time, it needs to cost over $50.  He also mentioned that maybe I should do something different with the color of my hair this time.  I wasn't too sure about the idea because I have never colored my hair before, so I wouldn't know if any changes I'd make would look good.  We looked up some ideas online together and decided that just doing some highlights would be good instead of coloring all my hair.

So, Friday I went into the salon (Kellie & Company in West Jordan) a little nervous and not exactly sure what I was wanting.  I showed my hairstylist a picture and she brought out a color book and we picked the colors that would look the best.  I told her that the only thing I knew I was sure about was that I didn't want skunk stripes; I wanted it to look as natural as can be.  She was so great in making me feel comfortable about what was going on and how great things were looking.  After she rinsed my hair out and started styling it, I knew that I really loved the way my hair looked.

I definitely get nervous in trying new things (especially hair), but this turned out great!  I am really happy the way things turned out and I hope to keep up the color for a little bit as well because it is so fun.

I figured I should take a picture of my hair before it gets changed!

After!

Boy or Girl?

I had my second doctor's appointment on Monday, the 11th.  I really wasn't sure what to expect at this one.  Our first appointment was to see when my baby was due, but this time I didn't really know what questions to be asking or what the doctor would talk to me about.  The appointment took about 10 minutes total.  It was a quick in and out visit.  For one, my doctor was out delivering a baby, so I just talked to a nurse.  We heard the heart beat again and that was it!  She mentioned that I should set up for another appointment in a month and then I asked about getting to see the gender.  She said that after 2 weeks, I can make a separate appointment to find out the gender of the baby.  So, hopefully, on February 26th we get to find out if we are having a baby girl Fletcher or a baby boy Fletcher!!

We are so excited to be able to find out so soon!  I didn't think it would be until March that we would be able to find out, but they said that starting at 16 weeks, you can find out the gender.  Anyways, Scott & I knew that there were these "myths" or ways to guess your baby's gender before you officially find out.  So, we looked up some online for fun and here is what we found out.

Guess #1: Position of the bump--This is one that I'm not sure about yet because I don't think my tummy is large enough to notice if I'm carrying high (girl) or low (boy).  We'll find out if it's true later! Verdict: Undetermined

Guess #2: Craving sweet or sour: They say that if you are craving sweets often, then you are having a girl and if you crave salty & sour foods, then you are having a boy. Verdict: Girl

Guess #3: Skin changes: If you have glowing skin, then you are having a boy and if acne is popping up everywhere, then you are having a girl because she is stealing your beauty (haha).  Verdict: Girl

Guess #4: Heartbeats per minute: If the heartbeat is below 140, then it's a boy and if it's above 140 beats per minute, then it's a girl. Verdict: Girl (156 at the latest appointment)

Guess #5: Morning sickness: If your first trimester was unbearable (throwing up constantly), then you can blame your little girl.  If morning sickness wasn't that bad, then you can thank your little boy.  Verdict: Girl (Um yeah, no question about this one. I had to get some medication to help with the constant nausea and throwing up)

Guess #6: Different sizes: It is said that if your right breast is bigger than your left, then your baby's a boy.  If your left breast is larger than your right, then your baby's a girl.  Verdict: Girl

Guess #7: Motion of your wedding ring: What you do is tie your wedding ring to a string and hang it in front of your belly.  If your ring swings in a circular motion, you are having a boy.  If it swings back and forth, you are having a girl.  Verdict: Boy

Guess #8: Ancient Chinese birth chart: There is this chart that you can look at that bases your baby's gender prediction on the mom's age and the month of conception.  Verdict: Girl (If I was 25 or 27, then I would be having a boy. I'm 26.)
Source: http://www.parentusacity.com/babies-a-baby-care/228-ten-fun-ways-to-guess-your-babys-gender-.html

What do you think? Baby Boy or Baby Girl??

14 Week Update!

When I was first pregnant, I was exhausted beyond belief.  I slept the entire Christmas break; that's all I can remember doing.  Once school started back up, it was hard to go all day teaching kids and I would be so exhausted when I got home that I would take 2-3 hour naps.  Now that I'm officially in my 2nd trimester (Yay!), I have noticed that I do have a little bit more energy than I did at Christmas.  I still take a nap everyday, but it's shorter and I don't get as exhausted teaching.  

This last week though has been a very tiring week with work.  We had two visits from the head state people over our CTE/FACS department where I had to stay 2 hours after work for.  To make sure those went well, I had to get these evaluations completed and our rooms/kitchen/sewing room cleaned up and so I stayed after my contract hours every day working on getting everything together.  The evaluations went great, btw.  On top of that, it seemed like all these other little papers for the principal were due at the same time.  There was also one day (still last week) where I had to stay for a meeting with a committee that I'm on and we were all there until 4:30!!!  Luckily, they're giving me free Zupa's for lunch, so that helps make up for it, but that better not happen again.  

Now, it probably sounds like I'm a little whiner, but sheesh, please don't give the pregnant lady another week at work like this again.  It is nice that I am part-time, so that next week at parent/teacher conferences, I only have to stay late at work 1 day instead of 2.

Anyways, glad that's out of the way. ;)  I am at 14 weeks now and my next doctor's appointment is on Monday!  I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen at this one, but it will be nice to find out how everything is going with baby.  So, while perusing Pinterest, I found a link to a blog where this girl posts weekly pictures with a little questionnaire about what is going on.  I feel like there is not much to say about anything yet, so with these questions, hopefully it will give you more insight into what is happening.

How far along?: 14 weeks
Total weight gain/loss?: I lost about 10 lbs (give or take a few) when I was super sick during Christmas, but I've gained some of that weight back, about 3 lbs. 
Maternity clothes?: I need to go bra shopping! 
Stretch marks?: Nope and hopefully I won't get any! Hey, a girl can dream right? :) 
Sleep?: I've been sleeping fine the past few nights b/c of work, but usually I have to get up at least once to go to the bathroom. 
Best moment this week?: That tomorrow is Friday!! 
Missing anything?: My motivation to clean.  Sorry husband...and house. 
Movement?: No, still to early for that. 
Food cravings?: There's nothing that I really crave daily, but I do love to eat cereal (not the sweet, sugary kind though). 
Anything making you queasy or sick?: There is something in my refrigerator that just stinks!  Although, my husband doesn't believe me since he can't smell anything in there. 
Have you started to show yet?: I think so, but my perspective could be way off. 
Gender: Not yet, but in about a month! 
Labor signs: No way! 
Belly button in or out: In for now. 
Wedding ring on or off: On 
Happy or moody most of the time: A little moody at work, but I'm pretty happy. :) 
Looking forward to: My next doctor's appointment