21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks & 2 days! 

How big is baby estimated to be? CJ is the size of a pomegranate now! Or the length of a carrot. He's around 8ish inches and should weigh close to a pound now! I love watching him grow!

Total weight gain: Approximately 8.5 pounds; up to 132.5lbs. Eeeek! I can't believe I've almost gained 10lbs. That's just nuts to me!! But I know it's all worth it to keep my little man growing big and strong!

Wearing maternity clothes? I wore my new maternity jeans for the first time this week!! My regular jeans still fit but aren't the most comfortable. I can still button/zip them but they don't feel good on, ha. And my tummy isn't big enough to do the hair tie trick trick yet. I feel like I'm in this weird in-between. I don't really need to wear maternity jeans yet but I don't like wearing my regular jeans... So, maternity jeans it is! They feel much more comfortable over my hips! I wanted to be comfy and look my best for homecoming, haha. I'm still loving my maternity leggings, too! And still no maternity shirts yet. I'm working maternity items into my wardrobe slowly.

Symptoms this week: I've been feeling pretty good this week... Some leg cramps and a lot of stiffness from spending 12+ hours driving this week. Also, my scalp has been super itchy! That took me off guard, haha. And no, I don't have bugs (my mom checked) and I didn't switch any hair products. I'm chalking it up to hormones. Still getting indigestion/heartburn and now some other weird stomach pains. It isn't really painful just very uncomfortable. Nothing makes it feel better, either. Not Tums or laying on my side or drinking water; nothing. Other than thaaat, I feel good! I can't think of anything else that has really been bothering me. 

Food cravings: My love for green beans has finally seemed to diminish a little... no really strong cravings this week! Although I was VERY happy to enjoy some of my favorite foods from Pennsylvania this week! I ate at the Pub at Wegmans (yay for zucchini fries and a veggie burger!) and drank (decaf) Wawa coffee everyday. I missed that area and Wegmans & Wawa in particular very much! I am also back to eating plain Cheerios like they're candy! And grapes have become my favorite fruit. I haven't had much in the way of strong cravings this week, though.

Food aversions: Nada!

Any movement from baby? Yes yes yes!! I felt Camden kick for the first time this week!!! Or at least for the first time that I was entirely certain it was a kick. I was laying in bed, trying to fall asleep (at 2am, yuck) and it felt like a ping pong ball was thrown across my stomach! That's the best way I could explain it. The feeling was strange but AWESOME! I knew it was a kick as soon as it happened! I was soooo excited that I texted Jacob right away to tell him!! He was just starting his workday but he was able to sneak a quick excited response. I'm so excited to finally be feeling him kick!!! Ever since that first kick, I've felt him kick quite a few more times! It is SO COOL! I can't wait for those kicks to get even stronger and be felt from the outside!! From what I've read, that should happen around 24 weeks. Until then, CJ needs to keep growing big and strong so his movements can be stronger and therefore felt by others. I love feeling him move all around! He's been such a wiggle bug lately! It makes me so happy! As a matter of fact, he's moving like crazy right now as I type this! :D

Gender: Boy! 

Emotions and experiences this week: Way too many emotions this week! That seems to be the norm lately, ugh. Going to homecoming made me miss my hubby a lot. A lot. We had our very first date at homecoming four years ago! That's crazy to me. And ever since then homecoming has been a special event for us. We'd go to the basketball game together each year, sit in the same spot and reminisce about our first date. Needless to say, it was very bittersweet to experience all of the homecoming festivities without Jacob. It great to go with a friend and be there to experience it all, though! I still had fun. It was just bittersweet. It's also been a full month since Jacob left, which is bittersweet as well. I'm glad that we have one month down but it felt so long! I'm wondering how I'm going to make it through 5+ more months without him... Gahhh! I feel so ripped off, ha. Jake should be here for all of this pregnancy stuff. I wish he could be here. It makes me sad. On a happier note, it seems like Camden is growing sooo much lately! I love seeing my tummy grow. I think he had a big growth spurt this past week! It's exciting! 

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving! I'm excited for the holiday season to begin. I love the holidays. They'll be very different this year but I think they'll help the time go by faster... They'll distract me. Also, I'm going away with my mom for a scrapbooking weekend in New Hampshire so I'm looking forward to that! I feel like this first month of Jake being gone went by very slowly so I'm hoping that time goes a little faster now that the holidays are coming around. 

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 weeks & 1 day! 

How big is baby estimated to be? The size of a large banana! Getting pretty long. And he should be around 10-11oz now!

Total weight gain: I have gained approximately 6 pounds. This morning the scale said 130 on the nose... but I'm probably closer to 131 or so by now. I've been working out a lot more recently so I think that's why I'm frozen here at 130lbs. I need to remember to eat back all the calories I burn!! That is such a foreign concept to me. I'm used to working out to burn calories and then being careful not to eat them back! That's one of the top reasons I started working out at night- so I could finish, have my recovery drink and go to bed so I didn't eat anything. Totally different now! I'm going to get a good BCAA supplement this week so I think that will help. My OB isn't concerned about my weight so neither am I. 

Wearing maternity clothes? Just my lovely maternity leggings! I might break in my new pair of maternity jeans this week, though! I got them at the outlets this weekend and they fit me perfectly! I was amazed. Like I've said before, the whole needing a small waist/hips size but long inseam is tough to find. I bought a couple pairs from Old Navy but they do this weird bunching thing in the crotch area. I don't know if it's just because my stomach is still pretty small but they just aren't the best fit ever. So when I tried on a pair of small long jeans from Motherhood and they fit like a charm, I had to get them! I definitely don't need maternity shirts yet. My tummy is still small enough to fit in all my regular shirts and I like that they show off my bump a bit :] 

Symptoms this week: I had the worst indigestion of my life this week. It wasn't awful, just very uncomfortable. But I think I figured out what triggered it- I was out running errands with my mom so I didn't eat for a few hours (I'm typically a grazer- I eat small meals/snacks every couple hours) which meant I was very hungry when I got home. So I ate a big late lunch. I think the empty stomach to suddenly very full stomach triggered my indigestion. Of course, it could also be due to the fact that I didn't eat green beans with that meal and Camden didn't like that ;] haha. Other than that, I've been having some heartburn off and on and some minor pains in my sides. Growing pains, I suppose, ha. Also this week, I haven't been sleeping the best. I wake up a lot throughout the night. I'm not sure if this is due to pregnancy or due to the fact that I'm always semi-conscious of any incoming texts/calls from my hubby so I just don't sleep very deeply. I still feel really good for the most part, though!

Food cravings: Lots and lots of green beans! Still our favorite veggie. Nothing really strong other than that. Oh, hard boiled eggs! I've been making them by the half dozen and eating them for a few days. Yum. I find that I don't have super strong cravings just "oh I could really go for this" kind of cravings. And luckily for me, almost all of my cravings thus far have been for healthy things! 

Food aversions: Nothing! I'm back to eating more meat. Not everyday so I'm still supplementing with eggs and protein shakes but meat hasn't been bothering me. 

Any movement from baby? Yes! I've been feeling him wiggle around a lot lately! In fact, I can feel him moving right now! It's still not very strong but I love that it's getting stronger and more frequent! I'm really looking forward to Camden being big and strong enough to make kicks detectable from the outside! From what I've read, that should happen around 22-24 weeks. I'm just sad that Jake won't be around to feel Camden's kicks... :/

Gender: Boy! 

Emotions and experiences this week: After my ultrasound last week, I found myself tremendously thankful for Camden, as I shared in last week's blog. Since then, I've just been thinking about our precious baby boy nonstop! I've been wondering what he'll look like, when he'll make his grand entrance, what he'll be like... It's so exciting to think about! But a pretty overwhelming as well... I've been reading up on labor and delivery, caring for a newborn, what will happen to my body, things like that. It helps me to learn and be prepared but at the same time it's all a little scary! And it makes me very sad that Jacob won't be here to experience all of these things with me. I feel bad that he's missing out on so much! It's rough. I wish he was here so we could spend more time just the two of us before baby comes... I wish we could take a babymoon or something. I feel a little ripped off in that sense. But I know that everything will work out, we'll get through it and his homecoming will be amazing. I'm trying to stay positive about all of it but man, I really wish I had my husband around for all of this. I sure do miss that man. 

Looking forward to: I'm looking forward to heading down to PA for a few days this week to spend time with one of my besties and visit VFCC! I'm not looking forward to the drive, especially since I have to pee all the time, haha. But it'll be nice to get away for a few days! I miss that area. Other than that, I'm looking forward to this month ending. I'm ready to put this first full month of separation behind me and conquer the next one. I have quite a few things to look forward to in November including my OB appointment, two weekends away and, of course, Thanksgiving! I'm hoping it will be a good month that goes by quickly. Obviously I'm also looking forward to watching my belly grow more! That's a lot of fun. I'm just hoping that I don't get stretch marks! I've been really good about slathering my tummy up with cocoa butter (lotion during the day and intense body butter at night) every day since I found out I was pregnant so hopefully that will help! 

19 Weeks

Little bump!

How far along? 19 weeks & 2 days! 

How big is baby estimated to be? The size of a mango! (Ironically, I've been craving mango all week.) And he weighs about 9 ounces now!

Total weight gain: Approximately 6lbs still. Up to 130lbs. It's crazy how before I got pregnant I would've freaked out soooo bad if I ever saw that number on the scale! I've never been more than 128, and that only on a bad day. Now I'm watching the scale carefully and hoping that I'm gaining at a good rate! I guess a baby really does change everything about your life, ha. 

Wearing maternity clothes? Naw. Mostly because I don't want to be in maternity pants yet. My jeans still fit, albeit rather uncomfortably when I sit down. But I wear leggings every day lately. Still obsessed! 

Symptoms this week: I have felt wonderful this week!! I have TONS of energy and an endless appetite! Still waking up with a stuffy nose but that's it. I feel so good! I'm thankful that I'm not one of those women who hates being pregnant and feels miserable everyday. My symptoms are next to nothing and I really do feel fabulous! :D 

Food cravings: Still green beans! Other than that just odds and ends here and there- chicken pot pie a couple days ago, lemonade that day too, mango all week, cinnamon bread... No super strong cravings. Just things that sound particularly delicious at any given moment, haha. But it isn't like I HAVE TO EAT THIS RIGHT NOW. 

Food aversions: Nothing, really. Back to eating more meat, though still not everyday. Making up for that with Muscle Milk and eggs. 

Any movement from baby? Yeah! Not everyday yet but he is wiggling around more and more these days! He was quite the active little man during our ultrasound today!! He would not stay still! It was SO COOL to watch him move all around!! He was moving his arms, waving, kicking, flipping around! It is just unbelievable to watch! :D 

Gender: Boy! <3 The tech got a pretty clear view today so we have our definite answer now, haha. 

Camden waving! "Hi Dad"

Emotions and experiences this week: I'm really on cloud 9 right now as I write this post!! I just got home from our ultrasound and it was the coolest thing ever! The tech let me Skype with Jake during it so he was able to see everything!! We're lucky that the timing worked out so perfectly that he was off work but it wasn't too late for him. We got to hear Camden's heartbeat while we watched his little heart on the ultrasound- so neat!! And like I said, CJ was being SUCH a wiggle bug!! He was upside down at first, flailing his arms and kicking his legs! Then he flipped over and decided to wave and wiggle some more! He literally didn't stay still the entire time!! The poor tech was having a hard time getting all the pictures she needed, but it was ridiculously awesome to watch little Camden move around!! He just stayed in one position last time- minus a little arm movement and tucking his legs in a but. Total opposite this time!! At one point, we got a PERFECT view of his little bitty hand!! I decided that he was waving to Daddy so the tech wrote "Hi Dad" on that photo! Ahhh, it was amazing!!! We also got a good view of his little feet! They were mostly tucked in but he did kick me a bit while he was upside down. Also, CJ brought his hand up to his face and it looked like he was saluting! Hahaha! The tech and I both laughed and told Jake that Camden was saluting him. Then he made a fist, sucked his thumb and waved a little more! GOSH!!! I just love this SO MUCH!!!! It is so amazing and fun to watch Camden move around and be active!! I've been telling Jake that I'm starting to feel him move more so it was awesome that Jake got to see him move around with me! I am just SO happy and excited!!! I feel so blessed!!! I have an amazing husband and this perfect baby boy growing inside of me! It's unbelievable!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS!!!!! 

Looking forward to: Well, I don't have another OB appointment until the beginning of November... so the next thing I'm looking forward to is VFCC's homecoming next week!! Oh, and I'm also excited for Taylor Swift's new album to come out on Monday! I know, I'm such a dork, but I heart TSwift! And it's perfect timing for me to have some new music to jam out to while I drive to PA. Other than that, I'm always just looking forward to talking to my hubby and watching my belly grow! I miss Jacob SO MUCH but life really is pretty good right now :] 

18 Weeks

Growing growing!

Actually looking pregnant in my leggings and t-shirt!

How far along? 18 weeks & 3 days! 

How big is baby estimated to be? The size of a sweet potato, hehe

Total weight gain: According to my OB today, I have gained 6 pounds. From 124lbs to 130lbs. Granted, I was weighed there after I ate 4 pancakes and drank 20oz of water so that number might be a little high, haha. But I was told that I'm right on track with my weight gain! 

Wearing maternity clothes? Nope. Still having issues with some jeans feeling a little snug, especially when I sit down. And I'm still absolutely loving my Gap maternity leggings!! I'm totally breaking my own "leggings are not pants" rule with those. I can't help it! They are the MOST comfortable thing for me lately! 

Symptoms this week: I've been feeling good this week! Still waking up with a stuffy nose most mornings... My skin is also going cuhhhrazyyy! I'm breaking out really bad- it's annoying! And my appetite is still kind of finicky... But nothing is bad enough to be more than a slight inconvenience.

Food cravings: Chocolate chip pancakes today! I woke up wanting them, haha. And man, were they GOOD! Other than that, I've been eating tons of green beans lately! Which is funny because I wasn't a huge fan of green beans before I got pregnant. It isn't a strong craving, just something that always sounds good to me! 

Food aversions: Still not eating much meat. It's not that it makes me sick, it just doesn't sound good. Or any way it does sound good is a pain in the butt to make and I don't feel like doing it, ha.

Any movement from baby? Yes! I feel him wiggling around pretty often lately! Usually it's mid morning or late at night. He was moving a lot while I was driving the other day... Maybe he likes car rides since that's the second time in the past week or so that he's been a little wiggle bug while I'm driving! He was moving around a lot last night when we were Skyping with Jake, too! I think he likes hearing Daddy's voice just as much as I do! :D

Gender: Boyyyy! 

Emotions and experiences this week: Hmmm. My emotions have kind of been all over the place lately. Just a lot going on with Jacob leaving. But I think I've been doing well! I'm handling things the best that I can. I felt overwhelmingly thankful today! After going to my appointment, hearing Camden's heartbeat and recording it for Jacob, I just felt SO incredibly happy to be pregnant!! I already love this baby so very much! Like I've said before, I love that I am carrying Jacob's son while he is deployed. It's so special! Some days, I can hardly believe that I'm so blessed! I have an amazing husband who I am completely in love with and who loves me just as much back and we are going to have a beautiful baby boy in five months! It's a HUGE blessing! I love being pregnant!! I love it so much. It's an amazing feeling to be growing a little miracle inside of me! I love Jacob and I love Camden more than I could ever put into words!! 

Looking forward to: I guess the next thing I'm looking forward to is homecoming at VFCC! It's going to be so fun to spend a weekend away with Erica! I was able to visit her this past weekend and it was sooo nice to just hang out together!. I really needed it. I think homecoming is going to be just as fun! Other than that, I'm looking forward to getting my second ultrasound scheduled. I love seeing Camden so it'll be nice to know when I get to see him again! Other than that, there's not too much else going on this month... I look forward to talking to Jacob each day! That's always the highlight of my day! We're just trying to stay busy and get through one day at a time. 

17 Weeks

How far along? Somewhere around 17 weeks :]

How big is baby estimated to be? If I am 17 weeks, baby is the size of a turnip!

Total weight gain: Approximately 4.4lbs. From 124-128.4lbs. I think. I haven't been weighing myself much in the past couple weeks. 

Wearing maternity clothes? Not quite yet. A couple pairs of jeans feel tight... I can feel my clothes starting to fit differently. I did invest in the best ever maternity leggings from the Gap! I totally love them! Like, a lot. They're expensive at $30 a pair but totally worth every cent! 

Symptoms this week: You know what, I've been so preoccupied with missing Jake that any pregnancy symptoms haven't been bothering me this week... The only thing I've noticed is shortness of breath. It just feel like I can't get enough air into my lungs sometimes. It's weird. 

Food cravings: Again, missing Jake has drowned out any possible cravings... My appetite has been in a funk, though. I've been ravenously hungry at times but then I eat and I can't finish more than half a meal. Then I'm stuffed. But an hour later I'm hungry again. Camden is really having fun with me this week ;] haha.

Food aversions: Nothing, really. Meat still doesn't sound very appealing to me but I eat it anyways.

Any movement from baby? Yes yes yes!! I thought I was feeling Camden move around lately but I am entirely certain that I felt him wiggling this past Saturday!! My last blog post recounts this experience. It was a very special moment for me <3 

Gender: Beautiful baby BOY! 

Emotions and experiences this week: Nothing that I could ever possibly sum up. I'm missing Jacob like crazy! Since I ranted about this previously, I'll spare you in this post. Other than all that sad stuff, I feel extremely blessed with this little baby growing in me! I love that I'm carrying Jacob's son while he's away... it just feels so extra special! I'm also happy to see my stomach continuing to grow. It isn't obvious that I'm pregnant yet but it's getting there! I have such overwhelming love for this baby. I honestly feel like he is making me stronger as I go through this difficult season. 

Looking forward to: My OB appointment next Wednesday! I want my official due date. And I can't wait to hear CJ's heartbeat again!!! I'm going to try to record it to send to Jacob :D. It might sound funny, but I miss my little man! I wish I could see him again but I'll be so happy just to hear his heartbeat. Aside from that, I'm looking forward to going to homecoming at my alma mater in a few weeks! I get to see a bestie and just get away for a few days. It's going to be wonderful!