Time is flying by!

This journey started in May, when Greg and I decided to move forward and start a family. It was time. Both of us were nonchalant and thought let's see what happens. Now, five months into our journey, we are unbelievably excited. We almost have the nursery completed; Greg finished up the painting on Sunday and it looks adorable!
Some days, I wonder if the bump is supposed to be this big or this small - what is the norm? Most of the time, I just go with the flow and try my best to eat right, exercise, and relax. Are we ready? Heck no! But, we are getting there. I just signed us up for classes at St. Mary's this week; we are taking them all: Baby Nutrition (breastfeeding), Childbirth Education, CPR, and Baby Basics. Greg thinks that the breastfeeding class might be a waste of time since the lactation consultant will visit with us in the hospital, but I want to be prepared (and feel clueless about the process). I just started reading What to Expect: 1st year because I know that these next few months are going to fly by like the first 5 did.

Emma's registry is complete. Does she need all of this stuff? Of course not, but it might make our lives a little bit easier with Emma. My thoughts are constantly moving a mile a minute; Greg calls it being antsy. I'm constantly thinking and trying to prepare. Greg and I are usually very organized; however, Emma is such a new part of our lives that, sometimes, we feel like we have no idea what we are doing, or what the next step is. I want to start making bows and hair accessories for Emma so have started to look online and find free "how to" guides - I'm trying not to get ahead of myself and have a million projects going on but since Greg has been traveling a lot recently, it might be a good idea for me to have small projects to do while he's away.

We are enjoying the pregnancy, and Emma. I'm starting to feel Emma more & more and talk to her when I'm driving to work or feel her move. Greg has felt her move and encourages her to kick, punch, and flip. I love that we know the gender and can put a proper name to the movements and growing bump. It makes it all seem more realistic.

We are going to be parents! I'm going to be a Mom and Greg is going to be a Dad. I would say that it makes me feel like a grownup, but Greg thinks that car payments and a mortgage made us grownups first. Parenthood - tt's a little scary, overwhelming, and exciting but it feels right!

20 Weeks 3 Days

20 Weeks 3 Days

How Far Along: 20 Weeks 3 Days; 5 months.

Size of baby:  Weighs 10.5 ounces and is 6.5 inches in length, from head to rump. 10 inches from head to heel (size of a banana).

Gender: Girl - Emma

Maternity Clothes: yes, all maternity bottoms. Still can wear some non maternity tops, but most of them don't seem long enough.

Weight gain: + 2 pounds

Movement: Yes, I usually feel Emma a few times in the morning; 9-10pm is when she really moves, flipping and kicking. Greg felt her move on Wednesday - he was very excited

Sleep: Sleeping okay. The rain this past week has helped. Usually up to the bathroom around midnight and 5:30. 

Symptoms: More tired. Stomach is growing on a daily basis.

What I miss: Energy. I feel so tired after work.

Cravings: Changes on a daily basis. Greg did buy some chocolate syrup and I've been enjoying chocolate milk all week.

Best moment this week: Starting to ready the nursery; Greg has painted the nursery. Also, washed Emma's clothes that we have bought for her; I can't wait until she wears them!

What I am looking forward to: Watching college football from the comfort of our home today. First away game of the year (vs. Ole Miss) and I'm thinking that a Saturday nap might be a good idea.

19 Weeks 3 Days

19 Weeks 2 Days

How Far Along:  19 Weeks 2 Days

Size of baby:  6 inches (size of an heirloom tomato) and weighs 8.5 ounces

Gender: GIRL, Emma

Maternity Clothes: Yes. Maternity bottoms and dresses. I can still wear some regular tops, if they are long enough.

Weight gain:  + 2 pounds

Movement: Yes. Slight, inconsistent movement in lower abdomen area. I can't tell if Emma is moving around or kicking, but I love feeling her!

Sleep: Sleeping well, for the most part. Usually up to go to the bathroom once.

Symptoms: Still feeling great. I have noticed slightly swollen feet during football games, from being on my feet. Also, about passed out at the USC game this past Saturday, due to heat, sun and dehydration. I'm trying to take good care of myself by propping the feet up whenever possible, eating right, and exercising.

What I miss: I've toned down the celebrating at UGA football games quite a bit - limiting the jumping up and down.

Cravings: The 5 cheese and crackers that I have for a snack - delicious.

Best moment this week: Finding out the gender, clothes and bedding shopping for Emma.

What I am looking forward to: Looking forward to meeting Emma in February. 

Results: Blue or Pink?!?

Greg and I are very pleased to announce that we are having a girl: Emma Diane Wassel!

We visited a perinatologist, Dr. Rosemond, Monday morning to make sure that the baby doesn't have any neural tube defects. Emma cooperated and waved her little butt in the air to show us the three little dots to let us know that she is a she. (I thought it was a boy but everyone else, including Greg, knew it was a girl.) She has a beautiful, long spine and was nestled up against my bladder, which explains the many bathroom trips. After constant pokes and prods by the ultrasound tech, Emma woke up and was moving all over the place. It was a baby anatomy lesson for us; the tech and MD pointed out many of the tiny parts: cerebellum, frontal lobe, right & left ventricles, stomach, kidneys. The MD found a small hemorrhage to explain the very slight bleeding I have had. He says that it may bleed a little bit more or be absorbed by the placenta. It was a very interesting visit and, luckily, we do not have any follow ups with the perinatologist. My  next regular doctor's appointment is Tuesday, October 4th.

Needless to say, I am ecstatic! I am very fortunate to have had an easy pregnancy so far and have been very calm during the entire pregnancy. Now, it's time to become more excited & start shopping! Greg went shopping for a little bit while I headed back to work. He picked up many cute clothes for next Summer and we also visited BRU (Babies R Us) last night so I could get some shopping done too.

18 Weeks 5 Days

How Far Along: 18 weeks 5 Days
Size of baby: 5.5 inches long(length of a bell pepper) and weighs 7 ounces.

Gender: We'll find out TOMORROW!

Maternity Clothes: mixture of maternity and regular clothes. I prefer dresses and loose tops - the belly doesn't like a too constricting top.
Weight gain: + 1 pound. (Yes, I think that I've finally gained this week.)

Movement: Is it the baby going bump, bump, bump or too early to tell? A new feeling this week in the abdomen area makes me think that it's the baby moving and kicking; although, it's not consistent.
Sleep: For some reason, I haven't been going to the bathroom at night near as often as I did; it's time to pick the pace back up with drinking water. Of course the one week that I wouldn't be waking Greg up is the week that he travels for 3 nights.
Symptoms: I'm exhausted this week. It's been difficult to get off the couch and walk on the treadmill. The chillier weather might have something to do with it.

What I miss: I'm not going to lie - I would have liked a few beers while tailgating on Saturday but I resisted, of course.

Cravings: Greg thinks this is disgusting: Totino's pizza. Yes, I had unhealthy, cheap pizza one night while Greg was out of town ... and it was delicious!

Best moment this week: Listening to the wa-wump of the baby's heartbeat.

What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender TOMORROW!