Baby Pool

Just wanted to make sure I included the link to get to our Baby Pool, if you haven't already, we'd love to see your guesses!

Altenhofen Baby Pool

Stretching Ligaments

So, today marks the start of week 16-- and looks like we have a little avocado :)  Baby A is now about 4 1/2 inches long, and now circulating and pumping blood throughout his/her body.  It's so much fun to read all the updates in what's happening with the baby....and with me too!  Ha! 

We had a check up with our OB last Friday, and everything is looking really good.  It's always such a relief to hear that everything is good, and to hear that sweet little heartbeat!  Heart rate is at 155, and she said at our next appointment we will have more homework.  But, at our next appointment we will also find out the baby's sex and get to see him/her!!  Sometimes I just look down at my stomach and want to see in there so bad, so July 22nd will be highly anticipated!  We have had a lot of fun with the babypool Patrick started and seeing what people think we may be having and seeing all the good names people have been coming up with!  We'll see who's closer to winning the pool, with whomever guess the sex correctly!

The most interesting thing I have learned over the past couple weeks is how much my uterus ligaments are stretching.  I have had pains several times on my lower left abdominal, and was so interesting when Dr. Wittek showed us an actual size of my uterus and the baby inside at Week 15 and how much the baby grows from now until Week 20.  This is the biggest growth spurt the baby will have (so, I am now resting assured by that point, I will definitely be showing more :) )  Anyway, no wonder my ligaments are stretching out, but again, something new I am learning throughout this whole pregnancy thing. 

We are so blessed to so far be having a healthy pregnancy, and we ask for your prayers that it continues!  Happy 4th of July to you all! 

Week 15 Picture

I have gotten a few requests to see the baby bump, so I wanted to post another picture.  I can tell that it's growing, and when I look down at my stomach, I can see a bump for sure, but depending on what I wear, somedays it's hardly noticable.  I'm deifnitely in that 'in between' stage right now, and a little anxious to be more visably pregnant.  But, I know that time will come :)

We have another doctor's appointment this Friday, so we are always anxious to go and hear how things are progressing.  I  have been feeling great though!!  I have also very graciously received some maternity clothes from my sister and my sister-in-law, which is SO nice of them!! Thanks guys!  It's nice to have had a few pairs of pants to wear that I don't have to try to button or squeeze into!  RELIEF! 

We had a nice weekend in NE last weekend--- we got to meet Sadie, Lindsay and Chad's baby girl.  And she is probably the sweetest thing ever---such a snuggler/cuddler (can I order one of those please?!!)  Ha!  Lindsay looks great though and we loved getting to visit with her.  Also, had all of the Mack family down for a Father's Day dinner Saturday night, and Sunday had dinner with Patrick's family.  So, it worked out nicely and Patrick had his first Father's Day too!! :) 

Sorry, the lighting was not too good, but hopefully you get the idea :) Hope you are enjoying your summer so far!

See ya later 1st Trimester!

YAY---almost through the dreaded 1st trimester of nausea (luckily no vomiting!!), crazy food aversions/cravings (yes, cereal has re-entered my diet again, thank goodness, and peanut butter/saltines are no longer the only foods that can cure me), sluggishness, and irritibility and mood swings (ummm...ok, for the most part, Patrick may not agree with this 100%, but I think it's gotten better :)) 

So, as people ask me how I'm feeling, honestly when I entered Week 12- I felt instantly like myself again, with a renewed energy and just felt 'normal' (besides my waistline thickening and pants getting more snug)  I have been dreading stepping on the scale, but the scale really isn't moving up too much, but my body is definitely changing!  My sister told me the other night as I told her how I was starting to show..."Um, no your not!"  Dang it! I never understood why people wanted to start showing, but I guess you'd rather have them think you're pregnant vs. eating a large meal and having that extra pouch!  Ha!  Anyway, I don't think it'll be too long though now.

Other exciting news- my best friend since 5th grade, Lindsay and her husband Chad had their first little baby yesterday!  They weren't finding out what they were having, so we were all extra excited when Lindsay sent a text around noon yesterday and introduced us to Sadie Christine Kobus!  Even being almost a week overdue, she was only 6 lbs, 5oz and everyone is doing great!  Congrats Linds!!  So a trip up to NE is in the works for us next weekend as we go meet this sweet little baby!  (Love all the baby love in my life right now!)

Finally, last night Patrick and I went through baby name lists.  We are pretty set on our boy name (but, yes, we are going to wait to share names until our baby is born...so you'll have to wait to hear :))  and our girl name, we have a Top 5.  Oh, and we will be finding out July 22nd what we are having, so stay tuned!!  I made sure our appointment was the first available that day, as I know I'll be so anxious to find out! Waiting on doing much nursery planning until finding out the sex, so it'll be so much fun to picture our baby more....and decide on a name if it's a girl! :)

Hope you all have a great weekend-- and please keep my Uncle Randy and their family in your prayers, and Grandma Meyer started her chemo treatments yesterday too.  Hug those close to you a little tighter and appreciate each day God gives you!