27 Weeks

How far along: 27 weeks
Gender: girl, Rebecca Carolyn Haley
Weight gain: -3 pounds-but quickly gaining :(
Maternity clothes: Still getting away with some regular shirts with camis. Mostly maternity though. Can it please get warm so I can start wearing dresses??
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In, but not for long I fear...
Sleep: Not going so well. Between the carpal tunnel that I've newly acquired and overall discomfort, I haven't been getting much rest. It's making for a very pleasant person.
Best moment this week: Spending a long weekend away with my love. We went to Gatlinburg over Spring Break to watch Jacob play baseball. It was a nice change of pace from good ole Rob Co and it was also fantastic to spend time with Andrew and his family!
Worst moment this week:Oncoming sinus infection. Yuck.
Miss anything:Z-pacs. I can only take certain antibiotics to treat this sinus infection, and those certain medicines make me super sick to my stomach. So it's suffer through the infection time. Zithromax, I miss you.
Movement: Constantly. She is a mover and a shaker for sure.
Queasy or sick: My heartburn has returned and I've had a few mishaps from it, but otherwise still doing well.
Looking forward to: The Cher concert on Monday with my mom and sister!!

21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks
Gender: girl, Rebecca Carolyn Haley
Weight gain: -12 pounds
Maternity clothes: Yes, please! Current rocking a really cute black maternity maxi dress!
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In, however, I can definitely tell a difference in it's depth.
Sleep: Again, yes please! Loving my sleepy time.
Best moment this week: Seeing Andrew's reaction to the 20 weeks ultrasound. He hasn't been able to make a doctor's visit since December and oh how this sweet girl has changed! It was so sweet to see the delight and surprise on his precious face.

Worst moment this week:Sciatic pain is real. Luckily, I've gotten some nice advice from fellow mommas and a chiropractor and I'm finding some relief.
Miss anything:Usually this is my place to complain about missing booze, BUT I found a delicious sorbet at Jeni's Ice Cream-Reisling Pear. Jesus Mary and Joseph. It hit the spot.
Movement: YES! Even from the outside! Poor Andrew hasn't been able to feel it (he has to learn some patience haha), but my sister has and one of my sweet girls at school did too!
Cravings: Orange Juice. Yum.
Queasy or sick: My heartburn has returned and I've had a few mishaps from it, but otherwise still doing well.
Looking forward to: My cousin Jana and my baby girls growing up together! Jana is the closest in age to me in my huge extended family. We grew up together and I'm so excited for our girls to grow up together too! She is due one day after me and I can't wait for Becca and Monroe to meet!

20 Weeks

How far along: 20 weeks
Gender: girl, Rebecca Carolyn Haley
Weight gain: -15 pounds, still. I attribute it to my need for salad and fruit.
Maternity clothes: 100% of the time. Trying to skimp by wearing non-maternity shirts, but usually it doesn't work out. They just aren't long enough to cover the elastic waistband.
Stretch marks: No! I put the lotion on the skin every day.
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Like a freaking angel. I've been feeling more energized lately (Thank you Jesus) but am usually in bed around 9.
Best moment this week: Friday night while laying in bed, I made Andrew poke my belly and leave his hand there hoping he would feel her moving. He didn't feel it, but I sure could! She would kick right where his hand was! I'm calling this our first family interaction. It was so cool!
Worst moment this week:Monday. I'll leave it at that.
Miss anything:TMI Time! Normal bras. I'm having a hard time accepting my recent...developments.
Movement: YES!
Cravings: Food in general. I've been hungry this week.
Queasy or sick: Randomly sick. I think I've been bragging about not being sick too much and karma came back around. Even still, I will take the occasional sickness over constant puking any day.
Looking forward to: 20 weeks ultrasound on a nicer machine! I'm hoping for clearer pictures! Also, getting in to my exercise routine. Andrew and I are joining a gym as his valentine's present. I'm hoping to get moving and help me stay in better shape to prepare for Becca's arrival.

19 Weeks

After taking this photo, I realized I forgot to put on makeup again today. Oops.

How far along: 19 weeks
Gender: We have a baby GIRL on the way! I was delighted/relieved! Special thank you shout out to Bethany and Michael for hosting our gender reveal party!
Weight gain: -15 pounds, still. I attribute it to my need for salad and fruit.
Maternity clothes: Yes, simply because they are more comfortable. I can still wear my pants with the bellaband, but maternity pants are just way more comfortable. Also, I've invested in a few pairs of nicer looking yoga pants. Why have I never done this before?! Wide leg yoga pants + a nice shirt and pair of shoes = no one knows they aren't regular pants!
Stretch marks: No, but my skin is super itchy which worries me greatly. More than likely, the itchiness is from our extreme cold weather, but I'm still nervous.
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: After exiling our smaller dog Molly to her kennel at night, I've been sleeping like an angel! Sorry to Molly, but mommy needs to sleep.
Best moment this week: While I watched the Grammy's on Sunday night, I FINALLY felt baby girl moving! She was moving and shaking to the music just like her Mom. After having felt it for sure, I think I might have before and just assumed it was my stomach. Nonetheless, I was so glad!
Worst moment this week:Andrew and I took advantage of the warmish weather on Sunday and finally cleaned up some of the massive amount of leaves in our yard, leaving (pun totally intended) my back a bit achy. Unfortunately for me, my bones and muscles also started to move more this week which has compounded my achy-ness and makes it hard to bend and move around. :(
Miss anything:Bloody Marys. I feel like a total alcoholic because I just want a drink so bad. Pre-pregnancy, I couldn't even tell you the last time I had a cocktail. I would give my right arm for one now though.
Movement: YES! FINALLY!
Cravings: Salad.
Queasy or sick: Not at all thank you Jesus
Looking forward to: Warmer weather

17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks
Gender: Still not sure. We were hoping to find out earlier this month, but He/she didn't cooperate. Here's hoping for next time!
Weight gain: -15 pounds, but I predict that to change in the near future. My hunger has returned and it's not messing around.
Maternity clothes: Some but not all. I'm still able to wear most shirts, but regular pants are only happening with the assistance of my bellaband. P.S. Maternity pants are fantastic. I may never stop wearing them even post pregnancy.
Stretch marks: Not yet. I started using a belly butter and am hoping for the best
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Sleeping very well and still requiring a lot of it. I have made myself stop my afternoon naps though, which means I'm usually in bed by 8:30.
Best moment this week: When you work with high schoolers, you've got to take compliments however you can get them. This week, my girls at school told me I don't just look chubby, but I actually look pregnant. So I'm taking that as a win.
Worst moment this week: Popped by the doctor on Monday to have something checked out and they found an elevated level of sugar in my urine. Gestational diabetes has been a concern of mine from the start, so this really worries me. They are going to monitor it and possibly do a glucose test. Preparing myself for the worst, but hoping for the best.
Miss anything:Fish. We used to eat a lot of fish for dinner. Its quick, easy and pretty cheap. Right now, I can't take the smell long enough to prepare and then eat it. Hoping that passes soon otherwise there is a lot of chicken in our near future.
Movement: When laying on my stomach over the weekend, I feel a lump where I assume the baby was. That was pretty neat, but still no fluttery feelings.
Cravings: Strawberries and salad.
Queasy or sick: Not at all thank you Jesus
Looking forward to: Doctor's appointment Monday!

13 Weeks

How far along: 13 weeks
Gender: Still not sure. My grandmother says "That is a girl! Look at that face! That is a girl's face!" after looking at the ultrasound from this week. We should know on January 6! Gender Reveal party to follow!
Weight gain: -18 pounds. I haven't been sick much in the past week and a half {WOOHOO!}, so I've put a bit on. It's really hard to get on the scale and see the pounds adding on. I obviously know that's what is supposed to happen, but as a weight conscious gal for my whole life, it's hard to accept as normal.
Maternity clothes: Not yet, but I feel it coming soon. Pants are starting to be uncomfortable by the end of the day. I'm seeing a lot of sweatpants in my near, Christmas break future!
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Poor Andrew has had the flu, so I was exiled to the couch while he recovered. Couch sleeping=crappy sleep. Glad to be back in my warm cozy bed! And I guess I'm glad he is feeling better, too.
Best moment this week: ULTRASOUND! I got to see Baby Haley kicking it's little tiny legs and wiggling around! It was absolutely amazing. Since I haven't been getting sick, I've been a little nervous that things have taken a turn for the worst. It was such a relief to see our sweet baby growing and playing around in there. Also, I foresee a lot of kicking pains for me in the coming months!
Worst moment this week: As I said before, Andrew has been sick. It was terrible to not be able to care for him and cuddle him (gag, I know). I kept my distance and was out of the house as much as possible. It's crazy to miss a person you can see, but I did.
Miss anything: Having general control of my own body. I'm a control freak that generally speaking likes to do what I want. It's humbling and horrible to not be able to do the things I want to. But I know it's for a good cause!
Movement: Not any that I can feel, but as the ultrasound showed, there's a lot going on in there!
Cravings: Just food in general. I've been legitimately hungry for the first time in months!
Queasy or sick: Only a few times. A huge improvement!
Looking forward to: Christmas Break from school!

12 Weeks!

I've decided to be that annoying person and blog my weekly look. Here's some fun facts to document the journey!

How far along: 12 weeks
Gender: Not sure yet. One of my coworkers did a voodoo magic predictor and says boy. We will see in about 6 weeks!
Weight gain: -20 pounds. In the past eight weeks, I've had the flu and a stomach virus. That plus the morning all day sickness has been a nice combination for my figure.
Maternity clothes: Not yet. My normal clothes are actually fitting better with all the weight loss. Starting to get snug in the waistband though.
Stretch marks: Not yet. Any suggestions for those are welcomed!
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: We have had some snow days in the past week, so I'm feeling pretty good right now. Sleeping is my number one favorite activity these days.
Best moment this week: Having the energy to finish up Christmas shopping with Andrew on Monday night. I've been so tired that my trips haven't been that successful. SO GLAD to be finished up now!
Worst moment this week: Puking in general. Whether from stomach virus or just normal sickness. Crossing my fingers that it passes soon!
Miss anything: I have been wanting a glass of champagne lately. I think knowing it's holiday time and that I can't have it makes me want it even more!
Movement: Not yet
Cravings: Salad. I can't get enough. Sperry's salad bar, I'm looking at you.
Queasy or sick: All. The. Time. I have had some relief the past couple of days. Hoping it's not just a fluke!
Looking forward to: Doctor's visit on Monday!

Long Time No See

We have so much to talk about.

In addition to being a bride in waiting, I am also in my first year of teaching. Not sure if any of you are teachers also, but it's quite possibly the most exhausting experience of my life to be a first year teacher. Nonetheless, it's going well and I'm getting used to it a little more every day.

In the mean time, I've gotten a few more details squared away. We booked our caterer a couple of weeks ago. We are using Penelope's Creation Ms. Penny is an up and coming caterer out of Springfield with amazing food and even better prices. She came highly recommended by several friends in the area and by the items we got to taste, she's gonna rock it out. We're having heavy appetizers and a really special treat that I'm excited we were able to work out. Leave it to the fat kids to be most excited about food!

Speaking of fat kids, I've got to lose some weight. I'm so happy and content with life these days that I keep packing on the pounds. I'm at my all time heaviest, which isn't so much my concern as that I can't fit in my wedding dress. I refuse to be such a sad sack that I have to buy another dress. Andrew, bless his heart, just loves me no matter what. In most circumstances, I would be so happy to have a man that loves me just as I am. Unfortunately, I don't need any additional support to be a fat ass. I've got that one covered pretty well. After a stern but loving chat, Andrew and I have started working out together. He, of course, is super committed to it and is already showing major progress. Me, on the other hand, I'm taking just a little bit longer. I started something a little different this week and really like it, so hopefully it takes. We'll see.

On to more fun things, my wonderful friend from high school is custom making my veil! I could die really. She is fabulously talented and is definitely going to be famous some day so naturally I am excited to have a piece of her work! We met back in October to talk it over and I'm waiting anxiously to get the final product! In other fabulous news, I have my wedding shoes! They are all that I could ever dream of in wedding shoes. Andrew cares very little about them, but that's ok. I love him anyway. I've starting constructing Emily's flower girl dress. She'll be wearing a white/ivory tea length tutu with a blue sash. I've been a little worried about how excited she'd be to wear the thing (she takes after her Aunt Kayla on the stubbornness/I'm not wearing that front), but so far so good. I still have a little work on it but we should be in great shape soon. Some of my bridesmaids have dresses (or maybe three dresses. . . I'm looking at you Aunt Deana). We're working on the others. Since they aren't all wearing the same thing, the search is pretty casual. I'm waiting until the spring to decide on their footwear. I'm hoping for some precious pink or purple wedges to hit the stores. Fingers crossed.

We jumped the gun a little and ordered our wedding invitations. Over the summer, I found a Groupon for the printing site Vistaprint that had to be used by November, so went ahead a bought them. We were able to snag 200 each of our invitations and rsvp cards for $75! That is super budget friendly and makes me happy all at the same time. The invites are very casual and personal which is kinda the theme I'm going for wedding-wide. Hope everyone likes them!

I think that's about all the updates I have for now. We have a lot done but still a ways to go. So let's look at our list:
dress
shoes
veil
church
reception site
preacher
caterer
decoration plan
guy's look
bridesmaid's look (only crossing half cause not everyone has it)
flower girl look
bridesmaid, groomsmen and mothers gifts
register
showers
place to live

Hopefully my next update will be a little sooner than the last! Merry Christmas!

Said yes to the dress!

Well, I said yes to the dress. I'm so excited! But let me just tell you, this whole secret bridal look is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. First, they want you to get attached to this guy. You, in turn, want to tell him everything cause he is your best friend and the one you celebrate even the smallest victories with. Then, he gives you a ring and the secrets start rolling in! CRAZY! I want to tell Andrew about my dress SO BAD because I want to tell him everything I'm excited about. BUT I CAN'T AND IT'S KILLING ME! It's gonna be a long 11 months.

In other news, we got engagement pictures made by my fabulous friend, Shelby of Seasons of Love Photography. There are hardly words to describe how fabulous they are, so I'll let them speak for themselves. Check them out here!

Moving Right Along

Details! I have some details to share. First, We have a ceremony and reception site. We'll be wed at the First Baptist Church in Greenbrier, Tennessee. It's just a hop, skip and a jump from my home, which just so happens to be the reception site! My grandparents are gracious enough to allow us to have the outdoor reception I've always dreamed of at their home. I was a little stressed out about the ceremony site (see: crying to Andrew, wanting to not have a wedding at all). We have a large guest list and I really wanted a single aisle church. A large church with one aisle is not easy to come by, my friends. Especially when you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a building you'll spend a half-hour max in. Luckily, we were able to snag FBC and the tears can end. Unfortunately, we've (really just me. I had about 230 on my list alone!) had to pare the guest list back a little since the church can only accommodate about 250 people. I'm a little sad to not be able to include every person I want, but understand that things just are the way they are sometimes.

I have bridesmaids and a matron of honor. You can read more about them here.

Oh yeah! I have a wedding website!

I currently have two wedding dresses in my possession. I ordered them online and am gonna give them a try. If I don't like either, I'll send them back and head to the stores. Hopefully, I'll like them though!

I've narrowed down some colors that I like. I'm thinking royal blue, pink and purple. I know that I want casual bridesmaids dresses. Andrew wants gray suits. We're using hydrangeas and baby's breath for decorations and bouquets. We have a general idea about table decorations. (PS. If you're a wine drinker--I need your empty bottles! Call me! And if you're an eater--I need your empty clear glass jars of any size. Think pickles, spaghetti, jelly etc.)

I think that's all for now. Will keep you updated on the impending dress situation!