Maternity Monday: 19 weeks and playing catch-up

17 WEEKS 

She helped me with my photo that day : )

18 WEEKS

19 WEEKS

DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS: I had a check-up and ULTRASOUND at 17 weeks. Everything was great! Baby's heart rate was 160 again, my weight gain was normal, and my blood pressure was the best yet! At the beginning of this pregnancy my blood pressure was within the normal range, but it was getting a little bit higher than usual. Now it is where I want it to be. And at the ultrasound, we found out that our little baby is going to be another...

GIRL!!!!!!

We are so excited! We took all three of the kids to the ultrasound, which I probably won't do again. Mackenzie had no idea what was going on, so she just wanted out. Tucker and Cole thought it was cool at first, then they were complaining they were getting sea sick, haha. Over the last few weeks, I was definately kinda feeling like this one was a girl. I was pretty disappointed with our appointment though- this ultrasound was the worst one we have ever had. The ultrasound tech didn't get a single good picture of the baby for us, and the "four" pictures she did get printed for us are mini and all on the same page. You could tell she just wanted to get the job done as quickly as possible. It was sad because I am so used to all of the ultrasound techs who are SO excited for you and your growing family, especially in Utah. Our ultrasound tech in American Fork, Utah was phenomenal. She was always super happy and took forever to take the ultrasound, just so we could see the baby as long as possible. She gave us like 12 pictures of Tucker and like 10 of Cole, and they were all SUPER clear so without a written description, we knew what the image was. Oh well, at least we know this baby is a GIRL and that she is HEALTHY!! : ) I couldn't ask for more!

The doctor said after looking over the ultrasound, she couldn't see the second sac anymore, so that was of no concern. Everything is going smoothly and we are very thankful for that!

CRAVINGS: I haven't really had any cravings lately. My sweet tooth is slowwwwlly coming back to normal though. That can be a good or bad thing I guess. : ) Nothing ever sounds good though... so meal planning and making dinner has been pretty hard lately.

SICKNESS: No sickness, just super-duper tired. All I want is to take naps all day every day. I have been trying to get to bed as early as possible, which means 10 pm or so. But that doesn't usually happen. I like to cuddle up with Ryan and watch random shows on hulu with him. : ) My varicose veins in my lower leg are starting to buldge slightly more, but that usually happens when I am pregnant. They aren't really hurting too much yet.

WEIGHT GAIN: 10 pounds total

EXERCISE: The usual, teaching bootcamp at church, lifting weights at home, the Firm dvd, walking, running, cycling, and the elliptical. I really want to run more, but I have GOT to get one of those belly bands. At this point, I feel like I am going to pee my pants even if I run for like 10 seconds. This baby is definately sittin' on my bladder. Ryan and I  went on an awesome date 2 weeks ago. We went biking on a local trail, then got off the trail and biked up and down farm roads till we got back to town. It was a little over 14 miles. It was sooo fun. But if we ever want to do that again, either my butt will need an implant or I need a seat pad because I was very sore for days after from my bike seat.

EMOTIONS: Ya, so I am an emotional pregnant lady, what's new? : ) I feel a lot sassier, so in situations where I would normally just keep to myself, I am really having to bite my tongue right now. I am kinda weepy here and there for no good reason. I have really been getting homesick for my family. I have been missing my siblings and parents a lot lately. I am good about not getting sad about living far from my family because I honestly just don't think about it. If I stop and think that they are hours upon hours away, then I get emotional and I realize that it stinks. Thankfully, I get to see them in a few weeks in Maine! Lately, my anxiety waxes and wanes, but lately it is waxing more (if that is how you would put it?). Ryan was out of town a few weeks ago, and after going to bed for literally 10 or 15 minutes, I woke up to my first panic attack. I woke up (I think I was only partially awake though) and I couldn't hardly breathe. I was hyperventilating and I felt so overwhelmed that he was gone and my family is so far away. We do live by in-laws (that I love and appreciate so much), but I just really wanted my own family at the time. I think I had just hit my breaking point. Since I am tired, I get so overwhelmed with keeping up with the housework, teaching the kids a little bit so their brains don't turn to mush, summer fun, church things, ect. As long as I remember to focus on the current day, then I am fine. I think that is why I am a procrastinator. : )

RANDOM: Every here and there I have had some braxton hicks contractions. I don't really remember having them this early with any of the other kiddos, so when it happens, I just try to drink some more water. Dehydration can cause braxton hicks, which I learned when I was pregnant with Cole. So, drink up all you prego ladies!

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With the summer heat approaching quickly, I decided to invest in a sprinkler. I honestly don't like the blow up kid pools, I feel like they get really slimy and gross. We have like 4 of them, and I am sure we will eventually blow them up. But for now, the sprinkler is going to be our go-to cooling device on our hot Missouri days. It was the best $10 I spent! The kids love playing in it, which usually means watering my mini-garden and/or trying to build a pond in our backyard. : )