17 Weeks

Ooops, missed a week!

Week 16 was an avocado. Baby has also developed the beginnings of eardrums, so can now hear us!

I think you could say I've "popped" this week... although I still think it's mostly the holiday eating that has put me over the edge.

We saw lots of family and got to share our news, which was exciting. Was great to visit with all the extended family in Florida, and then have some time in Charlotte, but boy I'm glad to have some time at home coming up. Also ready to get back on a regular eating/exercising/sleeping schedule!

Appointment #3

Had our first visit with the midwives today (3rd appointment overall). It was mostly an introductory appointment where they answered a lot of questions and just got to know us (Scott was invited and attended as well). I'd already had my general physical checkup done at the previous (~12 week) OB visit, so they didn't need to do anything extra. We got to hear the sweet little heartbeat, too! Apparently the little one was squirmy because he kept evading the doppler wand where the midwife was aiming it. Eventually she got him to sit still and we heard a nice strong beat at 155bpm! Again, couldn't stop grinning. :)

We've decided we're going to be less careful now about people finding out. We still aren't making a huge announcement but won't deny it if someone dares to ask! I also told Scott it was fine to bring up in conversation if it made for a good comedic moment. ;)

It's probably a good thing we aren't trying to hide... because there's not going to be a way to hide this bump for much longer!!

Another sneaky work bathroom selfie.

Also - I must sing the praises of BELLA BANDS!!! And don't bother with the off-brand or basic version... just get the real deal. It is SO worth it. They smooth and cover awkwardly unzipped/unbuttoned pants and hold them in place with the nice silicone gripper around the bottom. I got mine in the mail on Monday night and cannot stop raving about them. No more uncomfortably buttoned pants! I'm freeeeeeeeee. :D

15 weeks (a day late)

So technically today is 15 + 1, but I was busy yesterday and didn't get a chance to do a photo or update.

I took a sneaky (blurry) work bathroom pic today:

By the way, my pants are completely unbuttoned/unzipped today. Just did not even attempt it. My bella bands are supposed to arrive tomorrow - halleluia!!!!!

Slowly but surely, more of the world is finding out the news. We told some more people at work last week, and I found out that one of my good friends is expecting about 2 months after I am!!! We had discussed over the summer that we were both about ready to start trying for kids, and talked about how awesome it would be if we had them close together. SO EXCITED!

I have been feeling pretty good as far as energy goes, except I guess too many late nights caught up to me yesterday and instead of going for a run like I'd planned, I zonked out on the couch for 2 hours. I did get to ride 32 miles on the bike with Scott on Saturday, which was a great accomplishment! It was definitely sloowwwww (~12.5 mph average) but it's the longest distance since the metric back in October (at 6 weeks) so I'm counting it as a positive achievement.

I'm really anxious/excited for my appointment on Wednesday. It's the first one with the midwives, and Scott gets to attend with me. I'm very very eager to hear the little heartbeat again! If all goes well, I plan to stop trying to hide the blump/bump and will just let people gradually find out. We've been signing our Christmas cards to distant friends as "Beth, Scott, and Baby Trenor (est. arrival June 2015)" - we figure it's a cute, subtle way to let people know! :)

I'm just SO ready to stop hiding it already. I am ready to rock this little bump!

14 Weeks - 2nd Trimester!

So the past 2 weeks have been a transition, but as of now I am officially and totally in Trimester #2 - huge milestone!! I cannot believe it's already a third over with - time is flying by and we'll have a little babe before we know it.

I ran 9.5 miles today and BOY it was slow. We're talking 10:30-11:00/mi kind of pace. Wowza I haven't run that slow since EVER! I guess I should just be thankful for whatever running I CAN do, and the fact that I don't feel like crud. Hooray!

We decorated the house for Christmas this weekend - very happy with how the lights and everything turned out. I got crafty and made a very "us" wreath out of an old bicycle wheel that Scott had in the basement, and I did plenty of baking!

Lights on the house!

Bicycle wheel wreath

Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes

Gingerbread running men

We made an announcement at our holiday party with close work friends on Friday night. Everyone was really excited! It's nice to be able to talk to friends about it now. I think we'll let the rest of the "world" know gradually after our next appointment on the 17th.

After all of the holiday treat consumption this week, my belly is showing more than ever (though I still think it's mostly food!). I've had to resort to the elastic-around-the-pants-button trick for most of my pants at this point. I found this post on Instagram that really captures the "food baby" concept really well!

Pants adjustments - elastic around the button!