14 Weeks and counting!

A secret has been kept from some...at this point most know...WE'RE GOING TO BE PARENTS!!

After five years of marriage and a wonderful 3 year old Westie pup, we've taken the plunge into becoming parents (to a human). I'm 14 weeks, 4 days, due April 10, 2012. The first trimester was interesting...I felt "normal" for the first 7 weeks or so...

At the end of July we confirmed that we would have our own little one. 

Then as school was beginning to start back, I started to feel, well simply put, not like myself. I felt "green" as in seasick "green." I had almost no appetite, everything tasted different and bad, and I was nauseous most of every day for about six weeks. I lost weight...which was not something to be super concerned about since the baby would take whatever it needed from me regardless of how I felt, but needless to say, it made me concerned. Then on August 30, we got to see our little bucket for the first time and hear it's heart beat (154 beats per minute)! Simply put, AMAZING!! How something so small can be seen and heard. Everything looked great, and developing according to plan. I am so thankful to God that our baby is growing and that I am not classified as a high risk pregnancy!

One of our first baby pictures! 

Fast forward to October 4, 13 weeks pregnant....start of 2nd trimester! I was definitely starting to feel better and find my groove. At this point, I must brag on my wonderful husband...without his constant love and support I wouldn't have found "my groove." He is why we made it through the first six weeks of school, he was the one who made sure we ate, made sure dishes were clean and put away, that laundry got done, and that I was ready to face each day of school. If it had just been up to me, we wouldn't have had any of those things or been ready for anything! God blessed me immensely through my husband's unconditional love to care for me and our baby so well...and this love hasn't stopped, either! :)

13 Weeks, I'm starting to show! 

14 Weeks, 3 days...a better view of the baby bump. 

Even though we've entered the rumored "best trimester," I've still not felt well on some days over the last couple of weeks. However, I have faith, especially after today, that I'll be having more good days in the future than bad!

FAQ's:
Will you find out the gender? 
Yes, on November 23! Happy Thanksgiving!

Do you want it to be a boy or girl?
A happy healthy baby, please! AKA...we won't tell you!

Are you thinking about names?
Yes, but again, they are secret...until birth! So you'll just have to live with the baby, being called baby, the little bucket, or Optimus (or Optima) Pailes!

What are you craving?
This week...Chocolate Milk....which was very surprising since I have had HUGE aversions to all things chocolate since August!

What was the biggest food aversion?
Meat: raw or cooked...just didn't want to taste, see, smell large quantities....which was weird. Sweets: I've always had a sweet tooth and it has basically left the building....I have to really be in the mood for a dessert!

What was your most annoying symptom?
Nausea
Extreme Exhaustion
Motion Sensitivity
Extra Saliva...brushing my teeth was really interesting for a couple of weeks.

What are you most looking forward to during the next six months, aka before baby?
Getting to spend quality time with my hubby! I love doing life with him!