Week 22!

BABY IS THE SIZE OF A SPAGHETTI SQUASH!

At 11 inches and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

We have been so excited to register for baby boy! Although it's all a bit overwhelming. But one thing Mitch found that he was dead set on getting is the nursery theme. We originally wanted to do a motorcycle theme when we found out we were having a boy. But there's not much out there with that theme. And let's be honest, when you think of me you do NOT think "Oh, she's crafty!" So I had to be honest with myself and thought we better stick with something that has options. So, here it is:

Mitch fell in love with it immediately. So, I knew I had no choice haha. I think it is still so cute! It's fun to start seeing things coming together. Now, all we need is a new house so we an start decorating the nursery!

Baby boy has been so active lately. I laid down for a nap and it seemed like he was training for kickboxing. I called Mitch over and lifted my shirt, and you could see every time he hit or kicked. Mitch really enjoyed watching his movements. I think this is my favorite part of being pregnant. I love being able to feel him move! I noticed he moves a lot in the evenings, and when I eat during the day. So far, he seems to love sardines and salmon, string cheese and cereal! Oh and when we went to the movies, I had some popcorn and he just went crazy! He is definitely a foodie already :) I can't believe he will be here in 17 weeks! Time is just flying by.

Week 20!

BABY IS THE SIZE OF A MANGO!!

 

Week 20 has been absolutely awesome! We had so much going on and so much to look forward to. Two main events was our anatomy ultrasound, and our gender reveal. They were both such a blast! And I have a few pictures to show.

 

So, We tried to schedule our Ultrasound as close to the weekend as possible. I knew I would be so anxious to know, and the closer we could get it to the Saturday of our Gender Reveal, the better. We had the appointment on Thursday, May 29th. It was such a great day and such a wonderful experience to see our little one actually look like a baby! The tech was such a sweet old man that has been doing this for years. He made me feel really comfortable, but he was so quiet and didn't explain as much as I was wanting to know. But I think that happens to most moms because we want to know EVERYTHING! haha He asked us if we wanted to know the gender, and we told him no. So he told us from the beginning that everytime he was going to be in the vacinity that he would tell us he was in the "danger zone". He was so cute! He had to tilt me back in the chair a few times to be able to see everything he needed to. Baby was so calm and quiet and didn't move hardly at all. But we got some really good pictures. He said Baby Moss was extremely healthy and everything looked great! It was so amazing to be able to see our little baby, and in some of these ultra sound pictures, we can already see a few features, although they obviously aren't very distinct.

 

Our Cute Little Baby's Profile! <3

Baby Moss striking a pose

Look at my foot Mom!

 

At the end of the Ultra Sound, the tech pulled up all the pictures on the screen in front of us. He started flipping through them before I could look away and I noticed the "gender" one. I thought I had seen something, but it was so fast and so unclear that I wasn't sure. But we would find out 2 days later at Our Gender reveal. And what a LOOOOOONG two days it was! I literally could not sleep. The first night, I went to sleep at 10pm and I was wide awake at 2am. I couldn't fall back to sleep until almost 4, and had to be up by 6 to get ready for work. I was so tired! I thought since I was so tired Friday, that I'd be able to get some good sleep before the reveal. Who was I kidding? I stayed up until about 1:30 preparing things for the party and getting ready for everything. I thought if I stayed up later, I'd for sure be able to sleep long. I was wrong. I was wide awake at 5:30.... I laid in bed with my eyes closed until 7 and decided that I would just get up. I was just WAY too exicted to find out if little Moss was a boy or a girl! We had a "What Will Baby Bee? Theme" Everything turned out so cute and so fun. We kept it kind of simple with the decorations, but it all tied together and looked great.

 

This is one of the 50 cupcakes that my friend Alma made for us! They turned out so cute! And they were absolutely delicious!

Our yummy lemonade to fit our black and white bee theme :)

This is the second half of he "What Will Baby Bee?" banner that I made. It turned out so cute, thanks to my friend Ashley showing me how to make a homemade banner through Microsoft Word.

 

And then, it came time to bite in these cupcakes and find out what baby Moss is!!

 

 

We are so excited to be welcoming a little boy into our family. I am out numbered between, Mitch Valention and baby but it's okay, I like being able to call them all "My Boys". It was so fun to have the family all together and find out together what we are having. It added to the excitement and made it even more special to have so many people we love and care about there in support and added excitement.

 

Mitch didn't want to do the traditional thing where the cupcakes all have the color of the gender inside. He thought it would be funny to make them all yellow, and then only have one cupcake be the one that had the gender color inside. We had agreed to make it random, so whoever got the cupcake would be surprised. But what he didn't know was that I coordinated with my friend to make sure Mitch got that one cupcake. His reaction was priceless! And then when we got to sit and talk with everyone and they shared their initial thoughts and reactions, that made it even better, because nobody knew that we had only colored one cupcake with the gender color. Everyone else had yellow filling in their cupcakes. My poor dad is color-blind so when he took a bite, he wasn't sure what color he was seeing. He said he kept asking, "Is it pink or blue?!" Haha Then others were thinking that maybe the ultrasound was inconclusive! It definitely gave us a lot of laughs and memories.

 

 

 

Again we are so grateful to those who were able to make it out to our reveal. And we feel so excited and grateful that Baby Boy Moss has so many friends and family who already love and support him! We love you guys!!

 

 

 

Week 18!

BABY IS THE SIZE OF A SWEET POTATO!!

"Your baby is getting ready to bust a move! At five and a half inches long and five ounces in weight, he now may be large enough for you to feel him twisting, rolling, punching and kicking his way around the womb. Plus, he is developing yawing and hiccuping skills (you may feel those soon, too!) and his own unique set of toe and finger prints."

This week has been such a fun one. As I mentioned before, Mitch recently got a new job. We decided since he may not get any time off between now and when the baby comes, we would take a mini vacation. We stayed in Salinas, and drove out to Monterey and Carmel. We had such a great time. It was so nice to get some alone time and reflect on all that we have to look forward to. During our weekend, Mitch was able to feel the baby kicking more and more. It was so cute to see his face when he felt the tiny movements. It was awesome! In fact, as I am typing this the baby has been really pushing out. I get a tight pain, and I can feel where the baby is with my hand. It feels so hard, but so cool at the same time. I haven't eaten any sugar or anything, but this little one is being super active lately. I am so lucky to be feeling as much as I have so early on. I reflected back and I started feeling little flutters at 12 weeks. It so nice to be able to feel the baby, it bring such a comforting peace of mind that they are okay. Here are just some pictures from our trip :

We have so much to do and look forward to this week. We will have our Gender scan on Thursday. However, we have friends and family coming in to town this next weekend for a Gender Reveal Party. I originally was hesitant to do anything like this, because I know how exciting it is for parents to find out these things. But I wasn't sure if it would be something that everyone would want to participate in. I think I mentioned before that I was talking to my dad and told him about the trend of Gender Reveals and he got really excited and said, "Let's do it!" So, it was decided and Mitch was on board as well. My family (aunts, uncles and cousins) are pretty excited as well which makes it even better. Again I'm the kind of person that likes to share my joy and excitement with those that I love. So Saturday can't come soon enough!

Week 17!

Baby is the size of a Turnip!!

So, can someone please tell me where the last three weeks have gone? So much for posting on every even numbered week. (I may be a bit OCD =P) First things first, our progression picture!!

This was taken on my (technically) very first Mother's Day as a mother. It was such a sweet and beautiful day. Mitch was such a sweetheart, as usual. I had a photo shoot to take on Saturday for a coworker, and when I came home Mitch was gone. We text back and forth and after some time, he came home and tried to be sneaky about not having anything in his hands. He is really adorable when he's trying to be sneaky. Then he called me into the kitchen and surprised me with these beautiful roses:

It made my whole day! But then Sunday came around and I woke up to Mitch leaving the room with his lap top. So I knew he was up to something. I heard the banging of pots, and then the mixer mixing whatever mitch was making for breakfast. I laid in bed for a good half hour listening to him working. It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes, and then I thought "I HAVE to capture this moment!" So I tried to be sneaky and take a picture, but he heard the door open. He folded his arms and said, "You go lay back down right now!" Haha It made me laugh and I complied. But I was able to get this photo:

I got his folded arms and all. Then a few minutes later, be brings in this plate of food, and wished me a happy Mother's Day.

So, I am not a pancake person. It's not that I don't like them, I just prefer to eat other things for breakfast. However, if you have ever gone to Black Bear Diner and had their pancakes, you'd know that they are DELICIOUS! Mitch, being the sweet husband that he is, looked up the recipe online and made me their pancakes. They tasted different than the restaurant, but they were made with love. I sat there on our bed eating my breakfast with a full heart and watery eyes. Don't I have the best husband ever? And he's all mine for ETERNITY! I am one lucky woman :)

So, what has been going on with baby these past few weeks? Well baby has graduated from an Orange, to an Avocado and now to a Turnip in the last 3 weeks. Baby's ears and eyes have migrated to their proper place. They can wiggle their fingers and toes, hear our voices, make faces and is now sucking and swallowing. We finally have a little human inside! It is so exciting to read how the baby is developing each week, and what they are up to in there. Last week I was able to feel the baby a lot. Their movements have gone from cute flutters to tiny little "pokes". I mostly feel them right after I eat. And boy does baby love cheese and Salmon! I'll have to keep track and see if they still love it when they are born. This just makes me more excited for when they arrive. I can't wait to hold and snuggle them! And I especially can't wait to see Mitch with the baby. He is going to be the best Daddy! 

One other achievement Mitch and I have reached is the agreement on one boys name and one girls name, FINALLY! Haha I know it's still early, but I thought we'd never come to an agreement. We both just have very different tastes. But please don't ask what the names are, because we aren't telling until baby comes. Well, that's the plan anyway. If you know me, you'll know that I get so excited about these things, I might just spill the beans! But I'll be as strong as I can :) Now all we have to do is find out what we are having. We find out on May 29th however, we won't know until the 31st. Yup, we're following the trend and making them put it in an envelope and we're waiting for 2 whole days (this will be TORTURE for me!). We're having family over for a BBQ and doing a gender reveal with cupcakes. I love the idea of all of us finding out together. And when I told my dad about the gender reveal idea, he got pretty excited so I knew we had to do it! I am so excited for it!

So, Mitch actually got a new job and will be starting next Monday. And since taking time off at a new job isn't the easiest, this Wed. is his last day and we will be taking a mini vacation/baby moon before the baby gets here. We're leaving for Carmel Thursday afternoon. I am so excited to get to spend some quality time together. Living with my family is great, but it is always pretty busy here. So, we definitely need this before the baby gets here. We have so many new transitions to look forward to! My heart is definitely full with all of the blessings we have seen in our lives. And my love has grown so much for Mitch as he has been a huge help for me during this pregnancy. He takes such good care of me, helping me to know what I should be eating and what is best for our little baby. I didn't think it was possible to love him more than I did on our wedding day, but my love for him just continues to grow! I can't even begin to express how grateful I am that our family is eternal and that I get to be the mother of his children. Families are Forever!

Week 14!

Week 14 is here! Welcome second trimester. I have been waiting for you, and can I just say that you are everything I've heard you would be! Easter weekend was full of travel, family and fun as we attended Stephanie (Mitch's sister) and Greg's wedding in San Diego. I was a little worried about how I would feel and was hoping the anti-nausea fairy would pay me a visit, and boy did she deliver. The whole weekend was great! I had little to no nausea, and it has continued to this day. Monday officially marked the beginning of my second trimester. I can't believe I'm already here! It has been great to have an appetite and feel in control of my body again. Food has never tasted so good! :) We also made our gender scan appointment to find out if we are having a little Moss Boy or a little Moss Girl. We will find out on May 29th, but won't tell family until that Saturday on the 31st. We plan to have a family BBQ and gender reveal. I am so excited! 

Mitch and I have seen so many blessings over the last few weeks. Aunt Cathy and Uncle Dicky came to visit on Monday. Aunt Cathy took me shopping and ended up buying us a Stroller/Car seat combo! That was so nice of them to be willing to buy something for the baby that would be a huge relief off our shoulders. And Aunt Cathy was so cute and excited while we were at the store. It was nice to spend some time with her and talk to her about her experiences too. Here is what we got:

 I was so excited to put it together. I let it sit in the living room just so I can stare at it and envision our little baby inside. Mitch finally put it away last night, and I have to be honest... it made me sad! But only because I am just so dang excited to meet this little miracle that's growing inside of me. 

My heart has been so full today! Mitch and I have seen many blessings and had many of our concerns/worries being taken care of by Heavenly Father. We have received blessings from him Through others, and blessings directly from him. My testimony of having worthy goals and desires, and then having faith in Heavenly Father to provide when you don't know how it can be done has strengthened so much. I just know that when we heed the promptings our Heavenly Father gives us; even when we don't think it's the right time, or that you're ready or that things will even work out; He will make sure that all of our needs are met and that we can be successful in following His will. I have felt His love so much stronger in the last few days, that it just gives me a small glimpse of how heaven will be like if I can be with Him someday. And I know that becoming a parent will give me an even deeper understanding of His love for me. What a blessing it is to have His trust in us to raise one of His son's and daughters, and to help bring his spirit children here on this Earth, and help guide them and shape them into what they are sent here to be. I am just so excited to be a mommy! I have always felt like this was my calling in life and that this is what I was sent here to be. I just love this little baby so much already, I am so excited for the day when I can hug and kiss them and see their sweet little face. But until then, I will continue to enjoy my pregnancy and this amazing new chapter in our lives. 

Week 12!

How Far Along? 12 Weeks 1 day!

Total Weight Gain/Loss? Down 3 lbs from pre-pregnancy weight.

Maternity Clothes? I have a pair of AMAZING jeans from Old Navy! They are so comfy!

Stretch Marks? Nope! :)

Sleep? My sleep has been okay. I could definitely get a lot more though! Napping on the weekends has been a MUST!!

Best Moment This Week? Mitch gave me a hug and thanked me for going through the sickness part of pregnancy, after I had thrown up in a parking lot earlier that evening. It was just very sweet, and made me grateful that I had someone so supportive to be here with me to rub my back or to help me make food when I need to eat. He's going to be such a great Daddy!

Have You Told Family and Friends? We told really close family and friends before we went "public" and made it official on Facebook.

Movement? I swear I felt the baby move yesterday. It was just a sweet light flutter. Nothing like gas or anything that I had ever felt. It made me really excited for when I can undeniably feel the baby, and for when Mitch will be able to experience it later on.

Food Cravings? NOTHING! The food tolerance comes and goes. Whatever sounds good to me today, will be something that sounds so horrible and torturous the next. Eating has been such a challenge for me. Especially eating healthy. Right now that seems to trigger my extreme nausea and vomiting.

Anything Make You Queasy or Sick? Again, a lot of the healthy foods that I used to love are hit or miss right now. Please do not mention hummus in front of me. And Onions are my kryptonite! Ugh! I actually had a mini melt down when I came home from school right after Mitch cooked something with onions. It was an instant battle between me and my nausea. It puts me on the verge of hugging the toilet. It's not fun!

Have You Started to Show Yet? Yes! But to most I'm sure, my tummy just looks like a chubby little pooch. I am starting to be able to see the differences each week.

Gender Prediction: Mitch and I have both felt like we are having a girl. Ever since we found out we were pregnant. But we will see here in a few weeks. We are so thrilled and will be happy no matter what we are having.

Happy or Moody Most of the Time? I'm pretty happy most of the time. But can get "moody" when the nausea strikes.

It's so much fun to be able to track the progress of my pregnancy each week. I love the little videos my app provides about the growth of our baby. We are just so thrilled and excited. I gave blood yesterday for or next appointment on Monday (April 14th). Our doctor is going to do a check up on the growth of the baby and go over my blood work with us. Then, the exciting part... We will set the date for our GENDER SCAN!!! I almost feel like a little kid again waiting for Christmas Morning. It's just so dang exciting to find out what our little baby will be! I can be patient, I promise!

We were excited to announce our pregnancy on April Fools Day. Mostly because there are always a few false pregnancy announcements and we wanted ours to be a little fun and make people wonder if it really was real, even though we were completely open about that fact that it was. And as most of you know, I am not a private person. When I am excited about something, I just have to share it! I felt like an over inflated balloon that was ready to pop by the time April Fools came around! I'm just so excited to be a Mommy and for Mitch and I to start our family. I can't think of anyone better to share this journey with!

10 Week Update!

" Your baby's growth is fast and furious when you are 10 weeks pregnant. He or she is nearly an inch and a half long and the size of a prune, but not nearly as shriveled (even with all the time it spends in water). In fact, your baby is really taking a human shape now. Bones and cartilage are forming, and small indentations on the legs are developing into knees and ankles. The arms (complete with elbows) can flex already, but don't run to the store for a baseball bat just yet. Though your baby's arms are taking shape and getting stronger, each one is only about the size of this number 1. 

The tooth bud fairy is making her appearance this week, heralding the arrival of your baby's little choppers, which are forming under the gums. (Those pearly whites won't break through the gums until your baby is close to six months old). Other systems are go, too. Your baby's stomach is producing digestive juices, the kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine, and, if your baby's a boy, he's already producing testosterone (yikes!)"

We are so excited and eager each week to see how much baby is growing and what is new with their progression. We are now in week 10 of our pregnancy and things seems to be going well. The "all day sickness" seems to be weening and has only been active at night. Lately I will have a day or two with very little to no sickness, and then it comes back at full force for a few days. Today was one of those precious rare good days!

This is my week 10 picture. You can see a little growth. I'm excited to look more pregnant and less "chubby". We are so excited for this baby to arrive! But we still have a ways to go. We have our 12 week appointment in a week and a half where we will be scheduling our gender scan. So much waiting and patience is required when you're expecting! But baby Moss will be well worth it <3