Pregnancy Update: Weeks 21-24

Week 21

On June 19th at 21w3d Ryan was finally able to feel our baby girl move for himself! We'd been trying for awhile but she was finally ready. He got a big smile on his face and said "That's her? That's awesome!"



Week 22

This week we started our trip in Utah to visit family. Before we left though I had an OB appointment where they said everything looked okay on the ultrasound except that the placenta is low lying. So...we need to get another look in a few weeks, pray it moves up!

On June 29th at 22w6d we were able to see the baby kick! Nothing too crazy yet but it's fun to watch my belly bounce as she "dances" :) 

We were spoiled by a beautiful baby shower this week thrown by Ryan's family.

I'm lucky to have a sweet sister-in-law who is a fabulous photographer and she offered to take some maternity pictures for us. My belly is not in it's full glory yet but we had to take advantage of the opportunity. I'll post more pictures when I get them but here are a few to preview (they weren't all naked belly shots).



 Week 23

We spent this week with my family. Enjoyed the 4th of July, camping, swimming, and yet another darling baby shower put together by my sister.

Week 24

 Sadly we finished our trip and headed home this week. The above picture is technically a 23w5d pic but seeing as we came home and I went right back to work I don't have a true 24 week shot :)

I'm still feeling good, it's getting harder to bend over and I've really felt my belly stretch lately but I certainly can't complain. Friends, family, and coworkers have been very thoughtful and kind in their comments.

Our jogger, car seat, and dresser arrived this week making everything even more real! We are looking forward to putting the nursery together in the next few weeks.



Pregnancy Update: Weeks 17-20

Week 17

Apparently nothing too exciting this week, just a slowly expanding belly :)

Week 18

On May 31st at 18w5d I finally felt our little baby move! I had been paying attention for a week or two anticipating the first movement but it was while I was hunched over at the computer desk talking to the bank for an hour that I finally felt that little jab :) It wasn't a small feeling like "gas or bubbles" like people say, it was a pretty clear punch/kick. Sure made a long trying phone call much better!

Week 19

(Hello Baby Belly!)

On June 4th we had our big ultrasound! We were so anxious to find out what this little baby is and...SHE cooperated! Gave us a great gender shot and other needed shots but not so great on the profile shots which are the cute ones. She was snuggled up looking down with her knees drawn up and hands under her chin which is exactly how I sleep :) But it was great to see her and find out she is a healthy baby GIRL! Honestly I wasn't surprised, I've thought she was a girl for most of the pregnancy but we were both hoping for an oldest boy. Very grateful for HER though :)

We kept the news to ourselves for a few days and then I first revealed the gender to my mom when we met in Philadelphia on the 6th. The rest of the family received a package with "It's a Girl" candy bars a few days later. We were able to Skye or call with almost everyone when they opened them. Funny how nearly everyone predicted a girl.

Week 20

(This is the only picture I have of week 20 due to traveling but it's a great one!)

I've put on 5-7 pounds by this point and am really seeing the bump now! I personally have noticed it for at least 5 weeks but other people are really noticing in the last 2-3 weeks which is fun. I feel great and can't complain! We revealed our little girl's gender to friends and "the world" this week via facebook. We have a few names that we like but haven't agreed on one yet. Hopefully soon!

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 13-16

Well it's hard to believe another month has gone by and we've crossed into the 2nd trimester! Time is flying and I'm feeling great and for all of this, I'm grateful!

Week 13

We took little Baby West on his/her first plane ride and first trip out of the country and spent the week in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on our annual beach trip! We realized that this would be the last beach trip for awhile so we enjoyed it to the fullest but agreed to plan one in 2 years for our 10th anniversary. I think I'll survive :)

Week 14

Sorry for the boring picture but after we got back from our trip I went straight back to work for 7 nights so between scrubs and pajamas...this is the best I got :) But as you can see, the tummy is making its debut! Ryan visited me at work one night and we took a little peek at the baby. Sure is fun to see him/her moving around! We think we even caught him/her sucking their thumb!

Week 15

As you can see, I made a BIG change and cut 12 inches of my hair off for a new do! Haven't had it short for almost 15 years. Why now you ask? Well I've had this crazy notion in my head for years that "pregnant women have short hair" and when I got pregnant some day I would cut mine. Crazy I know, but whatever it takes to take the plunge :)

Had another appointment with the doctor this week. Heard a quick heartbeat (155bpm) and got her blessing. We also scheduled our big ultrasound and are counting down the days with anticipation!

Week 16

Celebrated Mother's Day! Ryan and the babies got me my hanging baskets for the porch and we got to video chat with Elder Allan for an hour.

Jack was jealous of Baby's camera time last week so he insisted on being a part of this week's picture :)

That's it for now. Hard to believe the next time I post we'll know whether this little baby is a boy or a girl!! Any guesses?

Baby West

I'll be honest, we put having kids off for a long time. The "plan" or at least mine had always been to put Ryan through law school then start having kids. Well that didn't exactly work out. About 6 months ago we decided that we had waited long enough and better start obeying :)

December 1st 2012 we found out we were pregnant.

Even though we had been trying I was so delighted and surprised to actually see a positive test and Ryan was ecstatic (which warmed my heart more than anything). Unfortunately, our joy turned to worry and sorrow just a few days later when I started to spot. I'm an ER nurse, I see that every day and knew what it most likely meant. Our doctors were very kind and helpful but unfortunately I miscarried about a week later. It was a sad time for us. So disappointing since we were looking forward to our holiday visit to Utah and to be able to share our news. It was a sad visit for the two of us. I guess we didn't know how badly we wanted it until it was taken away. I'm sure grateful for all the support Ryan gave me through the process.

So we started trying again. I took tests every few days (which I wouldn't recommend) and got used to seeing negative signs even though I wanted a positive one. On February 20th, I took another test fully expecting it to be negative and to my surprise it was positive!

It was faint though so when I showed Ryan he wasn't elated like he was the first time. He was apprehensive and nervous which I understand. But the next day I had blood work done and my HCG numbers were lower than I anticipated but they confirmed the pregnancy. My progesterone level was much higher than the first pregnancy which I was SO glad to see!

I plan to use this blog like many many other ladies as a journal of this journey. So expect lots of pictures and information that may get boring but is fun/important for me to remember. And I offer my apologies ahead of time if TMI is shared. I'm a nurse and have therefore lost my filter for appropriateness :) Here goes!

5 weeks

Had repeat HCG's that kept doubling. Those numbers were joy to my heart!

6 weeks

On March 5th we had our first doctor's appointment. It was so great to be there! All seemed well and we left excited with a due date of October 28, 2013.

On March 9th and 10th we told our families our good news! I sent my sister a card that said "Great sisters get promoted to Aunt" I told her to video call me before she opened it and she was SO excited to find out! She's been waiting 10 years in fact :)

With St. Patrick's Day coming up we sent our parents each a sign with a rainbow and pot of gold. I wrote "Better than a pot of gold..." and on the back I wrote "is a little Baby to hold! Baby West coming October 2013" with a picture of us holding a onesie.

We video chatted with them while they opened it and they too were very excited for us. It was so great to have our family share our excitement and offer support and love.

7 weeks

My nausea started this week. It was uncomfortable but manageable when I ate. Shared our news with "the world" via facebook.

8 weeks

A great friend from work/church did a bedside ultrasound for us in the ER. It was awesome to see the little gummy bear and the heartbeat! I had snuck a peek myself a few days prior and was pretty sure I saw the heartbeat. It was great though to have Ryan there and to see it for sure. Ryan had a huge smile on his face and took the pictures home to hang on our fridge (which seemed momentous).

9 weeks

After a few unsuccessful attempts I was able to find the baby's heartbeat with a doppler (a perk of working in the ER). It was so cool! I remember smiling so big to myself, I even recorded it with my phone so I could share it with Ryan and our families.

10 weeks

Nausea, wicked breast tenderness, and constipation (sorry if TMI) continue but grateful for them all the same. I feel like I started to show this week (and by show I mean I could tell a difference).

11 weeks

I think my nausea turned the corner this week, yay! Had another appointment, this time with my doctor. She was excited for us which I thought was sweet. She thought it was too early to hear the heartbeat but I asked her to try (knowing full well she would find it) and after she made us promise we wouldn't be upset if she couldn't find it, she tried and found it immediately...what a surprise :) It was good to hear it again and to have Ryan there to hear it.

On April 12th we had our first official ultrasound! It.was.awesome! What a magical time to hold hands as we saw our little baby who finally look like a baby. He/she wiggled and kicked and it was the coolest thing to watch! I am never filled with more joy than when I see Ryan smile the way he did as he watched his baby :)

Looks like this baby has inherited his/her dad's long legs :)

12 weeks

Still drooling over these precious ultrasound pictures! It makes it all that more real...along with a growing belly which I'm noticing a lot more this week. It's somewhat of a relief to have made it to the magic 12 weeks but I know we still have a long road in front of us! Now we're off to enjoy one last beach trip for what is probably going to be long time!

A baptism and a blessing

We headed back to Utah over New Year's to celebrate the baptism of our niece Gracie and the blessing of her baby sister Adalaide. What a great occasion! It was so neat to see 2 sweet girls in their beautiful white dresses share their big day together!

How tender is this?!

Meeting our newest niece for the first time!

Since our families are so close we always get the chance to see both of them. We spent an evening with my family playing dress up/fashion show with the girls :) They thoroughly enjoyed it!

We also took a ride on the new Front runner Train from Provo to Salt Lake and checked out City Creek

We enjoyed an afternoon of sledding with the kids. Haven't done that since I was a kid but we had a great time! Even baby Ella got in on the action :)

 Sledding was followed up by some yummy hot chocolate

And of course, a winter trip to Utah can no longer be complete without a ski trip! This time we went to Solitude and as always, had a fantastic time!

It's always good to go home and see the family. Looking forward to our next trip!