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Week 18

It’s hard to believe we were in Tahoe just a week ago. This last week has been busy with work and trying to find new employees. I started getting this strange feeling in my chest and throat. It’s that sensation when you first realize there’s an earth quake or when the rollercoaster takes it’s first dip. I tried to feel my pulse but didn’t notice a change. It seemed to only happen at night at first. And then I noticed in the morning. When it wouldn’t go away in the morning, I called my obstetrician and they got me in right away. He listened to the baby’s heartbeat as well as mine and my lungs and he said everything sounded great. My blood pressure was fine and aside from the strange heart palpitations, I’ve been 100%. I’ll keep watching it and give acupuncture a try. I tried getting ahold of my regular doctor but he’s on vacation. He did email me and told me to take more fish oil, magnesium, and eat foods high in potassium. Hopefully one of those will do the trick and it’ll go away.

How far along? 18 weeks
Baby is now the size of a Bellpepper
Maternity clothes? Not yet!
Movement: Nothing for sure. A few bubble sensations but can’t say for sure.
Cravings/Aversions: Craving carbs. Bread, pasta, chips, you name it. Cant stand the smell and taste of anything with coconut oil
Miss Anything? Wine and those fruity cocktails on tv look delicious even though I wasn’t much of a drinker before
Symptoms: Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
Have you started to show yet:  Stomach is starting to show through a baggy shirt
Looking forward to: My belly looking more like there’s a baby in there instead of just too many carbs
Best moment this week: Hearing the baby’s heartbeat at the prenatal checkup

Week 17

We ran up to Lake Tahoe this weekend and eloped! After much debating over the last two years on what kind of wedding to have, we finally decided that a Wedding for Two was the best way to go. Especially with a baby on the way. Less stressful and a lot less expensive! Our dear friend Anthony happened to be ordained and available for the weekend so we made it happen! It was the perfect morning. Brisk but with bright blue skies. Not a single cloud. We met our photographer, Lauren Lindley whom I found with a quick google search, in the parking lot and ran down to the pier for the ceremony. With Dee at our feet, we stood at the edge of the pier with the sparkling blue water dancing below us. Anthony’s ceremony was absolutely beautiful and included the perfect poem about how falling in love is like owning a dog. After the ceremony, we took a few photos and ran up back into the trees to take a few more. It was odd being on the other side of the camera but I’m excited to see what kind of magic Lauren was able to create. Just seeing the three she chose for us have me beyond excited.

The details:
I purchased a dress a few weeks ago and it was snug in the store. I promised to stop binging on bread and to exercise a bit more to ensure I didn’t gain anymore weight while also being mindful that I have a little human growing inside of me. I took the dress to a seamstress the week after and it barely fit over my hips. PANIC! I officially quit all grains again, drank more water, and went to the gym almost everyday – if even to just walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes. I picked the dress up on Thursday and it fit perfectly. Phew! It blows my mind what grains do to me. The belly still grew a bit and was definitely present in that tight fitting dress which I didn’t mind a bit.

The bouquet, boutonniere, and Dee’s collar we made ourselves. We stocked up on fake flowers at Michael’s and over the course of the week, gradually put something together. I look forward to using them for photo props in the future and was happy to save the money not getting fresh flowers that are only good for the one day.

I did my hair and makeup myself. This was a daunting task considering I have very little experience doing either. Last Wednesday I went to the mall and asked someone for help. She showed me how I should do my makeup and I searched YouTube and Pinterest for some ideas for my hair. I cut a bunch off a few months ago so it’s at an awkward length and the updo’s I’m comfortable with don’t work so I eventually settled with the simple hair tucked into a headband look. It was easy, stayed put and looked good enough for the scale of our event.

We purchased Steve’s suit at Men’s Warehouse and had the manager help us pick everything out. I loved how it all came together (seriously, guys have it so easy) and told him he should dress like that all the time. Sadly he’s against this idea. 😉

Overall, the wedding didn’t cost us much which allows us to save it for the upcoming baby expenses. Unfortunately, it means our friends and family missed out on the event but I imagine most of you understand this was the perfect way for us to do it and perhaps expected it.

Now onto the baby stuff!!

How far along? 17 weeks
Baby is now the size of:  an Onion
Maternity clothes? Not yet!
Stretch marks? None yet
Movement: Nothing yet
Sleep: Lots of weird dreams and waking up at 3am on the dot to use the bathroom
Cravings/Aversions: Craving coffee. It made me so sick in the first trimester but I’m in love with it again
Miss Anything? Wine, beer, fruity cocktails… Funny how I rarely drank prior to getting pregnant and now I miss it like crazy
Symptoms: Just heartburn. Thankfully the nausea is officially gone and my energy is returning.
Have you started to show yet:  Yep! If the shirt isn’t terribly baggy, you can definitely see some belly protrusion
Looking forward to: Seeing the baby bump grow
Best moment this week: Marrying my best friend