18 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Size of baby: Little one is around 6 3/4 ounces and 5 1/2 inches... About the size of a sweet potato.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 4 pounds (I will update this with doctor appointments- their scale and my scale are very different.  I finally have a little bump!

Maternity Clothes:  I can still wear my regular clothes but am starting to transition into maternity shirts and the maternity pants are still a little bit but they are definitely more comfortable."

Gender:  Don't know- we'll hopefully find out February 15th.

Movement: I feel flutters every day and can feel little one rolling and moving.  Every now and then I'll get a hard kick or poke.  I'm sure they will become more frequent as little one grows.

Sleep: I am more used to sleeping on my side now and still get up usually once a night.  My joints are loosening up a bit and are now a little sore, especially after staying in one position for too long.

What I miss: Ibuprofen!  And sleeping on my back.

Cravings: Nothing in particular right now.  Early on it was Cherry Icees but that has passed.  I love iced water with lemon and am really enjoying root beer right now, too.

Symptoms: Nothing major right now- yay!  I still have the stuffy/runny nose but it seems a little bit better.  I am still having some heartburn but not on a regular basis.  I really cannot complain after hearing what some women go through.  I am very blessed!

17 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Size of baby: Little one is around 5 ounces and 5 inches... About the size of an onion.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 4 pounds

Maternity Clothes:  I can still wear my regular clothes but they are starting to get tight after meals... I am loving my "belly bands."

Gender:  Don't know- we'll hopefully find out February 15th.

Movement: I feel flutters from daily now and every now and then a good hard poke/kick.

Sleep: Still getting up at least once a night to pee.  Still trying to get used to sleeping on my side.  

What I miss: Ibuprofen!  And sleeping on my back.

Cravings: Nothing in particular right now.  Early on it was Cherry Icees but that has passed.  I love iced water with lemon now...And I still love Mexican food!

Symptoms: I had some mild to moderate nausea and heartburn with the first trimester but that passed after about week 12.  Knock on wood, I didn't throw up!  Now I have "rhinitis of pregnancy."  Lots of nasal stuffiness.  I am less tired than the first trimester but still as tired as I was before.  I am just starting to look like I'm pregnant- I still mostly look like I ate a big meal!

big news!

a baby is on the way to our house!  i am now 16 weeks pregnant and the little one's due date is june 30th.  we will find out how everything is developing on february 15th, and if there is cooperation, we'll find out if it is a boy or a girl.  i don't really have a "bump" yet but i promise to post pictures once i do.  i will do my best to document what i can.  you can check out the "ticker" on the right to see how the development continues.

m & m party pretzels.

these are super yummy and very easy to make.  they are great for any occasion or just as a tasty sweet & salty snack to have at home.  (just ask jay!)

here is what you'll need to make them:

     *jelly roll pan (or any baking sheet with sides

     *square pretzels

     *chocolate candy melts (I use Wilton's)

     *m & m's (I use the solid colors for baby showers and the holiday mixes for those events)

     *room in your freezer for your pan

preheat oven to 200 degrees.  place pretzels on cookie sheet until full.

next, place the chocolate melts in the center of each pretzel.

place the cookie sheet in the oven for 5-7 minutes and chocolate begins to melt.  (you can test this by trying to place an m & m in the center of the chocolate on one pretzel- if it places easily, they're done!

then place your m & m's in the center of each piece of melted chocolate.

once complete, place the pan in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, or until chocolate rehardens.

store in an air-tight container and enjoy!

happy new year!

i have been a blogging slacker for the past bit.  life's been busy and i've been uninspired.  how many times can you all read a post about my dogs or us moving?

but beginning very soon, and as a resolution of sorts for 2012, i promise to blog more!  (and as soon as i can locate the memory card,) i will have a post about how to make some yummy, easy party treats- great for holidays, baby/wedding showers, or just to have as a snack.

so happy new year, if you are still checking in and reading my sorry posts.  there is much more to come this year.  pinky swear!