Movement into the 4th month!

This past Sunday marked the end of my 4th month of pregnancy (16 weeks). I can't (and yet, I can) believe that it's been 4 months, already.

On Memorial day, I spent an hour or two by the pool relaxing. I came home and decided to take a nap. Later, when I woke up, I felt a funny flutter on my left side, near the bottom of my rib cage. When it happened again, I realized that this was what the books had been talking about: I was feeling what is called, "quickening," or the flutter of movement from the baby.

This went on to happen a total of five times.

I also awoke last night to the same, funny feeling, and have felt it all day today. What a weird sensation!

Below is my most recent picture--4 months--along with the past 4 months as they progress.

Two weeks until BOY OR GIRL!

ummm...wow. I'm still in awe of the dramatic change this month!!

PS--some pretty Texas Storm pictures from tonight :-)

Green, Pink, & Blue!!

Well, at 15 and a half weeks, we have some good news and some good news... :-)

Every day, I am less and less "green!" I NEVER thought that I would be able to write that. I was very sure that I would spend all nine months sick and queasy.

Just this week, I've felt more energy and less nausea. WHEW!

The best sign that I'm feeling better is that I'm not spending the evening on the couch every night. I've visited friends, cleaned and made dinner more! (I'm sure I can hear a sigh of relief from Tony as I write this...)

As my friend Gyasi noted: "You've got your spunk back, Julie." (well put!)

Our other good news is that we will be finding out the sex of the baby in about 3 weeks! Sonogram update coming on Tuesday, June 9th!!

We had an appointment today, and although my Dr. is on maternity leave, we were very happy to meet her temporary replacement. She is a grandmother type with a sweet and sensitive personality. She checked, and everything is normal. The heartbeat was 150bpm this time, and I'm growing at a normal rate.

Uneventful and wonderful!

Stay tuned!

First Trimester!!

Well, (much to my surprise) I've made it through the first trimester!

It's been a bumpy ride, but I'm glad I'm here. I'm still waiting for the "fun" to begin :-)

As the weeks have gone by, my food aversions, sense of smell, and nausea have progressively gotten worse. There are times these past couple of weeks that I thought I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...only to be "left in the dark" again.

The funniest is that I can smell scents from a mile away, it seems. I'll walk into the house, and demand to know what Tony has been cooking or cleaning with recently. I can't stand the smell of garlic or grease. Most perfumes and lotion scents drive me bananas.

On the positive side it is making me more healty: I've always been a chocolate fanatic. If you had placed a bowl of chocolates in front of me, I probably would have wanted to finish them all! Not so any more! Amazingly, I can take chocolate or leave it...and many times, I do leave it! Instead, I'm craving fruity things. I love fruit, popsicles, smoothies and sherbets! My favorite is "Luigi's Italian Ice." Pure heaven!

We have another appointment next week with my doctor, but I'm not really sure if we'll have an ultrasound. I'll update next week, if there is any interesting news.

Our last tidbit to share is that on Tuesday, June 9th, we will be finding out if the baby is a boy or a girl. We've gotten some flack from a few people for this decision, but feel that it is the right choice for us. Mostly because Tony really wants to know, and I would like to plan and decorate the baby's room.

Below is my most recent picture, followed by the progression from the first trimester.

**I got my hair cut tonight...3 inches gone! I love it!!