What I'm learning about maternity clothes...

If you're on my twitter, you know I was fussing about the cost of maternity clothes, and that I dropped $60 on 2 shirts and 1 pair of jeans.  I'm cheap, I refuse to spend that kind of money on regular clothes....so here's my rant! lol

**They're ridiculously expensive.  $35 is the running price for jeans, no matter where you look.  And, you can buy capris at Target in one size, go back to get the same brand and size full length jeans.  Surely they fit the same, surely.  NO.  Not even close.  I couldn't get the jeans pulled up over my thighs.  Got them up as far as I could, crotch of the pants was still 4 inches below my own!  Same size.  Sense that makes?  NONE

**More on the pants...apparently if you're pregnant, your thighs are supposed to be the size of twigs.  Girlfriend, here, doesn't have that.  I've always had muscular legs, 5 years 2 seasons each of soccer will do that to ya.  Old Navy, I had to go up a size just because the legs were too tight.  I'm normal sized people!  Everywhere else fit...

**The shirts with rouching on the sides...lovely idea, if they don't ride up every time you move.  Can't find the shirt online to show to you guys...but personally, I don't want the band of my jeans to show because the shirt can't stay in place!!  Maybe it'll get better when I get bigger.
Just because it looks good on the hanger AND online, does NOT I repeat NOT mean that it will look good on you!  Case in point....this shirt: 

source

cute, right?  Wrong.  Terribly wrong!  Again, if you're a twig...with NO boobies...this should look fabulous on you.  I put it on and it made my boobies look 4 times larger than they already are!!  And made my belly look incredibly odd.  Needless to say...this is going back to Target!

**My favorite shirts are the plain, LONG tshirts.  I'm really liking SOME of Old Navy's shirts 

source

This looks SO much better ON than it does in this pic!  And a long tee that I found at Target, I have it in red and pink!  LOL

**It's rarely on sale, never at Target.  And just to be frank, most of Old Navy's stuff is just on my HELL NO list!  And Old Navy has the better priced maternity clothes!!

**My night shirts no longer fit, it's pretty amusing to look at me.  I finally broke down and got a body pillow, used it for the first time last night.  Either it worked or I was exhausted, but I slept WELL.  It did eventually end up on the floor though.  LOL.  I'll try that again tonight.

**Just shy of 18 weeks, and I'm ready for regular clothes already...and I haven't even hit "WHOA SHE'S PREGNANT" stage yet!!  

Fur Baby Friday!!

Mrs Monologues

Sully wasn't happy about not being featured on Fur Baby Friday last week

He doesn't like to share his spotlight

So, here he is in this week's favorite pose

Don't stop scratching my belly Mommie

Life is rough

The neighbors have a tiny chihuahua that comes over and jingles his collar until Sully cries at the door and we let him out...

Looking for his friend

Ya'll go link up with Mrs Monologues!

17 weeks...wait what happened to 16?

17 Weeks

If you follow my weekly updates, you're probably wondering what happened to week 16...

I went to the doctor Friday (3/23)

Baby's heart rate was 141, the nurse predicted that Baby is a boy!

We'll find out, if Baby wants to show the goods, April 16!

We're considering a fun gender reveal party for family.

This angle makes me look bigger!  LOL

How far along are you? 

17 weeks

Total weight gain: 

ugh, apparently more than the doctor wanted me to gain!  I think I've gained 12 pounds total.  He said it usually evens out.  He wasn't going to say anything about it, so I guess that's good, but I asked.  So, I guess I need to start watching that!

How big is baby?:

What to Expect says

Baby is as big as a sweet potato

source

source

Maternity clothes: 

Oh yeah...I need more pants and shirts, but I'm cheap and will only buy one thing a week or so

Stretch marks?:  

None, yet.  

Still applying Palmers religiously

Sleep?: 

Still flipping and flopping in bed, when I finally fall asleep I will sleep for about 3 hours.  Then, I'll flip and flop for a while again....sleep for a few hours.  Lather, rinse, repeat...

Best moment this week?:

J's excitement.  He's been excited the whole time, but the more I start to show, the more time progresses, the more excited he gets.

Movement?: 

YES!
We were eating lunch and I felt what felt like a really deep, very light muscle spasm that lasted about 30 seconds or so.
The next night I felt a thump thump thump
it was cute

Food cravings?:

Popcicles!  At least I'm eating sugar free lol

Food aversions?:

Not too bad, kind of depends on the day

Labor signs?: 

NO!  Stay put Baby!

Belly button in or out?: 

In...not sure if I think it will or won't pop

What I miss: 

Sleeping comfortably...starting to get uncomfortable.  Pre-pregnancy I was a big tummy sleeper...that's dwindling 

What I'm looking forward to: 

APRIL 16!!

We will find out Baby's gender!  HURRY UP APRIL!

What I'm not looking forward to: 

Even less sleep...I've become an insomniac it seems.  

Pre-pregnancy, I could sleep so well. Just get still and I'd be SOUND asleep...noise level didn't really matter, light didn't matter...not so much any more

Milestone: 

Feeling Baby move!!

My brain is a pile of mush

I have nothing fabulous to expound on today, so I think you'll just get a ton of random crap from my brain...

• I crave popcicles now.  Thankfully they come in many sugar free varieties!  I ate 4 the first night I got the box, 3 last night, and one at lunch today.  I eat red or purple, saving all of the oranges for last.  No idea why, always have
• I bought a blackout curtain for our bedroom, since J sleeps during the day and I sleep until 10 most mornings (night shift and second shift...it pretty much rocks for us right now lol).  J seems to be sleeping much more deeply now, not any longer, but so much better.  I'm glad!

11:00am, love it

• J has grown out a goatee, he usually will only keep them two or three days.  Surprisingly, this one has lasted over a week, and he's really liking it.  I must admit, I'm liking it too!  Today, we noticed that it needed some attention, some grooming.  We don't have a beard trimmer, so we busted out the hair clippers...lets just say trimming a goatee with big hair clippers is a challenge.  I think I did a darn good job!

See?  Good job!

• I'm trying to get him to go get his hair cut, his flat top is getting too tall...as evidenced by the pics.  He says it looks better a little longer and not so close and harsh now that he has some facial hair.  I say it makes him an inch taller...and I like him very well groomed.  LOL
• I'm hungry...all the time.  And my dr told me to watch my weight.  He doesn't want me to end up overweight by the end of this pregnancy....this just isn't fair
• I possibly made the world's worst decision for a 17 week pregnant lady last night.  I watched 19 Kids and Counting, the episode about their miscarriage at 18 weeks.  Cried is not the word for it.  I sobbed.  Thank God J is a fabulous husband.  I called him (he was on his lunch at work) and was just boohoo'ing.  I told him what I did and he just asked if I was ok.  He let me babble on and on about how sad I was for them, and scared.  But that I was glad that I can feel Baby move a little, just that added comfort that Baby's there and ok.  He just told me to pray, and that it will all be ok.  Prior to me being pregnant, his patience for me being emotional was much lower...possibly because I'm only emotional when hormonal (birthcontrol pills make me the devil!).  I told Emily about my world's worst decision, her fabulous supportive message?  "Stay away from sad crap!!"  That's support right there lol.  This pregnancy mess turns me into a crazy lunatic!
• I was told yesterday, "You're not even showing!"  Wow, you don't know me do you?!  I told J.  He laughed and said, "Oh yes you are!"  I didn't know whether or not to be flattered because I haven't gained a ton of weight, or insulted because this person thinks my stomach is round like this all the time?  They see me on a daily basis in passing at work...

This pair of workout pants is definitely too small

Hope ya'll have a great day!

Newlywed Game Link-up

Mackey Madness

This adorable link-up is from the SWEETEST BLOGGER EVER, Megan (seriously, if you don't follow or read her, you MUST...she's one of my daily reads!) and her friend Jess (who is also a daily read for me)

The rules are:

1. Below are the 5 questions.

2. Ask these questions to your significant other.

3. Answer the same questions about your significant other.

4. Come back next Monday (3/26/12) to linkup and share your answers!

Questions 

1) What do you think my best quality is?

2) What would be your ideal date with me?

3) What was your first impression of me? 

4) What is your favorite memory of us?

5) What do you see for us in the future?

And I actually got J to participate!  LOL  

Questions 

1) What do you think my best quality is?

J: Your silliness
Me: Your ability to always remain level headed

2) What would be your ideal date with me?

J: A canoe trip
Me: Right now, relaxation, alone, in a secluded cabin or beach condo

3) What was your first impression of me? 

J: A no nonsense girl
Me: First impression? Since I saw you before you saw me?
"Hot Damn!  They hired a hottie!"
just being honest here lol
You see, he was working my current job when I got hired in, we didn't speak to each other for a few months after I started work

4) What is your favorite memory of us?

J: Getting married

Me: Definitely getting married, it was pretty spur of the moment and fueled by pure love

5) What do you see for us in the future?

J: Children and doggies

Me: Baby and success
(obviously we disagree on how many children are being birthed by me)


And, I know ya'll have seen these pics before, but here are a few of my favorites from when we got married

I could really keep adding, but I'll stop lol

What a wonderful weekend!!

We had an amazing weekend visiting my parent's in  Kentucky.  It's always nice to get away from our every day and see family I haven't seen since Christmas.  Sully enjoyed getting to sit in laps all weekend lol.
Plus...one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE bloggers, Allie, let me guest post for her this weekend!  I was excited to see it!  And, psyched at the response I got, and I got 5 fabulous new followers!!  Thank you guys!!

Friday morning I got up early for a dr appointment.  Everything with Baby is going great!  Heart rate of 141 bpm!  The nurse announced that she's predicting Baby is a boy!  He also changed my due date back to Sept 3 instead of 8.  So, I'll be 17 weeks tomorrow.
On my way to the Dr, I enjoyed listening to my music...LOUD.  I kept hearing this rattling.  Finally, I found this:

A handful of .22 rounds...these will not fit either of our pistols lol

Only in our car...really lol

We got ready after my appointment, and hit the road!!

My honey is soo handsome!

I was travelling in comfort!

Somehow he's comfortable laying across that notebook

The Yellow cone is part of the Corvette Museum, J calls it "the Bumblebee Butt" lol

Driving down the highway to my parents, gorgeous!

We stuffed our faces with manicotti Friday night, homemade maniotti.  My mother is a great cook!  And baker!!  I had one happy pregnant belly!!

Saturday, J decided he wanted to explore Flealand...oh boy oh boy was he in for a treat!  Let's just say that there are some seriously scary people that can come from the mountains of Kentucky.  Alabama rednecks don't have anything on them!!  I think I was too dumbfounded by the utter crap that was being sold, and the crazy people running around.  There were folks EVERYWHERE, it was a zoo!  So, because I was so distracted by the zoo, I forgot to take pictures to share with you guys.  I did get this pic:

J digging into our funnel cake! Yes, we ate food  prepared in a flea market lol

We left Flealand and went to Vette City Antiques. We're not antique people, but we really enjoyed it!
I was in near preggo-hormone-related-tears when I saw this little guy:

Rub-a-dub Doggie!! OMG!

My beloved Rub-a-Dub!!  I bathed with Rub-a-Dub every single day!! Until his ears got mildewy.  Sad sad day in the life of 4 year old Amanda!

We also found these gems around Vette City:

Yes, folks. For $20 each these liquor bottle lamps can be your's!

Anyone want a Rot Iron table?

Do any of ya'll remember Land Before Time hand puppets?!  I had these!!

J and I on our Flea Market jaunt

Saturday was also my mother's birthday...we won't officially announce her age, but she looks fabulous!  lol
We decided to bake her a cake, J had never baked a cake from scratch...so that we did!  Cake and icing, completely from scratch!!

ha, I made him wear it! But, he can call himself an Episcopalian!

I got the lady bug apron!

J decided that I looked "really pregnant" with the apron on like this lol

My Mommie and I, she put her reading glasses on me

It was wonderful!!

We packed up and headed home after a nice relaxing morning.  It was wonderful, and I was so glad to get to see my parents and my grandmother
My grandmother has been staying with my parents since she had back surgery in early January.  She's getting around very well, and has less pain.  That was the intent for the surgery...so so happy to see her standing well and moving around well.  She will be going back home to Mississippi soon.

Again, thank you to my new followers and all of their advice!!  

Fur Baby Friday!

I'll have to link up with Mrs Monologues as soon as I get back to a computer...or figure out how to do it on my phone.  You see, by the time you read this, J and I will be on our way to Kentucky to visit my parents!  I'm psyched!  Isn't the ability to schedule posts fabulous?  LOL

Mrs Monologues

My brother and sister-in-law just got a new puppy

Who doesn't love puppies?

Plus, I get to show off my adorable niece and nephew again!

Mr Brayden and Rose

Ms Bossypants Rayleigh

Bossypants standing next to their Brutus, and Brayden playing  with Rose

How sweet is this?

Rayleigh being Bossypants already to little Rose

Brayden being licked clean by Rose

Their big baby, Brutus

Rayleigh's mommie says this is her "Attitude Face" of which she has many

That ear, isn't she adorable?!

HEHEHE

Thank you to my sis-in-law for letting me steal her pics

Really needing to share this

I just read Megan's post for today, her reflection on marriage.
Ya'll, this woman is an inspiration on how to live life following God, being a good wife, the whole 9 yards.  She is the sweetest thing ever.  Even after her miscarriage, she asks me about my pregnancy and encourages me to not be nervous before appointments. She's strong.  She's amazing.  Pray for her, support her, read her blog you won't be disappointed.
But, my only reason for writing today is for all of you married/engaged ladies (and gentlemen, because I shared this with J).  Read Megan's post from today...it's great.  She writes about marriage and love so well

http://mackeymadness.blogspot.com/2012/03/reflections-on-marriage

15 Weeks...

15 Weeks!

Well, I'm into the 2nd trimester, next doctor appointment is tomorrow at 9:30

BLEH!  I never roll over until 10 or later!

The life of a second shifter!!

Baby is getting out there!

How far along are you? 

15 weeks

Total weight gain: 

no clue, other than the 5 pounds...I don't think there's been much upward movement there

How big is baby?:

my What To Expect app says the size of an avocado!

source

source

 Maternity clothes: 

Just bought a pair of maternity capris

I have really long legs and have never like capris on myself

I'm going to look like a stork

Stretch marks?:  

None, yet.  

Still applying Palmers religiously

Sleep?: 

I started getting really hot this week, and can't find a comfortable position to lay in

I toss and turn, sleep for a few hours, toss and turn, sleep again

I'm going to have to get a personal AC and a body pillow 

joking about the AC, but not the body pillow

Best moment this week?:

Pretty sure I felt Baby move!!  

I was laying on the couch, really still and felt this strange feeling

It certainly wasn't like any gas I've ever felt...and when I didn't poot...

Felt it 3 times

It was neat

Movement?: 

Think so!

Food cravings?:

Nothing this week...

Food aversions?:

Right now, just about no food sounds good for some reason

Labor signs?: 

NO!  Stay put Baby!

Belly button in or out?: 

In...not sure if I think it will or won't pop

What I miss: 

Sleeping comfortably...starting to get uncomfortable.  Pre-pregnancy I was a big tummy sleeper...that's dwindling 

What I'm looking forward to: 

Feeling Baby move more

J being able to feel Baby move

and trying to trick the Dr into an earlier appointment

otherwise it'll be 4 weeks from tomorrow before we know if Baby is a boy or girl

What I'm not looking forward to: 

The really uncomfortable period

Milestone: 

Feeling Baby move...I think lol

MUG SWAP!!

Ashlee

I actually got teamed up with one of the hosts of the swap! 

It's really been fun getting to know Ashlee, especially through twitter.

Have I mentioned I LOVE twitter?

I even got J to join twitter.  Ya'll that's a miracle, he HATES social media

Anyway...

I was excited to shop for Ashlee's mug,

and SO excited when I got my package!!  

Ashlee, I LOVE my mug!!

It's perfect.

I love when mugs just *fit* in your hand

And this one does!!

She sent the sweetest card

(I have the same stationary lol)

She sent me her favorite coffee, I must say, it's YUM!

And...she sent chocolate covered espresso beans!!

I may have to share those since I am really limiting my caffeine intake while pregnant, 

but I'll have to eat one or two!