Bumpdate: Week 11

How Far Along: ELEVEN whole weeks!

Total Weight Gain: 1 pound

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I'm ready for some summer clothes! All my winter work attire is not very forgiving.

Gender: Still no clue. I can't even decide what I would prefer. Some days I think having a girl would be so fun because there are so many adorable girl things out there, but then I'll instantly hope it's a boy because I always thought I would have boys first and finish with a girl... I'll be happy either way!

Movement: Nope.

Sleep: This week I figured out how to sleep normal!! Two pillows under my head... don't ask me why but it has really helped.

What I Miss: Great news everyone, meat is making a comeback!! Woohoo!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Feeling Baby King move... This whole "there is a baby inside me" thing still hasn't really hit me and I've been told it gets much more real when you feel the baby move.

Cravings: Macaroni and Cheese! We went home for the weekend and my mom made all my favorite things - chicken and dumplings, mac and cheese, breakfast casserole - and I actually felt like eating! It was wonderful!

Aversions: They are getting so much better - the smell of meat cooking still freaks me out but it isn't near as bad as it was.

Other Crazy Symptoms: Nothing too crazy this week.

Daddy Update: Every week I feel like I say the same thing over and over - Brandon is taking care of EVERYTHING. He has been so wonderful and I truly can't sing his praises loud enough. This week, he even had a storm shelter put in our garage  - got to keep us safe! He has also been so sweet to help me with random things. I mentioned that someone had suggested Preggo Pops and that they had really helped with morning sickness. Three stores later he came home with boxes of them! I have the sweetest husband in the world.

Best Moment of the Week: We had a really wonderful week. The weekend spent in my hometown was just we needed to recoup and regroup. We spent tons of time sitting infront of the fire place at the lake playing dominoes... it doesn't get much better than that!

I also started, prepare yourselves people, prenatal yoga this week! Yoga is so out of my comfort zone, but I had heard wonderful things about Mamasta Yoga so I decided to give it a shot. I. Loved. It. It was so interesting and informative and relaxing. I can't wait to go again next week!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.

So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

Bumpdate: Week 10

How Far Along: 10 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 3 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Nope

Gender: Eight weeks until we know!

Movement: I can see it on an ultrasound but I can't feel it yet.

Sleep: Getting better! I had one day this week where I felt like my old self and not like a sleep deprived zombie... it was pretty awesome, hoping for more of those days soon!

What I Miss: Same stuff - eating food without worrying it's going to make me sick. Meat. I really miss Taco Bell and McAlisters French Dip and steak... It all sounds so good and then I smell it when I walk in and instantly start turning green.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm getting pretty excited to know if it's a girl or a boy. Right now I just feel like I'm in limbo - I can't buy anything because it has to be gender neutral, I can't decorate because I don't have a clue which direction to go and the name game would be much easier if I knew one gender to focus on! But I'll just have to sit tight for a few more months... Oh that sounds like a long time!

Cravings: I had my first official craving this week! Simple Simon's Alpine Sticks!! For those of you who don't have a Simple Simons in your neighborhood, it's a pizza place (lots of times located in a convenient store) and they have very best cheese sticks in the entire world because they use their special "alpine sauce" (kind of like a creamy italian but slightly different). To. Die. For. We have a SS very close to the town where my parents live and I made the mistake of talking about alpine sticks with my mom on the phone. As soon as we hung up, I knew I had to have some so I typed it in my phone and much to my dismay there is not a single SS in all of Oklahoma City! But I found one relatively close by so I turned my car that direction and gave them a call... The cook was out for Martin Luther King Day! Noooooo! So I looked at the next closest one - 28 miles. Yep, I totally drove it. I called the store and the cook had never heard of alpine sticks! Seriously, people?! I explained it to him and he told me he'd do his best... I thanked him profusely, to the point it was awkward but I didn't care and then I drove past two small cities, one super small town, turned down a two lane road and drove another 8 miles to a convenient store perched at the top of the hill. When I walked in the guy behind the counter smiled and said, "You must be the cheese bread girl!" How embarrassing. He had very sweetly done some research and made a few phone calls until someone had told him how to make it. I contemplated hugging him, but decided against it. He rang me up - $4. I left him a very nice tip and told him I'd see him next week! That whole "craving" thing is for real, people.

Aversions: Really big weekend - while in St. Louis with my bestie, Sheridan, I ate half a hamburger! It was monumental and I was super excited! Fingers crossed, meat is slowly making a come back! My big aversion this week, was the mean green milkshake. Details under "Daddy Update."

Other Crazy Symptoms: This was my first time to fly since getting pregnant and I was a little concerned that motion sickness + morning sickness would be one big disaster, but luckily I sat in my assigned seat and passed smooth out for the entire flight!

Daddy Update: My sweet, sweet husband has been so wonderful! He has picked up so much slack around the house and has been so patient with me. This week, he decided that he was going to help me start eating... He's been a little concerned that Baby King isn't getting enough nutrients. So he got up extra early and made me a "mean green milkshake." Now, if you know me at all you know I don't eat hardly anything green so husband did his best to cover it up. The green is chopped up baby spinach leaves, then he added almond soy milk, bananas, a hot chocolate packet and then a bigggg squirt of chocolate syrup. It wasn't entirely green, but it still had a hint of it. I did my very best to drink it, but about four sips in I came to the harsh realization that it just wasn't going to happen. He took it like a champ, but I could tell he was disappointed. It was so sweet of him to go to all the extra effort... I felt really bad.

Best Moment of the Week: I had such a great weekend in St. Louis! Sheridan bought Baby King his/her first little toy and it was so precious! It was so fun to be reunited with my sweet friend (and her husband, Jacob). I was incredibly blessed to not get sick the entire weekend!! Thank you Lord! The weather was perfect - we spent lots of time outside and we had a great time exploring Forrest Park! I am so excited to go back in the Spring when everything is green and blooming! (Plus Sheridan introduced me to this amazing crepe place - crepes are my absolute favorite! I had a strawberry, banana, nutella crepe and it was a-mazing!!) The morning after I got home we had a doctors appointment and got to look at our sweet little baby moving around like crazy. Every time I see it, I am so amazed by God's miracle and so humbled that He chose Brandon and I to be this baby's parents. God is good, all the time.

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.

So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

Bumpdate: Week 9

How Far Along: Nine weeks and around five days (I think?)

Total Weight Gain: I will go to the doctor next week and have an "official" measurement, but according to our bathroom scales I've gained a pound back!

Maternity Clothes: No maternity clothes yet, although I do see the need for some change in my work clothes. The clothes I wear to work our typically tailored and this is causing a bit of a problem! I also wear high waisted belts to work a lot and yesterday, the belt I had on over a dress was just the little snap kind. I was sitting in a meeting and took a big breath and POP!! Belt just shot right off!

Gender: Still no idea... but I'm getting pretty ready to know so I can start buying baby things!

Movement: Brandon's birthday was this week and after dinner we snuck into his clinic and had a little ultrasound. (Best perk of hubby being a resident EVER!) I couldn't believe how much the little guy/girl had grown!! We were just sitting there staring at it and all of the sudden its little arms started moving and legs started kicking! Obviously, I still couldn't feel anything but it was incredible to see! We videoed it with our iPhone and I can't stop watching it!

Sleep: I just want to sleep around the clock!!

What I Miss: Still food... How many weeks have I been saying this? I'm so hungry and I so miss all the yummy things I used to eat, but none of them sound good!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Excited about our appointment next Monday! For some reason, going to a doctor (other than Brandon) makes it feel a little more real. Next week I'm also flying to St. Louis to visit my bestest friend Sheridan and I'm kind of ridiculously excited about that! I had planned the trip to tell her in person, but there were a few extenuating circumstances that left me with no choice but to call her and tell her... so now instead of a big surprise, we're going to spend the weekend celebrating!!

Cravings: I still don't know that I have any cravings. I'm eating a LOT of potatoes - baked, mashed, fries, pretty much any form - but it's not because I'm dying for a potato, it's just because they are one of the few things that are safe to eat without getting sick.

Aversions: In addition to the never ending hatred of meat - blueberry bagels, orange juice and strawberries were sadly added to the list this week.

Other Crazy Symptoms: Still nothing crazy that I know of... well, that's a lie, but this isn't crazy to most people, just me... If for some reason you're a dude and your reading this, you might want to stop here. It isn't anything gross, it's just a little awkward... Up until a few weeks ago I could still wear my first bikini from middle school. I never need to buy a new sports bra and I could legitimately wear a training bra from the girls department. I am a huge advocated for the extra padding push up bra at Victoria Secret and it's alright with me, I'm not the least bit embarrassed. My chest is small but so is my waist, it's something I'm willing to live with! But in the last month, I've started to "blossom!" (That's such an awkward word and I find it hilarious!!) I've legitimately filled out my 32A and it's awesome! Ha! Sorry for over sharing, but if you were in my shoes, you'd be excited too.

Daddy Update: Brandon is still plugging along, picking up all the slack his sleepy wife is leaving. He was so cute on his birthday - he just told me all he wanted was to go see his baby. Melt my heart!

Best Moment of the Week: Definitely the ultrasound. Each one gets me more and more excited!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.

So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

Bumpdate: Week 8

How Far Along: 8 weeks (Somehow failed to take a picture this week.)

Total Weight Gain: Last week the doctor's scales said I had gained three pounds. This week my appetite has been much more scarce and I've been sick more often than any other week... So, I lost those three pounds. Total: 0 lbs gained thus far.

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but you won't catch me sitting for long in jeans with the button buttoned. Brandon thinks it's hilarious when I whisper to him, "Remind me when I get up from here to button my pants."

Gender: My mother made the official announcement this week that it's a girl, she's just sure of it... which probably jinxed it and it'll be a boy! I still do not have a feeling that leads me to think one way or another.

Movement: Nothing yet.

Sleep: Wanting it non-stop!

What I Miss: Food. I wish a steak sounded good... or chicken! I can't remember the last time I ate chicken! Right now I'm pretty much living on potatoes. I really am ready to have my appetite back and for food to sound good again.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm so ready for Baby King to be public knowledge!! We still have a few more people to tell and then we're going to open the flood gates! Hopefully, it'll be facebook official by Week 10.

Cravings: Not anything really. Cheetos. I really like Cheetos and I'm typically not a Cheetos fan. Other than that, nothing sounds too good.

Aversions: Same as always, meat. The only exception being Arby's Roast Beef sandwiches. Random things have also pushed me over the edge lately - orange juice, which I typically drink a glass of every morning, is out. Strawberries, earlier I was putting away a couple of pints a week, out. Sadly, my palette is getting smaller instead of larger!

Other Crazy Symptoms: Nothing too crazy this week, thankfully!

Daddy Update: Brandon is just taking such good care of me/us. I have stopped cooking because the smell gets me and I'm not hungry. I have stopped cleaning because I'm exhausted all the time. I have stopped doing laundry because I walk in the door, put on sweats and get in bed. I have stopped attempting to put up any of the seven Christmas trees... the list goes on and on and on. My precious husband has picked up all my slack. He cooks, he cleans, he does laundry... I am so incredibly grateful.

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.

So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

The Worst Kept Secret

Under normal circumstances, I am a very good secret keeper. I'm incredibly tight lipped - lock it up and throw away the key - but when it came to Baby King I couldn't shut my mouth! 

Telling Daddy:
So Brandon was coming home from being on night call the morning I realized that I was pregnant. I got up that morning and took a pregnancy test, feeling quite confident that there was no way I was pregnant. Turns out, I was wrong. I took the test and INSTANTLY the line showed up bright and bold. I honestly didn't really react. I just kind of stared at it and thought "no way." So I decided to hop in the shower, get ready and perform another test. (The whole time checking the original test every ten seconds as though it was going to change... It didn't.) The second test, again, instantly two bright lines. Wow. I couldn't get my head around it... I just didn't feel pregnant. 

Brandon came home and hopped straight in bed, I wasn't really even tempted to tell him because I wanted to do something more special then just hand him a pregnancy test... especially if I would have to wake him up, tell him and then turn around and leave for work. That didn't sound the least bit fun to me. So I waited...

I spent the day wracking my brain thinking of how to tell him. Long story short, I ended up doing a little secret crafting in my office. After work, I wrapped up my little project and we headed off to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Paseo Grill. I told Brandon that one of his presents came in and I wanted to give it to him early so that he could enjoy it all through the holidays. I handed him the gift and he happily obliged (He hates all my Christmas rules - no peeking, cheating, opening early, etc). He opened the box to find a little crown made of lace. He was a bit confused, but then I told him there was more in the box. He dug around until he felt something hard... He stopped digging, looked up at me and as soon as he saw my gigantic grin, he knew... We're having a baby! It was the most precious, genuinely happy, utterly shocked face I've ever seen. 

Telling the Grandparents:
We couldn't control our excitement through the holidays so we spilled the beans to our families on Christmas! We didn't do anything too extravagant, just wrapped a framed picture of the ultrasound and had them open it as their last gift. It was so much fun watching their reactions! Brandon's parents were so sweet and excited, but nothing compared to my parents' faces - complete shock!! Absolutely hilarious! 

Grandma Karen

 Grandpa Larry

 My parents - Still accepting grandparent name suggestions

In true Mama Shawna fashion, we told her she was getting a grand baby

and an hour later she comes out of the attic with a crib!! 

She bought it a few years ago because "you don't run across pretty antique cribs everyday!"

Be Blessed!

Raegan