18-Weeks Pregnant!

I am officially 18-weeks pregnant today.  Presley is the size of a sweet potato this week.  "Reflexes are more fully developed.  The fetus hiccups, yawns and moves around inside the womb.  As the fetus begins to twist and turn these movements may begin to be more noticeable to the mother."
154 days until June 29th!
I am feeling great!  Presley gives me soft gentle kicks all the time.  She definitely moves a lot more than Avery did.  And 1 week from today is our anatomy scan.  I can't wait to A) make sure Presley is a girl, B) make sure everything is OK, and C) see her little face.  Will she look like Avery?  Will she have my chin? 
Can't wait to see her!!!
Here are pictures of my baby bump.  I'm so proud of it.  I think dancing every day is helping!

17-weeks/Appt.

I am officially 17-weeks pregnant today.  LB is the size of an onion now.  "The developing fetus can begin to hear sounds, like your heart beat and the sound of your voice as it resonates throughout the body."  I have been feeling great this week.  I am getting bigger by the day...sheesh.  I'm kind of scared how big I will be by 40-weeks:/  In other news, Avery might not know she's going to be a big sister, but she does know where her baby sister is!  I can say, "where's the baby?" and Avery will come to me, lift my shirt up and touch my belly button.  It's so freaking cute!!!  I have started cleaning out the new nursery and cleaned out Avery's closet.  I moved all of the clothes Avery can no longer wear into the new nursery.  When I was going through Avery's old onesies, rompers, sleepers and outfits, I am SOOOOO THRILLED we are having a girl!  I am so happy we will get to reuse these clothes.  Looking at these outfits brings back many wonderful memories.  The newborn and size 1 diapers are so freaking tiny.  I cannot believe we are going to have another tiny baby in a few months!!!
I also had my 17-week doctor appointment this morning.  Aside from the fact that my insurance messed up today and I had to call HR and get it straightened out, everything went well.  I have gained 12-pounds total so far.  The baby's heart rate was 146.  She is just like her big sister.  Avery's heart rate was in the 140's the entire pregnancy. 
AND Chris and I FINALLY agreed upon a name.  We originally agreed upon Hadley.  Once Chris knew it was a girl, he changed his mind.  I liked Cambree, but Chris hated it.  I asked Chris to give me a list of names and I would pick from those names.  He has never given me input on names, so I had no idea how horrible his taste would be.  He gave me a list of 4 names.  Dakota, Alexis, Cheyenne and Shania.  Yes, as in Twain.  Sigh!  I made him go with me to Barnes & Noble to look at baby name books.  He liked Laney, which isn't too bad, but no.  He got frustrated and gave up.  I asked friends for help with names.  Presley was one of the names given to me, which I like.  I asked Chris and he said, "I like...".  Well HALLELUJAH!!!  We have our name!!!  Presley.  Now I just have to find the perfect middle name:)

January Pics



At the Fort Worth Stock Show

Well, she finally started using her ride-on toy...



She eventually got it right

The things that amuse this kid...

We got her all tuckered out from shopping

This is actually from New Years Eve...but we'll call it January

Here's Dasher, our new dog!

Baby 2's 1st REAL Ultrasound

Yesterday we went to a Miracle to Behold in FW to get an elective ultrasound.  On the way to the ultrasound I had such clarity that this was a girl.  It was almost like, "I don't need this ultrasound because I am so sure it's a girl."  I was so anxious that something would be wrong or there would be no heartbeat.  The 1st thing the tech did was check for the heartrate.  She couldn't get our little wiggle worm to hold still long enough.  That was funny.  Once she finally got LB to hold still long enough, the heartrate was 152.  She started checking for the gender right away.  It was so shocking because I have only had one previous abdominal ultrasound with Avery.  And they check measurements, for the 4 chambers in the heart, 2 kidneys, etc.  And it takes forever before you find out the gender.  This time she just came right out with it.  "It's a girl".  I was so excited, but felt bad for Chris that he will never get the son that he wants so badly.  She said she wants 3 good, clear shots of the gender just to make sure which made me feel better.  The 1st one happened so quick and she pointed out the 3 lines that all girls have in 2nd trimester.  The umbilical cord was between LB's legs and LB crossed her legs and rolled over onto her stomach.  It's like she was saying, "I showed you once, now leave me alone."  She was snuggled up to my placenta...it was kind of sweet.  AND everytime she kicked on the screen, I could feel it.  It was very cool.  LB was very stubborn and did not want to show her goods again.  So the tech had to do a lot of jiggling on my stomach.  We got our 2nd good clear shot of the 3 white dots and a picture.  It took a while to get the 3rd clear shot.  But we did.  The tech said, "Yep, definitely a girl.  Sorry dad, I was hoping to find something for you, but it's definitely a girl.".
We got 2 pictures of the 3 white dots.  And I was proud of Chris for handling himself well.  I am thrilled and ready!  Bring on the tutus, bows, etc. etc.  Yippee!!!  Now if only we could agree on a name:/

16-Weeks Pregnant

I am officially 16 weeks today.  It has gone by so fast!!  LB is the size of an avocado.  AND I am finding out the gender on Friday.  I will be happy either way.  If it's a girl I will be elated, but will worry about sibling rivalry and baby #2 constantly being compared to Avery.  If it's a boy, I will be happy, but will mourn the fact that Avery's cutest clothes will never be worn again.  It is surreal to think that our unknown baby will have a name and planned future as of Friday.  Please cooperate LB!!!! 
This week has been really exciting because I can feel the baby move.  I feel a popping sensation, like popcorn.  AND feelings like Braxton Hicks contractions...I LOVE this part of pregnancy!!!
"This week your baby's limbs are much more developed, legs and arms are longer and are becoming more controlled in movement.  Your baby's skeletal system is developing more as calcium is deposited onto the bones.  Over the next couple of weeks your baby's weight will double."

15-weeks Pregnant

Yesterday I hit 15-weeks pregnant.  I am definitely showing now, wow!  I scheduled an ultrasound at an ultrasound place for Friday, January 14th.  I am so excited and can't wait to know the gender!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The Chinese Birth Calendar says girl, Intelligender says boy.  My intuition has been all over the place.  Right now I am 70/30 girl.  I am 70% sure it's a girl.  I was 100% certain Avery was a girl, so we will see next Friday...Little Bean, please cooperate!!!
This week LB is the size of a navel orange.  "The hair on your baby's head is growing in and the follicles will make pigment if your baby has dark hair.  Around the body, there's still fine hair (lanugo) to protect against being constantly exposed to the amniotic fluid.  Your baby's skin is thin and nearly translucent and if you were to take a look inside your womb you'd see small blood vessels forming underneath the skin.  Some babies may even be starting to suck their thumb around this time."