{seventeen weeks}

Love Bucket,

Weeks are flying by and you are getting so OLD! You are roughly the size of an onion--over 5 inches long from crown to rump. This week your unique fingerprints develop. That's a pretty exciting milestone because you are beginning to become your own little person in there. I can't wait to get to know you.

I have been feeling really good lately. Not sick, as long as I keep on eating, I have a little more energy than usual, I'm able to get out of bed without rolling out of it like a mommy zombie, and overall I just feel like a normal person. I was wondering if I'd ever feel that way again! Don't get me wrong, I don't look like I used to! I've only gained about 4 pounds, and it's all belly! People can't really tell I'm pregnant probably, but I'm starting to look like it I think. I hope. :)

A lot of people ask me if I'm scared of labor. But right now, I'm honestly not! I'm sure I will be later once it's closer, I tend to not get nervous about things until I'm right there in the situation. But you know what I am terrified of for some reason?




BREASTFEEDING!


Haha, it sounds so silly to be so scared of it. But it's a big goal of mine I want to achieve-and I've known so many that have given up fast on it because it was too hard, or their milk didn't come in, or stuff like that. I will do everything I can to keep with it! I know it's the best thing I can feed Aubrey and I want that mother-baby bond that goes with it. I just know it's very hard for new moms. Plus I might be working a few days a week, and I will have to pump or something on my lunch breaks. Terrifying! And let me tell you, I will NOT be one of those moms that pop their boob out in public. I will have my dainty little hooter hider (like the adorable mom shown above) Anyways, just some thoughts. What are your thoughts on nursing? Is it as hard as it looks? Is it worth it to stick with it? Do you not like nursing, and prefer formula? What about nursing/formula combo? Tell me everything! I love hearing from moms.

Thanks,

Lisa~

seventeen weeks belly.

I'm starting to look pregnant and not like I just had a big lunch, yay!

{sixteen weeks}

Baby girl,

You are so long! You are nearly 5 inches long, as long as an avocado. Your muscles are getting stronger and your bones are getting harder by the day, so I may be able to feel you boppin' around in there very soon! Maybe even as early as this week. I can't wait for that moment! No matter where I am, I will probably shout for joy! Unless it's in the middle of sacrament meeting or something :)

I love the fact that you can hear my voice now. I will try to start singing to you, it's supposed to be a comfort for when you are born, and you will recognize my voice. How sweet are you! We bought you your first present--(not counting the several outfits we have gotten!). My sister in law gave us a 25% off coupon to Babies R Us, and we had to use it on either a crib, bassinet, car seat, or stroller. I didn't plan on getting any of this "big" stuff yet, since I'll be having baby showers, but 25% is quite a chunk off of something that is pricy. So we got you an adorable car seat. Heres a picture of it:

I know I will probably regret getting a girl only car seat, because we obviously couldn't use it for a boy! But I fell in love with it as I do so many baby girl items, and who knows? What if you are my only baby girl I will ever have? I want to live it up with all the pink and flowers :)

Anyways, thanks for being such a princess and not making me sick anymore. I've actually been cooking and cleaning as much as I used to when I was a good little housewife. Steve appreciates it too! He's going to be such a good daddy for you, if he takes care of you half as good as he takes care of me, you will still be the luckiest little girl in the world! Love you.

Love

The mama

{our baby furniture picks}

I've been looking at baby furniture since, well.... the day we starting trying to conceive--which was well over a year ago! We finally have decided on our future princess's nursery furniture, and some other fun things too :)

The Crib. "Graco Victoria" in white. I love it's 5 star safety rating, the low price, it's elegant features, and how it turns into a toddler bed, and regular bed! (And we already have a mattress for it thanks to my wonderful sister in law!)



The changing table/dresser. "South shore" changing table and dresser combo. Just what I wanted, to kill two birds with one stone! I love how you can stick your diapers and wipes in the cubbies, and stick linens or clothes in the drawers below! Oh, and it's freakin' adorable :)



Bassinet. "Burlington baby bassinet in white". I love the ruffles, and wicker baskets that come with it below. It also comes with a blue bow so you can use it for a boy in the future! It's dreamy.


The diaper bag. I don't think I really need to explain myself here, this bag has me written all over it! And at $30.00 on amazon, I won't feel bad having to buy another one if we have a boy in the future.


We still haven't found crib bedding, or a car seat/stroller we both like, but we have plenty of time to stalk Babies R Us and Goore's. :)

We are having a....

If you are my friend on facebook, or have seen me the past week, you know we are having a baby...



GIRL!

Might as well type the whole blog post in pink! I can't express how surprised and thrilled I am to be having a daughter. We SWORE it was a boy, from what our nurse said, to the intelligender test, and Steve have so many boys in his family. We were already even starting to buy boy clothes!!


I can gush on and on all day about this. I think the reason I'm most excited is because it was a such a SURPRISE! When the U/S tech was rubbing the wand thing on my belly, I just started searching for a penis! When I saw three distinct lines in between the legs, I knew RIGHT then I was going to have a girl. I asked him how sure he was, and he said "Oh, 100%, no doubts at all.". I instantly starting laughing and crying happy tears--one of the best moments of my life for sure :) I looked instantly at Steve and he had the huge smile on his face, and I knew he was just as thrilled. He gave me the biggest hug and kiss after the ultrasound tech left the room.


I'm just so excited for the tutus, the polka dots, the pigtails, the SHOPPING, the dresses, but most importantly the mother-daughter bond that I enjoy sharing with my own mom.

I love you, our princess Aubrey Jane Williams!

{15 weeks}--late! :(

** So I am really writing this post at 16 weeks and 1 day cause I fail at pregnancy blogging**

Dearest baby of mine,

Happy 15 week old birthday! I'm, as usual, thrilled to know you are still hangin around in my tummy. "Tomorrow" would have been the day I find out your gender! I was so anxious and excited all day and couldn't sleep the night before at all!

I've been feeling much better lately and can finally say it feels like the second trimester is being good to me. Maybe I will gain a pound or two in the next coming weeks since I can eat much better now, and fall is coming. Pot roast. Potatoes. Mmmmm!

As far as you and your baking process: This week you are about 4 inches long and weight a little over 2 ounces. You continue inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (Yum!), which will help the air sacs in your lungs develop. Your muscles are strengthening, and all four limbs now have functional joints. I may start feeling movement next week! I can't wait until I feel that "bubbling" or "fish-like" movement everyone is preparing me for! And soon enough you will be kicking me in the ribs. Yay!

Well, back to work the mama goes..

Love you!

My lemon,

We are getting soo much closer to the half way point. Maybe that's when it will all feel real? Or perhaps when I feel you move for the first time, that has got to be amazing. Or maybe when our ultrasound tech says "It's a boy!" or maybe even "It's a girl!" I think the only time it will really feel real is the second you are in our arms!

This weel you are about the size of a lemon. You're starting to produce your own blood cells and insulin and your body might b e covered by a layer of downy hair called lanugo. You can squint, frown, grimace, and even suck your thumb!

Next Friday, we will hopefully find out your gender. We are going to Sonotech, a place that does ultrasounds for mommies that don't have patience. I still feel like you are a boy, but knowing for sure will be that much more exciting! And I get 10 pictures of you, AND a dvd of the ultrasound! Amazing.

I still get waves of nausea here and there, mostly if I haven't eaten in a while. I try to snack often, but nothing seems to satisfy you! One thing you apparently do NOT like is chicken. I can't even think about chicken. EWW! Another thing, I haven't gained yet one pound yet. I feel like I should have by now. Any prior mamas know when this should be happening? THanks!

Well, your daddy and I sure love you! We talk about you alll the time, and you have soo many family and friends that already love you.

Love,

Mama