Trimester #2/Pregnancy Brain!

So, staying faithful updating this little blog is a little more difficult than I was expecting! I can't believe it has been a month since I last blogged! Things have been crazy for me at work. The Elementary Musical was the 12th, and required so much of my attention and energy. This was the first year where both the Elementary and the Middle School concerts were scheduled back-to-back Fridays. Not only did I get more-easily stressed this year, but I felt like my brain was a small sponge in a large bucket of information, and it just couldn't hold any mroe. I wonder how many times my colleagues looked at me and saw the "blank look" as they were trying to ask something of me or share something. Haha! I'm sharing all of this with you because although having two concerts back-to-back would probably be difficult under "normal health conditions", I'm convinced that I started feeling the full effects of "pregnancy brain". There have been several other instances (especially while teaching... poor, confused children) where I'm convinced I'm feeling it's effects fully. :) Occasionally, I've given my students very specific directions (but not at all what I thought I told them). Then, when I proceed to correct them, they look at me so perplexed and say, "But Mrs. Maerz, you just told us to....". OOPS! Ay yay yay. Not cool. That's been a bit embarassing. I hope that hasn't been happening TOO often.

I'm now in my 16th week of pregnancy! Wow! Since the last time I've blogged, I've officially entered the seconf trimester, and have been THOROUGHLY enjoying it so far! My sickness/queasiness has stopped, I feel like myself again, I have my energy back, and I love my BABY BUMP! :) I am constantly feeling my belly, or checking myself out in the mirror and smiling! It's such a blast! I just noticed this morning in church that I can't fold my arms infront of my belly anymore. I have to actually rest my arms ON TOP of my belly for maximum comfort. Haha. Since I last blogged, I have officially begun my second trimester. This trimester is the time of rapid growth for both baby and mommy, so my body has been changing very quickly... almost noticeably so. Baby is already 4-4 1/2 inches long and weighs 2-3 oz. Nate and I just read last night that baby is just big enough to cradle in the palm of a hand. Isn't that awesome?? We so love our baby already!

Also, we found out inbetween blogs that my big sister, Diana is also expecting... only one month after me! (Beginning of July) We're very excited for them!

I'm sorry that there haven't been any pictures of me yet. We took some a couple weeks ago, but we haven't had the chance to upload them yet, and I left my camera at school for a week or so. But they should be coming soon. (Incase you're really dissapointed. Haha.)

Well, I pray that everyone has a blessed Christmas.... filled with Christ. Enjoy time with your families/friends, and please feel free to leave comments on this blog so I know you're thinking!

MeRrY cHrIsTmAs!!! :)

Feeling like myself again

Well, things have improved a lot since the last time I blogged. Over the last two weeks I've felt a huge improvement in my energy level and I'm nauseous much less frequently. I'm glad about that. There is still the occasional "Uh oh, I need to eat something... NOW" moment, but I'm glad that it is less often. This is supposed to happen as you get closer to your second trimester, which I am only a week away from now. I am 12 weeks. Apparently, the placenta (provides what the baby needs) is now starting to be fully self-functional, meaning my body is starting to get a break for providing for both me and the baby.

Baby Maerz is now supposedly over 2 inches long (twice the size of the sonogram picture). I'm starting to get a little baby bump, which is fun. It still isn't baby... it's all of my organs being pushed up and around from the uterus and baby growing. Although, at my last doctor's appointment last week, the nurse practitioner showed me how to feel the uterus which is now grown over the top of my pelvis. So I can actully feel "baby" (sort of) now. :)

Nate and I are spending every weekend hour available next door at our second house getting things done. For those who don't know, we bought the house next door to us for a great price, and plan on flipping it for profit. So, that is an exciting thing we've been doing together. Don't worry, I'm definitely NOT overdoing it. :)

We look forward to driving to Massachusetts to visit Diana, Ajay and Nehemiah (oh yah, and baby Reddy #2!!) on Wednesday evening for Thanksgiving. My parents are going as well, so we should have a great time together.

Well, I think that's all for now. Thanks for reading! Hope to update when I have new info.

Our Little Gummy Bear!

Below are our first sonogram pictures!

The first picture It's a bird's eye view looking down on baby. Notice the hands, feet, eyes, nose, chin, umbilical chord (Not a wee-wee! It's too early to see any gender-specific parts!), and EARS! Look at those adorable ears sticking out! I definitely WASN'T expecting such detail from our little Gummy Bear!

I L-O-V-E this picture below! This was the first image we saw of baby, and it's like we're sneaking up behind him/her (I refuse to say "it"!). I think it is so precious. Look at the spine all the way down the back, and again.... his/her left ear sticking out! Haha! Too stinkin' cute! I am in love with our baby already! :)

Ignore the incredibly helpful label posted by the sonogram lady.... "BABY --->". Haha. Wasn't there something less obvious she could've pointed out? Haha.

Hooray for our very first post on our blog! This is exciting! It's weird to think that soon enough I'll be able to scroll through this whole page and watch the journey of our baby growing. Wow.

I am currently in my 10th week of pregnancy. Things have been a little bit rough for the last couple weeks. Nausea/Exhaustion are in full swing, and it's really taking it's toll. It's not terrible, but it sure does make you feel yucky. My gag-reflex is SUPER SENSITIVE. The weirdest things are just completely grossing me out lately. (i.e. PIZZA) And it's annoying, because who knows when a "gag" will turn into full-fledged throwing up. (Sorry if that's TMI!) It's also been difficult at work. I actually had to send a first grade class back to their classroom yesterday because it was inevitable... I knew I was going to end up getting sick in front of the poor sweet children if I didn't eat something. Haha. That was embarrasing. Thank goodness for understanding co-workers. Luckily, I've figured out though that when I'm queezy, my body just needs food. So I can eat a quick snack and I'll be OK.

I have also been SO INCREDIBLY thankful for Nate the last couple weeks. (More than usual!) He has been such an amazing help around the house. I come home from work, and I really have been USELESS. Poor guy. But he has been really understanding, and helps out however he can. I got home from Worship Band practice last night, and he was cleaning the kitchen. (He knew I had a rough day). Being married to such a wonderful man is so wonderful! He'll be an amazing dad. <3

Last Wednesday evening, Nate and I had our first sonogram appointment at Dr. Erk's office. So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed our Dr's office, even though I haven't even met her yet. Our nurse practitioner and other staff there (with the exception of the office staff) have been so helpful and friendly, and we've heard only good things about Dr. Susan Erk, so we're excited about that. I've been told how much a "bad" doctor can put a damper on things. (Thanks, Di!)

Our appointment was very brief... at this office, you're really only supposed to get an "early" sonogram done if there is some concern for the health of the baby... but again our nurse practicioner was so sweet and scheduled one for us anyway so we could see our baby. It was AWESOME! The image was projected on a big TV on the wall, and we got a really good look at our little one. :) Baby is only about an inch long right now, so we were pleasantly surpised to see a VERY DETAILED picture of our little "gummy bear". That was one of the first things I said as we were looking at baby. He/she really did look like a little gummy bear to me! And it's comparable in size. Haha. So if you hear me calling our baby "Gummy Bear", now you now why! :)