This is what's going on at 23 weeks....

This week Vivien is about the size of a large mango with more than 11 inches long and weighs just over 1 pound.  Her sense of movemement is well developed now so all the dancing I was participating in at Shannon's bachelorette party explains why Vivien was kicking me when I got home.  Perhaps she was dancing along with me = ).

Crazy Baby Dreams..........
Lastnight I dreamt that Lance and I took Vivien out of my stomach to check in on her.  We knew we only had a few minutes to play with her before she had to return to my belly.  My remarkable baby was developed enough to sit up on the bed, look around the room and tell us "I like this place".  We were estatic she approved of her home-to-be.  This is the second dream I've had where she comes out of my belly to play with us and each time she looks gorgeous.  I'm not just saying that either...this is one good looking kid.  In the first dream she had big brown eyes, light hair and light skin.  In the second dream, she had darker hair but big blue/grey eyes. 

Little Dancing Baby...
Also this week Vivien has decided to dance around directly on my blatter.  Maybe she's getting back at me for Shannon's Bachelorette weekend.  I've had to pee at work atleast ten times today because of her direct blows to my bladder.

Ever Changing Body...
Every morning I wake up I just stare at how big my stomach has gotten.  I do think its strange that I am always surrounded by people and not one person has asked me if I am pregnant or how far along I am.  It's making me wonder...do I just look fat?

Baby Gifts!!!
I want to thank all my TT friends for already buying Vivien cute little outfits!  At least I know I'm not the only one with an addiction to cuteness.  TT Auntie Nicole bought her the cutest little white bloomers from a cute Boutique in Boerne.  TT Auntie Jessica showed up with a bag full of baby items including the most adorable dresses.  Then on Sunday I got home to find a package from TT Auntie Rebekah with the cutest "NYC" booties.  Thank you so much and Vivien is going to love them!

22 WEEK PHOTO UPDATE

How far along?: 22 weeks

Total weight gain: Up 15 lbs.  Majority of my weight has been belly and boobs, but I'm noticing my thighs are getting bigger due to lack of lunges and squats!
How much does baby weigh?: About 1 lb.

Maternity clothes?: Oh yeah! All my pants & most tops.

Stretch marks?: Thank the Lord...none yet!
Sleep?: I slept well for a few days with minimal potty breaks, but lastnight was the first time I could feel how large my belly has gotten.  Infact, I had dreams that it was massively expanding overnight.
Best moment this week?: Watching her bump around in my belly.  We put the tv remote on my stomach to see how hard she was kicking.  I love it!
Movement?: Like clockwork...around 9:30 am, several times in the late afternoon, then again around 6:30 and 9:30.

Food cravings?:  Not really.  I still do like anything sweet after a meal.  I'm thinking Vivien has a sweet tooth like her daddy.
Labor signs?: No way
Belly button in or out?: In but making some strange progress to come out.

What I miss: Ice Cold Beer & sleeping without 4 pillows.
What I'm looking forward to: Seeing my friends this weekend for Shannon's Bridal Shower
Milestone: Being able to see Vivien kick and move around

Pregnancy Cartoon Week 22

Day 1 of Baby Room

I started painting Vivien's nursery today (by the way - we changed the spelling of her name).  Here is our "before" photo with plain white walls.  I have a lot of work to do!

I learned this weekend that I do not have control of my body like I thought I did.  What started out as a great weekend in Mexico for a wedding turned into the first time I've felt like this huge pregnant person I didn't recoginize! 

I'm constantly being told "take it easy", "put your feet up", "drink lots of water" and I'm like "yeah, yeah...I got this!"  I thought I had this until I almost passed out in a wedding I was a bridesmaid for.  The photos of this weekend will show you a gorgeous wedding in Zihuatenjo Mexico with ocean views, palm trees and white sands, but what the photos won't show is the fact the chapel was atleast 95 degrees with no airconditioner.  I noticed other people sweating, but not like I was.  My two layer satin dress was sticking to my stomach by the first 10 minutes.  I started to feel very thirsty and could feel sweat dripping down my calves.  By 40 minutes into the traditional Catholic wedding, I realized I was not going to make it through the "Our Father".  I sat down and luckily the grooms sister brought my some bottled water and a fan.  Even the Father of the Bride came to check on me and offered to walk me to the bathroom...it was quite embarrassing.  Luckily, the bride never turned around and I'm pretty sure she was unaware of this ever happening....which is a great thing! 

Here is a photo of my feet after the first day.  This is my first experience having "cankles" and I hope its my last! 

Today's Online Shopping Find!

I am not a Boy Boutique Hospital Hats

 

This is absolutely perfect!  Now Vivian doesn't have to wear the same old Hospital hat when she is born!  She can already be standing out in the crowd!  http://tweetlebugboutique.com/

My Belly is a Punching Bag!

My belly is a punching bag and I LOVE IT!  My baby girl is kicking and punching on a regular basis and with quite force.  Lance was finally able to feel her little punches and both our faces lit up.  I've felt little flutters for the past 2 weeks but nothing like this.  Friday night I sat up in bed with my hands on my belly feeling her dance away and I didn't want to fall asleep and miss any moment of it.  She's quite the night owl too...with most of her energy coming around 10:00 at night.  This morning I woke up and felt her move slightly and I could pin point exactly where she was. 

Okay so I keep referring to her as "my baby girl" but we HAVE picked out a name.  We went through hundreds of names and we kept coming back to this being our favorite.  It's not too common, has a classic feel and seems like a strong name too.  Our baby girl likes the name so much she wanted to introduce herself!

Vivian, is pronounced Viv-ee-en. It is of Latin orgin,

 and it's meaning is "lively".

Loren, is pronounced LOR-en like the actress Sophia Loren.

20 Week Photo Update

I had Lance take this right before we walked out for our ultrasound.  It was a big event for us and I wanted to be sure to have this memory captured on film!  I love my baby girl!

The packages are arriving...

It's begun! My online addiction to the world of baby girl cuteness has taken over me. My poor husband is probably going to have a heart attack if he comes home everyday to a Fed Ex package waiting. I promise to stop after I purchase one more set of baby leggings..oh yeah and that tutu! You have to agree that these purchases were totally worth it!

These baby leggings have to be the greatest invention!  Not only are they adorable on chubby little legs, but

 they are perfect for changing diapers because you don't have to unbutton or pull down any pant legs.  Also, when she starts to crawl she doesn't have to worry about hurting her precious little knees!

This cute little hat arrived today and it looks like a hat for a doll!  It's so adorable!

I wanted to purchase these Christmas leggings, but they are sold out!  All of these were found on my new favorite website  http://www.etsy.com/

I also received the crib bedding yesterday in the mail and I ordered a few items for the nursery.  Which means I should probably start painting our extra bedroom.  I'll be posting some "before" and "after" photos!

It's a GIRL! It's a GIRL! It's a GIRL!

I've been so excited after hearing the news we're having a baby girl, that I haven't had time to update my blog!  Instead I have a nursery to plan, walls to paint, and cute little headbands, tutu's and baby leggings to order! 

The ultrasound was amazing!  Our doctor went through all the details...no brain defects..check!  Beautiful spine...check!  All fingers and toes...check!  I could see her little hands pressed against her chest and her little legs kicking like crazy.  She kind of looked like me when I'm trying to get comfortable in the bed each night.  Dr. V had us in suspense waiting to reveal what we were having, but I knew deep down inside it was a girl.  We had my mom, my sister and Lance's mom there with us.  I know how much Donna, Lance's mom wanted a baby girl in the family and I'm so happy she'll finally have little dresses to buy!

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

Tomorrow is a big day for us.  We finally find out if our little baby growing is a girl or a boy.  I know finding out doesn't really change anything, but it makes everything feel so real for me.  Recently my belly has really grown and its such an amazing feeling.  I'm constantly staring at my stomach and rubbing it because I know my baby is actually resting there waiting to finally meet us.

Yesterday was Easter Sunday and at church we ran into the couple that mentored us during our pre-marital counseling and I didn't realize how much time has passed since we've seen eachother.  They asked how my baby was doing because the last time they saw me I was pregnant.  I remember when a question like that would really bring me tears, but instead I smiled and said "I'm expecting now!" and she looked down and saw my belly.  It reminded me of where I've been in the past year and how much I've wanted a baby.  Having multiple losses has brought me to a new level of appreciation of how delicate life can be.  For a while I was skipping through life with my little checklist of everything I dreamt of as a child and sometimes God has little setbacks for us for a reason.  I understand that.  So tomorrow is a huge milestone for me and being able to finally feel my baby kicking and moving can't be described in words.  I can't wait to see my baby tomorrow and before I know it I will finally be holding my baby boy or girl in my arms.