1 in 4

October has always held significance for me, as I feel it is the start of the holiday season. First of all, it begins with my birthday, ends with Halloween, and somewhere in the middle, Christmas decorations go up at Target. However, as of this year, October is giving me another reason to reflect. October 15th is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. The beginning of 2015 was so incredibly difficult with the loss of our first baby. I'm incredibly thankful for the little boy that is growing in my tummy and everyday I get more excited to meet him. However, he does not replace the baby that was lost. He is my 2nd child---the little brother. My first little love is already in heaven.  Albeit his young gestation, that little Bean made me a mommy in my heart and I still mourn his loss.

Sadly, miscarriage, infant loss, and infertility are very common. Insanely common. I had no idea until I became a mommy of a lost little. One in four pregnancies results in the loss of the baby. Those odds are staggering. If you have ever suffered a pregnancy or infant loss, my heart and prayers go out to you. If you have not, I guarantee you know someone who has. On October 15th, light a candle  in remembrance for the  lives  lost all too soon.

A life is a life, no matter how small.

Click on the pic below for more info on this topic:

*Last night I sadly learned that a friend has suffered the loss of her newborn son, who was born at 21 weeks gestation. I can only imagine the crushing grief she and her husband are feeling. Please lift them up in your thoughts and prayers.*

28 Weeks!

Wow! Two trimesters down...where has the time gone? Only 12 weeks to go!

 (now, excuse me while I panic....)

How far along? 28 Weeks

Symptoms? Hip and back pain still. Heartburn. General moodiness for no reason. However, on a positive note, healthy nails and hair! :)

Sleep: I'm sleeping well at night, with an occasional wake up to flip over/potty. Only problem is, I sleep so deeply that getting up in the morning has been getting a lot harder. Not to mention, I think the fatigue is coming back....I feel like I could nap during the day again. Uh-oh!
Best moment this week: My birthday this past Saturday....we had a great day together with some yummy food, shopping, and best of all, our 4D ultrasound! We finally got to see our little guy looking like a baby (and not an alien haha). It was so incredibly sweet and exciting. I just can't quit watching the DVD. Definitely the best birthday ever! :)

Miss Anything? Mobility. Getting off the couch or out of bed? Yes, the struggle is real.

Movement: Baby is head down and isn't shy about throwing punches. We even caught him on tape giving mommy a knuckle sandwich on Saturday.

Food cravings: Savory sweets. Basically, if it's a carb and will make me 100 pounds heavier, I most likely want it. UGH.
Have you started to show yet: Oh, so round.
Gender prediction: Little man!

Labor Signs?  Possible Braxton Hicks contraction on occasion? Maybe? I don't know for sure...

Belly Button in or out?  Looking flatter!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Just moody......swinging here and there!
Weekly Wisdom: As I look back on the past few months, I'm amazed at how quickly this pregnancy has gone by....and now, we are only 12 weeks from D-Day! I think it's important to savor this time I've got left with just little dude and myself---even though I'm so anxious to meet him in person! 
Looking forward to: Our birthing classes this weekend! Hopefully we will learn a lot and it won't scare us too badly. :)

Here are some pics from this past weekend....

Birthday fun! (especially yummy breakfast and new boots!)

And now for the best....a few pics our sweet baby....
I could just eat him up!!!!

Be still my heart!

Can't wait to kiss those little feet!!!

sucking on the side of his little hand

little smile

oh, those sweet, little lips!

Hands are already in his mouth. Silly guy!

27 Weeks

How far along? 27 Weeks

Symptoms? Hip and back pain. Saturday was a rough day that started with a call to the doc on call (since basically every pre-term labor pain is ALSO normal pregnancy pain) and ended with a heating pad and tylenol. Also, I'm hungry....like, can't get full hungry. ALL the time.

Sleep: I'm sleeping really well through the night (with an occasional pee break around 2) but still waking up sore. Oh well...at least the insomnia is gone for now!
Best moment this week: Spending time with my hubby and planning our first family trip for this summer. So exciting!

Miss Anything? Now that the weather is cooler....I'm missing coffee. REAL coffee...not decaf.

Movement: Baby is as active as ever! He loves story time with daddy every night and will kick and roll when he hears his daddy's voice.

Food cravings: Still hungry--all the time. My appetite is really good, however, not for food that particularly good for me. Dear Walgreens......the Halloween candy you have on the shelves is so tempting..... I love you and hate you at the same time.... (tiny mellow-pumpkins......have mercy....)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing this week! Feeling great! :)
Have you started to show yet: Looking large!
Gender prediction: Baby boy!

Labor Signs?  Nope...please stay this way!

Belly Button in or out?  Looking flat!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Happy! It's my favorite time of year! Yay for fall!
Weekly Wisdom: Always remember to be thankful!
Looking forward to: My birthday on Saturday! We are going to have breakfast at one of my favorite places in downtown Franklin and then we are going to have our 27 week 4D ultrasound! I can't wait to see our little man! What a wonderful birthday gift! 

A few more shower pics...

Here are some of the photos I couldn't get to upload the other day...

Weekend in Memphis

This past weekend, we headed to Memphis for our first baby shower! My bestie Jana organized this shower for us and did a fabulous job! We ate tasty Italian food at Amerigo's, as well as played games that did not involve sniffing candy bars in a diaper (thank goodness--HA!). We also got to see a number of friends we haven't seen in a while and it was so nice to be able to visit with them all! Grayson was completely spoiled and received so many precious gifts! Christopher and I were blown away and we feel exceedingly blessed. Having had this first shower is starting to make things feel very "real." Baby is coming..... and soon.

Our only problem? We have all this great stuff for baby, however, it is all piled in his room. Grayson has all kinds of goodies.....but no room for him!

 Mom and dad better get on that.... :)

Here are a few pics from the weekend----Enjoy!

Dessert and Gift table

Adorable place tags

Desserts and gifts

What's a baby boy shower without a stash?

Yummies!

So cute!

Larry, Sara, Christopher, and I

Katie, Anna, and Miranda

Opening our diaper changing kit ;-)

getting equipped with all we need

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks

Symptoms? Round ligament pains when I change positions too quickly and occasional back aches--especially in the morning and evenings. And LOTS of heartburn....every....single..day. ICK.

Sleep: I usually sleep deeply, with some crazy pregnancy dreams. However, every now and again, I will wake up in the middle of the night WIDE AWAKE...and I will be up for about an hour before falling back asleep. Sadly, my hips (and sometimes shoulders) are sore every morning. I'm thinking this will only get better after baby is born. 
Best moment this week: Being in Memphis for our baby shower this weekend! We had a great time with family and friends celebrating our sweet baby! We also had some time to go out with our extended family Friday night, as well as see the Desoto County Band Expo on Saturday night. It was a fabulous weekend!!!

Miss Anything? I miss not feeling tired. Being pregnant makes me feel just worn out, especially by the end of the day (I feel good, just pooped!)

Movement: Our son is a wild man. He has been kicking me like crazy and I can see my belly looks like I've got an alien inside me. Christopher has been talking to him before bed and Grayson has been responding with some giant wallops.

Food cravings: My appetite is still very good. Anything and everything sounds delish! We ate at this awesome Cajun place in Overton Square Friday night....so spicy shrimp sounds scrumptious! (and basically anything with a kick...probably won't help my heartburn though!) And after any weekend in Memphis, I can always go for some more BBQ! :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Again, no nausea this week. YAY!
Have you started to show yet: Round bump....that looks low (in my opinion)
Gender prediction: Little man

Labor Signs?  Nope

Belly Button in or out?  Flat button
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Excited! I can't believe it's almost October!
Weekly Wisdom: Take time to count your blessings and be thankful. This weekend was a sweet reminder of the many dear friends and family we have....and it wasn't even all of them! :) We are so blessed that our son will have these wonderful people in his life.
Looking forward to: A weekend at home to get some projects completed. The main goal: Organize Grayson's closet and all the goodies he got from last weekend! (and possibly binging OITNB on  Netflix when we have a chance....)

25 weeks!

How far along? 25 Weeks

Symptoms? Nails still growing like crazy---and are super strong! Still having a few issues with sciatica on and off...Saturday was AWFUL. I spent  a lot of the day with the heating pad on my back. Also, I'm hungry...literally...ALL the time. Eek! That's dangerous with 15 weeks left!

Sleep: Sleeping really well, other than waking up with sore hips
Best moment this week: I had my glucose test on Friday (which was yuck), but thankfully got the great news that I am in the clear! Wahoo! No diabetes for me!

Miss Anything? I miss being able to get out of bed without having to roll around like a turtle on its back! 

Movement: Baby loves to bounce all around....especially in the evening when I'm laying down. We've even seen my belly move quite a few times----pretty cool!

Food cravings: What am I NOT craving? I could really go for some Puckett's cobbler just about everyday. And pancakes....chicken biscuits....bananas.....you name it, I want it :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nausea, no.... heartburn, yes.
Have you started to show yet: Feeling very round in the front ( see pic below)
Gender prediction: Little dude!

Labor Signs?  Nope

Belly Button in or out?  Still in---just looking flat
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Happy! And with a hint of irritability :)
Weekly Wisdom: Don't stress over the little things.....just take it a day at a time! Even though you've got a billion things to do, somehow, it'll all get done!
Looking forward to: Our first baby shower this weekend! I can't wait to see so many of our friends and family! Yay! So excited!

And I have been SOOOO bad about this....but here is a bump pic for all those who were asking! :) 

25 weeks!