15 weeks

15 weeks. BAM!

Apparently 15 weeks is when your tummy really pops out. You might not notice it, but if you compare them next to each other (which I did), my tummy has really grown the last 2-3 weeks.

I'm mostly posting this picture for Sara, who wanted to see my new haircut :) And for reference, I wore jeans with that gray shirt, so I'm not in some weird gray jumpsuit or anything - although that does sound comfy.

Who comes up with this stuff?

Spent a lot of time with my family this weekend. One day while my mom was on the computer, she burst into giggles. When I wondered over to see what was so funny, she asked me if I wanted a Proud Body Pregnancy Belly Painting Kit.

Wow. Do people really buy these things?

I guess if I already had a kid, it might be fun to let him or her paint my belly... but I don't, so I won't be buying a kit. Sheesh.

I did find the Teething Bling to be creative though... you know, since kids chew on your jewelry anyway...

Christmas traditions and traditional gifts

A couple weeks ago my mom called me to tell me I had gotten "something in the mail from Sharon (my aunt)." Immediately I assumed it was a card, until my mom said she could feel a box inside.

My next thought? A Christmas ornament. You see, Sharon attached an ornament to our Christmas presents when we were kids. I often joke that if it weren't for Sharon, my tree would look really bad. I also joke that every ornament on our tree says "Jackie."

I opened the package a couple weeks later at a gathering at another aunt's house. I tore open the bag and there it was - a cute little Hallmark box. Inside was my "mom-to-be" angel ornament - ice cream in one hand, pickles in the other.

While I haven't had any "bizarre" cravings yet (like pickles and ice cream), I am starting to resemble the pregnant ornament.

"She even has your hair cut!" Maddie (my sister) screamed with a laugh. I chopped my hair last week to "test out my mommy hair cut."

So thanks to Sharon, who again is helping my Christmas tree to look pretty and full. :)

4 inches, 2.5 oz.

Baby's now the size of an orange!
Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.

13 weeks

13 weeks!

So I'm a liar. THIS is the 13 week photo. Last week was 12 weeks. I guess I was just so excited that I couldn't control myself.

The bump is progressing slowly but surely. I've been told that by 20ish weeks I'll officially look pregnant - I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm considering making a shirt that says "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant." OR for when I'm extra large, I'm going to make a shirt that simply says "Hands Off."

That's all I have for now. In other news, we didn't get the house - but that was somewhat expected. I'm still bummed about it. It just wasn't meant to be and I guess we'll just keep on looking!

House hunting

I've decided that I really would like to be living in a house before Baby Grumish comes, so James and I have been searching the Oakdale/Maplewood/St. Paul area. On Friday we finally found a house we love. It's a three-bedroom in the Hayden Heights area of northeast St. Paul.

The only problem is that it's a short sale and already has an accepted offer. They're just waiting on the bank. James and I plan to put in a backup offer in hopes that the first is either rejected or retracted. We're trying really hard not to fall in love too much until we know more. We'll see what happens. It has some serious nursery potential though! And with an unfinished basement, we can add another bedroom/office and more living space down the road.

The only negative I've found with this house is in regard to the public schools. The elementary schools got good marks, but the high school - Johnson Senior High School - isn't doing the greatest as far as meeting academic standards. However, with Hill-Murry right down the street and Cretin-Durham-Hall a short drive away, we'd have options.

Girl or Boy?

It's still early, but I'm putting my money on a girl. I really have no reason to think it's a girl, other than all my cousins and friends are popping out girls. There must be something in the water.

Although I'd love the traditional "big brother to protect the little sister" kind of thing, I just don't know if it will happen. I'm not sure I even care if that happens Either way I'll be happy.

According to the ancient Chinese gender chart - which they say is more than 700 years old and more than 90 percent accurate - I'll be having a boy!

I guess we'll have to wait until Jan. 20 for really know for sure.

12 weeks

12 weeks!

At the request of a few of my aunts, I decided to start this pregnancy blog. With baby on the way and house hunting in full force, I'm not sure I'll have loads of time to update it, but I'll do my best.

I've never been the skinniest thing in the world, but holy crap my tummy is getting big. I can't stand to button my jeans anymore! I bought a BeBand at Target last week and it's been my life saver. It's much more comfy than unbuttoning my pants while I sit at work. Now, people just think I have a cami on under my flowy shirts!

The name game

As more people find out about the pregnancy the name suggestions are adding up. My favorite so far?

"Just remember Jackie, Randy is both a boy and girls name." That came courtesy of my cousin, Randy.

Another favorite: "I think you should name the baby Russ. Even if it's a girl." That was the suggestion of a friend who suggested it in honor of a former co-worker who was killed in a tragic car accident in October.

I think James and I will leave the name games until we find out the sex at the end of January!