Good morning, friends. 
How was everyone’s weekend?
My Saturday morning was spent shopping for a friend’s baby shower (she’s having a little girl, and it was so fun to buy a bunch of pink things!), followed by a trip to Motherhood Maternity.
That’s right, folks … I bought my first pair of maternity jeans! 
I haven’t actually worn them yet, but I was excited to find a pair that seemed to fit me properly. And I knew that pretty soon, my skinny jeans just were not going to work on my growing belly!
(By the way, a tip for those who plan on getting pregnant soon: a hair tie pulled through the button hole of your pants and looped around the button can give you a little extra space for your expanding waistline!)
So here’s a quick update on how things have been going this week:
Symptoms -
1. Headaches, nearly every day
2. Still some fatigue
3. Some pain down in the … umm … “baby area,” if you will. My friend Ashley (who’s also pregnant!) told me that the pains are due to some ligaments stretching, to make more room for the baby. Crazy!
What I’ve been eating -
I’m mostly back to “normal” now, but I did get myself some French fries from Chick-Fil-A on Friday. Yum! I also can still take or leave sweets, which is just so abnormal for me!
Weight gained -
I probably won’t share this information for the entire pregnancy, but I feel like I gotta be honest about how I’ve been feeling recently. I have only gained 3 lbs. since the beginning of the pregnancy. But it seriously feels closer to 30. And it’s hard to put on clothes every morning and not have anything fit. I know I need to gain weight for the baby and I fully plan on doing so. But the “in-between” phase (when you look more bloated than pregnant) isn’t super fun. Just keepin’ it real, folks.
Question I didn’t answer last time -
Someone asked if we were going to find out the gender. Short answer: Ab-so-lutely! We should be able to find out in 6 weeks, and I can’t wait!
Fun events -
My friend, Lauren, sent me a Doppler, so that we can listen to the baby’s heartbeat at home. It is the coolest thing EVER. I even got to Skype with my mom, so that she could hear the heartbeat.
Only problem … that thing could get seriously addicting.
Think it would be inappropriate to use it as a party game when friends come over?
Yeah, OK … me too. 
Question for ya …
What did you do this weekend?
If you’ve been pregnant, how did you deal with the “in-between” phase?
Tell me a joke (because who doesn’t need a laugh on a Monday?!)!
Oh, and one more thing!
I got a treat in the mail this week!
Sarah from The Smart Kitchen sent me some Birthday Cake Nutty Butter!
If you love nut butter and like the idea of trying new, unique flavors (like Birthday Cake or Caramel Apple!), you should go check out her blog and order yourself some. Yum!
(She didn’t tell me to say that … I just like to give props to those who deserve them!)
Oh girl, you are so adorable!! I cannot wait for you and the hubs to find out the sex. I so think you will be having a boy!
Haha I need to start a poll on the blog … see how many people think boy vs. girl!
Oh my gosh girl! You are seriously so cute! Love your outfit too by the way
Even though I have never been pregnant, I can definitely imagine how that inbetween tiem feels. I feel like I would want to wear a shirt that says ‘I’m pregnant’ across the front so that everyone would know it wasn’t just all bloat! However, I guess even if it was just bloat, we should still rock it confidently anyways! 
This weekend was a celebration of my one year wedding anniversary.. which is today!
jana @ newly wife healthy life recently posted..One Year Ago Today
Haha everytime I’m at the gym, I want to blurt out “I’m pregnant!” to explain myself!!
So do you want a boy or girl? And do you have names?! Not that you need to share them on teh web if you dont want, I was just curious. My sissy is due in a month and she still hasnt picked the name!
Kat recently posted..Weekends Best
We do have names picked out. Once we find out the gender, we’ll probably announce the name.
Once again, you are the cutest! I know what you mean about this phase… I feel like I look like I always just ate a ton of food. I’ve already been rockin’ my maternity jeans for a couple weeks now. They’re just so comfy! Lol. I can still get by with the rubberband through the loophole trick, but I have a feeling that won’t be working soon. Can’t wait to see your new maternity jeans!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..Recipes You Must Try
P.S. Are you and Brandon hoping for one sex more than the other? Do you have a “feeling” you know what it is?
ALSO! So jealous you got a doppler! Those things are expensive, but I’m sure they’re so fun. I can imagine it’d get addicting though…
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..Recipes You Must Try
Yeah, I feel so fortunate that my friend was able to send me hers, because I would never buy one myself! And we THINK it’s a boy, only because his brother (his only sibling) and SIL have 2 girls and aren’t planning on having more kids. So we feel like it’s “time” for a boy in the family haha. But obviously we have NO idea! And we’ll be SO happy either way! Do you have any thoughts on what you think you’re having??
You’re looking great! Can’t wait to hear if it’s a girl or a boy. =)
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..pumpkin spice cookies with cream cheese icing {+ my 2-year blogiversary!}
I can already picture you with the cutest big round belly! Maybe it’s just me but you sort have a glow going on already too
Excited to hear what the sex is! And.. bloat or not, lucky for you the really loose flowy shirts are still the trend this fall/winter. I hope it’s still that way when I get pregnant! (a long time from now, hehe).
Avery @ YoungAspirations recently posted..Every Little Thing
Yes, thank goodness for those flowy shirts!!
You are one crazy girl and I love every ounce of you!! The “great, great” aunt!
Hahaha love you, too!!
You look great! I’m so excited for you!
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..Pumpkin Picking + Apple Fondue
Thank you so much, Emily!
You are glowing!
I like the hair tie trick…I also bought a belly band and that allowed me to wear my regular pants for a while longer. I have to say, I really loved my maternity jeans from motherhood! I don’t like my clothes to be tight, so it was actually really freeing to wear things that were loose and comfy 
The bloating phase is hard! I had really bad reflux in the first trimester too. Hoping you start feeling more “normal” soon, usually the second trimester will give you a bit of a reprieve!
Maura @ My Healthy ‘Ohana recently posted..Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles
Thank you for all of your comments and thoughts, Maura! Do you remember when you first felt “pregnant” and not just “bloated??”
Kristen, with this pregnancy I think 18 weeks was a turning point for me! I still felt like my “bump” was smaller in the morning, and huge by the evening, but I wasn’t so uncomfortable! Hoping it’s sooner than that for you
Maura @ My Healthy ‘Ohana recently posted..Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles
Hmm 18 weeks, huh? I guess I could wait that long, if need be! But I’m hoping the turning point is sooner!
You should start a poll on the sex of the little bean! Glad your cravings have started to regulate a bit!
Caitlin recently posted..We need to talk.
Caitlin, I agree! I think as I get closer to 20 weeks, I’ll do a poll!
Such a cute pic!!!! I would want to find out too. Hello – nursery decorating!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Dogs in Shoes
Ummmmmm SHAME ON ME for being so busy because I’m just catching up now and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’re feeling good and I can’t wait to find out the sex- squee!!
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) recently posted..Exploring Washington
Aww thanks, Brittany! No worries, I understand. I haven’t been as good about keeping up with my blog friends recently, either!
You look adorable!! I can’t wait for you to find out the gender (that’s my favorite part
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie recently posted..Fall Flavors At Their Finest
Thank you, Laurie!
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You look fabulous! I agree that you have a glow.
. It’s so fun to be updated on your pregnancy!
My weekend was just normal stuff with my family like walking to the grocery store, playing with blocks, running around and tumbling, singing, dancing and counting. Plus on Sunday I went to a picnic after church with new friends. Overall, it was a great weekend.
I didn’t feel too uncomfortable with the in-between of my pregnancy. I totally rocked my bigger boobs and my growing belly in tight t-shirts. I just liked knowing that my husband’s and my baby was growing inside of me. It was such a special feeling. I think pregnancy is beautiful and pregnant women are beautiful too.
Well, I wish I had a joke to share but I can’t think of one!
Austin recently posted..Meet The Blogger
Aww thank you so much for sharing, Austin!
Thanks for the shout-out! I hope you really did like it and aren’t just saying that.
If I were thinking about getting pregnant…well, ever…I would thank you for that amazing tip about the jeans and commiserate with you about the in-between phase. But I’m not. So I won’t.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..J is for…