First comes love, then comes marriage...

We're on our way to having the baby in the baby carriage!! Although I'm pretty sure everyone who reads this already knows this news, I'll post about it here too. :) I'm due on July 15th, so as of today I'm 18 weeks along.

We found out a week before Thanksgiving. I felt normal until about December 1st, which is when I started to feel sick. I didn't get super sick like some women do, but I was definately grateful when I was done with the first trimester because the nausea subsided and I felt like I could actually have an empty-ish stomach without throwing up. It was kind of a pain to constantly have food around to nibble on. (Although I kind of have to do that again now because I may be slightly hypoglycemic, according to the doctor. So, to keep from being light-headed and shakey, I munch on high protein foods like nuts and cheese.)

Parker and I went had another prenatal visit a week and a half ago, and Parker really wanted to know if it was a boy or girl. Before the visit he was saying that he was going to convince the Doctor to do an ultrasound to find out, and I really thought that was highly unlikely, maybe a 10% chance. Doctors are busy people and I was pretty sure that you have to schedule those sorts of things in advance. Anyways, we get taken back to a room, and sit down, and right when the Doctor comes in Parker just asks him if he could do an ultrasound because we really want to know the sex. Well, the Doctor seemed a little hesitant, but still agreed. We went right to the ultrasound room, it only took him about a 45 seconds total, and he told/showed us that it was a BOY! He was out the door right after and that was it for the appointment. I kind of wonder what he would have done if we hadn't asked for the ultrasound, because that was basically all that happened (besides the nurse checking my blood pressure and weight etc.). We still have the big ultrasound scheduled for March 4th. We're looking forward to that!

I think I started to show a tiny bit at the beginning of January, and I've just hovered there at that size for a month or so. I don't look pregnant, just like I've gained a few extra pounds and they've all gone to my stomach. Within the past week I feel like I've grown a lot and I'm starting to sort of look pregnant to anyone who knows, but it's not obvious yet... I don't think. As of a week ago I'd gained three pounds so far. I'm really hoping I can keep it steady like that, because lately all I've wanted is junk food! Anything besides pizza, hamburgers, or hot dogs for dinner sounds unappetizing. I guess my one healthier craving has been cottage cheese with pineapple. Do I sound crazy? Maybe just a little... :)

I've spent a lot of time looking at stuff (cribs, car seats, strollers etc.) online, trying to figure out what is the best quality/safest/easiest to use, and it's been driving me nuts a little bit. There's so many options, and some people love an item and some people hate it. Sigh. I've taken a break from it this week, because although I enjoy looking, I get a little anxious about actually making a decision, even though I've got plenty of time.

This post is way longer than I intended, but there's kind of a lot to think/write about. This is a big deal, a life changer(!) and we're excited. :)