Baby Girl has a Name

We are not those people that have names picked out by the start of the start of the second trimester.  We had a short list and we had a girl name we'd picked out if Barrett was a girl.  For a boy we knew we wanted a "B" first name and an "M" middle name because the three of us have middle names that begin with "M".  The name we chose if Barrett was a girl was Ann Marie.  Ann is both of our moms middle names and Marie is my sister's middle name but Patrick really wanted her middle name to be after his family since Barrett's is after mine.  We loved the middle name McCarty.  I liked Ann-McCarty.  Patrick didn't.  I wanted a double name and he wasn't against a double name but he wanted McCarty to be her middle name.  So we went back and forth on names that went with Ann for weeks.  Finally one day Patrick said he really liked Avery.  I loved the name but wasn't sold because I felt like it was a little too popular.  I talked to a friend who is a local labor & delivery nurse and she said she didn't think she'd delivered a single Avery.  So we decided on AveryAnn because Patrick loved Avery (I do too now) and Ann after our moms.  McCarty is Patrick's middle name.  We think her name is perfect for her.  The more we've said it we just fall more and more in love with it.  Hopefully Barrett can say it before she gets here.  We can't wait to meet her!

21 Weeks

 

How Far Along: 21 weeks
Size of baby: Carrot (12oz, 10.5 inches) At our anatomy scan this morning she weighed over 1 pound.  The doctor said she was measuring about 2 weeks ahead. So we're looking at another big baby.

Maternity Clothes: Pants, yes. Tops, some. The pants are just way more comfortable.  I've bought several non-maternity tunics and dresses that i'm wearing now.  Hopefully I'll get by with not having to buy too many more things.
Gender: She's still a girl!  We're excited to get started on the nursery this weekend.

Movement: She's moving like crazy these days.  She wouldn't cooperate at the anatomy scan so we didn't get any good pictures of her face.  I've felt her from the outside a few times but the boys still haven't gotten to feel it.  

Sleep: Like a baby as long as I don't have reflux and everyone else sleeps.
What I miss: Well this weekend it was having a drink on the beach but that's really it.  Also sleeping on my stomach.
Cravings:  We were at the beach and I wanted to eat everything because it all looked and sounded so good.  One day I really wanted shrimp and grits so we went to the restaurant that everyone said had the best ones.  And they were fantastic but several of the other girls got a filet and I'm still kind of wishing I would have gotten to eat that too. 

Symptoms:  Just feeling large, lots of pressure and reflux that makes me sick some days.  But the doctor said the pressure was normal and she gave me a prescription for some reflux meds and also told me to eat a bland diet which stinks because all I want is spicy food which is probably why I have the reflux to begin with.
Best Moment this week:  Going to the beach with the girls.  One of the girls took some maternity pictures of me on the beach before diner one evening right a sunset.  I can't wait to see them.  The ones she showed me on the back of the camera were so good.  Getting to see the baby again at our anatomy scan and confirming she is in fact a girl.  I'm not looking forward to the work this weekend but I'm looking forward to getting the kids rooms switched out.  Hopefully we'll make it to the pumpkin patch at some point this weekend.

20 Weeks

How Far Along: 20 weeks
Size of baby: Large banana (11oz, 6.5 inches) 

Maternity Clothes: Pants, yes. Tops, some. The pants are just way more comfortable.  I'm trying to get by with tunics.  I did buy a new pair of maternity jeans and two friends let me borrow some stuff so hopefully I can get by without buying too many more "maternity" things.

Gender: It's a girl!  We have our anatomy scan next Monday.  Hopefully she's still a girl.

Movement: Some thumps and flutters. I'm starting to feel her more and more.  I can't wait until Patrick and Barrett can feel it.

Sleep: It would be better if a certain toddler would stay in his bed at night.  I have a love/hate relationship with him in our bed most nights.  I hate that he's sleeping in our bed so much but he always looks so sweet.

What I miss: I'm not able to be as independent as I'd like.  I just can't do as much anymore.  So asking for help is something I'm having to learn to do.

Cravings: Comfort food.  I cooked several days last week and it was so good.

Symptoms: Indigestion. I feel like i'm carrying this baby lower and feel pressure if I stand for to long.
Best Moment this week:  Taking Barrett to the Alabama homecoming game.  I'm going to order her bedding and baby book this week.  And maybe the best thing ever I'm headed to the beach this weekend with some girlfriends for some R&R.  I'm so excited, the weather is supposed to be great, I can't wait!

I just love this picture because I feel like I actually have a baby bump and not a leftover from the previous baby bump. :)

And a 20 week comparison.  The vest hides a lot but I feel like I'm smaller this time than I was with Barrett.  (And this is going to sound so conceited but you women will understand) I felt so pretty today at church.  The color of this dress is so pretty and vibrant, I just love it.

19 Weeks

How Far Along: 19 weeks
Size of baby: Large mango (8oz, 6 inches)

Maternity Clothes: Pants, yes. Tops, some. The pants are just way more comfortable.  As you can tell I'm loving this long vest.  I promise I don't wear it everyday. 

Gender: It's a girl!  I'm so overwhelmed by all the girl clothes and accessories.

Movement: I'm feeling little flutters more often these days.  I love it and I can't wait until it's more consistent.

Sleep: Not bad, just wish I could get more of it. I could sleep 10 hours a day if I had time.

What I miss:  Not being out of breath when I walk up the stairs. I miss being able to pick Barrett up and tote him all the time.  I just can't carry him as much as I used to.  I know it's time for him to be walking more but it breaks my heart when he wants me to carry him and I just can't.  Still miss my old clothes.

Cravings: Fresh fruit and comfort foods.  I went to the grocery store this weekend and got stuff to make 3 different casseroles.

Symptoms: Indigestion.

Best Moment this week: We had our Fall family pictures made.  It's a little surreal that the next time we have professional pictures made there will be one more.  I got to snuggle a friends baby in church this morning and it made me so excited to snuggle another one of my own.

18 Weeks

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Size of baby: Large mango (8oz, 6 inches)

Maternity Clothes: Pants, yes. Tops, some. The pants are just way more comfortable.  I've been wearing a lot of flowy dresses lately.

Gender: Its a girl! I can't wait until she has a name!

Movement: I finally felt the flutters this week.  This is the same week I first felt them with Barrett too.

Sleep: I can't get enough!

What I miss: Being able wear anything I pull out of my closet.

Cravings: None this week.  Just trying to drink a lot of water.

Symptoms: Other than feeling huge not to much.  I've had a little heartburn and my ankles were a little swollen yesterday.  

Best Moment this week:  Another week down.  This has nothing to do with pregnancy but getting all my Fall decorations out made me happy.  The changing seasons just remind me that the time is passing and we're getting closer.  I got a new phone so I'll have plenty of room for pictures of her and her brother.  One of my good friends got her first hair bow.  I can't wait to see if she has hair like her brother!

I had to add this one because Ally had to be in it.

17 Weeks

  How Far Along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: Sweet Potato (5oz, 5.5 inches)

Maternity Clothes: Pants, yes. Some tops but mostly just my regular flowy tops.  My regular tops are getting a little short.

Gender: They say it's a girl!  I'm still in a bit of disbelief.

Movement:  None yet.  I started feeling a little movement at 17 weeks with Barrett. So hopefully it's coming soon.

Sleep: Pretty good.  Barrett is sleeping better so that's been a big help.

What I miss: Wearing anything in my closet.  That's about it.

Cravings: Nothing this week.  I've been drinking a lot more water. 

Symptoms:  Just feeling large.  I had a doctors appointment Friday and my blood pressure was great and I somehow have lost 3lbs.  I'm pretty sure it's because I've been drinking a ton more water.

Best Moment this week:  Knowing my blood pressure is normal again.  Getting a big order done at work.  Things are slowing down and it makes me happy.  We've still got a lot of stuff to get done but hopefully it's on a more manageable timetable so I'm not working all the time like I feel like I have been the last few weeks.
I also realized this week that if this baby comes as early as Barrett we are already half way there. Which is exciting and terrifying.  We have so much to do this time.

16 Weeks

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: Avacado

Maternity Clothes: Pants, yes. Tops, no. The pants are just way more comfortable.  I'm so thankful flowy is in!

Gender: Still in shock that it's a GIRL!  I'm trying not to go crazy buying stuff but it's hard.  I've bought a couple of little outfits.  Baby clothes are just so sweet I can't help it.

Movement: I haven't felt anything yet.  She was moving like crazy on the ultrasound though so hopefully it won't be too much longer until I can feel it.

Sleep: I've slept pretty good this week.  I've been so tired at night that I feel like I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow.

What I miss: I'm not missing much this week.  Still don't have much energy but at my appointment we realized my iron was low so hopefully these supplements will help me feel better soon.

Cravings: Ice and anything spicy.

Symptoms: Low energy and a little nausea.

Best Moment this week:  Finding out the gender!  We are so excited to have a sweet baby girl.  I didn't think much about all the fun a girl would be.  I just knew it was a boy so I never thought much about having a girl.  I've picked out a few new things for the nursery.  All of the big stuff will be the same but I'm adding a few girly touches.  In my head it's beautiful, I can't wait to see it come to life.  Right now just cleaning out the room would be an improvement.

And a comparison.  I feel so much bigger this time and I look so much tireder, ha!

It's a...

GIRL!!!

With Barrett we waited until the 20 week anatomy scan to find out the gender.  This time I knew we couldn't wait.  :)  We scheduled it as early as we could for September 11th.  I had a crazy busy week which turned out to be a good thing because it went by pretty fast.  We headed to our appointment Friday afternoon fully expecting them to confirm that we already knew this baby was another boy. She started the ultrasound and showed us the profile.  I said aww look he's sucking his thumb and just kept calling him a he.  She finally got to the good part and she said "its a girl!"  We were both speechless for a second.  I asked about a hundred times if she was sure.  She kept laughing and saying she was sure.  We were both in shock.  Patrick just kept saying "a girl, we're having a girl."  It was funny.  We had told everyone we just knew it was another boy. After the ultrasound we went over to see the doctor and my blood pressure was really high.  They made me lay down and rest for a few minutes and then they took it again and it was still high so they sent me for lab work.  Everything looked normal except my iron was low so I'm on an iron supplement. Hopefully it'll make me feel better.  I go back next week to be checked again. Hopefully everything will have calmed down.  We're thinking it was the stress of the week and the excitement of finding out its a girl that had it so elevated. After the appointment we went to the gift shop.  I'll let you guess which thing Patrick picked out.  She doesn't have a name for sure yet.  Her first name will probably be Ann and her middle name will start with "M" but we're not 100% decided on her middle name and she'll probably go by both names.

15 Weeks

(You can't really tell anything in these pictures.  I promise to wear a tighter shirt next week. Although I've avoided tight stuff because I feel huge and like I'm going to suffocate.)
How Far Along: 15 weeks
Size of baby: An apple Maternity Clothes: Jeans, yes, I can still get away with some of my elastic waist pants and shorts.  I'm still wearing my regular tops.  Most of my tops are flowy enough that they work just fine.  I've bought a few non maternity dresses this week that I hope I can wear as dresses now and tunics with leggings later in the season.
Gender: I think boy.  We've got an ultrasound scheduled Friday so hopefully we'll know for sure then.
Movement: Not yet, I can't wait though.
Sleep: Barrett has slept all night the past few nights (hopefully I didn't just jinx that).  I've felt like a new person this week.  I think it's because I've finally feeling somewhat rested.  Of course I have a really busy week this week so I'll probably be feeling like a lunatic again.
What I miss:  Having a beer watching football. (I promise I'm not an alcoholic.)  Not feeling like I'm going to throw up after I eat.
Cravings: Fresh fruit and anything spicy. Symptoms: Exhaustion and nausea.  I've been sick again this weekend.  It's so annoying. Best Moment this week: Watching football with friends again!  Another week down.  Looking forward to seeing the baby on the ultrasound this week.

14 Weeks

How Far Along: 14 weeks, Hello 2nd trimester! :)
Size of baby: Navel orange Maternity Clothes: Jeans, yes, I can still get away with some of my elastic waist pants and shorts.  I haven't had to wear tops yet.  Most of my tops are flowy enough that they work just fine.
Gender: I think boy but we'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.
Movement: Not yet, I can't wait though.
Sleep: HA! Barrett slept good for a couple of nights then woke up about 4 times last night, luckily Patrick got up with him.  But I still didn't sleep well.  Here's to hoping we get to sleep through the night soon.
What I miss:  Feeling like myself.  Having energy and not feeling sick all the time.
Cravings: Fresh fruit and anything spicy. Symptoms: Exhaustion and nausea. Best Moment this week: Saying goodbye to the first trimester.  We have so much to do but I'm so ready to meet this baby.

13 Weeks

I had big dreams of better quality pictures this time around.   Looks like it aint going to happen.  I meant to take this before I changed but clearly I didn't so ignore my sweatpants.

How Far Along: 13 weeks

Size of baby: The length of a pea pod.  (Around 3" long and almost an ounce)

Maternity Clothes: Some pants, still wearing flowy tops.  I don't want to wear anything that touches me right now.

Gender: We hope to find out September 11th.  We found out this week that my brother and sis-in-law are having a girl and one of my good friends is having a boy.  Like I said last week, we don't care either way, we're just ready to know.

Movement: None yet.
Sleep: Why won't my two year old sleep.  I think we're going to go ahead and move him to a big boy bed.  At this point we have nothing to lose.  No one is sleeping at our house.  I've been feeling completely overwhelmed this week just thinking about life with a toddler and a newborn.  Sleep is the one thing that stresses me the most.

What I miss: Everything and nothing.  I know I'm only 13 weeks in, but this pregnancy has been harder on me physically than my last.  I'm sure carrying an extra 30 pounds this time around isn't helping.  I miss feeling like myself.  I'm trying to remain positive and know that it will all be worth it. 

Symptoms:  I've been sick this week.  I've thrown up several times and I'm not sure if it's more pregnancy or more sinus drainage related but it's been rough.  I've been absolutely exhausted.  I'm sure it has to do with  not getting as much sleep as I'd like.

Best Moment this week:   Last week in my first trimester.  Finding out what some of these babies are.  Celebrating Patrick's birthday.  Finishing a big job at work.
(I'm going to add comparison shots every four weeks.  Honestly, it's taking everything I have to get these posts up each week.  I'm afraid if I try to add too much I'll never get them done.  I think I can manage every 4 weeks.)

12 Weeks

How Far Along: 12 weeks

Size of baby: a lime

Maternity Clothes: Some maternity jeans, most everything else is my regular clothes.  I feel huge already though.  I do not feel the pretty glow like I did the first time around.  Hopefully it'll come.

Gender: Don't know yet.  Can't decided when we want to find out.  I'm already tired of hearing people say they hope its a girl.  I feel like people are going to be disappointed if its another boy.  We don't care either way.  

Movement: None yet.

Sleep: Can't get enough.  Barrett hasn't been sleeping good so getting up with him 2 and 3 times does not make for a good nights sleep.

What I miss: I'm trying to not miss anything but I miss summer drinks by the pool.  I miss my energy. I miss wearing anything in my closet.

Cravings: None this week.   One night around 8 weeks I woke up craving roast and potatoes so badly that I couldn't sleep.  It was so weird.

Symptoms: No energy, some nausea.

Best Moment this week: 12 week appointment.  Finally telling everyone.  I have several friends pregnant and due around the same time so that's been really fun.  We're just really excited to be here.  Barrett is so excited to be a big brother.

  For fun here's a comparison .  I'm bigger this time for sure but I started about 30 pounds heavier too. Here's a link to my 12 week post with Barrett.