Growing belly!

At 18 weeks and 5 days, I had to post my belly pic from this morning since I really feel and see it starting to grow now!

First Kicks!

Yesterday was a big day!! I felt our little one move, kick, spin, etc for the first time at about 7:30am...then again this morning at the same time! Does this mean he is a morning baby??? It felt exactly like everyone had described it, just like little kernels of popcorn popping inside. :) Pretty amazing. Can't wait to feel more as time flies by. Can't believe we'll be 19 weeks on Saturday. Finally had to buy new clothes, yes maternity clothes, yesterday and surprisingly they aren't as horrific as I had expected...and they are a lot more comfortable than my own jeans hooked with a rubberband!!

18 weeks!

At 18 weeks, I feel like I am really showing now. Still get the questionable looks from people..."fat or pregnant?"...maybe it was the 2 days of non-stop eating on Christmas Eve & Christmas! Either way...I feel pregnant. I'm still feeling great...pretty good energy still happening, which is great in comparison to the zombie I was during the first trimester. Christmas was tons of fun with lots of family and adorable Baby Lefebvre presents from Mom, Dad, Johnny and the "great Ingle aunts" (books, clothes, toys r us gift cards, and babysitting coupons)! I'm still waiting to feel some movement on the inside. I thought I felt something twice over the past couple weeks, but nothing definite. Hoping I'll feel him over the next couple weeks...seems as though this little guy is just chillin' out in there for now, which is fine with us as long as he isn't saving all his energy for when he arrives. ;)

This week, Mom and I are planning on going up to the Camarillo outlets to the Maternity Works store now that I could use some new clothes that fit! My closet decided to de-friend me over the past week. :/ Once the New Year is here, I'm planning to start the nursery. Can't wait to turn the pictures in my head into a reality! We still can't believe we're only a couple weeks away from the half way mark! So excited to meet our little dude in 5 months!

Here is where he is at this week:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Little Dude is now 17 weeks!

We had our 16 week doctor's appointment last Thursday and everything is looking great! We heard the heartbeat for the 5th time and it's strong and loud. Our first round of tests (for downs, other diseases, genes, etc) all came back negative which is a great sign! We had a good consult with our doctor about childbirth classes too so we're looking into one called A Heart for Family that is taught by 2 nurses and is a 7 week course. We had originally looked into the Bradley Method classes however we both decided that since we are not 100% gung-ho "au natural", we don't want to feel out of place in a class that we should be totally comfortable in. So this new class sounds right up our ally. :)



Here is how our little dude is growing this week!
Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — his lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. He can move his joints, and his sweat glands are starting to develop.

Weeks 16 & 17 Belly shots

Back in the states...

We got home late Saturday night from an incredible trip to London, Israel, and Egypt. We spent time with Kirsty in London, had Thanksgiving dinner at her parents with her family and friends. It was freezing cold, colder than she could remember it being in a long time...of course, while the "So Cal-ers" were there. :) In Israel, we spent time in Jerusalem, touring the Old City with our amazing guide Hana. We then headed to Tel Aviv, where we stayed on the beach, lounged, and wandered the city for a few days. The entire country was incredible, the people were so nice, we felt very safe, and it made a great impression on us both. We then spent about 36 hours in Cairo, Egypt...a 15 hour day of seeing the pyramids, the sphinx, memphis, sakkarah, the egyptian museum, and finally a dinner cruise on the Nile. It was a whirlwind of a day in a chaotic and crowded city! After a long 26 hours of traveling and flying, we made it home safely. We are both very grateful to have seen such unbelievable sights across the world!

Belly shots at 13, 14, & 15 weeks