Preggo Palooza!!!

Today, Rich and I went to Preggo Palooza! It was basically what I imagine bridal shows/exhibits to be like but for new and expectant moms like yours truly. We actually had a lot of fun...

Upon arrival, we received a little goody bag full of fun freebies like a teething toy, baby bottle, coupons, etc. Then it was left to us to visit the 50 or so booths that were there featuring all sorts of baby/mommy related items like clothes, baby food, lotions, daycare programs, mommy pampering, baby accessories, and the like. There was also raffle prize giveaways that even included a pottery barn kids crib and bedding! We really enjoyed getting to see all there was for preggos, and it was a bit strange but neat to share in common with all these other women the world of motherhood. 

There were a lot of cute and fun things to choose from, but at the end of the day I settled on two items from the palooza: a really cute baby diaper wet bag set from Foxy Vida, and a teething lovey by Drool Monkey Organics.

To our complete shock, we actually won some of the giveaways that day!! They included: a kokopax carrier, a gift basket with pampered goodies, and a cute caddie filled with random things like cloth rags, eco friendly wet ones, travel food set, and a sock monkey! We were laughing in unbelief because it seems like we never win anything!! God is so sweet to us.

                       
But really, the most amazing thing that day happened when Rich got to share how amazing Jesus is to one of the vendors there, "D." We hope to have another opportunity to see and talk to her in a couple weeks. All in all an awesome day.

19 weeks!

Yesterday was the start of my 19th week of pregnancy, almost to the half way point! I'm feeling pretty good so far, enjoying my second trimester like most preggos do. I'm hesitant to say that I've really felt baby bean move yet since it feels more like light sharp pain around my stomach due to ligaments stretching or cramping than "fluttering" or "popping" sensations from the baby, but maybe it's both. :)
As for baby bean this week, he is the size of a large heirloom tomato and weighs about 8 1/2 ounces! His senses are developing rapidly and his arms and legs are in the right proportion to each other and the rest of his body. Rich and I have fun talking, praying, and reading to him at night. We can't wait until we can really feel him move around!

18 weeks!

So, it's definitely been a while since my last post, but I've finally attempted a baby bump photo to show off the result of 18 weeks pregnant. It seemed like last week, all of a sudden I looked down at my belly and saw I had a permanent protuberance! It's been fun to look a little more pregnant but not so much fun trying to find new clothes to fit my new shape. However, for now, the belly band works great for letting out my current jeans, and the shirts I already have work just fine for now.
As for little bean, he is growing so fast! He is about 5 1/2 inches long (the size of a bell pepper!) and about 7 ounces. No baby movements felt yet...only the occasional uncomfortable stretching of ligaments, but hopefully by the end of the week I get to feel him kick or give me a high five. :)