18, 18, 18!

I went to the doctor for a check-up this week and everything looks perfect!  We should get to see our littlest munchkin on camera at my next appointment (for growth and development measurements and such...not a gender reveal), which will be December 1.  I will be 23 weeks at that time.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  Eighteen weeks (almost halfway there)!

Size of baby: Baby M is just over 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper or sweet potato) and weighs almost 7 ounces.

Movement: Thump, thump, kick, wiggle!  All. Day. Long!  I think it might be because I am still pretending to fit into non-maternity jeans, ha!  Too bad Bryan hasn't felt anything, yet, because all is quiet at night :/

Heartbeat: 152

Fetal Development:

"She's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and she keeps on growing rapidly (That's why you're probably feeling so hungry).  Can you believe she's yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing?  And she's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and she's big enough that you might be able to feel her doing it!" -thebump.com

“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 girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound."

-babycenter.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: -1.... Moving on up :)

MaternityClothes: I am wearing some maternity jeans and shorts and some regular (some with the BellaBand and some without). A few of my regular tops are still fitting, but most have been packed away. All of my maternity tops are still too big, so don't judge me if I am wearing the same shirt every time you see me ;) I am also wearing a lot of dresses.

Gender: We are not going to find out! 

Gut feeling: I really do still feel like it is a boy.  But others disagree:

Bryan says, "That baby's a girl!"

Gannon says, "Oh, it has to be a boy! I don't need another girl!!"

Austyn says, "A boy? YUCK! Mia Kathryn is a GIRL!"

What do you think?

Sleep: Um, let's not even go there!  Ha!  I am up most mornings around three.  Sometimes I manage to doze on and off until five or six, but not usually.  I don't know why, though.  I am not uncomfortable, at all!  Just. can't. sleep!

What I miss: Sleep!!

Cravings: While I am still craving junk, junk, and more junk, home cooking is tasting better.  Bryan made gumbo for the first time this season, and YUM!  I love gumbo!  I also love chocolate covered granola bars, chocolate milk, donuts, Cheetos, pickles, and Popsicles!  I have to face it...I am a junk-Food-Junkie this pregnancy!

Aversions: I cannot stand the smell of meat cooking, but I have no problem eating it.  Does this count as an aversion?

Symptoms:

-I still can't eat breakfast, because I am too sick in the morning. But it is pretty much limited to the mornings, now! Yay!

-Back/hip pain! Ouch! My hips are killing me. I know they have already begun to shift, and they must just be in an awkward position right now. Man, oh, man...I need to get to a chiropractor.

-Clumsy!! Boy, am I clumsy! I drop everything, I trip over my own feet, and I knock over any glass in my reach. Sheesh! I ran into a tent pole at Academy the other night, and at Subway, I turned to leave the register and ran into the post that makes the line...Oy. I was like this with Gannon, too, but had no sense of recovery. This time, I am able to save at least most of my spills.

-Vivid dreams! I know I have talked about these before, so I won't go into detail about all of them, just let me tell you...Wooo-eeee, there have been some doozies! Ha!

-Allergies! Ick! sneezing, coughing, runny and stuffy nose, sore throat...Yep, pretty much the works.

PS-- Gannon and Austyn's Halloween party is today....  Stay tuned for pictures from the event!

17 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  Seventeen weeks!

Size of baby: Baby M is right at five inches long, which is about the size of an onion, or turnip.

Movement: This little monkey is backwards.  Usually babies sleep all day (the movements and activities of the Mommy are supposed to lull baby to sleep).  When the mommy finally lays down at night is when they usually play.  This was my experience with the first two, as well as pretty much everyone I have spoken to.  This one, however, wiggles all. day. long!  When I lay down at night to try to let B feel...nothing...nada...zilch.  Turkey!

Heartbeat: 150

Fetal Development:

 "Baby continues to beef up. Now she's about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces.  Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.  She's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.  She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too." -thebump.com

“Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop." -babycenter.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: -3

MaternityClothes: I am wearing some maternity jeans and shorts and some regular (some with the BellaBand and some without). A few of my regular tops are still fitting, but most have been packed away. All of my maternity tops are still too big, so don't judge me if I am wearing the same shirt every time you see me ;) I am also wearing a lot of dresses.

Gender: We are not going to find out! So, while I thought this was going to make for a long pregnancy (which it very well still may), it has made the beginning actually fly.  Because we found out with the first two at 16 and 18 weeks, I have a mental association with gender reveal and halway mark.  I still feel so dang early, and I guess that's why.  I just realized (and only because a friend pointed it out to me) I am almost at the halfway mark, now! 

Gut feeling: I really do still feel like it is a boy. Boy just feels right; feels natural.  I still like to refer to the baby by its name, so I flip-flop back and forth from the girl name to the boy name. The boy name just "feels" right.

Bryan says, "That baby's a girl!"

Gannon says, "Oh, it has to be a boy!  I don't need another girl!!"

Austyn says, "A boy?  YUCK!  Mia Kathryn is a GIRL!"

Sleep: I am not sleeping so well anymore.  I think my dreams are just too vivid.  I wake up around two or three and never fall back asleep.  This is making for really long days.  Thank goodness I get off at one and can go home and nap before getting Thing 1 and Thing 2!

What I miss:  Sleep!!

Cravings: Junk, junk, and more junk. Home cooking is just not appealing at all. I want pickles, hot pockets, fast food, candy, and chips. All the time. Every once in a while, Peanut wants fresh fruits and veggies, but it is rare.

Aversions: Still nothing specific. This is a first for me!

Symptoms:
-I still can't eat breakfast, because I am too sick in the morning. But it is pretty much limited to the mornings, now! Yay!
-Back/hip pain! Ouch! My hips are killing me. I know they have already begun to shift, and they must just be in an awkward position right now. Man, oh, man...I need to get to a chiropractor.
-Clumsy!! Boy, am I clumsy! I drop everything, I trip over my own feet, and I knock over any glass in my reach. Sheesh! I ran into a tent pole at Academy the other night, and at Subway, I turned to leave the register and ran into the post that makes the line...Oy. I was like this with Gannon, too, but had no sense of recovery. This time, I am able to save at least most of my spills.
-Vivid dreams! I know I have talked about these before, so I won't go into detail about all of them, just let me tell you...Wooo-eeee, there have been some doozies! Ha!
-Allergies!  Ick!  sneezing, coughing, runny and stuffy nose, sore throat...Yep, pretty much the works.

Feeding my Pinterest Addiction with a Photo Shoot

I have a new addiction.  It's called Pinterest.  It is one of the greatest websites ever!  It is a virtual pin board, which is basically like a "Favorites" list, only with pictures.  Here, you can find decorating, organizing, and cleaning ideas, recipes, photo ideas, clothing and jewelry ideas, holiday stuff, and so much more!

I found this picture while surfing the other day, and I knew I had to recreate it.

I thought since Bryan's mom has four grandchildren, it would be perfect!

Here is what I got:

Manuel Munchkins 2011

Dakota and Austyn have always had a special bond.  It really shows when we take pictures, because they always find a way to be together, ha!

I absolutely love the way it turned out!  I couldn't ask for better subjects :)

Gotta love those silly kiddos!!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed the photos!

16 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  Sixteen weeks!

Size of baby: Baby M is just over 4 1/2 inches long, which is about the size of an avocado.

Movement: I love feeling this little peanut wiggle around!  I can't wait for Bryan to be able to feel it, too!

Heartbeat: 150

Fetal Development:

“She's listening to your voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in her ears.  She's growing hair, lashes and eyebrows.  And she's forming taste buds."
-thebump.com

“Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop." -babycenter.com

16 week fetus
*No, this is not my peanut.  This is just what it looks like at this stage.*

Total Weight Gain/Loss: -4....I still don't understand that huge belly when I haven't actually gained any weight??  Weird.

MaternityClothes: I am wearing some maternity jeans and shorts and some regular (some with the BellaBand and some without). A few of my regular tops are still fitting, but most have been packed away. All of my maternity tops are still too big, so don't judge me if I am wearing the same shirt every time you see me ;) I am also wearing a lot of dresses.
**Nothing in the photo is maternity, and the jeans are actually buttoned ;)
Well, I got a sewing machine, but with Bryan having been out of town (at the Annual Manuel Saltwater Classic), I haven't had a chance to get it set up, yet.  Hopefully soon, though!

Gender: We are not going to find out! I am so excited about this! Although this is going to make for a long pregnancy, I get more excited about this every day.

Gut feeling:  I really do still feel like it is a boy.  Boy just feels right, feels natural.  Bryan is getting a boy vibe, too, and he was right for Gannon and Austyn.  I still like to refer to the baby by its name, so I flip-flop back and forth from the girl name to the boy name. The boy name just "feels" right.

Sleep: I am not sleeping so well anymore.  I don't know why, but I wake up in the middle of the night, and just can't seem to fall back asleep.  I am exhausted.

WhatI miss: Having a beer on the back porch while the kids play and Bryan grills. I guess lemonade will suffice :)

Cravings: Junk, junk, and more junk. Home cooking is just not appealing at all. I want pickles, hot pockets, fast food, candy, and chips. All the time. Every once in a while, Peanut wants fresh fruits and veggies, but it is rare.

Aversions: Still nothing specific. I guess maybe I am in the clear? I probably just jinxed myself!

Symptoms:
-I still can't eat breakfast, because I am too sick in the morning. But it is pretty much limited to the mornings, now! Yay!
-Back/hip pain! Ouch! My hips are killing me. I know they have already begun to shift, and they must just be in an awkward position right now. Man, oh, man...I need to get to a chiropractor.
-Clumsy!! Boy, am I clumsy! I drop everything, I trip over my own feet, and I knock over any glass in my reach. Sheesh! I ran into a tent pole at Academy the other night, and at Subway, I turned to leave the register and ran into the post that makes the line...Oy. I was like this with Gannon, too, but had no sense of recovery. This time, I am able to save at least most of my spills.
-Vivid dreams!  I know I have talked about these before, so I won't go into detail about all of them, just let me tell you...Wooo-eeee, there have been some doozies!  Ha!

What's in a Name?

Okay, so although our names are not a secret, they haven't been officially announced, either.  I know it is still early, but we are both very sure about the names we have chosen for our tiniest little heart.

For a boy, we have chosen Parker Duffy Manuel.

While it is obvious where Duffy comes from, let me explain why we have chosen Parker. 

About a year ago, Gannon started to ask for a little brother.  He wanted to be able to teach him how to play baseball, shoot a BB gun, go fishing, and "toot really stinky ones".  "Little sisters," he said, "are not good at that stuff."  I asked him what his brother's name would be, and he said Parker.  He has been very adamant about it ever since.  I told him if he ever actually got a little brother, then I would probably indulge him with Parker.  Bryan and I both love the name, and I absolutely love that Gannon chose it!

Now, as most of you know, he loves Spiderman, and I know that's where he got the name--Peter Parker.  But hey, at least he doesn't want to name his brother Spidey!!

"The name Parker comes from the English origin. In English, originally a surname, the meaning of the name Parker is: Keeper of the forest; forest ranger." -babyhold.com

***I am still somewhat hoping Bryan changes his mind and let's me use Duffy for a first name.  I really like Duffy Layne Manuel.  What do you think?

All of you know how much Bryan panicked when we found out we were having a girl...

Originally, he said he wanted was two boys, because he wants Gannon to have what he and his brother, Jeremy, have together.  He said if he got his two boys, he was done, but if we had a girl, he would try again for another boy.  When we found out we were expecting Baby Two, I prayed, and prayed, and prayed.  I prayed that if we were really only meant to have two children--that if financially and emotionally that was all we could handle--then this baby would be a boy.  Well, as you know, my princess is very much a girl!  His response to that-- "We can't have another one because it will be another girl!  I can't have two girls!!"

Well, given how all this played out, I figured girl names would be off-limits until we were in the hospital with a no-name baby girl.  To my surprise, he chose a girl name the day after we found out we were expecting! 

I already knew that my next little girl's middle name would either be Kathryn or Kate.  Of course, Bryan shot down every. single. one. of my suggestions for a first name, including Landry, which I absolutely adore.  He suggested Mia, and I fell in love!  So if we welcome another princess, her name will be Mia Kathryn Manuel.

Of course, If he gives in and let's me have Landry Kate, I'll simply be over the moon!

"The name Mia comes from the Italian origin. In Italian The meaning of the name Mia is: My. Also a variant of Maria: Wished for child; rebellion." -babyhold.com

"The name Kathryn comes from the Irish origin. In Irish The meaning of the name Kathryn is: Variant of Katherine: Pure. Clear. Innocent. From the Gaelic form Caitlin." -babyhold.com

So now we just sit back and wait...and what a long wait it is going to be ;)

Fifteen Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Fifteen weeks!

Size of baby: Baby M is about 4 inches long, or about the size of an apple.

Movement: Nope, still nothing.

Heartbeat: 150

Fetal Development:

“Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby’s legs now out-measure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can’t feel the movements.  She might even be hiccuping in there.”
-thebump.com

“She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds." -babycenter.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: -4

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing some maternity jeans and shorts and some regular (some with the BellaBand and some without). A few of my regular tops are still fitting, but most have been packed away. All of my maternity tops are still too big, so don't judge me if I am wearing the same shirt every time you see me ;) I am also wearing a lot of dresses.

I found this really great tutorial online for making your own maternity clothes.  I can't wait to try it!  I have got several pairs of jeans that just haven't fit right since I had Gannon, and this (if it works) will be so much cheaper than buying maternity clothes.

Gender: We are not going to find out! I am so excited about this! Although this is going to make for a long pregnancy, I get more excited about this every day.

Gut feeling:  Well, I did feel like it was a boy.  Until I had that dream last week.  I know I have been dreaming about girls throughout this pregnancy (and all throughout Gannon's as well), but it was just. so. vivid!  I can't get it out of my head.  Don't mistake me, I don't have a "girl vibe" now, it's just that my boy vibe isn't as strong.  However, I like to refer to the baby by its name, so I flip-flop back and forth from the girl name to the boy name.  The boy name "feels" right.

Breaking out the Old Wives Tales: 

-The Drano Test yielded a brown result.  This was accurate for both Gannon, Austyn, and several other friends.
***Don't worry...I did this outside, poured it in, and ran.  I was exposed to no fumes ;)

Sleep: I am not sleeping so well anymore.  It's not because I am uncomfortable or anything; I think it is because my dreams are so vivid.  I am always dreaming about birth and babies, and they often wake me up.  Once I am up, I have to run to the bathroom, and then I can't fall back asleep.  It's a vicious cycle, ha.

What I miss:  Having a beer on the back porch while the kids play and Bryan grills.  I guess lemonade will suffice :)

Cravings: Junk, junk, and more junk.  Home cooking is just not appealing at all.  I want pickles, hot pockets, fast food, candy, and chips.  All the time.  Every once in a while, Peanut wants fresh fruits and veggies, but it is rare. 

Aversions: Still nothing specific. I guess maybe I am in the clear? I probably just jinxed myself!

Symptoms:
-I still can't eat breakfast, because I am too sick in the morning. But it is pretty much limited to the mornings, now! Yay!
-Back/hip pain!  Ouch!  My hips are killing me. I know they have already begun to shift, and they must just be in an awkward position right now.  Man, oh, man...I need to get to a chiropractor.
-Clumsy!!  Boy, am I clumsy!  I drop everything, I trip over my own feet, and I knock over any glass in my reach.  Sheesh!  I ran into a tent pole at Academy the other night, and at Subway, I turned to leave the register and ran into the post that makes the line...Oy.  I was like this with Gannon, too, but had no sense of recovery.  This time, I am able to save at least most of my spills.

First Trimester

Just a look at all my photos side-by-side :)

14 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Fourteen weeks!

Size of baby: Baby M is about 3 1/2 inches, or about the size of a lemon.

Movement: So there is definitely something there.  It is nothing consistent, or very strong, but in the mornings before I get up, I can feel a tiny something.  :)

Heartbeat: 155 bpm

 Fetal Development:

“Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.  Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches —about the size of a lemon— and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.” -babycenter.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I gained 2 pounds!!  Yippee!  Total = -4.

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing some maternity jeans and shorts and some regular (some with the BellaBand and some without).  A few of my regular tops are still fitting, but most have been packed away.  All of my maternity tops are still too big, so don't judge me if I am wearing the same shirt every time you see me ;)  I am also wearing a lot of dresses.

Gender: We are not going to find out! I am so excited about this!  Although this is going to make for a long pregnancy, I get more excited about this every day.

Gut feeling:  I really feel in my heart that it is a boy.  I can't really explain it.  Funny though, when I dream, I dream about girls.  Same thing happened when we were expecting Gannon.

Sunday night, I dreamed we went to the hospital to have our sweet baby.  When it was born, the doctor happily reported, "It's a girl!"  I immediately looked at Bryan to see if he was okay, and he was beaming.  We had an 8 pound 12 ounce beautiful little girl with a head full of dark hair!

So...does that mean we are going to have a tiny little bald-headed boy??  Ha!

Breaking out the Old Wives Tales: 

• The infamous Chinese Birth Chart!  Well, this was accurate for Gannon and everyone I knew between him and Austyn.  It said Austyn should have been a boy and since it only claims to be 94% accurate, I was convinced that it was going to miss for me...well, it did!  This time, it says we should be expecting a .....
• I tied my wedding ring to one of my hairs and held it over my belly.  It swung in circles, which is supposed to predict a boy.
• The hair on my legs is growing MUCH faster then normal, which predicts a boy.
• The broken Vein: There is also a theory that if you pull your lower eyelids down and see a V-shaped broken blood vessel in your left eye, expect a girl.  If it is in your right eye, expect a boy.
True story:  I stumbled upon this tale in Motherhood (clothing store) when I was pregnant for Gannon.  I immediately had my friend check my eye, and sure enough, there was the V, in my right eye!  After I had Gannon, we checked again, but the V was gone.  Naturally, when I found out I was pregnant a second time, I checked my eyes...There was the V again!  Only this time, it was in my left eye; weird.  Of course, I had to try this one again, and sure enough, there is a V in my LEFT EYE!  This tale predicts we will welcome a girl! 

Sleep: I am actually still sleeping pretty well.  I think the only reason I wasn't before was because I was so nauseated all the time.

What I miss:  Nothing, really.  The morning sickness is dying down, my energy is returning, and I am still sleeping well.  Besides a beer or glass of wine here and there, everything is pretty much the same.

Cravings: So, while I still love pickles, I am not craving them anymore.  I don't really have any specific cravings this time.  I just want what I want when I want it.  Sometimes it is a Popsicle, some times it is carrots and celery, and sometimes it is french fries.  This Peanut is not as specific as Gannon and Austyn were.  He wanted steaks, and she wanted chocolate chip cookies.  Every day!  I guess this one is just so happy to finally be getting food, that it isn't picky!

Aversions: Still nothing specific. I guess maybe I am in the clear?  I probably just jinxed myself!

Symptoms: I still can't eat breakfast, because I am too sick in the morning.  But it is pretty much limited to the mornings, now!  Yay!