What Happened During Week 18 & Black Hawk Down

Pregnancy is weird.  It seriously steals your time or makes life feel like you've been living in the same moment for 100 years.  The first trimester draggeddddd on... as I figured it would because I was feeling like death.  Now, the weeks seem to be going by pretty quickly.  And here I am, updating you on week 18!  I feel SO blessed to have had an issue-free pregnancy thus far.  Our baby is (currently) healthy and moving around in there!  But, prior miscarriage or not, any preggo mama knows the daily fear of worry.  And, I may be biased, but I think this fear weighs more heavily on those who have had a loss.  Daily - never knowing if the little babe is ok or not is torture.  And, knowing that there's really nothing I can do about it is worse.  Thankful is an understatement when it comes to how far God has let us keep this little bebe so far!

Week 18 was thrilling for multiple reasons:

1. Spring Break (college style) - Funny to think that just a mere 5 years ago I would be doing flabongos at some sketchy apartment and hitting the beach bars with my friends.  I would probably find some way to dance to Soulja Boy on a table and take tequila shot after tequila shot (throw in a PBR to spice things up).  I would end up in bed with a hot slice of pizza and my bestie, Emily.  Maybe, just maybe, I would even go home richer after a man in a mink coat shoves $100 down my shirt.

Spring Break 2016 (teacher/adult/pregnant style):

• 1. Getting Crazy - ordering pizza AND making it through an entire On Demand/Netflix movie.
• 2. Sleeping In - making it to 7am and feeling well rested.
• 3. Staying Up Late - not falling asleep before 9pm.
• 4. Looking Hot - keeping my makeup on until right before bed time and wearing a v-neck sleep tee instead of a crew neck (throw in yoga pants for extra sexy points).

2. California

This was a blast because Darius and I were able to do some sight seeing as well as visiting with his family.  We knocked out the entire crew in just 3 days!  The trip was short, but so well worth it.  I was able to enjoy FOOD and fight the jet lag.  His family threw us a gorgeous little baby shower where we were overwhelmed with love.  There was even a prop photo station to take pictures and put in an album for Baby Cross.  It was PERFECT.  And to top it off, I got the stroller/car seat of my DREAMS! One button click and the ENTIRE stroller folds up!  It's phenomenal!  It's funny to think that 2 years ago I was wanting Michael Kors purses and now here I am, drooling over a stroller.  WTF.  Darius and I even hit up Catalina Island which I truly only thought was a made up place from Stepbrothers.  It was so fun and the baby really *popped* out to be a part of the adventure!

Baby bumpin' by some cave on Catalina Island (photo bomb by Palm Tree)

Clearly, we know what Darius thinks the baby is.

I'm going to leave this blog on one note (and this is mostly to husband's/bf's of preggo mamas).  If you suddenly one night decided that the BEST (absolute worst) thing to do is to convince your loving, pregnant wife/gf to watch Black Hawk Down... rethink that.  Remember, your wife/gf is full of amazing, out of control hormones that send her skyrocketing in all different directions.  So, during the scene where the Army guy jumps out of the helicopter and misses the rope and falls and breaks his back and she is hysterically crying - just remember that I warned you.  I told you not to do this.  I told you to turn it off.  And when she takes that moment and turns it into "What if one day we have a son who is in the military and wants to do that job and breaks his back" and now there's snot rolling down her face, don't come crawling to me.  I warned you.  You should have just put on Stepbrothers.  If you don't trust me, ask Darius.  The next night, we watched The Land Before Time.

How far along? 19 weeks 4 days

Maternity clothes? YES!  All of the stretchy things!

Stretch marks? So far, so good!

Sleep: In anticipation of Gender Day, my dreams are out of control and so a deep sleep hasn't really happened recently.  But naps are good!

Best moment(s) this week: 10 days off work.  Days. Off. Work. = No. Alarms.

Miss Anything? In California, I would have loved to have an ice cold tropical drink while sitting along the beach.

Movement: Here and there! I am not panicked that it's not consistent.  It feels like flutters or bubbles moving around in there.

Food cravings: BURGERS.  My friend Erica had burger cravings and she had a boy.. just sayin'.

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of coffee and chicken.  I can eat it at  restaurant but cooking it my own is not happening.

Gender: 2 days away from knowing!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Gagging (mostly early morning and late night or when it's cold out or when I am extremely thirsty or when brushing my teeth or the smell of anything remotely "gross" in my book), aching back, ligament pain (when lying down, coughing, getting up too quickly), growing belly!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, although I can already tell I won't be making it the entire 40 weeks.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I think I've been more happy lately.  Although I find myself EXTREMELY emotional.  Like crying when I'm happy and when I'm sad.

Looking forward to: IS IT A BOY OR A GIRL?!!? WE WILL KNOW ON TUESDAY!

16 & 17 Weeks!

Now that I am on to week 17, I feel it is time to update on how week 16 went.  Let's start out by mentioning this:

WEEK 16 WAS THE FIRST WEEK THAT I FELT LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN!

...and it felt gooooood!

Week 16 was not very exciting around the Cross household.  In fact, I have no idea what happened that week.  This is either because Pregnancy Brain is like the most legit thing I have ever experienced in my entire life OR we are just super boring.  Although, if you did read my "Things My Baby Already Hates" post then you would know the field trip story... and SHOCKER... we took another field trip.  I held the pee for 2 hours.  Can I get some sort of sticker for that?!

Week 17 popped up andddd so did my belly!  It had been forming for a while but I think passerby's just thought I have been hanging out in the kitchen a little too much.  Things are starting to look like an actual preggo belly!  Hell, I even took a pic!

17 weeks and that Hawaii Oahu candle is amazinggg!

We saw the doctor the other day and pregnancy brain accompanied me again because when Darius asked what this appointment was for, I literally had NO IDEA. I wasn't too happy to find out it was blood work to test for spina bifida.  I like to be prepared for the whole needle thing.  Whatever, that went well and I am truly getting much better - I don't curse anymore, I don't cry and the sweating and shaking is starting to be kept to a minimum.

On a better note - the receptionist informed Darius that it's time for HIM to start tracking the appointments and remembering what they're for because I'm basically useless.  She also told him to step it up in the kitchen and make sure I sleep... which was nice.

I'm just gonna do a combo of week 16 and 17 updates since I'm currently halfway through week 17.

How far along? 17 weeks 4 days

Maternity clothes? OH YEAH! And ALL of the maxi dresses!

Stretch marks? Crossing my fingers this belly, thighs, butt and boobs stays stretch mark free!!!

Sleep: Sleeping horrible. Darius snoring is like literally the worst thing to happen to me.

Best moment(s) this week: We bought a doppler so we listen to the heartbeat almost daily and it makes me so happy each time (doctor approved).  Also - hosting Easter dinner at our house was our first "hosting" event and it was really fun!

Miss Anything? I really would have liked a nice mimosa today! (I am noticing a trend with missing all drinking options).

Movement: Yes!  Started feeling movement at week 16.  I mostly feel it after I pee or when I am laying down.  It isn't regular (which is normal) but it's sooooo cool!

Food cravings: Umm... Rita's.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still chicken... it's just so so gross and chewy.

Gender: Still thinking a BOY!  Darius is thinking a girl!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Apparently my butt is getting bigger and I'm THRILLED!  Shoutout to Durshaw for confirming this exciting news the other day!  

Also - Extreme thirst, dry mouth, tiredness, moodiness, tender boobs.

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On.. although with the warmer, more humid weather, I don't know how much longer.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Totally moody and I totally admit it! SO MOODY!  Literally was belly laughing with Darius the other day and 30 seconds later I was SOBBING!  I had NO clue why!

Looking forward to: We leave for California on Tuesday and we are so excited!  Also, April 12th is gender reveal day!  We can't wait!

Things My Baby Hates Already

Don't think too much into the title.  My baby and I have been getting along pretty well for the most part.  I have forgiven the (now 16) weeks of morning night sickness.  Each time I think that I am seeing a beautiful, shining light filled with glossy hair, glowing face and a perfect little baby bump - I find myself starring into the face of the porcelain God, and in that moment I know it's not over.  So, let's just dive into the things I can tell my baby already hates.

1. When I Eat - which is kind of rude considering that it is essential to life.  I think that baby Cross and I are finally making it and then one night, he/she is just like NOPE NOT THAT and here I am again, at the toilet.  It's really not fun.  Its' actually quite painful.  And now, it ends with tears and sweat and cursing.  Right when I think Buffalo Wild Wings will be okay (complete with an appetizer of fried pickles - because I'm pregnant) I learn that the baby STILL does not like chicken.

2. Field Trips - for all of you non-teachers out there you may be asking yourself: "WTF is she talking about?!"  Well, let me explain to those of you who can enjoy peeing at your leisure and going out to lunch on the reg.  First, let's start with the definition of said "field trips:"

Field Trips - a time when teachers are required to practice their counting skills (route numbers usually 1-25) in order to ensure the safety of all students.  It is a time when we practice only peeing possibly once through the entire day (if you're lucky) as long as you can find a willing and capable adult to also practice counting 1-25 repetitively until your return.  It is also faking enjoyment of said activity until the day is over, maintaining all emotional and mental breakdowns, swatting bees, opening capri-sun packages, and watching twenty 8-9 year old children gulp down the 20 oz. bottle of orange soda their parent decided to provide for lunch that day.

So, apply all of this to being pregnant and you have a: worn out, exhausted, crying, messy bun, has-to-pee, grumpy, overly-anxious pregnant teacher.  

Oh, and the baby HATES the smell of the turkey lunchables, kids.

3. Sleeping - I have heard "get your sleep while you still can!"  Right.  Well, this would be LOVELY if I could.  Between having to pee in the middle of the night (multiple times), having really weird dreams, panicking about the baby at all times and never feeling fully rested - I just don't see this "full-nights-rest" happening anytime soon.  In fact, I think it's a myth and doesn't really exist and I am fully preparing myself to never sleep again - f o r e v e r.

4. Overly Dramatic TV Shows - which end up with me having horrible dreams about Darius cheating on me with this girl I haven't talked to in 10 years.  Or, me crying about something about the baby.  OR - me dreaming that I have a baby and I have no clue what to do with it.

In a nutshell, over the course of 16 weeks and 4 days, these are the things I have determined my baby just does not particularly like.  We (baby and I) are hoping to change things in the near (very soon) future in order to ensure the mental happiness of both mommy and daddy.