Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Week 18

How Far Along:  18 Weeks

Size of Babies: The Babies are approximately the length of a bell pepper and weigh approximately 7 ounces each

Total Weight Gain: +8 lbs total as of my January 19th appointment

Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly maternity clothes, but I can still wear a lot of my regular tops and dresses.

Gender: Our official gender/anatomy ultrasound is on January 31st. But...our Dr. friend took a look for us last week. ;)

Movement: I've started to feel them move a little bit.  It feels like little flutters and kind of takes my breath away when it happens.  It's like butterflies in a good way, not in a nervous way.

Sleep:  Interrupted nightly for multiple potty breaks and mild discomfort.  I've started using my boppy body pillow more and it is helping with comfort and support.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my tummy

Cravings: Pepsi, fruit smoothies, and muffins

Symptoms:  I've received some relief from my allergy symptoms, which I am thankful for.

Best Moment(s) So Far: Going fabric shopping with my mom for the bedding and starting to plan the nursery.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

And They're Off!

I'm a day late posting this, but...I GOT MY BRACES OFF!!!  Whoo hoo!  For nearly 2 years, I've had braces. I decided to get them primarily to correct my jaw alignment and deep overbite, but also to straighten my teeth.  On my top teeth, I had sneaky ibraces (aka lingual braces).  They were hidden from sight on the back of my teeth like the pictures below.


On my bottom teeth, I had regular clear ceramic braces like the following picture.


My braces were installed on March 10, 2010 and removed on January 18, 2012. My total treatment lasted about 22 months.  To keep my teeth in place, I now have a permanent retainer bonded to the back of my bottom teeth and to the back of my top 2 front teeth.  I also have a removable clear tray retainer for the rest of my top teeth.  I have to be a good girl and wear the tray full-time for the next 6 months. After that, I will wear it only at nighttime.   I'm glad to be nearing the end of my adult orthodontia!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Week 16


How Far Along:  16 Weeks

Size of Babies: The Babies are the size of an avocado and weigh approximately 3.5 ounces each

Total Weight Gain: +1 lb, as of my last appointment on December 22. On January 19, I'll have another appointment where I'll learn how much more I've gained.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, I'm now wearing them more and more.  I finally broke down and got some maternity dress slacks for work.  My pre-pregnancy slacks were cutting my belly in half. My new slacks will definitely be more comfortable when seated at my desk all day.  

Gender: I thought we were finding out on January 19th, but it's now the 31st. Boo!

Movement: I've seen them move on ultrasounds, but I can't feel them yet

Sleep:  Interrupted nightly for multiple potty breaks and mild discomfort

What I Miss: Doing intense circuit training workouts and feeling the good exhaustion afterwards

Cravings: Pepsi :)

Symptoms:  Some days I am hungry all day long and I can't seem to get enough to eat. Then I'll have days where I'm not nearly as hungry.  I think my hungry days are growth spurt days for the babies. Heightened pregnancy allergies kicked in last weekend in full force. They brought with them a sinus headache, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and coughing.

Best Moment(s) So Far:  Celebrating the New Year knowing what is to come!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Crock-Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I decided to quickly post another recipe today. I've been meaning to post my recipe for Crock-Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches for a while now. I want my most used and favorite recipes here on my blog because I have plans for them. My hope is that someday when I print my blog as a keepsake book, I will also make a Crawford Family Cookbook to keep and pass down.

[The recipe below is an image, click to enlarge]

Chicken Pot Pie

Per request, I needed a way to quickly share my Chicken Pot Pie recipe. Please excuse the sparse content of this post.  This is a fast, easy meal to throw together if you don't have much time.  It's a fave at our house!

[The recipe below is an image, click to enlarge]

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Two Peas in a Pod

For Christmas my mother-in-law gave me a sweet James Avery charm called "Two Peas in a Pod."  I teared up when I opened it and I couldn't wait to put it on a chain and wear it around my neck.  It's just the sweetest thing and makes me think of my two little peas when I wear it. :) 

Sunday, January 1, 2012

This Year

Today, on this first day of the year, I have been thinking on the things that will be in 2012.  Although, I can't help but revisit this time 1 year ago as 2011 was beginning. Tom and I were sitting in a booth one evening on a date at Cheesecake Factory discussing our thoughts on the new year. On that date I presented my theme of HOPE for 2011. I wanted to focus on practicing the discipline of constantly realigning my HOPE in Christ alone, regardless of life's circumstances.  I also presented that I still had the hope of having a child, but that specific hope was not my foundation.

I can assure you, although 2011 began with much HOPE, it was quickly met with repeated heartache, disappointment, and struggles that undoubtedly caused my HOPE to wax and wane.  The 4 fertility treatments we started the year with did not work.  We moved on to more aggressive treatments and I did not have a child in 2011.  BUT, the burden of infertility was lifted and we learned that we will have 2 children in 2012!  I still carry infertility with me in my heart, it doesn't just go away as soon as that test turns positive.  I can still empathize 100% with those still in the throes of infertility's pain. I still carry the journey and the lessons that the Lord taught me as I was waiting.  Let me just say with a sincere heart, God is faithful.  I do not say He is faithful just because He answered my specific prayer.  He would still be faithful even if He chose not to.  I'd like to borrow some phraseology from one of my favorite hymns [Great is Thy Faithfulness] to convey why He is faithful:

He changes not
His compassions fail not
As He has been, He forever will be
He pardons our sin
His peace endures
He provides strength for today
And a bright HOPE for tomorrow

I am excitedly greeting 2012 with open arms.  This year I will celebrate 6 years of marriage to my best friend and we will meet our first 2 children.  I cannot wait to see what else is in store for us in the months ahead.

Happy New Year!