Happy Days are Here Again

 First day of the last week of the first trimester.... boy {or girl} that's a mouth full. Week 13 is here which means I am almost into my second trimester. Already?! It certainly seems like that happened fast! The good news is that all the rumors are true- it does seem that the incessant nausea and morning sickness dies down as you round out trimester numero uno. Can I get an AMEN to that. Another reason for celebration, my energy is {slowly} finding it's way home again as well. Most of you that really know me, know that it has been said multiple times that I may or may not be a direct descendant of the Energizer Bunny. Well, normal and non-first trimester-pregnant me that is. This girl's never ending energy has taken a severe hit over the past few months. While I'm still finding myself incredibly tired at night {I fell asleep at about 9:00 on Monday night and during The Bachelor of all things!}, my weekend self seems back to normal as this past Saturday I was up and at 'em ready to go way before the sun came up. I think Bennett would probably prefer my energy stay gone for weekend purposes. Poor guy is not exactly a morning person.

{A Bella WHAT?}

I purchased a bella band this week. Actually, I think it's technically called the "B Band" because it's the Target version. People sing praises of this thing so we will see how it works but I'm not going to lie, I am a little bit skeptical! I {thankfully} haven't had to actually put it to use yet, but am convinced it is only a matter of time. Lots of my favorite pants are getting just a bit snug around the waist/tummy. When everyone said the waist is the first to largen while your body prepares for child bearing, they were NOT joking. I feel like I've doubled in size already. Just my imagination.... I hope... In happier news, I wake up every single morning absolutely convinced that I grew a little baby bump overnight! My hopes are dashed, however, about 5 minutes after my eyes open and I take my first potty break of the day. That's when I realize that what I thought was a baby bump was really just my bladder. Bummer. Come one little baby, grow grow grow so Mommy can feel you!!!

*Isn't he HANDSOME?*

{The Moment of Truth}
These pictures didn't make my first post, but I thought they were too great not to add. This little tinkle stick is what first let us know we were going to be Mommy and Daddy! B snapped this pic right after I gave it to him, which I did in this little Christmas baggie. I think it's safe to say he expected anything but a pregnancy test in there when I brought it to him telling him I had a little gift for him. To be honest, this little stick and baggie is so precious to us because of the memory that we just can't get rid of either. However, I would like to take some suggestions as to exactly WHAT we should do with it. Right now it's literally just sitting on a counter {the tinkle stick inside the bag, don't worry}. Thoughts?

The news is {finally} out!!

I cannot describe how excited I am to finally be able to openly talk about the fact that there has been a precious baby growing inside of me for exactly 12 weeks and 2 days now! Over the past few weeks I have put a lot of thought into whether or not I'd like to keep a preggers blog and I gotta say- I just really love the idea.... Mainly because it can also help to serve as sort of a journal for me to log all the wonderful things that happen over the next 7ish months :)

The {quick} Story:

As everyone knows, Bennett and I just tied the knot on September 1, 2012. I am due August 8, 2013, which means we will have a 3 1/2 week old on our 1 year anniversary! Crazy, huh? We had planned on taking a romantic Mediterranean cruise to celebrate the glorious one year of wedded bliss however now, I tell Bennett we will probably be lucky if we make it out to a Mediterranean restaurant! {hahaha} All jokes aside, we would not have it any other way. Although it was not in our plan to bring a sweet little baby into the world this early- we are absolutely ecstatic about this most precious surprise! As an old friend texted me this past week "God has perfect timing for everything... Sometimes He just doesn't ask us!!"

Seeing Baby Smith:

We had our first ultrasound at 7 wks and 1 day. It was absolutely amazing to see that there was really something growing in there! I was so happy that my mom was able to drive up to be with us, it was such a special time! She thought it was hilarious that I kept saying "Mom, I just can't believe there's really something inside of here. I think when I see it I will actually believe it!" So, as we left the ultrasound she said "Ok, it's there!! Do you believe it now?!" haha.

Shopping for Baby Smith:

The mister and I spent New Years Eve in Charleston {which is where and when he popped the big question in 2011!}. On our way back home, we stopped at the outlets and made our first purchases for Baby Smith!! I gotta say, I will be extremely happy when we find out if Baby S is a "he" or "she" because while buying ANYTHING for your sweet little baby is fun- the selection available for "gender neutral" just is not that great. That didn't stop me from making several purchases though :)

                                 

For now, I'll close with this PRECIOUS picture of our perfect little baby that we were able to see at our doctor appointment on Wednesday {which happened to be my 25th birthday and I'll tell ya, seeing our little bundle of joy was the BEST birthday present EVER}. It is amazing to me how much this little sweetheart has grown between the first ultrasound at 7 wk 1 day and this ultrasound taken at 11 wk 6 day. Also I should mention that I am pretty sure Baby S has taken some good notes from Mommy and Daddy, we are convinced that it was getting it's morning cardio in that morning- jumping and running non stop in the womb! Bennett thinks we have ourselves a future Heisman winner on our hands.... What do you think??? {If it counts, I think it's a future Miss America}