Happy 33rd Birthday to your Daddy!

Today was your daddy's 33rd birthday. I put dinosaur sprinkles on his cake because he is ooolllddd now. We had a low key day, just had a few friends over for dinner and cake. Here's a picture of his last childless birthday. We'll see how grey his hair is next year.

Do These Maternity Pants Make Me Look Fat?

My pants can no longer hold in my stomach. This is actually quite surreal to me as I am continually reminded that there really is a baby in there. So, at 16 weeks, I've gone to using baby bands (elastic strips of fabric basically) and a few maternity clothes. People at work are starting to point out that I'm showing. My students (all girls) are ecstatic. Imagine 60 girls screaming and running to you at once. I felt like a pop star for one fleeting moment. While you are no secret anymore, I am a very private person. So this attention is something I'll have to adjust to as I continue to get bigger.

Fishy Business

I have read that it will be awhile longer before I am sure I feel you move. But there have been 3 times now where I have felt a flutter in my stomach that I've never had before. It feels like a fish flipped over. It is very subtle, but it is so cool.

Pineapple Express

Today was my 16 week appointment. It was the shortest one yet. The doctor answered a few questions, then let me hear the heartbeat. They must do this to reassure the mom that their baby is fine. It is always a relief for me. She said everything was good and sent me on my way. So I headed up to Clemson to spend the rest of the week with your dad at my "summer home." We were going to do a little house hunting!

I am now officially into my 2nd trimester and was fully expecting all morning sickness to magically disappear. I have to say it has gradually become better, although I still throw up every morning (thanks for that daily reminder). Your dad gave me some pineapple, which made me feel better. I looked it up and discovered it can help reduce nausea. So now I'm on the Pineapple Express!

Swag

I have to say, you are accumulating a little pile of swag. I have some bibs, a hat, a ladybug toy and a couple of stuffed animals. Grandma even bought you a blue outfit and a pink outfit. You will soon learn that presents from Grandma are often followed by her saying, "you have to pick one" (although my favorite is when she says "there's a story behind this"). In this case, we'll be returning one in just a month's time!

The first thing your daddy bought you was this shirt. He was very excited to get this for you. It's from the farm where his milk comes from. And yes, he says, the cows are very happy.

Your aunts have also saved up a lot of clothes for you. I am talking bins of clothes. We are using Turner and Zoe's crib and a rocking chair that your great grandmother used to rock your grandma in. Aunt Beth used it too. The dresser you will soon recognize in your room was first in your grandma's room, then in my room growing up. I've even got an extra car seat base from a friend now. Slowly, but surely, things are coming together.