Pregnancy 16 Week Update

16 Weeks…Where is the time going?!

We officially announced our pregnancy just a little over a week ago and things are really progressing! It’s still sometimes hard to fathom that not only am I pregnant, but also fully rocking in the 2nd trimester!

1st Trimester RECAP:

We conceived a FULL MONTH before we had any clue! I had my period in November (started on 11/15) but somehow still got pregnant!! God likes to throw us curveballs like that 🙂

We took a positive pregnancy test Dec. 14th (right before I would have missed my December period) and our estimate is that I was already 7-8 weeks along at that point!

I had ZERO morning sickness, nausea or fatigue. Not one bout, which I am SO grateful for! Mid December (right before the positive test) the first things I noticed were: Increased hunger throughout the day and that my breasts started growing immediately (almost daily) and feeling sore and heavy. I also was more sensitive to smells, craving more salty and savory versus sweet, and had this sense of “peace and calm” that I can’t describe…except it was definitely this hormonal shift to more maternal, feminine energy 🙂

Month 2 & 3: I noticed some afternoon drops in energy and lower drive for work, but I haven’t need naps or to stop completely. I usually have great energy the entire day and rarely need to sit down, but I am taking more breaks when needed & knowing when to pause/rest and not stop completely. I’ve had some shifts in mood (a little more snappy here and there, more emotional) but again, nothing majorly drastic, no fighting with Brian or crying spells!

I started noticing my midsection changing, but besides my breasts, the rest of my body looks exactly the same LOL! I’ve been keeping up with all my workouts and just modifying the weight or intensity when I need to. But otherwise everything has truly been GREAT and I am feeling so so blessed!

2nd Trimester Progress:

We had an initial midwife appointment through the hospital system on January 25th and the official ultrasound the following week, marking us at approximately 14 weeks along.

Estimated due date of Baby Occkial is August 1st!

We had been telling family and close friends, but officially announced on Feb. 6th!

These past few weeks of February I really started to notice my little bump. All of my clothes fit but our baby is definitely showing now! It sometimes feels surreal to look in the mirror and realize “Oh wow, there’s a baby in there!” Some days I feel a little self conscious (“Do I cover it up? Where what I want and be proud of it?”) but for the most part, I am proud and confident with all the amazing things my body is doing right now.

Still no sickness or major fatigue…No major food aversions or intense cravings, and in fact, most everything sounds appetizing!

Favorite foods: eggs, gluten free avocado toast, stir frys, mexican food, popcorn, nuts, fruit slices with nut butter, brownies & cookies (but what’s new about that ha!)

Other random (but “normal”) pregnancy changes: sneezing all the time and sinus congestion, I’m constantly using the bathroom, vivid dreams and intermittent insomnia, my hair is growing VERY fast and occasional headaches.

Valentine’s Day marks the beginning of 16 weeks!

We decided to go with a different private midwife practice and moving forward with a home-birth. After weighing out our different options, Brian and I decided this was the route that felt best for US and to be honest, I am really excited! Birthing in a hospital is stressful to me and I want to have the best birth experience possible with comprehensive care, and that is what this new team will be able to support us with!

We have our first appointment with Colleen of The Village Midwifery Team in the next week. We are looking forward to a natural birth and a collaborative relationship with our medical providers.

Other Excitements:

We started back in late December on home improvements to start getting ready! Brian did new paint and baseboards and we got new carpet upstairs installed. My office will transplant into our spare bedroom, and then that room will become Baby Room!

We’ve already started envisioning the color and theme for the nursery: we want to keep it simple, clean and gender neutral 🙂

We ARE finding out the gender, which will be at our anatomy scan in mid-late March. Yes we will be sharing but no gender reveal party for us.

We have a list of favorite names already made.

We created a master Baby List, so then in a few weeks we can have a Registry up and running here SOON!

I booked my baby shower! It is June 5 at a local country club here in Willoughby. It is a beautiful open room with a covered courtyard (perfect for the early summer!) We are have it catered and bringing in our own dessert bar. I will be collaborating with my family and in-laws for theme, decor and games, but most likely not until after we know the gender!

We have several events and lots of traveling between end of March to end of May, which we are excited about!

End of March I travel with Brian to Atlanta (he is on a work trip). End of April I am co-hosting a women’s wellness retreat in a cabin here in Ohio.

A week later, I travel solo to California to see family, then my mom and I are doing a GIRLS trip to Vegas!

End of May, Brian and I are spending a few days in DISNEY WORLD in Florida!! This will be a combination of celebrating our birthdays, anniversary and a “Baby-Moon”!

All in all, we are both still feeling GREAT and extremely blessed. Thank you again for your continued support and prayers!