Week 25 Picture

How far along: 25 Weeks

Total weight gain: Still at about 20 lbs

Maternity clothes: Wearing them everyday

Food cravings: Not really anything lately

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: None

Belly button: Hanging in there haha

Best moment of the week: Shane started painting the nursery and he got to see Brenna kick from the outside

What I am most looking forward to: Our 3D/4D ultrasound on Monday!!

Milestones: This is a wierd one but not being able to get up from laying on my back. I have to roll out of bed or Shane has to pull me up haha

Like I said Shane started painting the nursery. I will post pictures once I get some taken. I am loving the color we choose and can't wait to get it finished and the furniture painted. It is going to look so great!!

I am going to post some more belly pictures Friday or Saturday. I am in a wedding tomorrow night and my belly looks so cute all dressed up. Anyways Happy New Year and be safe everyone!

Month 6

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside your womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 24 Picture

How far along: 24 weeks (WOOT, made it to viability day, which means Brenna could be born and have a VERY good chance of surviving)

Total weight gain: 20 pounds

Maternity clothes: Everyday. I need to go through all my shirts and put them away.

Food cravings: Taco Bell

Gender: Girl!!!!

Labor signs: None

Belly button: Will probably pop sometime soon

Best moment of the week: Hearing Brenna's heart beat and scheduling our 3D/4D ultrasound.

What I am most looking forward to: Seeing Brenna on Jan 4th. I love technology!!

Milestones: Making it to viability day!!

Week 23 Picture

How far along: 23 weeks

Total weight gain: Will find out Thursday, keeping fingers crossed that I haven't gained too much

Maternity clothes: The most comfortable thing EVER!!

Food cravings: Apples and caramel

Gender: GIRL!!!!

Labor signs: None yet

Belly button: Still kinda there

Best moment of the week: Taping the nursery so it can get painted

What I am most looking forward to: Not baby related but having my dad's family Christmas this weekend

Milestones: Taping the nursery and finishing up the wall art

Week 22 Picture

How far along: 22 weeks

Total weight gain: I think about 14 or 15 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Wearing them everyday

Food cravings: Taco Bell

Gender: GIRL!!!!!!

Labor signs: None yet

Belly button: Getting shallower

Best moment of the week: Shane feeling Brenna kick. It was so amazing.

What I am most looking forward to: Finishing the nursery art we started

Milestones: Feeling kicks from the outside

Month 5

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby is starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 21 Picture

How far along: 21 weeks

Total weight gain: About 14 lbs

Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity pants and my normal shirts are getting a little short

Food cravings: Anything

Gender: We are having a little GIRL!!!! Brenna Grace Dalton :)

Labor signs: None yet

Belly button: Still in

Best moment of the week: Telling family the sex of the baby.

What I am most looking forward to: Starting the nursery soon

Milestones: Finally feeling like I look pregnant instead of just fat. haha

Week 21

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid everyday, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 20 Picture

How far along: 20 weeks. YAY, we are halfway there!!!!

Total weight gain: 12 lbs

Maternity clothes: I am officially in maternity pants and only maternity pants.

Food cravings: Nothing really. I just like to eat.

Gender: We know and are so excited to tell everyone Thursday!!

Labor signs: None yet

Belly button: Still there but slowly getting shallower.

Best moment of the week: Feeling the baby kick from the outside.

What I am most looking forward to: Telling everyone the gender of the baby on Thanksgiving!!!

Milestones: Feeling the baby kick from the outside and making it to the halfway point. Only 20 more weeks until we meet our baby!!!

Week 20

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation....baby's genitals are now fully formed!


*Provided by TheBump.com

Doctor Appointment Update

We had our "Big" ultrasound today. We are very excited to share the news however we are waiting until Thanksgiving to tell everyone. But I do have some pictures to show you.



The first one is a profile of the baby, the second one is another profile of the baby flipped upside down and the last one is of the baby's tiny little feet. I think she has my nose (the Ward nose). We couldn't get very many good pictures of the features so who knows what s/he will look like.


The baby is stubborn like me. S/he would move every time the tech tried getting a measurement. S/he was only active when moving away from the wand so I think s/he has part of Shane's personality (the mellow, laid back part).

Week 19 Picture

How far along: 19 weeks

Total weight gain: About 12 pounds

Maternity clothes: I only have 1 pair of pre-pregnancy so I am mostly in maternity pants now.

Food cravings: Spinach artichoke dip and garlic bread

Gender: We know but are waiting to tell everyone until Thanksgiving!!

Labor signs: I have been having Braxton Hicks but no serious labor signs.

Belly button: In but getting very shallow

Best moment of the week: Finding out the sex of our little one

What I am most looking forward to: Telling everyone the sex of the baby. I hope I can hold out until Thanksgiving.

Milestones: Making it to 19 weeks and not gaining too much weight yet.

Week 19

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes since.) You might actually get to see the vernix after birth, especially if baby is premature.


*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 18 Picture

How far along: 18 weeks

Total weight gain: 10.5 lbs

Maternity clothes: Started wearing maternity pants this week but I still have one pair of pre-pregnancy jeans I can wear

Food cravings: Taco Bell and cupcakes

Gender: Still think boy. We find out in less than a week

Labor signs: None yet

Belly button: In

Best moment of the week: Buying the material for the bedding and finding art work for the nursery

What I am most looking forward to: Well besides finding the out the sex on Tuesday, I am going to State (cheer competition) with my mom. It should be fun!!

Milestones: Making it to 18 weeks and finally starting to wear maternity pants.

Week 18

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, finally baby's big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Baby Bedding

So we had decided on the fabric for the bedding however when we went to get more than a sample they didn't have it so we decided to go with a different fabric. We are going to use the blue fabric (more of a teal/aqua color) for the top and the white fleece for the backing. We are doing the nursery in a teal blue, orange, and chocolate brown. I am so excited to get started on painting and finding decor to put it all together but Shane is making me wait until after the first of the year. BOO!!!! Oh well he is probably right. haha In other news we have less than 2 weeks until we find out the sex and I can't wait.

Week 17 Picture

How far along: 17 weeks

Total weight gain: About 9 lbs now

Food cravings: Nothing crazy now just food in general

Gender: Still thinking boy

Labor signs: None

Belly button: In

Best moment of the week: Feeling the baby move a little more (at least I think/am pretty sure it was baby)

What I am most looking forward to: Finding out the gender and Shane getting to feel the baby kick

Milestones: Making it to 17 weeks. I can't believe how quickly it is going.

Week 17

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped with one-of-a-kind prints.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 16 Picture

How far along: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: About 6 or 7 lbs

Maternity clothes: Nope not yet

Food cravings: Anything. Man do I love food right now

Gender: Still feeling boy. Find out on NOV 17. YAY!!!

Labor signs: None yet

Belly button: In

Best moment of the week: Deciding the color theme for the nursery. Can't wait to get started on it.

What I am most looking forward to: Finding out the gender

Milestones: Making it to 16 weeks and feeling the first little movements!

Week 16

Watch what you say.......tiny bones forming in the baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and tastebuds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 15 Picture

How far along: 15 weeks

Total weight gain: 6 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Not yet. Still doing the rubberband trick.

Food cravings: Amazingly enough carrots with ranch and celery with peanut butter. So tasty.

Gender: Still feeling boy. We find out NOV 17 and I am so excited.

Labor signs: None

Belly button: In

Best moment of the week: Hearing little one's heartbeat at our appointment. It was the most amazing sound ever.

What I am most looking forward to: Finding out the gender

Milestones: Making it to 15 weeks. Only 5 more weeks and we'll be halfway there :)

Week 15

Continuing the march to towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements.


*Provided by TheBump.com

Doctor Appointment

We had our appointment today. It was so great to hear the baby's heartbeat again. The second the wand was on my tummy we heard the heartbeat. It was somewhere in the 140s and very loud. The doctor said everything looks great.

We get to find out the sex on Nov. 17 and I can't wait. I am so excited about finding out. Anyways that is all for now!!

Week 14 Picture

How far along: 14 weeks

Total weight gain: Still going with 2.5 until my appointment on Friday.

Maternity clothes: Nope, not yet

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Anything and everything. I love food right now but I'm trying not to overdo it.

Gender: Still thinking boy

Labor signs: Nope

Belly button: In but Shane says it is getting shallow. I think he is imagining things. haha

Best moment of the week: Giving into my cravings :)

What I am most looking forward to: Our appointment on Friday

Weekly wisdom: I don't think I have any this week

Milestones: Making it to 14 weeks and posting belly pictures on Facebook

Week 14

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 13 Picture

How far along: 13 weeks

Total weight gain: Still 2.5 lbs

Maternity clothes: Not yet

Movement: None yet but I can't wait until I can feel the little one

Food cravings: Nachos with picante sauce

Gender: Still feeling boy

Labor signs: Nope

Belly Button: In

Best moment of the week: Finding the fabric for the bedding (Picture below)

What I am most looking forward to: Finding out the gender

Weekly wisdom: Don't let anyone tell you that your cravings are disgusting, as long as they taste good to you is all that matters.

Milestones: Making it to 13 weeks and getting the crib and changing table






We decided to do blue whether it was a boy or girl and if it is a girl we will add a few pink accents. this will be the quilt top with a fleece backing. I love it!!!

Week 13

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords....savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.)


*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 12 Picture

How far along: 12 weeks

Total weight gain: 2.5 lbs

Maternity clothes: Not wearing them yet but I got them in the mail. Still doing the rubberband trick.

Movement: None yet but I can't wait

Food cravings: All food and any food

Gender: Still feeling boy. Can't wait to find out!!

Labor signs: Nope

Belly button: In but Shane is telling me it already looks funny.

Best moment of the week: Getting my maternity clothes in the mail!!

What I am most looking forward to: Getting the crib and changing table tonight from Crystal and Robert (sister and brother-in-law).

Weekly wisdom: Comfort is important, whether it be wearing sweats, maternity jeans, using the rubberband trick or a bella band.

Milestones: Making it to 12 weeks. This pregnancy is flying by. I can't believe we have known for 8 weeks already.

Week 12

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby's systems are fully formed.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Doctor Appointment Update

Everything went great at the appointment. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat and it was by far one of the most amazing things I have ever heard (right up there to hearing Shane say "I do" on our wedding day). It took her about 5 minutes to find it and I started getting scared but she said if we couldn't find it with the doppler we would do an ultrasound. It was 164 bpm. The nurse said that is a very good rate.

My due date has been changed to April 13, 2010. It kinda sucks because I am not quite as far along but I am just so happy that everything is ok that I don't mind too much. Either way this baby will come when s/he is ready. haha So I am actually only 10 weeks and 3 days so I will be doing another 11 week update.

I had to give blood (4 vials). It wasn't very much fun but I didn't pass out so that is a HUGE plus. The doctor highly recommends getting a flu shot however I am so scared of shots I don't know if I will. Most likely I will decide to because the doctor said 30% of pregnant women end up in the hospital because of the flu and I DO NOT want to be hospitalized.

Our next appointment is October 16 but we are discussing getting some 1st trimester screenings done and if we do then I will go in then. I am going to be doing some research on the screenings to see it they are something we should do. If anyone has any thoughts I would be more than happy to hear them.

Anywho that is all for now. :)

Week 11 Picture

How far along: 11 weeks

Total weight gain: Will find out tomorrow at our appointment.

Maternity clothes: Not yet but hopefully soon. My pants are getting WAY too tight!!

Movement: None yet

Food cravings: Cereal and salad (not together of course)

Gender: Still feeling boy (how hilarious would it be if we ended up having a girl). Can't wait to find out.

Labor signs: None, thank goodness

Belly button: In

Best moment of the week: Our appointment tomorrow will be the best moment

What I am most looking forward to: Our appointment tomorrow. Hopefully we will either see the baby or hear the heartbeat tomorrow.

Weekly wisdom: Sweats are the best thing to wear in 1st trimester.

Milestones: Making it to 11 weeks! YAY!!!


Our first appointment is tomorrow and I am so excited. Hopefully all goes well and I will update after. I am making Shane go because this appointment is supposed to last up to 2 hours. Geez I can't imagine spending that much time in a doctor's office but it will all be worth it.

Week 11

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail buds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 10 Picture

How far along: 10 weeks

Total weight gain: Haven't checked. Hopefully none.

Maternity clothes: Not yet but I think the rubberband trick is going to have to happen soon.

Movement: None yet

Food cravings: Mac and cheese still

Gender: Still feeling boy

Labor signs: None

Belly Button: In

Best moment of the week: Buying our first baby item

What I am looking forward to: Our appointment next week

Weekly wisdom: Same.....sleep.......sleep as much as you can.

Milestones: Making it to 10 weeks!!

Week 10

With bones and cartliage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon legs will too.)

*Provided by TheBump.com

Week 9 Picture

How far along: 9 weeks

Total weight gain: Not sure

Maternity clothes: Not yet but let me tell ya my pants are starting to get so tight!!!

Movement: None that I can feel

Food cravings: Mac and Cheese and fruit

Gender: Still feeling boy

Labor signs: None

Belly button: In

Best moment of the week: Starting vacation :)

What I am looking forward to: Our appointment on the 18th.

Weekly wisdom: Sleep.....sleep as much as you can.

Milestones: Making it to 9 weeks! YAY!!!!!!!!

Week 9

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like....well....a baby!

*Provided by TheBump.com

I am posting this a day early because Shane and I are leaving for Mexico in the morning. I will have to take a belly picture once we get there and I will post it when we get back. Well I hope everyone has a great weekend and Labor Day. :)

8 Week Picture

How far along: 8 weeks

Total weight: Haven't weighed lately

Maternity clothes: Got some shirts and a pair of pants but I am not wearing them yet.

Movement: None

Food cravings: Cereal of any kind

Gender: Still feeling boy

Labor signs: None

Belly button: In

Best moment of the week: Getting our first prenatal appointment set up.

What I miss: Eating cheddar poppers. Jalapenos just aren't my friend anymore.

What I am looking forward to: Vacation next week! WAHOO, only 7 days until we are relaxing on the beach.

Weekly wisdom: Small meals more often are amazing and watered down orange Gatorade really helps with morning sickness.

Milestones: Making it to 8 weeks!! YAY!!!

Week 8

Your baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter everyday and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

*Provided by TheBump.com

7 Week Picture

How far along: 7 weeks

Total weight gain: 2 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Not yet but I am going to have to start the rubber band trick soon.

Movement: None

Food Cravings: Nachos and basically anything I see.

Gender: Still feeling boy. I guess we'll find out in a few months.

Labor signs: None

Belly Button: In

Best moment of the week: Seeing the baby and s/he's heartbeat today.

What I miss: Staying up late still. I really don't like that I need to be in bed by 9:00 every night.

What I am looking forward to: This isn't really baby related but our vacation in a couple weeks. I can't wait. I could use a few days of fun in the sun.

Weekly wisdom: Eat when you are hungry. I have noticed that when I don't eat I start getting naseaous.

Milestones: Seeing the baby and the heartbeat.

And now pictures of the little one:

The circle on the right is the yolk sac and the line to the left is the baby. S/he is measuring 5.33 mm. So tiny.

This is the close up of the baby. The baby is on the top and the yolk sac is on the bottom.

This is a picture of the baby and the heartbeat. The heartbeat was 119 beats, which the nurse said was very good.

Seeing the baby and the heartbeat was so amazing. I got so teary eyed and giddy. The nurse was great about explaining what everything was. I have seriously been all smiles since. It was such a great experience and I can't wait until we have the chance to see the little one again.

Our next appointment is September 18 and we will do all the history, talk to the doctor, and such. I really hope that we will get to see the baby again. It would be the best thing ever and maybe even hear the heartbeat.

YAY, there is really a baby in there and everything is looking GREAT!!!

Week 7

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.

*Provided by TheBump.com

Only a couple more hours until the ultrasound. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. The only thing that sucks is I am not allowed to pee after 11:30 because I have to have a full bladder. Not being able to pee for a pregnant woman is not very fun!!

It's getting so close.....

Only 16 hours, 29 minutes, and 10 seconds until we get to see the baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the countdown begins....

Only 2 days, 15 hours, and 20 minutes until our ultrasound. I AM SO EXCITED!!!! :)

Geez.....this kid is already wearing me out!!

I seriously feel like sleeping ALL DAY LONG and maybe wake up to eat pretzels and mac and cheese with a Mountain Dew. I normally don't like Mountani Dew but let me tell you it is DELICIOUS lately.

I can't wait to have my energy back.

We have our first ultrasound on Thursday. I am so excited to see our baby. I think that it will make it all that more real for us. I have the symptoms but other than that it kind of seems surreal. Hopefully we will get a picture so I can put it on here. :)

6 Week Picture

How far along: 6 weeks

Total weight gain: None

Maternity clothes: Not yet

Movement: None

Food cravings: Anything I see

Gender: I am thinking boy but it's a little early.

Labor signs: None

Belly Button: In

Best moment of the week: Getting bloodwork done and it being good.

What I miss: Staying up late. I feel like I sleep ALL the time.

What I am looking forward to: Our ultrasound on Thursday. I can't wait!!!!

Weekly wisdom: Naps are still your best friend.

Milestones: Getting a good result on my bloodtest.

Week 6

Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Those little hands and feet - still webbed like paddles - might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate. *

*Information provided from TheBump.com

Bloodwork Results

The nurse said my levels were extremely good and very high. I'm not sure what exactly that means but I will trust the nurse on it.

Now we have to wait a week for the ultrasound. Can't wait to see our Little One!!!

Week 5

How far along: 5 weeks

Total weight gain: None so far

Maternity clothes: Nope

Movement: Nope

Food Cravings: Scooby Doo Mac and Cheese

Gender: Unknown

Labor signs: Nope

Belly button: In

Best moment of this week: Getting the pregnancy confirmed by the doctor.

What I miss: Being able to stay up late.

What I am looking forward to: Getting bloodwork done on Monday.

Weekly Wisdom: Naps are your best friend during the 1st trimester.

Milestones: Actually making it to 5 weeks. YAY!!!

Your embryo (looking kind of like a tadpole) is starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in your uterus triggers production of hCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests)....which triggers production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone....which triggers all those great symptoms you've probably been noticing!*

*Information provided by TheBump.com

Baby Time!

Shane and I would like to announce that we are going to have a BABY!! Our due date is April 8, 2010.

We have had it confirmed by the doctor, had bloodwork done today, and go for an ultrasound on the 20th. We are very excited to see our little one and hope everything is moving like it should.

I decided the easiest way to document the pregnancy and keep everyone informed is to start a blog. As of now I am too tired to have to call everyone to update and let them know what is going on so blogging it is.

I will be posting some information about week 5 in just a little bit.