It's a... BOY!!!

As most of you know we had our 16 week ultrasound today and found out our little baby is a boy!!! The Miller name will be carried on! Everything is looking great and baby is healthy, thank you God.

The moment of truth. (The arrow is the boy parts in between the two legs.)

Over the last few weeks Andrew started thinking it was a boy, I however could have put money on that we were having a girl (mainly because of all those wives' tales.) We are SO excited for our little boy, he is going to be a mini Andrew!

Week 16 update

How far along: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: 5lbs

Maternity clothes: Well I finally went maternity clothes shopping with my mom and it was kind of disappointing and frustrating. It was so hard to find cute clothes that I would normally wear but that can accommodate my growing belly. Not only were the clothes expensive but they made me feel 20 years older. I did find two pairs of shorts from Destination Maternity and some tank tops from Target that are super soft and don't look like maternity shirts. I hope I have better luck in the future otherwise I'll be living in maxi skirts & dresses, which at this point I'd be 100% ok with.

Stretch marks: No, and hoping it stays that way. I'm alternating between using Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day.

Sleep: It has been hard to fall back asleep when I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. There were a few nights where I was tossing & turning for two hours. Maybe that's one reason why I've been so tired this week.

Miss anything? Sushi, especially spicy tuna and yellowtail sashimi. When we go out to eat sushi, a shrimp tempura roll is just not the same. Also miss shopping for cute summer clothes.

Exercise: I'm still doing my pregnancy fitness DVDs and walking. I'm trying to do something active five days a week but I didn't get back into the gym last week.

Movement: None yet, but waiting for those flutters everyone talks about!

Food cravings: I didn't really have any cravings besides lemonade, preferably from Chick-fil-A, or strawberry lemonade. My appetite really increased and pretty much anything sounded good to me.

Anything make you queasy/sick? Still getting carsick easily, and hospital cafeterias still smell horrible.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely yes, I went through a major growth spurt this week. I especially noticed it Saturday & Sunday. This baby clearly wants to be seen now! I can't believe the difference in last weeks bump picture to this weeks. (See the photo below)

 

Gender: We find out tomorrow!!

 

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Symptoms: Round ligament pain (worse than ever), lower back pain, and I've been extra tired and hungry this week. I think all of these are probably because of my major growth spurt. I also developed a toothache, which I didn't know is a common symptom for around 16 weeks. Coincidentally I have a dentist appt next week, I hope its not a cavity.

Happy or moody most of the time: Moody... more like irritable, almost everyone and everything annoyed me.

Looking forward to: Finding out if Baby Miller is a boy or girl! Shopping for Baby Miller, and seeing some girlfriends on Saturday for lunch and the Pasadena Showcase.

 

Wives' tales revealed!

We find out what we are having next week and we cannot wait!! I'm so excited to start shopping, think of nursery ideas, and of course decide on a name for our little baby love! Here are my outcomes of some old wives' tales. I also created a poll at the bottom since the original one wasn't working so let me know what you think!

Chinese Gender Chart

This chart is said to be over 90% accurate. It is determined by your age and month of conception.

GIRL

 

Ring test

Tie your wedding ring to a piece of string & hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle its a boy, if it swings back & forth its a girl.

GIRL

 

Acne

Legends say if you're having a girl she'll steal your beauty, resulting in acne.

GIRL

 

Morning Sickness

If you experienced a queasy stomach and morning sickness, its likely to be a girl. If you sail through pregnancy without morning sickness its a boy.

BOY

 

Heart Rate

If the baby's heart rate is above 140 bpm is said to be a girl. A heart rate of below 140 bpm is said to be a boy.

GIRL

 

Dry Hands

Dry hands is a sign its a boy. Nice and soft hands means its a girl.

BOY

 

Cravings

Cravings for sweets indicates a girl, where salty foods is said to be a boy.

GIRL

 

The Mayans

The Mayans looked at your age and year of conception. If both are even or odd its a girl, if one is even & the other odd its a boy.

GIRL

 

Sympathy Weight

If your spouse indulges in your cravings and packs on some sympathy weight, it is said you're pregnant with a girl.

BOY

 

How You Lay

They say if you're more comfortable laying on your left side its a boy, right side its a girl.

BOY

 

 



Week 15 update

How far along?: 15 weeks

Total weight gain: 3lbs

Maternity clothes: Not yet but my mom and I are going to go shopping soon. I tried putting on a pair of shorts and they wouldn't button, even my pajama shorts feel tighter. Thank goodness for maxi dresses and elastic waistbands.

Stretch marks: No, and hoping it stays that way. I'm alternating between using Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day.

Sleep: Sleeping well and I got a lot of it this past week. I was asleep by 8:30 on Friday night!

Miss anything? Sushi, especially spicy tuna and yellowtail sashimi.

Exercise: After a two month hiatus I finally got back in the gym! I did a step/cardio/weight class (I only used 3 & 5lb weights.) I'm still doing my pregnancy fitness DVDs and walking. I'm trying to do something active five days a week.

 

Movement: None yet, but waiting for those flutters everyone talks about!

Food cravings: I've been craving spicy food like crazy. I ate a spicy chicken deluxe sandwich from Chick-fil-A three days in a row- oops! Also loving pepperjack cheese on crackers, lemonade, and fruit. I've never been great at eating vegetables (I only like a handful of them) so I bought V8 Fusion juice that has vegetable juice but tastes like fruit and love it.

Anything make you queasy/sick? Still getting carsick easily, and hospital cafeterias still smell horrible. I had a meeting with an account in their lunch room while someone was heating up their lunch and couldn't handle the smell. Beef doesn't sound appealing but the smell of a burger doesn't bother me so much anymore.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, I'd say I popped out this week. I can no longer "suck it in."

Gender: Thinking girl. We find out next week and cannot wait!! Have you voted on what you think Baby Miller will be? The poll is in the top left of the main page. I'd love to see your thoughts.

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Symptoms: Round ligament pain, lower back pain, and I've been tired this week.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Feeling those flutters, getting my first prenatal massage tomorrow, and of course finding out if Baby Miller is a boy or girl!

** I added a poll on Baby Miller's gender on the top left of the main page, please vote!**

Week 14 update

How far along?:  14 weeks

Total weight gain:  3lbs

Maternity clothes: Not yet but my jeans are now uncomfortable and not flattering. I think it might be time to invest in a belly band... thoughts? I wear scrubs everyday for work and luckily those have an elastic waistband.

Stretch marks: No, and hoping it stays that way. I put Palmer's cocoa butter on twice a day.

Sleep: Waking up at least two times in the night to go to the bathroom but overall sleeping pretty well. I've been having some pretty crazy dreams for the past two months or so.

Miss anything? Sushi, especially spicy tuna and yellowtail sashimi.

Exercise:  Still doing my pregnancy fitness DVDs and walking 1-1.5 miles with Andrew and our dog Lily about five times a week. I want to get back into the gym but after not going for two months its kind of intimidating. One day soon I'll go back I just don't want to push myself too hard.

Movement: None yet, but waiting for those flutters everyone talks about!

Food cravings: Bean & cheese burritos, smoothies & fruit especially apples. Nothing new this week but I've been loving peanut butter- sandwiches, on apples, anything.

Anything make you queasy/sick? Meat, the smell of meat, and the smell of hospital cafeterias while working. Also I'm still getting carsick easily.

Have you started to show yet:  I'd say yes, but some mornings not so much. I feel like I grew a little bump overnight. I'll be sure to wear a tighter shirt in next weeks photo so you can see.

Gender: Thinking girl, but I had another dream that it was a boy. We find out in two more weeks, which already feels like an eternity. I added a poll in the left column of the home page so be sure to vote if you think boy or girl! It wasn't working at first but hopefully its fixed now.

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Symptoms: Round ligament pain, but not as bad or as often as last week. Still tired, but not as tired as I have been, I've even gone a few days without a nap. Lower backpain after long drives and I'm still breaking out like a teenager.

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy but sometimes little things set me off that normally wouldn't.

Looking forward to: Feeling those flutters, and of course finding out if Baby Miller is a boy or girl!

 

** I added a poll on Baby Miller's gender on the top left of the main page, please vote!**

Baby's first gifts!

Ever since telling everyone our exciting news, we've received cards and gifts from friends and family. We are constantly reminded how lucky we are to have so many wonderful people in our lives supporting us- thank you!!

My mom got me some pregnancy fitness DVDs that I love and have been doing a few times a week, a pregnancy book & journal, tank top, stretch mark cream, Sophie the Giraffe and Sophie teething ring. My friends that have babies all have Sophie the Giraffe and love it. It is definitely something I would've registered for had I not gotten it.

Even Andrew got a little something from my mom.  The mug is pretty funny.

Our friends Josh and Anna got Baby Miller its first set of books, a cute pacifier holder, and Preggie Pop Drops (candies for morning sickness).  I've only had to eat the drops a few times when I felt queasy, but they made me feel better and taste good!

One of my best friends from college Kristen got me a baby chime. Its a necklace that hangs over the belly and provides the baby peaceful sounds while in the womb that it will recognize once he/she is born to give comfort and security. I had never heard of this before, but I love it!

 

 

Thank you again!  Our little lovebug is spoiled already!

Week 13 Update

How far along?  13 weeks

Total weight gain:  2.5lbs as of last week

Maternity clothes:  Not yet. My jeans still fit but I've been wearing a lot of maxi dresses. I wear scrubs everyday for work and luckily those have an elastic waistband.

Stretch marks:  No, and hoping it stays that way. I put Palmer's cocoa butter on twice a day.

Sleep:  Waking up at least two times in the night to go to the bathroom but overall sleeping pretty well. I try to fall asleep on my left side, but usually wake up on my stomach.

Miss anything?  Sushi. The raw kind. I love yellowtail sashimi and obviously can't have that for a while.

Exercise:  My mom got me a pregnancy fitness DVD set that I love! They incorporate 3-5lb weights and cardio based on trimester. She has some great stuff on her site too http://www.lindsaybrin.com/  I've also been walking 1-1.5 miles with Andrew and our dog Lily about five times a week.

Movement:  None yet, but waiting for those flutters everyone talks about!

Food cravings:  Bean & cheese burritos, smoothies, fruit, and this week I've been obsessed with carrots & chips with ranch dip.

Anything make you queasy/sick?  Meat, the smell of meat, and the smell of hospital cafeterias. Andrew barbecued chicken the other night (which I've been able to eat) and I couldn't smell or eat it, but I ate a chicken taco today no problem. Go figure.

Have you started to show yet:  Some days yes, some days no. I think I just look like I've eaten too many donuts.

Gender:  Thinking girl, but a few weeks ago I had two dreams that it was a boy. We find out in a few weeks and I can't wait! I can't wait to start shopping! I added a poll in the left column of the home page so be sure to vote!

Belly button in or out:  In.

Wedding rings on or off:  On.

Symptoms:  Round ligament pain, or what I like to call that sharp pain that feels like a knife and only lasts a few seconds at a time. Still tired, but not as tired as I have been.

Happy or moody most of the time:  Mostly happy but sometimes little things set me off that normally wouldn't.

Looking forward to:  Feeling those flutters, seeing my college girlfriends for lunch this weekend, and getting my hair done tomorrow. (Don't mind the major roots in the pic below)

Celebration dinner

We usually go to Mastro's for birthday or anniversary celebrations so it only seemed appropriate to celebrate the beginning of the second trimester and next chapter of our lives at our favorite restaurant last night.

I haven't gone to Mastro's and not gotten a steak in years, but since becoming pregnant, steak is the last thing I have been wanting to eat.  I got a caesar salad and lobster bisque instead, and it was the best lobster bisque I have ever had. Andrew had his fillet and we shared lobster mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. We were so full but had to get the warm butter cake for dessert since it is one of the main reasons I wanted to go there for dinner.  Our waiter figured out I was pregnant when I ordered a virgin cosmo so he brought us the butter cake with a sweet message.

You're going to be a...

We told our parents and brothers the exciting news shortly after we found out ourselves. This is the first grandbaby on both sides, and our brothers will be first time uncles. Very exciting! It must be mothers intuition because both of our moms suspected that I was pregnant.

You're going to be a grandparent!
We told my parents we were going to dinner with some friends who live by them and that we were going to stop by before.  We handed them a shopping bag and said we saw something we thought they would like.  Inside the bag was a jar of Prego spaghetti sauce.  My mom got that I was "prego" instantly and was screaming "I knew it" and jumping up and down with excitement while my dad was still trying to figure out why we gave him a jar of spaghetti sauce.  Then it clicked and out came the champagne (and water for me) to celebrate the news!

 



Andrew's parents were vacationing in Florida when we sent them a framed ultrasound picture to tell them the news.  As soon as Andrew got conformation that the package was delivered, he was checking his phone every five minutes for the call. They were out fishing all day, so he got the call congratulating us that evening.  

 

 

Easter announcement

After church and brunch, we made the call to our grandparents letting them know they have a great grandbaby on the way!  Since we were going to see my grandparents and family on my mom's side later that day, we figured that would be a good time to tell them. I handed each person an Easter egg instructing them not to open it until everyone had one.  Inside the egg was a toy baby rattle and blue, pink, and yellow M&Ms. Upon opening the eggs, there were lots of hugs, congratulations, and some tears of joy.

 

 



The cat's out of the bag!

The cat is officially out of the bag... we're having a baby!!!

 

I must say its pretty relieving not having to keep such a big secret from so many people but yay its out now and we are SO excited! I am 12 weeks and Baby Miller is due on October 13th.  We've heard the baby's heartbeat a few times now which was so amazing! Also the past two visits to the Dr, our little peanut has been so active it makes us think we're going to have one wild child on our hands. 

Here is the first ultrasound pic we got at 6 weeks and immediately fell in love with our little sweet pea sized blessing!

This picture is from today's 12 week ultrasound. Wow how Baby Miller has grown!  Now the size of a plum.

This website is great and shows how big the baby is at each week: http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-tools/articles/how-big-is-baby.aspx?MsdVisit=1

These pictures were taken on Easter, at 12 weeks. 

 

 

First trimester in a nutshell (I can't believe its over!)

• I consider myself pretty lucky since I haven't really had morning sickness... more like car sickness or get me away from a bad smell ASAP or I will be sick- especially hospital cafeterias while working. Thats been the worst!
• I've been dependent on daily naps after work up until this past week. Energy is picking up and I have started working out again, not just walking.
• I've been breaking out like a teenager so bad that even facials every four weeks haven't fixed. 
• My size 26 jeans still fit, but I see that coming to an end soon... really soon.
• Cravings:  Bean & cheese burritos (I joke that the baby will come out 100% Mexican because of this- haha), smoothies, bagels & cream cheese, and strawberries. I have not been wanting meat, especially steak, but In N Out hit the spot the other day- yum!

 

 

Next blog post will be how we told our families the exciting news!