Half-Baked...20 Week Update

This little superstar is half way here!!!! I'm getting super excited!!!


How far along? 20 weeks or 5 months

Total weight gain/loss? I ummm (gulp) have gained...15 lbs. Yikes.  I cannot complain because I have enjoyed all the home cooked southern meals. Kathleen has been on it. I get my mama's cooking about 2 times a week w/o even asking. My extra hungry self  will make request tho. My little neighbor Cooper, who I nicknamed Baby Boy, brought me over a big juicy piece of chicken off the grill, stuffed jalopenos, and rice the other night just to do something nice for someone (great parenting). I Smashed! I need to take them back their plate too.

Bump showing? I'll let yall be the judge of that one...

Maternity Clothes? I need to go shopping for a few comfy things. I prefer everything cotton and stretchy. I've been that person that when I sit down I unbutton and unzip my pants if need be bc I cannot take the digging. Also, I'm positive the folks sitting behind me at church a few sundays ago got a show that is not meant for the CHUUCH!!  Crack is Wack!! Forgive me St. John!!! 

Stretch Marks? Nope! Kathleen didn't get them so I'm hoping that's hereditary. I just stay oiled up. 

Sleep? Some nights I sleep sound and others I just can't get comfy. I cherish nap time.  No more Fiestas only Siestas. (ha! #corny)

Dreams? I've been dreaming of my baby. Mainly what she/he is going to look like.

Best moment this week? My little sister, Trina, is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Irving High School and the Women's Coordinator. We have our very own HBIC!!! "HOW U DOIN!" I got to go to her first week of official practice. I AM BEYOND PROUD OF HER. She really is becoming my shining star. To see my baby do her thing gives me life.

Miss anything? I miss being in the gym. Going to Trina's practices and getting to help out was uplifting. I love the game and I'm for sure my playing days are over, but I don't want to lose touch. It always feels good to give back to our youth. My calling isn't coaching. I'm starting to think working with our future ballers might be tho...

Baby movement? I've been feeling flutters and what feels like a frog in my belly from time to time. I  think it's my baby! Yay!!!

Workout this week? I passed to the post and did 6 touches of the width of the court. Whoop!!

Hormonal moment of the week? I've been pretty good this week.  My Aunt Lois was really sick for awhile and that had me all messed up thinking about if she wasn't going to be here to experience my first born. I got all in my feelings about my baby not getting to know such an important person in our lives. To God be the glory. Everything looked so grave and now my Auntie called me today just to tell she met someone at her rehabilitation center that I went to high school with.  She is doing great and making a full recovery. 

Food cravings? Muffins, cookies, cakes, bread, pies...Thanksgiving is going to be out of control if I'm still craving all these goodies!! 

Anything making you queasy or sick? I have a lil cold. Stopped up nose, sneezing and coughing. The coughing is the worst part with all the Ebola panic. I feel like people are giving me the sideeye. 

Purchased any baby things yet? Kathleen and Tree hooked up their grandbaby with the cutest outfits. This kid is going to be rotten. The Storm also sent us a sweet little gift. I'm grateful I got to be apart of such a great organization! Hey #STORMCRAZIES!!!

Thank you Shannon and all the Storm family for welcoming me into the mommy club!!  

Gender prediction? I know what I'm having bc I did the Harmony test. I went in for my 18-22 week ultra sound. Welp! The baby was breech, laying on its stomach with the legs tucked tightly up underneath. The cutest thing ever. My baby finally moved and we got a glimpse of what's in between those legs. But, I want a better picture before I say if its a girl or boy. I go back in a couple weeks to get better pics. The gender reveal post is coming in 2 weeks no matter if I get my pic or not. I can't wait to show yall the cute little clothes we have. 

Baby Names? Yes. I've had my baby names for about 5 years now.  I'm such a girl!! 

Other body changes? I've been having all the ligament pains. I feel my body making room for baby. 

Belly button in or out? To my surprise its popping out. Stay tuned for my third nipple. NOT CUTE!

Happy or moody most of the time? I'm happy most of the time. 

Looking forward to? My next sonogram appointment. Always love seeing my baby. 

I'll check back later this week with my post on how I picked my donor...Be blessed people!!! Spread the L-O-V-E!!!! 

TTC STORY

Hey Y'all!!!! Let me share my TTC story...SIDENOTE: This would be so much easier if I would stop being lazy and just do a video blog. BUT! That would take me doing my hair, makeup and obsessing on how I look and sound.

HAHAHAHA! That never gets old! 

TTC...Trying to Conceive. I learned so many new acronyms during this process. Thank goodness for Google. Keeps me in the know. Anywho!  Each woman's TTC story is totally different. I just hope my story can help folks with their journey to getting pregnant. Here's my TTC story:

TMI ALRET!!!! It was a go as soon as I started my cycle in June. My cycle is like clock work every month my entire life so, I knew all the details. 28 day cycle, 6 day period. My OBGYN informed me that most likely I ovulate on Day 14 of my cycle. Just to be sure I purchased a First Response Ovulation Kit from Walgreens. After my period I started the ovulation kit. All you do is pee on a stick every morning waiting for the day the test result to say "POSITIVE,"  which means you are ovulating, which means YO EGG HAS DROPPED! Most people would have waited until the next cycle to start trying but I stepped out on faith hoping that Day 14 of my cycle would be the day I ovulated. In other words, I'm impatient and when I make my mind up to do something I get right to it.  I had already decided on my donor sperm. My sperm bank isn't located in Texas so it was shipped to my front door. YES, my donor sperm got delivered via FedEx! Ha!

The day I ovulated was on a Saturday, so I planned to do an at home intracervical insemination (ICI). The ICI is basically the same process as having sex naturally and getting pregnant EXCEPT you get have a little 1 ml syringe to pinch hit for the penis...I had my cousin who's a nurse come over to be the lead inseminator bc I didn't want to mess up or do anything wrong.  My little cousin Desi came over to support and read the instructions (sent with my sperm from the sperm bank), and Trina (lil sis) was there for moral support. We followed all the instructions to prepare the sperm and we went for it. I ordered 2 vials of sperm bc I wanted to inseminate twice that day just to give myself double the chance of being successful. My cousin did the first insemination for me. Straight science class going on in my living room. I inseminated myself  the second time about 7 hours later.  I was so nervous and just praying I did it right. We will never know if I got my dang on self preggers. It will depend on my mood when/if I take ALL the credit. ;-) I inserted a soft gel cup after each insemination to avoid any of the sperm from seeping out. I learned that lil trick from watching my YouTube videos. My go to channel was Nellie and Teresa's. Nellie was a pregnant stud. AYYEEE!  To all my gentlewomen that think you can't do it go check her out. I did almost everything they did with the exception of a few things. They had a happy and healthy baby girl 2 months ago. I love YouTube bc I don't know them at all but I'm grateful for them. I learned alot. Check out their channel if you are planning on doing an at home insemination or just want to watch a happy couple grow their family. I LOVE, LOVE!! Thank you Teresa and Nellie!!!

I used my amazon prime account and purchased entirely too many pregnancy test. I had a box of 3 First Response Early Result, a box of 3 Clear Blue Digital test, and 30 cheap pregnancy test that came with 30 pee cups. Hashtag Shame!...I didn't start my period. Mind you, my cycle is clock work every month so I was pumped when FLO didn't show herself. I was so anxious and started taking test at 3 days past ovulation (DPO). WHYYY!!?? I was torturing myself. It was way too early. JUST SAY NO WHEN YOU'RE TEMPTED TO TEST WAY WAY TOO EARLY.  I continued the insanity and was so disappointed everytime. I turned on the waterworks 7 DPO when I got another negative result. I couldn't help it. I went into this thing saying I was going to be easy on myself and not put any pressure on the process. LIES!! I was a goner after my  insemination. I wanted my baby NOW. I wished for my baby NOW! I prayed for my baby NOW. I had watched so many YouTube videos and knew it was normal to have to try multiple times.  At 10 DPO I woke up at 7 AM. Just popped up out of bed. I was pretty sure it didn't take this month, and my missed period was just my nerves and the stress I was putting on myself. Get over it and prepare for next month is what I told myself. WELP! To my surprise. My prayers had been answered. I took the clear blue digital test and watched that lil clock blink for 3 minutes and BAM! The most beautiful word popped up...
                              PREGNANT!

                                                

I could try to give other women and families advice on what works, but ultimately I feel blessed. I was lucky and highly favored. It was just my time to get pregnant. The miracle of life happened and my baby boo is due to be here March 2015. Yay!!! So, that's my TTC story folks. If anyone has questions or wants any advice leave me a comment. If you currently trying to get pregnant,  I just want to wish you all the favor and luck in the world. Sending out lots of prayers and good vibes to all the women and families on your TTC journey. Until next time...BE BLESSED!!!