"I'm forgetting I forgot things..."

SO, as most of you know, it is a common thing apparently to have some absentmindedness durring your pregnancy. Well, you can go ahead and group me with those people because I am losing-my-mind. Just random things- I'll forget what I'm saying, I'll forget what I did that day/yesterday/last week, I'll forget names, I'll be in the middle of doing something and forget what I was doing, etc etc. I was mentioning this to Chad the other day because I told him that now  "I'm forgetting I forgot things". I'll remember things going on - plan to do something about it - and *poof*, its gone again.

Example: My previous 18 week post was not quite accurate. Under symptoms I put sleep or something (see, forgetting...) and I forgot that I'm actually going through a lot of 'pregnancy symptoms' right now. Of course, later on I don't want to forget what these were so this post is to ensure that it gets recorded for all time.

First off, my temper. If you know me, you know I'm usually not one to really get mad or upset easily. I mean, everyone has their days, but I'm not the person who has a yelling fest with the barista in Starbucks because they put whipped cream, and I asked for no whipped cream. Anyways I'm usually a happy, calm person. Thanks to my lovely crazy hormones, I am now no longer this person. I get angry. I get angry quick. And there is nothing I can do to calm myself. Believe me, I try SO hard to be calm and not react to things...but I can't! Driving is the worst. I had road rage before, but now its more like hysterical road tantrums. Sorry to anyone who I have yelled at in the process.

My nails are growing insanely fast. For the wedding I was in 2 weeks ago I trimmed my nails - you could barely see any white on them. Today, just a couple weeks later, I am needing to go home today and trim them again. It is crazy! I love it! I put a picture on here, yes its horrible quality, but just as a visual, - who doesn't like pictures

LEG CRAMPS- These are horrible! The other night I had one wake me up from sleep because it was KILLING me! I sat there in bed, helpless, and not awake enough to really figure out what to do. Instead I layed there in half a coma semi-rubbing my leg and feeling like I was going to die. (ok, I DID know I was going to pull through because its just a leg cramp, but that was form dramatic effect). I tried laying back down on the bed but as soon as it touched the surface the pain came shooting back. After about 15 minutes of wallering around the bed it finally died down and I went back to sleep. I thought it was over. I woke up the next morning, got out of bed, took one step - shooting pain. My muscle was so tight that when I felt it, it felt flexed when I was doing nothing to flex it. Hard as a rock. It hurt the entire rest of the day haha
Burping - I . burp . all . the . time.  Sometimes reflux follows, sometimes not. But burping is a friend that has moved in and is staying. It doesn't matter what time of day, if im sitting or walking, nothing. I could eat half of a skittle...*BURP* Now after a meal, it is a round of continuous burping. Let me clarify - when I say burping, I don't mean the  "burp -oops excuse me" kind of burps, I'm talking the "BUUUURRRP-oops and everyone turns and looks at you with that disgusting look on their face" kind of burps. They are long and loud and gross. Chad thinks its hilarious, which I am thanful for haha. MMM doesn't that just make you ready to go eat dinner.

Baby Ava says hello!

A couple nights ago we were at a friend's house watching a TV show. About half way through, Ava decided to roll or kick or something- and actually let me feel it! Everyone was watching the show and then I just blurted out " UM I JUST FELT THE BABY MOVE!!" haha. Of course the show was paused and followed by squeals and 'yay!'s' and us talking about it for a little while. I felt her again yesterday a couple of times- It is just the coolest thing in the world. I cannot WAIT till I feel her all the time!

19 weeks

Your Baby: 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 sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature. (**this isn't very exciting news this week haha**)
Round ligament pain is most common during the second trimester. Women begin complaining of a sharp pain in their abdomen or hip area that is either on one side or both. Some women even report pain that extends into the groin area. Round ligament pain is considered a normal part of pregnancy as your body goes through many different changes. (**this has definitely happened along with awful leg cramps almost daily! whew! It's always reassuring to be thinking "is this normal?" and then get an email the next day explaining everything though ha**)
How big is your baby?
Your baby has grown so much during these 19 weeks but is still a little under 7 inches long and weighs about 7 ounces. Don’t worry, he/she still has a lot of growing left to do (**Ava was 7 inches 7 ounces at her check up 1.5 weeks ago**)

How Far Along: 19 Weeks!
Total Weight Lost/ Gained: up 6.5 pounds.
Maternity Clothes: I'm finding more and more of my own clothes that I haven't worn in FOREVER because it gave an appearance of my belly being kinda poochy, which now means the shirts are PERFECT!
Gender: A baby girl :)
Movement: Nada. Thanks a lot placenta.
What I miss: sleep sleep sleep. and coffee. an iced coffee would be just so wonderful.
Sleep: ugh
Symptoms: I'm exhausted- this heat is making it worse. I just feel so bad for all my friends who are 8/9 months pregnant right now. BLEH!
Cravings: Food.
Best Moment this week: no big moments really. i'll keep ya updated :)
What I'm looking forward to: feeling Ava move!

18.5 weeks!

Your Baby: 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, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon. (as we learned last ultrasound though, since my placenta is in the front unlike everyone elses, it's going to take longer to feel her move because its an extra layer she has to push through)

Your figure is continuing to change, and most people can recognize that you are pregnant, especially if you are only wearing maternity clothes. However, there are many other changes that are occurring that no one can see. Your cardiovascular system is also affected by your pregnancy, and you may experience some low blood pressure. This is why it is important to make sure you go from a lying/sitting position to a standing position slowly. This decreases the amount of dizziness that you may experience. (what is funny about this is we recieve this email on Mondays - SUNDAY I had a dizzy spell and HAD to eat something to make me feel better. Getting this email explained the whole thing. Awesome)
A protective covering called myelin is beginning to form around his/her nerves. This covering will continue to form up until your baby’s first birthday. If you are having a little girl, her fallopian tubes and uterus have positioned themselves into the correct place. If you are having a little boy, then his genitals may be noticed on your next ultrasound. However, many babies do not like to cooperate during the ultrasound, and the genitals cannot be seen. (ours was!)
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How Far Along: 18.5 Weeks!


Total Weight Lost/ Gained: up 5.5 pounds. At the doctor visit she said this was great. She said she likes for the weight gain to be under 10 pounds in the first 20 weeks so right on track!
Maternity Clothes: I got another huge bag of clothes from some sweet friends at church! I am so thankful for all the help :)
Gender: A baby girl :) I am SO excited I can finally fill this one out hehe
Movement: nothin. bleh.
What I miss: oh sleep, how I miss thee. I have found the way I sleep the best is laying on Chad's arm- which goes dead within 30 minutes of me laying there. Poor guy ;)
Sleep: Eh
Symptoms: I - am - eating - all - the - time
Cravings: There is a sandwich shop called Jimmy Johns. I HAVE to have the Italian sub at some point. This craving is reoccuring since the beginning. I think the reason I have been craving it is because the closest one to us is 45 minutes away... :\
Best Moment this week: Finding out baby b = girl :) little ava lynn burris
What I'm looking forward to: feeling ava move!

IT'S A GIRL!

Well yesterday was the day we 'found out'.  I cannot describe how excited I was when we were driving over there. I kept saying things like " I can't wait!" and " I can't believe it!" etc, etc.  We went in to the room and our ultrasound tech Pam was so sweet. She showed us things like the belly, the head, the hands, and such which were SO COOL to see because the baby was so big compared to last time! She finally went underneath and saw the lines and there it was, "It's a GIRL"!  Ava Lynn Burris has now entered our family :)

She is a little over 7 inches long and almost 8 ounces right now. EVERYTHING is perfect and normal and healthy! The feeling you get watching her jump around on that machine is just the sweetest feeling. WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!

After we got finished we headed to Buy Buy Baby and picked out her first pink outfit. She's gotten several gender neutral things but this was her first GIRL item :)

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Her first pink outfit!

click on this one to get a bigger picture but it shows the bottom of her foot! 1 inch long!

Brain

Alien baby Ava ha. That's her looking right up at us and her big belly!

2 Year Anniversary :)

2 years ago today I was walking down the isle to marry my best friend in the world. I was excited and couldn't WAIT to start our lives together. Now, 2 years later, I am even more in love with this man and I had no idea that was even possible. He makes me want to be a better person, he is hilarious and makes me laugh all the time, he is my best friend, he knows how to make me feel better, he is amazing and supportive, and I cannot WAIT to see him with our child because I know that he will be the best father.
Even though we have had our ups and downs the past 2 years I wouldn't trade a day of it and I cannot imagine my life without him anymore. I cherish each and every moment we spend together and I cannot wait for the next 60, 70, 80 years of our life together.

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Hm, definitely PREbaby

16 weeks!

Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender. (we ARE interested but have to wait!!)

Your baby is planning on a huge growth spurt in the upcoming weeks. During pregnancy week 16 your baby has grown strong enough to hold his head straighter. Your baby's eyes and ears are moving into their final position and your baby is focusing much of her energy on her circulation system. By 16 weeks pregnant your baby's heart is pumping roughly 25 quarts of blood each day!

At 16 weeks pregnant your baby starts growing fine hair on the tope of his head, though some babies will be born very bald despite their best efforts. The color of your baby's hair and even your baby's eyes may change shortly after birth. Many babies are born with blonde hair for example that falls out and turns brown a short time after birth. Still others are born with brown eyes that turn blue within a month or two after birth! Your baby will continue to amaze you in the weeks following pregnancy.

How Far Along: 16.5 Weeks!
Total Weight Lost/ Gained: 130. One time I weighed and it said 132...but the next day was 130 so who knows haha
Maternity Clothes: One of my wonderful friends Leah brought a HUGE bag of her old maternity clothes for me to borrow. I am SO thankful for her! And they were cute too! :)
Gender: We will know AUGUST 12TH!!!
Movement: I felt Baby B! It was a couple nights ago- We had gone to bed and Chad had already fallen asleep and I was trying to (the usual) and all of a sudden I felt little baby b. It was the flutter just like everyone had told me it would feel. It was so nice of Baby B to tell me "hey!"
What I miss: sleep. i hope this gets better eventually...
Sleep: Still not great.
Symptoms: I'm starting to feel like my belly is tight. I FEEL like I have a belly haha
Cravings: Food in general. Yep. I love it still
Best Moment this week: Baby B showed me he/she is still there!! That was so exciting!
What I'm looking forward to: ONE WEEK FROM TODAY WE WILL KNOW THE SEX!

Walking in Memphis

**I'm going to go ahead and post this but I'll put pictures up in a little bit, I just can't right now!***

A couple weekends ago we headed up to Memphis for the weekend! Chad and I drove separately because he had to stay for a job interview Monday and I had to work. I must admit it was weird. Usually I enjoy the drive and the company, this time I just sang at the top of my lungs. About an hour and a half away from Memphis it started raining Really hard. My windshield wipers were at their max and I looked like a grandma trying to sit as close as I could to the wheel to see outside. I picked up my phone to call Chad because I could feel my tires slipping a little and I was going to let him know that’s why I was slowing down...no answer...hung up and put the phone down....

that's when my car spun.
talk about scary.
It slipped and slid and then did a 360 and I just KNEW I was going to see a car coming right at me from across the median. Thankfully I landed IN the median and stopped there. I immediately picked up the phone and called Chad. Apparently I forgot to mention I was in the MEDIAN and that I didn't just hydroplane, I danced circles with my car in the rain. He found me and then got out and ran over to me. I was part in shock, part in tears, and part just wanting to get out of that car.
Chad came and talked to me and then said we needed to get my car out of the ditch (yes, ditch. the median went \_/ like that). Chad went behind my car and proceeded to PUSH while I stepped on the gas. I spun and spun but thanks to my wonderful husband and his rush of adrenaline strength he literally pushed me out of the grass. He was amazing.
SO we got out of the ditch and then continued on our way. The next hour I would calm myself down, and the randomly burst into tears. I just kept thinking of everything that could have happened. Especially since I have a little baby with me now. Whew. Thank-you-God.
We arrived and of course it wasn't raining anymore. There was grass and mud all over my car but believe it or not, there was nothing wrong with it besides my muffler being a little unattached.

The REST of the weekend was great. Like I've said before, I always love it so much when we can go up there. Chad's grandparents (Mema and Papa) got to come too so it was almost the whole family together. We played hand and foot a lot- a game Chad and I have grown to love. I want to play it every chance we get now!
We played croquet in the backyard which I am just horrible at. I started off strong and ended up so far behind I had to squint to see who was winning way off in the distance ha!
Saturday night we went to a Japanese steakhouse. Those are always so much fun. Our chef was decent, not the most talkative one I've ever had but hey, I couldn't do half that stuff he does let alone talk and entertain while I did it.
Sunday it was so good to see old people at church. --I was going to correct that sentence and say old friends, but I thought it was rather amusing how 'old people' was what came out so, I'm leaving it -- Several people didn't know I was pregnant so that was fun too to be able to break that news!
We are going back to Memphis sometime in September for the awesome people with birthdays then whoever that is :) and possibly a trip in August too!
Sunday I had to drive back and thank goodness there wasn't any rain.

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Side story: Monday I was going with my Mom to target in 2 separate cars so we could each drive home. As I'm driving there my car kinda started shaking, but nothing bad. I just knew it was my muffler hanging down and maybe hitting the road. THEN I started seeing little pieces of tire fly by my window. Only then did I put it together. Great - my tire blew.
Now apparently when this happens you pull over immediately no matter where you are. I know that now. However, this has NEVER happened to me before and in my mind I was literally on the road that turns into Target so I kept going off the main highway and onto the very much less busy side road. That made perfect sense to me.
Mom and I then sat and waited on Dad and Kevin to come to our rescue. We sat and laughed and looked at the tire that didn't blow - it exploded. The entire middle section had come undone. Whew. Dad and Kevin arrive and proceeded to change the tire. I love being a girl :) AND pregnant :)
Finally finished my spare was nice and tight on there. Thanks Dad and K! Yall are heroes.