14 Weeks...EEEKS!!!

**This is a pregnancy-related post, so please feel free to skip this post if you're not up for it. God bless.**

Okay okay okay...I know I have been saying for the last two weeks that I have moved OUT of the first trimester...but 14 weeks is the very last week, according to any of my sources/apps/the internet/etc.! 

So... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO! 

Officially OFFICIALLY out of the first trimester! Praise God! What an amazing gift!

Lots of exciting/non-exciting/fun stuff/updates this week. Shall we?

My amazing parents...true love.

My family was able to get together for a downtown happy hour this past week, in which all but three (/eight) of us were there! I can't tell you how fun it was to be in the city with my homies. (P.S. Sorry I was a bit crabby, guys...that's what happens with this mom gets hungry)

I hope by now T has learned that when he sends me copious amounts of selfies, they WILL get shared. Love that face.

Guilty pleasure food-o'-the-week...TJ's Gummy Penguins. Has anyone tried these?! They are basically new-age Gushers, if anyone remembers those! They are gummy candies with juice in the middle (of the penguins' tummies) and they are 100% addictive. I also discovered, late last night, that they have also begun to mirror my shape. Gulp.

Go White Sox!!!! I was so happy that T FINALLY got to go to a game...he is a die-hard fan if there ever was one, and our summer has just been so crazy. Look how excited he is! I just love it. And even better, we got to go on a little double date with our friends MJ and Zack! Great night all-around.

On to the "fun stuff"...

Do not mistake my adorable tummy panel for vampire-white skin...but man, these pants are so comfortable! Again, not sure this picture does the bump justice. You should see it after dinner, in all of its round glory!

How far along?  14 weeks, SECOND TRIMESTER, and peanut is the size of a beet (yuck)...3.5 inches long!

Clothing? Very...creative. But also very unflattering. As I am still keeping this from my office for one more week, I have had to be crafty. But because of that, I basically look like I am dressing to cover extra weight. Which I guess I am. Sigh. I may or may not be a bit insecure this week...need to fix that by buying some better fitting clothes!!!!! Tough assignment, I know :)

Stretch marks? Nothing new, just a few tiny white ones on my hips. They look like lightning bolts. COOL!

Sleep? Sleep is getting a little uncomfortable. My hips and lower back are SO sore, which makes getting settled a little difficult. Body pillow is currently en route to the house, and I can't wait for it to arrive!

Best moment of this week? Receiving my first two baby books in the mail (thanks to Stephanie @ Blessed to Be, Madeline @ A Dash of Snark, Mary @ Castle Keane, and my awesome sister-in-law for suggestions!), and MAYBE feeling my first flutters (I'm still not sure)?!  Also, watching beautiful heat lightning on the way home from the city last night with my wonderful hubs, who I already know will be a truly amazing dad. 

Worst moment of this week? My lower back has been absolutely killing me. I guess things are just moving/shifting to make room for peanut? Owie, but that's okay.

Miss anything? If I can be honest for a moment, I do kinda miss fitting into normal clothes ("Get over it, Emily!!!!!!!!!!"-my daily pep-talk)...although I seriously love and adore my baby bump, there seems to be weight creeping into...ahem...other places as well. Pregnancy is so mysterious. But please do not mistake this as ingratitude... I fully recognize this blessing for the amazing miracle that it is, no matter my size.

Movement? Still so confused! I thought I felt a few more flutters on the train last night?! But it could be nothing. Can't wait for the first kick that is unmistakably baby!!

Symptoms? Fatigue, afternoon-evening migraines, breast tenderness, loooots of lower ab stretching/RLP, clumsiness, dumbness, a growing belly, major backaches (requiring lots of ice packs), and a faint linea nigra! 

Food cravings? Okay, the weirdest one to date...I was CRAVING ranch dressing when I was out with  my family the other night. HUH!? If you know me, you know that I HATE RANCH. T loves it. He was truly shocked. 

Gender? Still calling her by her girl name, but almost everyone else thinks boy.

Labor Signs? No siree.

Belly button in or out? Stretched horizontally to the max, and juuuust beginning to creep out a bit. 

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Mood? Happy, and feeling very blessed. Have also been feeling super "mushy" lately...towards, T, my family, everyone. Lots of tears and hugs. Oh boy!

Rituals? Nighttime lullaby, holy water on the belly in the morning, holy oil on the belly at night. And staring at the ultrasound pictures/watching the videos as often as I can!!!!! Along with routine bedtime chats.

Looking forward to? MY FIRST BABY KICK, vaca starting FRIDAY, and AUGUST 4TH...my 16-week appointment. 

Adding a new category, as well...

Milestones? Story-time. The other day I was in the bathroom at work, minding my own business, just washing my hands...when a woman from Accounting joins me at the sink. She opens her mouth to speak, hesitates, and then finally comes out with, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you expecting?" I looked at her, opened my mouth, and then...just started crying. She quickly started back-tracking, thinking of course that I was NOT pregnant, and I quickly jumped in to assure her that yes, I was in fact expecting, but I just didn't want anyone to know yet. I ended up mentioning to her, in no uncertain terms, that this was not my first pregnancy, and that it just felt so precious to me that I wanted to keep it to myself a little longer. THE POOR WOMAN. It just so happened that that was her last day with the company (she wanted to "wish me the best in case she didn't get a chance to later"), so luckily my secret is still safe and in-tact. But my dignity? Not so much.

One more. Yesterday, I saw a friend that I hadn't seen in awhile and one of the first things she said was: "Wow, you're so big already!!!!!!!!!!" So THAT'S what it feels like to get those comments! And I know that is juuuuust the beginning!

Some inspiration for you all to start your day...a lovely one, I thought.

Enjoy your week, and God bless you!!!!