30 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 30 Weeks (& 2 Days)

Size of baby: Baby is about the size of a butternut squash!  The average baby is between 15.2 - 16.7 inches and 2.5 - 3.8 lbs. at this point in the pregnancy.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 9 lbs. back of the 10 I lost in the first trimester

(So, I'm still at -1 lbs for the pregnancy)

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants and maternity tops

Gender: It's a girl...Harper Leigh Huling
(We decided to use Leigh as a middle name after her aunts, Tara Leigh & Melissa "Missy" Leigh)

Movement: Baby is very active...she is moving around constantly.  She loves the right side of my belly.  She kicks VERY hard and hurts me pretty bad sometimes.

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good other than having to get up 4 or 5 times a night to use the restroom

What I Miss: Nothing really

Cravings: Water!  I'm sooooo thirsty!

Symptoms: I'm EXHAUSTED and my neck and back muscles are very tight...resulting in headaches most days.  I've been seeing the chiropractor for massages and adjustments and it has helped a lot!

Best Moment This Week: Hearing Harper's super strong heartbeat at my doctor's appointment and getting the reassurance that everything is going great!!!

26 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

 

How Far Along: 26 Weeks (& 2 Days)

Size of baby:  Baby is about the size of an eggplant!

 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 5 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants and maternity tops most of the time, too.

Gender: It's a girl....
Harper Leigh Huling

(We decided to use Leigh as a middle name after her aunts, Tara Leigh & Melissa "Missy" Leigh)

Movement: Baby is very active...she is moving around all the time.

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good other than having to get up every few hours to go to the restroom.

What I miss: Ceasar Salad & Wine

Cravings: Sweets

Symptoms: I'm EXHAUSTED and my neck and back muscles are very tight...resulting in headaches most days.

Best Moment This Week: Finding out that I PASSED my Gestational Diabetes test!!!  Whooohoo!!!!

24 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 24 Weeks

 

Size of baby: Baby is about 8.5 inches long & weighs about 1.5 lbs.....she is about the size of a papaya!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 2 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants and maternity tops most of the time, too.

Gender: It's a girl.....her name is HARPER!  (We are still working on a middle name)

Movement: Baby is very active...she is moving around all the time.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty good other than having to get up every three hours to go to the restroom.

What I miss: Nothing really!

Cravings: Sweets!

Symptoms: I'm EXHAUSTED, I've been feeling a little dizzy/faint lately and my heart just races at times.  Not sure what that's all about.  I have my Gestational Diabetes test tomorrow....I hope my symptoms don't lead to failing my test!  I'm a little worried!

Best Moment This Week: Feeling Harper do "flip flops" right after I ate a cookie!  It was so cute!

Little Bit O' Backyard Fun

Garrett has been out of town for a few days and we're going a little stir crazy around here without him!  I decided to let Madelyn play in the backyard today to pass a little time.  She had so much fun!!! 

I only planned on staying out for about an hour, but M had plans of her own.  My child would live outside if I'd let her! 

Now, I know it's a little redneck of us to set up a plastic pool and play with the water hose in the back yard for the day, but hey....you gotta do what you gotta do!!! 

Yes, we do have a cinder block wall in our yard....I know you are all soooooo jealous!!!  HA!

Little miss M was NOT ready to come in after an hour, so we stayed out for a looong 2 1/2 hours before I finally forced her to come in to eat lunch, shower, and take a nap! 

Madelyn was not thrilled with me making her come in, but geez....it's H-O-T out!  Especially with a little bun in the oven already!  Maybe we will head out and do a little redneck swimming again tomorrow!!!

22 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

 

Size of baby: Baby is about 8 inches long & weighs about 1 lb.....she is about the size of a papaya!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 1 lb.

 

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants and maternity tops most of the time, too.

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Movement: Baby is moving a lot...mainly when I'm resting.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty good other than a few nights with a head cold.

 

What I miss: Nothing really!

 

Cravings: It varies from day to day....no real pattern!

 

Symptoms: I'm EXHAUSTED!!!!

 

Best Moment This Week: Hearing Madelyn say our little girl's name!!!!  YES, we have a name....I'm not ready to reveal it quite yet though.  We need to tell our family first!

20 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 Weeks (HALF WAY THERE!!!)

Size of baby: Baby is about 6.5 inches long & weighs about 10.6 oz....she is about the size of a small cantaloupe

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained l lb.

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants, but I can still fit into most of my regular tops. I've pulled out some maternity tops recently though. They are just more comfortable!

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Movement: Baby is moving a lot, but I'm mainly feeling her at night

Sleep: I've been having a little bit of insomnia lately and my back and hips are hurting pretty bad.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, drinking wine

 

Cravings: Seafood....mainly lobster and crab...yum-o!!!

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good lately

Best Moment This Week: Feeling our little girl move around.  Madelyn has been kissing and rubbing my belly a lot lately and that always makes my heart happy!

Weekend Recap

My parents (Mimi & Poppy) came to town for the weekend.  We were so happy to have them here and Madelyn was spoiled rotten the entire time they were in town!

We spent a lot of time playing outside.  Garrett and my dad did a wonderful job planting new flowers and shrubs in our front yard and Madelyn had fun supervising. 

Poppy and Madelyn had tons of fun being goofy around the house!  Madelyn thought it was hilarious for her Poppy to give her a ride in her doll stroller.  Her giggles could be heard for miles! 

She also had a blast playing games on her Mimi's iPhone...

Mimi went with Madelyn to The Little Gym for the first time and Madelyn was very happy to show off all of her gymnastics skills...



We had so much fun with Mimi and Poppy and were super sad to see them go!  Thanks for coming to spend your weekend with us way down in the valley!

18 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks (& 3 days)

Size of baby: Sonogram done yesterday shows baby's weight at 7 oz. & length at 6 in. long (about the size of a sweet potato)

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  9 lb. weight loss (Gained 1 lb. from last appt.)

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants, but I can still fit into most of my regular tops. I've pulled out some maternity tops recently though.  They are just more comfortable!

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Movement: Baby is moving a lot (as seen on the sonogram), but I'm only feeling her every once in awhile while I'm laying down at night to go to sleep. 

Sleep: I've been having a little bit of insomnia lately and my back is still hurting pretty bad.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and WINE (I'll be honest!!!)

Cravings: Vinegar and Chocolate, Chocolate Chip ice cream (not together though!)

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good lately

Best Moment this week: Seeing our baby girl move around during the sonogram and finding out she is strong and healthy!

16 Weeks

(This sono pic is from about a month ago)

Pregnancy Highlights:

 

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Size of baby: About 4.6 inches, 3.5oz....baby is about the size of an avocado

 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still at a 10 lb. weight loss....I'm sure that will change real soon though

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants, but I can still fit into most of my regular tops. I will definitely pull out the maternity tops soon though!

 

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!! (We had the Jack or Jill gender blood test done to find out our baby's sex. The test is over 99% accurate, so I'm pretty comfortable telling everyone about our baby girl! We will have a sonogram next month to confirm baby's gender)

 

Movement: I think I may have felt the baby move this week, but nothing strong enough to be sure yet

Sleep: I started sleeping with a pillow between my legs this week and it has made such a big difference.  I'm sleeping MUCH better!!!

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and WINE (I'll be honest!!!)

Cravings: Food in general...thank goodness for finally having my appetite back!

Symptoms: I'm mostly over the morning (all day) sickness, but every once in awhile I will still get a little sick at my stomach, my face has been breaking out a lot, and I'm exhausted...constantly!

Best Moment this week: Madelyn was kissing my belly and saying "Love You" to the baby last night...it was sooooo sweet!

love, love, & more love

Holy Smokes....I jumped the gun a bit on my last post because Madelyn just got ANOTHER package in the mail!!! 

Daddy G & Kekal sent a Valentine gift full o' fun!!!  There were so many goodies inside that little box!

Candy...

Clothes...

Jewelry...

And lots of smiles...



Thank you soooooo much Daddy G & Kekal!!!!   This little girl sure feels LOVED!!!



hugs & kisses

We love Valentines day at our house and to show it, we've been celebrating since Friday night!  On Friday, Madelyn received some awesome Valentines cards from her Nettie and Pappy and her great-grandmother, Ginny.  Mommy and Daddy also got a sweet card with some money inside, so we decided to avoid the crowds on the big day and we had our Valentines dinner on Friday night.  Thanks for the nice treat Nettie & Pappy!

Then on Saturday afternoon a big package from Mimi & Poppy arrived at our front door!  Madelyn couldn't wait to see what was inside.

We found all sorts of goodies in that big box!  There were cards, chocolates, stuffed animals, stickers, pajamas, and even a cute outfit from Madelyn's other great-grandmother, Memaw! 

We had even more celebrating to do on Sunday afternoon!  Madelyn woke up from her afternoon nap to find a sweet Valentine's surprise from her daddy. 

There were TONS of balloons and a cute little stuffed animal!  Madelyn was so happy!!!!  Garrett even had some flowers and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for me too!  He is such a wonderful husband and father!

After all of the fun at home, we headed over to Madelyn's buddy, Braden's house for a Valentines play date.  We had so much fun and Jill did an awesome job of hosting the party!  There was lots and lots of yummy pizza and cute Valentines cupcakes for everyone to munch on!  Yumm-O!

This morning was the actual BIG DAY and we headed to the Little Gym for our normal Monday morning class, but not before Madelyn gave her daddy one more gigantic Valentines hug and kiss!

We hope you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones!  Madelyn sends everyone a big hug!!!

15 Weeks

Ok...so I know some of you follow Kelly over at Kelly's Korner and you know that she's pregnant with baby #2.  She's been posting her "pregnancy highlights" every week and I really love the idea.  So....I'm stealing it!  I figured it would be fun to look back on someday when my babies are grown.  However, I will NOT  be posting pics of my preggo belly every week like she does...sorry folks!  I might throw a pic in here and there, but don't count on it on a regular basis!

Here we go!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 15 Weeks

Size of baby: About 4 1/2 inches....baby is about the size of a naval orange

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Lost 10 lbs. during the first trimester because I was so sick...not sure how much I've gained back.  I go to the doctor on Tuesday and will find out then.

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants, but I can still fit into most of my regular tops.  I will definitely pull out the maternity tops soon though!

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!!!  (We had the Jack or Jill gender blood test done to find out our baby's sex.  The test is over 99% accurate, so I'm pretty comfortable telling everyone about our baby girl!  We will have a sonogram next month to confirm baby's gender)

Movement: No movement yet

Sleep: My hips and lower back are killing me throughout the night...I'm not used to sleeping on my side

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach

Cravings: Sodium (I'm always wanting salty foods!!!)

Symptoms: I'm mostly over the morning (all day) sickness, but every once in awhile I will get a little sick at my stomach.  Nothing too bad though!

Best Moment this week: Finding out we are having another little GIRL!!!

Madelyn has a SECRET...

Hey Peeps!!!  It's me....Madelyn.  I decided to find my mommy's password and get onto her computer to tell you something very important.  I've been keeping my secret since Thanksgiving weekend and I just can't hold it in anymore! 

I'm going to be a...............

That's right!  I'm going to have a little brother or sister in August and I am soooooooo excited!  My mommy and daddy are very excited too!  I just wish my parents would hurry up and bring this little nugget home....I've been practicing with my babies and I'm definitely ready for the real thing! 

We feel so blessed and can't wait for the newest member of our family to arrive in just 6 short months!!!

Christmas in San Angelo

We made the long 8 hour drive to San Angelo for Christmas this year!  Although we absolutely dread that long drive, it's always well worth it once we get into town.  We had a wonderful time with everyone in Angelo....we were SUPER BUSY the entire time we were there!  It's a lot of work trying to see so many people in such a short amount of time, but we managed to get it done. 

We had 4 Christmas celebrations while we were in town!  Our first was with Garrett's grandmother, Ginny.  Our second was on Christmas morning with Garrett's Mom and step-dad, Bill.  Thankfully everyone was able to be there this year...David and Jen flew in from San Diego, Grant, Missy and the kids came in from Austin, and Chelsea was there as well. 

We had a great time watching all of the kids open their gifts and really enjoyed spending Christmas morning together as a family.  Madelyn still doesn't quite understand the concept of Christmas, but she sure had fun ripping into those gifts and playing with all of the gift wrap and tissue paper!

After we finished having breakfast, opening gifts, and spending time with family, Garrett headed off to the annual San Angelo Christmas Bowl.  This is a great event where all of the San Angelo guys get together, play football, and raise money for Meals For The Elderly.  This year was a victory for the Southland team!  Yay for Daddy!!!

We celebrated our third Christmas that evening with Garrett's Dad's side of the family.  Because our day had been so busy, Madelyn did not get a nap and therefore was in a really crummy mood.  We did manage to open gifts and get a couple of pictures of her on the 4 wheeler that Daddy G and Kekal gave her before she passed out in her aunt Missy's lap!

On Sunday afternoon, we had our 4th and final Christmas at the farm with the Simcik crew!  This was the first year in many, many years that everyone was able to make it!!!  If you know anything about the Simcik side of the family, you know that it is no easy task getting us all together at once! 

Madelyn had so much fun playing at the farm with her cousins.  She loved being able to run around outside, chase the dogs, play in the dirt, and just be a kid!  I loved watching her out there!

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas and we are so very thankful we were able to spend it with so many of our loved ones!