Pregnancy Update: 20 Weeks!! Halfway!!

I'm officially halfway through my pregnancy today!! I'm so excited to meet my little man this April and can't believe how fast these past 20 weeks have gone by! Its pretty crazy to think back on my pregnancy so far, because its been a lot different than I expected. 

I don't know that many people who have been pregnant within the last 10 years, so I turned to my two sisters-in-law for advice. One has three kids (the youngest is 9) and she had rough pregnancies - extremely sick for the first 20 weeks each time and then continuing nausea until she gave birth. 

My other sister-in-law has Type I Diabetes and gave birth to her daughter 18 months ago when she was only 33 weeks. She had very rapid weight gain near the end of her pregnancy due to swelling & pre-eclampsia. Her daughter spent 2.5 weeks in the NICU after birth. It was a really tough time and it made her reconsider how many more kids she wanted to have. 

I never anticipated to have an equally rough experience, but I prepared myself to not have an easy time being pregnant. I expected to gain much more weight than I have at this point, and to have a larger belly at 20 weeks. I also thought I would gain more all over my body, but so far, my weight gain has been concentrated in my belly - for which I am thankful! I expected my nausea to be more intense than it was in my first trimester, and to feel more sick throughout my pregnancy in general. I just thought that pregnancy would be a lot harder on me.

I feel lucky because I truly love being pregnant. The bigger my belly gets, the more kicks baby gives me, the happier I feel! Its true for me that the second trimester has been easier compared to the first, but throughout my pregnancy so far, I feel blessed to have had a fairly smooth experience. I'm looking forward to all the changes in the coming weeks!

Week: 20 weeks!! I can't believe I'm halfway through!!

Gender: It's a BOY!! We found out last week!!

Total Weight Gain: At the doctor last week, I got the official number - I've gained 2.5lbs since my last visit 4 weeks ago at 14.5weeks. I'm expecting that to pick up more soon!

Exercise: I've been walking a lot more this week! Its been tiring but I have a sweet husband who gives me long foot rubs. :) 

Nutrition: Similar to last week, I've been eating yogurt, granola & fruit for breakfast most days, and clementines & bananas as snacks. 

Food cravings/aversions: This week I'm craving clementines & mozzarella pesto sandwiches on a baguette. I've also been craving eggs over easy & eggs benedict - but I can't eat those. :(

Signs of Stretch Marks: Not yet! I haven't been as diligent with putting on the cream lately either. :/

Maternity Clothes: I finally bought my first official maternity shirt from Motherhood Maternity and I love it! I'll wear it in one of my photos soon. Its so comfortable & cute!

Sleep: Sleeping okay, still researching body pillows & procrastinating spending the money! ;)

Feeling: Great! I've had a couple mild headaches this week but I've just been too excited about finding out that our baby is a boy to care!

Baby Movement: The movements are becoming stronger & more frequent! I love it. :) My husband finally felt baby kick last night!!

Belly Button In or Out? In

Wedding Rings On or Off? On

What I miss most this week: My family back in Minnesota. They were so excited to hear the gender news but I wish I could've told them the gender and the name we chose in person. :) 

Best moment this week: Finding out that we are having a darling little boy!

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving! Even though I'm not looking forward to a long drive, I get to spend lots of time with my husband. We're breaking the news that we're pregnant to his extended family then, too!


Did your expectations of pregnancy match your reality? Did your pregnancy experience make you rethink your plans for the future of your family? Any advice for me for the coming weeks? I love hearing from you! :)

xo kristen genevieve

We're Having A...

My husband & I are so excited to announce that we're having a...

BABY BOY!!!!!

 

We just got back from our ultrasound and we couldn't be more thrilled!! I expected that I would be crying or laughing uncontrollably, but when we found out our baby was a boy, I just couldn't stop smiling! I'm over the moon excited today!! :)

 

It's so surreal to be able to finally picture what our family will look like in just 5 months! I don't even know how to put into words how different it feels knowing we'll have a little man in our lives forever. He is our darling boy, and I love him so very much already. :)

 

What made the entire experience even more special was that we have named our baby after my father. When I told him the news, he was speechless! I couldn't tell over the phone if he was crying (he never cries) but he was certainly emotional and just so happy for us. Its so special to know that we are adding another person not just to our little family, but to our greater family tree as well. I feel so much love around me today! 

 

On Monday, I mentioned in my 19 week update that we've felt strongly that we're having a boy since the beginning. I wasn't sure if I was having that feeling because I wanted a boy so badly, or if I really just knew. Everyone except me, my husband & my Dad said that they anticipated a girl, so it was really unknown! We are so happy to just have a healthy baby, and so blessed to be where we are.

 

Thank you to everyone who has been reading and supporting my journey documenting this pregnancy. Its been so fulfilling getting to know new people and to have a community that shares my joy!

 

Until next time...

xo kristen genevieve

Christmas Is On Its Way!

My Christmas tree last year!

Maybe its a pregnant thing, because this year, I've been abnormally obsessed with Christmas music since the beginning of October! I've held off setting up decorations until now, but as soon as Thanksgiving is over, you bet your bippy I'll be hanging lights & setting up the tree! 

When I was a kid, Christmas involved so many fun traditions. On Christmas Eve, my family went to church in the afternoon, then drove around the neighborhood spotting Christmas lights & decorations. Then at home, we would eat fondue together, and then each kid would get to open one present. The next morning, my brother, sister & I would rush downstairs at 5am and sit in front of the glowing tree, mesmerized by all the presents, until we were allowed to wake my parents at 7am. 

At the time I met my husband in college, I assumed most families had similar traditions. I couldn't have been more wrong! He comes from a family of non-practicing Jews that eat ham & celebrate Christmas! My husband & his five siblings recognized Hanukkah with a brief celebration, but mostly looked forward to Christmas. He never went to church obviously, but his family traditions were more focused on gathering around food. As a child, his father was the head chef, making steak with bernaise for dinner and eggs benedict for Christmas breakfast. 

Now that we're pregnant, I've spent a lot of time daydreaming about our family's future holiday celebrations. I appreciate that my husband's family genuinely enjoys spending time together, and makes a point to be a family. I also love how food-centered Christmas was in his home. From my family, I appreciate filling the home with Christmas spirit - decorations everywhere, Christmas music playing all day, and watching Christmas movies together by the fireplace. 

I look forward to blending our family traditions together. I actually think I'm more excited as an adult for Christmastime, and especially watching my kids open presents and knowing that I brought them the joy & memories of Christmas that they will remember and pass on to their kids. :)

So to get in the Christmas spirit, I found some fun crafts & decorations that I've collected on my Pinterest for the holidays. Hope you enjoy! :)

 A booklover's lamp! So creative!

Scented Fir Christmas tree topiaries covered in cloves, peppercorns & coffee beans. I love these! I found them last year on Etsy, and I've been wanting to try to make them ever since.

My husband doesn't get it - bubble lights just remind me of home!

DIY Cinnamon ornaments. Great idea and would smell amazing!

German smoking men - another thing that just reminds me of home. They are so awesome!! But hard to find!

Dress up a mason jar with some birch, sticks & twine for a gorgeous, rustic candle. I love this idea for a cabin-feel tablescape.

Simple, clean, neutral entryway decor. 

As a kid, I remember our neighbors having a full set of rattan reindeer lit up with the sleigh in tow. My brother & I got so excited every year when they popped up in their yard! This set is from Pottery Barn.

Where is your favorite place for Christmas/Hanukkah decor shopping?! I've found some fun things on Etsy lately, but I'm always looking for new ideas. Check out my holiday boards on Pinterest for some ideas I've collected already!

What are some of your holiday traditions? Did you find it difficult or exciting when blending those traditions with your spouse?

xo kristen genevieve