that's not a food baby, that's a pregnant belly!

I'm 11 weeks, 3 days! Only 6 more months to go...

(This blog totally inspires me to be better about blogging in this little guy. If you haven't seen it on pinterest.com, you should: http://littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com/ She is just so cute with all the updates and I just love how simple she keeps it-- just an easy way to document this amazing, awesome, fun, wonderful, magical, (did I say joyous?) journey. That is probably all you ever hear of pregnancy and although I am ecstatic to the moon and back about baby D, there is SO MUCH back story to this whole growing a baby thing... boy, let me tell you.....)

What's been going on? I have unfortunately been really, really sick. From hot flashes (seriously, you don't just get them in menopause, my MIL and I joke we have the same symptoms) to crazy hormones changes (poor Chris) to food aversions, extreme fatigue and exhaustion (I literally have to take a 2 hour nap every day!), overall discomfort, skin breakouts, bloating,... and the worst of them all- the nausea and... what happens afterwards. I have grown such an aversion to straight diary products (milk, ice cream, yogurt!) which I think that is so odd considering I LOVE MILK! On top of all the morning sickness that lasts 24-7 (not just in the morning!), I have been recovering, STILL, from my wisdom teeth surgery. Timing always has its way! I literally became gestationally pregnant the SAME week, only 1 day off, from my surgery and it really complicated things. From severe symptoms to getting an infection in 3 extraction spots, I've had 3 surgeries in 11 weeks. So, it's been an exciting pregnancy, haha... I was starting to feel a little "better" for about 2 weeks, but it seems that it's started up again. And, what's the funniest? Just looking like I ate too many burgers one week... and not really *looking* pregnant. And, please don't get me wrong, I am grateful to be pregnant and to tackle on this journey and I try so hard not to complain, because this is truly a freaking miracle, but can we fast forward 9 months when this adorable cherab of a baby comes out loving it's mama? :) Sounds like a plan to me...

What's current with Baby D, C, and me? On the positive side, I am almost out of my first trimester-- hooray! This also means Chris and I get to hear our babies heartbeat next week. We are pretty pumped about this! We both feel like it will *feel* more real once we hear it. I had the privilege of seeing the heartbeat, but hearing it really makes it official. We have already started nesting... bad. This past weekend, we converted my office into a somewhat blank space, converted our unused "dining" space into a chic and simple office that is still functional to use to dine in, and removed a couple big pieces of furniture to sell. Yes, we are already making room for baby AND baby proofing! We debated several options as far as living space is concerned. Should we rent a house? Buy a house? Get a larger apartment? WHAT TO DO? So, we decided that the best, most financially intelligent choice would be to stay put in our affordable and quaint 2 bedroom apartment and make do. It's a pretty large space for us, bottom floor, and the nursery room is really a great size-- not too large, but not too small. And, when our lease is up the baby will only be 9 months old, so how mobility does a 9 month old have? Does the baby really need a 4 bedroom home, 2 car garage, 2000 sq. ft. space? Nah. Less is more :) We have plenty of crawling space for you Baby D right here.

And as soon as I have a cute round bump to show off, I will start my weekly progression shots, but really, my belly looks just like yours... after that burrito eating contest you did this weekend.

<--- here's our "new" back yard. I really should have shot a before picture... it was really bad and nothing cute to look at. Could have a real white picket fence? For $20, we bought knee high fencing, perfect for our pup (yorkie) billy. We are still looking for the perfect outdoor chairs to complete the space. 

What's up next? We will find out in only 6 MORE WEEKS, 1 week before Christmas, if we are having a boy or girl... will it be a:

Charlotte Rose Dovel 

Or a,

Henry George Dovel

Our next phase of nesting will consist of cleaning out our storage garage, adding more to it to make more room, and creating a blank clean slate to officially turn what was my office into a perfect, cozy spot for baby.

I look forward to...
looking pregnant, wearing cute maternity clothes, being in the 2nd "golden" trimester, no more throw up, buying baby clothes and.... PLANNING A NURSERY!!!!!!