17 Weeks and Dr's Appointment!!

First off, I need to take more pictures of myself, I know. I am determined not to do bathroom selfies for this week though. So it might take a few more days. I feel like I look huge. But I don't. At least that is what people say. Mike says I look "a little pregnant", which is good. Here is my weekly questionnaire!


How far along? 17 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 5 pounds ish.
Maternity clothes? Nope.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been good so far. A restless night last night, but I was really excited for today.
Best moment this week: The gender appointment, definitely.
Miss Anything? Being able to bend down normally and put on my socks. I can still bend over, but I feel all squishy on the inside and I don't like it, so I opt for the awkward bend. I also can't plug my phone cord in under my desk anymore with a quick bend over and done. I have to get out of my chair and squat or kneel down. HAHA!
Movement: Not yet... I am really hoping soon.
Food cravings: Cotton candy.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Just random things. Like if I've eaten the same food for lunch or dinner I have to switch it up with a bite of something else or I gag when I've been eating the same flavor too long.
Have you started to show yet: Maybe a bit! Especially after I eat.
Gender: See below :D
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! And tired lately.
Looking forward to: Our next appointment and showing family and friends pictures of our baby!

Other: Well. My back hurts a lot now. Just my lower back on the left side. I have had the pregnancy brain a few times now and it is not fun! I feel like if I really have to go to the bathroom then I waddle a little bit. That is all.

And to our pictures.... of our sweet baby BOY!!! First.. a short story.

Once we got into the ultrasound room the doctor asked, "So what do you guys think?" I said, "Mike thinks it's a girl, I think it's a boy." Within like 2 seconds of looking around he says "Well, you are right, he's wrong." Just like that! He said he's 99.99% sure it's a boy. From looking at the pictures, I think he's right. 

On a side note, so I remember this years down the line. I had to pee SOOOO BADLY! I went to the bathroom at work at like 2:45 (the appointment was at 4:30) and then I was worried that my bladder wouldn't be full enough or whatever so I drank a whole bunch of water really fast. And then I drank orange juice on the way there (so the baby would be a movin'!) ohhh my gosh I had to pee. So the doctor said, "oh man you are like ready to burst! I could make you pee right here!" Haha! So after he saw that it was a boy real quick, he let me go to the bathroom and he had to take a phone call. After that we got to look at our baby more and take a few more pictures. I am glad I did not pee on that bed. That would have been horrible.

Okay, here are the pictures!!

So I don't know what the baby is doing here. But the picture is zoomed in a lot, and the thing hanging down is his.. umm.. thing.

And there it is again! My baby's bits! Everyone take a look!

Here's the first picture the doctor took. Our first glance at the "goods".

And here is a cool picture of our baby's head and back.

Yay for Baby Boy Lowder!

11 Weeks.. I forgot this one too I guess.

How far along? 11 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: I think I've officially gained a pound. It's been there the past few times I've stepped on the scale.
Maternity clothes? Nope. My jeans are getting tighter. Yuck.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been good. I wake up tired even if I have had a good sleep though. 
Best moment this week: It's been a pretty normal week. I don't think there has been a best moment.
Have you told family and friends: One or two friends, his and my parents. And my sister guessed. Telling some more family this weekend.
Miss Anything? Deli meat and paninis still. And brownie batter and cookie dough..
Movement: Not yet! Hopefully in a few weeks!
Food cravings: Chocolate milk. Really anything chocolate.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Ohhh yeah. I thought I was doing better, but then I back tracked and have been throwing up more again.
Have you started to show yet: After I eat I think I look huge. Otherwise, no.
Gender prediction: I think it will be a boy, and Mike thinks it will be a girl.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Most usually happy. Or stressed. I have stress moments sometimes. I have also started to tee up at random times because someone "worked so hard to achieve that!"
Looking forward to: Our next appointment in a few weeks!

16 weeks!

How far along? 16 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I haven't stepped in the scale for probably a week or so. So I am guessing the same, maybe a little more. 
Maternity clothes? Nope. My jeans are fitting a little more snug, but they still fit. 
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been good! I haven't had to pee as much lately, so I sleep better in the morning now :)
Best moment this week: Debating names with Mike and talking about our plans. 
Miss Anything? Mountain Dew again. 
Movement: Not yet. I am hoping SOON!
Food cravings: French bread dipped in marinara sauce. Chocolate milk. Pizza. Baked potatoes. Fruity Pebbles. You know, the random things. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm feeling a lot better in the mornings, but still gaggy at least once a day still. 
Have you started to show yet: I just look chubby I think. Showing quite a bit after I eat though. 
Gender prediction: I think it will be a boy, and Mike thinks it will be a girl. We will find out on Wednesday. 
Labor Signs: No.
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: The gender appointment on the 31st!! Ahhhh!

Other: My back on the lower left side has really been bothering me. I miss rolling over and sleeping on my stomach in the mornings. I got all teary at the end of Despicable Me 2... Yay hormones. I have to write things down because I suck at remembering things now!

15 weeks pictures

I promise I will get pictures and posts on the same day soon so there won't be two. Anyway. Mike is out playing ball so selfie bathroom pictures again. I just ate just a little bit ago, so I am really not this big yet. It's just the food. Haha! Also one way I look big and the other way I don't. Maybe I was turned weird for the first one. Yeah, we will go with that. 

15 weeks

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 2 pounds I think. I think it looks like a lot more than that though!
Maternity clothes? Nope.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been good! I haven't had to pee as much lately, so I sleep better in the morning now :)
Best moment this week: Having our nephew Isaac ask me if the baby was out of my tummy yet. Lol so cute. 
Have you told family and friends: Yes, finally!
Miss Anything? Nothing I can think of.
Movement: Not yet. I am hoping SOON!
Food cravings: French bread dipped in marinara sauce. Mike made steaks last night and that hit the spot. Mmm.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm feeling a lot better in the mornings, but still gaggy at least once a day still. 
Have you started to show yet: I just look chubby I think. 
Gender prediction: I think it will be a boy, and Mike thinks it will be a girl. In two weeks we will find out!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy! And tired lately. 
Looking forward to: The gender appointment on the 31st!! Ahhhh!

Other: I figured I should do an "other" section in case there are other things I want to mention. Yesterday I thought this was a really good idea and had a list of "others" but by today I have forgotten them all. Maybe next week I will remember. 

Mario Kart FHE

Mike's brother came over for FHE last night. I was planning a Mario Kart night, so the more the merrier! 

Poor Waffles

Waffles hates balloons. She is scared of them. Of course the reasonable thing to do is tie one to her collar for a few minutes. 

House of Hose

Conversation between Mike and I while in the car. 

Me: On Wednesday do you think you can make it to House of Hose?

Mike: Umm.. Why would I?.... OH! You said House of Hose for the BBQ grill, and I heard it as House of Ho's. I was wondering what in the world I would do at a House of Ho's. 

Me: House of Ho's! (Uncontrollable laughter)

14 weeks pictures

I have been lazy in the picture department. I have missed a few weeks. And this week I didn't make it outside with Mike. So selfies in the bathroom it is!

Telling my Brothers

My brothers thought we were taking a picture.. but we were taking a video. This is how we told them. Hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grj4yYU5LXY&feature=youtu.be

Hooray!

Well, the word is out! We are pregnant!!! Hooray! I've tried to blog weekly and save the posts about the pregnancy and now I'm going to publish them. Hopefully it won't be too confusing with today's date and then I'm talking about appointments in June.

So if you want, scroll down and read our pregnancy adventure!

We are excited! YAY!!

14 Weeks

Well, we got back from Cali around 7:30. We had a great time. I'll be publishing pictures soon.

How far along? 14 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I haven't gotten on the scale for a week or so. I'm assuming the same. I need to take pictures again, I look a little more chubby.
Maternity clothes? Nope.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been good still. I love my sleep!
Best moment this week: Telling friends and family about the pregnancy!!! It's nice to have this big secret out.
Have you told family and friends: Yes, finally!
Miss Anything? Nothing I can think of. Although I may go grab a glass of chocolate milk...
Movement: Not yet. I am hoping SOON! A few more weeks and I should be able to feel some kicks I hope!
Food cravings: French bread dipped in marinara sauce. Still. I bought french bread tonight. Mmm.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm feeling a lot better in the mornings, but today driving I was getting car sick. Luckily we took a few pit stops to switch up who was driving so I didn't puke.
Have you started to show yet: I just look chubby! I hope I start to look preggo soon, so I don't feel self conscious about looking fatty. Haha.
Gender prediction: I think it will be a boy, and Mike thinks it will be a girl.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On. Except I forgot my ring at our house over our vacation, so it was off this past week. I missed it.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy! And excited!
Looking forward to: The gender appointment on the 31st!! Ahhhh!

13 weeks

Well the appointment went good on Monday! It was really fast. Just listened to the heartbeat, went over questions and did another pee sample. 

How far along? 13 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Still around a pound.
Maternity clothes? Nope.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been good. Always having to pee in the early morning though.
Best moment this week: Telling friends and family about the pregnancy!!! We told my grandparents this week while we have been on vacation, that was really fun.
Have you told family and friends: Yes, finally!
Miss Anything? Brownie batter and cookie dough still. Mmmm...
Movement: Not yet. I hope soon.
Food cravings: French bread dipped in marinara sauce. Still. Or breadsticks.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Starting to feel better, but I still can't eat certain foods.
Have you started to show yet: No. Just a food baby after I eat.
Gender prediction: I think it will be a boy, and Mike thinks it will be a girl.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy! And excited!
Looking forward to: The gender appointment on the 31!!

10 Weeks

How far along? 10 weeks-ish!
Total weight gain/loss: I think I've officially gained a pound. It's been there the past few times I've stepped on the scale.
Maternity clothes? Nope. My jeans are fitting tighter though. I don't know how I feel about that. Some of my slacks are getting a tiny snug around my waist, too.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: This past weekend I had horrible sleep. Since then, sleep has been pretty good.
Best moment this week: Getting a surprise package from my in-laws with baby stuffs in it :D Made my WEEK. I loved it. I was ooh-ing and aww-ing at everything. It was like Christmas.
Have you told family and friends: One or two friends, his and my parents. And my sister guessed. That's about it though.
Miss Anything? Caffeine. I could really go for a Mountain Dew right now. I really miss MD. Haha.
Movement: Not yet! Hopefully in a few weeks!
Food cravings: Chocolate milk. Ohhh I STILL loooove chocolate milk. And totally random cravings. Today I REALLY wanted warm french bread dipped in a warm marinara sauce. Thinking about it makes me want it again..
Anything making you queasy or sick: Ohhh yeah. I thought I was doing better, but then I back tracked and have been throwing up more again.
Have you started to show yet: Umm a little bloaty. After I eat I think I look huge.
Gender prediction: I think it will be a boy, and Mike thinks it will be a girl.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Most usually happy. I have some moments sometimes.
Looking forward to: Feeling some movement, even though that won't be for a while.


Here are some pictures. After I eat (like in these pictures) I look prego. Buuuut, it's just food and bloating. Lucky me! Please excuse the gross hair, the no make up, and the love handles.

9 Week Appointment!

We had our 9 week appointment. I really didn't know what to expect besides a pee test, checking my blood pressure, taking blood, etc. I was hoping we could hear the heartbeat of our little growing baby but I wasn't getting my hopes up. When we went back and met with the doctor he said we were going to listen to the heartbeat and have an ultrasound! I think I immediately had a perm-a-grin. I was so excited. I had convinced myself we for sure wouldn't get an ultrasound. So a lady took us back, and Mike sat down and I laid down. I got all that warm gel stuff on my belly and then TA DA! Our baby! It was so surreal! I still can't believe that is growing inside me! I was so happy Mike could be there with me to see. He was smiling and seemed happy with a little cross of "oh my gosh, this is crazy." I talked to the doctor for a bit after with some questions and then went home with a bag of goodies which included some pregnancy magazines, a book, and some samples. Sweet! Hopefully in 2 more appointments we can get a peek at the gender!

I stole this of of my friend Chelsie's blog. I thought it was too cute to not do!

How far along? 9.5 weeks, today I think.
Total weight gain/loss: I don't think I've had any weight gain or loss. It fluctuates a little day by day but generally is the same, holding at 125.
Maternity clothes? Nope.
Stretch marks? No. I better figure out what to do to help combat those... 
Sleep: I sleep pretty well. I can't drink anything right before bed anymore. I'm usually up by the time I really have the urge to pee, so we are still good there. I've had a few toss-turny nights but I blame those on allergies.
Best moment this week: First appointment!! It was so amazing to see our little baby!
Have you told family and friends: One or two friends, his and my parents. And my sister guessed. That's about it though.
Miss Anything? I miss panini's. This whole no sandwich meat is so sad.
Movement: Not yet! Hopefully in a few weeks!
Food cravings: Chocolate milk. Ohhh I loooove chocolate milk now even more than I did before. And I crave baked or mashed potatoes a lot.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Ohhh yeah. If I get too hungry, if I get too full, if I have spit in the back of my mouth, smells like the garbage can send me running and a few sights make me sick, too.
Have you started to show yet: Nope! Not yet!
Gender prediction: I think it will be a boy, and Mike thinks it will be a girl. We are both pretty sure in our prediction, so we will see who is correct on this baby!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Usually happy! Sometimes scared out of my mind. Occasionally I do have mood swings and I want to cry because something is "touching." But really its not touching and I find myself saying "Come on, Emily! Pull yourself together!" I'm also a little more sensitive than normal. 
Looking forward to: Our next appointment!

And here are some pictures of our cute little growing baby that still looks like a bean with sprouts coming off it. ;)

6 Weeks-ish.

I believe today is 6 weeks. Hooray! Our baby now has a heartbeat, which is exciting and crazy to think about. Even though I can't see or feel it, this whole growing a baby thing is really amazing. It is crazy to think in 8 months-ish there will be a functioning baby living in there when right now the baby is still smaller than an inch. It is pretty cool to think about!

I've been more and more sick, and more and more tired. Mornings are the worst. And every other time of the day. I don't barf too much, but I feel sick to my stomach if I'm hungry or full. Hopefully that goes away soon.

 Yay for a growing Baby Lowder!

It Happened... Mike's Story.

The Pregnancy-

Emily and I had decided awhile ago that we were ready to start a family and to have Emily stop her birth control.  Emily figured it would have probably worn off around March and after that it usually takes about 6 months from what her Dr. had told her.

Anyways come the end of April, Emily told me that she was late and that she is never late.  After a few days of that we decided to take a pregnancy test and it was positive.  We were pretty shocked and happy at the same time as we know that we are going to have a major change in our life come late December early January.

Emily kept saying that it might be a false positive and that she needed to take another one.  I told her that she didn't need to that it was positive and to schedule a Dr.'s Appt. which is scheduled for the beginning of June.  Emily has started to not be feeling as well in the mornings some, morning sickness.  So I have asked Emily a few times if she still thinks it is a false positive.

We are pretty sure it isn't a false positive and are really excited, and nervous to be able to get everything done that we want to get done to be totally ready.

It Happened.

Well. It happened.

Mike and I made a baby.

And! He/she is living comfortably inside me now floating around my uterus.

We have our first Dr's appointment on June 5. From what I've calculated online the tentative due date will be around January 8. But who really knows. I definitely didn't think it was going to happen this fast, but it did.

I still don't know what to think. My emotions go back and forth. Sometimes I'm so excited! Other times I'm scared to death with a huge knot in my stomach. And other times I think "I am definitely not ready to be a mom" and "what did we do?!" Sometimes I wish my appointment would get here faster. And sometimes I hope it will stay far farrrrr away. I feel a bit crazy.

We found out Friday night, after date night. We had a Chinese date night. I decorated the living room with paper lanterns and got take out, and we ate at the coffee table while sitting on a blanket. It was romantic. I was a few days late and kept telling Mike that something was up. After debating on waiting for a few more days and taking a pregnancy test then, we decided I'd take it then. Annnd it was positive. I cried and laughed, Mike stared at the pregnancy stick with REALLY big eyes and hugged me. I don't think I slept much that night.

More and more I'm noticing that I'm tired a lot and my boobs hurt. I also can't get too hungry or I get sick and I have to eat slowly. That is about it for now for "un-normal things" that are going on with me.

No one will be seeing these posts for quite some time. But I'll write them anyways so I can post them once we announce.

You Are Not Keeping Up

Today we went to the most Southwestern point of the States. When driving back, we saw 3 kids on bikes. One girl was falling behind the others. Our windows were down and as we drove past the girl she was on the drivers side and grandpa said: "You are not keeping up." I am pretty sure she heard. 

We laughed so hard. 

World Cup Qualifying Match US vs Honduras

A few weeks ago on June 18, 2013 we went to the World Cup Qualifying Match between the US and Honduras. The US won 1-0. It was really fun! It was pretty warm. We had great seats!! Row 2! Here are some pictures. Also, we got free scarves. That was probably the highlight of my night.