Gender Reveal Party Pin-spiration

So Chris and I have decided that we want to do a gender reveal party! After talking to some of the people in my family, this is apparently a new-fangled idea that only my generation has embraced. I love this idea! I think it is an awesome way to share your news while also getting together with close family and friends. With that said, it's one more thing to add to a long list of to-dos and it does require planning. Being a procrastinator at heart, my plans do not always get actualized. However, I am really trying not to let that happen this time. You should know, though, that this party is two weeks from Saturday, and this is pretty much what I've got, haha.

Reveal Ideas

The one on the left is something I just recently found. We saw the silly string one a while ago, but we both instantly liked it. We are having our gender reveal outside, since it will be August, so we wouldn't really have to worry about too much of a mess. The one on the right is something that I automatically dismissed at first, but since we are having the party outside, it might be really fun to see the balloons drift off into the sky. We may also do a combination of these.

Decor Ideas

As you may have noticed, I apparently have a pretty specific idea for decor. I just love how adorable those old-fashioned style banners are! I don't want anything about this baby to be cookie-cutter (who does?!), but it is so hard to think of original ideas these days! I think there comes a point where nearly everything has just already been thought of. I am just a big fan of the old-timey feel that this style lends to any sort of get-together.

What do you think?

I found all of these on Pinterest, and I'm sure they are super easy for anyone to dig up. If you are curious what other things I may have pinned regarding baby, click on the banner at the right of the page that says "Pinterest" and give me a follow!

18 Weeks

How far along? 18 Weeks

Total weight gain: Up 4 pounds as of 2 weeks ago. I try not to weigh myself between appointments.
Maternity clothes? Yes, I have been so lucky to have people give me some hand me downs, but I have my eye on some of the Old Navy sale items...
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: The second trimester has taken away my midnight pee breaks. I love it.
Best moment this week: Feeling movement more and more! Today also marks two weeks until we find out whether Baby Stocking is a he or she.
Miss Anything? Salami sandwiches, and sushi.
Movement: See "Best moment this week."
Food cravings: Mustard. I don't really think this is a craving, I just really like mustard, haha.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Nausea free is the way to be
Gender: We find out two weeks from today!
Symptoms: Nothing really, unless you count belly swelling...
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! It seems people are waiting for me to throw fits left and right, but it just isn't happening. Chris even agrees!
Looking forward to: Still looking forward to the gender. We have a gender reveal party planned for the Saturday after we find out, and I plan on sharing my Pin-spirations in a day or so.

Kick Me, Baby!

I felt it! I really, really felt it. This baby kicked me. And it was awesome. 

I have heard the feeling described as feeling like butterflies in your stomach, popcorn popping, or like a gas bubble, but the best, and most fitting, description I heard came from one of the girls I work with. She likened it to having a fish in your belly flip its fin. And that was exactly what it felt like.

I was doing some mundane task at work, when I felt what was unmistakably movement. It made my whole day. Immediately, I texted Chris something along the lines of "I FELT IT!!!!#T*&)@#$*)$~!" So exciting!

So, dear child, to this I say: "Kick away, baby!"

16 Week Bumpdate

I am technically 17 weeks tomorrow, but I still wanted to post this.

Last Tuesday I went to the doctor for my 16 week check up!

How far along? 16 Weeks

Total weight gain: Up 4 pounds. That's all I've gained so far!
Maternity clothes? As of this week, yes! SO COMFORTABLE. So expensive.
Stretch marks? None yet!
Sleep: Pretty normal, I've been pretty excited because I haven't had to get up in the middle of the night to pee for the last couple days.
Best moment this week: Thinking I have been feeling flutters. I say thinking because I really want it to happen so I'm worried I might just be willing the flutters into existence, haha.
Miss Anything? Salami sandwiches.
Movement: See "Best moment this week."
Food cravings: Nothing really, I have only had one craving, and that was around 10 weeks or so- and it was the $.79 beef and bean burritos from the grocery store. At one point, I put 5 into my basket and asked Chris if he wanted any, haha.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! I have been so lucky when it comes to nausea- none for me!
Gender: Don't know yet!
Symptoms: A tad bit of round ligament pain, I really popped this week.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy with occasional mood swings.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender! We have a gender reveal party planned in a couple weeks :) More on that later.

Introductions are in Order

Hi!

I'm Casey. 23, first-time mom, book lover, married to Chris.

I have a book blog over on Wordpress (bookcasey.wordpress.com), but I haven't been on there in a while.Why? I'll give you a hint: it starts with a B and ends with A-B-Y. I found out I was pregnant in late April, and since then I have been to approximately a million doctor's appointments, googled a million different baby-related things, made lists of names, had endless advice given to me by everyone and their mother, and have been having the usual freak-outs and melt downs that come with the cocktail of hormones this baby gives me daily. You know, the USUAL.

So, I look forward to seeking your advice on nearly everything, venting about the things I cannot control and the people that touch my belly without permission, as well as doing my best to chronicle this awesome new chapter of our lives.

Welcome!