I have mentally gone back and forth over having weekly pictures taken of “my bump”. I have so many friends who are also pregnant right now. Some of them are doing the cute weekly post with the chalk board. Some are doing the artsy thing, wearing the same outfit and documenting their belly/baby grow. Some aren’t doing anything.

Then there is me, who wants to do something but I don’t know what. I spent the last three years eating clean and getting healthy, so right now I am really not comfortable with the not-so-flattering changes that my body is going through. But like I said, I definitely want to document this experience. For all I know, it may be a one-time-thing!

That being said, I still do not know how I really want to document being pregnant. So I figure, at 18 weeks, I may as well just bite the bullet and start doing something. I can always mix it up along the way, right?

Two years ago Michael and I tied the knot and partied the night away at The Chamberlin in Hampton, VA. This famous building is an absolute gem. The inside shouts historic, southern elegance all the way from the hallways to the ballroom to the rooftop. We got engaged on the rooftop in January 2013 and then had our wedding reception in the ballroom in November 2013. Shortly after our wedding, The Chamberlin decided to close their ballroom to weddings. (Maybe because of our excessive glitter??) This building is now strictly a retirement community with a stunning view.

The cool thing though? The Chamberlin offers a huge Sunday Brunch every week. The day after our wedding we started a yearly tradition of “Anniversary Brunch.” Michael has to work next weekend so we bumped our annual brunch up a week. And it was quite lovely. They offer everything from traditional breakfast food to waffle and omelet stations to seafood to roasts to two tables worth of desserts. #nom.

Unfortunately, this year I couldn’t eat a lot. I have found that I have to eat small but consistent meals all day long. So an all you can eat buffet isn’t really my cup of tea right now. But the company was wonderful and the ballroom is one of my favorite places ever.

With that, I give you my first “#BabyMagotes Bumpdate”:

How far along: 18 weeks

Gender: It’s a secret! Michael and I know. We ended up going to one of those 3D ultrasound places at 17 weeks. I know, I know. It’s kinda frowned upon to go so early. But my cousin was in town from Switzerland and we wanted to find out before he left so that I could send some “gender reveal gifts” across the pond. I am going to mail out a few more of these gifts to our non-local family and friends with the fine print that they cannot open them until November 22, the day we are having a big gender reveal party!

Weight gain: Last time I checked (3 weeks ago) I had gained 17 pounds. UGH. I know right?? But my diet has 100% shifted in a sour direction. I went from eating completely clean to… not. My body cannot handle paleo right now, it makes me puke. #sadface

Sleep: Just okay. I did order a pregnancy pillow that Michael hates, but it has helped immensely.

Best moment this week: Brunch with Michael. Our schedules are crazy and we rarely see each other. So this was nice.

Worst moment this week: When Michael left just one tiny spoonful of milk in the carton for me. I lost it. Ugly cry and all. I blame the hormones and the fact that I have to eat first thing in the morning. (I ended up eating my must-have cheerios with water. Bleh!)

Miss anything: Wine. And my cute fall clothes.

Movement: None yet. I was told (and then we saw for ourselves) that Magotes is extremely active. Flipping upside down and basically tap dancing. But I haven’t felt anything yet. The technician said that baby is kicking the placenta so it may be awhile before I feel him/her.

What I’m Wearing: I finally caved and bought some real maternity jeans and sweaters. I really miss my “real jeans” though! Why don’t maternity pants have pockets?!

Cravings: White potatoes. Preferably baked or chick-fil-a’s waffle fries OR salads smothered in ranch and hot sauce. Crazy combo right?

Symptoms: Morning sickness. It has let up a bit… the vomiting has gone from 6-ish times a day to every other day, as long as I take all my morning sickness meds and eat every few hours. Also, my earring holes keep closing up. I’ve never heard of this happening to anyone before… but it is happening!

Happy or Moody: Moody. Hands down. Lots of moods. Lots of emotions. Lots of crying.

Looking forward to: The gender reveal party on November 22!

 

 

 

There ya go guys and gals! I promise I won’t be flashing my belly all over facebook (it’s just not my style) so this is the only place my friends and family will find all the details! Hope my readers don’t mind too much!