Um...I think we're Behind

So, I've been following other gal's pregnancy blogs and Man! Are they go-getters! A lot of them have ordered strollers, nursery furniture, painted the nursery, etc. starting at week 12!

So far B & I have run screaming out of a Moms of Multiples sale, wandered aimlessly through a Babies R Us, stalked a woman with infant twins through the grocery store, and almost destroyed a display twin stroller at Target.

I'm feeling a little behind. And the scary thing is, my body is already making it so physical activities (bending, carrying things, twisting, you name it) are a challenge. And it's only going to get worse! The plan is that after finding out the sexes (HOPEFULLY! T minus 3 DAYS!) this week, we'll be in Baby Gear and start to check things off our list! We'd better get in gear- this whale is going to be beached before too long!

16 Weeks!...AND a Picture!

So, I'm posting my FIRST Belly Picture! Also known as the first of many pictures that will make you feel beautiful in comparison to my pregnant non-glow. I realize this is a complete disservice to all family members and the Babies Hanlon, but my time machine broke. Oh well....

Also, you may THINK I'm sticking out my belly, but this is actually an optical illusion. My behind has grown at almost the same rate as the belly! You can call me Booty Back Front instead of Erica.


How far along? 16 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: + A lot. Those men could carry me on their heads during "The Strongest Man" competitions. Right after they roll a semi-truck tire...
Maternity clothes? All maternity pants and my FIRST REAL Maternity Shirt! Woot!
Stretch marks? Still none! Triumph!
Sleep: See story below*. But much improved
Movement: i think i felt a baby move this week... i'm not sure... it may have been gas, but i'm hoping...Shhhhh
Food cravings: Anything you're eating looks good. Do you want that?
Gender: Still unknown and it will be for the next 10 days...le sigh...
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Bending over like a normal person. Getting up from sitting like a normal person.
What I am looking forward to: Our ultrasound (moved to 9/2- Bah!)

Milestones: Thinking I felt a baby move! Maybe! (But I still think it could've been gas)

* I GOT STUCK IN THE BED. Wednesday night I got stuck on my right side. I've been waking up multiple times a night when my sides hurt and then I roll over until I wake up cause that side hurts like a b*tch. But not so, Wednesday. I woke up cause my right side hurt like a mother and I couldn't.move. If I tried to roll forward or backward it felt like my ute was going to tear apart. So, my whimpering woke up B who was like, "What the??" And I cried, "I can't move...boo hoo" (only in a really sad, pathetic, sleep voice). So B had to lift me up and flip me over. Which then woke up the dog who decided he needed to go out. Moral of the story- We bought a memory foam topper that very night. Yay!

15 Weeks!

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I'm gauging my weight by the stars like the sailors of yore. I guess I am up 20 stone (whatever this means).
Maternity clothes? All maternity pants all the time! Too bad I'm a total shorty and they flop all over the floor. Pretty soon I'll look like a castaway with my raw pant hems.
Stretch marks? Not yet. So far the pregnant belly oil, courtesy of my friend, Melinda, rules! On a side note- my belly is the only part of my body NOT dry and flaking like a pastry. Gross, but true....Apparently pregnancy makes your skin crazy dry?
Sleep: Stinks! My bed completely sucks!
Movement: None.
Food cravings: Still beef! Salty ground beef to be specific!
Gender: I still suspect one of each!
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: SUSHI! And I'm still lamenting beer...and wine...and bloody mary's...
What I am looking forward to: Seeing my parents this week

Milestones: People commenting on my cute pregnancy belly. Plus, feeling like I can flaunt it. I am totally whoring out this bump.

14 Weeks!

Also known as- Vacation ate my 13 Week update

How far along? 14 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: My scale is out fighting crime
Maternity clothes? I bought my first pair of maternity pants! But this made me realize I need ALL maternity pants. I have been wearing them all week and after squeezing my fat butt into regular pants I'm sure I'm going to Incredible Hulk my way right out of them!
Stretch marks? Not yet. I'm rubbing this lovely pregnant belly oil all over every night.
Sleep: One thing I loved about vacation was napping every.day. But our crap mattress is starting to kill me so the sleep has been suffering. I'm like the Princess in the Pea
Movement: None.
Food cravings: Beef!
Gender: I have a feeling we're having a boy and a girl
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Having a cocktail on a patio, going to the bathroom like a normal person and not an almost-empty squirt bottle
What I am looking forward to: Ultrasound 2 weeks away!

Milestones: "Popping." I went by a mirror and was like, "Woah! I've got a pregnant woman's belly!" It was totally amazing.

12 Weeks!

How far along? 12 weeks! Holler!
Total weight gain/loss: Up about 7 pounds. Yowsers!
Maternity clothes? My Bella Band has gone missing so I'm walking around with the old rubber-band-through-the hole. It actually works really well! Methinks the Bella Band is for the Birds
Stretch marks? Not yet!
Sleep: Can't get enough!
Movement: None.
Food cravings: Not really. Although strawberries and sausage sound really good right now! Yum!... Eaten in sequence, not together...
Gender: Brand unknown
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Having clothes that fit
What I am looking forward to: Looking pregnant instead of looking fat and unfortunate

Milestones: Our babies have faces! And look like babies!

Oh, burritos sound good right about now, too.... Hm..

11 Weeks!

How far along? 11 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Mysterious. Avoiding the scale like the plague.
Maternity clothes? Friday the Bella Band knock-off became a reality. So far my review is "meh."
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: I heart naps for evah
Movement: None.
Food cravings: Anything not tied down. I wasn't craving it, but I had a piece of cake at work. HEAVEN!!! And I will grab food out of stranger's hands and run away gleeflully
Gender: Still a mystery!
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Going #2
What I am looking forward to: Ultrasound on Thursday!!!

Milestones: Having my clothes officially NOT FIT.And getting belly rubs!

10 Weeks!

How far along? 10 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +7 pounds (YIKES! 2 pounds gained in 1 week!)
Maternity clothes? This is my one triumph! NOPE! But I need maternity underclothing. The regular stuff is carving permanent marks in my body.
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: This was one sleep heavy week! Turn your back for a second and it was almost a guarantee I'd be snoozing away.
Movement: None.
Food cravings: Fruit! I think my body is donezo with the unhealthy food and wants something real.
Gender: Nobody Knows
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Sitting on a patio drinking a beer... I did this sans beer on Friday. Not.The.Same.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the sexes. Only 8 more weeks! Man...that's a long time...
Weekly Wisdom: If you feel tired, sleep. Unless you're in a meeting with the VP of your company, then suffer.

Milestones: LOTS! Going to our new doc! LOVE HIM! Seeing Baby B wave during our external ultrasound! Hearing 2 strong heartbeats on the external! Finding out our miscarriage rate is BELOW 5%!!!

9 Weeks!

How far along? 9 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +5 pounds
Maternity clothes? Nope. Just my fat clothes. I bought a bella band knock-off but I'm holding out one week before putting that sucker on (if I can)
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: I fall asleep like a champ and wake up early to pee EVERY.DAY (this makes me feel like my mother- Love you, Mom!)
Best moment this week: Having my mom there to see the babies in their ultrasound. And finding out Baby A had a healthy heartbeat after that hack of an ultrasound tech told us it was only 120.
Movement: None.
Food cravings: Not really. But I'm still eating like I'm on vacation. Get me a burrito!
Gender: Nobody Knows
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Being able to hang like a regular person. Instead, my idea of a wild and crazy day is a nap followed by several hours on the couch. Sorry Mom for the lamest visit you've ever had!
What I am looking forward to: Going to my new doctor!
Weekly Wisdom: It's good to have Mom in town to take care of you when you're pregnant and too tired to scratch your nose.

Milestones: Having people tell me I'm showing. This is both horrifying and exhilarating when you are THIS early in your pregnancy.

8 Weeks!

How far along? 8 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: No idea. My scale went out for ice cream and isn't coming back
Maternity clothes? Nope. Just my fat clothes.
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: Bring it! Can't get enough!
Best moment this week: Figuring out how to thwart Morning Sickness! Stomach! I avenge thee!
Movement: None.
Food cravings: Anything cheese and anything fried. Mmmmm....fried cheese
Gender: Nobody Knows
Labor Signs: None

What I miss: Having energy to kick some butt! Okay, I just miss the energy to function for several hours without needing a nap. And cocktails!
What I am looking forward to: My ultrasound on Thursday!
Weekly Wisdom: Virgin Bloody Mary's are my BFF! That's not really wisdom, but whatever

Milestones: Can I put learning we're having TWINS??? I know that was like so 10 days ago, but I don't care.

Introduction!

So, in an effort to keep friends & family updated on the Babies Hanlon and their progress, we've decided to start a blog. We hope to be faithful posters and keep everyone updated, complete with pictures and (possibly) video. We're kind of hillbillies so it's a crap shoot whether we'll actually figure all this cursed technology out!

FYI- We've been keeping track of our progress since 8 weeks so as a gift (or...punishment?) we're going to bombard you with an 8-week recap. Yikes!