35.5 Weeks

30 days to go and we just had our [i think] final ultrasound.  Baby boy checked out perfectly healthy, and at 5lbs 6oz he's a peanut in the 26th percentile.  He's head down now, so we're looking to be in great shape!

So far I'm up 18lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, so I'm on track to gain a little less than I did with Gwen - I think my final number with her was 28lbs and the Dr recommended anywhere between 25-30lbs for both pregnancies.

We were able to get a really great look at his face, which made me even more excited to see him in person in just a few short weeks :)

nose and lips <3

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5.20.13 - exactly 1 month before my due date!

It's a...

BOYYYYYY!!!!!

More importantly, the ultrasound looked just perfect and our little guy is looking great at a whopping 9oz. I think his HR was around 150-160bpm :)

Can we talk about how great I am at guessing?!!!  Yes, there's a 50/50 chance but both times I just had these gut feelings about the gender, which to me is just amazing.

Justin and I are extremely excited to have a little boy join our family.  Of course, all we wanted was another healthy and happy baby, but we both had our fingers [slightly] crossed for a boy.

I have to say that ever since we found out, I've been feeling like I need to buy more pink for Gwen.  I've always tried to stay away from the whole girly-pink-overload, but now, knowing that she'll probably be our only girl I'm feeling like I need dress her in tutus and tights every day - it's going to be a dressy spring!
We made a quick trip to Target to check out the baby boy clothing and I was a bit disappointed.  All of the baby girl stuff was so much cuter, but I'm thinking he'll just be living in onesies for the first few months and by the time fall and winter roll around he'll be a bit easier to dress, and we'll have more options.

I love knowing now that he's a boy, it just makes me feel so much more connected to him.  I'm starting to feel him kicking and rolling and I love being able to call him "HIM" instead of it :)  We've also been throwing around some names.  We have a few that we're leaning towards (sorry, not sharing them here), but I'm so fickle, I'm sure we'll wait until the very end like we did with Gwen.

I picked up some blue balloons to surprise Gwen with the morning we found out.  She's super excited for her baby brother :)

2012 Christmas Card (plus a small announcement)

That's right, Gwen is going to be a big sister!

I hit the 12 week mark in the beginning of December, so what better way to announce it, than with our Christmas Cards?!  I'm due June 20th, so Gwen and the new baby will be just a few weeks shy of 2.5 years apart, which I think will be a good age difference.   It's so much fun to fantasize about what Gwen will be like as a big sister.  She adores her little cousin, and is obsessed with baby dolls and roll playing with them (feeding them, changing their diapers, holding and rocking them).  Once the baby comes, I have no doubt that Gwen will be the best and most helpful big sister!

As excited as we are, baby growing is serious business.
I have to say that I almost forgot how miserable the first trimester is.  My morning sickness hasn't been as bad as it was with Gwen.  I really only get nauseas when I think about certain foods - tomato sauce for one...or if I let myself get too hungry.  But once I started eating, for the most part it makes me feel better (I've been carrying around almonds and string cheese just about every time I leave the house).  But the exhaustion....oh my god.  I remember being tired with Gwen- I would go into the group fitness studio at work during slow times and lie down on the mats, and every day after work I would pass out on the couch.  But now, chasing a toddler around, it is a million times worse!  Some days I just feel like a zombie going through the motions.  Thank god Gwen is a good little napper (with the exception of about 2 weeks where she pretty much refused to nap, or only teased me with an hour or so, compared to her typical 3-4 hour naps!).  Thankfully I'm starting to get some energy back now.

Anyway, it's all worth it right?  Now, having Gwen, I can say that I would go through the blasted 1st trimester a million times over for her.  Here are a couple of shots of our new little love:

9 weeks 4 days

12 weeks 4 days

Hmmm....girl or boy?  We shall find out in late January, people!!!! :)