Sixteen weeks

Sweet sixteen, a full four months, and something that makes me crave guacamole:

Mmmmm, avocado. Why does every fruit comparison make me hungry?
And the belly shot, straight out of a rain storm:


Eh, still not that impressive, if you ask me. Especially for four months. I thought I would have popped by now. Yes, compared to my 4 week shot this is a big time pooch but I think if you didn't know me you'd just think I was a little more round in the gut region.

Nate has said at the most random times, "I really can tell you are pregnant, down low mostly, but it's a real bump. Plus you are still moody so you must be knocked up." Gee thanks, hun. He also accused me of sucking in my belly for our pics. So I decided to show him a few extremes to prove that I just stand there and don't do anything different to my gut when he snaps away.

First picture is me letting it ALL hang out, no abdominal control at all so that I'm practically sticking it out. It's quite uncomfortable. Second picture is me proving that I can, indeed, suck it all in and there are some ab muscles buried deep within. It was challenging to flex my lazy tummy muscles, hence the face and the vein in my neck:

So that proves that I don't push it out nor suck it in for my pictures, it's just sits there like normal with a little ab control...but I kind of wish my regular belly looked like the 'sticking it out' shot. I'm guessing that might be more like 20-24 weeks for me?

Big news this week? We bought a crib! And let me just tell you about the most amazing deal of the century. I've been stalking Craigslist on a regular basis to search for a diamond in the rough with a gently used crib. Everything was totally hideous and not at all our style.....until Friday night when I found an adorable white 'Jenny Lind' style crib. They sell these brand new at Target and Walmart and retail for about $180 without the mattress (another $75 or so). So the ad went something like this:
"White crib in excellent condition, only used occasionally at Grandma's house. $40 for crib and also mattress."

Say what? Forty freaking dollars for the whole thing? So I emailed back and forth a few times and decided to go for it. Sure enough, it wasn't a fluke and is in great shape---just needed a little wipe down and voila! Good as new.



Henry loves the 'spindle' style of the slats on this baby and I am quite fond of the white all-wood look. Nate loves that it is very easily assembled....without tools! It fits the bill for being rather traditional and yet a little funky, plus it's not ginormous but in our small room it still takes up a surprising amount of space. I even like it more than the $100 Ikea crib we were leaning towards and considering we almost plunked down $300 for the Walmart crib, the $40 spent here seems like a dream come true.

I could get used to this Craigslist hunting thing! Or maybe now we'll be able to splurge a little more in a different area.

On an adorable website called Pixie Dust Decor I found numerous pictures of our crib dressed up in amazing bedding. I love the idea of a bumper, fitted sheet, and dust ruffle pulling off patterns similar to this:


I just can't wait to get this crib all dolled up in fancy colors. We are getting somewhere, you guys!

Another interesting find? Non-alcoholic red wine. I know, I know. It sounds too good to be true but yet again, it's surprisingly decent.

It basically tastes like grape juice with a dash of All Spice mixed in or something. Nate had a glass of the real thing and I had my pretend vino, and because my sense of smell is still superhuman I could smell the alcohol in his glass and it made mine all the more satisfying.

But back to the baby...
Little avocado is still moving around and I'm getting better at noticing it. It still feels like a light tapping sensation and I really only feel it when I'm staying still but holy cow, what an awesome feeling. We get to hear the heartbeat again on Tuesday at our 16 week appointment and I can't wait for a little musical affirmation that all is still well.

Also have to do the dreaded Quad Screen blood test but I'm trying not to think too much about that one. And I wonder if I've gained more than my measly one pound from my 12 week appointment. All of my regular pants still fit and I'm not even unbuttoning them yet, although at the end of the day some of them feel a little snug. I know everyone is different with when they show and switch to Bella Bands or maternity pants, but it just seems odd that my body hasn't completely morphed into full-blown pregnant lady yet. I'm thinking that my regular running three times per week might help but who knows.

Baby can hear this week which is fabulous because that means I'll probably start talking to my own abdomen in a high pitched baby voice. So annoying, I know, but come on....he can hear his momma!

So that's life at 16 weeks. A semi-belly, cribs, and fake wine.

{As a side note, does anyone actually read these weekly posts? I know I still have readers but these posts in particular lead to very few comments. I don't write posts just to get comments but if they are totally boring for the general public I can just send them right to my album and skip the blog posting. I'm sure Mom and Memaw would be the main objectors to that idea but just throwing it out there. I always have more random stuff to talk about anyway}