Pearls and Perfection Problems: April 2017

How far along? 26 weeks

Baby size: Lettuce, 1.68 lb, 14.02 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: I went to the doctor this past Tuesday and have gained 14 pounds!!
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been pretty good. I have been waking a lot during the night to switch from left side to right side or to back, but I typically fall back to sleep easily. The dreams are still CRAZY and many are down right scary!! I had a nightmare that I was murdered in Anderson, SC one night last week... guess I've seen too much on the news from there!!
Best moment this week: We had a wonderful Easter with our families and at church!! Friday before Easter we had an egg hunt at our church, and Emersyn had a great time playing with her friends!! Saturday we did Easter at my parents since we knew Sunday was already crazy full. We had steaks and Emersyn dyed Easter eggs and hid them there. Sunday we went to church and after Sunday School had church nursery so we were able to see Emersyn and her "little mama" self trying to take care of all the babies. Then, we had lunch at my dad's parents (Jones side) and then left at 3pm to go to Daniel's parents'.
Tuesday, I had my glucose test and passed!! Yay!! My glucose level was 107 and needed to be under 140. I also had a lot of other blood work done (thyroid, RH-, etc) which all came back normal as well. Since I am O- blood type, I will have to get a shot at 28 weeks. My next appointment will be May 10th, and we will have the growth ultrasound. At this appointment, they are also going to check to see if the cyst on baby's brain is gone or not. If it is not, we will have to return to Maternal Fetal Medicine at 32 weeks.
Miss Anything? Besides the normal pregnancy stuff, I am doing tons better so it is hard to complain. I am looking forward to losing weight after baby though!!
Movement: A lot!! He is flipping and flopping now!! Especially if I am still or laying down. I can also tell he flips more after certain foods that I have eaten, and he did especially while I was sitting that hour after drinking the orange drink for the glucose tests. SUGAR HIGH :)
Food cravings: Oranges, cereal with strawberries, wraps, chicken salad, still loving pizza, and had a really great sweet potato one night for dinner this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Casseroles were not appealing to me at Easter meals, and I can turn down a chocolate dessert in a minute. My grandma's hot fudge cake is one of my favorites normally, but I didn't even have a bite this Easter Sunday.
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: It's a BOY!! And we have decided on his name: Brayden August McDowell. Brayden is simply a name we like and August is Daniel's middle name, his dad's middle name, and his grandpa's first name.
Symptoms: Heavy calves at night, heartburn (especially after eating steak Friday night), not able to sit or lay in same position long, braxton hicks contractions, and the numbness has returned again... I had it with Emersyn too, right beneath where my rib cage comes together (under where my bra sits) I go completely numb and it feels somewhat like when your foot falls asleep. I guess it's just the pressure. It is the worst when I am having to sit up in a chair for a long period of time or driving a long distance.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Daniel and I are planning a weekend get away just the two of us next weekend!! We have not left Emersyn, EVER to go out of town so I am excited and nervous at the same time. It is just for two nights, so I am sure she will do fine. She has spent the night away multiple times with both sets of her grandparents and never had a problem.

Easter Egg Hunt at Church

Sweet friends, Emersyn and Abigail

Running to find the eggs!

Seeing what's inside!!

Emersyn LOVED the jumpy houses and slides

Easter at Mimi and Pappy's Saturday

Dying eggs :)

Uncle Clay showing her how to pour the water in the cups

She did a great job being super careful with the eggs!! Out of 12 only one cracked :)

Taking a ride with Pappy and Uncle Clay

All done!! Her favorite were the purple eggs!!

Time to hide!! Daniel hid them first for her to find. Then she wanted to hide them for us to find. Once she hid them, she held our hands to show us where they were ;) She couldn't wait for us to find them on our own!!

The Easter Bunny visited Mimi and Pappy's and brought Emersyn some of her favorite things (and mommy's favorites too: diapers/wipes). She got oranges, avocados, animal crackers, trail mix, veggie straws, and Chick Fil A gift cards.

Easter Morning