20 weeks -- Halfway There!

Well Tropical Storm Debby -- you stink! I've been cooped up inside thanks to you. Luckily, we made it out last night to see a movie in Universal's City Walk, trudging through deep puddles and all. But today, the rain, wind, and non-stop tornado alerts have kept me hanging inside with the pup. I even thought about heading to S. Florida today, but my better judgement kept me off the roads. Being that the state of Florida has been declared a state of emergency at the present time, that was probably a smart decision! Maybe tomorrow?

But on a better note, whoaaaa -- we're halfway there!!! In just under 20 weeks, we will be welcoming our baby girl into the world. And lucky for her, we finally found a house in Warner Robins that we will be moving into in 2 weeks. Whew, that was a tough one! Here she is:

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And now for the halfway-there update!

20 weeks

• How far along?: 20 weeks, 4 days
• Baby is the size of a: Banana
• Total weight gain/loss: Finally brought the scale in... +11 lbs..eeesh!
• The Bump: Haven't noticed much of a change from last week, but who knows.
• Symptoms: Same ol' random shooting pains. Makes me jump once in a while, but nothin' I can't handle!
• Food Cravings: Nothing in particular, but I have been hungrier than usual.
• Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope.
• Sleep: Finally got a body pillow so I can sleep a bit comfier....I'm supposed to sleep on my side and I've alwaysss been a belly sleeper. The pillow has helped me stay on my side more ;) And it reminds me of that movie 'The Back-up Plan' where she was obsessed with her maternity pillow!
• What I miss: Not a whole lot right now!
• Weddings Rings On or Off: On
• Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes, actually, this came very easy for us contrary to what everyone told us about picking out names...but you'll just have to wait ;)
• Gender: Baby Barr is a girl! :)
• Movement: Still feeling the same wiggles and tumbles here and there..ready for more!
• Maternity Clothes: I've still been sticking to my jeans..I like them so much better than the maternity ones...those ones get saggy on me and who likes that?!
• Labor Signs: N/A
• Best Moment of the Week: Feeling baby girl and hearing her heart beating away on the doppler.
  
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Stronger kicks! I may regret saying that one day..?!

Ocean City, NJ

It's his 'happy place' - that husband of mine. Passed down through multiple generations, this home has been a gathering place for the Barr family for over 70 years. Of course the family has grown, expanded, and changed throughout the generations, so it's fun to imagine all the laughter, joy, and special moments this home has bottled up for the Barr's, and will continue to for generations to come.



My father-in-law can point out all the things he did as a kid at the shore and remembers the special moments spent with his grandmother there, just as my husband does. Gosh those 2 remind me of each other more and more as the years go by! J gets giddy here -- and for him, that's a big deal. The memories he has of summers growing up in the quaint town will forever keep him tied to it. He cannot wait for his children to gain the same fond memories and start to appreciate all the little joys that Ocean City has to offer....and oh goodness, if our children do not like Hamburger Construction Company, he might just leave them stranded on the side of the boardwalk somewhere. So let's hope for the best on that one :)



We just smile when we talk about Ocean City, and double check calendars and schedules to see the next time we can possibly get back there. It's just simple times in OC. Nothing to worry about, except maybe what we're going to eat for dinner. Boardwalk bike rides, more mini golf than one should ever play in one week, nostalgic treats, and family memories are what comes to mind when you think 'Ocean City.' You can look around and probably point out the families who have been coming since childhood. The ones who bring their kids years after being a kid themselves on that very boardwalk. It's special -- and yes, it's a happy place, especially J's!





It'll surely make you feel like a kid again -- and if you know me, you know I sure do love that! Like I said before, no fist pumping on this part of the Jersey Shore...so let's fist pump to that :)







Beautiful sights, historic homes and buildings, and family times -- well, I'll let the photos speak for themselves :)

Oyster shooters.........yuck!

The rest of Ocean City...beautiful!

And until next time OC, stay happy!

19 weeks + our first anniversary!

I'm certainly pushing it with these posts, as I've waited until 19 weeks, 6 days to post this :) Maybe the 20 week update will come a little sooner? That just goes to show I've been keeping busy!

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19 weeks

• How far along?: 19 weeks, 6 days
  
• Baby is the size of a: Mango
  
• Total weight gain/loss: Not sure..we didn't bring the scale into the hotel!
  
• The Bump: It's showing a little more for sure. The other day we were walking around the outlets and it was the first time I noticed people take a glimpse of my stomach.
  
• Symptoms: Same as last week...some round ligament pain that shoots a little.
  
• Food Cravings: Well, it seems I'm obsessed with BLT's lately! Any time I see it on the menu, I get it. Yummy :)
  
• Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope.
  
• Sleep: Sleeping good! Took a midday nap on Saturday -- those are great :)
  
• What I miss: An ice cold beer on the Disney Boardwalk at sunset would have been yummy...J asked me to hold his beer while he took a picture, and it just seemed so natural to take a sip..but I didn't!
  
• Weddings Rings On or Off: On
• Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes, actually, this came very easy for us contrary to what everyone told us about picking out names...but you'll just have to wait ;)
• Gender: Baby Barr is a girl! :)
  
• Movement: Feeling little wiggles over the past couple days! So exciting!
  
• Maternity Clothes: Just a few things here and there...I can still wear my jeans when I rock the unbuttoned look. I've wanted to buy one of those belly bands to put around my jeans, but I'm holding out a few more weeks til I can just take my sister's ;) Please..?! Oh and I've been liking dresses lately which make it easy.
  
• Labor Signs: N/A
• Best Moment of the Week: Feeling little wiggles in my belly! And seeing family, dinner with Christina & Spencer, and celebrating our first anniversary in the Disney resort area :)
  
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: More baby movement!
  

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We spent the past weekend in the Tampa/Tarpon Springs area with my mom and grandma. It was great to just relax and enjoy family time, each other time, and soak up some sun and fun while celebrating one year since we said "I do!"

Once we ventured back to Orlando, we spent June 18, 2012 -- exactly one year after exchanging vows -- at Disney's Boardwalk, which was just the relaxing type of night we were looking for!

Crap..does this mean we are not "newlyweds" anymore? Aw..

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I honestly can't believe how quickly this past year has gone by. I feel like it was just yesterday where I woke up to begin getting ready for our "big day!" Standing up on the altar with my then-almost husband was one of the best moments of my life, probably even 'the best.' I don't know if I'll ever feel those wonderfully indescribable feelings that I felt at that moment again -- while exchanging vows and such an intimate moment in front of all of those we care about -- but I know I wake up happy every day being married to my best friend and love :) And that's enough to get me by each and every day. I sure am thankful for all that this past year has brought us, and am excited to take each moment one day at a time while spending the rest of our years together. Cheers to one year since this amazing day!

We certainly didn't take the 'nice' route here -- so typical of us. I got smashed in the face not once, but twice! Lucky I love you :)

Here's to many more, my love!

18 weeks

Well, sorry about skipping week 17, but Baby Barr and myself were taking a nice, relaxing vacation before a not-so-nice, stressful move ;) We hopped on the plane, alongside Carly, and jetted to Ocean City, New Jersey. Yes, it's the Jersey Shore, and NO it is nothing like the show you've seen! No drinking or fist-pumping here, folks. It's considered America's Greatest Family Resort. So of course, J and I are thrilled about being able to take our growing family there next time. J met us in OC for the last 3 days we were there, after finishing his 2 board exams. HALLELUJAH...Step 1 of the boards are dunzo! The trip was wonderful and just what we needed. Morning bike rides on the boardwalk, tons of mini golf, delicious treats, days spent on the beach, a trip to Atlantic City to win a little moolah, and so much more! Baby girl's mommy and daddy even bought her her first piece of clothing -- an Ocean City dress :)

Coming home was the hard part. Not just because that signaled the end of a vacation, but because that meant packing up our entire house into a POD sitting in our driveway, cleaning the whole house, and heading out for a long drive. Moving s.u.c.k.s! And who knew we had so much crap? Now, we are living in an extended stay for a month in Orlando-- J, myself + baby B, and Grizz -- a whole month to get even closer in our lil studio! This whole med school thing is quite the adventure, and this is just another part of that little adventure. We'll sure have tons of memories. J had his first day in the hospital yesterday and after dressing up and walking out the door with his doctor bag and white coat, his wife, baby, and pup were proud proud people!

More on the vacation and move in other posts, though :) But before moving on to our 18 week update, let me say a big fat thank you to brotha Bill, Brian, Ugo, Randy, Dave, and Charanjeet for being big strong men and helping us get all our big crap out of the house! And a big fat thank you to Carly for helping me clean and pack and everything else that, without your help, I think we would have taken an entire extra day to move! Our GA friends are amazingggg - plain and simple! Thank you, thank you, thank you! And Happy Birthday (yesterday) mother!

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18 weeks!

Sorry for the lack of chalkboard picture -- moving takes up a crapload of time! 19 week chalkboard drawing and picture to come in a few days :)

• How far along?: 18 weeks, 5 days
  
• Baby is the size of a: Sweet Potato
  
• Total weight gain/loss: +7 give or take a few..?
  
• The Bump: I'm still at that 'in between' stage of "hmm..is that girl pregnant or is she just fat?" But it is growing and hardening.
  
• Symptoms: Little bit of round ligament pain that shoots ..other than that none really.
  
• Food Cravings: I guess nothing really...and that's pretty boring to my husband! He's wanting me to have cravings...most likely just so he can eat whatever it is I want too ;)
  
• Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope. Felt nauseous after leaving the doctor's the other day..not sure if it was due to the blood work or what..but I was good after that!
  
• Sleep: Well I haven't been as tired as I was around 15-16 weeks, and I've definitely been able to sleep in more unlike the days I was waking up at 4:30 often..but I think that's just because I've been so busy and on the go lately.
  
• What I miss: Nothing really
  
• Weddings Rings On or Off: On
• Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes, actually, this came very easy for us contrary to what everyone told us about picking out names...but you'll just have to wait ;)
• Gender: Baby Barr is a girl! :)
  
• Movement: I'm not quite sure on this one! Sometimes I think I feel some faint 'pokes' or something..but I can't be too sure...
  
• Maternity Clothes: Wearing mostly regular clothes still. I'm noticing my shirts becoming shorter and shorter. And tighter and tighter. I have worn a few maternity clothes..they're comfier than they look that's for sure!
  
• Labor Signs: None.
• Best Moment of the Week: Had the "big" ultrasound that isn't supposed to take place until 20 weeks. We had it a little early due to the move, but it is always amazing seeing her on the screen. She gets bigger and bigger every time and it excites us more and more every time! She was waving those arms like crazy :)
  
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Feeling baby girl move lots :) And for Daddy to feel her too! And another thing I am excited about...J is now in the hospital from about 8-5, but when he comes home, he doesn't have to study!!! It was cuh-razy spending the evening with him last night and eating dinner and relaxing...how normal!

And I'll leave you with a special picture of baby girl :)