Ah, classic TV...

I have loved (no pun intended) "I Love Lucy" since I was a teenager through the magic of reruns. This has to be one of my favorite clips from the show, but now it makes me cry! Such a great moment from a great era in television!

Next to diamonds, these make the best rings...

17 weeks: Baby is the size of an onion

Your baby measures up to an onion, now, and weighs 5.9 ounces
(Length 5.1 inches, head to bottom)

What a busy week! We spent time with family, enjoyed TWO Thanksgiving feasts, hit the Black Friday sales, and went to a wedding. If that wasn't enough, Josh started painting the den when we got home. It looks great and after a second coat will be ready for the furniture. Tomorrow, we begin transforming the rest of the house into a winter wonderland!

We also received a late Thanksgiving surprise today. We received the last of the screening results and everything looks great! We are so pleased that so far Baby Banks is healthy and doing well! Phew!

Time for guacamole!

16 weeks: Baby is the size of an avocado

Your baby measures up to an avocado, now, and weighs 3 1/2 ounces.

(Length: 4 1/2 inches, head to bottom.)

Today we had our 16 week appointment. Everything is moving right along as it should be! Our next appointment will be when I reach 20 weeks and will include an ultra sound. It will also be when we can find out if Baby Banks is diva or divo as Auntie Carrie puts it. It's a big decision and I always thought I wanted to be surprised in the delivery room. But, Papa Josh really wants to find out! I'll admit I too am getting a little tired of only yellow and green options. I have also heard stories about people being told one thing and then *surprise* it's not what they were expecting! Although, Baby Banks will need to cooperate during the ultra sound in order for the nurse to tell. Knowing our child, he/she will probably decide it's funny to moon the camera again!

Black leggings, you may just be my new BFF

A very wise fashionista once told me, "If you wore the trend the first around, you shouldn't wear it the second time." This is usually very true. However, leggings are just too comfortable to pass up this time around! Along with a pair of flats, I feel as though I'm in PJs and slippers. It truly is the little things. :-)

On another note, I expected that when I got pregnant my waist would expand (hence my new found love of leggings). I was unaware that Baby Banks (even at 15 weeks) would start pushing up on my diaphragm. I find myself getting winded when going through my reports! Josh would probably be the first to tell you that I talk a lot, but at work I'm simply being thorough. :-)

A is for Apple

15 weeks: Baby is the size of an apple

Your baby has grown to the size of an apple and weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. (Length: 4 inches, head to bottom.)

This weekend we started clearing out our office and the "X-Box room" (Josh's man cave). The office will become the nursery and the X-Box room is being revamped into more of a den/office. Well, we are making progress! We filled the back of the car with donations for the Jillian Center, purchased paint for the den, picked up a new desk for the den and have started picking out bedding and accessories for the nursery. No pics yet because too many things are still in process! But we are designing the nursery to be gender neutral at this point as we don't know if are expecting a little lady or a gentleman. Josh is anxious to start painting (a first as he HATES to paint!), put in the new flooring, and add all the new wood trim. This pack rat has to stay motivated to make room for Baby Banks!

Time for Lemonade!

14 weeks: Baby is the size of a lemon

Your baby, now as long as a lemon, weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. (Length: 3 1/2 inches, head to bottom.)

I have officially reached my second trimester! So, perhaps horizontal stripes were not my best fashion choice this morning. Baby Banks is bumping out! Most of the time, Josh and I are the only ones who can really tell that I actually look a little bit pregnant and that I'm not just slacking off at the gym. Thanks to Grammy Banks and Grandma Szafarczyk, I have some very fashionable maternity clothes to grow into. BUT, it's still a little jarring to wake up and have your pants be so snug! The logical part of my brain knows this is a GOOD thing and this is what is supposed to happen. However, the vain part of me is still having a little trouble coming around!

4 weeks

14 weeks

One Month From Today...

I will be seeing Michael Buble again! I am a lucky, lucky girl! Josh was kind enough to sit through the first two shows. But luckily for him, my mom volunteered to get tickets for she and I to see MB when he comes to Chicago. Who could say no to that?!?

Interestingly enough, I should be able to feel Bank Banks move sometime between 16 and 22 weeks. At the time of the concert I will be nearly 18 weeks along. Could the excitement of hearing "Haven't Met You Yet" live inspire Baby Banks to bust a move? It's not like Baby Banks doesn't already hear that song on a pretty frequent basis, but how neat would that be????

I normally avoid shellfish...

13 weeks: Baby is the size of a medium shrimp

Your baby has reached the size of a medium shrimp and weighs nearly an ounce. (Length: almost 3 inches, head to bottom.)

Most people know that I am HIGHLY allergic to shrimp and other shellfish. But so far, this shrimp is just making me really tired and causing my lower back to ache. Although, all of my mommy friends keep assuring me that I should be feeling much more energetic in the next few weeks. :-)