Baby Bump: 21 Weeks!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

2013 has been quite a year for me -- sometimes I wonder if I'll ever have another year where so much changed so quickly. It hasn't always been easy, but everything I've done this year has been with an eye towards improving the quality of the rest of my life, and I have to remember that if I just keep working hard and plugging away, it will all come together eventually!

Obviously the baby is the biggest change, but my job is a huge one too! I'm closing out the year with some really solid cases, and so far, I am honestly just *loving* having my own law practice. It was incredibly intimidating and terrifying to take the plunge, but the end of this year has gone really well, and I know that 2014 is going to be even better. It's definitely a lot of work, but I'm so incredibly excited about it that it hardly feels that way.

What else? The baby is doing great (I have an ultrasound today, so fingers crossed it goes well!) and kicking up a storm. Him kicking is probably one of the coolest things I've ever felt -- it makes him seem so much more real! There's still a long way to go, but it really does feel so different now than it did just a few months ago. I can't wait to meet him!

And a quick word on this outfit: It's getting a little chilly in Houston, so I've been breaking out my cold-weather accessories whenever I can! This hat is from Mark. and I'm OBSESSED WITH IT -- so soft and comfy and totally adorable! It also has a matching scarf and gloves, which you'll be seeing on Sugarlaws soon!

{Scroll down for my 21-Week Update!}

How far along? 21 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds still. My weight gain seemed to slow a bit in the last few weeks, after being pretty high early on!

Maternity clothes? Just pants. I actually ordered an AWESOME pair of jeans from the H&M maternity line -- $25 and the material is super soft and comfy, and the fit is great! they've already become my go-to pair (over the prior pair from ASOS).

Stretch marks? Nope. Still using stretch mark oil every other day or so.

Symptoms: I'm just sort of generally achy. As I was washing my face this morning, I asked Chad, "Why doesn't anyone tell you that pregnancy hurts?" It doesn't always feel great to have pressure on all your internal organs all the time!

Sleep: I go back and forth on this. I've always had trouble sleeping, so I generally think that my pregnancy sleep has been better than my non-pregnant sleep. First trimester, for sure -- what other people describe as "crippling exhaustion" basically just took me out of the boundaries of "chronic insomnia." It was amazing! I'd fall asleep at 10:30 or so and sleep till 8am. Now that the first trimester is over, I have trouble falling asleep again, but I can usually squeeze in about 7 or 8 hours, which is still a big improvement from my non-pregnancy sleep.

Best moment this week: Chad was upstairs without me on Friday, and when he came downstairs, he goes: "I just looked into the nursery... you did a really good job with it. It looks great." I glowed! (I can't wait for you guys to see it!)

Worst moment of the week: Ugh, you guys. Rambo peed IN OUR BED. Gross. I spent the next 7 hours washing our sheets, comforters, mattress pad... ugh.

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Wine, lol. I'm pretty used to not drinking at this point, but I miss it at holiday parties! Oh well -- next year!

Movement: Lots!

Food cravings: Pomegranate, Egg McMuffins.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: Ha -- so now, people are starting to actually tell me that I'm showing. I think our friends thought I was a little crazy when I kept saying I was "showing" at 13 weeks because my stomach wasn't completely flat. But oh well!

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Having my family in town for Christmas, STARTING TODAY!!!