{preview: maternity pics}

And now, without further adieu... a couple of our maternity pics! There are more, but they are a bit too... revealing... to share online. Hehe.

Thanks to Karen from The Legacy Boutique  in Los Angeles for making me feel so beautiful and both of us so comfortable.

Enjoy!

{kisses at the santa monica pier}

{dear little one}

V,

I just realized that we only have 15 days left until your due date, V. Wow! <3 While your dad and I still have some minor things to do in preparation for your arrival, I'd say we are totally ready for you to come whenever you are.

Throughout the day, your dad asks me, "Are you going to have a baby today?" Ahh, how nice it would be to know the answer to that question! I've been having lots of practice surges, but nothing timeable. Not yet at least! We're all so excited to meet you this month. Yesss, it's finally July- your birth month. We still can't believe it.

It's such a gorgeous day today. Early this morning, your dad and I met with our doula, the amazing Dawn Thompson.  Afterward, Dad ran to work, I made lunch, and then I took the dog, Sky, for a walk through the neighborhood. Now, as I type this letter to you, your cloth diapers are in the washing machine. I finally started prepping them today, which involves washing & drying them five times in hot water. Why five times, you ask? Each cycle increases their absorbency. Muy importante! You are going to look soooo cute in all of your fluffy little purple, green, pink, and orange diapers.

Wellll, I've got about 30 minutes before the laundry needs rotating, so I think I'm going to lay down in the hammock for a little nap. It's one of those warm, summery, nap-in-a-hammock kind of days. Who am I to argue with Mother Nature? ;)

See you soon, precious...
Mom

PS: One of our family traditions is taking photos in the photo booths at the Del Mar Fair every year. You {ok- more like the belly,} made your first appearance in our annual photo booth picture on Tuesday. Pretty cute, right? :P

{30 weeks}

Happy Mother's Day, mommies and mommies-to-be!

Evan & I are about to grab some yummy brunch, but first, a new belly pic. Here I am on my first ever Mother's Day- 30 weeks, 2 days pregnant with our sweet little girl.

Ok, I gotta go get some pancakes in this belly STAT. :P

{two weeks in a row}

I'm such a bad mom! It just dawned on me that Evan & I have forgotten to take belly pics TWO WEEKS in a row. Oops. Other than "pregnancy brain," I'd like to plead "bad colitis flare-up," and "severe exhaustion." Not sure what Evan's excuse is. Wink, wink.

Luckily, I snapped a cute picture of the belly on the first day of my third trimester- 26 weeks, 6 days. Enjoy!

{kimono courtesy of the tokyo hilton, hehe}

{23 weeks, 5 days}

Alrighty folks, the time has finally come... We're leaving for Japan tomorrow!! Here's a random belly pic and survey since I won't be posting between now and then. Take care of yourselves, and Happy Easter. I'll be sure to post lots of pics when we get back. :o)

{the tattooed side of my belly- my gorgeous geisha ♥}

How far along? 23 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: 9 lbs

Sleep: Mostly good, with at least 2 bathroom breaks

Best moment this week: We are leaving for Japan tomorrow, crazy!

Movement: We can see your kicks from the outside now. So cool.

Food cravings: Can't think of anything, but I'm really looking forward to some fresh sushi!

Gender: Girl :)

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Eggs over medium

What I am looking forward to: Japan! Cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji and sushi and temples. Can't wait.

Weekly Wisdom: Procrastination is a bad habit.

Milestones: Got my first two random belly rubs this week. Guess I'm officially showing now!

{22 weeks}

According the The Bump, our little one is approximately the size of a papaya for the entire 5th month- weeks 22-24. I've also read that she is the size of a spaghetti squash right now, which sounds HUGE!

Your Baby: Month 5

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

Here's a little more info from Baby Center:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Woah, where did that belly come from?! :o)

How far along? 22 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 7ish lbs.

Sleep: Lots of trips to the bathroom. Blah.

Best moment this week: We put the crib together! :o)

Movement: Your kicks are getting STRONG, baby. I love it.

Food cravings: Hmm. None that I can think of.

Gender: Girl.

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: The occasional coffee.

What I am looking forward to: Definitely Japan. We leave in less than two weeks. Crazy.

Weekly Wisdom: Smile.

Milestones: My belly is definitely getting bigger {although most people are shocked to hear I'm almost 6 months pregnant!}

{21 weeks}

Our little chiquita banana ♥

{as of 3/6, your hr was 137bpm, you weighed 14.5 ounces, & you were about 12 inches long!}

Your Baby: Week 21

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

{all those cute marks on my belly are from falling asleep
on the couch during "big love." oops!}

How far along? 21 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 7ish lbs.

Sleep: Better now that I'm sleeping with a pillow between my knees

Best moment this week: Big ultrasound Saturday... so amazing! Saw you yawn for the 1st time.

Movement: Lots. Auntie Michelle felt you kick at the theater {we saw Alice in Wonderland.}

Food cravings: Sour gummy worms.

Gender: Surprise, you are a GIRL!!!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Soy chai tea lattes

What I am looking forward to: We leave for Japan in 2.5 weeks!

Weekly Wisdom: Expect the unexpected :o)

Milestones: Found out that you are a beautiful little girl, saw you yawn for the first time, and started researching chastity belts :P

{20 weeks down, 20 to go!}

Aww, our little cantaloupe. You're getting big, baby! ♥

Your Baby: Week 20

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

How far along? 20 1/2 weeks {halfway, woohoo!}

Total weight gain/loss: 6ish lbs.

Sleep: Pretty well, aside from the bathroom trips.

Best moment this week: Daddy felt you kick!

Movement: Little one is pretty active these days. I think he was Kung Fu fighting last night.

Food cravings: Boba tea.

Gender: Boy :o)

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Coca cola. Mmm.

What I am looking forward to: Our "big ultrasound" is on Saturday! Can't wait to see Baby Sanchez again.

Weekly Wisdom: Do what you love every day. Life is short. {RIP Grandpa Walter}

Milestones: Daddy felt you kick for the first time! Huge milestone!

{xo, danielle}

{19 weeks}

Love you, little mango...

Your Baby: Week 19

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

{with a mildly irritated Dexter, hehe}

How far along? 19 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 7ish lbs, but that's after a week of terrible constipation. Fun fun.

Maternity clothes? Here and there.

Sleep: Either really well or not at all. Meh.

Best moment this week: Made a lot of progress on the nursery this weekend. Yay! Thankful for my very motivated baby daddy.

Movement: Little one is pretty active these days.

Food cravings: Frozen yogurt with granola, fresh fruit, and mochi from Froyo Love in San Marcos. Yummm.

Gender: Boy :o)

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Some of my favorite jammy pants are getting uncomfortable tight. Boo.

What I am looking forward to: The crib should be delivered this week, yay!

Weekly Wisdom: Drink more water.

Milestones: Found out a very special friend is expecting. So excited to share this experience with her. ♥

**Wait, so you're telling me our little munchkin is going to be as big as a CANTELOPE by FRIDAY?! Craziness.

{18 weeks}

{that is a sweet potato, just in case you were wondering. ha!}

Your Baby: Week 18

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

How far along? 18 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 6 lbs. So bloated, arg.

Maternity clothes? Finally bought some maternity jeans, loving them.

Sleep: Not bad.

Best moment this week: Amazing Valentine's Day with Evan. Love that man.

Movement: Lots of kicking! Baby's doing Riverdance up in there.

Food cravings: Donuts

Gender: Dr. Biter says "boy." :o)

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Sashimi, mmm.

What I am looking forward to: Japan in 5 weeks. Cannot wait.

Weekly Wisdom: Just because pants still fit doesn't mean you should wear them anymore. Hehe.

Milestones: Less than 150 days! We're halfway there. Crazy.

{17 weeks}

Oh baby, you're finally the size of an onion. {One of your father's favorite and my least favorite foods!} I still love you though, too much. ♥

Your Baby: Week 17

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

How far along? 17 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Still hovering at 5 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Not yet, although none of my clothes are all the comfy anymore.

Sleep: Can't complain.

Best moment this week: Saw our little one on Friday, and found out my mom didn't get stretch marks from either of her pregnancies. Good news!

Movement: Definitely feeling little flicks each night.

Food cravings: Nope.

Gender: Dr. Biter says "boy." :o)

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Pretty content right now, although a nice hike up Bernardo Mtn. would be nice.

What I am looking forward to: Making more progress on the nursery.

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy every moment. Time is flying by.

Milestones: My mom got to see her grandson. That was a very special day. ♥ And my belly is popping out. Trip out.

Baby's most recent picture, taken on Friday, February 5th:

{you look so comfy in there, little one!}

{16 weeks, already?}

Time flies when you're having fun!

Your Baby: Week 16

Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

How I feel...

How far along? 16 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Still hovering at 5 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Not yet...

Sleep: Slept through the night two nights in a row! Craziness.

Best moment this week: We painted the nursery last night! ♥

Movement: I think so, but i'm not sure.

Food cravings: Hmm... not really.

Gender: We should know for sure Friday :o)

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Soy chai tea lattes.

What I am looking forward to: Mom's visit.

Weekly Wisdom: Second trimester is great. I'm thoroughly enjoying things.

Milestones: We painted the nursery, I'm feeling twinges of movement, and the belly is starting to pop out. Woohoo!

My baby kitty, Dexter ♥

{peep those scary talons! yikes.}

{xo, danielle}

{14 weeks}

How far along? 14 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 5 lbs. {I'm down 2 lbs from last month!}

Maternity clothes? Things are getting tiggght.

Sleep: Waking up a LOT.

Best moment this week: Surprise ultrasound today, yay! Hi baby!

Movement: None yet, but Evan asks EVERY day, "Has he kicked yet?!" Every day. Makes me smile.

Food cravings: None yet.

Gender: We checked again today- pretty sure there's a sticker-outer down there!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Sleeping through the night.

What I am looking forward to: Our trip to Idaho on Thursday :o)

Weekly Wisdom: Laugh hard and often.

Milestones: I'm getting my energy back, thank goodness!

{belly, belly, belly!}

As promised, here are several weeks worth of belly pics. Evan and I take them each Sunday, usually right before bed... which explains be why I look so exhausted in most of them!

I weighed myself yesterday, and I actually weigh a pound LESS than I did on December 18th, which goes to show that a lot of the "belly" you see in these pics has just been lovely first trimester bloating!

December 13th @ 10 1/2 Weeks...

December 20th @ 10 1/2 Weeks...

December 27th @ 11 1/2 Weeks...

How I feel @ 11 1/2 Weeks... HUGE!

January 3rd @ 12 1/2 Weeks...

January 10th @ 13 1/2 Weeks...

{this "belly" was gone the next morning, haha!}

{9 weeks!}

Evan thinks it's crazy that I already want to start taking belly pics, but if not now, when? In order to document the entire transformation, we have to start now! :o)

My first official {non-iPhone} belly pic: