Pregnancy Week 15

Baby Bump

Running in the cold! Yes that's frost on the grass... brrrr!! 

How far along? 15 Weeks, 6 Days


Size of the baby: A delicious orange!

For those who cannot relate to fruit:

Maternity clothes? Thanks to my awesome friend, Tina, I was introduced to the wonderful world of the Bellaband which allows you to wear any of your old pants without feeling uncomfortable!  Love. Love. Love.

Stretch marks? Nope, let's hope I have good genes and don't get too many! 
Sleep: Still struggling in the sleep arena. 
Symptoms: Low back pain, no appetite/nothing sounds appealing & round ligament pain (read about it here).
Best moment this week: Jake finally coming home from hunting AND feeling your first kicks! 
Miss Anything? Not too much this week! Starting to like this pregnancy thing a lot! 
Food cravings: Oranges.  
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing this week! 
Have you started to show yet: An itty bitty baby belly! 
Gender prediction: Still girl! Although Jake is 100% convinced it's a boy :) 
Belly Button in or out? Innie!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Feliz! 
Looking forward to: Gender reveal and visiting family next month!
New mom tips I received this week (which I love getting!): Don't buy new bouncers/entertainment toys... Used is the way to go.  Mattress on the other hand... buy new.
Favorite Pregnancy Apps: The Bump, What to Expect, & Baby Center
Still Running? Running has been feeling better and better! Again, I ran 6 of the 7 days this week (6 miles, 7 miles, 7 miles, 7 miles, 8 miles, and 5 miles!).  My pace wasn't atrociously slow either!  

Letter to Baby

Dear Baby,

You are now my sweet little orange! I'm starting to get worried you're going to pop out looking like one too because of how many oranges I've been devouring these days! You must need that Vitamin C! This week you began to grow all of the little bones in your ears, which means you're now getting used to my voice! I apologize for my awful renditions of Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and Kenny Chesney that you've been experiencing on my commute to work.  I promise their music is really quite awesome and also... my voice isn't that bad!  You also started growing a very fine hair on your body called Lanugo.  Don't worry, you won't pop out looking like a gorilla... it's just to keep you warm until your Birthday!

Your Dad finally got back from hunting this week!  It was so good to see him and he definitely noticed big changes in my belly since he was gone. You're going to love your Dad.  He is probably the funniest person you'll ever meet and although he claims he's going to be Mr. Tough Guy with kiddos... I know once he sees your twinkly little eyes he will melt into a puddle of pushover love.  You'll be very proud of him too because he got a moose that had a 61 inch rack (the antlers)! That's about 15 times bigger than you are right now! 

My favorite part of this week was feeling your kicks for the first time!  I was sitting in church last week and felt your little feet squirming about!  It felt like little butterflies in my pelvis.  Even though I've known you're in there for a few months now, it is so nice to be able to feel you move and remind me that you're growing inside me!  I can't wait until your kicks are strong enough for Dad to feel too.  Soon enough!  

We have your next prenatal appointment at 17 weeks and I'm so excited!  We'll be able to schedule the big ultrasound that will tell us if you're a boy or girl.  Dad's convinced your a boy (of course!) and I'm pretty sure you're a girl.  Either way, we will be thrilled and give you more love than you'll probably be able to handle.  I hope you like snuggling.  :)  Until next week!

Love, Mom

My First Two Patients!

I saw two patients today ON MY OWN.

So. Awesome.

So. Scary.

I know that's approximately 1/7 of what I'll normally see on a given day, but believe me, it was exciting to finally be able to see my own patients!  It turns out credentialing (the process of insurance companies approving payment of my medical services) takes FOREVER, so there are only a few insurances that will reimburse me for the time being.  Hopefully paperwork will go through next week!

They say you'll never forget the first patient you see as a licensed provider!  Luckily it was something simple like carpal tunnel syndrome.  The second patient... not as simple.  But that's what medicine is all about!  Especially family practice when you can see a cough and the next patient walks in with something like an abdominal mass.

All the time in California spent with my nose in a textbook, all of those hours sleep I lost to cram for finals, all of the challenging rotations I had, all of the months away from my loving hubby and amazing friends & family... all of it was worth it.  I love being a PA.
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Alaska has quickly evolved into my favorite season of the year.  Fall.

Crisp mornings, cool breeze, yellow and orange leaves falling from the trees, the smell of frost covering the ground, the sight of snow creeping down the mountains... my favorite parts of the season!  The only part I don't like about fall is that it means winter is right around the corner.  They are predicting rain mixed with snow next week and that scares me.  But for now... I'm going to savor the beautiful season and hope it lasts a few weeks longer!

And although this has nothing to do with fall, I had to brag and show off a picture of Jake's moose!  I could never kill a beautiful bullwinkle moose, but I'm proud of my hubby who did and will fill our freezer with food for the winter! 

Such a Stud.

My Day in Numbers

3 times I teared up during A Baby Story while running on the treadmill at 5AM this morning.  (Note to self: don't watch A Baby Story while running.  Or while in public.  It makes for a very interesting spectacle.)

2 people that asked if I was okay while the above happened.

60 minute text message conversation with my bestest friend who lives in France.  This is a common daily occurrence and usually happens twice daily when she's waking up (and I'm going to bed) and when she's going to bed (and I'm waking up).

3 oranges eaten by this girl in one sitting.  Oranges are really the only thing that sounds good these days! However, I've discovered I only like them when they're ice cold.  Warm oranges are gross.  I won't drink orange juice either.  Strange.

3 times I went pee during my run this morning.  Thank goodness for bathrooms- the road runs are getting harder and harder and all of my routes are now mapped to pass parks with outhouses every two miles or so.

34,893 kisses from the cutest puppy in the world.  I just can't get enough of this little guy.

4 commercials advertised during my 70 minute run for an awesome new show on TLC that will really help the impression of Alaskans since Sarah Palin (insert sarcasm here).

The show:



Wow, TV keeps getting better and better!

10 hours worked at my new job which I LOVE!  Not seeing patients yet but hopefully credentialing will be done soon and I'll be able to treat patients!

60 inch moose (the antlers!) that my amazing, resourceful hubby got on his moose hunt (for all of you who are curious... that's huge!  And yes, we eat the moose meat!)

39 hours until I see my hubby again!  CANNOT WAIT.  How did we ever survive 2 years apart?  These past 2 weeks apart have been unbearable!  It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it (and when it's the only option there is!)


I hope you all had a great day!

Pregnancy Week 14

Baby Bump

How far along? 14 Weeks, 5 Days


Size of the baby: A Lemon

For those who cannot relate to fruit:

Maternity clothes? Yes and no.  Still fit into my skinny jeans (with a hair tie to close it!) but I also whipped out the maternity jeans this week for comfort.

Stretch marks? Nope, but lots of stretching happening!

Sleep: I had a lot of trouble sleeping this week, but luckily my energy was pretty good!
Symptoms: MORE nosebleeds, peeing every two seconds, and no appetite.

Best moment this week: Having someone tell me I was glowing and ask when I am due :)  

Miss Anything? Running more than one mile without needing to use the bathroom.

Food cravings: Lemonade, oranges and grapes.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not queasy this week, but I could NOT find anything that sounded good (except for the things above).  I literally stand in front of the fridge for 5 minutes hoping something will call out my name.   I hope that goes away soon....
Have you started to show yet: I think so!  Feeling a belly this week for sure!

Gender prediction: Part of me wonders if it's a boy now.  But more of me thinks it's a girl :)

Belly Button in or out? Innie!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but emotional. Anything baby related tears me up. Silly hormones.

Looking forward to: Seeing baby daddy in a few days!  He's been away hunting for two weeks and it's been very lonely!

Still Running? Another week of great running!  I ran 6 of the 7 days (6.5 miles, 7 miles, 7 miles, 7 miles, 6.5 miles, and 5 miles!).  I went on a great hike and did weights a few times also.  Love the second trimester energy.

Letter to Baby

Dear Baby,

You are now the size of a lemon and ironically I craved a lot of lemonade this week! It's so amazing to see how much you develop every day. You are now frowning, grimacing, squinting, and even sucking your thumb. Start practicing your best smiles because in a few weeks we're having another ultrasound and I expect a big cheesy grin :)  

This week was very busy because it was my last week before I start working! Your momma (me) is a Physician Assistant- someone who gets to help take care of people and I start my first job as a certified PA this week!  Your daddio is a Fireman and Paramedic.  He is the bravest, most caring person you will ever meet.  I hope you turn out just like him.  

Speaking of Daddio, he's been away hunting for moose for the past two weeks, so it's been awfully quiet!  Luckily your big brother, Diego, has been keeping me very busy and keeps me on my toes.  You're going to love him and I know he will love you tons too. I also have a feeling he will love licking your little cheeks.  

I was thinking this week about who you're going to look like and who's personality traits you'll have.  Will you have your dad's amazing green eyes, his thick hair, his love of naps (please inherit this!), his profound love of tacos, or his incredible work ethic?  Or will you have my Italian skin, my dark brown eyes, my curly hair (I hope so!), my passion for running, my love of helping others, or my addiction to traveling the world? No matter what you inherit, it is going to be so fun to see you become your own person.  You already make us the happiest parents in the world.  Love you to the moon!

Love, Mom

Pregnancy Week 13

Baby Bump

How far along? 13 Weeks, 6 Days


Size of the baby: A pea pod! 

P.S. Why is the baby always compared to the size of fruit or vegetable?  I found this awesome manly comparison for those who would rather compare the baby to gas caps, beer bottles, and hockey pucks!

Maternity clothes? My clothes this week consisted of yoga pants and sweats. Keepin' it classy.

Stretch marks? Nope!

Sleep: Finally my energy is back.... I stayed up until 11pm twice!  Naps are still my friend, but I felt very energetic this week!

Symptoms: Nosebleeds, SI joint pain, and the skin of a teenage girl (thanks, progesterone!).

Best moment this week: Sleeping in our new house and hearing your heartbeat again!

Miss Anything? Not waking up 5x night to go to the bathroom.  Baby thinks my bladder is a trampoline!

Food cravings: Corn flakes & chocolate (lactose-free) milk.  Yes, I like to mix the two.  It is amazing.

Anything making you queasy or sick: This is gross... but the sight of dog poop.  Actually makes me gag. 
Have you started to show yet: Jake actually commented that I have a bit of a belly this week, so I guess so!

Gender prediction: Butterflies, ponies, and princesses.

Belly Button in or out? Innie!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Much, much happier this week!

Looking forward to: Learning the gender in just 4 weeks!

Still Running? I had a great week running!  I ran 6 of the 7 days (8.5 miles, 7 miles, 6 miles, 8 miles, 6.5 miles, and 5 miles!).  I was able to get in some weights as well. 

Letter to Baby

Dear Baby,

You are now the size of a sweet pea pod!  You seem to be growing every second, and the tiniest of details are starting to appear in your body.  You now have fingerprints on your teeny fingers and your vocal cords are starting to develop!  Feel free to say hello any time! 

This week we both made some big accomplishments! We are officially into the 2nd trimester! I've finally finished growing a huge life-supporting organ, the placenta.  I know that sounds super exciting to you, baby, but for me it's great news! Why? a.) I have more energy and b.) I have more energy! We had our prenatal visit this week and your heart was thumping away, speaking its' little heartbeat language to your Dad and I.  They discussed the results from the high-resolution ultrasound we had last week and everything is looking healthy and normal! Keep up the good work.  

We're finally getting settled into the house and I'm already dreaming of painting and decorating your nursery. We're going to keep the theme a secret for now...  I want you to be surprised when you see it for the first time in 6 months! 

I hope you enjoyed the delicious froyo and chocolate milk I had this week. I'm really doing my best to eat healthy foods and give you all of the nutrients you deserve - and I've actually been doing a good job!  You better come out loving veggies because I've been stocking up!  Although I will be honest with you, sometimes you just need a little frozen yogurt. :) 

Your Daddy-O and I love you tons! Sweet dreams, little one.

Love, Mom

Moving and Running in the Rain!

We have officially moved into our new house!  On Sunday we recruited our awesome friends and family to help move across town.  It all went smoothly and you'll be happy to hear I didn't lift too many boxes (even though it was so hard not to help!). I just watched as the guys lifted gigantic boxes and our piano up the stairs!

Moral Support.

The main event was unpacking our kitchen.  I never realized how much planning is involved in organizing a kitchen!  It took 4 women to figure out where to put something as simple as the silverware!  But I'm happy to say we got it all figured out and the kitchen looks amazing.  The rest of the house, however... is still covered in boxes. I'll get around to them soon!

I'll take pictures once the house doesn't look like a warzone, but I wanted to share 3 of my favorite parts of the house so far:

Hot water at my beck and call.  Tea, hot cocoa, coffee... one happy Brittany.

I love my pantry.  

Doesn't get much better than this. 

My life these days consists of cleaning, trying to re-potty train Diego (apparently moving is hard on a puppy), staring at my beautiful pantry, and slowly unpacking the countless stacks of boxes in every room.  Does anyone know how two people accumulate so much junk?  My goal is to be all settled by next week.  Ambitious?  Yes.  But I start work in 9 days and would love to feel slightly more situated!

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Alaska is in the middle of one of the rainiest falls I can remember.  I guess that's what happens when you have the nicest and warmest summer in history.  I love running in the rain, but today was a little bit miserable.  When your feet literally slosh every step you take, your fingers are numb from the cold wind, and you can't see out of your eyes because of the rain flooding in them... that's probably the exact opposite of fun.

Holy Mushrooms.

Running and taking pictures with frozen fingers = blurrrrryyyy picture. Sorry.

Luckily I was with my favorite running buddy and we managed to do 8 hilly and soaking miles!  This week my energy seems to have made it's reappearance so I am taking advantage of it!  It finally feels great to run!  We'll see how long that lasts with this growing belly of mine :)