18 Weeks

Two post in one day....I am trying to get things taken care of before our Florida trip this friday. I had to get this post up because tomorrow I will be 19 weeks.......a little late but better than never. 

How far along? 18 Weeks 6 days

Total weight gain: 3lbs

Maternity clothes? Nope 

Stretch marks? No new ones!

Sleep: I've been sleeping very well lately. Having a few crazy dreams

Best moment this week: Amar'e hugging my belly telling me she is giving the baby a hug. 

Miss anything? Being able to sit, stand, bend over normally. Sciatica is horrible!

Movement:Yes, yes, yes. Lots of movement.

Food cravings: Fruits and vegetables,lemons,tomatoes,nachos, chocolate chip cookies, salt, this chickpea concoction that Andrew whipped up one day for lunch.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Pretty much over this part of the journey.I hope.

Gender: We will not be finding out the gender until the day the baby arrives.

Labor signs: No way.

Symptoms: My exhaustion has disappeared! Bye-bye unproductive Desiree. Hello, superwomen! :)

Belly button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Getting some mood swings on and off but in a much better mood lately.

Looking forward to: Our upcoming ultrasound on 6/5!

Playing and learning.

Lately, I've found time to devote to my photography. I am slowly learning how to use the different settings on my camera. I've had this little gem for over a year and have taken 8,000+ pictures, but I haven't figured out how to make the camera work for me, instead of me working for it. I would spend hours reading things online about my camera and photography, but not much seemed to make sense. I even have an entire pinterest board devoted to leaning photography, but up until a few days ago most of the stuff I would read wouldn't make sense. I tried and tried to force myself to understand, but as we all know that never works. After taking a class on getting to know my DSLR, I finally had my "oh my god, I get it now" moment the other day while playing with my camera. Finally!! Things are starting to make sense about the camera/photography now. I am using the Av and Tv setting and understand what they do. I found out in my class that using my camera on auto is nothing to be ashamed of, which I thought was something to not be proud of. That is why you have the setting of auto, it controls all of you settings for you. I am obviously no expert yet, but I do aspire to be one. I really want to make a career out of photography. I've always loved taking pictures since I was young and I hope this can be something that last a lifetime.

So, for now while Amar'e plays.....I learn.

Learning depth of focus

Slightly under exposed...

Slightly over exposed....

More depth of focus practice