The Little Red Journal: We're Expecting and Due in February 2015

My husband and I have been planning, saving, and paying down debt like crazy since November 2012. Once we paid off Kendan's student debt in April 2014, we knew our next challenge would be saving up for a down payment on a house. I was hired on full-time in June, and found out I expecting one week later. We're beyond excited and are preparing for the arrival of our first baby in late February 2015.

I'm now twelve weeks pregnant and ready to shout it out on the blog. I am terrible at keeping secrets and we told our close friends and family when I was only a mere three and a half weeks pregnant. I waited until I was eight and a half weeks pregnant and could not longer disguise my growing belly at work to tell my coworkers.

Since finding out we're expecting, I've been amping up our savings. We're still living with a family member, so we're currently saving $3,000 a month for a down payment on a house. We still use Mint.com every day to track our spending, and we've even paid off the birth of our child in full already! I'm a big planner, so adding a little one to our family was no exception. My husband and I will be celebrating our ten-year anniversary of being together next week, and I never imagined I'd be where I am today ten years ago.

We're preparing for our biggest challenge yet and are keeping focused so we can have the best possible footing when our little one arrives. Here's a quick breakdown of our goals before our February deadline (the birth!) hits:

Save up a total of $25,000 by the end of December. If things go according to plan and stay on track, we'll keep $10,000 in the savings for a nest egg and put down $15,000 for a house.
Stay true to our minimalism and only purchase the bare necessities for our child.
Find a house that is within our budget and find a mortgage that we feel completely comfortable with.
Move and unpack all of the boxes that have been sitting in my parent's garage for the last eight months since we moved back home. Donate anything we really don't need and keep our new home decluttered.

Some quick notes (for you and for me so I don't forget!)

I'm still vegan. Yes, it's completely safe. I only have to up my protein intake (hello, beans!) during my third trimester. Otherwise, it's business as usual plus a few more snacks throughout the day to keep me satisfied (crackers, a handful of almonds, or a cup of vegan yogurt.)
I'm seeing some wonderful midwives who are providing amazing care for my baby and I at the West Houston Birth Center.
I haven't had any signs of morning sickness. I credit this to my plant-based diet, but maybe it's just pure luck. No clue, but it's great either way!
I've had a few symptoms so far, with the most noticeable being more fatigue than usual. Sometimes I go to bed at 8:30 p.m., and other times I am fine staying up until 11:30 p.m.
I believe I actually felt the baby "fluttering" around on August 5th. It was a Tuesday and as I was sitting at work, I began to feel a slight buzz and then what I can only describe as fluttering. Imagine taking two tips of your fingers and lightly tapping very quickly on the inside of your arm. That's what it felt like. It would do this on and off throughout the day for up to a minute at a time. I haven't felt it since, though.
We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time on July 28th during a prenatal visit. That was surreal and I just stared at my husband and smiled. I had no words.

I plan to continue sharing my story here about my vegan pregnancy, saving up for our house, and trying to stay minimalist while adhering to a very strict budget to accomplish it all. Thanks again for tuning in, and feel free to ask me questions!

Now, here's my growing belly: