Friday, December 16, 2011

1446.



So... I have an awesome, patient, hardworking, happy-go-lucky, silly, caring, sweet, strong, thoughtful, dedicated husband!!!!  I really do.  This guy gets up before the sun and comes home after it has set nearly every day from work right now being on overtime and I rarely ever even hear a peep out of him about it.  I wouldn't mind if he complained everyday about it either, I'm not marveling at the fact that he doesn't complain about it, I am just so taken aback at his dedication and endless discipline.  He works hard for himself, for me, for our future, and for our growing family at work and then comes home and continues to work most days on various projects around here.  And at the end of his 10 hour workday, he comes home and finds time to put up with me... to be silly with me and to listen to me talk about my day like it's the most interesting thing he's heard all day.  I don't mean to sound like he is a superhero or does more than most husbands out there, but he IS honestly a superhero to me and he is more to me than any other man could be in my eyes.  Tonight, he put together our baby's crib and it just really cemented all these realizations for me.  I mean, it's one thing for him to come home and work hard on dishes or doing heavy lifting around here (things that I am so lucky to have support and help with) but it's an entirely different thing to see him do something so sweet like putting together a crib.  Everyday it becomes more and more of a reality to me the words that his Granny told me... I will never find a better man (or better friend) than him.  Our life is already so different than it was seven months ago, and I didn't see our lives taking this turn so soon, but he has sure coped with it so well and brings me just as much happiness as ever.  And the truth is, I can try and share with you the feelings between the two of us, but the best parts are those moments that no one but me gets to experience.

And the wonderful thing is I know I am not the only one to have such a rockstar for a spouse.  I'm not writing this to make anyone feel like their relationship is any less special or important or to make anyone feel like I have a perfect life, but I am writing this to let Tony and everyone else know that I am blessed with a totally wonderful AND imperfect marriage.  I think it is SO important to sit back and reflect on our blessings rather than the things that frustrate us on a daily basis and it is especially important to let the people in our lives who put up with our crap know how much they mean to us by our actions.  So, for the rest of the holiday season, my ultimate gift to Tony is going to be showing him how much he is loved and appreciated because while I'm sure he is grateful for my kind words, my actions speak much greater than anything I could type on my blog.  That is exactly what he deserves and I hope that once the holidays are over that I am able to continue to show him how much I love him on a regular basis.


After all that, here is the finished product:

It is just beautiful!!!

In other news, I might not be doing much blogging for some time (but of course I'll try to make time for it because it is so therapeutic!) as my sister is coming in town TOMORROW and we'll be busy bee's from now until after the new year!  In the next two and a half weeks we'll be in Chicago, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Memphis, and not to mention all the stops in between!  This is going to be such a fun time for us to be around family and friends that we miss so much -- I hope we can find a way to make these moments stay with us as long as possible.  I hope everyone else is able to do the same this holiday!  Dwell on the things and people that are important to you and let them know it.




Filled to the BRIM with love and gratitude....





Monday, December 12, 2011

29 weeks & 3 days!

I am CRAZY about this baby!  :)  I am so excited to meet her, honored I get to carry her, feel so special each and every time she kicks me (okay, sometimes, I am still annoyed by the constant kicking!), and just realizing that my life is never going to be the same once I see her face.  With various friends and family members giving birth within the last week (both whom had precious baby girls!) it has really got me anxious for my turn.  What will my labor and delivery experience be like?  I know I have so much to do within these next 10 weeks or so -- including mapping out a birth plan with my OB.  And considering we'll be traveling and out of town for 2 of those weeks, we are really down to 8 weeks of getting things ready around the house and preparing ourselves for the changes to come.  It's plenty of time, but if I keep thinking we have "plenty of time" I will keep putting these major (and minor) things off for another time.

My huge belly!
I've been thinking about what to pack for the hospital lately, as well.  I really love the checklist the Similac website offers.  And I'm excited to get to the point where I should start packing the bag!  The excitement of it all is helping me get things done around here because as those of you who know me, I am more of a type B personality when it comes to doing things!  I feel like I'm starting to formulate in my mind all the loose ends (like cleaning out my car...) that need to be tackled soon in addition to the more obvious things that need to be done around the house.  Now, to throw myself into doing these things that my mind is thinking of at a million miles an hour... if I could just get my body to move as fast as my mind in this area!!!

That's about all for tonight... just felt the need to empty out my brain a bit before the night ends for me!





Sunday, December 11, 2011

29 week Pregnancy Reflection!

How far along?:  I am currently in my third trimester at 29 weeks & 2 days  (about 7.5 months) pregnant with my first little baby!

10 weeks & 5 days left!


Size of the baby:  This week our baby is the size of a butternut squash!

17 inches and 3.1 lbs!  Holy moly....


Gender:  A baby girl!  And man, I am SO ready for her to be here in so many ways.

Movement:  Presley's movement is getting more and more amazing each week.  New this week is feeling specific body parts press out of my skin!!!  Sounds crazy -- it certainly FEELS crazy -- but it is SO awesome.  Today I think it was her fist or something super tiny COMPLETELY poking out of my belly.  She held it there for just long enough for me to rub my hand along it and then went back into hiding.  It was so incredible.

Cravings/Aversions:  Definitely noticed I am craving cinnamon-flavored things!  One of my favorite snacks around the house is a bowl of Special K's cinnamon pecan cereal.  Also, love making cinnamon rolls at home about once a week for a little something special.  Still eating a lot of clementines --but slowing down on that obsession.  Still have an off-the-wall craving for shrimp cocktail so I am honestly considering running to the store tomorrow for some.

I am feeling:  Pretty great these days.  I feel guilty for not getting to the gym at all this week so hopefully I'll do better this upcoming week!

What I miss most:  At this point, I am starting to feel like it is entirely unfair that I can't get into a hot tub.  My joints are always sore (especially my hips after tossing and turning every night) and the only thing that sounds better than a massage is a looooong soak in a hot hot tub!  I also miss being able to sleep on my back and tummy and will thoroughly enjoy that once the baby is here.  I miss being able to do anything without getting sore or being short of breath and I definitely miss being able to bend over to put on socks!!!

Best moment of the week:  I loved the pregnancy classes that I took this week.  It's really making everything feel so much more real at each stage.  I loved hanging out with my mom most of the day Thursday and I also enjoyed finishing Star Wars episodes 1-3 with Tony this weekend.  And I also LOVED adding to our Target registry with Tony this weekend.  We have so much fun together and I just love seeing what he envisions for our little girl.


So ready to be with these crazy, awesome people!!! Hope they're ready for us! :)
What I'm most looking forward to:  I'm super excited for Amanda to get here Friday, for a trip to Chicago this upcoming weekend, for my family's Christmas get together, ready to leave to visit family, and VERY excited for our first baby shower at the end of the month thrown by Tony's family!!!!  I'm so ready to see them because they are so wonderful and truly exude the love they feel for us and I am ready to feel that and to be around them!  Also, very excited to see my OB at my next appointment on the 19th!




Goals for this week:  This past week, I sucked at my goals and checked almost nothing off this list!  So here's hoping we get EVERYTHING done this week!  1) Get the crib up, 2) Arrange the nursery how we want it, 3) Get curtains and X-mas lights up in bedroom, 4) Figure out where the water is coming from in the corner of our room, 5) Get the house ready for our visitor, 6) Clean out my car:  trunk & back seat!
 
 
And I am certainly not getting anything done by sitting here at the computer!!!! :)  Hopefully we all have productive weeks because I definitely need one!!!


 

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Parent I Want to Be.


Have you ever felt so empowered by the positivity passed on from someone else that you could cry?  Okay, maybe this is coming from a place filled with pregnancy hormones... but really, have you ever felt like that, pregnancy or no pregnancy?  You guessed it, I totally feel like that right now.  Every week I go to prenatal and parenting classes at a local place called "Pregnancy Resources."  They offer pregnant women a chance to learn more about what they embarking on as well as giving free diapers for the classes you attend with chances to earn things like a free crib, car seat, as well as free maternity and baby clothes.  At the class today we discussed ways to be an affirming, attentive, and connected parent as mapped out in the Parrott's book "The Parent You Want to Be" and it filled me full of great ideas.  And for the first time in a LONG time, I am starting to feel at peace with becoming a parent;  knowledge really is power.  I'm starting to feel like I am one of those people who really was made for this, not just something I am accidentally stumbling into because I am biologically able to have children.  Instead, I am feeling capable of loving a little person and making them feel like they belong to someone in this world.  Ahh, I love it.

So, more about feeling empowered....

Tonight in class the instructor asked everyone some of their fears in parenting, specifically, what are you afraid will influence your child in a negative way?  People said things like the media, peers, etc. and for one reason or another illness popped into my head.  Like many first time parents, I am terrified at the possibilities of mental and physical ailments burdening my baby, especially illnesses that run in the family (mood disorders, diabetes, etc).  Not to mention, I am also afraid of the possibility of other mental and physical illnesses that would deeply change our lives.  I'm thankful our instructor addressed each and every fear addressed because her observation is the reason I feel so at peace tonight.  She suggested that instead of asking God for a perfect, healthy child, we should instead be asking for the capability to love our child, no matter what may come.  And in that instant, the part of my brain filled with those worries released them and turned into a place of understanding and love.  In addition, my prayers are going to change drastically as well.  Like I said, this has already brought me so much peace.  I realized that asking God for what I want to be done is really doing me injustice... I've been asking God for a healthy child to love -- as if I couldn't or wouldn't be able to love one who isn't.  (Of course, that is not what I feel inside or what I was asking for, but essentially that is where my fears obviously lie.) 

And afterall, isn't that what we promise to do for our spouses when we say our vows when we dedicate that we will love them no matter what may come...
"I take you for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."  
Why should that be any shock or any different for someone else we are bringing into this world?  It shouldn't be and really, it isn't shocking -- it just surprises me that I was looking at these things from a different angle than what I am seeing now.  It is a great feeling.

Anyways, if you think you'd be even the least bit interested, you should give that book I linked above a look or two.  It is full of practical ways to be an affirming, attentive, connected, patient, authentic, insightful parent everyday and is written by a pair of married doctors with two little boys of their own.  It doesn't just follow their philosophies, but the philosophies of many parents they talked to and surveyed.  I will definitely be ordering myself a copy after tonight's wonderful class!



Peacefully,


God, I ask you to give us the ability to be loving parents to whomever we are greeted with in February.  This child has already been such a blessing to each of us personally, to our marriage and our extended families as well.  I ask that You continue to soothe my worries with the peace You've given me today;  there is a definite amount of peace in switching from my will filled with selfish ways to Your will that is full of selflessness and humility.  I pray I never forget that I am called to be Your servant in every way.   
Thank you for today.


"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul."
                               Deuteronomy 4:29

Monday, December 5, 2011

28 week Pregnancy Reflection!

How far along?:  As of today I am 28 weeks & 3 days along in my first pregnancy with 11 weeks & 4 days to go!

A picture I took halfway through last week!

 Size of the baby:  This week the baby is the size of a small cabbage!

We have a cabbage patch baby this week - 17 inches and 2.9 lbs!


Gender:  Could not be MORE excited for our baby girl!!!!

Movement:  I've found she doesn't move a whole lot while I'm at work in the AM as she probably likes to sleep in if she's anything like her parents!  The most popular time for Presley to be moving around is early-late evening, especially if we're lounging around watching a movie. 

Cravings/Aversions:  This past week I went crazy for fruit eating a TON of clementines, bananas, and honey-crisp apples (why do I have to like the most expensive ones?!).  I had some delicious strawberries as well which was a nice surprise as they're usually icky by this time of year.  I'm also really liking the way milk is tasting and still loving sugary things like candy bars and desserts of all kinds.

I am feeling:  Kinda weird after the glucose test today.  My stomach doesn't exactly hurt... it just feels a little funny.  I've also been even more tired than usual these past few days and will just fall asleep at any given time throughout the day in the middle of things.  Thankfully I have the sweetest husband who lets me sleep even though there are things that need to be done around the house; not sure what I'd do without his support and unconditional love.


The sugary orange drink; it wasn't TERRIBLE but wasn't wonderful either.

Best moment of the week:  I would have to say one of the best moments of the week happened Saturday-- when I woke up from an afternoon nap Tony had rearranged the furniture in the living room, put up the tree, and got furniture out of the spare bedroom we didn't need in there anymore.  Not only did I feel refreshed after the nap, but it was such a good feeling seeing how much work he put into the house in that short amount of time!

What I'm most looking forward to:  Amanda coming to visit, going to Chicago (Portillos, IKEA, downtown, ETC!!!) for the weekend, family Christmas get together --all happening next week!  I only wish Ashley could be here for all of it, too, and their significant others and then it'd really be a party!!!  BUT, we'll all be reunited soon enough!


Goals for this week:  1) Get the crib up, 2) Arrange the nursery how we want it, 3) Get curtains and X-mas lights up in bedroom, 4) Figure out where the water is coming from in the corner of our room, 5) Get the house ready for our visitor


On a totally different note:  Today is a special day, it's Walt Disney's 110th birthday!  Walt Disney is one of my favorite people in all of history so I'm going to take a moment to celebrate his life today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WALT!  If it wasn't for your vision, my husband and I wouldn't have had the blissful, magical, completely unforgettable honeymoon and all around best weeks of our lives that we had.  We are constantly dreaming about going back someday and now it'll be even more special to share it with our little one sometime in the future.  You keep making dreams come true even after you've passed on --if we could all be lucky enough to make such an impact someday there would be way more smiles on this planet!!!  Walt Disney wanted to build a park that adults and children could enjoy together-- most especially so he could enjoy the daddy/daughter time he spent with his girls.  I was one of those lucky kids who got to do just that with my sisters and both of my parents as a child and it was a time I cherish now!!  So, big thanks to Walter Elias for all you've created and congratulations on all your success;  wish you could be here to celebrate today in all your glory!




Nostalgic


Monday, November 28, 2011

27 week Pregnancy Reflection

How far along?:  Today, I'm 27 weeks & 3 days along in my first pregnancy... 12 weeks & 4 days to go!

That's me, with the big ole' belly!  Hello third trimester!

Size of the baby:  Baby is the size of a HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER!  Can you believe it?!  Seems like only yesterday we were in Mexico with our family calling the baby "Oliver" because it was the size of an olive!

16 inches and 2.5 lbs!


Gender:  A baby girl!  :)

Movement:  She is moving several times throughout the day --especially right before I drift off to sleep every night.  She's gotten a LOT stronger, too, and when she kicks you can see my belly move from the outside.

Cravings/Aversions:  Still turning my nose up to shrimp, although, cocktail shrimp has actually started to sound really delicious!!!  Craving bananas, clementines, and oddly enough... milk!

I am feeling:  Pretty spectacular!!!! Honestly, no complaints!  I've been feeling great and have had enough energy to get things done around the house as well as working out a few times a week again (although I started to get crampy on the elliptical yesterday which made me nervous so I stopped halfway through).

Best moment of the week:  Definitely the Thanksgiving celebrations - SOO much good food - in addition to seeing Breaking Dawn last Tuesday.  

What I'm most looking forward to:  I'm actually looking forward to my glucose test on the 5th!  I feel so relieved that I don't have to fast beforehand because I work that morning and my appointment isn't until 1:15... I would be SO cranky if I had to fast until after the hour-long test.  I'm also looking forward to my big sister coming to visit on the 16th!!!!  I know that's still a little bit of time off --but it doesn't change the fact that we're getting ready and I'm getting more & more excited!  She'll be our first guest at our new rental house.



Goals for this week:  1) Get the crib up, 2) rearrange furniture in nursery, 3) rearrange furniture in living room, 4) get curtains up in master bedroom, 5) put the Christmas tree up & Christmas lights in the windows, 6) get blinds for the window on the door in the kitchen (Menards), 7) get new light bulbs for the Ikea floor lamp (Menards)...

feeling ambitious,


Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving post.

10 Things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving:
inspired by fellow-blogger, Hannah. :)
check her out at Hannah's Happenings.

My husband.  It's still weird for me to refer to him as that.  He was my friend for the first two years of getting to know each other, my boyfriend for pretty much the next six years, my fiance for a short year and a half, and now he's been my husband for six months.  It feels right that he is my husband, but it still sounds funny coming out of my mouth.  I love that we are newlyweds and that it is all so fresh, but I honestly do look forward to the day when it's hard for me to remember it being any different. 

Tony & HIS belly at 25 weeks into our pregnancy... :)

My family.  I can't imagine what holidays would be like without having family to share it with.  Even though we all get sick of our family from time to time, it is nice to have a day to reflect on how lucky you are to have these weirdos in your life!  I've got a mom who is fabulous and even though we bump heads more often than not, I am so glad to have her in my daily life; two sisters who I couldn't imagine life without; and the rest of my incredible extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and all those dorks.  What's not to be thankful for?  

Our new rental house.  We've been here for just a few months but it is such an improvement to our daily lives.  I think it's a definite step in the right direction and I so look forward to the day when we move into our first home of our own.  Knowing we won't need to move again right away will be such a peaceful feeling!!!  

My car, which is a freaking tank!  Oh my goodness.  I drive a 1992 Toyota Corolla given to me by my amazing Grandma Myers in 2006 and it has been such a blessing.  I have driven it in the snow and from Memphis to Moline a number of times and it is still doing just as great as it was five years ago.  

My car on one of the many trips from Memphis to Moline!


My in-laws.  Ahh, they make me SO very happy.  Their love and support through everything has made it so clear to me that we are a family.  I have the BEST mother-in-law; Selena is such a special person to me and I would not change our relationship for anything.  I can not wait to see them at Christmas time --things will feel so complete when we're all together.  


 My best friends.  :)  As much as I love my friends and as fortunate as I am to have them, I absolutely hate that we're all so spread out.  Except for the fact that my best friend, Betsy, has FINALLY moved back home!  We were inseparable towards the end of senior year & our first year of college, but soon after we lived away from one another and it's great having her back in my life - something I take for granted.  I am also so incredibly thankful to have Becca in my life.  I do not know what I'd do without her.  I wish I could have all my friends in one place again like our wedding weekend.  

Thankful for each of them, everyday.

Our awesome church.  When Tony was in the process of being Catholic, we got to know so many (wonderful!) people in our parish.  Then there was the process of getting married in which I felt like we grew closer to our (fabulous!) priest.  And now, we are learning more about baptism and preparing to baptize our soon-to-be-here baby at Christ the King.  I feel like we are on this huge journey that we didn't even realize we were embarking on and we are surrounded by all the love from our amazing church family.  It is SUCH a wonderful, overwhelming feeling.  

Food.  Enough said.  This year we had two delicious Thanksgiving family feasts --thinking about all my favorite dishes just makes my mouth water!  Also, very lucky to have such gracious hosts to have included us in the various turkey day feasts.  

Our jobs.  Tony & I are lucky to work with some fantastic people every day and some of the lucky people to have consistent pay checks coming in each month.  We are able to pay our bills and  have money left over for entertainment.  Again, we are lucky.  

Baby Presley.  Last, but certainly not least in my mind is the growing baby in my belly (well, uterus, but you know what I mean).  I can already tell she is growing so fast and I pray she is healthy, happy, and protected in there.  Tony gets to feel her kicking and moving around nearly every day now and last night she was totally showing off for us --we could see her kicking and moving around on the outside of my belly and it was SO cool.  (Of course, as soon as Tony started recording on his phone, she calmed down and started hiding... what a stinker!)  To think we only have three months until we see her precious face gives me goosebumps and brings a few hormonal tears to my eyes.  :)


I know it is a bit overdue, but things have been crazy this past week/end.  On top of being here, there, and everywhere for Thanksgiving, we are in the middle of doing some rearranging in our house and I couldn't be more excited!  This includes getting things set up in the nursery... YAY!!!!!  I think we Tony will be able to put together the crib this week and I will definitely take a picture of it once we get it up and running.  I can't believe how much things are coming together here lately.  A few weeks ago I felt like SO many things were up in the air and I couldn't have imagined what it would be like today.  After reflecting over the things I am most thankful for tonight it really has left me just glowing with love.  Such a wonderful feeling.  Truly, this time of year is the most wonderful!  And to think all the celebrating we have left to do in 2011....



Cannot wait for Christmas,



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Friday, November 25, 2011

Nursery ideas & good deals!

Oh my goodness!  So, I just made a fabulous purchase from Toys/Babies 'R' Us... something that is just a bit overdue but better late than never.  I finally got some kind of tummy/back support!  I just tried it on, put it all together (which was super easy), and walked around for a bit in it and it felt WONDERFUL.  It's kinda like those lazy days at home, if you go all night and part of the afternoon without wearing a bra and then finally get dressed for the day and put on a bra and you feel some sort of immediate relief... definitely like that for your lower back and the ligaments in your tummy if you've been feeling a pull there with your growing belly!  Although I am pretty forgetful these days, I feel like this is one of the best buys I've made since being pregnant.  (But like I said, I easily forget.)  This is the exact one I got from Babies 'R' Us (regular price:  $30.99) for a little over $17 thanks to a $5 coupon & $10 merchandise credit!

I got the medium size which is on the big size with the piece
that goes underneath your belly, but I wanted to err on the side of caution!
Another great buy we recently made was part of a Pre-Black Friday sale going on at Menards in Davenport, Iowa and that would be our baby's CRIB!  Wahoo!!!!!  And let me tell you, it feels VERY good to finally have a crib;  it feels like we can finally bring a child home here and not be completely screwed!  Although I feel like we settled on a style and color that we wouldn't have picked out otherwise and weren't planning on going with, I am still so happy with it because the crib is beautiful and was a great price for us.  We got the Delta Glenwood Crib and it converts into a toddler bed for sometime down the road and it was regularly $139.99 at Menards and after the Black Friday discount it was $69.99!

This is our crib -- but instead of the "cinnamon" color, it is "espresso" aka, a dark wood!


My friend Betsy tipped us off on the good deal thanks to one of her friends who just bought it.  I got Betsy's text about the crib sometime between 7:00 and 7:30 on a Sunday night and flew over the bridge and to Menards with Tony and made it in and back out with our crib before they closed at 8!  (One way to majorly motivate me is to put a good deal under my nose!!!)  They also sell the crib at Target, Kmart, and Sears (and possibly Walmart?)  so I started to look up reviews and according to what parents are saying on Target's website, it is sturdy and a good buy.  I can't wait to put it all together and will feel even better once we find bedding that we like!

I think we are going to try to do somewhat of a animal theme in the nursery as long as I can make it work.  I found a really subtle, gorgeous framed picture of Noah's Ark at Goodwill a while back that I envisioned using in the nursery.  The frame is a really pretty, thick wood and I love everything about it.  My sister, Amanda, also found two framed Disney animal pictures at Goodwill and thought of me and I absolutely love them (minus the matting on the Tarzan picture) -- I've just got to find a way to pull them all together. 

Pictures for the nursery!
I'm thinking about covering the wooden frames from the Disney pictures with different colored/patterned fabric (idea from Pintrest, thanks Jess!) which seems like it'd be a fun and easy project that would make the frames stand out better.

Example from Pintrest!

The colors for the fabric I'm thinking about pulling from all three pictures pictures are green, a brown/red color, tan or off-white, and yellow... so I am hoping to find bedding that will go right along with the theme and color!  Behind the Noah's Ark picture you can see part of our drapes in the nursery which are a tan/gold-ish color... so throw that into the mix too!!!  :)  But I am not worried about finding what we want whatsoever -- actually very excited about it!  We've still got to get a mattress and mattress pad as well, on the practical side of things. 

I suppose that is enough babble about the plans for the nursery!  If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.  I better get some sleep because we are heading out of town for the day tomorrow to visit some family we don't get to see too often to celebrate Thanksgiving some more and I am so excited!!!  :)  This is shaping up to be the best week I've had in a while.  I hope it's been the same for all you guys.



Very blessed and beyond grateful, 


Monday, November 21, 2011

26 week Pregnancy Reflection

How far along?:  I am 26 weeks & 3 days along in my first pregnancy!  (13 weeks & 4 days to go.)




6.5 months along!
Weight +/-:  Well, I went to my appointment today and found out I'm +26 lbs.  My doctor told me my weight gain so far has been "wonderful" and that I'm doing fine.  I'm currently having trouble with it because first, that is a lot of weight to gain since May.  And second, I went from gaining little to nothing to gaining a whole lot.  I made sure my doctor realized all this and she laughed and continued to reassure me.  So, really, I just need to remember to eat healthy and stay active to silence my worries!

Size of the baby:  This week the baby is the size of a CUCUMBER!


15 inches & 2.2 lbs!
Gender:  Still a girl as far as we know!  :)  One of the moms at work SWEARS I'm carrying a boy since my belly is a round basketball.

Movement:  Always moving!  I just got paperwork from my doctor that told me to start noticing  her movements.  She should be moving around 10+ times a day and if that doesn't happen, that should be a red flag.  I also found out today that the baby is laying in my belly from side to side which is cool because my doctor said that once the baby decides to move head or feet down that it will put more pressure on my lower body.  The less pressure, the better and as long as the baby is safe and sound I am happy!


Cravings/Aversions:  Goodness... craving lots and lots of SPICE!  My mom keeps saying that it's one of my dad's traits -- he loved spicy food.  The past few days I have eaten an entire big bag of clementines... they are so delicious and so sweet so I am thinking the sweetness craving is still lingering.  Aversions... definitely still not enjoying the sight, smell, or taste of shrimp.  Yuck

I am feeling:  Pretty good.  I have more energy throughout the day but at the same time, I am still pretty tired throughout the day.  I think that's because I get up so many times to pee in the middle of the night -- it's crazy!  I need to stop drinking fluid at night but I just love drinking water before bedtime.

Best moment of the week:  Getting back to the gym a couple times this past week felt really good.  I also had a really fun time this past week on a date with Tony at Cracker Barrel -- YUM!  And last night was a ton of fun, our church had a chili cook off and pie bake off.  I participated in the chili cook off by bringing a batch of chili and participated in the pie bake off by eating some delicious pie! ;)  There was a great turn out and we all had SO much fun... such a great way to get people together.  I can't wait for the next one!!!


Made about 6 qts. of chili and didn't have any leftovers!


What I'm most looking forward to this week:  First of all, I am looking forward to seeing BREAKING DAWN tomorrow.... finally!!!!  Also can't wait for Thanksgiving on Thursday!  Also excited to spend a long weekend with Tony... yay!!!  So much to look forward to this week.


Alright, I am not feeling very motivated to write anything on here... I feel like I am running out of things to really talk about and have no idea what the people who read this really want to hear in addition to what they're sick of hearing about!  So for now, I am going to take a nice, relaxing, warm shower and enjoy the rest of the evening before bedtime!!!  Goodnight bloggies.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Observations...

  • When you want life to speed up, it crawls by; likewise, when you'd appreciate life to slow down for a bit, it flies by.  Anybody else feeling this?  This is especially true around this time of year when there is so much to celebrate and look forward to:  Thanksgiving, family, food, Christmas, presents, joy, Jesus, New Years, friends, etc... This is made even more true when there are big life events looming.  Last year around this time, it was our impending wedding in May.  This year, it is a baby this February.  It is just crazy how quickly life and your priorities can change....
  • I feel like we are behind on a zillion things and find myself constantly thinking, "Well... better late than never, right?"  Do you find that statement to be true?  I sure hope so.  It reminds me to be more forgiving when things involving other people's schedules don't always go along on the schedule of my choosing.
  • At the mall tonight, I swear, store employees were giving me the stink eye tonight because it seriously looked like I was smuggling goods out of the store underneath my hoodie.  My stomach is starting to look so funny with how much it's sticking out!  I look back to pictures when I was 12 and 15 weeks along when I started to show and I thought how crazy it looked and compare it to now and can't help but laugh.  I can't imagine what I will look and feel like at 35 weeks pregnant!
  • Football season is just fabulous -- such a great time of year if you are a fan.  Even better?  Taking part in fantasy football.  Now I can finally understand (to a point) in Tony's interest in the many football teams out there throughout the season.  It's so great to have similar interests with your spouse to take part in; definitely a bonding experience.
  • Best Pandora radio stations:  Hootie & the Blowfish radio,  Dave Matthews Band radio, & "Mary Jane's Last Dance" by Tom Petty radio.  DMB is my current obsession -- that radio station is so mellow with the intermittent rock song to jam out to.  Fabulous.
  • I love planning trips!  Currently, we are planning a quick trip to Chicago (it's been just about two-and-a-half years since Tony and I were there together) while Amanda is here visiting mid-December... can't wait for her to be here.  Then, we're planning a trip to Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis for the end of December.  I like picking out specific details beforehand as well as leaving other decisions to make while we're in the middle of the trip.  It gives you a balance of spontaneity in addition to feeling secure in making the most of your time away!  
  • Speaking of trips.... I'm contemplating planning a weekend getaway (aka "babymoon") sometime before my due date.  For those of you who are parents or soon-to-be parents, did you take a babymoon or do you see the practicality in it?  Would you suggest taking one last trip "just the two of us?"
  • If you have not tried Famous Dave's spicy pickles and have them at your local grocery store, I completely recommend trying them.  They are DELICIOUS.  (Thanks Aunt Jill for getting Tony & I hooked!!!)
That's all the brain-emptying I will do tonight!

 Good weather & blessings,

Monday, November 14, 2011

25 week Pregnancy Reflection

How far along?:  I am already 25 weeks & 3 days along in my first pregnancy.  (On my way to being six an a half months pregnant.)

14 weeks & 4 days to go!
Time to get a new shirt...


Size of the baby:  Our baby is still the size of an eggplant this week -- just a little bit bigger, though!

9.2 inches and 2 pounds so far!


Gender:  We are expecting a sweet baby girl:  Presley Rose.  And even though Tony was hoping for a boy, I think he is more excited to welcome a girl to our family than I am, at times!  :)

Movement:  As usual, just a little moving machine in different parts of the day.  When I lay down at night and she decides to kick, you can outwardly see my belly jump!  It's pretty cool to see how strong she's getting.  She's kicking me right now right where my pants hits my hips... she loves to kick on the belt line as if she's asking for more room or something!  She just kicks over and over and over until I change into my comfy pants!!!  (Now that I'm in my sweatpants, there is far less kicking-- that's my girl!)

Cravings/Aversions:  Hmm... all things sugary-sweet!  For really the first time in my pregnancy, Tony has started to (slowly) put his foot down about what I consume.  He's very worried at the possibility of gestational diabetes so he's started to give me a hard time if I have one too many cookies.  I've been loving sugar cookies, ice cream, cakes, etc.  I'm also craving yummy coffee's from Starbucks these days.  I can't wait to enjoy these things without having to worry about harming someone else!  As far as aversions go, shrimp is definitely high on my list.

I am feeling:  I am feeling frustrated that I can't do all the things I could do before becoming pregnant and I'm also frustrated at my lack of motivation and energy most days.  I am feeling extremely thankful for a husband who has picked up SO much more slack than he has to.  And despite my frustrations, I am really feeling hopeful as I am constantly getting more energy and motivation to stay busy and be active.  And after our baptism preparation class tonight, I am so thrilled to have our baby baptized at the church we love so much in the not-so-distant future!

What I miss most:  As usual, I miss being able to lay on my back -- I never realized how much I liked to do that until I am now unable to do it.  I miss being able to drink coffee, although it's probably better that I don't anyways.  I'm starting to miss being to bend over comfortably as well as sleep comfortably -- my hips have started to hurt from laying on them constantly. 

Best moment of the week:  My birthday was so awesome this past week.  Tony made me an awesome chocolate birthday cake with mickey mouse on it (because I love all things Disney) which was so thoughtful.  I got some really sweet birthday gifts from friends & family that I can't wait to enjoy.  I also had a blast at my birthday dinner at Red Robin with some people I love that made me feel SO special.  I really couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

Me with my delicious cake at Red Robin!


What I'm most looking forward to this week:  I am REALLY looking forward to seeing Breaking Dawn once it comes out.  I also can't wait for my next appointment which is in exactly one week.  I love seeing the progress being made every month.  And even though Thanksgiving isn't for another week and a half, I honestly cannot wait!!!!  Hopefully I can successfully talk Tony into helping me rearrange/redecorate our bedrooms this week and possibly start to put up holiday decorations!!!


And as I am nearing the end of the second trimester, it is really starting to hit home that our life is going to make some huge changes pretty soon.  I am comforted by the many families I know who have made these changes and by the women I know who truly seem like their lives are much richer after the addition of their little ones.  I am both excited and fearful and still very much in awe of all God has already bestowed upon us. 

Hoping everybody's week is filled with blessings,


Saturday, November 12, 2011

Super shopper!

Okay, my belly looks so huge here. The lady at the register today asked me if I was due soon...
nope-- four more months to go!


So, as you can see above, I went SHOPPING today and had such a great time!  Let me just tell you that shopping stresses me out these days for a few reasons: 

1) Everything (especially maternity clothes) is so DANG expensive!
2)
I never know what size to buy!
3) I don't feel very sexy which makes it hard to shop!                     
But today, the stars aligned, and I enjoyed a shopping trip to Kohl's so so so much.  It really helped that I had my supportive hubby with me to reassure me that I needed some maternity clothes, that I was pretty, and that it was okay to spend some money... not to mention, I just love hanging out with him because he is honestly the best friend and person to hang out with!  Anyways, back to the shopping trip....

I decided to go to Kohl's because I had a $10 off any purchase that they sent out in the mail, so off we went!  Once we got there I was having trouble even finding the maternity section -- it's pretty small at our location -- but with some help we got pointed in the right direction.  Everything was on sale, but even on sale most of the sweaters and tops were still $30 which is just way too much for me!  Tony wandered over and found a strictly maternity clearance section and I went to town finding tons of items under $8!!!  The potential downside was that all these clearance items were summer clothes but thankfully I realized you can just add layers (sweaters, scarves, etc.) for the fall/winter.  To make a long story short, I ended up spending $20 on 7 name brand maternity items and saved $267.40!!!!  I thought I would share my findings and to remind all you ladies that right now is the BEST time to score some really amazing deals on clothes that are going out of season!


The very cute maxi dress I got. It's also got a string to tie around the waist
so that you will have some definition in your waist!
Orig
: $60 Paid: $6

I just love the top!  (Might wear this to one of my showers with a flowy, white sweater I have!)
Very summery dress but BEAUTIFUL navy blue.
Orig
: $48 Paid: $4.80

(Probably my favorite buy of the trip!) This picture does the dress no justice!
The top of it is gorgeous!
Orig
: $48 Paid: $4.80
Such a cute shirt - it has pockets on the front at the bottom on each side.
(too bad you can't see the pockets!)
Orig
: $40 Paid: $4

Very simple but SO perfect on.
Orig
: $26 Paid: $2.60
Another top that's definitely cuter on!
Orig
: $32 Paid: $3.20

I like wearing pink while expecting a girl :) So fun.
Orig
: $32 Paid: $3.20
So, needless to say, I feel like a freaking rockstar after that shopping excursion today.  To continue our day of good deals, we used a coupon tonight at Papa John's for a $4.99 large one-topping carry out pizza.  Not the healthiest supper, but damn, I LOVE GOOD DEALS!

Alright, that's about it for tonight!  Hope everyone's weekend has been as fabulous as mine has been so far.


Monday, November 7, 2011

24 week Pregnancy Reflection!

How far along?:  I'm 24 weeks & 3 days along in my first pregnancy!
 (About 15 weeks & 4 days to go...)

Size of the baby:  Little Miss Presley Rose is the size of an EGGPLANT this week!

Just about 9 inches & 1.7 pounds!

Gender
:  We're expecting a little girl -- so excited for all things pink!

Movement:  She's been keeping pace with the movement of recent weeks - which means her kicks have gotten pretty strong and she can kick up a storm depending on the time of day.  Like last night, it never fails that this child will start kicking me as soon as I get comfortable and start to drift into sleep for the evening.  And since she's a strong kicker, it definitely keeps me up.  (I'm a pretty picky, light sleeper, though.)

Cravings/Aversions:  I don't really think I've had many of these lately.  The closest thing to a craving I've had lately took place today at Walgreens.  I stopped by to pick up a few things and happened to catch my eye on some Biscoff cookies - you know, the kind they serve on Airtran flights?  So, of course, I bought them because they are SO delicious and I have eaten many more of them than I planned!

I am feeling:  Pretty good lately.  I just have been feeling so lazy and it makes me so depressed, honestly.  I'm not sure if I don't have energy because I'm pregnant or because I really haven't been pushing myself to get to the gym and be active.  But I sit around a LOT of the day and since I'm not in school I just feel like much of my week consists of down time.  In this downtime I need to find the will, motivation, and energy to be productive because there is so much to do around the house -- but for some reason, I can't find a way to be more productive.  So, even though I've been feeling great lately, I just have been down on myself about that.

What I miss most:  Selfishly, I kinda miss the pipe dreams we'd have for the future... you know those thoughts where we could drop things for the weekend or whenever and go be spontaneous?  I mean, we didn't have a mortgage, a dog, or a kid to be considerate of in the past.  Don't get me wrong, Tony and I didn't do anything like that too often, but just having the possibility of it was nice.  Now, we might as well buy a house and get a dog because we have a baby on the way that will likely cramp our spontaneous style... haha!  This is NOT to say that if you have a dog and/or own a house that you lack spontaneity!!!  What I truly mean is these days I find myself missing the days where I felt less responsibility for anyone/anything else but myself.  Anybody else know what I mean?!

Best moment of the week:  I think the best bonding moment of the past week happened when I was driving.  It was mid-afternoon and I really couldn't remember the last time I felt Presley kick - or if I had felt her move around at all that day - so I got a tad bit worried and decided to poke my belly in the spot she's usually in (on my right side).  I poked hard enough to where I figured it would disrupt her and sure enough, she kicked me back seconds later!  It was so funny and sweet and probably the first time she's kicked me recently that I was over the moon about rather than mildly annoyed. :)

What I'm most looking forward to this week:  Well, of course, MY BIRTHDAY!  I turn 24 this Thursday and I'm so excited.  It's crazy to believe that this is my last birthday before having children of my own.  I'm not really one of those people who do anything extraordinary for my birthday every year, so I can totally see my birthday falling to the wayside once I have kids.  And ya know what, I think I'll be okay with that.  I just like feeling a little extra special one day a year and as long I'm married to Tony, I know he will make that much happen every year on November 10th. :)