27 weeks...3 months to go!

How's momma feeling: Hot but great!
Size of baby: She's around 2 lbs. and 14.5 inches long (about the size of a head of cauliflower). She was going crazy in there the other night. Some of the biggest bumps and jumps I've seen/felt yet. It was fun! I still just love watching her. She's moving as I type! Also, apparently her brain is very active now.
Cravings: Nothing is coming to mind. I did get some fresh, homemade sandwiches last night. I had three:); they were amazing! I was so excited to eat them!
Aversions: Not really an aversion but I wasn't really craving or wanting sweets this week...can't believe it. Nothing short of a miracle! Also, I usually love pizza (pregnant or not), but I had an opportunity to eat some this week, and I wasn't really interested...I'll take whatever I can get!
Sleep: We have a fan running in our room and that helps a lot! Maybe just one night of weird sleep...got up to go to the bathroom once, but other than that, I'm sleeping great! My weird dreams are gone, and I don't have to regularly get up in the middle of the night for potty breaks. I'm grateful!
Exercise: Made it to Zumba this week and am still able to keep up which I am super grateful for! Walking to work and back in the morning has proven to be quite toasty...I'm usually quite sweaty by the time I get to work. I change into workout clothes by the end of the day to walk back to the car because it's even more hot by then. I just try to chug a water as I walk.
Clothes: One of my friends got me an adorable gray/white striped dress (you know who you are) as a shower gift...I wore it twice already this week:). I love it!! Wish I would've gotten a picture in it. I'm sure I'll be wearing it plenty more times, so a picture is yet to come!
Looking forward to: RODEO!! Tom met a rodeo owner during one of his rotations, and he told us to give him a call if we planned on going to one, and he would "take of care of us" (so to speak)...so we did! Call us rednecks, but we are super excited!! I just hope I can find my cowgirl boots:).
Something fun: We got to go over to some friends' home (from the vet school) for dinner last week. We met their 7 month old and just had a nice time catching up. We had some super yummy potatoes and sausages that looked grilled...since I love the smell/look of grilled items and potatoes, it was a meal made in heaven! I also got to go to a garden tea party this past weekend. A friend and I, along with her little one, went. It was fun (hot but fun)! Pretty dresses, big/fun hats, croquette, and dainty finger foods...it was quite the party!
FYI: We made progress on getting everything put away/organized from the showers. It takes a long time:). It's so much fun seeing all of her little outfits hanging up...lots of pink!!
We've been reading those books to her at night that everyone so generously gave to us at the showers...thank you! Thank you!

Thank you, Lord, for: Time to read this week. It's been a blessing.
Some of our friends loaned us a book called "Kisses from Katie", and I need to return it soon, so I'm trying to "power read". I haven't been able to read this consistently in a while, so it's been refreshing, and I've learned about motherhood through it as well. We're also starting to read "Sacred Parenting". We LOVE "Sacred Marriage", so we're excited about this one too. I've already learned from it. 

More shower pictures...

We're due just 5 days apart!

Shower planners!! They did an amazing job!!!

Cow tails...strawberry and chocolate...what a great idea!

"Ice breaker" type game...don't ask (it was hilarious though!)

Isn't this just so cute?

The creator of the above...my creative buddy!

Non-belly angle...these are rare when pregnant:)

Another one of my amazing friends...got to see her beautiful daughter as well!

Auntie Payge and Auntie Maddy...they were troopers the whole day!

26 weeks...

Camera was dead when we went to take pictures this morning (wonder why?:)), so I charged it on the way to work, and Tom snapped this outside of my building when he dropped me off:)...haha!

Fun-Packed Weekend!

My wonderful mom and aunt who helped put this shower together!

Guess when you think Olivia will have her little girl?? I wonder who will win?

Isn't this just beautiful? A dear friend made these cupcakes for the shower! She did such an amazing job! THANK YOU!!

The blanket my mother-in-law made for baby!! Isn't it beautiful?

We love books!!

The shower planners/organizers...my beautiful sisters!!

After the wedding!

Tom got to open a few gifts:). This one was from our cousin...we loved it. He was so sweet to get something for our little girl!

Celebrating Tom's birthday with the family! Yay for apple pie!

A close-up of the cupcakes...so cute, right?

Doesn't this look like it's from a magazine? It's so beautiful!

I am so exited about the JumpUp...can't you tell?

26 weeks...3rd trimester is getting closer!

How's momma feeling: Doing just fine this week. A little tired on Monday:), but I think we're back into the swing of things. I've gotten to walk to work most days this week and that has been refreshing and a good way to start the day. It's been pretty steady at work this week so that has been super nice (and fun!). 
Size of baby: She's getting chubbier:)...in the best sense of the word. She's about 1 2/3 - 2 lb. and about 14 inches long (about the size of a scallion). 
Cravings: I've been in the mood for Asian food this week...I finally got some Thai food on Wednesday at work. It was so yummy!! I love all the food we get at work...definitely a perk of the job, especially when pregnant!
Aversions: Tomato"y" sauce type stuff has not sounded good this week. And the fishy smell was not enjoyable to me either this week; I can still eat it, but the smell...ick!
Sleep: Trying to catch up from this past weekend but still sleeping pretty soundly. I still get about 8-9 hours a night. It was hard for me to sleep the night we got into Marion (3 a.m. last Saturday morning:))...I think I was just excited for the weekend!!
Exercise: Been mostly at the gym this week...on the stair step and elliptical and watching The Food Network:). I love "Chopped"! There was another pregnant lady in there this week...you go girl! I love looking out and watching for pregnant ladies...is that weird?
Clothes: My amazing cousin gave me lots of maternity clothes when we visited last weekend; I have been enjoying wearing those this week! Dresses, shirts, pants...the real deal! THANKS so much, Cuz!! They're wonderful!
Looking forward to: Organizing and putting everything away from this weekend. There wasn't much time this week to do it, so, hopefully, this weekend we'll get it all done!
Something fun: I'm starting a "mommy" type class this week (I forget what it's called) through a local organization. We meet on random Saturdays, and it's one-on-one. We learn all sorts of stuff...lactation stuff, soothing stuff, labor stuff, bathing stuff, etc. I'm looking forward to it. Also, we're in the nursery this week! Silly, I know, but I just love the little ones at church; it's so much fun to spend time with them!!
FYI: You all are so awesome! Thank you so much for being there for Tom and I this past weekend. We had such a fun weekend...the wedding was beautiful, the showers were perfect, the time with family/exchanging gifts for pasts birthdays/special days/etc. was so special. We wish we would have had more time to chat and catch up as the weekend went by so fast, but we are grateful that we were able to get away a couple of days to see everyone! Know you are all loved!! Thank you for sharing in the joy of our little girl with us!
Thank you, Lord, for: Such a wonderful, blessed time in Indiana/Ohio this past weekend. We have such amazing family and friends who are supporting us in the journey of parenthood. It was so special to see everyone and share our daughter with them. We are so so blessed.

25 week pictures...Holiday Week!!

Loose black shirts are not the best for pregnant pictures...

I'm trying to show you how big she's getting!

Better...but guess you'll have to wait till you see us in person...shortly!

Tom putting together our new highchair

Happy 4th of July!!

I'm kind of nerd when it comes to red, white, and blue...Go USA!

Our 4th of July tradition...

In case you can't read it, it says ICE CREAM:)

It WAS really good!

Perfect treat for a pregnant momma on a HOT holiday!

25 weeks...see a lot of you soon!!

How's momma feeling: Doing well! Thankfully, it rained a lot this week, so it wasn't as hot as it could have been. But on those hot days...woowee! You can definitely tell a difference between a hot day being pregnant vs. not. 
Size of baby: She's about the size of a rutabaga (whatever that is)...about 1.5 lbs. and 13.5 inches long. Her skin is becoming thicker and less transparent.

Cravings: Not neccessarily a craving, but I have been getting that weird taste in my mouth more often this week, so I've been chewing a lot of gum or finding candy to suck on. I also was kind of hoping for some Asian food this week...
Aversions: Hot stuff (temperature wise). I packed some soup this week, and it took me until about 3 p.m. before I convinced myself that I was hungry enough to eat it; I didn't really want it. 
Sleep: I used to really want to sleep on my back but would do my best to side sleep. Now, I actually prefer to sleep on my side...interesting! Must be that growing little one inside. It's amazing how our bodies know what is best for us.
Exercise: Noticed this week that I have to do some modified versions of some of the moves for the class and videos that I do. Just part of it!
Clothes: I went to Target a few times this week...I've realized that waiting just a few days can really drop an item's price. Got a new summer dress on sale!! I love deals!
Looking forward to: Sharing her kicks and tumbles with our family this weekend!! 
Something fun: Going to Indiana for a wedding and showers this weekend! Can't wait to see everyone and can't wait for them to see our growing little girl. 
We had a great time meeting up with our veterinary friend this past Sunday. Got to talk lots of dairy over a nice lunch and COLD ice cream (it was a warm day!!). We are so thankful for continued friendships over the years. 
FYI: I find it interesting that over the last two weeks, I saw a change in people's responses to my growing stomach. Four or five individuals actually asked or assumed that I was pregnant and said something to me. Ha! I love it. Most people, both men and women alike, will say that they never ask if a woman is pregnant (we've all heard stories where this backfired on someone or perhaps it even happened to you), but I kind of am grateful at this point for those brave individuals. Being pregnant, I would rather have someone ask instead of assuming that I have been enjoying too many chocolate chip cookies or just staring at my stomach "inconspicuously". Let's just get it out in the open. I'm sure this will change once baby comes, but I plan to enjoy it for the next few months. I do think it would be funny to say "No, I'm actually not pregnant" when someone asks to see his/her reaction...maybe if the right situation comes up:). (Of course, I would eventually correct myself:))
Some of the assumptions...
- "Are you pregnant?" (standing more than 6 feet away from each in other amongst a large group of people)
- "I didn't know about this." (looking at/directing attention to my stomach)
- "I'm looking at you right now...I think you might have something to share."
- "Are you expecting?" (mouthing it while touching her stomach; I had been touching my stomach, so it was kind of a give-away)
Thank you, Lord, for: A trip to see family and friends, time in the car together, energy to go through so much in our apartment, and a day off this week (Happy 4th of July)! We can't wait for this weekend!!