Thirty Five Weeks

How far along?: 35 weeks!

Baby is the size of a: I don't know fruit, but baby's likely about 18 inches long and shy of 5 1/2 lbs!

The Bump: Every week I'm convinced it won't get any bigger, and every week I'm astounded that it really did!

Symptoms: Acid reflux and crampy. Trying not to count down the weeks or days, but I'm certainly getting anxious and uncomfortable.

Food Cravings: Nothing really..WHAT? is that the first time I've said that in 8 months?!?!

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope!

Sleep: Decent sleep, interrupted by pee breaks and the need to roll over and get situated...again and again and again and...

What I miss: I'm just ready to be comfortable again. That said, this pregnancy really has flown by, so it's not like I have much to complain about! 

Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Any Names Picked Out Yet: They're on the table...we will discuss it again when baby is here :)

Movement: Baby's still pretty active

Maternity Clothes: My belly hangs out of them :(

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, baby is still head down, I don't expect much more for at least 5 weeks, if not more!

Best Moment of the Week: Brett, Levi, and I swimming with my parents. Levi's loving the pool and becoming more and more brave! 

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: The 4th of July this weekend! It will mark the "Officially One Month Til I'm Due" date, we are planning on spending time with friends and family outside playing cards and grilling out, and my husband always turns into Mr. Stars and Stripes and acts ridiculous all day long. Yum, I love that man. I'm hoping Levi gets to see some fireworks and enjoy some sparklers for the first time :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Levi!

My boy, you're two years old! As much as I can't believe it, I'm really excited for this age. Your personality continues to shine through and you're a joy to get to know more and more! When you turned one, I was glad for you but sad for me, because I felt like I just blinked and you grew up! But now that you're turning two, I'm not exactly sad, just AMAZED that you could possibly be becoming a big kid already!

You bring joy to my heart and a smile to my face every single day. Whether it be your sweet kisses, how you play with your toys, or watching your face as you discover something new for the first time, you make me smile and I'm delighted to be your mom.

I love the way you babble. You babble with such intensity and desire to be taken seriously. You burrow your brow and scrunch your nose as we try to figure out what you're trying to say. Not to imply you don't say any words. Your favorite word of choice is still "car." Everything is a car. But especially cars!! You love their steering wheels and the big tires and especially the cars with DVD players like Nana's! You also love talking about gui-TAR's and "gahngahngas" (bananas) and "dum" (drum)'s. You're finally saying "Da!" again when Daddy comes home, too, which totally makes his day.

Speaking of when Daddy gets home, the first thing you usually do is run away from him with high hopes that he'll chase you. You surrender with ease because deep down you really just want Daddy to wrestle with you and tickle your belly. Oh, you're laugh, kid! It's so sincere and genuine. Brings a smile to everyone's face!

Your favorite things to do consist of riding on the golf cart at Nana and Papa's house, as well as snuggle with Sophie and running cars up and down our arms and legs. Every morning as I unload the dishwasher, you bring your cars and sit your legs under the open door and run your cars back and forth on the door. But nothing makes you as happy as the freedom to RUN. You love to run all over our backyard, talking and laughing all the way. You get especially excited when we're somewhere with a wheelchair ramp. Up and down and up and down...shouting "GO!" every time you run downhill. It's really quite easy to keep you happy, so long as you have nothing holding you back :)

You now have 14 teeth...your pearly whites just sparkle when you throw your head back laughing! You enjoy brushing your teeth, but not as much as you enjoy eating the toothpaste! You weigh 32lbs and continue growing into a strong, healthy boy! Now that we have a new van, you're able to climb into the car and up into your seat all by yourself! This will be so nice for your mama when your new baby brother or sister is born! Your daddy and I know you will be such a great big brother, once the initial shock sets in, of course :) 

I've been reminded so much lately of my last few months being pregnant with you. The song, "Courageous" by Casting Crowns was on the radio a lot, and I would listen to the song and pray these words over your life. 

"You were made to be courageous, you were made to lead the way.

You could be the generation that finally breaks the chains...

Let the pounding of your heart cry, 'I will serve the Lord!'

The only way you'll ever stand is on your knees with lifted hands!

Make us courageous! Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God."

Sweet baby (yes, you'll always be my baby, no matter how big you get!), these words will continue to be the cry of my heart for your life. No matter what comes your way, may you become a man of courage with a heart that longs to serve Jesus and His people. May you lead others and bring them closer to Him, and may you be a significant reason the Kingdom of God continues to grow. Be kind, be humble, be obedient to Him. We love you as big as the world, kid!

Thirty Two Weeks

How far along?: 32 weeks...not much further to go!

Baby is the size of a: I think he/she is about 4lbs now, but it wouldn't surprise me if this baby was a tiny little one!

The Bump: I see little hands and feet bulge out of it about every night now...high fives will have to do until I get to kiss this sweet baby's face!

Symptoms: Heartburn like nobody's business. Exhausted. So grateful I can carry this baby but it definitely is hard work!

Food Cravings: Ice cold popsicles. It's hot!

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope!

Sleep: The struggle is real! I toss and turn and just when I'm about to fall asleep, baby wakes up and wants to play in my belly!

What I miss: Being able to breathe and talk at the same time.

Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Any Names Picked Out Yet: :)

Movement: This kid is fierce!

Maternity Clothes: I don't know how pregnant women get by without them.

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks and baby is head down! Now it's just a matter of time!

Best Moment of the Week: Brett's done with school now, so we've been able to enjoy lots of family time! Whether it be swimming, working in the yard, or just eating together, it's been so wonderful spending time together!

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Spending time with friends this weekend! 

Thirty Weeks!!

How far along?: 30 weeks (when did this happen!?)

Baby is the size of a: cucumber? aka Just shy of 16 inches long! Weighs in around 3lbs!

The Bump: Bump? More like a mountain. But makes for a great hill for Levi's trucks, apparently!

Symptoms: Just feeling huge! 

Food Cravings: I've reached the point where I have to eat a lot of small meals, otherwise I get indigestion and a little acid reflux. In fact the other night the pain got so bad, I started wondering if there's something possibly going on with my gallbladder!? Needless to say, stomach's a little squished these days!

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope!

Sleep: I still toss and turn, but I'm usually tired enough to fall back asleep right away

What I miss: Having energy! There's so much I want to do, especially with this nice weather, but I wear out quickly.

Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Any Names Picked Out Yet: I think we've made progress!!

Movement: I have a little acrobat in my belly :)

Maternity Clothes: They're a saving grace, but...I don't know. I'm just not enjoying them like I did with my first pregnancy. Although recently I got a few maxi dresses and skirts and those have been wonderful!

Labor Signs: The never ending Braxton Hicks

Best Moment of the Week: We bought a mini van :) I can't believe we grew up so fast! I'll miss driving my sporty little car but I'm so happy with the van we chose and am excited to make new memories in it, driving around as a family of four.

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Brett's done with school this week! It will be so nice to have him home. Then this weekend, my sweet Levi turns 2!! I'm excited to celebrate with family and enjoy our weekend with him. He's such a trip these days.

Twenty Six Weeks

How far along?: 26 weeks...last week in the 2nd trimester!!

Baby is the size of a: about 14 inches long and weighs about 2lbs! That's why I can hardly breathe!

The Bump: I look like I swallowed a basketball

Symptoms: back and hip pain, braxton hicks, and dare I say, a little "on edge" ;)

Food Cravings: Popsicles, poptarts, and everything else that's edible. I can't stop, I won't stop!

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: just the constant bending down to pick something up and standing back up that is required of a mom of a toddler. it's exhausting

Sleep: I have been going to bed shortly after I put Levi down, waking up when he wakes up, and napping when he naps. EXHAUSTED.

What I miss: sleeping on my belly

Weddings Rings On or Off: on

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Really haven't even talked about it much! We've been so busy!

Movement: Pretty active! In the last week my belly has started going crazy! It's my favorite part of pregnancy!

Maternity Clothes: Yes. But I tell ya, I don't know if it's the clothes or just the stage of life with Levi, but nothing seems to fit well, and everything is irritating! (I told you I've been on edge!)

Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks

Best Moment of the Week: You mean month?? ha Yes I've been a bit M.I.A. with Levi having bronchitis and me being sick. But anyway, I'd say getting back in the groove has been so good. This year has been insane and emotional with losing Brett's mom and all that goes with losing a loved one...It's nice that the weather is improving and we've been able to find some delight in our new normal

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Going to the zoo this week to kick off the season :) And having Brett home for the summer! Just 5 more weeks! It can't come soon enough!

Twenty Two Weeks

How far along?: 22 weeks (a week late) ...I'm droppin the ball here!

Baby is the size of a: spaghetti squash...and almost 1 pound! no wonder I feel huge this week!

The Bump: stretching and growing and making my belly button pop...already!

Symptoms: back and hip pain...seriously folks, I walk like an old lady!

Food Cravings: I feel like I'm starting to feel full now that the baby has made less room for my stomach...but if you set 5 steaks in front of me right now, there wouldn't be much left come bed time!

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: no way! this is the fun stage of pregnancy!

Sleep: actually sleeping a little better! still toss and turn, but I must be getting used to it

What I miss: Not much at this point. But while on vacation this last week, I would have given my right arm for a frozen margarita! 

Weddings Rings On or Off: on

Any Names Picked Out Yet: We are making some progress! But nothing set in stone. I have a feeling with this baby, we won't "officially" choose something until Baby is here!

Movement: Belly's moving! My mom and sister have been able to feel him/her!

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much all I'm sporting this days.

Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks

Best Moment of the Week: Spending time on the beach with my family. Brett and I managed to sneak a little date night in, we got to play with Levi in the pool, and Brett gave me some poolside time while he stayed inside while Levi napped! It was nice having some quiet time in the sun, interrupted by some sweet kicks and rolls by the babe!

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Having my taxes done! (Wow I'm pathetic!) But it's so nice having them done, I feel like I can enjoy time at home so much more.

Twenty Weeks...halfway there!

How far along?: 20 weeks (a week late)

Baby is the size of a: banana

The Bump: loud and proud!

Symptoms: back and hip pain

Food Cravings: still, all of it. it's insane

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: nope!

Sleep: i typically wake up around 1:30 then toss and turn until the morning. not the funnest.

What I miss: nothing, really. i really like being pregnant once the throwing up subsides!

Weddings Rings On or Off: on

Any Names Picked Out Yet: boys names are hard!!

Movement: sweet little love taps all day long, but nothing insane. it's fun watching my belly move a little here and there!

Maternity Clothes: i'd be screwed without them!

Labor Signs: braxton hicks already!

Best Moment of the Week: seeing our sweet baby on the ultrasound! we laughed because Levi was so active and difficult to measure during his anatomy scan...this baby just chilled and completely cooperated! what a lovie! Also, Levi has been fascinated with my belly lately, giving it hugs and kisses, then he lifts up his shirt and puffs his belly out. Makes my mama heart so full. I pray daily these two would become best friends.

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: warmer weather!!!