28 weeks!

My favorite part of being 28 weeks pregnant is that if our baby was born today, it is very likely baby would survive outside the womb! How exciting! Hubs and I spent the weekend cleaning out my closet, building a changing table, and getting ready for baby! I just finished Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon and now have a list of list I need to make to prepare for labor and delivery! I thought I would be more nervous for delivery but am actually getting very excited! I am excited to see how God has designed out bodies to deliver a baby!

My other favorite part of being pregnant is the sweet time I have alone with baby before we fall asleep or before we get out of bed. I get to feel baby move and kick! It is so fun! I look forward to it daily!

My bump is getting bigger and the more challenging parts of being pregnant have come. I have some minor aches and pains, but more so I just feel like I am slowing down. I cant walk as fast or get out of chair as quickly as I used to be able to. But my goal is to keep moving till D-Day!

I cant believe that tomorrow I am 24 weeks... I have been having some freak out moments over the past few days! We have not bought a single thing for baby R! Well I take that back we have one blanket and a pair of booties... I am pretty sure that wont cut it. We are coming up on 3 months away and that seems like nothing!

Just ordered two books I am so excited about! Thank you Amazon.com

Link

Link

We decided to forgo the Bradley childbirth class as long as we promised ourselves to read. Thankfully these books will arrive just in time for our trip to the lake... I am sure Hubs is really excited to be forced to read. It will make for interesting conversations I am sure!

The next few things on my list of must have:
Car Seat
2 bases
Uppa baby Stroller
Co-Sleeper or King size bed
Rocking Chair
Coming home outfit (for some reason this is really important to me)

The rest of the stuff we will hopefully get at our shower :)

Baby R is moving TONS! I have heard mothers get annoyed by this, but I LOVE IT! Besides the few aches and pains I have been experiencing I truly do LOVE being pregnant! I have been craving a scone... so I think I am going to attempt baking them myself????

The first time I felt baby...

I remember so clearly the first time I felt the baby move... at the time I thought it was baby, but wasn't quite sure. I didn't know what to expect, but now after feeling the baby move daily I know exactly what its like. I love feeling the baby move.

The very first time was when we were in Cinque Terre, Italy. Cinque Terre was one of our most favorite place we visited. Early one morning , while we were still in bed, I felt small flutters just below my belly button. Everyone has told me early on it would feel like gas bubbles, but I like to think of it more like butterfly kisses :) at least that is what I am reminded of every time I feel the sweet baby move. I was just under 18 weeks.

I cant wait till I can see the baby move visibly and when Hubs and see and feel it!

BABY BABY

Blogging has become a distant memory, but after thinking I should journal about baby and me as we both grow, I thought blogging would be the perfect memoir for our precious baby.

I found out I was pregnant on March 6th, Travis was on his way home from Texas so I knew I needed to come up with some quick to share with him our exciting, yet shocking news! Shocking it was... as I had gone a year with doctors telling me how hard it would be to become pregnant. Travis and I were not trying at all... we were waiting till we got home from Italy to start that journey. Well God had a different plan! Just getting home from Italy last week, I am almost 20 weeks. Half way!

Here is a look back on the last 16 weeks (16 because, I didn't know about baby boo till 4 weeks)

It all started on March 3rd when I was 2 days late, I didn't think much of it, because my cycle had been so messed up the past several months. My good friend and neighbor, Brooke and I rented some movies, ordered pizza, and shared a bottle of wine... it was wonderful. I am glad that wine doesn't affect baby in the first few weeks, or so I have been told

March 5th... I had a sneaky suspicion that I might be pregnant, but I didn't want to take a test till I knew the next time I talked to hubs was in person. He was flying home from Texas on March 6. He arrived home around 9pm, so at 7pm I took the test! SURPRISE!

This was my reaction followed by jumping up and down and screaming "oh MY" I was freaking out to say the least...in a good way!

Hubs got home around 9pm, I picked him up from the airport and told him I had special treats for him at home...hehe! So I sent him on a scavenger hunt to find... "a bun in the oven" then to the bedroom to find a shirt that said "soon to be worlds best dad" and on the  back our due date which at the time we thought was Nov. 11, 2012. He was SHOCKED can I say SHOCKED!!!! He thought we needed to be sure and I should buy another test for the morning. So I did :) Here are the results...

Our first doctors appointment was at 7 weeks. the first thing Dr. Keller said when he came in "well, this is a surprise" Um Yeah! We got to hear our babies heart beat for the first time. It was 164 bpm. Then we saw our baby for the first time.

You couldn't really see baby from the outside, but I was feeling the physical changes in my body

The next several week of my first trimester I did a lot of sleeping. I don't know that I have ever slept so much in my life. I would take long lunches just so I could go to my parents and sleep a few hours. I would turn off all the lights in my office to sleep 20 minutes before my next appointment. I even was known to park in a parking lot and sleep for 20 minutes.

I ate a lot of citrus... oranges and lemonade tasted so good to me.

I also ate lots of crackers at work, the salt seemed to get me through each appointment. Besides my snacking on saltines and citrus, I craved spicy Mexican food and tomato sauce. Hubs took me out for Mexican a lot...Poor guy is probably sick of it

Soon after our first doctors appointment, I flew to Washington DC. this was the first of our Babies many travels before it is born. I was so lucky to get to spend a day with Aunt Mar and Uncle Steve. Uncle Steve has a conference in DC right before mine. Our trips overlapped one day. They were so excited to hear about Baby!

 We spent the day in George Town. I ate a cupcake for Baby and for my Sis. She loves Georgetown Cupcakes.

When I got home Hubs and I went grocery shopping and parked in the expecting mothers spot for the first time. It was so fun!

Baby Bump still wasn't showing... but I sure did feel like it was. I was about 8 weeks here.

April 12th, 2012

While at the Grocery Store we bought ingredients to make cookies with Blue and Pink M&M's so Hubs could announce our SURPRISE at work. Everyone has been so excited and supportive of us.

April 14th... after a few cookies and two days of growing... not much change.

 April 30th I started getting more of a bump... I took this picture to see all the visible veins. I was just shy of 13 weeks. when my blood flow doubled. Baby was getting all my blood!

We got to see baby again on my 13 week check up. It was so fun! I had my cyst checked again. They were not growing so Dr. Keller said it would be a normal pregnancy from here and I didn't need to keep getting ultrasounds. Though I love getting them :) Babies heart beat was 160's again and we got a new due date of Nov.9, 2012

I was starting show just a bit as we got ready to leave for Italy, Greece, Turkey, and France. Our baby is already a world traveler!

I cleaned out my closet so it would look more organized, if anyone comes to look at it and wants to buy it... wink wink! We will probably be here when our baby is born so I am making some room for baby clothes.

I was so worried that my sis would have her baby while we were in Italy... but she waited for me to come home!!! YAY We got to be prego together a few more days till...

sweet Sophia Lynn was born June 13th at 1:17 pm. She weight 8lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long. Isn't she perfect! She will be 5 months older than our baby.

 More blog/journal entries to come about being pregnant and all the changes going on inside :) Our Baby is growing and almost the size of a banana...maybe that is why I keep craving them. HA!

Mondays...

Sometimes, I still cant get over the fact that Hubs favorite day of the week is Monday! Its not like I hate Mondays, but seriously favorite day of the week. I think not! Give me a FRIDAY!!!

This past Friday didn't disappoint. Hubs and I baby sat 3 beautiful kids and had a blast! Are we getting old?

Saturdays... I LOVE THEM TOO!!! This past Saturday was Hubs and my day to just be together! We ate out every single meal... who does that? Well we did and we tried new places! Breakfast (at 11am) we went to Tartine Egg white omelet for the lady, Salmon Tartine for the gentleman. Lunch was at a new restaurant in town Kabob House we split a Hummus Platter, Felafel's, and Hubs had some Gyro Meat stuff I wouldn't touch. Dinner was out with Hubs parents! It was a great day! Filled with lots of Fun!

Sunday we had a dinner party and now we are onto MONDAY, BLAH! Oh well, I am VERY thankful it SUNNY outside!

Yay for a Sunny Monday!

11.11.11

I am thankful for today! I am thankful for a great friend and her precious son who graced me with a lunch date! My friend Shelby moved away from town several months ago. We hardly get to see each other anymore, but when we do, we could talk for hours! I so miss our Friday morning coffee and walk, but am so thankful for lunches and hours of time to catch up!

10!!!!

Today is the TENTH day of November! I cant believe it... this month is nearly half over and I still feel like it is summer time (when I don't look outside and see the snow) Reality hits when I walk outside and feel the cold air or when it is dark on my drive home from work. Hubs and I were discussing the other night it is kind of relaxing to have it dark so early...

One thing I love about summer time is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. But the farmers market is over and now we get to celebrate fall and all it has to offer. I found this great article on Shape.com it is 50 fall foods... it is a great reminder to the awesome food that is in season right now.

so today I am thankful for the change in season and that God provides for us in each season!

In honor of the TENTH day of November...

 Source

Day 9

Well we had our first snow of the season. I cant say I am excited about it, but what I am so thankful for is COVERED PARKING! It is a HUGE blessing not to have to clean off my car after a night of snow!

Speaking of Snow it makes me crave  yummy comfort food! I think I am going to bring back Butternut squash soup tonight, in honor of our first snow of the season.

The other thing I want to make tonight is another batch of yummy quinoa granola

• 2 cup whole rolled oats
• 1/2 cup quinoa (I used 1/6 cup each of of red and regular quinoa)
• 2 T chia seeds
• 3/4 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup raw walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup agave or honey
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

This recipe can be adapted to however you would like. I typically just use almonds or walnuts and I roast them in the oven or in a skillet till you smell them.

Mix all ingredients together

Bake on a baking sheet at 225 for 60 min.

Enjoy! I usually put it over plan greek yogurt as it is high in calories but they are good calories.

Check out the Stats: about 1/4 cup, maybe slightly less

24 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories		102.0
Total Fat		6.2 g
	Saturated Fat	2.3 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	1.1 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	2.2 g
Cholesterol		0.0 mg
Sodium		0.2 mg
Potassium		43.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate		10.2 g
	Dietary Fiber	1.9 g
	Sugars	2.2 g
Protein		2.7 g

Passion

Day 8 of thanks!

 Source

I am thankful for people in my live that encourage me to keep my passions alive. I am looking at you Husband!

Since I have been awful this month with blogging... Day 2-7 of thanks...

Day 2: My Mom and a fun dinner at La Mie

Day 3: Friend Brooke who I got to have Girls Night with!

Day 4: Hubs made it home safely

Day 5: Baking day with Family

Day 6: My Brother and Sister-in-law...Happy Anniversary 7 years!!!

Day 7: Beautiful weather in November



HAPPY DAY

Thanksgiving time is one of my favorite times of the year... the leaves are changing and comfort food is on the rise. I traded in my cold morning smoothies for warm pumpkin oatmeal. It warms my body and preps me for the day!

To get in the mood and participate in the season I am going to write something I am thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving.

Thankful For:

Yesterday was Time at home to clean and organize my closets!

Today breakfast with my pops and great conversation

I was asked what relaxes me and relieves stress?

walking
baking
chopping vegetables
pedicures
massage
long drives with hubs
laughing
lunch with mamma and sisters

In other news today is American Heart Association National Day of Health!

What are you eating healthy today?

What I ate Wednesday (WIAW)

oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast
Spinach Salad with Chicken, feta, and olives for lunch
Greek yogurt with chopped apple and strawberries for a snack
Dinner with Mom at La Mie (probably eat salmon)

Make one healthy choice today! Health starts with one change at a time!

Part Trois... Health!

like the french :) I heart France! The french and a pretty good outlook on emotional health... actually I think Europe in general does! Hubs and I are going in May and I CAN NOT wait!

Emotional Health (weakness of mine)

They take siestas in the afternoon
They have a slower pace of life
They take an entire month of for Holiday

I think all of these contribute to good emotional health... with that said, here is my list of what emotional health is to me.

taking every thought captive
ability to discern why/ what is the emotion from
ability to discern if the emotion you are feeling is justifiable
experience all emotions at various times (happy, sad, angry, joy, content)
balance of emotions
communicate emotions effectively


I am sure I will think more on emotional  health, it is a challenge for me to not become overly emotional or and to discern if my emotion is legit or not. I am so thankful for a husband that helps be balance my emotions and has taught me to discern emotional responses.

Healthy cont...

Part two of What is my definition of Health?

Spiritual Health: God is the leader of my life !

Daily Connection with Jesus

Application of Phil. 4:6-8

Displaying the Fruits of the Spirit

Showing Gods Love to the Others

Being a light for the Lord

Going Deep...

I was recently asked a few questions that I thought were so simple, yet I was having a hard time answering them. So I decided I would take some time to pray, ponder, and list my thoughts on them.

The first question was... What is your definition of Health? Well, I guess I think of so many things and that is why it might be hard to come up with an answer.

I think there are many different aspects of health...physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational.

So lets take them one at a time.

Physical:
Energetic
Healthy Weight
Good internal Health (Cholesterol, blood pressure...)
Ability to be as active as you desire
Drinking LOTS of h2o
Balanced Diet (for me this means eating an endo and candida diet)

Diet is always something I have a hard time with. Practically everyday I hear something new or different. If you go to the book store you will find hundreds of different diets or ways to eat. Really if I listened to all of them, I wouldn't be eating! Ha ha! So finding this healthy balance I have had to turn to the Lord and listen to him. What is healthy eating? I am still working on this question but will get back to it. I do believe it is eating what God has put on this earth for us to eat... that means not eating fake food. The other thing I need to figure out is the amount food to eat... this is a hard one!

More to Come...



Blissful Vacation

After 10 blissful days in Florida with Hubs and part of my Fam (missed you Jr's) we are back to the daily grind and back to reality... Boo Hoo!

Typically I am ready to come home, but for some reason this vacation was just too wonderful to want it to end. I am not sure what it was that made it so perfect...
maybe it was the perfect weather (little rain for shopping and lots of sun for beaching it)
maybe it was daily walks with Hubs and so many fun conversations
maybe it was being off medication and feeling normal again
maybe it was baking yummy cakes and drinking yummy wine with family
maybe it was seeing Grandma and Grandpa
maybe it was the tan I got
maybe it was lazy mornings in bed watching HGTV

I am sure it was a combinations of everything, but boy it was hard to come back home on Saturday night. I am thankful that God is gracious and gave me a wonderful Sunday with Hubs and a great coffee date today with a dear friend! I guess its easing me back into life.

Hopefully I will get some pictures of Vacation up soon... I didnt take many, but my mom is a photo guru so I can always count on her to snap our life away!

Unmasked

In the movie, Ever After a Cinderella Story, the king and queen hold a masked ball in their son’s honor.  All the ladies dress up in beautiful dresses and masks intended to enhance their looks by hiding flaws.  All in the hopes of catching the eye of the prince.  Each lady is announced before entering the ballroom.  And, much like us today, rest assured as every lady in attendance turned to see the next woman entering; they summed her up and compared her to themself.

Beginning at a very young age, we compare ourselves to others.  We notice every little flaw, and out of those comparisons, we begin to notice areas of life we struggle with and for some of us, these areas are masked for years as we grow into adulthood. We all have parts of us we don’t like.  We don’t like thinking about it or looking at it, let alone revealing it to others.

We don’t want to take off the mask. We become comfortable with the mask, it feels good, it looks good, it is accepted by family members, church member, and society. To often we try to please man. Galatians 1:10 speaks of this “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. What if we all dared enough to take off the mask, out of an act of service? Revealing what is accepted and created by our Heavenly Father? Matthew 11: 28 says, “Come to me , all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest..”.  I believe if we follow this command several things will happen…

God will show up giving you rest in your weaknesses

People will accept you knowing they too have struggles being masked

Our community will have authentic relationships

We can encourage others as they too take off their mask

Healing will take place

We will delight in who God has made us to be

I will admit there are many times when I don’t want to take off the mask… there are times when I see what is unmasked and I HATE it. That is when I realize, I need to apologize to the Lord. How can I HATE something He has created? God wants us to reveal His creation, refine his creation and to encourage others He has created! I encourage you to stop hiding His perfect Creation with a mask. Be real with each other. If taking of your mask reveals some deep struggles, it is ok! God will provide the tools it takes to heal them, and refine you.

Back to the movie.  Jacqueline, the kind, free spirited younger step-sister goes to ball with a much different mask on than most of the ladies.  She wears a horse mask.  It fits her personality, it reveals a lot about her nature.  Spunky at times, gentle at times; not perfect, but real and transparent. She wears a mask that isn’t meant to hide her.

Enjoy the true beauty God instilled in you! Don’t be afraid of what lies beneath the mask.

Welcome Fall--Hello Florida!

It is BEAUTIFUL outside... this might just be my favorite season! It used to be Summer, but Fall is starting take the lead! Why-- Beautiful colors, Perfect Temp, Time to Bake and make chili! Yay for Fall!

Soon we will be leaving the beauty of Iowa and Heading to the Beauty of Palm Trees and Oceans. God is so good! He is so creative in making beauty. It is just a quick plane ride to Florida and so much changes from the Fall season in Iowa.

It makes me think how creative God is in creating each individual and our individual Beauty. Enjoy exactly how He created you and Enjoy the scenery He gives us each day!

Bad Day...

OBGYN + Cavity filled = BAD DAY!!! Enough said right! My tooth is still hurting and now I get to go have blood work done today... Oh the trials of life! Good thing I was done with all that by 4pm and there was still 5 hours left to my day for some much needed improvement!

Luckily hubs came home :) I made a yummy dinner and we got to play with our two nieces all night! There parents had the unfortunate task of working late! They lifted my spirits and turned the day around!

We played hide and seek, pretended to be monkeys, went on a walk, ate ice cream, and watched sponge bob! How can these precious faces not brighten a day!