32 Week Update

8 Months

How far along: 32 weeks or 8 months in normal calendar days. (See: "Excuse Me, What? The Guide to Pregnancy in Weeks and Months" for an accurate description of how far along we are.)

Total weight gain: I am at 140, so I am up 28 pounds.

Maternity clothes:  Still yes and no although I am leaning more towards maternity now. Particularly the longer shirts. (Or James' t-shirts, but shhhh, don't tell him) :)

Stretch marks: I found a patch where my hip meets my thigh, but if that's the only place I get them, I'll be happy.

Sleep: I am still sleeping really well, not quite 12 hours, but a solid 6-8.

Best moment this week: Getting to decorate our new house and James buying me a gym membership to 24 Hour Fitness! It felt so good to get back in there! I've got to make these last 8 weeks count!!!

Miss Anything: I miss having a kitchen!!!! We've been here 2 weeks and James immediately ripped up the floor and is just now finishing. I haven't had a kitchen the whole time and with gestational diabetes, it has been NO fun. Our appliances come tomorrow though and he's installing our new washer and dryer so that is a positive. :) I also miss not being swollen. When I wake up, I am swollen, but seem to deflate the more I move around.

Movement: I definitely feel her and she's getting so big that I feel her on opposite sides of my stomach at the same time, which is a strange sensation. 

Food cravings: Honestly, I am just super thirsty all the time. I am not craving anything in particular.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Today I got nauseous from some truck on the road's fumes, the sawdust I am currently smelling right at this moment is making me feel extra queasy, and the dust from yesterday's kitchen renovations made me feel sick.

Have you started to show yet: Nope, my stomach is as flat as a pancake. ;)

31w2d (Reagan loves my belly)

32 weeks (today)

Name: Annabelle Emli (pronounced Em-lee) and her nickname is Belle, Cheeks, Baby Belle, Baby Bellerina, Baby Belly. I've called her all sorts of things. 

Anna- James' sister's name is Anna and my grandma's middle name is Ann.

Belle- My great grandma's name is Claudia Belle.

Em- My cousin's name is Emily.

Li- My other cousin, Emily's younger sister is Lila.

Labor signs: Yes, I have been experiencing Braxton Hicks every couple days.

Symptoms: Numb/tingling fingers, swollen hands and feet, aching back, and I'm more gassy than usual. I haven't had heartburn the whole time and I don't drink anything, but water and milk, but I am definitely experiencing some heartburn lately.

Belly Button in or out: Still in, although I predict in the next month it will come out.

Wedding rings on or off: I still have my one band on! 

Happy or moody most of the time: Poor James, I'm so sassy lately. I'm just so exhausted and uncomfortable that EVERYTHING is getting on my nerves. He still says I'm such an easy pregnant woman to deal with, but I even annoy myself on occasion. Thank goodness he thinks the world of me. lol

Looking forward to: I am looking forward to the appliances tomorrow, last minute Christmas shopping with my honey, Santa pictures with Reagan, Christmas Eve over at my mom's, Christmas Day with my family and his family, and my dad coming to see us next weekend to see the house and have our Christmas!! Life is so good, I really can't ask for anything else.

I am nervous about these next 8 weeks ladies and gentlemen and I don't see how I can grow anymore. I am already super uncomfortable as it is and my poor little size 5 feeties aren't taking this extra weight well. If things start to drastically change, I'll update weekly, but as for now. THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE! Goodnight! 

Week 30 Update and 3D Ultrasound Pictures

I Call Her, Cheeks

Look at those wittle cheekies!!!!

 I am over the moon with excitement in life right now! I just don't think things get any better than this, I mean, I really don't. I am probably the happiest person that I know and I owe it all to God. He has given me the exact life I dreamed of as a little girl. He gave me my Prince Charming who is the most AMAZING father that ever walked the Earth and now I am having his baby and couldn't be more excited. I have an incredible little boy that loves me to pieces and even though I didn't birth him, I'm his "Mama" and he's my baby. There is a special bond between us and everyday I choose him. Nobody makes anyone be a parent, it's a choice and a decision you make everyday and I regret nothing. (The terrible twos are hard though, I'm not going to lie.)

  Anyways, I will go ahead and get on to the update! :)

How far along: 30 weeks and 3 days or 7 and 1/2 months (See: "Excuse Me, What? The Guide to Pregnancy in Weeks and Months" for an accurate description of how far along we are.)

Total weight gain: I am at 138 so I am up 26 pounds. This was the last time I weighed myself about 5 days ago. We have since moved and I haven't unpacked my scale yet.

Maternity clothes:  Still yes and no. I'm wearing an XS top from Forever 21 right now, but I switch back and forth. I wear whatever I feel like whether it be maternity or not.

Stretch marks: Amazingly, no.

Sleep: I am sleeping AMAZING and by amazing I mean, like, 12 hours a night!! I find it funny reading back on my old updates how sporadic my sleeping is. One week it's all gravy, then the next I am Momma Zombie. Hopefully I can maintain this amazing sleep I've got going on lately.

Best moment this week: Oh please! If I listed all my bests, I would be on here for hours! Let's see:

• Moving into our new house
• Annabelle's 4D Ultrasound
• Starting at our new church
• Setting Reagan's new room up
• James starting the renovations on our kitchen
• Getting ALL NEW stainless steel appliances for our kitchen
• Also the BRAND NEW washer and dryer

I could go on and on, but I don't want to gloat, I'm just so super happy and want to share my good news! 

Home Sweet Home

Reagan playing in his new backyard 

James started the renovations and this is what it currently looks like.

Miss Anything: I miss not having gestational diabetes and carpel tunnel. I really miss sweets in general. lol 

Movement: She seems a lot more calm than a couple weeks ago, but like I said, I am sleeping 12 hours and she's a night kicker, so I'm probably just sleeping through it. 

Food cravings: Grapefruit as of yesterday, apples, ALMONDS, peanut butter, and bologna sandwiches. (gross, I know, but it's my craving)

Anything making you queasy or sick: NADA!

Have you started to show yet: Let's just say some random lady exclaimed in shock: 

"You're due in February!? You look like you're have quadruplets!" (So rude)

29w4d

30 weeks
(Annabelle's new room came with a wall mirror)

Name: Annabelle Emli (pronounced Em-lee) and her nickname is Belle or Cheeks.

Anna- James' sister's name is Anna and my grandma's middle name is Ann.

Belle- My great grandma's name is Claudia Belle.

Em- My cousin's name is Emily.

Li- My other cousin, Emily's younger sister is Lila.

Labor signs: Nope.

Symptoms: Numb/tingling hands and feet, feeling short of breath all the time, backaches, extreme fatigue, and not anymore, but super emotional.

Belly Button in or out: Still in, although I predict in the next month it will come out.

Wedding rings on or off: I still have my one band on! 

Happy or moody most of the time: The last couple weeks I was super emotional. I think between packing and the stress of the move had an impact on me, but this past week I am the happiest I've ever been. :)

Looking forward to: I am looking forward to getting our new appliances delivered, setting up Annabelle's nursery, the completion of the kitchen (so I can be allowed back in), and well, EVERYTHING! I am just so happy to the point of tears! I thank God every morning for everything he's blessed me with. 

Here are some pictures of our ADORABLE, cheeky baby girl! I mean have you ever wanted to squish a baby's cheeks more? I know I haven't! :)

 Beautiful, full lips!

Gorgeous baby!

Our peaceful angel!

Mommy's double chin...(sorry baby girl)

I know I'm biased, but I think she is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. And she's so SQUISHY!!!
I just want to love her and kiss those fat little cheeks!
I know I'm going to cry when I see her for the first time because it's hard to keep the tears in just looking at these pictures...

Thanksgiving 2014

I'm Thankful For

• God
• my husband
• my family
• the church
• my children
• the food on our table
• the clothes in our closets
• the warm beds we sleep in at night
• the roof over our heads
• that everyone in my family is happy and healthy
• James' job that provides us with the very comfortable lifestyle we live
• finding out about the gestational diabetes so I can start feeling better
• having reliable cars that aid us in our travels throughout the holidays
• Reagan continuing to be in a stable, healthy environment
• the fact that the terrible twos don't last

   Of course I am thankful for SO much more than that, but those are the main things happening in my life right now that I am the MOST thankful for. :) I found a quote that I would like to share with you that really spoke to me and made me think a bit.

   What are your thoughts? I like this quote because it points out the fact that you don't need new or outward somethings to make you happy, you just need to appreciate what you already have in front of you or inside of you and that to me is true happiness. I don't know, I just really liked the quote and I hope you do as well. 

   Anyways, the reason I wanted to do this post was because James, Reagan, and I got to go to my dad's house up in Austin for Thanksgiving and I just wanted to share some pictures from the festivities. :)

These two pictures are from our early morning Cracker Barrel pit stop. This preggo needed to fuel up her belly before driving all that way and James likes their biscuits and gravy so I heard no complaining coming from his end. This was on Thanksgiving Day and it was the only place open at 6:30 am. I felt kind of bad that the people working there had to be there SO early and on Thanksgiving, but I was more than grateful that they were open. I always stack my plates after eating out (common courtesy and common sense), but I made it a point to stack them extra neat and wipe the table just to help out a little bit.

 We arrived around 10:45-11ish in the morning and this is basically how the whole day went until dinner. Benjamin played on the iPad, Reagan and his obsession with shoes entertained us all, I watched t.v. and relaxed, James chilled out which he hasn't done in so so so long due to his grueling work schedule and his natural ability to stress over nothing and everything all at once, Debbie of course cooked, and my dad tinkered back and forth. My brothers Austin and Martin (twins, 23 years old) have their own things going on, but they made it a point to come by. Austin came by in the afternoon and watched football with James and Martin and his awesome girlfriend came by later that evening to eat and hang out. Thanksgiving day was awesome and relaxing and I am thankful I got to spend it in Austin this year.

On our way to Zilker Park.

Reagan on the firetruck that I used to play on at his age.

Reagan loves jumping.

Where's your permit young man?

Daddy pushing Reagan...

...and him loving it.

Rare footage caught on camera!
 He seems to be hugging the little girl instead of hitting her!!!
Is he sick?
I don't know, but I sure hope this sticks because I'm so very over getting the "your son is hitting the girls again" call. lol

Papa showing him the turtles.

Papa making sure Reagan doesn't jump in the water.

Looking at the rocks together.

These fun pictures are from Black Friday, except we enjoyed the beautiful weather at the park instead of getting trampled on at the mall or other stores! I mean, the weather was PERFECT to be outside in nature!! (Another one of my favorite things about Austin) No offense to those who enjoyed the sales in stores, it's just not my thing. To each his own. :) Reagan seemed to really enjoy the sandbox, swings, and sight to be seen. He actually went around and HUGGED all the kids in the sandbox which floored me. Maybe he was feeling in the spirit from the holiday, I don't know, but I was absolutely thrilled and I have to say a little bit proud of him. He's had a real problem with beating girls up. Never the boys, only the girls and I don't know what to do so I just quit taking him places where he could hurt them. So to say I was thrilled that he hugged instead of hit is an understatement.

After the park and after a HUGE leftover lunch.
The cuteness overwhelms me. :)

Uh-oh! Benjamin has his permit now and drove us to the store!! :)

Relaxation at it's finest.

Reagan helping Papa work on Debbie's car. Papa LOVED it! :)

Dad

James and my dad shooting some guns while Reagan and I stayed at the house. They had some quality father/son-in-law bonding time. :)

I'm so thankful that I got to spend 3 days in Austin, but it just never seems long enough to me. I already miss them, but they are coming to see our new house December 27th so it won't be long!! :) Until then, I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving that they are thankful for having and I hope you can continue in the spirit of the holiday long after it is over. :)