Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday, this could be a loaded one, let's see where this takes me.

This has been an intense week, V's family lost two members on Monday one of which was just 11 years old.  I won't lie it's not just difficult but feels impossible to see God's plan in the midst of this tragic time.  I still believe in God's plan and trust it, sometimes you just have to walk by faith and not by sight.  With that said this is my Thankful Thursday post.

• Income.  Tonight I went to the gym and ran to the grocery story to grab a few things for a dinner I wanted to make.  I didn't think twice about if we could afford it or even about the price of the items I bought, I simply selected them and went about my way.  I know this is not the norm in our country or world, I know there are far too many who have to choose carefully the items they can afford to eat.  The unemployment rate it super high and the recovery will be a slow one (in my opinion).
• Kicks.  This week has been a bit much, I've worked hard to keep my heart rate in check during moments of stress so baby won't feel the effects.  He's been really active and the reassurance has been amazing, I'll gladly take his kicks directly to my bladder 24 hrs at day.
• Fridays.  Who isn't thankful for Fridays?  I think my boss is going to let us off early tomorrow, I'm going to take that time and try and hit up a yoga class then welcome the weekend by having a date night with V.
• Sleeping in.  Since I've already got my workouts in for the week I'm going to sleep in extra on Saturday, heavenly!!
• Bestie.  I have Saturday plans with my bestie, I can't wait to see her!  She is a great lady whom I'd be so very lost without.  I've never known a less judgemental, more loving, caring individual in my life.  She has always been there for me with open arms and honest opinions, she is a true example of love, I'm blessed just to know her.

Two Dozen Weeks

• Weighty Issues: I'm up 21 lbs total.  I had a big gain at my last appt.  I'm still not too worried about it, baby is growing and needs resources.  I'm making healthy choices and if I remain on track (projected to be one lb per week from here on out) I'll only gain 37lbs total which is only a hair above the standard for a health weight gain.
• Stretch Marks: Welp a new one on my right breast just appeared, for a total of two on the right, the left still hasn't changed into what I would consider an official one....yet.
• Sleep: Has been difficult lately but for reasons outside my pregnancy.  This weekend will be busy but I'm hoping to get a few naps in.
• Best Moment this week: He's been extra active, the reassurance has been amazing!  I woke up the other morning and just laid there with my left hand on my belly feeling him moving about, I was trying to figure out if I thought it was his head or butt when the alarm went off and he stopped moving, darn!
• Food: I'm trying hard to make sure my diet is diverse since baby's taste buds are developing (I have no idea if he can actually taste the things I'm eating though, lol).  I'm especially loving vanilla yogurt and granola :)
• Clothes: Maternity, period.  I don't even attempt to put on items from pre-pregnancy anymore, I'd rather be comfy.  I don't have a huge selection to choose from so I'll probably have to get a few spring items, if spring EVER comes to the Rockies.
• Labor signs: God forbid! Unfortunately I had my first Braxton Hicks contractions last week, hopefully I never have more!
• Belly Button: V and I were lounging on the sofa the other night and I had my shirt pulled up to watch baby's kicks, V made me laugh and pointed out with each laugh my belly button comes out of it's hole, WEIRD!
• What I miss: Nothing is worth missing.
• What I’m looking forward too: I've decided to stop looking forward and just enjoy where I am, happily pregnant.
• Weekly Wisdom: I'm sticking with my favorite "everyday is a miracle, treat it that way!"  this is especially true this week.
• Weekly WTF: Meh, nothing worth getting my panties in a knot....that would just be uncomfortable!
• Nesting: It's begun! I scrubbed the shower, kitchen counters, swept, mopped, dusted, cooked dinner and moved a bunch (of light stuff) to the basement....oh yeah did I mention this was the other night after work?
• Milestones: Viability, should (GOD FORBID) baby be born this week his lungs would be developed enough for him to have a 50/50 chance of survival.

For more on the development of a 24 week baby go here.

Thoughts & Prayers Please

Yesterday we learned that V's dad's cousin and his two sons were in an tragic accident that killed the cousin and his youngest son, leaving the other son in the hospital.  V's family is incredibly close so this is and will continue to be a very difficult time for our family.  Please say extra prayers for the remaining son, he can't be all of 15 and has lost his world (I believe his mother is not in the picture).
Thanks,

Healthy Cravings

This fine Friday (aren't all Fridays fine?) I'm taking part in a photo challenge over at Razmataz, I'm not the most skilled photographer but I do enjoy it and Chania has me thinking outside of my box.  This weeks topic was FOOD, easy enough for a pregnant girl considering I'm always hungry!





Raw green beans and white mushrooms...

 


Cherry tomoatos.....




Turkey Burger Meatballs (adapted from Biggest Loser Cookbook) and brown rice..... YUM!





Thankful Thursday!

I haven't done one of these posts in a while so I thought it was time!

1. My hubby who surprised me with roses at work on Valentine's Day.  We typically don't celebrate the day but it was just super sweet for him to do something so romantic.
2. Pampering Time.  Tomorrow I'm getting my hair trimmed and highlighted.  I am really bad about maintaining my hair, it typically grows so slowly and it's so expensive I only do it about twice a year.  My pre-natals are making my hair grow so fast I'm splurging and getting it touched up "early".
3. My Bestie whom I can talk to about the most embarrassing stuff with no embarrassment at all.  Thank God for her!!
4. The Gym.  I'm an endorphin addict, I admit it!  I love how good I feel after a workout no matter how small.  I pray this is something I can pass on to my son, I really hope he loves being active as much as I do.
5. Lastly silly photos you find online, below is the one I found when I searched "Thankful Thursday" images, so silly and kinda pretty!

17 weeks to go!

• Weighty Issues: Yikes, I've been eating like crazy lately, seriously you can not satisfy my hunger....I'm pretty nervous to be weighed this afternoon, which is why I'm blogging right now, you peeps are a great distraction!
• Stretch Marks: Just the one on my right breast so far, I see another one starting on the other boob :(
• Sleep: Ummmm I feel asleep last night (Valentine's Day) at 8pm and got up only to pee a couple times, officially waking at 6:30am reluctantly :)
• Best Moment this week: I'll get to hear his sweet heart beat later today, later this week we'll FINALLY start painting the nursery!
• Food: I have discovered a local restaurant that makes the most amazing.....meat loaf.....I know, I KNOW! But it's sssoooo good and the portions are huge so you can have left overs the next day (or later that night *blushes*)
• Clothes: Maternity all day everyday!  I have a few of V's old t-shirts and some jammie pants that I bought like 3 sizes bigger that I sleep in :)
• Labor signs: God forbid! I hope I never even experience Braxton Hicks Contractions.
• Belly Button: It's official, it's flat!  I showed my bare belly to my bestie this weekend and she was like "oh look at that dimple" ummm that is were it used to be pierced and other used to be the inside of my belly button! LOL!
• What I miss: Soon I'll miss being able to put on my own shoes, seriously it's like I have a basketball in the way! LOL! I love it though!
• What I’m looking forward too: Hearing his heartbeat today and starting the nursery this weekend!!! WOOT!
• Weekly Wisdom: I'm sticking with my favorite "everyday is a miracle, treat it that way!"
• Weekly WTF: What is up with how people judge a pregnant woman?  Seriously!  I am so sick of hearing "you are so small!" Thanks but I'm right on track so please stop making me fear my baby isn't getting what he needs.  I equally detest the people who find it funny to say "are you sure it's not twins" that is NOT funny!  Pregnancy should be the one judgement free time in a woman's life when she is simply considered nothing short of beautiful and amazing! PERIOD!
• Nesting: Only three more days and it begins!
• Milestones: If I'm laying down and he kicks really hard I can see my belly move!  That means he's getting stronger and stronger!
• For more on the development of a 23 week baby click HERE.

I love you Saturday!

I'm falling in love with Saturdays, I love having few or no obligations is just heavenly, sounds lazy doesn't it?!  I'm ok with that!  This weekend, while still not even half over has been so lovely I wanted to record it! 

It started yesterday, after having several rough days at work I had the best day there in a long time, so much so that my boss let me leave 1.5 hrs early, with pay! Yippie!  After work my sweet V took me to dinner just because and he even selected one of the places I enjoy far more than him, yippie!!  We enjoyed our meal and returned home to snuggle and watch one of the baby shows I had DVR'd.  We turned in at a decent hour (despite our dog running away and V having to chase her in the dark and cold). 

I slept well (rare these days) but V got up a little extra early to do the last of the primer in the nursery.  After working on that for a while he woke me up sweetly so I could make it to yoga with time to eat etc first.  I enjoyed a wonderful yoga class, returned home and prepared to attend a jewelry party with my bestie.  It was so good to see her, I'm sure it's only been maybe two weeks but despite talking most days it felt like a much longer amount of time since we had some quality time together.  We enjoyed lunch and the party and headed off to run a quick errand.  I had bought some maternity jeans online that wouldn't work out.  She went with me while I returned the jeans and tried on a few items having only success with another pair of jeans.  She even found an adorable shirt on clearance!  Score for both of us!  Now I'm home, the temperature has risen enough to melt some of our snow and I'm lounging happily with no more plans for the day while V enjoys some guy-time (aka video games).  I know it's probably dull to read but it's been such a lovely day, I couldn't ask for better! <3

I hope each of you are having your ideal weekend too!

Hidden

So facebook, it really affects our lives doesn't it?  I can admit I check it everyday at least once, I love keeping up with friends, seeing their pictures etc, heck I've even "friended" my news station for mini-updates throughout the day.  But it's not always good, I recall while going through our fertility issues it was exhausting/frustrating and most days just plain difficult to see the updates from friends who were pregnant, even if it was a struggle for them to get there.  I hid many of them, especially the ones that seemed to get pregnant by simply looking at their husband/boyfriend/some guy.  Some of them are still hidden, for various reasons.

But now I am the hidden friend.  I can tell because friends who used to comment on my status' or photos don't anymore.  I don't blame them, I remember being in their shoes and I did the same thing, I had to because the pain was to great.  But at the same time I try to make my status' varied and not always baby related because I still have an identity outside my pregnancy as I will once I'm a mother.  I like sharing my milestones with people and celebrating them and I will continue to.  I know my freinds' pain and I hurt for them, I cry for them and I'm always praying they too will be blessed.  But I can't lie it makes me deeply sad to know I'm now the hidden one. 

I'm not sure this post really has a point, it's just something that has been rambling through my mind for a few days and I needed to get it out.

154 days pregnant

• Weighty Issues:  Up a total of 13 thus far, next weigh in 2/15 at dr's office. 
• Stretch Marks:  Sadly I have my frist pregnancy stretch mark....oh my right BOOB!  YIKES!
• Sleep:  I adore thee sleep!  The more the better!
• Best Moment this week:  I'm working hard to cherish each moment, but I sure do love when I get a good strong kick, too bad they are usually when I'm at work V has only felt the one kick.
• Food:  I'm still craving the usual (oranges, pineapple and cucumbers) but in addition I love Twix Bars!  Yum!  Still dealing with heartburn too but TUMS are helping with that!
• Clothes:  Pretty much all maternity all the time, it's just more comfortable!
• Labor signs:  God forbid!  I hope I never even experience Braxton Hicks Contractions. 
• Belly Button:  Is super shallow, it will be an outie soon!  You can easily see what was formerly the bottom, weird!  And it hurts or is sore most of the day now....groooooowing pains!
• What I miss:  Nothing, espcially after all the tradgy I've heard about this week there is nothing at all I miss!
• What I’m looking forward too:  Painting the nursery, hopefully this weekend!  Let the nesting begin!
• Weekly Wisdom: I'm sticking with my favorite "everyday is a miracle, treat it that way!"
• Weekly WTF:  WTF winter, go away!
• Nesting:  Stay tuned!
• Milestones: He almost weighs a pound!

For more on the development of a 22 week baby click HERE.

Hard Day

I never used to be what one would call an “emotional” person. In fact I bet most people thought I was happy, yet internally I was completely numb, I had so much to just get through that I didn’t spend a lot of time on emotions; sympathy, empathy all that were too much time and effort and distracted me from making it through [high school]. I’m proud to say, it took a lot of work but, I am no longer that person. I openly wear my heart and all my emotions on my sleeve. If you want to know how I’m feeling just look at my face, it shows.

I can’t say I always enjoy being a “heart on my sleeve” kinda-girl, it can be really difficult sometimes. Ironically being the girl with her heart out there has lead people (often total strangers) to tell me there life stories but especially of their heartbreak. I literally have had bosses to literal strangers poor their hearts out to me in grocery stores, parking lots…everywhere. Today I’ve heard so many sad stories and all of them have involved children. A child was murdered, a young child was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and on and on it went. And it breaks my heart, I hurt for these children and my friends who need to relieve their hearts and tell someone of these stories. It would be different if I could hear these stories and hear them and be sad and move on but I weep for them, certainly not in front of these friends but later (this evening) I will weep probably a few times.

Needless to say I have not stopped rubbing my belly and talking to baby boy today. Part of me just wants him to be here and for me to be able to hold him in my arms and the other part of me wants to keep him inside me where he is “safe”. It’s just been a hard day.

What I'm loving right now....

I did one of these a while back, my bestie inspired me to do them.  This morning I was feeling lovey again so here is another installment of :
What I'm loving.....

1. Pineapple....I'm not entirely sure it's in season, and it sure as heck doesn't grow around here but I'm obsessed.
2. Valentine's Day....it depends on the year if I'm all about it or not, V and I usually keep it pretty low key but this year I'm diggin' all the lovey-dovey-ness around.  The hearts, the love songs, all of it! Someone tell my husband to send me flowers!!
3. Yoga...I just got back into this after taking some time off, I forgot how relaxing it is! 
4. Big Sparkly Earrings....my hubby bought me some princess-cut solitaires about two years ago I almost never take out, but lately I'm loving big sparkly earrings like these cobalt blue ones I have, just makes me feel extra pretty!
5. The Family Cabin....Yeah so I haven't been there since September, since I don't want to risk life and limb, that or I'm a chicken...but anyway I've been day-dreaming about it for weeks now.  Sunset on the dock, hamburgers and potato salad for dinner, smores for desert, not to mention there is no cable, no radio, no cell service just you and good company and a book...oh yeah and our dogger.

What are you loving?  Tell me, I love stories!

b.a.n.a.n.a.s.....BANANAS!

Little boy is the size (length I'm guessing) of a banana!

In other news:

• Weighty Issues: Same as last week, up a total of 13lbs.   
• Stretch Marks: None yet, I'm really hoping I don't get any but realize that is not realistic, but hey a girl can hope!
• Sleep: I love sleep, and I'm sleeping better now that I'm working out a little, yippie!
• Best Moment this week: V got to feel the little guy kick last night!!
• Movement: Yep, he's getting a little more consistent and stronger each day!
• Food Commentary: it's probably the best it's been so far although heart burn has made an appearance.
• Labor Signs: God Forbid! it's far far far too early for that business!!!! I don't plan on changing this one until at least 36+ weeks.
• Belly Button In or Out: So far still in, it gets sore though, I think it's stretching!
• What I miss: Nothing enough to change it.
• What I'm looking forward to: Everything, everyday I wait for his little kicks etc.  I'm really enjoying the second trimester!  I would love to start on the nursery though!
• Weekly Wisdom: Just like last week, each day is a miracle, treat it that way!
• Weekly WTF: I got nothing worth complaining about!
• Nesting: I'm ready to nest, if only the nursery were finished :/
• Milestones: Everyday is a milestone!

For more on the development of a 21 week old fetus click here.

Here is a pic of me in a non-maternity printed shirt, what it ever did to deserve this we'll never know.  Also that is my dogger (sorry about the creepy eyes).

I used-ta-could

Back in the day, aka pre-pregnancy, when I worked out in the evenings I'd shower that night thus the next morning I would not shower but bend over the side of the tub to wash my hair to be fresh for the day. I know it might sound lazy but I have sensitive skin and two showers in one day would dry me out to the extend of the desert sands but I have kinda high maintenance hair that requires a wash everyday (and straighten to name just a few items). Last night I worked out after work, just 30 mins of cardio, came home ate, showered etc. It occurred to me as I was falling asleep that I won't be able to bend over the tub in the morning and I would have to take another shower. I just giggled to myself. It's not the end of the world but funny none the less. I could probably force my body to bend over the side of the tub for a good hair washing without bugging my little guy too much but it wasn't worth the effort to try and see. I'm guessing this will be just the first of a list of things that by June will be more of a "use-ta-could", (or "I used to be able to".... for those who are grammatically inclined)!