Weekend Adventures

It's Sunday morning, Liam is napping and V is watching the Olympics.  This weekend has been amazing!  I mean no one doesn't love weekends but sometimes they are full of chores and obligations.  As I type this I realize there is no chance of us making it to church, again.  But ya know what?  God knows the content of our hearts and I'm not waking my baby to race out the door, not today.

Friday morning G'ma picked up Liam and brought him up to the lake where most of the family had been for a good week.  I was a bit hesitant at first because they wanted him to spend the night at the campsite but a chance for a date night after work and a little extra sleep on Saturday morning made the decision for me.  We are very blessed to be surrounded by V's family, they love all of us but especially Liam and can't get enough time with him.  I have been extra run down lately so letting Liam enjoy extra time with the family while I got extra sleep seemed like a win-win.  And it was!

V usually let's me choose where we eat so that night I let him decide, he chose a local place, it was pretty good.  I was just happy to have some time with my hubby!   We had a nice time then decided to check out a new game place that had just opened.  They have go-carts, games, lasertag and more but I can't remember it all, lol!  We played some games, laughed a ton and gave our tickets to a little boy who thought he won the lottery.  It was a wonderful time!  We got home just in time to watch some of the Olympic  Games opening  ceremony celebration.

A pic I took of the view on the trail. I love this place!

Sunday morning we got up, got ready and grabbed burritos from the healthy food store here and hit the open road (with V's sister in tow, oy).  After a mere hour and half we arrived to my happy little boy beaming with joy! I hadn't been to this lake a years and forgot how beautiful it is.  Liam needed a nap so the guys (plus V's sister) went fishing while MIL and I hung out.  Everyone got back just before Liam woke up, we all ate quickly and headed off on a hike to the waterfalls in the area.  I wore Liam in  his framed pack, boy is he getting heavy!  I was hoping to use this pack next summer but I think it's only going to make it though this one! Ek!  I'm proud to say I was able to pack him both in and out!  Go me for getting some cross training in! ;)  Liam did great, he loves hiking and being outdoors!  He even napped on the way out.

After we got back to the campsite we all snacked and hung out while for a while before Liam needed another nap (he was pooped!).  I waded into the lake, oh how I regret not bring my swimsuit!  The evening went by quickly and before we knew it the time to head home had come.  We packed up Liam and all our stuff (MIL had brought quite a bit up for him) and headed back home for showers and bed time.

Today I'm tan, sore and so content!  This is how all weekends should be!  I hope each of you had a great weekend as well!

Much Love,
Jen

Taking Down My Pics

Good Friday Morning Peeps,

As you may (or may not) have noticed I have taken down a lot of my pictures on here.  I've been getting insane amount of daily views lately and it's made me rather uncomfortable.  I have no intentions of ever earning money from this blog, it's my journal (bad grammar/spelling and all)...not my job.....knowing that hundreds of people are viewing my pictures....it weirds me out.  I hope this doesn't mean you all will leave me, I will post pics in the future but I'll likely only leave them up for a few days.  It's my blog, I make the rules.....

Much Love,
Jen

8 Months Old....on Valentine's Day!

My little Mr. Liam turns 8 months old today 9:56am....I am so blessed to have two Valentine's today!

Much Love,
Jen

Happy 7 Months Liam!

Life will never be the same and Thank God for that!

An Incredible Year

I can hardly believe it's time to close the book on 2011.  You know when you read a really good book and you don't want it to end, you sit there almost lingering before you actually shut the cover, well that is how I feel.  I want to linger here in this [emotional] place just a moment longer. 

This time last year we had finally turned a corner in my pregnancy, for a while all was well and I finally felt safe (until 32 weeks when my swelling was out of control and fear crept back in).  In January we announced we were having a boy, in the months that followed we prepared his room, took a birthing class, had two baby showers...the list goes on and on....it was a wonderful year, so full of joy!  Yes there were hard times, between February and April V's family lost four members...I still can't wrap my head around that whole thing.  There were international disasters (remember the tsunami in Japan, seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?).  No year is perfect but I have wrapped 2011 in a emotional bow in which I will always fondly remember it as the year I became Liam's Momma.

I feel like everything has changed but at the same time nothing has changed, I can no longer recall what life was like before Liam and honestly I don't want to.  Oh it all sounds so cliche' but it's true.  Liam is really the light of my life, nothing comes before him (judge me if you will for that, I've been told my husband should come first and no he does not, I hope I am secondary to Liam in V's heart).  I always knew I would love my child but I didn't fully understand what that meant until he was in my arms....and I struggle to vocalize my love for him, I'd lay down my life in a moment for him.  I say it a lot but nothing in my life will be as important as being his Mom, nothing.

Thank you God for 2011 and the gift of this child, I feel like I have a much clearer understanding of your love for me now that I have Liam.  I can't want to see how he grows in 2012, it's going to be such a fun year!


Happy New Year to you and yours!

Much Love,
Jen

A Thankful Day

I work hard to be thankful for what I have and not wish for things to be different too often and these days being thankful comes easily.  So many things could be different and could have gone "wrong" that I feel like my cup not only runith over but is at the bottom of the ocean.  It's no secret I'm a lucky and very blessed girl, nay woman.

At this time last year we had just annouced our pregnancy to all our family and friends, I was sick as a dog with all day sickness but cherishing each moment of my pregnancy (and praying all the time that baby would make it due to weeks of spotting and bleeding).  This year V and I get to tote little Liam off to MIL & FIL's with about 30 family members, I could not be happier and I'm so very grateful.

I hope and pray with all my heart that each of you have so much to be thankful for, or at very least can find one thing to be deeply grateful for.

Much Love,
Jen and Liam

Small

So little, so funny, so sweet.

I think about this often...He won't always be this small.  I work hard to cherish every moment I have with Liam.  I think this comes more easily to me than some of my stay-at-home moms because I am away from  him during the day and only get about 2 hours/day with him (not counting commute time).  It's usually when he's sleeping or when I'm at work looking through his pictures when a heart-string gets tugged on and I say to myself he won't always be this little and I long to see him, hold him, play with him.  These days are fleeting and I will cherish every one I get to have with him.

Happy Thoughts

I need to be distracted therefore a random collection of happy thoughts:

1. Liam is sooo close to rolling over back to front!  (He's been able to do tummy to back for what seems like forever.)  He currently will roll on his slide and sort-of hinge on his hip but at the last moment he flops on his back.  He finds this hilarious as does mom. :)  I can't believe he'll be 5 months old tomorrow!  Holy Moly!

2. I got up ultra early and went to the gym, when I weighed myself I had hit my goal weight of 148lbs, 3 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight, now to tone up.  (Also I managed to get 2 workouts in this weekend, incredibly difficult to do but I did and now I'm sore, the good kind of sore, yay!)

3. I am obsessed with becoming a runner, in fact my goal is to run a couple 5k's next summer and maybe even a half marathon.  I'm thinking about setting a walking/jogging/running mileage goal for 2012 (around a couple hundred miles, I think I can really do it).

4. I just ordered some boots from target.com!  I really wanted brown but they were sold out so I got them in black (not sold in stores).  And....I sorta ordered a purse too.  I'm not sure I love the purse and if not I'll return it, guess I needed some retail therapy.

5.  I made this tonight, I added some turkey sausage and some zucchini (browned the sausage first and added it in before baking)  oh it was so yummy!  V even liked it, like really liked it.  I feel so accomplished when I make something we both really like.  I'm actually excited for leftovers tomorrow!  P.S. go check out Budget Bytes so has so many yummy recipes!!!

6.  I've been making coffee at home each morning (because I'm reliant on it at this point) which is more affordable and quicker but since I have to see Dr T tomorrow I'm treating myself to a latte...a single shot, carmel latte with whip cream....yeah I've been daydreaming about it all day!  Mmmmmm

7. Liam is amazing, so happy and sweet.  His little laughs make my world a brighter place.  He's such a funny little guy, I'm so very thankful for him.


Hey, that actually worked, yay!

And for your enjoyment a new Liam picture, we bought him this over the weekend, little peanut baby isn't big enough yet but he enjoys it (in small doses).

New Born Photos

I promised these a long time ago, and I only have time to load one today....but this one is the most fitting!

*Picture Removed by Blog Owner*

Rock and Worship Roadshow 2011

Last night my bestie and I ventured to the Rock and Worship Roadshow, luckily this year it was in our hometown!  Last year it was in the next state over (two states over?), we only had to drive about 3 hours but we ended up lost in the rain, it was hectic but still fun.  This year we were both so excited to get to stay in town, knowing exactly where we were going!  After a quick meal of some "Mexican" fast food we were off to find parking, souvenirs and seats.  We got there about 45 mins early, found parking easily and a short walk later we arrived at the venue with no line! (this concert doesn't sell tickets in advance, it's cash at the door which is pretty easy since it's only $10).  We each purchased a souvenir or two (I bought a lullaby CD by Mercy Me!) and ventured off to find seats.  We just caught the end of the opening act, actually the music Pastor of my church won a contest to open the concert, it was really great to see him doing what he's called to!  We quickly sat down and we were lucky, the Fire Marshall ended up shutting the doors soon after we sat, every single seat was sold! WOW!  This is not a normal occurrence in our town, even fairly big artists don't sell out this venue (it's not huge, I'd say a few thousand seats), the last time it sold out was a few years a go for Elton John! Pretty cool to see a Christan concert sell it out!

Hours passed filled with music by the artists: Anthem Lights, The Afters, Thousand Foot Crutch, LaCrea, Jars of Clay and Mercy Me!  The variety was really nice, Thousand Foot Crutch was LOUD but that can be expected as they are what I would call heavy metal christian music, LaCrea I'd never heard of-they were Rap-ish sorta Hip Hop Christian! I can honestly say I've never enjoyed rap or hip hop until last night! It was pretty neat!  Anthem Lights, The Afters, Jars of Clay and Mercy Me are all about the same type of music though I'm not sure how to classify it....it's my style that is for sure!

Ok enough rambling, here are some pics!  I hope if this concert was, is or will be in your area you will go, it's so worth it!

Leon Young (Worship Pastor at my church won a contest to open for the concert!)

Mercy Me

Jars of Clay

LaCrea

Anthem Lights

Only 11-15 weeks left (what?!?!)

I had to edit my title, it had said 9-15 weeks left which is untrue, I won't be considered full term until 36 weeks which is 11 weeks away, not nine.  I've never been good at math :P

• Weighty Issues: Still up a total of 21lbs. 
• Stretch Marks: I've stopped paying attention to the ones on my breasts, none on the belly.....yet. Yes I apply lotion daily, yes I know lotion can't prevent stretch marks, yes I will continue applying lotion anyway! :)
• Sleep: I've got to figure out how to fall back asleep after I get up to pee!  Last night I went to bed at 9pm and it was heaven!
• Best Moment this week: Hmmm it's been uneventful which compared to last week is really nice!  I'm loving all his kicks and when I can feel him rolling around!
• Food: Same old, same old.  I'm a big veggie fan lately which is good!
• Clothes: Maternity, period.  I tried to wear a few non-maternity clothes over the last few days and it was just uncomfortable!  I have several (5) maternity dresses I'm dying to wear if Spring ever comes to the Rockies (it snowed 5 inches in town last night, booo)
• Labor signs: God forbid! Unfortunately I had my first Braxton Hicks contractions a couple weeks ago, hopefully I never have more!
• Belly Button:  I just checked it the top is starting to come out, I'm surprised it made it this long truthfully.
• 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: WFT husband who used to be way more helpful!?!  I love you but when I was more sick you were way more helpful!  I'm considering coming down with a cold, *cough, cough*
• Nesting: It's begun!  I made two dinners tonight so I wouldn't have to cook later in the week and I'm researching how to make meals in advance and freeze them!
• Milestones:  My book says he will flip head down soon and stay there until he's born! What!?!  That is 11-15ish weeks, crazy!

For more on the development of a 25 week baby go here.

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).

Half Baked...a survey

• How far along; 20 weeks also known as half baked…ummm wow!
• Weighty Issues: as of Jan 18th I’m up a total of 13lbs on track for a healthy total weight gain (by the way for my frame, based on my pre-preg BMI, a total gain of 25-35lbs is recommended)
• Sleep: I day dream about sleep and nap as much as possible.
•  Best Moment this week: A week ago we found out we are having a healthy baby boy, since then his kicks have gotten stronger and stronger. I’m smitten!
• Food Commentary: I’m proud to say that I’m eating healthy again! I'm back to loving salads, cucumbers, oranges and pineapple (I hated pineapple pre-preg)! I’m still having small bouts of “morning” sickness but it’s manageable.
•  Maternity Clothes: Yes, yes and yes. Maternity pants are required and maternity shirts are just more comfy since they are so long!
• 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: It’s gets less shallow everyday! I predict it will not make it my whole pregnancy before popping! (yikes)
• What I miss: Nothing really, I’m back to the gym and that has helped a lot!
• What I'm looking forward to: Having the renovations around the house finished so I can begin work on baby’s room and nesting! (yes I'm a dork and want to nest!) 
• Weekly Wisdom: Everyday is a miracle, treat it that way!
• Weekly WTF: I got nothing this week, I’m just so thankful for my son’s health and the love being poured out on us via gifts, notes and what-not.
• Nesting: I’m very ready to nest, especially since our nursery furniture arrived super early and is now sitting un-assembled in our basement!
• Milestones: Knowing my son is healthy HUGE milestone!

For more on the development of a 20 week baby click HERE.

1.11.11 My 18 Weeks Pregnant Survey

How far along; 18 weeks...is it bad that it's still totally surreal?

Weighty Issues: most recent dr appt says up total of eleven, next update on Jan 18th.

Sleep: is good when I can get it, lately I wake up to pee at 4am and can't fall back asleep.

Best Moment this week: I heard this song that says "I will love you for you, not for the things that you will do or the person you will become, I will love you for you." and I cried because I will love my child for who they are (unlike my childhood).

Food Commentary: I've been craving salads which is a nice change.  However I've found when I'm hungry I really have to eat right then or I seriously turn into the "I'm dying of hunger" lady.  Yeah it's a bit intense.

Maternity Clothes: Yep, my pre-preg shirts have started to hang off the bottom of my belly in a weird way.

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: It's still in but taking on a new shape, very strange to experience! I also think it's more shallow now, isn't it a bit early for that?!

What I miss: Zit cream!  (I can't find any that work that doesn't have no-no ingredients, could I use them anyway? Probably, but I choose to whine instead.)  And working out, I'm starting to get the itch! I've called and emailed all the pre-natal yoga etc places I can think of and NO ONE has gotten back to me!  That's it, I miss the gym too much, I'm a smart enough girl to do this!!  First [pregnant] workout tonight!!!!

What I'm looking forward to: 7 days until our anatomy scan!! I can't wait to see the bambino and hear he/she is healthy and wonderful, and find out baby's gender! :)

Weekly Wisdom: Try to enjoy the good moments because apparently all-day-sickness can come back whenever it wants to.  Also pamper yourself, pedicure here I come.

Weekly WTF: WTF hormones!  I'm super crabby one moment and the next I crying tears of joy, yikes!

Nesting: I've started organizing my ideas for the nursery into "to buy now", "to get soon" and such categories!  I have to admit it's going to be hard to restrain myself after our anatomy scan!

Milestones: I'm back to feeling like each day is a milestone.

For more on the development of a 18 week baby click here.

And some semi-old pics:

13 week survey & Picture

• How far along; 13 weeks, 2 days
• Weighty Issues: I haven't weighed myself since my dr appt and don't plan too :)
• Stretch Marks: I think I have two starting....one on each of my boobies :(
• Sleep: I really need to focus on getting more sleep each night!  8 hours is no longer enough!
• Best Moment this week: V and I bought a ornament for the tree that says "Dad, Mom, Baby 2010" next year we'll get one that has the baby's actual name on it! 
• Food Commentary: It's getting better!  I have less cravings and less aversions everyday (knock on wood!)
• Maternity Clothes: Not everyday, I'm using a rubber band on my work pants until the maternity-work-slacks I ordered arrive.  My non-maternity shirts still fit fine.
• 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: Still in, a little more tender these days.
• What I miss: I can't think of anything really, I'd love to have more energy but I'm ok without it too.
• What I'm looking forward to: Our next ultrasound (likely not until the end of Jan)
• Weekly Wisdom: Sleep more!
• Weekly WTF: I got nothing. 
• Nesting: Not nesting but starting to clear out the room that will be the babies room!
• Milestones: My babe has finger prints!

12 weeks, hard to believe......

How far along; 12 weeks, is it odd that I'm still surprised I'm pregnant?!

•  Weighty Issues:  Well... had a dr appt yesterday, got weighed...I've gained 7 lbs, yikes, over the recommended 3-5 for the first trimester....but in all honestly all I could stomach for weeks was bread sticks, bagels and such.  My nurse and dr didn't seem to notice let alone be concerned, so I'm just going to continue eating as healthy as I can and accepting the lbs as they come. 
• Stretch Marks: None yet, I really need to start using my belly cream!!
• Sleep: I can't get enough sleep, however I've been waking up at 4am wide awake. Super fun......NOT
• Best Moment this week: Oh boy, well after a spotting scare over the weekend I have to say hearing the heart beat yesterday, I was scared sh!t-le$$.  Praise God babe is still growing away! 
• Movement: negatory thus far, hopefully in a few more weeks! 
• Food Commentary:It's still up and down, I was able to eat on Thanksgiving but have had several days lately where I need two magic pills (I'm allowed up to 3/day).  My dr says two more weeks and I'll be a "new woman"  Here's hoping! 
• 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, V is STILL obsessed with it, he rubs it, looks at it, talks to the babe through it.  Odd, very odd honey.
• What I miss: Energy and being able to go to the grocery store and/or cook dinner without gagging.  But I don't miss anything enough to trade it for my babe. 
• What I'm looking forward to: Everything....and feeling better soon (hopefully)
• Weekly Wisdom: If the dr on call is mean or rude to you call them out on it.  (yes this happened to me, I was spotting on Friday and scared (but calm, cool and collected until she was super unkind to me).  I didn't call her out and I should have.  I did tell my dr about it today though
• Weekly WTF: WTF rude dr, if you don't want to deal with scared pregnant ladies you should have decided to work in the morgue!  Jerk. 
• Nesting: Um I'd love to start nesting, if only I had the energy.  Right now I have two hour bursts and then I'm useless. I'm dying to order a crib!
• Milestones: My dr was able to easily find the heart beat yesterday on the hand held doppler.  He said "yep, nice and normal."  Whew, felt like a giant leap!  

 

Would you like to see my Belly? And face?

Hi Peeps & Happy Weekend to you!
I've been meaning to take more belly pictures, because I swear in reality I'm super bloated and starting to show.  Or could that just be the bread sticks I crave day and night, hmm?  Anywho here is my first official belly picture at 10 weeks.  I'm not entirely sure I'll always want my face on here so at some point I may take this photo/post down.  I reserve that right just so you know :)  Oh and p.s. this is my first maternity shirt, from Old Navy sssooo comfy!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, I hope your plans are coming together nicely and that you have more to be thankful for than your heart can hold! 

Happy Halloween!

Waiting to greet the trick or treaters, I hope they like my costume!!

Wordless Weekend Post