24 weeks

We were in Mason, OH with Tom's family for Thanksgiving so I didn't get my 24 week post up, but no worries - we wouldn't miss taking the pics! *smile.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: Almost a foot long, just over 1 lb

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Guessing 12 lbs by now...

Maternity Clothes: Oddly enough, some of my maternity pants are getting tight. (They fit so well 4 weeks ago!) and a mix between regular and maternity tops. It amazes me how much more pregnant I look when I wear a maternity top.

Gender: Your guess is as good as mine! 

Movement: Especially active every morning after my grapefruit. And then constantly throughout the day. And night.

Sleep: Toss and turn a lot, but still sleeping great.

What I miss: Being able to run more than a mile.

Cravings: Lately, grapefruit and a banana with honey drizzled on top.

Symptoms: Ligament pain and little baby movements

Best moment this past week: Seeing Tom's family over Thanksgiving and explaining the baby to two year old Brooke. 

Exercise: Usually running a mile/walking a mile, lifting and biking. Tried pilates/yoga tonight and it.was.hard. Couldn't do much *frown.


Can't believe I'm in my 6th month! So far, this pregnancy has been a dream. Lets hope and pray it continues!

Multitude Monday, er, Thursday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

And being very thankful not only on Thanksgiving, but all year long.

#481...the way the sunlight shines through our dining room windows.
#482...peaceful weekends not spent rushing here and there.
#483...making it through the MSP airport on the busiest travel day of the year.
#484...the sweet voices of our niece and nephew whom we haven't seen in six months.
#485...anticipating the first day of my 6th month of pregnancy and praising God that all is well.
#486...the way my hubby is able to fix everything that goes wrong, most recently lost pictures that were (I swear!) imported into Lightroom yet were not saved on our hard drive (there may have been tears.)
#487...just sitting and looking at our Christmas tree twinkling away.
#488...really good gym workouts.
#489...seeing the number creep up on the scale and being ok with it.
#490...my family and friends - old and new - who have helped shaped me into the woman I am today.
I am gently reminded to be thankful for the moments in life that may otherwise slip away unnoticed. Each new day is a blessing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The View From Here

Saturday and Sunday mornings at home are my favorite. This morning, as I enjoyed my Trader Joe's Chai tea, I just enjoyed the calm, relaxed time with the hubby and took it all in.

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Here's what I saw as I looked around me....

Happy weekend to you!

It's time...

This was our backyard only a few weeks ago...

And last Saturday we woke up to a winter wonderland - what a beautiful sight!

It's the type of weather that is pretty yet with temps still comfortable - my favorite kind.

Well, with that outside, the fall decorations just didn't seem fitting so down they all came!

And up this went!

Now I can finally break out the eggnog and not feel weird about it *smile.

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#471...The beautiful first snowfall.
#472...Christmas music to match the weather.
#473...An early Saturday morning adventure with the hubby.
#474...IHOP's Nutella crepes.
#475...Letting go of things we don't need/use.
#476...A really good dinner using everything we already had in the freezer and pantry.
#477...My favorite time of day...right before we fall asleep when we're both feeling the baby kick.
#478...A husband who works really hard and doesn't (usually) complain.
#479...Comfy weekend clothes.
#480...A warm house with soup on the table.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
   turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love,
   you who save by your right hand
   those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
   hide me in the shadow of your wings
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
   from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17:6-9

22 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: 11", almost one pound

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 8 lbs

Maternity Clothes: So comfy

Gender: No clue, but we had a three year old boy at Ikea ask if "I had a son" b/c he thought our bedding looked boyish (we took it try and match to curtains and a rug.) But then we call the baby Dixie, so your guess is as good as mine! 

Movement: He/she was so crazy one night this week that Tom and I were both laughing. I love it!

Sleep: Toss and turn a lot, but still sleeping great.

What I miss: Life before ligament stretching.

Cravings: Really nothing

Symptoms: Ligament pain and the feet...are...just...a...bit......harder...to...reach *smile

Best moment this past week: Tom painting the nursery and setting up all the furniture. It's coming together so well!

I could stare at these all day long....

That's our 20 week old baby at our first and only ultrasound!!

Isn't he/she just the sweetest black and white blurred little thing you have ever seen?!

The u/s tech commented on Dixie's "long fingers" - wonder who he/she gets that from? Hmmm.....

                                                        Cute baby foot.

Long arms.

These are my favorite aside from the profile shot. A healthy spine and legs all curled up with a cute baby bum! 

Ah-mazing. One of the coolest experiences of my life. Dixie was very active, which I feel most babies are when they are hearing the sound equivalent of an approaching subway train, and wouldn't be still long enough for good measurements so we got to watch him/her for a good 45 minutes. He/she patted its head and opened and closed its mouth - talk about melting mama's heart. Those 45 minutes felt so surreal - that was our baby on the screen. The baby inside of me. The baby that will be making his/her arrival in just a few months. What will they look like? Whose hair and nose and eyes will they have? What kind of personality will God have given them? Will they be born healthy?

Even with so many questions running through my mind, all I could literally do is just smile...with gentle tears coming out the corners of my eyes...and praise the awesome name of Jesus. Only He could create something so miraculous and amazing. This entire 21.5 weeks has been incredible. From seeing "Pregnant" on the test to sharing the news with friends and family to upgrading to maternity clothes and being in awe at my growing belly (and ahem other things) to feeling the first movement at 17 weeks and now laying in bed each night laughing with the hubby at how much the baby moves...incredible. All of it. I have cherished every single ounce of it and I am so thankful that it's gone so smoothly, because I know that often times it doesn't. God is so good.

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Dixie - we already love you so much! You have brought us so much joy the last almost 22 weeks and we haven't even held you in our arms or kissed your sweet cheeks. So far, you've been a pretty easy baby - I hope that continues *smile. We have so much more to look forward to with raising you as our first born. Already God is preparing your portion and your cup. I have much to learn as a new mom, but that's what grace is for. We can't wait for your arrival, and hope and pray you continue to grow big and strong, just like your daddy (well, not THAT big and strong.) I know you will change us forever and for that, I can not wait. Truly you are fearfully and wonderfully made...Love always, Mommy

Races and Showers

I'm alive!! Tom and I have been so focused on baby, nursery and other stuff recently, that I rarely (honestly) sit down at night anymore. And the recent weekends have been awesome but not exactly relaxing. Then there's the issue of having two computers, but one is unreliable 5+ year old laptop that neither of us wants to use so we take turns on the good computer, but if it's my turn then I have pictures to edit and photography things to work on..............I suppose I should get used to being so busy, huh? *smile.
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Two weekends ago, I left Tom at home to meet up with Liz, Max, Anna, her mom and some other family members in Mankato, MN on Friday night. Her (amazing) mom, Renea, was running a half marathon the following morning along with her cousin, Wendy, and aunt, Rhonda. We had so much fun!! I just love that girl and her two adorable kids (and her entire family.) Our time together is always short, but well worth it and I'll take what I can get. Renea came in 3rd in her age group! So inspiring. Now I have the half marathon itch...........................may be good post baby motivation?!

Wish you could have seen her adorable ballerina pj's. I told Liz to keep them for me if we have a girl.

Go Renea!!

Go Rhonda!

The running crew - amazing job!!

And after a quick lunch at Noodles & Co, we were both on our way to our next destinations *tear.

From Mankato, I headed to my hometown for a baby shower of one of my high school girlfriends, Megan. First stop - my aunt's house so Laney could meet Hannah. You haven't forgotten about Hannah, have you?! Well, Laney and Hannah got along great. Laney thought she was pretty big stuff leading her around...

Pure joy in that little girl. It was so sweet.

High school friends: Libby, Amanda, Megan, Whitney, Tara and myself. Love those girls.

Lib is due at the beginning of May, me at the end of March and Megan in December - I always wanted belly pictures with my friends *smile. I love it!

So that was one weekend....ISU Homecoming and nursery updates coming soon!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#461...Gaining an extra hour of sleep. So nice...
#462...60 degrees on November 7th. Seriously...this fall has been just incredible.
#463...Being reminded of God's all sufficient grace.
#464...Trials at work that only make us stronger.
#465...Midwives on call to help ease some anxiety.
#466...A trip to Ikea with my parents for (almost) all of our nursery needs. We made it through the Saturday evening chaos. (Hint: don't go to Ikea on a Saturday evening with a long "to buy" list.
#467...Working together with the hubby to set the crib up. So cute.
#468...A busy weekend with much to show for the effort.
#469...Mom's homemade soup.
#470...Seeing our sweet baby for the first time via ultrasound. Most amazing sight ever...

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ 
to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24  

20 weeks yesterday

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 weeks

Size of baby: About 10 inches from head to toe, the length of a banana

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Will find out for sure on Friday, but I think I'm pushing 7 or 8 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Broke out the pants a week ago and am not lookin' back. Still in mostly "normal" shirts.

Gender: If only I knew! It'll be a fun surprise come March.

Movement: He/she is usually active when I lay down.

Sleep: Can't complain.

What I miss: Not feeling like I constantly have to use the restroom.

Cravings: Halloween candy *smile. (But can it really be a craving if you cave?)

Symptoms: Pants don't fit, can't do sit-ups and get tired more easily, 
but other than those things, I feel wonderful!

Best moment this past week: Tom feeling the baby move for the first time. It was so sweet!

Half.Way.There.

(deep breaths.....)

So excited and still feeling great!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#451...Seeing *almost* all of my best friends over the course of two weekends.
#452...Lovin' on my friends' children.
#453...Jam-packed-full-of-fun weekend road trips.
#454...Our house being in disarray (for good reason) and me being ok with it.
#455...Having breakfast with our five and nine-year old nephews.
#456...Cheering on Hayden at his last soccer game.
#457...Lounging on the couch and watching a movie at my brother's house, just like old times.
#458...Pizza Ranch buffets. Mmmmm....
#459...A tub full of maternity clothes loaned to me from a wonderful friend.
#460...Beautiful Iowa State University Homecoming weather, and we WON! Go State!

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19


Notice the above verse says “ALL.” It doesn’t say “some” or “most,” but it says that He will meet all of our needs. It doesn’t say how He will meet our needs and I have found from experience the way He does it is often not what I expected. But the bottom line is that God is faithful and He does what He promises.
- From http://christianpf.com