Pregnancy Week 12 - 11.7.12 & 11.8.12

Written 11.7.12...

Almost there!!!! On Saturday I will finally be through the first trimester.

We have our 12 wk ultrasound on Thursday and I can't wait to see the little Bebe, I may have high expectations for this visit. I have heard/read about ppl's babies dancing around and doing a lot of moving so hopefully i get to see something like that in movies it seems like the little beans just hang around not a lot of jumping. maybe we'll even see some thumb sucking :) :) :)

Written 11.8.12...

We had our ultrasound and our little guy is starting to look less like a bean and more like a baby. Ok maybe more like an alien but it is exciting to see the arms, legs, etc. what a miracle!

Feeling: 
EXCITED!!!! To finish breaking the news. Tired but not too hormonal. Generally and consistently nauseous but nothing crazy.

Eating:
Anything that is not sweet
Indian food but baby is not down for this - this is a mom craving. I requested a double order of my favorite Indian food which is very tasty and very expensive so I had a private chat with baby about helping me keep this down. Indian 3 days in a row so far and trying for 1 more time tomorrow, maybe I'm pushing my luck?

Aversion:
Sweet things - like at all sweet, pretzels and smoothies are too sweet!
All nut butters - didn't think that was possible
Nuts (besides peanuts)
Meat - the smell especially, yuck!

Surprises: 
This week the baby develops reflexes and learns to hiccup. On day 1 I randomly got hiccups in spurts anywhere from 1-5. I like to think the baby was giving me some hiccups.

A week in Sunriver, OR

This week we spent some time in Sunriver, OR with my husbands side of the family and our favorite family friends. There were 15 of us total with us "kids" out numbering parents almost 4 to 1. That ratio alone set us up for a good time. Unfortunately we had some off weather, it even hailed! But with great company we made the best of it. 

We rode bikes and baby bear had his first opportunity to be pulled in a bike drawn carriage and he pretty much loved cruisin behind Daddy.  

I had only ridden once since I was 14 (except that fluke 20mi bike ride complete with happy hour stops) so I was a little wobbly and my tail bone was pretty sore but I enjoyed my beach cruiser. There were a few hills where gears would have been useful so next time I will probably rent a bike ready to take on more hilly terrain. 

We celebrated the 29th birthday of this special guy...

Ate some great food...

Baby Bear tried his first ice cream, not as much of a hit as I expected...

and a particularly awesome dessert, S'mores Pie (recipe to follow in a few days)...

Larger than your man's hand doughnuts...

Had a few quiet minutes despite trauma from teething...

Popped a molar, well half of it.  Looking forward to when this misery maker is done torturing my baby.  

Did some swimming....

Ate some dirt...

Took a raft down the Deschutes...

All in all a relaxing, hilarious, and memorable week!  

P.S. Any suggestions for another family oriented, active vacation spot? We love Sunriver but are hoping to switch it up every couple years. 

Take Me Back...

Last weekend we enjoyed a perfect stay at one of our favorite places that is very close to our hearts. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, it is where I spent my 18th Birthday, where we shared our first Valentine's Day, our wedding night, three of four anniversaries and many a family event. 

My MIL graciously gifted us her resort points so we could enjoy a fire pit room and the abundance of the club lounge which is basically a smorgasbord of complimentary food & beverage offerings throughout the day with breakfast, light snacks, hors d’oeuvres, coffee, tea, cocktails and cordials. They also offer movies, games and sometimes other events and activities. 

The weekend was fantastic, and that is an understatement. We walked the sea cliff trails...

and met a friend...

                                  

who then only decided to show us his best side...

Indulged in the fabulous spa amenities...

(that's not us) 

Watched a traditional Indian wedding in the courtyard and enjoyed nice conversations with other guests while enjoying club lounge drinks and hors d' oeuvres and of course some cookies...

Side note I love traditions whether they be family cultural or a personal ritual I think it's so interesting that out of everything the human race has done over the thousands of year some things just stick, become and remain tradition. I'm always eager to learn about the traditions of others and was so excited to be able to witness another event filled with deeply rooted ritual and tradition. 

Sunday brought a lazy morning with breakfast at the firepit...

and a nap for the better half while I organized some of our things and enjoyed the view (you can't really tell but over the grassy knoll it's all ocean). We checked out later that morning but took advantage of the fact we still had club access and visited the spa again as well as the club lounge for a little of this...

You guys I'm telling you, this is the best chocolate almond toffee I have ever tasted and believe me when I say I've eaten a lot of this stuff. The title of professional chocolate toffee almond bark taster is more than warranted. 

Ciao Half Moon Bay, I hope to see you soon!!

What's your happy place? What kind of traditions are part of your culture or family?

Ceremony Reading: How to Be Married for the Rest of your Life

A few posts ago I mentioned a ceremony reading my friend asked me to write. I was so honored to be included in their day, it was absolutely beautiful. Really one of the prettiest weddings I have ever seen. The bride and groom are very real down to earth people who like things to be unique and straightforward which i think i captured in this writing. This is not necessarily going to be up everyone's alley because it is candid, honest and not the typical flowery, poetic, Shakespearean reading you might hear but it is true and it is honest.  

I chose to use "Be" instead of "Stay" in the title because I think if your goal is to stay married, your mindset is a little different. To me stay sounds like while you start with the best of intentions you are eventually doing the bare minimum and not evolving with your relationship and partner. To be married is an active mindset, you are consistently checking-in with yourself and you partner, giving your relationship and each other an honest look, evaluating how you can improve yourselves to support and contribute to your relationship.

Pregnancy Week 11 - 11.1.12

Written 11.1.12....

I cannot wait to be 13 weeks and 1 day!  Sort of feels like nothing is happening right now. I was oddly sicker than the past couple weeks. Up to week 9 I was pretty nauseous and its slowly gotten better then the end of this week was just tough, always tired and consistently nauseous. I needed to eat immediately upon waking but was less hungry throughout the day and am getting full more easily. My nightstand is stocked with sleeves of saltines and I've been eating about a box a week.

I am still working on little daily rituals to connect with Baby K. I try to have a silent moment at night and in the morning to pray and imagine what Baby is doing in there. Sometimes I think I might feel a flutter or twinge but I'm sure its my heart beat in my stomach not le bebe. I can't wait to feel my first kick, it is going to be THE BEST!

Feeling: 

Hormonal, probably better than other weeks but maybe because I don't feel great, it's as if I'm too tired to be annoyed, angry, or upset.

Eating:
Mustard on everything (what can I eat it on that isn't meat?)

Peanuts, just once and I never want to see them again

Cold smoothies all day e'rrr day (only way to get veggies)

TJs brown rice cereal

Aversions:
Meat 

Spinach and cooked veggeis
Peanut / almond butter

Surprises:

Silly me I thought 27 year olds could keep secrets about serious things like pregnancy especially when all their best friends already know. I learned my lesson about telling folks early, if you don't want anyone to know don't tell anyone :) I prefer to think friends share our news because they are excited for us rather than spending an ounce of time being upset about it.

Four Years Ago...

Four years ago today I was preparing to marry my personal comedian, confidant, biggest supporter, the Clyde to my Bonnie, and my best friend. Who knew I could ever get so lucky that this guy would be mine :)

Thank you to my better half who has put up with 4 years as my husband and many more as my friend. You are always the first to tell me I can do something and that I will not only succeed but conquer it. We have so many things to be thankful for in the life we have created over these few short years and I can't wait to see where this next year takes us.

The anniversary card I found for this man surprisingly did a great job summing up what I strive for every day in our marriage:

Hold on to me

And I will hold on to you

Through anything and everything

Life brings our way. 

Bring me your wishes 

And I will listen 

With my heart. 

Tell me what you need 

And I will endeavor 

To provide it to you. 

Love me even when it is not easy 

And I promise to do the same for you. 

Thanks Hallmark!

Happy anniversary, I love you babe!

Pregnancy Week 10 - 10/24/12

Written 10/24/12...

It's week 10 and I would venture to say most everyone knows the big news. We tried to keep the secret but due to our social calendar as of late, it was nearly impossible to keep this to ourselves. Saying no thank you to booze is a clear sign among my group of childless 27 year olds. It's even more obvious when your significant other slyly (loudly) tells the waiter/parents/wedding guests/co-workers that his wife doesn't need a glass for wine tonight. Thanks babe ;)

Feeling: 

Much less tired than last week and actually made it past 10pm three nights in a row. I was also able to prepare food for the first time in three weeks (starting 2 days into week 6 I was adverse to the look and smell of 99% of all foods).

Eating: 

Goldfish, not because I want them but because I don't not want them.  The list of things I haven't wanted to eat is very long. 

Surpirses:
- This is flying by! 

- I can't get enough of the baby research whether its about baby gear, pregnancy, delivery, nursing, I.LOVE.IT.ALL!

- So much new found energy this week and starting to feel more like a real person. 
- I am consistently starving and eating cold overnight oats while I type this.

Five Things - 6.25.14

Five things making me feel whole today...

One - this face


Two - this place

Three - Starbs Iced Teas...trying to keep these as a special treat but I can't get enough.  If there was a contest for a life time supply I would enter it a thousand times over. 

Four - Seeing this time on the clock when a little baby wakes me up 

Five - sharing a life with this incredible father, husband, and godly man

What are the simple things making you whole today?

P.S.  How to make homemade almond milk