25 & 26 Weeks

how far along? 26 weeks

how are you measuring? Right on track
size of baby? Size of lettuce

heartbeat? I am not sure at the moment

total weight gain/loss? -1 lbs. 

maternity clothes? All the way

stretch marks? A few

sleep? I feel like a toss and turn all night long. I am starting to get cramps in my legs and butt, having a thick pillow between my legs has been very helpful at night.

best moment this week? We got to see little baby G, they were sucking away on their left arm, it's amazing to see the changes in our baby from month to month.

movement? Yes, especially at night when I first lay down.

food cravings? At the moment I really haven't had any cravings, whatever people suggest I eat.

gender predictions? We will find out May 26th!

what i miss? Shopping for cute clothes, I have always loved getting new clothes, but I don't find maternity wear quite as exciting. Don't get me wrong I am excited and truly blessed by this baby, but I miss skinny clothes.
what i'm looking forward to? My first shower next weekend
how are you feeling? I'm feeling really good, the top of my stomach gets a little sore by the end of the day, and my feet/hands are starting to swell, I solve that problem by staying off my feet as much as possible :)

22 & 24 Weeks

Well, I missed the post about 22 weeks, but I'll still share the picture!

how far along? 24 weeks

how are you measuring? Right on track
size of baby? Size of a cantelope

heartbeat? 152 bpm at last appointment 

total weight gain/loss? -9 lbs. 

maternity clothes? Yes, I still have a couple of work pants that I can still wear, but I definitely find maternity pants way more comfortable. 

stretch marks? A few

sleep? I sleep ok, last night was a little more difficult, it seems that my belly is really starting to get in the way now and my hips go numb from the extra weight so I feel like a toss and turn for most of the night. I get up about once during the night to go to the bathroom.

best moment this week? friends starting to plan for my shower and registering for our sweet babe and I think we've finally agreed on names.

movement? Yes, lots of soft bumps

food cravings? I've really been enjoying fresh fruit and apples with almondbutter, these Girl Scout Cookies are killing my attempts to be healthy!

gender predictions? We will find out May 26th!

what i miss? Sleeping on my stomach and back, I catch myself on my back in the middle of the night.
what i'm looking forward to? My first shower at the end of this month.
how are you feeling? I'm feeling really good, I'm a little sore at the end of the day, but I fix that with sitting and relaxing!

Baby registry

Moms, I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed by all the items that are "required" for a little bitty person, and I need your help. I have attached Buy Buy Baby's  registry checklist. I know that there are necessary items on the list and items that don't get used. Please help me out, what items did you find were invaluable and which items did you receive that you could have done without.

Also, what are your top 5 must have items?

And...Which do you prefer?

• diapers
• bottles
• breast pump
• monitor
• car seat

Meal Planning Monday

Monday: Cilantro lime shrimp with cilantro lime rice
Tuesday: Ladies bible study (Drew's on his own)
Wednesday: Bucca Di Beppo leftovers before life group
Thursday: Southwest chicken burgers with southwest salad
Friday: Kitchen's closed

20 Weeks

Half way there!! 

how far along? 20 weeks

how are you measuring? Right on track
size of baby? size of a banana 

heartbeat? 152 bpm at last appointment (18 weeks)

total weight gain/loss? -10 lbs. 

maternity clothes? Yes, I finally caved (Drew made me spend some money) and bought a pair of jeans (mine were starting to hurt). I can still wear regular shirts.

stretch marks? Nope.

sleep? I'm still tired, but I no longer need daily naps. I got a new pillow this weekend and it's helped me sleep more through the night and wake up neck pain free!

best moment this week? Getting the nursery done, and feeling some movement!

movement? Yes, I feel some subtle movements

food cravings? Cran-raspberry juice (no worries, its light)

gender predictions? Drew is dead set that we are having a boy, I'm pretty happy either way. At the beginning I was pretty adamant that we were having a girl. We will find out May 26th!

what i miss? Becasue of all the holidays, I was really missing the occasional glass of wine with a nice meal and not having heartburn after eating.
what i'm looking forward to? Registering
how are you feeling? I'm feeling good, I love being able to eat again, and healthy food is starting to sound good again!

Meal Planning Monday

Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs with steamed broccoli
Tuesday: Ladies bible study (Drew's on his own)
Wednesday: herb crusted salmon and sauteed spinach
Thursday: Cilantro lime shrimp and rice
Friday: Church

Weekend: Leftovers

New Years Resolution

Each year I have made lists of resolutions that I have wanted to accomplish and as each year came to a close, I would look back and see that most of the things on that list were incomplete and consequently making me feel like a failure. This year will be different, I have one goal, one resolution.

• To be more joyful, by finding the blessings and gifts that God places in my life on a daily basis and giving thanks for those blessings. My goal is Eucharisteo- "Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning "joy." Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy." Ann Voskamp

Resolutions are goals and goals have to be measurable. This last year I read Ann Voskamp's 1,000 Gifts and it was an amazing read. To make my goal this year measurable, I want to write 1,000 gifts or blessings for the year 2014, which breaks down to about 3 gifts a day.

I believe that if I count my blessings and give thanks to God for what he provides, it will make me a more joyful person and having joy in my life will hit every aspect of my life. I will find joy in myself as a person, a wife, a mother. I will find joy in my spouse, in my house, family, every blessing provided from God. I think it will make my typical resolutions of being healthy, knowing God more fully, being a better wife, more financially responsible all fall into place because I have found true joy.