30 Weeks.

Feeling our little wiggle worm move around is amazing, don't get me wrong, but I've gotten to the point where every movement is uncomfortable and I just want to see her moving around in the world.

The little one in my belly has been very active for the past couple of weeks. Like, she doesn't stop moving. She also gets the hiccups 2-3 times a day. We're measuring at just over 37 inches around. Big ladies over here.

With only 9 weeks (or less!) to go, I've got my mind set on a 12 pack of Pepsi or Coke or Dr. Pepper and half a dozen pink sprinkle donuts. (My most prevalent cravings as of late.)

Dear Sweet Baby, 

This week time I'll keep it short. We can't wait to see you. I want you to keep growing and developing beautifully, but I cannot wait for you to be in my arms. 

P.S. I love your little feet, but my ribs don't quite love their presence. 

Love, Mama.

Over a cup of hot chocolate..

Or orange juice or Dr. Pepper or whatever either of us are craving at the moment...

I would tell you that the holidays are making me extra happy this year.

Maybe it's the anticipation of our first Thanksgiving with our families in California in two years,

or maybe it's knowing that our sweet baby will be joining us in the flesh in the new year.

I would tell you that growing a baby is exhausting,

but it is the single most amazing thing I've ever done, and I don't think anything I do will ever top this.

I would tell you that I am so proud of my husband for the time and effort he puts into his schooling and his commitment to his role in the ROTC is inspiring. I also love how he is able

to provide for our family with his job at a little hospital.

I would probably tell you about the glorious plans I have for our baby's nursery corner in our room. And then I would probably begin to slightly freak out because I'd realize how much we still have to get before our girl gets here in two short months.

And of course, I'd want to know how you were, what your holiday plans are, what is on your mind or on your heart. Because I do want to know and I do care and I love how interacting with one another at this time of year feels especially cozy and all sorts of pleasant. 

Playing catch-up

I've been really, really bad about posting these, but I did remember to drag Matt out to snap a few pictures of my growing body.

Week 24 (Photos via Samantha Gillis Photography)

My old friend Samantha surprised me with her presence at the 

baby shower my sister threw me when we were in California last month.

She gave me a priceless gift of a maternity photo shoot. 

We rounded up a few gifts from the shower and headed down to the river.

I love this girl's work. If you're in the market for a photographer in the 

Fresno area, get in touch with her here.

Week 25

Week 26

(This is my face trying reeeally hard not to be mad at Matt. It obviously didn't work too well.)

Those bad mood pregnancy hormones hit me hard.

The beauty of nature: noted.

Today it snowed. 

All day. 

And this time it was beautiful.

We embraced it and loved it up and down for the

perfect excuse to stay cozy and lazy inside

with homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Dear Baby,

October 28, 2012 – 25 weeks 6 days

Dear Sweet Baby,

As we approach our third trimester mark, I thought I’d let you know a few of my favorite things about you. (I can’t believe how quickly time has been passing!)

1. I love feeling you move around inside of me. I feel so connected to you every time you move.

2. I love hearing your heartbeat. We get to hear the little thump-thump every two weeks now! I look forward to my appointments for that very reason.

3. I love how you respond to your daddy’s voice. I especially love that he loves to read and talk to you whenever he gets the chance.

I don’t think my favorite things about you will change much until you’re here in my arms. Feel free to come anytime in about 10-14 weeks. We can’t wait to meet you!

Love, Mama.

Patrick Dempsy

Matt and I like to share lazy moments together when we can. The other day before a nap, we were laying in bed and he turns his phone to me to show me what I'm assuming is a picture of a cute animal or silly meme on instagram - because that's just what he does. I looked at the screen and read something to the effect of "when you dream about someone it means that person misses you." ...Um, okay. Where are you going with this?

After I read it I looked at him and he said, "Patrick Dempsy was in my dream last night!" to which I respond, "Patrick Dempsy doesn't know you."

All too quickly he says, "But he misses me!" //palm to face//

And that's a taste of what I live with. I'm pretty sure the man has more celebrity man crushes than I do.

Dear Baby - 23 weeks

Preface: I am SO bad at getting around to writing lately. I think about doing it like a hundred times a day at least, but I'm just SO busy..... lazy. I will get better at this. 

Dear baby girl,

I can't believe how much you've grown lately(!) and how much you're supposed to grow in the next few weeks alone. Um, ouch. You are stretching this belly of mine and people are noticing you! (Which kind of makes this mama uncomfortable, and a little excited to know that we're getting closer to the day that we get to meet you). You're responding to your papa's voice more now, which he really likes. He tells you to "kick mama hard" several times a day. Most of the time you do, little stinker. But maybe you're just reacting because he keeps disturbing you from your beauty rest. Rude, man. You've also been moving a lot more (when you choose, especially at night. I am learning to love waking up to your tiny kicks because it reminds me that your little body is there - happy and healthy. Keep growing and do what you've got to do, little one. We love you to the moon and back.

Love, Mama.

________________________________________________________________________

We are headed to California tomorrow for a little visit and we are SO excited... for everything except the 13 hour drive. But hey, road trip! I've got little [healthy] snacks prepared for the road - blueberries, raspberries, grapes, sandwiches - and Oreos because a girl's gotta give in every once and a while. 

My sister is throwing me a baby shower on Saturday, but other than that, we are planning on playing the rest of our activities by ear. We're just looking forward to a nice weekend home with our families, some close friends, and our animals. 

A little pregnancy update: I've finally gotten to the point where I have more clothes that don't fit me than those that do. I braved the daunting task of maternity clothes shopping yesterday for the first time. It sucked. I got two shirts. TWO! Someone fill my closet with flattering, non-materning-esque clothing, puh-lease! Pinterist up my closet! Last week I got stuck in a couple dresses. Matt had to rescue me. Not a very confidence-instilling moment, folks. Other than the wardrobe woes, and um, hello big-o thighs!, life's dandy.

That's it.