Week 25

My sister Heather and my niece Charlotte came out to visit this weekend. They stayed with us which was great because I got to monopolize their time, and have tons of one on one time with Charlotte in which I didn't have to share her with anybody! She is so sweet, and having her here this weekend really made me glad that my son and Charlotte will be so close in age. It will be great that they will get to grow up together...I just wish they lived closer!

We went to our friend's baby's gender reveal party on Saturday. It was such a special time to be with them as they found out they will be having a little girl! Mike and Kristin are going to be amazing parents and their daughter will be blessed because of them. It will be exciting to share the ups and downs of parenting with them!

While my sister was here we also were able to register! She was such a help and having her there really helped me not to feel overwhelmed by all of the baby "stuff!" It seems like entering this stage of life requires learning a new language...the language of "Baby Gear." I'm so glad she was here to walk me through the aisles pointing out the items I'll need and the ones not to bother with. I have always loved having an older sister and even as I get older I learn to value that relationship on deeper levels. Love you Heather and Charlotte!

Week 24

I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy is going! I am already 24 weeks, which means we only have 16 weeks (hopefully!) until we welcome our little man. When I began to count down rather than count up, D-day suddenly seems so much sooner!

Ryan and I purchased some big items this weekend to get ready for the baby. We bought a glider/rocker for the nursery and a car. We bought a Honda Pilot, which is an automatic (yay!) and it has four doors (double yay!), so we will actually be able to get the baby in and out! ;)  It would have been a real struggle to continue to deal with my little 2 door, manual Civic! We are so grateful to have the means to afford these luxuries. When I think about moms all over the world who have their children strapped to their backs in just some fabric, I feel so blessed that I get to live where we are living and afford what we can to provide for our baby.

I am really looking forward to this weekend. My sister is coming into town and bringing my adorable niece, Charlotte. I'm sure we will take plenty of pictures because I cannot help snapping away when I'm with my gorgeous niece! So next blog post should be full of a lot more fun pictures besides just ones of my belly! ;)

Here is a preview of Charlotte:

Week 22

This week was so much fun! Ryan was finally done with his finals for school, so we were able to finally enjoy some time together. On Friday night we went to El Torito at the Harbor and celebrated the close of his first semester in seminary. It was a nice time and we got there in enough time to have dinner overlooking a twilight harbor. Afterward we ran into Ralph's for some groceries and the checker asked if I was pregnant! It caught me off guard, but it was special because it was the first time a stranger has guessed that I am!

On Saturday we had our first beach day of the season. The weather was absolutely perfect and we were able to meet some of our friends there. It was the first time that I laid out since being pregnant, and as soon as I got in the sun the baby totally started moving. It was the first time I was able to actually see him move through my skin. It was such a weird but cool experience! Ryan was even able to see it, so it was fun that we were both able to see it together. There were 4 little boys that were playing in the sand next to us, and I couldn't help but think that soon I would be taking my own son to the beach and introducing him to the beauty that God has created and allows us to enjoy!

Week 21

I woke up one morning this week and felt little feet (I think they were feet) pretty high up on my side. It took me by surprise because it was the highest I've felt the baby before. I am amazed at how fast he is growing. He's already half the length he will be once he's born!

I am getting more and more excited to get the nursery ready. I have started to look into what kind of furniture we want to get, and I can't wait until we get it all together. Ryan finishes school next week, and after that we will have time to go shopping and look at the different types of cribs, gliders and dressers. We will also probably register soon too. I so look forward to experiencing this special time with him!