So Long 2nd Trimester...

I was browsing through pictures on my phone and realized I should post them on my blog for those of you who haven't already seen these shots on Facebook.

Plus, it's time for more updates.

It's almost time to say goodbye to the wonderful, happy, cute preggo pictures, nausea-free 2nd Trimester and welcome the "holy crap this is coming too soon and I'm going to be a mom" 3rd Trimester.

In last week's appointment with my wonderful Dr. Kim, I voiced that I'm a little nervous about the quickly upcoming birth and couldn't believe how time flew by...
She said she heard that a lot.

On the baby news, our little girl is healthy & growing right on schedule. I'm hoping everything stays that way till it's time for her to come...in June...no earlier than June.
I keep telling her, "Remember, Mama wants to be ready for this too... Early arrivals will stress her out." Hopefully she listens.

In other news, Mike and I had our 4 year anniversary in February and took a weekend vacation to Catalina Island (which is about an hour boat ride from where we are.)

Catalina is one of our favorite little places in the off-season.

We hate the on-season. Too many people.

But, we spent the weekend in this cute hotel and walked around the little town...which seriously is just one main street. The weather was perfect and we ditched our cellphones to just be with each other before our little Cookie arrives. It. Was. Perfect!

Mike insisted we buy this stuffed animal for our girl. It is a mix between a monkey and a duck...or otherwise known as a Dunkey.

...I'm betting this creepy thing gives our girl nightmares, but who knows, maybe she will love it.

Here we are getting on the boat to Catalina. It was our first sunny day in weeks!

After Catalina, I headed up to Northern California without Mike (sad..) to spend time with my parents before I become a parent. (happy!)

The last time they were with me, I was smack-dab in the middle of my 1st Trimester and I was NOT a happy camper. Nausea will do that to a girl. So, I was determined to leave a better memory of myself before the baby...and since the 2nd Trimester has been heaven, it seemed like perfect timing.

It was a quick trip, but we accomplished so much! My mom and I went to Babies R Us to register
(which took 3 hours!)
I never knew there was so much stuff for babies...totally overwhelming.

Then we relaxed with pedicures (hallelujah!) and dove right into Baby Shower planning. We also ordered the cutest baby blessing dress together and her adorable bedding. I can't wait for her to use it! I'll post pictures of both so you can bask in the total cuteness with me!

Then on Saturday, my dad joined the Baby-palooza craziness and we all went over to San Francisco, my favorite town, for some good ol' fashioned fun.
Our San Fran musts consist of the Cliffhouse restaurant for brunch, Miette bakery for macaroons, salted caramels and lavender shortbread cookies, Smitten ice-cream which is beyond good, the Marketplace and then Boudin for some authentic sourdough bread. I had to pick up a loaf for Mike since he was bummed he couldn't be with us. I'm such a good wife! And to finish off the day, we go to Scoma's for dinner and a trip to Ghirardelli for more ice-cream.

We did do other things besides eat, but those things don't matter as much apparently. Haha!

Then, to finish the perfect weekend, I went to church with my parents and saw all the familiar faces that make me feel at home again. It was fun to catch up with everyone and get tons of hugs. Hugs make me happy. :)

Plus, everyone commented on my growing baby bump, which I purposely saved for last.

Here is my bump with my little girl (aka: Cookie, Little Miss, The Kid) ...

...or as we've decided to name her, Charlotte Elaine.

Charlie for short.

Say hello to everyone Charlie...
xoxo

Mom-nesia

I have totally neglected this blog!

Just when I think about writing a post, my "mom-nesia" kicks in and I go on my blissful way, not even thinking that I'm forgetting something!

I've started to feel like the dog from the movie Up! I'll be in a conversation with someone and then all the sudden...

SQUIRREL!!

And then I look back at the person I'm talking to with a blank stare implying... "I love you!"

The worst is when I was teaching my Young Women! Mid-lesson and I'd pause, give them all a blank stare and then they'd tell me where I left off. Bless their little hearts!

But on to the updates... I was just released as Young Womens President and I have to admit I was truly sad to leave. I've been a leader in the YWs for almost 4 years. My little Beehives that I taught are now Laurels and I can't believe how time flies. And let's be honest...Relief Society is just not the same as Young Womens. I went from hearing conversations about boys and seminary and soccer practice to conversations about canning and knitting and grandkids. Safe to say, I feel like a fish out of water...
But then, I realized that I didn't have to organize the upcoming stake dance, the camp certification, camp fundraising, the practice hikes for the girls, the ward activity that was coming, I didn't have to attend BYC, Ward Counsel or any more Wednesday night activities

... and then magically I started to miss Young Womens less and started enjoying some time off.

Don't get me wrong...I still miss my girls, but I'm grateful for the break.
Plus, all those activities mingled with my new found Mom-nesia wasn't going well for me.

Onto Baby updates...
(these are the fun updates!)
We...or should I be more specific and say I...have been feeling our little girl movin' and shakin'.
Mike is always a little sad when he is left out of this fun, but I have to say I'm loving every minute of it. She started kicking late one night and I thought for sure Mike would feel her this time. So I woke him up and told him she was kicking and to place his hand on my tummy.
Poor guy was so tired, he put his hand on my pregnancy pillow that I use to support my back and said, "Cool babe, I feel her!"

Uh-huh, SURE you do...

Another cute story about Mike:
We found out we were pregnant on Halloween day and I showed Mike the pregnancy test when he came home for lunch. We were both still in shock and Mike eventually had to go back to work. He admits he could not focus on anything for the rest of the day, but he opened his internet browser to try and work.

As soon as he opened MSN, he saw in bold letters,
"JESSICA IS PREGNANT!"

His first reaction was, "Who told????"

Later he realized that Jessica Simpson confirmed she was pregnant that day and MSN did not blab our little secret, but his attention span was pretty much shot for the day.

...we had a good laugh!

Overall, we've had a lot of fun so far in this pregnancy. Even when I melt down over really stupid things, Mike hugs me and asks if it is too early to make fun of me.
Which usually makes me laugh!

One last amazing thing about Mike
(which I'm realizing this post is becoming more and more about him than the baby, but what can you do?)
We went to the gym to workout...or more specifically for me to walk and Mike to workout...
I was on a treadmill that was on the second row and on the first row in front of me was about 15 young 21-year-old girls who are not pregnant and sporting their little tiny sports bras and shorts, perfectly tanned and running at a perfect speed all in unison.

This picture makes a 5-month pregnant woman feel awesome!

I guess I had the look of death on my face as I was memorized by this scene in front of me and I didn't realize Mike had moved to the machine next to me.
Next thing I know, Mike is rubbing my back telling me I am the most beautiful woman in the world and those girls had nothing on me.

Safe to say, I gained a little pep in my stride and had a successful workout while feeling pretty.

I'm so happy to have Mike as my support system through all these changes and mood swings. He truly evens me out and gives me the boost I need.

We have about 17 1/2 weeks to go and our due date is definitely creeping up on us.

And here's hoping I'll update this blog again before our little girl arrives!

xoxo

I guess you'd say... What can make me feel this way?

MY GIRL!!

It's official, we are having a girl and we couldn't be more excited.

I'm just so glad we can start calling her "her" and not "it". I was starting to feel like a bad mom...

Here is her first profile picture.

Mike thinks she has my nose, but I just can't get enough of her little baby belly.
Someone is going to get a lot of belly raspberries when she arrives!

Updates!

Now that the cat is officially out of the bag, there are so many updates to share. I always look back and see how Heavenly Father has lead me to certain points in my life and being pregnant is no exception.

Mike and I had been trying for about a year to get pregnant and it was the most frustrating time in my life. I don't care who you are or how successful you are, when you pee on a pregnancy test and it comes out negative...you feel like you just flunked a test. As we would keep trying, I would get sadder and sadder thinking that there was something wrong with me. Every night I would pray for guidance and the only answer I would get in return is, "Everything is going to be fine. Trust me." But, my controlling side wanted dates and timelines of when we would expand our family.

Then, in March, Mike and I got the answer that I needed to quit my job. If anyone knows how crazy an advertising agency can get, you know that stress was my middle name. This direction was tough for me because I wanted to know what my next steps were going to be before I quit. But, that wasn't in the Lord's plan. So, I put my two weeks notice in and just hoped everything would work out. It was so weird having days to myself and it was a hard adjustment at first. I kept doubting myself and my decision, but I kept getting the same answer that everything was going to be fine.

Now, I will admit that is was great to have all the free time you wish for when you are working, but I felt like I should be doing more. Thank goodness for Mike and his magic ability to calm my crazy side. He is the best pep-talker ever!

We were still trying for a baby and nothing was happening...until I was finally fed up. I hated the look of ovulation and pregnancy tests and I just wanted it to all go away.

That's when we declared our "Year of Fun". One full year of enjoying each other, no pregnancy tests, no worrying about fertility, etc. Mike and I just wanted to enjoy our time together, travel, do something crazy like get a dog and just relax.

We started this plan at the end of August....

I got pregnant in September.

"Year of Fun" plan works (for those of you who care to know)!!

And thank goodness we didn't get a dog because I could not handle any weird smells throughout the whole first trimester! Especially doggie poop.

To wrap up my final thoughts for this post...I am so grateful I listened to the Lord, even if I had to take a few (hundred) steps in the dark. There are still a few things up in the air for our little family, but at this point, we don't care. I now completely trust that everything will work out.

And to our little growing cookie, I can't put into words how happy I am that you are here with us. (even if you make it impossible to keep food down) It's all worth it.

The Best Way to Spread Holiday Cheer...

...Is to send out a Christmas Card to those you love!

But there are a few of you out there that I love, but couldn't get your address, so the next best thing is posting it on my blog.

Merry Christmas lovelies!

The Jig is Up...

As most of you already may know
(thanks to very excited soon-to-be Grandparents)

We are pregnant!!

Baby Pless is due June 26th and we are uber excited. Mike and I have been trying for awhile - which is a total emotional roller-coaster ride - so to find out Baby Pless is on the way is a huge blessing in our lives.

We can't wait till we know if it is a boy or a girl! (And we are taking bets...)

Our families have both been amazing through our first trimester and I don't think I would have made it without the help of both Grandmas!

Well, now you know why we have been keeping radio silence for the last few months. I couldn't trust myself near Facebook or this blog because we wanted to shout it from the rooftops...and now we can!!

Vintage Lovelies

I know I've been a tad MIA this month...but whoa nelly has it been busy! I'll dive into all the busy details in another post. For now, I want to highlight my family's vintage treasures.

My generous and loving Aunt Patty gave me a few hats from her collection as well as my grandma's collection. Since I'm slightly obsessed with hats, beading, vintage and anything with feathers, it was a perfect fit.

Her only stipulation to this generous donation into my fabulocity bank?
1. Take GREAT care of these hats.
2. Take pictures to post on my blog.

So, being the novice photographer that I am, I did my first little photo shoot with these hats and I have to say...I'm kinda lovin' them even more.

Take a look and let me know what you think. Remember though...first photo shoot.
(which means you can only say nice things about my photos. Maybe my next photo shoot you can add critique.)

Oh, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I've already worn these beauties out and about...with caution of course.

Now I just need to find a better place to wear them than to the grocery store...