28 Weeks

Third Trimester here I come!!!

Can't believe the last few months are here!! I have enjoyed being pregnant so much but after seeing her at the ultrasound this week I can't hardly WAIT to meet her!!!

Heartbeat

Of course, seeing her at our ultrasound! I have good and not-so-good days at work, but during those tough moments I just pop open her pictures on my phone- just makes it all worth it ;) I ALSO enjoyed the ODD 75 degree Saturday we had... wonderful to spend a warm, happy, quiet day with my husband- we are in the final countdown of those quiet days!

A couple cute heartbeats of the week (teacher style): a little girl in my class "hugs my stomach" by making a circle with her arms and wrapping them around my ever-growing belly- made me thankful to be a teacher, but also so excited to have those adorable little moments with my own daughter. Another little boy looked at my belly with this look on his face like he was thinking hard... then, peeked behind me before saying, "I know there is a baby in there, Ms. Amy, but I just can't see her- why can't I see her?"- oh how I love 4-year-olds!

oh yes.... a definite heartbeat that will probably soon be a hiccup...

...Pete went to get his hair cut and came back with a surprise (or 12)

this is the story of my past few weeks- give me the doughnuts... as you can see- somehow 3 are already missing (but hey- Pete enjoyed them too)!

on a side note: the chocolate iced one by the hearts is TO DIE FOR- triple-chocolate-holey-cow-I've-died-and-gone-to-heaven doughnut :)- I would definitely recommend!

Hiccup

My back is in PAIN!!!!! Oh well, I want her to put on the weight, even if it does mean my back is in traction ;). Thankfully, Pete is getting pretty good at back rubbin' as much as I'm sure he enjoys doing it about every evening- hehe!

She also is all about routine. Mommy is up at 6:30 5 days a week, so she should get up the other 2 days at the same time too- right?!?!?! My little one is up bright and early on Saturday and Sunday- oh well, I get a couple hours to get some stuff done before Pete's up!

Why Hello There!

On Tuesday, Pete and I had a chance to take a peek out our baby girl. It was so fun to watch her squirming around in there- she is so full of energy... geesh, I could have just laid there all day watching her move, blink, and swallow... ha!

So, as soon as she blinks up on the ultrasound screen, she was totally bent in half- sniffing her stinky feet (just kidding)! The tech got her to move her legs from her face so we could see her cute self :).

We did get some print outs, but Pete was able to get these images from the DVD we were given... I think he got some better ones then the tech snapped!!!

Enjoy :)

Her little legs and feet... they are the culprit of my discomfort

(but how could I be upset.... they're so cute ;))

geesh, she looks comfy in there...

I know she's a little scrawny (you're looking at her arm too).... but now is the time for her to start putting on the pounds- chunk up girl ;)!

Her little face- can't WAIT to see her in person!!!

She's lounging with her arm up on her knee- ha!

Meet Me in St. Louis

This weekend we were able to get back to St. Louis to visit some great friends! I couldn't hardly wait to get back there to enjoy the weekend with Shawn, Steve, and the girls from Goddard!

Never in my life I have been to an ice race, but it was really fun! I was on edge watching these guys spin around, crash, and skid across the ice as they raced around the track....

...ya, it was an interesting event, but I loved it all; the fans get TOTALLY into it and the BEST part was that Steve's cousin won- whohooo!!

Shawn & I

(awww.... I'm missing the Goodard days)

Shawn & Steve.... almost Mr. & Mrs. ;)- can't wait!!!

Emma and her best friend Sasha

...pretty sure these girl were as excited as Shawn and I were to see each other this weekend. They wouldn't leave each other's side the whole time- some how chewing on each other's face never gets old...

...little odd, but I'm guessing it's a dog thing ;)

as I write this blog, Emma is sound asleep at my feet, happily whimpering and 'playing' in her sleep... ya, pretty sure she's meetin' up with Sasha in her dreams- ha!

I was so excited to have breakfast with the Goddard girls.... gosh how I have missed you guys! I DEFINITELY felt pregnant as I shoved down chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and sausage while you all eat fruit, eggs, and toast- hehe!!!

THANK YOU to all of you for venturing out in the snow to catch up- it meant so much!!!!!!

PS: Shawn~ Remember when you go into a restaurant- lock your car- you never know who may mistaken your car for theres and just so happen to hop right in- ha! Geesh, snow can be DECEIVING of what car is yours!!!

And Cindy made my DAY with this thoughtful gift. 'I'll Love You Forever' is my all-time favorite book and without knowing, Cindy purchased it for our little one....

...Cindy, I knew you were a special friend to me and cannot tell you how much your thoughtful gift meant to me- thank you so so much!!!!

...and to Shawn & Steve: thank you for a wonderful and hilarious weekend! Cannot tell you how much Pete and I miss you... and did I mention you are the hostess with the 'mostess'!? Luv you guys and cannot WAIT until next time!!

26 Weeks

geesh... Olivia looks rather scary in this picture, doesn't she?!

Anyway, here we are at 26 Weeks... it has been a busy but quiet week- we're enjoying these before our little bundle of joy arrives ;) Truly though, I cannot believe I am so close to the 3rd Trimester... awww, it won't be long now!

Heartbeat

Watching my belly move all around has been pretty fun! She is so active and weighing only 2 pounds, she still has room to move around- it's fun to watch her! She is especially active though when I'm listening to music- not sure what that means, does she like it... or no???

Hiccup

I believe the correct term is Braxton Hicks Contractions.... they have arrived! I have this dull ache in my lower abdomen and my whole belly gets really tight which the doctor says are those beginning "practice" contractions. They're a little uncomfortable, but nothing too bad... just yet another odd feeling to get used to with pregnancy!

...a Name & a Bed

This first week back home after our Christmas Extravaganza in Indy was sad at first to be away from everyone, but it is always nice to get back into the routine of things! Somehow not only have we been back to work and stuff, we've also spent most of our free time being productive preparing for the baby:

We have FINALIZED our little one's name and although we won't be sharing it with everyone until she is born, it is nice to refer to her by name:)- it's also pretty cute to hear Pete calling her by name now... it seems to be the little things I love about this whole pregnancy thing ;).

Also, we took a trip to Tulsa this weekend to pick up our crib (THANK YOU MOM & DAD!!!) Pete definitely surprised me by setting it all up- even staged it with the quilt when I walked in the nursery! There's not much to her room quite yet, but we're getting there... I think we're both a little excited.... 3 1/2 more months to go!

And the Weeks Go By...

I cannot BELIEVE it.... I am actually 25 Weeks along now! Time flew through the holidays and now with being back at work it goes even faster...

Not to say we aren't excited for our new arrival, but just wait a little longer... I still have lots of organizing to do (hehe;))

With that being said, here are a couple pictures from the past 2 weeks as the belly keeps growing....

...and growing...

Heartbeat

It is wonderful feeling her move all around! She is getting strong enough now to where I feel her pretty much all the time (and see her too!), but she still has her spurt of energy around 8PM- and it's STILL so fun to be able to share that time with Pete!

I also had my 24 Week appointment last week, confirming that she (and I ;)) are growing right on track

...speaking of growing and probably me sharing too much, but did you know that your stomach measures the amount of weeks you are along in your pregnancy?! Like, now my belly is 24 inches long and I am 24 weeks pregnant!? Well, I had no idea... and that was my fun fact to share ;)

Hiccup

I am not sleeping! Ok, well... I am sleeping some, but I was up this morning at 3:45AM- are you kidding me- it's a Saturday for goodness sake!

I know as I get farther along in pregnancy that happens but my goodness I still have almost 4 months to go!!

With that being said, here is my Dear Abby ;):

Dear Abby,

I am about 25 Weeks pregnant and truly excited about having a new little one on the way, but I am just really struggling lately as I am not sleeping much. I DID start a new job as a preschool teacher a few weeks back. I love the job, but it keeps me on my feet all day; when I get home I have my feet propped up and relax a few hours before hitting the hay..... which seems to be my unborn daughter's perfect time to play. It takes her about an hour to stop kicking and moving about and then I sleep (for about 3 hours) before the bathroom breaks begin... which wake her up... in which she "plays" for an hour.... then I sleep a couple winks.... then the bathroom break.... and it continues... until she is AWAKE at about 4AM until I leave for work. I love her and being pregnant very much, I was just wondering if you could offer any advice at all on how I may be able to grab a LITTLE more shut eye at night.... before I suddenly grab some during the day- which would not be at ALL good, seeing that 4-year-olds REALLY can not care for themselves!

Yours Truly,

Sleepless in Arkansas

In all honesty, let me know if you have been here or have any advice- I would love it!!!

I do hope you all have a great week!!

Until next time.... ;)

Baby Shower!

Since we're not in Indy too often, Pete's family blessed us with a baby shower while we were in town!

It was a wonderful time spent with all the family... gosh, I just enjoyed the excuse to visit with everyone one last time!

The gorgeous "cake" centerpiece

it is actually made entirely of diapers! I thought it was the coolest thing- never seen anything like it!

The wonderful host, Pete's aunt Jane, and I

She opened up her home to everyone- thank you for the good food,

fun games ;), and everything... we appreciate it so much!!!!

Pete's parents and Us

it was great to have the guys there- gosh, it adds a WHOLE other dimension to a baby shower....

...and I think brought the reality straight home for Pete: in 3 1/2 months she WILL be here ;)

The blessings for our little one.... gosh, I just couldn't hardly wait to get her nursery all organized!!!!

Thank you to everyone who made that day possible!! I know with the holidays things are already hectic, but seeing you all that ONE last time meant the world to Pete and I; your excitement and support for our little girl is amazing- we love you!

Christmas Week :)

After Christmas with the Lee's we spent the rest of our time in Indy with my family and our friends!

...so, we were there for 8 days and I have 2 pictures to show for it- are you kidding?!

I will scrounge up the rest of them, but in the meantime here are the TOO FEW pictures I have of my WONDERFUL week spent catching up with old friends, enjoying family time, and DEFINITELY laughing and eating WAY too much!

My brother, Aaron, I, and Pete at my Grandma O'Connell's

thank you Grandma for keeping grab bag going- it was SO fun and great to see everyone!!

My great friend, Christy and I...

...and her precious son :) enjoying some time together- LOVE YOU!!

So, as I mentioned before, I will be sure to upload more pics soon of this fun week... I don't know what my issue was!

Lee Christmas!

Oh my GOODNESS, I couldn't hardly WAIT for Christmas this year! It was so wonderful to get back to Indiana and see everyone!!!

We spent Christmas Eve with Pete's entire family and then went back to the Lee house for Christmas morning with Pete's parents, Pete's brother, Andy, Nikki, and our 2 nieces Piper and Laila... it was adorable!

Darla's BEAUTIFUL tree!!!

My favorite part- the mantle!

our little peanut even had a stocking.... so so sweet!

Pete's parents

So... we DID bring Emma with us this year and our niece, Laila, just loves her! It was so cute to see Laila literally trying to ride the yellow lab around the kitchen- ha!

Well... they became very close that morning and Emma decided to invite her over to her house

...I mean CAGE, to play- ha!

Laila LOVED it... I was laughing too hard when Emma decided to get INTO the cage with Laila to snap a picture of that...

....but anyway, it was funny and CUTE to see them playing together inside that tiny cage!!

...and of of COURSE Niki had to lint roller the heck out of Laila's clothes afterwards (sorry :(!!!)

It was so wonderful to share Christmas morning with little ones again!!

...made me so excited for Christmas time when Pete and I have our own little ones running around!

Seriously though, thank you Lee Family for a BEAUTIFUL and blessed Christmas. Pete and I are so thankful for all that you did and the time we were able to share together- we love you and of COURSE miss you already!

Christmas Eve!

Ever since Pete and I have shared Christmas Eve together we have split up the evening between our families: half with one family, cut it short, and head to the other... because of COURSE both families have their biggest traditions all at the same time... ;)

Well, when we got married we decided to change it up so that we could enjoy the FULL event at one or the other and this year was my FIRST at the

Lee Family Christmas Eve.....

LOTS of seafood + yummy beverages + family all together = VERY good time

Pete and I

(thanks for this pic Elizabeth- mine was awful!)

Pete's cousin, Elizabeth, and I... just love her!

Pete's mom, Darla, and I

Pete with his grandparents

(they weren't quite getting the message about the picture, but I didn't care... I just loved being able to spend the evening with them)

Pete's Aunt Kathy and I.... she has been hosting this crazy event for the past few years... her home was beautiful and BOY does she know how to churn out the seafood and yumminess- and of course my all time favorite Lobster Fondue... it was fantastic!!!!

oh wait- did I mention I found the pickle in the Christmas tree?!?! Thanks Elizabeth ;)

Katie and I... the newest member to the Lee Family!!

All the cousins!

Wow... it really was a great time!!! I miss you all already.... can't wait to do it all over again!