what I'm loving right now

Bubbly water. Seriously. Best beverage ever. 

Being brave at work and standing up for what is right. Because that always feels good. 

The free dresser sitting in my garage that will double as a changing table for the little squirmy that resides in my belly. It's going to be painted white. You know. To match the walls...

The list of meals for the week. It's so nice to feel semi-normal and have our menu back. 

The Ladydog that is extra cuddly to be home from being boarded over the weekend and her nicely clipped toenails. And the fact that I didn't have to partake in the clipping. 

The realization that I officially look pregnant and NOT like I have a beer belly anymore. 

All of the productive plans for the weekend regarding the nursery. 

Knowing that in just 3 weeks I can see the aforementioned squirmy again. 

Last weekend with Justin's family. It was wonderful. 

How hilarious is Sammy? She saw herself on the screen and took capturing this moment very seriously. 

Holy bump!

when you have a bad day.

Yesterday started out as a bad day.  I lost my work keys.  My whole water bottle poured out into my purse, making everything a big soggy mess.  Then work drove me crazy, the kids were crazy, the co-workers were crazy.  By the time I got home I was fed up.  I had been stressing all day which made me nauseous and then gave me a headache.  

Two things improved my day.  Thing number one was baked potato soup.  Nothing like baked potato soup to make your life better.  

And number two... My sisterfriend is pregnant!  She's due about 3 months after me.  Which means our babies will be the same distance apart in age as we are.  When she called to tell me I jumped around my whole house fist pumping and screaming.  

Courtnie and I do everything together.  It only makes sense that she'd be pregnant right now too.  I'm so excited I can barely stand it.

This is from freshman year in college, the same weekend we got tattoos.  Also it snowed buckets and she still drove down to see me.

My twenty-first birthday.  I'll never forget how this girl acts with a lemon drop and a glass of chianti in her system.  Hilarious.

Her wedding day.

My wedding day.

Soon to be posted: our brothers' weddings with our babies in tow.  Oh yay.

bedtime stories

Way back when I was in college.  And Justin was far away [either Montana or Wisconsin].  I stated to him one day, very matter-of-factly, "Justin, when I'm pregnant, you will read out loud to my belly.  You will read Harry Potter."  Mind you at this time we were not even engaged.  But you know what they say about love.  When you know, you know.

I said this because Justin has never read Harry Potter.  I know, shocking.  I married someone who has never ready any of the Harry Potter books.  Nor has he ever seen a whole Harry Potter movie.  Me, the girl that has read every Harry Potter book at least 10 times, and many more like 20.  Any time I'm going through a trying period, or feel lonely, or bored, or just have nothing better to read, or it's a warm summer night, or the list goes on.  Harry Potter is like going home.

Two nights ago we started reading to the baby because I read that at 16 weeks, the baby can start to hear dad's voice.  Surprisingly, after he got over how weird the character's names, I think Justin started to get interested in H.P.a.t.S.S.  I'm so proud.  He'd never admit it, but I know he's going to love it.

Another huge fan of bedtime stories you ask?  Of course it's the Ladydog.  Pit bulls love being read to, apparently.  She gets her blanket and gets all snuggled in and just sighs with happiness.

i'm having a hard time not buying this for the nursery...

found here

Because how perfect is it?!?  It's an elephant.  It's white.  There's nothing more I could ask for in the world when it comes to wall art.

oh by the way...

I've gained 13 pounds so far during this pregnancy. Let's do the math. For 2 weeks I wasn't technically pregnant so since falling pregnant, I've gained 0.93 pounds per week. At that rate, I'll gain 37 pounds during this pregnancy. But with the rate at which my hunger has increased, I'm predicting that number will be surpassed. 

But 37 pounds isn't freaking me out. My mom said my gram gained 50 when she was pregnant. And she smoked the whole time. So. Could someone bring me a snack? I'm starving.