Half Way!

Today we had our mid-point appointment and ultrasound. It was delightful. The baby looks perfect. Both she and mom are measuring great. Everything with her is as it should be and yes, she is still of the female variety. Once again, she wasn't cooperating when it came to giving us the views we needed but eventually after me rolling over, walking, and bouncing she gave us a shot of what we needed to see.

Here is her sweet little 19 week profile:

Behold, the belly shots:

4 weeks

9 weeks

18 weeks

Don't mind my appearance in these photos, they were taken after workouts, yuck.

My stats as of 19 weeks:

• number of fetal movements felt: 1

• most times I have been up to pee in one night: 7

• number of pregnancy related barfs: 0 (I know, lucky me)

• emotional outbursts: who freaking knows- ok Josh might be keeping track, we'll have to ask him

• breakdowns over not having anything to wear in my 'I just look fat' stage: 1 real one, several semi controlled breakdowns since

• up 1.5 cup sizes already, watch out! Josh is in Heaven.

• total weight gain: 5 lbs

• most naps taken in one day: 4

• pregnancy related cravings: 0

I really have had a pretty easy pregnancy so far and I feel really lucky. In my first trimester I was more tired than I knew possible. I would fall asleep the second I sat down at work, home, church, wherever. I had some nausea from weeks 6-8 in the afternoons, but by week 9 it was gone! I never threw up which was lovely. Real fruit popsicles helped my nausea, along with crackers and peanut butter and Izze Pops. I didn't realize how much you pee right off the bat being pregnant. It's amazing, and so annoying! This trimester I am feeling great. I have my energy back and am going to the bathroom less frequently at night. I have enjoyed eating healthy and I workout when I can. I try to do yoga at least once a week, light weights and cardio. I am so excited for this baby to come, I can hardly wait! We are having fun picking out all our baby gadgets. We have chosen a stroller, have a crib and are working on a nursery theme, and a name for the baby. If you ask my sister and Josh, she is already named. I'm not so sure though.

We both feel so blessed to be responsible with this little life inside me. We can't wait to meet our baby girl and to have her in our arms. We're half way there!

California

We spent this past week in California with my family. It was awesome, and as always was hard to leave. We packed quite a bit into just 5 days. We drove this time to help move Patrick back home, and brought the boat back with us. We were able to see so many family members and friends, all who we wish we were able to spend more time with.

Thursday Josh had to work so I spent the day with my mom, my best friend Ashley and her perfect baby Reese. It was a perfect, fun and relaxing day.

Reesey Pumpkin Pie, always smiling and always a joy to be around.

Have you ever seen a cuter baby in all your life? I didn't think so.

Uncle Luke loves her.

So did Uncle Josh. We can't stop thinking about how wonderful she is and keep saying that we hope our little babe is just like her.

Seriously, always smiling.

Friday morning we headed to meet up with Patrick and some of his friends at Lake Nacimiento. The drive was filled with boy music accompanied by lactose intolerant Luke's outrageous burps.

Within 30 minutes of arriving at the lake and getting the boats on the water Josh hurt his back and could barely move. All he could do was lay on the ground and stare at the perfect, glassy water. It was torture for the poor guy. We ended up leaving the lake to go see a doctor right away and the rest of the day was spent on pain killers and muscle relaxers (for him of course), resting and taking it easy.

That evening we headed to Morro Bay for a beach bonfire. We found this horrendous dead hog a few yards from where we were. It was enormous, much bigger than me.

Josh fell asleep from his meds on the sand so Luke and I had to have a little fun with him. We piled pebbles, one at a time, on his chest until he noticed. We got 14 on there before someone else woke him up. He was out.

Patrick and Luke took the burning beach wood from out fire and played swords with them. They scared me half to death.

Saturday we came home to my dad cleaning out all the cupboards in his garage. They were all filled with camping gear and my mom was sick of it. Yes, all of this below is camping gear. He had at least 15 tents, 4 mini grills, a portable oven, countless sleeping bags, coolers, chairs, backpacks, etc. He also found 6 extra golf bags. We got to go through it and pick out what we wanted for ourselves then we gave the rest away to Goodwill and for someone to sell.

He was so funny, every time he pulled something out he said, "Oh I remember this, this is the best," or, "This is my good___!" He said it was like Christmas and his death all at once.

Patrick gave his farewell talk in church on Sunday. He did such a great job. I still think of him as a baby so this whole mission situation is freaking me out. I love him and am going to miss him so much. I don't know what I'll do without him for 2 whole years. He will be an incredible missionary.

Here is our family outside our pretty church.

Grandma Rita and Patrick

Grandma and Lindsay

After church we had family and friends over for a BBQ and dessert. It was everyone's chance to see Pat one more time before he heads to Argentina.

A cute little duck family in my parent's backyard.

Aunt Cynthia and cousins Sam and Kenna.

Cousin Caroline and Uncle Curtis

I did our cousin Saundra's gorgeous hair and make up. She is going to have to chase the boys away here pretty soon. She is gorgeous.

The girls

And of course, one more of Reese.

Our weekend was great- fast and busy but so much fun.

Jakey and Dyllie

Yesterday I was lucky enough to take my cousin's kids for the day. Jacob and Dylan are amazing little boys, who I just love and adore in every way possible. We had so much fun together. I wish they were my babies.

These two can eat! We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, oranges, apples, cheese, crackers, Cliff bars, tortellini with onions, balsamic, and pine nuts, popsicles, carrots, milk, and water.

We started the day off at the zoo. We saw everything you see at a zoo, but the boys favorites were these monkeys (because one of them had poo hanging from his bum), the elephants, and the snakes.

They LOVED watching the mommy and baby elephant.

A zoo keeper brought in a baby goose that had just hatched and he was nice enough to show the boys. They had a really hard time not touching it.

We rode the carousel.

Also, the train.

Dyl

Jake

We enjoyed the warm sunny weather and ate popsicles on the porch.

And colored with chalk. Dyllie colored on pretty much everything except the ground. He started with his hands,

moved on to Jakey's back,

and then chose his chest next.

The boys spent at least 2 hours playing with the bark in our flower beds. Everything in the yard turned into a weapon. The hose steak became a 'sword knife' (and was quickly put out of reach after they discovered it), the hose sprayer became a gun, any stick was a knife, a snow shovel was a shield, etc. We threw rocks, played with the hose, climbed everything in sight, tossed the enormous frisbee, played chase and did flips on the grass. It was a perfect day.

I had the best day taking care of Jake and Dylan. They melt my heart. Jakey is so smart it's scary. Nothing gets past him and you can have a full-on adult conversation with this 3 year old. Dylan, 2, is all boy and loves to wrestle and get messy, but is so cuddly and loves to be held and give hugs. Both boys are so special and I love them to death. I am excited for our next day together.