65 days

65 days until our baby girl is due to be here.

I am really starting to feel the pressure that she will be here in no time.

She is moving all the time.  The craziest is when she changes positions and it feels like she may pop through my tummy.

By the end of the day, my back and feet are achey and sore.

Almost all of my regular clothes are now no longer options for maternity outfits.

Comfortable sleeping are two words that no longer belong together.  And going through the night without a pee break is not an option.

I get super emotional without any notice, tears just happen.

Being sick while pregnant is the absolute worst.  Miserable is an understatement.

The nursery finally feels like it's coming together.  Although we still have much to do.

I grow more and more anxious for her arrival everyday. I just want to meet her. I want to see her face and love on her.  It's kinda my favorite when I see Jason's excitement; he is going to be the best dad.  This is just the most amazing time of our lives, worth whatever pregnancy decides to throw my way.

christmas time

december 8, 2012 - 28 weeks pregnant

Last weekend was Jason's Anesthesia Christmas parties.  This year was a bit different for me than last year, for obvious reasons.  Although for being 7 months pregnant, I was pretty proud of myself for making it through the night in heels and closing out the party at midnight.  I have to admit that my poor feet were killing me by the end of the night, but it was well worth it to have a good time with great friends.  I soaked my feet in warm water and got a foot massage before crashing in bed that night.  Jason takes good care of me :)

I have truly enjoyed getting into the Christmas spirit this year.  We haven't been able to go all out with decorations and such like we usually do since we have plenty of baby projects keeping us occupied.  One of my favorite things to think about lately is how this time next year we will have a precious baby girl celebrating her first Christmas.  I get so overwhelmed with excitement wondering what she will think about all the beautiful lights and decorations.  I wonder if she will be a fan of Santa or be totally freaked out.  And most of all, I can't wait to tell her the story of Jesus being born in the manger.  This is such a special time of year!

With the events that happened this past Friday in Connecticut, I can't help but also be a bit nervous about bringing an innocent child into this scary world.  My heart still aches for all the families that lost someone that day.  I can't even begin to comprehend losing a child.  My thoughts and prayers continue to be with them.

and she grows

23 week baby bump in this photo. however, today I am 24 1/2 weeks along.

Baby girl is growing and growing. Whenever I walk past a mirror and get a good look at my belly, I almost can't believe it's me.  She has certainly made herself quite comfy in there.  And I love it.  I especially love feeling her move around throughout the day (and night).  

Jason and I have been busy little bees trying to get things ready for her arrival.  Still, though, every bit of progress we make, I realize how much more we still have to do.  Our big project right now is the nursery and I am feeling super overwhelmed!  There are just so many options and choices and decisions to be made.  I just want it all to be perfect; is there even such a thing?  Probably not.  I just want it to be comfy and cozy for her as she grows up.  Jason assures me that she will love whatever we put together for her, and I think he's right.

bear

This has got to be the cutest photo going around the internet right now.  Have you seen it?  If not, you're welcome.

*photo found here

it's a . . .

. . . girl!!

We are thrilled! Don't let the look on Jason's face fool you, he can't wait to have a daddy's little girl. I think it's safe to say that he is already wrapped around her tiny little finger. We love her so much already, it's incredible.  

Two nights before the day of our appointment, I dreamt that I was having a girl. This was the first and so far only dream that I have had of our little one. It was like she was telling me her secret; a secret for her and I to share for just a little while. I am so lucky to be her mom, what an amazing gift God has given me. She is so amazing already.

day trip to atlanta

Last weekend, Jason and I went down to Atlanta with our friends Scott and Kelly.  We had tickets the the Hawk's first pre-season game and we decided to make a day out of it.  So naturally, Ikea was our first stop because, well it's Ikea and any chance I get to go, I am so there.  We picked up a few items and actually made it out in record time.  Next stop was lunch in Atlantic Station at California Pizza Kitchen and then onto the game. (I will admit that it was hard not to do any shopping in Atlantic Station, but I have to keep reminding myself that I can't exactly buy "normal clothes" right now because my body has been taken over by baby) It's been a while since I've felt up to doing a day trip like this, so it was really nice to get out and about again (Atlanta is 2 hours from where we live).  I was pretty pooped by the time we got home, but the fun time with friends was well worth it!

4 years

Happy Anniversary, my love! What a journey it has been. This next year will be the most exciting yet as we take on the roles of mommy and daddy. How fun it will be! There is no one else in the whole wide world that could be a better partner, thank you for being so amazing. And happy 20 weeks to baby! We are half way there :)

*photo by melody hood

19 week baby bump!

We have been feeling lots of movements and kicks over here at the Castro house and boy do we love it!  What I was 90% sure of last week, I now know was definitely the real thing.  We have started to play music for baby (mainly classical and baby einstein).  And so far whenever we play music, it has been a guarantee to get baby moving.  This is when Jason is able to feel the good jabs.  This family time is so special to us and I think it's pretty safe to say we grow more smitten each day with our precious baby.

p.s. hello pumpkin pie craving.  yum!

baby bump

It is crazy to think that I am almost halfway through this journey to motherhood (I am actually 19 weeks now).  On one hand it has flown by and on the other it seems to be dragging.  Since this is my first, it has been quite interesting adjusting to having no control over my body.  Obviously I knew that my tummy would be growing, but to experience it is simply mind blowing.  There is a baby in there, wow! I still can't wrap my head around it.  I am 90% sure I have felt one, maybe two kicks.  It was amazing and I can't wait for more to come.  We don't know if it's a boy or girl yet, but we are hoping to know soon.  On our last ultrasound, baby didn't want to show us the goods.  And that's okay, we are fine waiting if baby wants to play hard to get :)

doggy date

A couple weekends ago, Jason and I headed downtown to a concert on the river front with some friends.  It was a dog friendly event and I really wanted to bring Jack along.  We were a bit nervous about the idea at first because sometimes Jack can get pretty excited around other dogs.  Not because he is aggressive or anything, but he just loves to play with other dogs.  In the end, we were nervous for no reason because Jack did so well!  We were such proud doggie parents.  

We are trying to get out at every chance to enjoy this perfect weather while it lasts.  Don't you just love the transition into fall? 

the reason for my absence: an announcement

That's right, we are going to be parents!  

We are thrilled beyond belief for this exciting new chapter in our lives.  I am 15 and a half weeks along now, so happily in my second trimester.  Let me tell you, that first trimester was rough on me.  I was sick pretty much everyday with morning and night sickness.  So in between running to the bathroom and falling asleep while walking, blogging just didn't seem to fit in my schedule.  Thankfully, I have been gradually feeling better and my bad days are less, although not completely gone.  I definitely want to remember all the wonderful milestones, so I am hoping my blogging will pick up quite a bit.  Our little one is due March 1, 2013 and yes we will be finding out the gender; we can't wait!

open for business

Last Friday evening,  Jason and I re-opened our super exclusive babysitters club and watched my niece and nephew for the evening so my sister could take the night off and have dinner with a friend.  We had the whole evening planned out - rice and bean burritos with avocados for dinner and a surprise trip to get frozen yogurt for dessert.  When I told my sister our plans, the first thing she said was that Adelynn doesn't like rice and has always refused to eat it.  Say what?!  I refused to accept that fact and proceeded with our burrito making plans.  We decided our method would be to just give her the burrito and don't tell her whats in it.  Turns out, it worked like a charm.  She ate (almost) the entire thing and said that she loved it.  Operation rice-lover: success.

  

After dinner we loaded up the car and headed out for dessert.  This definitely put us on the top of the list for best Auntie and Uncle.  We had a grand time; sampling flavors before making our final choices, carefully selecting the perfect toppings, and enjoying every last bite until there wasn't a drop of yogurt left.  And we managed to make it through the entire evening with zero meltdowns.  I think it may be time to upgrade our babysitting status to child whisperers.  Maybe.  

a little backyard fun

It has been so amazing having my sister, niece and nephew in town.  Last week, I had everyone over for dinner and afterwards the kids ran around in the backyard until sweat was dripping down their brows.  Our neighbor's little girl, Ana, came over to play too.  Her and Kaleb are the same age and they always have a fun time playing.  Adelynn insisted that my brother run back and forth without stopping.  "Come on, Uncle Ryan!"  She just loves him so.  And of course Jack was in the middle of it all.  My heart is full.

slam on your brakes

A while ago, my high school friend Emily wrote a post about slamming on the brakes.  While reading it, I instantly thought of occasions where I wished I had done exactly that.  You see something interesting on the side of the road and hesitate for just a second and then the opportunity passes by.  

I remember last year while we were driving down to Panama City, we took some back roads and passed by this tiny post office building that was straight out of the olden days - I had never seen anything like it.  I said I wanted to stop, but Jason was hesitant and I didn't press the issue.  So I missed it.  And a year later I am still thinking about what an awesome photo that would have been.  

Needless to say, a few weeks ago when we passed this field of cows, we slammed on the brakes.  I mean, it's not everyday that you see horns like those (unless you are in Texas, I guess).  I am pretty excited about this new motto I have added to my life; it's time to start really living.  Thanks, Emily!

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i can't help but smile...

...because they are here.

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hooray for new landscaping!

When you own a home, it seems like the projects are never ending.  For the most part it is fun to fix things up and make it exactly how you want it, but the down side is that everything seems to to require a good amount of $$$.  We have been in our home for three years now and each year we pick a couple big projects that we will do.  Last year we put in wood floors, new grass and added a concrete slab.  

This year we decided it was time to fix up our landscaping.  We had let it get pretty bad...please don't judge. ha!  Since neither Jason nor I really had the time to tackle this job, we hired a good friend to do it for us.  We are super pleased with the end result.  And I am so in love with having trees now, I never realized before how incomplete our home was without trees.

Next year everything will be more grown in and look even more fabulous.  

Thanks Shawn for helping us out!!

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pool crashers

This past Sunday we spent a little time at my mom's pool.  You may notice that in the summer time, the pool is a constant theme for us.  When it's hot outside and the sun is shining, we can't think of anything better than being water side.  Pool or beach.  Thankfully, Jack shares our feelings about this.  I know he is wondering when we will take him back to the beach.  I don't think it will be this year, so the pool will have to do for now.

Thanks mom for letting us crash your pool all the time! :)

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