-March Madness is officially starting today!  I don't have any money riding on it, but I'm hoping to win Suburban Mom's pool.  I've always loved filling out brackets and seeing how well I do.

-I'm officially 20 weeks today... half way.  I love feeling my little one kick and I can't believe in just another short 20 weeks, my little guy is going to be in my arms!

-I've been totally sucked into looking at little boy clothes since finding out we're having a boy.  There are so many adorable little outfits that I want to buy for our little guy...

-Speaking of our little guy, please don't ask me what we're going to name him.  We have some ideas in our head, but we aren't planning to share until after he's made his grand entrance into the world.

-Tomorrow, I have the day off.  It's not actually a day off work, I have to work from home.  Even though we just moved into our building this past October, they are already remodeling to add more cubes.

-I need a vacation... luckily, I have one planned mid-April.  Hubby and I are planning to take a trip to San Diego for our first wedding anniversary / babymoon.  I can't believe that we've already been married for a year {almost}.  If any one has any suggestions of things to do in San Diego, let me know!

-Sometimes I think my life is too boring to blog... thanks for reading anyways!


Now it's your turn... head on over to Jennifer's blog and share some of your Thursday thoughts!

And It's A...

Yes... this picture is probably going to embarrass our little guy one day...

It's official!  We're going to have a boy!  But let's rewind just a little bit... and go through the day...

Last Thursday seemed like it would never get there... and when I finally woke up Thursday morning, I never thought the appointment would get there.  Finally, two o'clock rolled around and I packed up my stuff and left work for home.  I got home and waited for Justin to get home and head to the appointment.  Traffic was bad, so he was running late and I was getting worried we'd be late.  Luckily, he picked me up and we got to the doctor's right at 3:00pm.

Shortly after getting there, the receptionist called me up to the desk.  Dr. Caren had been called out on an emergency and wouldn't be able to see me... but we could still get our ultrasound!  Thank goodness!  We waited a few more minutes and finally Miss Janet called us back!  I definitely had butterflies in my stomach.

We got back to the room and I hoped up on the table.  Janet squirted the jelly stuff on my belly... I was surprised it was so warm!  And we were off...

The first thing up on the screen was a tiny little hand... my heart melted immediately!  Janet then started checking for all the standard items... gender reveal would be last.  Stomach with fluid (means its working)... check!  Bladder also with fluid... check.  Kidneys, diaphragm .. check, check.  She then checked the heart... all four chambers are present and working and both outflows looked good.  The brain also looked good without any tumors or cysts.  She checked the baby's lips to make sure there was no cleft.  She also check the placenta (posterior) and the umbilical cord which both looked good.  She found both hands (fingers and thumbs present), arms, legs, and tiny little feet.  She measured the femur and the head and both are measuring right on track.

And then it was finally time to find out the gender!  Throughout the whole appointment, Justin and I kept referring to baby as "him"and "little guy".  Janet got the ultrasound all lined up and sure enough... he's a boy!  She told us it was a good thing that he's a boy or else he would be having an identity crisis since we kept referring to him as a boy.  Justin was so happy!  He immediately texted his friend to let him know.  I just sat back and smiled.  I think deep down, I had known the whole time it was a boy and it was amazing to finally know that that feeling was right.  Janet finished up taking a couple pictures for us to take home and that was it... ultrasound done... 20 more weeks until we see our little guy again.

During some of the more zoomed out pictures, you could see baby stretching his legs and pushing against the side of my uterus.  Justin kept asking if that was my uterus that the baby was pushing against... of course it is silly!  I had been telling him that I had felt baby for a little while now, but he wasn't sure I really did.  Now he knows I wasn't crazy.  It also definitely confirmed to me that we have quite a little mover and shaker on our hands.  I've definitely been feeling baby more and more and I love it.

After the ultrasound I went out and talked with Dr. Caren's nurse.  I rescheduled my appointment for this coming up Friday with one of the nurse practitioners (since Dr. Caren will be out of town this week) and Justin and I headed out.

After the appointment, we headed to Carter's so I could pick out baby boy's first outfit...

I absolutely love it and can't wait to put it on our little guy!

After shopping, we went to my parents' house to share the news.  Then, my sisters and I made lots of cake balls that were dyed blue for Justin and I to take to work the next day to reveal the gender to our coworkers... we ended up making about 150!  Craziness!

Overall, the gender reveal was so much fun between my family, coworkers, and friends and Justin and I are so excited to meet our sweet little baby boy!


P.S.  My doctor actually called me Saturday morning to tell me that she looked over all the ultrasound images and that baby boy looked healthy and based on what she saw, she was not worried about a thing!  Awesome doc to call on a weekend :)

I'm Stubborn... Don't Try and Change My Mind

So this week for Tuesday Topics, I get to talk about nine things that I just won't change my mind on.

1.  Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs are way better than regular Peanut Butter Cups - which will always beat out Reese's Pieces.  There's something about the increased ratio of peanut butter to chocolate that just make it so much better!

2.  I'm a picky eater.  You telling me that something tastes good is not going to change my mind.  I have to decide to taste it on my own terms... and even then, I probably won't like it.

3.  My family is so important to me.  No matter what happens, they will always be my family and I love each and every one of them... whether they were born my family, married in to my family, or I married into their family.

4.  God exists... and He is important in my life.  Even if I am not practicing my religion, I still pray every day... for all of the good and all of the bad that happens in my life.  I also find it perfectly acceptable for you not to believe.  I won't force my believes on anyone.

5.  My husband is my best friend and life would suck without him.  Three years ago today, he proposed to me and I would never change my mind about saying yes to him.

6. I hate talking about politics.  All it does is cause issues between people.  And how many times has someone discussing politics with someone actually made someone else change there mind?  Not gonna happen... I avoid the suject like the plague.

7. The St. Louis Cardinals are the best baseball sports team ever!  Plus, they have the best fans :)  I can't wait to take baby to their first Cardinals game.
8. I work to live... I don't live to work.  Work has never been something that I look forward to... sure there are days that I find interesting, but there will never come a time where I want to work overtime... I have a life outside of work and I enjoy it!

9.  I will always love my little baby!  I haven't even met my little one yet, but no matter what (s)he does or who (s)he is, I will love unconditionally... {gender reveal to come later this week}.

So there ya have it... nine things I won't change my mind on... what are you stubborn about?  Head on over to The Austin Family Diary or Life.Love.Lauren and share!

Dear Baby

Dear sweet little baby,

Tomorrow's the big day... well at least the first big day... we get to find out if you are a little she or a little he! Daddy is 100% convinced that you are his little man.  In fact, he told me that tomorrow is just a fact checking appointment.  I'm still not sure.  I have moments when I too am convinced that you are my darling little boy.  Then other moments, I can totally see you as my sweet little baby girl.  Each vision seems completely different, and yet exactly the same... me and you, my wonderful little baby {and daddy too} together as a family... happy and overflowing with love.

I just wanted to take this moment before we find out to let you know that no matter what you are, or who you are, I will always be your mom and I will always love you with all my heart.  I am looking forward to the day you make your big debut into this world and I can look into your eyes and kiss your sweet little nose and hold you in my arms and never let go.

I love you forever and ever, to the moon and back...

Mommy

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Tuesday Topics... I Love Pinterest

I've been addicted to Pinterest ever since I joined the site.  It is definitely a huge time suck.  As much as I love to look at Pinterest, I'm much better at pinning the ideas to my boards than I am at actually doing the things in the pin.  That being said... here are some of my favorite pins...

1.  This is just one of my many outfit pins on my dream closet board.  I love looking at cute clothes on Pinterest and have so many fun outfits I would love to buy... if only I won the lottery...

2.  I also love nail polish ideas... I love the matte look of these nails and am looking forward to trying this out sometime!

3.  Pretzel Bites... I've actually made these... and they were ah.mazing!  Not only did they taste good, but they were fairly easy to make.  My hubby and I devoured them :)

4.  This beef stew looks delicious and I can't wait to try it... now I just need to find those cute adorable little individual pots.

5.  I'm definitely a sweets person, but my hubby never seems to be in the mood for sweets.  So, this single serve cookie is right up my alley!

6.  My hubby and I love going to open houses on the weekend and checking out houses in the area.  I continue that fun by looking at house plans online... here's one that I think is beautiful!

7.  I'm looking forward to having kids and seeing some of the beautiful art they'll create for me.  I think this is a great way to display some of the "scribbles" I'm sure to get during their early years...

8.  I love reading the e-cards... and this one totally gets me.  What can I say, I'm a b*tch!

9.  I love this pin about math because I am a total math geek!  I think it's so cool to see how people from other countries do math.

10.  And finally... babies!  I love reading baby advice and I just can't get enough... hopefully some of it stays in and is useful once the baby gets here...

So there you have it... some of my favorite pins... or at least favorite ideas to pin.  What do you like to pin?  Head on over to the link-up and share some of your favorites!

The Weekend Review

Another weekend has come and gone... so sad!  I can't believe how fast the weekend goes, especially when we have to spring forward and lose an hour.  I am definitely missing that hour right about now.. especially since when we get that hour back in the fall, I'll have a baby who will definitely not be following the rules of letting mommy {or daddy} sleep an extra hour.

Friday night, hubby and I stayed home and made pizza and just had a relaxing evening.  It was night to spend time just the two of us.

Saturday morning, I woke up bright and early {at 9:00am... } and decided to start cleaning out our guest room.  The guest room is going to be baby's room in just a few short months, so we have to start getting... especially since my new chair was arriving later that afternoon!  I took our guest bed apart {my little brother will be coming to take it soon enough}, cleaned out the closet, and put a bunch of stuff in a pile to be thrown out.  After that, hubby and I went grocery shopping, then came home and took three trips to the dumpster!  The room is definitely clearing out.  Saturday afternoon... La-Z-Boy delivered my beautiful new chair!  It's a glider-recliner on a swivel base.  It's a neutral shade of green, so so comfy, and absolutely wonderful... now we just have to wait for baby to get here to snuggle and rock to sleep.

Saturday evening, Justin and I invited ourselves over to my parents' house for dinner.  Dad grilled a delicious pork tenderloin and mom made some onion potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and corn... along with some Hawaiian rolls... it was ah-mazing!  My younger sister found a cupcake recipe for almond amaretto cupcakes, so I decided to help make dessert.  It was a little different than your normal recipe, calling for almond meal and amaretto, but we were giving it a try.  They turned out beautiful...

unfortunately, they tasted like crap!  We all tried a bite and then the whole batch went to the trash... it was fun to branch out, but definitely not a recipe we're planning to make again.  After the dessert fail, my three younger sisters and I played a game called Pandemic.  It was so much fun!  The game is a team effort, so rather than being competitive, we got to work together as a team.  After playing a few times, we finally won. It was a really fun evening.

Sunday was another day with my family.  Saturday night, my mom invited me to go with my sisters, aunt, and grandmother to go see Oz the Great and Powerful at the recently renovated Dine-In Theater.  The movie theater was pretty cool... they had comfy chairs that rocked, and each chair had a little pull out table.  There are waiters that come to your seat, take your order, and deliver the food to you... no waiting in line at a concession stand!  And it's real food... burgers, pizza, fries, desserts, a full bar, and more, plus your standard movie food.  Each seat also has a button to call the waiter in case you need a refill or anything.  Towards the end of the movie, they bring you the bill and you pay all before the movie is over.  It's definitely a very cool idea and it would be great for a date night.

The movie {Oz the Great and Powerful} was really good!  I wasn't sure how I would like a third Oz show {Wizard of Oz and Wicked}, but it was great!  There was plenty of parallels, and yet plenty of new story to make it interesting.  My sisters, mom, aunt, and grandma all loved it.  My two male cousins weren't huge fans {word to the wise for boys who are going to see it}.  I definitely recommend it to everyone though!

Overall, it was a great weekend.. and I'm a little sad that it's over.  The one good this is that hubby and I hopefully get to find out the sex of the baby on Thursday if this little one cooperates.  Here's hoping (s)he does and this week goes by fairly quickly!

Hope you all have a great week!

Eighteen Week Bump-date

How Far Along:

Eighteen Weeks (March 7, 2013)

Symptoms:

I have the appetite of a football team!  I am constantly eating and I can't stop myself!  My boobs are huge (thank goodness for new bras).  My lower back is starting to hurt, and - according to my coworkers - I am starting to waddle.  Once I'm asleep, it's great, but falling asleep is getting harder.  Really, I honestly feel so lucky because so far I haven't had any horrible symptoms.  So if this is the worst of it, I'll be happy!

Weight Gain:

15.5 pounds... still not happy with this number.  Based on my weight chart I'm keeping, about 5 of those are from the Christmas holiday that I never really got rid of... plus as you saw above, my appetite is crazy!  I'll be lucky if I don't look like a blimp before this is over.

Baby Facts:

Baby is getting so big!  (S)he is about 5.5 inches long from head to butt and weighs almost 7 ounces!  She or he is flexing arms and legs.  And baby is starting to yawn!  How totally cute is that to picture?!  Hopefully we catch a yawn on the ultrasound next week.  Baby's hearing is also developing and baby might actually hear my heartbeat, tummy rumbles, hiccups, and talks with daddy.

Movements:

I'm definitely starting to feel baby move.  I absolutely love feeling little baby kicks, punches, and rolls.  I try and get baby to move more often because it just makes me smile.  I'm sure in a few months, when baby is kicking me in the ribs in the middle of the night, I'm going to be singing a different tune... but for now, I'm going to enjoy every flutter.

Gender Predictions:

I'm still up in the air and go back and forth.  Several people have told me boy.  Justin was convinced it's a boy, but the other day he told me he thought it might be a girl.  Only 6 more days until we know for sure {assuming baby works with the ultrasound tech... please please please cooperate!}

Food Cravings:

Cheetos Puffs!  I've been eating them like they're going out of style.

Food Aversions:

Still no real aversions... like I said, I was super picky before.

Mommy is Feeling:

Great!  I can't believe that I am already almost half way through this pregnancy.

Daddy is Feeling:

Not so great... daddy broke his tooth a week or two ago and had to get a root canal.  He goes back next week to get a crown.

Highlights this Week:

I've been working on a blankie for baby.  It's almost half way done so far!  The first one I'm doing is a neutral blanket that I'm hoping gets passed down through all my kids.  I'm going to make a second blanket for baby that is more gender specific that will be specifically for baby to keep forever.

Excited For:
My new La-Z-Boy glida-recliner is being delivered tomorrow afternoon!  I can't wait to see how it looks.

Our anatomy scan next week!  I still can't believe that in 6 short days, we will know if this little baby inside of me is our sweet little girl or our rambunctious little boy.  We will be spending the evening after the scan baking cake balls for us to take to work to reveal the gender.

Other:

A couple weeks ago, my friend and I went to paint pottery with our Groupons.  I decided to paint baby a cute little bank.  I haven't gotten to see it in person yet, but I'm really looking forward to getting it back next week!

Obviously I have been failing at keeping up with my bump updates.  I kind of forget to blog sometimes.  My life is pretty boring and I can't imagine that people would want to read ... "got up, went to work, came home, had dinner, hung out, went to bed, rinse and repeat."  I'll try and be better about updating more often!

Tuesday Topics: Five Activities in Your Hometown

Today I’m linking up with Lauren and Tiffany for Tuesday Topics! Today’s topic is five activities in your hometown. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and after an 8 year hiatus, I returned to my hometown. I absolutely love St. Louis! There is so much to do here... including the typical ride up into the Gateway Arch, tour of the Anheuser Busch Brewery, Cardinals’ games, and visit with the animals at the {free} St. Louis Zoo. But I thought I’d do something a little different and post about some of the not-so-well-known activities in St. Louis! Here are some things that I love to do here in my hometown…

1. Outdoor Ice Skating at Steinberg Ice Rink

What is there not to love? When the temperatures get cold – which they always do – a trip to the outdoor ice rink in Forest Park is a must! They have a snack bar so you can get some hot cocoa {a must for ice skating} and in the evenings, they have a bonfire!

2. Produce Picking at Eckert’s Farm

Eckert’s is a local farm here in St. Louis – well around St. Louis. They have several locations and each has pick-your-own activities. Eckert’s grows strawberries, blackberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, and Christmas trees, so no matter what season, you can head to the farm for some fresh produce! I went apple picking with my husband this past fall, and it was so much fun!













3. Theater at The Muny in Forest Park

St. Louis actually has some great theater productions at the Fox Theater, but nothing beats seeing a show at the Muny! The Muny is an outdoor theater in the famous Forest Park where they put on shows throughout the Summer. This season, some of the shows I’m looking forward to include Shrek the Musical, South Pacific, Mary Poppins, and West Side Story. You can either buy tickets, or show up early for the free seats! There were plenty of times my family would head to the park for an afternoon picnic followed by waiting for free tickets at the Muny and finally enjoying a show.

4. Delicious Food

What’s not to love about food? There are so many different food options in St. Louis, no matter what part of the town you’re visiting, there’s great places to eat! You could hit up downtown for some Pappie’s BBQ or a milkshake from Crown Candy. Head to the Central West End or Delmar Loop for some great little places. Want Italian? Then the Hill is the place to go. Botique shopping? Old St. Charles by the riverfront has plenty of little shops with some great restaurants! Plus you have your standard St. Louis food that you must try… toasted ravioli, Imo’s Pizza, and a delicious Pork Steak!

5. Bring Out Your Inner Child at City Museum

City Museum is a giant playground! It’s an interactive museum where children {and adults} get the chance to learn and be active. Definitely dress for play if you head here, because you will be crawling under, over, and between all kinds of things.

So there are just five great things to do in St. Louis that might not be as well known, but are still just as fun!  If you are ever in the area, feel free to ask for some tips on places to go because I love sharing about this great place I call home.

And definitely go link up with Lauren and Tiffany so I can learn all about your hometowns!

Pregnancy Brain

We've all heard it... a woman gets pregnant and she loses her mind... along with many other things.

Yesterday, I drove myself to work, headed up the elevator, set my stuff on my desk and got to work... my usual routine.  I worked hard all day trying to finish up our budget (I'm a financial business analyst) and when the end of the day arrived, I was SO ready to head home.

Enter the problem.

I look at my desk, and my keys are not there!  What the heck happened to my keys?  I ask my coworkers and several came over to help me search my desk.  I looked in my cabinets, my drawers, under the desk, behind my computer, in the trash can... even in my Kleenex box!  I checked the bathroom, the receptionist desk, the kitchen, and the fridge... nothing.

Okay, definitely not in my office.  So I head down the elevator to the main lobby and asked the security guard if anyone turned in a set of keys... of course not!  Finally, I head out to my car to check there.  My car has a keypad on the door, so I unlocked the door and check in the car, around the car, under the seat, in the ignition... nothing!

Unfortunately, I had to call my husband and tell him that my keys were taken off my desk and I would need him to brink me my spare key so I could get home.  He was not too happy.  How does someone lose their keys at work?!  I tried to explain that I didn't lose my keys that someone must have taken them, but to no avail.  I headed home and sent a mass e-mail to the office with pleas for everyone to keep their eyes out for my keys.  Hopefully they'd turn up the next day.

Fast forward to this morning...

I get to work (with my spare key) and everyone is asking me if I've found my keys.  Of course I haven't!  Since the news of my pregnancy is still spreading around the office, only a few people knew about the pregnancy brain, but those few made sure to laugh at me for losing my keys and letting me know all pregnant women do it.  At this point, the whole office is looking for my keys.  Several times an hour, someone would stop by my desk and ask if I had checked ________.  Of course I had!  I was losing hope that they would ever turn up.

Around lunch time, I heard one of my coworkers heading to my desk and I turn around to see her purse in one hand and MY KEYS in her other hand!  She looks at me and asks me how the heck my keys ended up in her purse?! (almost with an accusatory tone, as if I had put them there).  Hello... that's what I'm wondering!

Well turns out, yesterday she stopped by my desk before she went to lunch because she had heard my pregnancy news and wanted to congratulate me.  She set her purse down on my desk as we talked, and when she went to leave, she grabbed her purse and the keys sitting next to it... mine... and headed to lunch. She didn't find them until she went searching in her purse today at lunch!

I immediately yelled "_____ stole my keys!"... lots of people had a good laugh and I sent out an e-mail to the office letting them know the were found.  I then texted a picture of my keys to my husband and explained the whole story to him.

I did not misplace my keys!  I was right all along... someone took them off my desk.

Moral of the story... just because a pregnant woman loses her keys does not mean she has pregnancy brain... at least not for that!