Nine Photos of My Spouse and I {Tuesday Topics}

It's time for another week of Tuesday Topics.  This week, I get to share nine pictures of me and my spouse/bestie... lucky for me, he is both!   1. This is from my first weekend visit to his place. Our first year and a half together, we lived about two hours away from each other, so these visits were always fun!

2.  Road trip to St. Louis for my brother's wedding.  Who doesn't love a fun roadtrip?  And we actually do pretty well in the car together.

3.  The night we got engaged!  This was right after he popped the question.

4.  A night at the St. Louis Cardinals' game.  I have tons of pictures of us at the baseball stadium... it is always a good time.

5.  Our wedding... this is one of my favorite pictures from that day.

6.  Our honeymoon... we got married on the beach in Florida and then spend the week going to different amusement parks and restaurants... here we were at Senor Frogs.

7.  Being goofy... this is one of my favorite pictures of my hubby... I think it really captures his personality.

8.  The picture from when we announced we were expecting :)

9.  This is a more recent picture from when we went to visit Grant's Farm in St. Louis... I probably have better ones from our recent vacation, but those aren't actually off the camera yet :)

So there you have it... nine pictures of me and my hubby over the last {little more than} four years... it's been fun going down memory lane.  Now it's your turn to go link-up with Tiffany and Lauren and share some pics of you and your spouse and/or bestie!

If You're Happy And You Know It...

It's time again for Tuesday Topics!  Tiffany and Lauren just started a new set and I'm going to try and actually participate in all ten weeks.  The first week is ten things that make you happy...

1.  Baby kicks... what is there not to love about the sweet little reminder that a little one is growing inside you?  It's such an amazing feeling and it makes me so happy.

2.  Spending time with my family.  I'm going to visit my sister and her family this weekend.  I can't wait to see my sweet little niece and nephew.  Their smiles can brighten any day!

3.  New clothes.  Right now, I'm not buying a lot of clothes seeing as they won't be fitting in a few months, but I still love getting new clothes!

4.  Art projects.  I found this really cool pin on Pinterest for a name plate that I'm going to try and make to put over baby's crib.  I'm really looking forward to having an art project to do!

5.  Cleaning... LOL... I never thought I'd say that, but the nesting bug is hitting full force!  It makes me so happy to see how clean my closet it and I'm really enjoying the layout of my husband's man room.  I have a feeling that this cleaning thing will eventually get really old, so I better enjoy it while I can.

6.  Maxine's Chicken and Waffles.  This place is amazing!  All my friends and family laugh when I talk about this place, but I love it.  It is one of the perks of driving to visit my sister.  Justin and I stop here mid-way and I get to enjoy some fried chicken and a sweet potato waffle with peach butter... YUM!

7.  Spring flowers... especially tulips.  I feel like this season I really missed all the flowers.  Spring just never happened, it went straight from winter snow to summer heat.  I love just seeing huge bouquets or fields of tulips... makes my heart happy.

8.  Passing a level on Candy Crush.  Ha ha... I'm totally addicted to the game and getting past a level I've been stuck on for a while makes me so happy!  Then I get stuck again... what a vicious cycle!

9.  Mail.  Real mail... not junk mail.  Who doesn't love getting a card or a letter in the mail?  It's nice to know someone was thinking about you.

10.  Sleeping through the night.  Lately, that hasn't been happening and I have a feeling it might only get worse over the next year or so.  So those few nights I have lately where I don't wake up are golden!

So there you have it!  Ten things that are currently making me happy.  Feel free to head over to Tiffany's or Lauren's blog and share what makes you happy!

Twenty-Eight Week Bump-date

How Far Along:

Twenty Eight Weeks (May 16, 2013)

Symptoms:

I think I've started having some Braxton Hicks contractions... I'm still not 100% sure.  I've had some heartburn this week, but nothing too bad.  Still have that tender spot on my back that hurts if I turn a certain way {I know... don't turn that way...}

Baby Facts:
Little man is almost 15" and over 2 pounds!  He can blink his eyes and see light that's coming in through the uterus... we may have to get a flashlight out and play a little bit.  Hopefully he is starting to turn himself around for the big event.

Movements:

I've been starting to feel jabs up high, like under my ribs.  Totally a weird feeling!  He isn't as active as before, but still plenty active.  I'm sure it's starting to get tight in there :)

Gender Predictions:

Baby Boy Atwell... yep, I've got two men in my life now.

Food Cravings or Aversions:

Soft pretzels and brownies from the sundry downstairs at work.  Justin had a tuna salad sandwich the other night and the smell definitely made me turn my nose... not that I ate tuna in the past, but the smell was really getting to me!

Mommy is Feeling:

Tired... I've been having trouble falling asleep lately... and any major movement from dad's side of the bed and I'm awake.  And I'm sure this isn't going to be getting any better as he gets bigger and the area for my bladder gets smaller.

Daddy is Feeling:

I asked Justin how he's feeling about baby and he said "nobody puts baby in a corner"... yeah, that's my husband.  He then said that he's ready!  Ha, if only he knew what he's in for...

Highlights this Week:

I bought our first box of diapers and wipes... lol.  Who would think that would be a highlight?  Okay, its not really, but its fun to start getting ready for baby.

I got my invite for our baby shower!  It's a little less than a month away and I am so excited to see all my family and friends get together to celebrate the soon-to-be arrival of our little boy.

Excited For:
Our last piece of furniture should be coming in soon, so it should all be delivered... hopefully by the end of the month!  Can't wait to set up the nursery :)

Next week, we're heading to Ohio to visit my sister and her family.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them all and hanging out with my little niece (28 months) and nephew (8 months).  I saw a picture of them recently and they're getting so big!  Plus, she has some baby stuff for me.

We're getting a 3D/4D ultrasound in just two weeks!  Can't wait to see what little man is going to look like.

Other:

I have my glucose test today... so hopefully I pass!  I also have to have blood work done and I have to get my rhoGAM shot since I'm Rh-negative... so lots of needles.  Not looking forward to it.

{Sunday Social}

1. 1 year ago I was doing...

A little over a year ago, I married my best friend, Justin.  We spent a week in Florida celebrating.  I was working as an accountant (with the same company I am now).  On this day a year ago, I went to a baby shower for one of my friends, Katy, who was pregnant with her first child, Cooper.

2. 5 years ago I was doing...

I had just recently bought a house in Springfield, Missouri.  I had been working as a financial analyst for a company for just about a year.  I was getting ready to take a new assignment working as a controller for someone going on maternity leave in Eldon, Missouri.

3. 10 years ago I was doing...

I had just finished my first year at college at (Southwest) Missouri State University.  I was probably just finishing up exams and moving back home for the summer.  That was the last summer I lived with my parents.

4. 1 year from now I'll be doing...

Celebrating my first mother's day with my little boy!  Working a job I enjoy.  Celebrating two years of marriage to my amazing husband.  Looking into purchasing a house sometime soon.

5. 5 years from now I'll be doing...

Raising two kids... maybe have a third on the way?  Hopefully Justin and I will have a house and careers that we both enjoy and allow us to live the lifestyle we want.

6. 10 years from now I'll be doing...

a millionaire and retired... ha ha... I wish!  Who really knows where they'll be in ten years?  I know I'll have a soon-to-be ten year old son who will probably be driving me crazy {and that I'll love with all my heart} and that I will still have an amazing husband of over ten years!

Now it's your turn... go check in for Sunday Social!

Reality Check

Oh my gosh... for some reason it is really starting to sink in that I'm having a baby in just thirteen weeks... thirteen weeks!  I can't believe how little time is left - and how much stuff I still need to do.  There's just so much!  Here's just some of the things I know I need to get done:

1. Get whooping cough vaccine - Justin
2. Finish baby blanket
3. Clear out the old guest room
4. Set up the nursery
5. Start stocking up on diapers, wipes, etc.
6. Wash baby clothes, bedding, and other linens
7. Clean out both cars (professional car washes)
8. Purchase and install car seat
9. Talk to insurance company about breast pump coverage
10. Set-up maternity leave
11. Deep clean the house
12. Create a birth plan
13. Attend childbirth classes, breastfeeding classes, and child care classes
14. Read up on breastfeeding
15. Start cooking freezer meals for after birth
16. Find a pediatrician (and update pre-registration with information)
17. Pack a bag for the hospital for mommy and baby
18. Create a contact list to announce the birth
19. Figure out how to use our camera
20. Purchase nursing bras and pajamas
21. Buy rest of baby gear (after baby shower)
22. Send thank you notes for baby shower
23. Put together gifts for nurses
24. Pick out a name
25. Pick out birth announcements (so all I have to do is add picture)
26. Get paperwork from Justin's work to add baby to insurance

It feels good to at least get it all written out.  I'm sure I will come back to this list and update it as I come up with other things I need to do, but this helps me focus on what I need to get done so I can start to schedule my time just a little bit better.  I've got a schedule of weekends from now until our due date, and we don't have a lot of free weekends left, so I need to use them wisely!

If you know of anything else that I need to be getting done, please let me know!

Twenty Five Week Bump-date

How Far Along:

Twenty Five Weeks (April 25, 2013)

Symptoms:

I still have a spot in my lower right back that is sore, but other than that, not too bad.  I could definitely tell I was pregnant this week while being on vacation.  It took so much more energy to do everything and I got tired much more quickly.

Weight Gain:

I just got back from vacation and haven't weighed myself in over a week... probably not going to weigh for a few days... lol.

Baby Facts:

Baby boy is over a foot long and over a pound and a half!  He's getting so big!

Movements:

Tons and tons of movement... he loves to move around.  This week, while laying at the hotel, I could see my belly just dancing away.  It is so cool and I still love feeling every single movement.

Gender Predictions:

Baby is definitely a boy!

Food Cravings:

Nothing in particular.

Food Aversions:

Nothing in particular.

Mommy is Feeling:

Very happy... I had a great week with daddy on our one year anniversary vacation / babymoon.  I'm definitely not looking forward to going back to work :(

Daddy is Feeling:

Baby move... he loves to just reach over and feel the little guy moving around (and I love watching his eyes light up each time he feels it).

Highlights this Week:

Definitely our vacation.  We spent the week in San Diego and it was a blast.  We were on the run the whole week and I got in lots of exercise.  I will try and recap our trip next week.

Excited For:
In four weeks, Justin and I are heading to Ohio to visit my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew.  That will be my last trip before baby gets here and we're looking forward to seeing all of them!

Justin and I decided to get an elective 3D ultrasound, so we're really looking forward to that... of course its not for five more weeks.

Other:

At my next appointment, I have to take my glucose test... hopefully I pass with flying colors.  I also have to have blood work done and get a rhogam shot... this momma is not looking forward to it because I have a major fear of needles!

Seven Daily Activities - Tuesday Topics

This week, we get to share seven things we do everyday.  So, here we go...

1. Check my iPhone and social media – I check my e-mail first thing in the morning.  Throughout the day, I usually look through my Facebook newsfeed to see what everyone is up to for the day (yesterday, everyone was excited for opening day).  I check Instagram to see all the cute pictures of people’s day to day.  I also almost always have a few games of Words with Friends going on, along with Candy Crush {so addicting}.

2. Eat breakfast – I never used to be a breakfast person, but a few years ago (say around 2008), I decided to lose weight, and the first thing I did was add breakfast as part of my regular schedule.  Now if I don’t get breakfast, I’m starving by 9:30am!  I eat breakfast at least six days each week.

3. Go to work – Okay, I don’t do this every day (a.k.a. weekends and holidays), but it is a large part of my schedule each week… so I’m going to count it.  I work as a financial analyst, so I sit and crunch numbers all day.  Saturday, we go grocery shopping, so that’s kinda like work, right?

4. Go to the bathroom {… a lot} – My sweet little boy loves to sit nice and low and kick my bladder throughout the day.  I’ll just be sitting there, and suddenly the urge hits.  I don’t foresee this getting better over the next four months.

{if only my bathroom looked like this...}

5. Drink water – This was also something that was added back when I decided to lose weight and has stuck with me since.  I have a 24oz. cup at work and at home, and it is almost always next to me filled with water so I can get a gulp whenever I need it.  If I don’t have my water, I feel like I am dying of thirst.

6. Watch TV – I am a TV junkie.  I’ll admit it.  I love watching TV… but I love it even more once it’s been DVRed and I can fast forward through all the commercials.  I am not a fan of commercials (unless it’s the Super Bowl).

{and thank goodness my TV doesn't look like this...}

7. Spend time with my family – Hubby loves to play his computer games (and I’m totally cool with that), so when we actually go to bed each night, we talk and catch up and I try and get in a few snuggles.  I also like to lie down on my back and feel little boy kicking up a storm.  Lately, Justin has joined in on the fun of feeling baby move.

Now it's your turn... what do you do everyday?  Head on over to the link-up and share!

-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!