23 Weeks

I find it hard to believe that we're already at 23 weeks in this pregnancy! (Of course not until Thursday, officially, but whatever) I'm feeling pretty great, I have a lot more energy than I did the first few months, which has been really nice for me and Jerod. I feel like we actually get to spend time together now, instead of me passing out right after dinner and basically only spending time with each other on the weekends.





The last few weeks since our ultrasound have been especially nice because I have felt the baby move more and more each day. You can even feel little kicks by touching my belly, but every time I get Jerod's hand in the right spot the little stinker stops kicking! And I have had this feeling the whole pregnancy that we're having a girl, I've had at least three dreams that confirmed this suspicion, and then last weekend I had a dream the baby was born a boy- so now this kid is really throwing us off. First, hiding their cute little face during the ultrasound, then not kicking for their Daddy, and now with the indecisive dreams- our baby will always keep us guessing I suppose.





Here is a belly pic for the 23 week milestone, I've been getting several requests for another. Please forgive the scrubby clothes and my wacky hair, we had been doing work on the basement with my parents and then cleaning the house from a weekend of visitors. I'll have to post progressive pictures of our basement remodel- we (and by 'we' I mean my dad) got SO much done this weekend and it really looks awesome so far!






My belly looks a little smaller in this pic than my last belly pic post, I think it was the camera angle on the 17 week picture that made me look ginormous. However, I am now feeling bigger than ever- I'm not sure how I can feel even more huge, but somehow I know it will happen :)

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It's going around....

So whatever has been going around finally caught up to Jerod. He hasn't been really sick in a long time, but Friday he came home from work and barely moved from the couch, at that point he just had a runny nose and sore throat. By Saturday, though, he was running a low grade fever and we'll just say he spent A LOT of time in the bathroom. I felt so bad for him, and me, because that meant whatever needed cleaning had to be cleaned by only me, BOOOOO! Thankfully, he feels much better today and volunteered to pick up some Casey's donuts for breakfast. What a sweetie :)

Unfortunately, since Jerod was sick he missed a birthday party for friends Bre and Chad's daughter Piper. She turned one year old this past week and so they had close friends and family over to celebrate with them. It was great, we don't get to see each other much since we all live in different cities, and in some cases states, so I really treasure these times that we get to hang out now. I didn't get any pictures of Piper, I couldn't find my purse while I was there, but let me tell you she was so adorable. They bought a miniature cake for her, but the silly thing about it was that she didn't eat much of the cake, just played with it, squishing it between her fingers and smushing it on her highchair tray. I'm so happy that they ask us to share these milestones with them, I am looking forward to doing the same when our little guy or gal arrives. I'll find some pictures to show you in the future, until then I just want to thank my friends. It took me almost 4 years of college to find you, but the wait was totally worth it, I love you guys!

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Oh Baby!

I love hearing my baby's heartbeat, but even more than that, I love SEEING it beating! On Thursday, Jerod and I went in to Ames for the most recent appointment where we got to see our little sweetie on an ultrasound. The nurse said the baby is measuring exactly on schedule and the doctor said everything looks good, I always feel better after having an appointment. Anyway, we were able to take a few souvenir pictures home including a couple little 3D images. The baby wasn't being very cooperative in getting a good 3D picture of his/her face, but the nurse got a angled shot. Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we do (although I'm not sure if that's possible, haha)!



This is the 3D picture, you can obviously tell where the baby's head is at and can see the little ear on the side and an arm, I think that's my uterus in the backdrop- weird that I can say that, right?





Here's a traditional ultrasound shot of our munchkin, I'm not sure how we can love our baby more than we already do, I guess we'll find out in about 4 and a half months!

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Thought for the Day

The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

This was in an email my mom sent me and I wanted to share it. Sometimes we think the things we are going through are hopeless, but then we just have to let go and let God's plan work itself out. It's hard to believe in some situations, but I truly feel that if God brings you to it, he WILL bring you through it- he knows us better than we know ourselves. Happy Friday!

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Beautiful Every Time

Has anyone heard that song by Lee Brice? I was listening to the radio this week and I must have heard it every day on my way to or home from work and I just love it. I'm pretty sure it's been out for a while, but it really stuck with me. Here are some of my favorite lyrics:


I've been around the ocean since I was a kid

I don't get to see it much these days
This mornin' I walked down to it, just to say I did
And damned if it didn't take my breath away
I guess some things are just that way
Like a baby sleeping
A mama kneeling

A Key West sunset sky

Yeah the chills I get, when you lay your lips on mine
That's beautiful......beautiful every time


I guess amazing, will always be amazing
Like a church choir singing
A nation healing

A soldier coming home alive
The love for me girl I see in your eyes
That's beautiful

Beautiful every time

It got me thinking about all those moments in life that are so simple, but they really make an impression on your heart and your memory. I mean, have you ever walked on a beach as the sun rises? It IS breath taking, the way the water goes on and on and the calm of the ocean before the beach has filled up with people, and feeling your toes in that soft sand, it's just a wonder to behold. So anyway, I came up with a few more instances in life that are just always perfect, feel free to post some of your own in the comments.....

-Elderly couples who still hold hands when they walk

-The still of a crowd during the National Anthem

-The atmosphere of a small town at the Homecoming football game

-Seeing your baby move on an ultrasound

-Hearing your baby's heartbeat for the first time

-The moment you realize, "This is my forever, the one I couldn't live without..."



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