Happy Birthday Mom!

This past weekend we had a late birthday celebration for my mom! Katie and I took her to Escape Room (Katie should have pictures of this, unfortunately I didn't get any). We worked very well together and escaped with 6 minutes to spare! Afterwards, we went to a Japanese steakhouse for some hibachi.

The food was great, it's not often we get to do this! Not to mention, having some time between just us girls.


Afterwards we went back to Katie's for some chocolate mousse pie for dessert.

The next morning we went to Eleanor and Jane's soccer game.




We did some shopping at the outlet mall, it was such a nice day out. Then we got some lunch together before mom had to hit the road.


It was so nice getting some time with just the ladies - I wish we could have done a whole weekend! Happy birthday to a woman who deserves to be celebrated every day - we are so thankful for you!!!

30 Weeks

At 30 weeks I'm still feeling pretty good! There are times I forget my belly has gotten bigger until I bump into something. I'm thankful the weather is starting to get cooler because it is much easier for me to dress in oversized sweaters and get away with minimal maternity wear. Her movements are becoming more visible from outside the belly. Although she isn't super active, and it's mostly still just when I'm laying down.
I have started getting some sporadic very mild heartburn. Digesting food is becoming more difficult. I typically have to have small snacks and tend to fill up quickly. When I eat a full dinner at night it's usually followed up by me pacing around the living room trying to get it to digest and stay down. As with most things this pregnancy, I'm better off standing than sitting or laying down.
The shortness of breath continues. Sometimes I realize at work that my co-workers probably think I sound really annoyed at something (sighing), but I'm actually just trying to get a deep breath.
Fortunately, my ribs are finally no longer sore. I have had inflamed/bleeding gums when I floss pretty much this entire pregnancy. I know this is supposed to be normal, but I'm actually looking forward to going to the dentist next week to get everything checked out.
My 32 week appointment is next week. Now that I'm in the 30s I am definitely feeling the urge to do whatever we need to do to prepare!

Fall Hikes

Lately whenever we have free time on the weekends we are usually trying to find a new place to explore. Especially since the nice weather is more limited here and we know winter will come before we know it!

We tried a different hike at Quarterpath Park recently. It was a beautiful day, we are definitely soaking in the Fall season! We've missed the leaves falling the last couple years.




Here's to hoping this season lasts for a while longer before it starts getting too cold to be out!

28 Weeks

We are officially in the third trimester!


It's hard to believe we are already 28 weeks along. I feel like this pregnancy has been flying by. Don't get me wrong, we are very excited to meet this baby. But right now I am just really enjoying carrying her. I can tell she is getting higher up. My belly is rounding out at the top and I feel her up by my ribs often. I've also noticed it's starting to get more difficult to bend over to put shoes on or pick something up.
I started my new job last week and so far it has been going well! Although both baby and I have had to get used to me sitting for longer periods of time. My first day of work and the days following she has started kicking me more than ever when I'm sitting or slightly hunched over for too long. She's a good reminder to get up and walk around as much as I can.
Benny and I still take long walks most afternoons and I try to get a small workout in the days we don't. Although it's getting more difficult to find the time now while also working full time. I also have a lot more shortness of breath, our walks are definitely starting to take on a slower pace.
I've had a totally random bloody nose twice in the last two weeks that have come out of nowhere. The first time it happened was in the middle of the night when I was half asleep. I thought it was just a runny nose and grabbed a tissue then didn't see the aftermath until the next morning. That wasn't so fun.
All in all everything has been going well! My next appointment is at 32 weeks and then I will be going every 2 weeks from there on out. It's crazy we are getting so close! I already wouldn't mind time slowing down a little bit.

Weekend

This past weekend we got to see Eleanor and Jane's first soccer game of the season. It was fun watching them on the same team!

My dad came down to visit for part of the day.

We took a walk to explore the waterfront in Katie's new neighborhood. It was beautiful.


The next day Benny and I went back to Waller Mill Park to do a little fishing.


We went early enough that the weather was perfect. Once the sun started rising it heated up quickly.


We didn't have a ton of luck but still had a great time!

26 Weeks

We are 26 weeks along!


Unfortunately I probably won't have anymore fun ultrasounds to share from here on out. I feel like my belly has definitely gotten bigger in the last two weeks. I feel her kick more often, and now sometimes higher up near my ribs. She is still most active in the early morning and dinnertime.
The day I officially turned 26 weeks (this past weekend) was the first day a stranger in the grocery store noticed I was pregnant and said congratulations. At first I was confused what he was congratulating me on, and then I looked down and realized I guess the belly isn't so discreet anymore.
I've definitely noticed sleep has been getting a little trickier. I'm normally a great sleeper. I can still fall asleep just fine, but if/when I wake up in the middle of the night it is very hard for me to go back to sleep.
I officially bought a couple basic maternity tees from Target this past week. I was going to try to avoid it but I am going to have to dress a little nicer in the next few months because... I'm starting a new job next week! I was a little hesitant being only three months out from needing to take maternity leave, but they are aware and seem fine with the whole situation. The hope is to figure out a flexible teleworking schedule once the baby is here, but we just won't know what any of that will look like until then. Wish me luck!
All in all I am still feeling great and loving every minute of being pregnant. She has been pretty easy on me so far and I am very thankful for that.

Eric's Birthday and Visit from TX

This past weekend Eric's parents came to celebrate his birthday and finally see where we're living!

We had a lot of slow mornings eating breakfast and just visiting. Thankfully Eric was able to do some teleworking and got to stay home a lot of the time they were here.

For his birthday this year, he really wanted a Costco cake (he developed a love for them at his previous job when they would celebrate monthly birthdays). Obviously, Costco does everything in bulk - so it was a very large cake.

But Eric was thrilled and over the course of his parents' visit, we were able to put a good dent in it.

We played lots of games at night.


We did the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour. It weaves in and out of the British and Allied lines during the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. This family of history buffs enjoyed every minute of it.




Afterwards we went to the waterfront to get lunch.


On Sunday, Katie and Chris were nice enough to invite us all over for the Redskins/Cowboys game on Jane's birthday. Benny's parents absolutely love getting a chance to see the kids so they were thrilled. Happy birthday Jane!!

On our last full day we went to Jamestown Settlement which was a first for Eric and I.

It was such a beautiful day, we especially loved the Archaearium (of which I didn't get any pictures).


We were also mesmerized by watching the glass blowers. It was a hot day - I did not envy them!


All in all it was a wonderful visit and was so nice to have some family around to help celebrate Eric's birthday. He's one amazing guy. Thank you for coming!!