21 weeks.

How far along? 21 Weeks
Total weight gain: holding steady at 8 pounds
Maternity clothes? I have only worn two maternity sundresses, but I did break down yesterday and buy some after my boss told me I looked uncomfortable and to buck up and get some new clothes.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Sleeping great; last night was the first time with the boppy body pillow my friend Jill gave me, and I don't think I moved all night!
Best moment this week: Rick feeling the baby kick.... it was so awesome!
Miss Anything? buying cute clothes/bikinis/skirts for summer.
Movement: baby moves all day long & I love it so much!! Everyone was right when they said it is the best part of pregnancy.
Food cravings: still loving sweets and carbs. I ate nonstop over Father's Day weekend, and I can't believe I didn't gain 5 pounds.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada
Have you started to show yet: Yes... I think I am at the point where stretch marks are made. Everything feels so tight, like your skin after a sunburn. Yuck.
Gender: Surprise!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In for now..but it is starting to look flatter and flatter every day.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: one happy camper.
Looking forward to: Our BIG sonogram next week- we will get to see a great view of the little baby!! And making more and more progress on the nursery. Friends giving me baby stuff is making me more and more excited!!!

Handy Dandy.

It seems like years, but months ago, my sweet husband and his Dad, Tony, started a project in the room off of our master. I was just a plain "sitting room" with carpet and 3 walls. Rick had an idea to raise the floor, put in steps and wood flooring, make built in shelves with crown molding, a window seat, and a bench with storage. Recently, he finished the room and I couldn't be more pleased with what he was able to build with his bare hands. Now to the fun part, my part: decorating it! We are having cushions made for the benches and it needs books on the shelves, pictures on the walls...

My handy husband is able to do so much around the house: fix broken dryers, leaky faucets, busted garbage disposals, and even change my brakes. Our little family is so lucky, and he has learned so much from Tony, we are both grateful to him. Next project, the backyard oasis... cannot wait.

Father's Day Weekend.

This weekend was full of lots of visiting with family and friends, as Phoenix trips always are...

Rick was in Tampa Bay all week for work, so I traveled up to Phoenix Thursday afternoon to spend some time with my friend Ann. A little while back she had some complications with her pregnancy and was ordered to be on bed rest. She is someone that is always on the go, so it was especially hard for her. On Thursday she was given the all clear to venture out of the house, so I took her out for a little shopping and some dinner. I was so happy to see her up on her feet, but you should have seen how slowly I went over speed bumps and took corners.

Friday morning I picked Rick up at the airport, and he spent the rest of the morning napping and recovering from his trip. Then we headed over to Joe and Jill's house to swim and BBQ. I hadn't seen Jill since I got pregnant, so she was loving the bump I was sporting, and generously gave me her breast pump, body pillow, car mirror, and many bottles. When she comes to Tucson next she is letting me raid her parent's house for the rest of her son's old baby stuff. I am so lucky to have her as a friend- she has really made this whole baby planning thing much easier!

Saturday was my brother Mike's and his girlfriend Carissa's baby shower at their house. It was co-ed so Rick came with, and we ate lots of candy, played some games, and played with her kids.

After the shower we all rested up and headed out to dinner to celebrate Father's Day with my side of the family. It was surreal that both my brothers and husband were all celebrating their first Father's Day together... Next year will be crazy, as all of the babies will be here and not in Moms' bellies.

Sunday morning we slept in, and my Mom made eggs benedict and Rick's favorite potatoes for them for Dad's Day. Since she cooked, I got to do the dishes.... and there were lots of them. While I was washing the boys watched NASCAR and bummed around. We got ready and then headed over to Rick's parents house and then to Samantha's to spend the rest of the day celebrating with his family. Three words: ice cream cake. For a girl that doesn't eat junk food, Samantha sure can make it. YUM.

This weekend was another whilrlwind, we were exhausted when we came home, but it was worth every second. Next time we will be up, my little brother's baby will be born. SO excited!

Caution: Whale Crossing.

This week I finally got back to exercising. 5 months into my pregnancy, I decided to do something besides lay on the couch and eat pickles. When I found out I was pregnant, I was only a month out from running a marathon, and I fully anticipated continuing with some sort of exercise regimen throughout my pregnancy. Then the 6 week mark hit, and I was literally on my ass. I was exhausted, sick, and overall just miserable. I threw up everyday from week 6 to week 14. After that, I was just accustomed to doing nothing, resting, and eating comfort food: macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly were my staples. However, now, I am feeling great (thank goodness I only gained 8 pounds during those months of slugging it), and when my friend Jackie told me my workout buddies Ray and Rohan were asking about me at the gym, that was the last push I needed to get back out there.

So, the last two days have been gym workout days... I started slow- treadmill at a 4 or 5 incline, and worked up my speed to something I was comfortable with, and have really enjoyed it. I actually feel better and followed with a juiced concoction or homemade smoothie, I am a happy camper. It was great to see the people at the gym, they were all so sweet, congratulatory, and had great tips to help with the back pain I have been experiencing. I remembered why I started going there last summer, and I am excited to get back in to a regular schedule.

I was talking with my friend I recently visited in San Francisco, and she has signed up for her first half marathon! I am so excited she has caught the bug and decided to go for it- and training in the hills of San Fran will be no small feat... but it will make the actual race that much easier. I was kinda bummed that I won't be able to be there for her first race, to run or cheer, because it is in October, but we have talked about running Big Sur next April, my first marathon back after baby- and that is something I am looking forward to. I sent her this photo of myself getting ready to run yesterday, asking her if she is sure she doesn't want ALLL this running beside her during her first race- not a pretty sight.

The lovely person she is, she said of course she would- after all, I reminded her I could block all the wind if she ran behind me: but then she would probably have to be closer to walking than running. Oh well, here's to goals and plans for the future- but watch out for the whale crossing if you see me 'walgging' out on the streets.

20 Weeks...Halfway There!

How far along? 20 Weeks- Halfway!
Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs gained
Maternity clothes? Still just rockin' the the sundresses and belly belt every day.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Still sleeping great.. weird dreams though! Baby is very active in the morning and at night.
Best moment this week: using a stethoscope to listen to the baby moving around, so cool! And getting back to the gym- it was certainly time, and I was so happy to be back.
Miss Anything? Thirstbusters of Diet Coke.
Movement: Baby is a mover & a shaker... and I love every minute of it!
Food cravings: I ate an entire jar of pickles in 3 days, a very large jar, so that craving has since subsided because of the resulting sour tummy. I have been eating a lot of sugar free popsicles and juicing my fruits and veggies. YUM.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: Surprise!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In... although it is looking flatter and flatter, I have never been able to see inside the entire thing! Weird.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happier than I've ever been in my entire life!!
Looking forward to:  Nursery decorating! The office desk has been moved out- Progress! 

i left my heart in San Francisco...

Two words to describe this trip: Magical and Unforgettable. We saw, we ate, we laughed, we danced, they drank, and we made awesome memories. This is one of my favorite trips to date, and without a doubt, we will be back. Gio and Matt were the most loving and gracious hosts, we couldn't have felt more welcomed or entertained. Thank you dear friends, we feel so lucky.

Things we saw/did: Chinatown, rode a Cable car, Pier 39, Ghiradelli, Tree Man, Buena Vista Irish Coffees, AT&T Park, 21st Amendment, Tommy's Joynt, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Gardens, Bison, Fine Arts Building, Union Street Fair, Fresca, SF Symphony Black and White Ball, Cyndi Lauper, The Drifters, Mama's Cafe, the church where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married, Golden Gate Bridge, the Marina, Little Italy. So much more left to see for such a small city...

19 weeks.

How far along? 19 weeks, the baby is the size of an heirloom tomato! He or she is 15.2 cm long and weighs 241 g.
Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs gained so far
Maternity clothes? No- just the belly belt, and loose clothes, and sundresses these days
Stretch marks? No - let's hope the Palmer's cream my friend Jill sent me works- she is so thoughtful.
Sleep: Sleep is great
Best moment this week: feeling the baby kick from the outside! My husband was too slow to feel it, but I know he will soon. Also being grateful for the 2nd trimeter which allowed me to stay awake till after 2 am every night I was in San Francisco this past weekend. I was very proud of myself for being able to hang. Apparently so were my friends, which I found out after our friend Matt hosted an around the room session of "everyone tell Sara why we are proud of her". I am sure my face was the color of crimson as I hid under a blanket.  Giovanna was proud of our mutual ability to make farting noises with our thighs, which is either hear nor there. *Great memory documented*
Miss Anything? A giant fountain soda when I am tired...
Movement: So much movement this week! I think my friend Gio shaking my belly back and forth may have added to it.
Food cravings: I am continuing to crave sweets along with fried food which I could literally eat for every meal.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada.
Have you started to show yet: Yup!
Gender: Surprise!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to:  My next ultrasound with some good views of the baby at the end of the month!