Week 23

Now you all know what I look like post workout, after a night of sleeping on wet hair AND sans makeup!  Lucky, Joel...huh??  (ha ha j/k).  You may have noticed that I've skipped a few weeks (20 to be exact) of pregnancy pictures .  This is because I usually work out JUST before Joel gets home and I never feel photo worthy.  I decided to go for it today....or there would be NO documentation of my first pregnancy!

Hunger Games

Have I watched Hunger games?  No.  Do I plan to read the book?  Ummm...no.  I DO feel like my ever-hungry stomach is playing games with me, though.  I try my best to fill my ever grumbling tummy, but NOTHING seems to do the trick.  I'm pretty sure I shocked my in-laws when they were visiting.  I distinctly remember one of them saying "Wow, I'm not used to seeing you eat this much food (or something to that effect)."  I'm really not used to this, either!  I'm trying to enjoy this stage, but am having a hard time finding food that will meet my very picky pregnancy tastes as well as fill the black hole that has stolen my stomach.  Luckily, I'm not craving chocolate, ice cream, french fries or chips, but I HAVE eaten a whole bag of grapes in one night.  Wow.  This week I spent $13 on grapes at the grocery store.  Joel and I should probably just invest in an orchard soon :)

I guess this baby girl is growing and I'm grateful for that!  

Funny Future Daddy

Funny Things Joel Says (Or Does) Now That I'm Prego

1)  When we first started announcing our pregnancy he'd pat my belly with a cupped hand (it echoed...I swear)  and say "Yep, we're having a baby!"

2)  The other day a mutual friend asked how I was doing. He stated, "She has a VORACIOUS appetite."   I thought that was a funny way to describe my health, but I guess it's true at this point.

3)  Who knew there were so many weird symptom during pregnancy?  I'd list a few, but I don't want to scare any future mommy's.  I DO tell Joel ALL my symptoms and he just laughs.  Sometimes I wish men had to go through pregnancy, too :)

Joel IS very good about making sure the air in our home is the perfect temperature for me...AND he makes me fruit smoothies EVERY night.  Yep, he's pretty much the best husband EVER!

It's A....

Most of you have probably seen this photo on facebook!  This is for those of you who haven't.  Joel surprised me and stated that he wanted to announce the gender of our baby in a special way.  So, we made about a million mini strawberry cupcakes and arranged them to say "GIRL" when his parents were in town.  Every other family member received a little card in the mail that said "G" is for GIRL!

I'll admit it.  I was positive we were going to have a boy.  I saw Joel teaching a couple of younger boys how to throw a football and I decided that God HAD to give him one.  Ha ha...so much for hunches. Now I'm looking forward to watching Joel play princess and dolls with our special little girl!  He'll be great at it:)  Maybe he can teach her how to throw a football, too!

A view of NYC from Weehawkin

Oma and Opa!

It's funny that I used to think that Minneapolis was a "big city"

What a beautiful day!

I FINALLY feel like I can write a post about "Oma and Opa" since we will be having a child soon.  I secretly used to tell Maddie (our dog) that "Oma and Opa" were coming to visit when I was without child...Yeah...I'm funny like that.

Anyway, we had a great time with Milt and Linda.  We're excited to show some more visitors the sites in the following weeks!

21 Weeks

Here I am at 21 weeks!  Joel took this picture yesterday, but I'm positive my girth has grown by at least an inch since then.

I know ya'll (especially my mom) are waiting to find out what the sex of the baby is.  Joel and I will let you know SOON!

What NOT To Say to A Pregnant Lady

My sister warned me that once my prego belly started showing, the whole world would start patting it and offering lots of advice.   She was right, but I don't really mind. I actually think it's kind of fun. I've never had a water balloon size belly before and I'd never want one if I weren't having a baby. So, pat away while you can.  There have been a few comments that have thrown me for a loop, though.....okay, maybe just one in particular.

1).  Yesterday someone stated that they couldn't tell that I was pregnant except for the fact that my face looks "fuller." (I was covered in a large tunic because I was getting my hair cut)    Hmmm....way to make a girl feel just plain fat.  I'm now feeling very motivated to train for marathon number two! (after the baby arrives).

Luckily, most people are really kind and tell me "how wonderful I look."  My niece declared that she thinks I look "beautiful with my big belly."  These are good examples of what one SHOULD say to a pregnant lady!  Never, ever, ever make any references to her "fuller face." 

I'm sure there will be other comments in the future that will cause me to be self-conscious about my ever growing figure, but I'm attempting to listen to the ones that make me feel good about the way I look! Attempting is the KEY word in that last sentence!