Bump Growth

Weeks 4 to 17... Poppyseed to sweet potato!

Shasta cuddles

I've got one VERY cuddly puppy today. She makes it hard for things to get done on days like this, but somehow she knows that these are the days when I need it the most! Such love. :) 

Example: she stuck her head through the shower curtain for my ENTIRE shower (lol!), and panicked each time I went into the kitchen- the only place she's not allowed. I took a much needed chill break outside on our tiny little 3rd floor patio to spend some time in the Word this afternoon, and her sweet head rested on my lap for the LONGEST time. Even as I type this right now, she is laying down AS CLOSE to me as she can be. Like... getting any closer is impossible! My thigh is nice and warm now, though. ;)

I honestly don't quite know what I'd do without this sweet face in my life! She has brightened up my days and nights in many many ways this past year. Love her!

UPDATE on baby!
It seems as though we have a sweet potato baby!

(my little sweet potato!)

17 weeks!

Here's the relaxed bump as of this morning, first uploaded bump picture! - (Just for the record, relaxed bump means I'm not trying to suck my abs in, but I'm not sticking them out, either) ...

Yes

My hair is officially in a ponytail. This is crazy!!! First ponytail in 4 months! :)

Twilight

The Saga has officially ended. I went with my parents and a family Chinese friend, Coco, to go see the last movie this evening. I'll admit... I cried. 3 times. Not having read the last book, I had NO idea what to expect.

It was simply amazing.

I usually join on the "make fun of twilight" nonsense... Team Edward or Jacob, the horrible stares throughout every scene...etc. but to be honest, this movie was insanely great. Editing was top notch, the emotion was raw and real, acting was simple and realistic, and the story has a pretty sweet surprise part... Totally unexpected. Things that made me cry: a sad battle scene part that was just really touching, Bella's memories of their relationship from dating to marriage to present day- this honestly made me think of us- So I cried, and lastly, the beautiful song at the end. One of my favorites.. It has made my eyes sweat even before I knew it would be in Breaking Dawn, so I was a wreck at the credits. :P

http://breakingdawnthesoundtrack.com/a-thousand-years-on-youtube/

On a side note, I can't wait to see my hub hub, it has been 25 hours! Work should not separate people that much, but work is a blessing... So no complaints!

Giving Thanks

My goodness. WHERE TO BEGIN. I am SO thankful for everything God has placed in my life:

• My adorable husband, who hangs in there with me. I often let too many moments go by without taking the time to remember how blessed I am to share life with this guy.
• This crazy little baby growing and growing and growing. It is amazing! I am honestly really looking forward to my life completely flipping upside down in about 5 months.
• God's great presence in our intimate church homegroup. I can truthfully say that the body of Christ at The Village Church has changed my life and my walk in HUMONGOUS ways. I love our Church (universal).
• Our fur babies. Shasta and Bailey are just too amazing. They bring such joy to my life in the smallest ways!
• The Carrs and Cluffs. Family is tremendous, and living close is such a blessing (that we take advantage of too often).
• My health for many different reasons: for baby, for my massage business, for yoga teacher training, and just for feeling good! 
• FOR THANKSGIVING FOOD... mainly STUFFING.
• The last thing I'll mention on here is that I am SO thankful for the increase in fear of the Lord over this past year, and almost complete lack in fear of the world. Does this make any sense? In all seriousness, I have about 5% worry regarding life/death... and that number has increased since we made this tiny baby. I am in love with my Creator and Savior. No thing can separate me from Him. Life may totally suck, but I know the only One who can sustain me. Oh, and another helpful thing - I know the ending of all of this! ;)

As I sit here and type this, we are getting ready to leave for Stuffing: Round 2 at my parents' house. The Cluff's was fantastic! I need to go wake John from his slumber.

I seriously love this time of year. 

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

 (......Pssst! God wins.)

Butterflies

I definitely feel baby. No doubt. Yes, I KNOW it is early for baby #1, but this is no stomach rumble. Even right now, as I sit here at work between clients, I feel the butterflies about an inch below my belly button. :) It makes me so happy! Best feeling ever!

To be honest, sometimes it feels like a flock of geese got trapped in there...

Update at 16 weeks:
Baby is as big as a turnip as of yesterday. Turnip baby!

I scheduled the ultrasound for December 8. Sherry (our CNM) passed along a Living Social deal to Stork Vision that gives us 50% off! So awesome! We were going to use them anyways, so it worked out perfectly. She is so great. Our gender reveal party will be one week later. CAN'T WAIT. 

 And I've come to a conclusion. If this child is anything like his/her parents, sleep and playing card games will be their favorite activities.