28 week photo

Can't believe it's my last photo in the 20's! Feeling great but starting to feel BIG!

Weeks 27-28: waking up lots in the night, lots of movement from baby girl, still strong heartbeat at last appt (155 bpm), major feeling of needing to pee when I know I don't - think she's head down, can see the veins on my stomach, she has had hiccups a handful of times!, she stays on my right side most of the time, sweet tooth has subsided a bit but fast food burgers are making me very happy these days :)

Dad and Penny wanted in on the action - here they are at 28 weeks 😉

One very special nursery touch

The nursery is a true work in progress and has been quite an evolution. We're settling into "shabby chic" with soft colors and some vintage touches. While it's been so fun searching for some special, antique touches, nothing will come close to the piece which will sit in baby girl's closet (and will remain open as it's going to look so pretty in itself). 

Thank you to Martha & Scott who shipped us this amazing dresser. It was purchased for them by Martha's parents when Brad's older brother, Drew, was born. It lived in both of their rooms when they were babies and thankfully has been kept safe and sound for roughly the past 38 years. 

It'll be receiving a fresh coat of chalk paint and new pulls, and will always hold a special place in our nursery. 

While I will continue to acquire vintage pieces from stores, none of them will compare to this personal antique that we'll hopefully be able to take care of for another 38 years. 

Daddy does it again

The final piece of furniture to build is complete! Thanks, B, for your awesome handiwork on baby girl's new dresser! (Penny was instrumental in the process, clearly.)

Fun and fancy knobs to follow :)

Hiccups!

I was sitting in a meeting today and felt a strange sensation. It almost felt like a muscle twitch waaaay on the inside of my belly. It wasn't strong enough to shake my belly, but I definitely noticed the rhythmic sensation. It took me some time, and then I realized...HICCUPS! Sweet baby girl had the hiccups. 

Just another way cool and insanely endearing moment in this incredible pregnancy journey.  

I have a problem...

At least they range in size from newborn to 18 months?

And this is why finding out gender is a problem. 

26 week appointment and photo

This morning was our 26 week appointment and we're one day from the third trimester...CRAZY!! Feeling like I'm sounding like a broken record, but so blessed to report that things are still going great. Weight gain is at 13 pounds total, which doc is very pleased with, and blood pressure is still low. I did the glucose challenge at this appointment - definitely not the most enjoyable thing I've ever done, but based on how people described it, I was prepared for it to be much worse - it's basically thick, flat fruit punch.  Fingers crossed that everything's okay on that front!
Starting at 30 weeks, we'll be seeing Dr. Castilla every two weeks, making this all seem like it's getting so close! Our next sonogram will be at 32 weeks and I already can't wait to see that precious face again - I feel like it's been forever and I need my baby girl fix!
The nursery is actually starting to resemble a nursery now that the crib is here (THANK YOU, MOM!) and built (THANK YOU, B!), and the guest room furniture is gone. The dresser is on the way, the chair is set to arrive in early-mid October, and then folks, we'll be pretty darn close to having a complete nursery. Whoa, but so excited. I'm in FULL nesting mode.

Weeks 25-26 symptoms: catching a full breath is tough at times, movement slowed a bit during week 25, but picked back up in earnest during 26, heartburn was rough in 25 - but have discovered that pizza is a huge culprit, getting comments that I seem "small" for how far along I am (doc confirmed I'm fine, and that people should keep opinions to themselves as to not worry pregnant ladies ;)

EWWW.
Here's hoping it comes back negative so I don't have to do the 3 hour challenge!

An update from Penny

It's been awhile since I've updated the blog and things are definitely feeling different around here! I'm not 100% sure what's going on, but there must be some puppies coming, I can just feel it. I've been spending lots of time hanging out with Mom and I do lots of snuggling on her belly...I think that's where those puppies are living. Mom and Dad tell me it's just one baby coming, but I guess we'll see. I've certainly never seen just one puppy! Either way, I'm preparing for some big changes on the horizon and enjoying this special time with Mom and Dad right now.

Snuggling with sister!

Just watching some TV with mom

Such a great pillow!

So hard to believe this baby will be shorter than me!

A CRIB!

A huge thank you to Mom and Dave for purchasing our crib - so generous and we LOVE it! (And thank you Pottery Barn Kids for making a crib that took B approximately 20 minutes to put together with no issues!) 

Super daddy insisted on doing the assembly himself. "It's just what dads are supposed to do", he said. "I really want to do this myself." 

And my heart melted a bit :)

Babymoon

  In a word, it was heaven. Relaxing, no agenda, sunshine, convertible to tool around in, incredibly beautiful sights. It was absolutely wonderful and just what we needed. We highly recommend the big island for a vacation and would be happy to give recommendations of all the amazing things you should see and do :) A few photo highlights below:

Hike in Pololu valley

Our first black sand beach!

Rainbow Falls State Park

Akaka Falls State Park

Fresh water running into the ocean

Beach day

I finally paddleboarded!

100 days to go!

I cannot believe how fast time is flying! These last few days she's been moving more and kicking harder than ever! She must be celebrating how far we've come :)

Week 24 photo

Celebrating the end of week 24 and the start of 25 on our babymoon in Hawaii!

Weeks 23-24: heat rash developed on my belly - went away in a few days, none of my old shirts fit, first time I've really felt big, back getting a bit sore, bending over for things is getting tougher, heartburn is pretty common, tons of movement and getting stronger - keeps me awake, uterus smooshes up to my rib cage when I sit and she hangs out up there a lot, I can feel how lifting heavy things isn't good for me