{BabyBump} Week 12

At just over 2 inches long, baby is now the size of a plum! Can you believe that? I have a little plum-sized baby in there! I can't help but continue to be amazed at how fast our little one is growing!

For the most part, I've felt really great this week. Over the last two weeks or so I am slowly getting my energy back and needing less naps these days. Hooray for being more productive! Intense cravings have subsided a bit, though my overall hunger has once again ramped up. And if I'm being completely honest, if it was possible (and healthy) we would have a steak every night! All I can say is, this baby must be a meat eater because before pregnancy, I hardly (if ever) craved red meat.

And then there's the hormones. Oh , the hormones...my dear, dear husband!

The bad news this week (ahem, besides said mood swings) is that my sciatic pain is at an all-time high. But the wonderful news, tomorrow I get my first mommy-to-be massage!!! I am stoked! Hopefully having my low back worked on will alleviate some of the discomfort.

When we first told our parents we were expecting, Chris' mom gave us (yes, us!) certificates for monthly massages through the duration of my pregnancy. Is that not the most wonderful thing you have ever heard?! So, one Saturday a month (and actually, twice in October and 3 times in November) hubby and I will be spending our Saturday morning together at Geri's Garden Spa being pampered. Pure bliss!

Wishing you a lovely and extraordinary weekend!

Oh, Avocado!

How can something so simple and healthy look so utterly drool-worthy? I simply must make myself these avocado toasts, and very soon!

image/via

Playing Catch Up

Because baby news has been a secret for well over a month, there is a bit I want to catch you up on! And because starting Friday I will be posting a weekly pregnancy update, including belly pic, I thought it might be best to give you some perspective.

This is basically my before belly. While I was 7 weeks 3 days pregnant here (my birthday weekend!) I wasn't showing yet (unless you count bloating). This is where I said goodbye to my abs:)

And this was last week's pic at 11 weeks. This was the week I noticed my belly had started to fill out a bit, as in, it is impossible to suck it in even if I wanted to!

It has been wonderfully crazy to watch my body begin to change as our baby grows! Can't even imagine what 5 months from now will look like! Stay tuned for more updates!

Mom's Day as a Mom-to-Be

Now that my big secret is out, lets talk about Mother's Day!

As I shared Friday, my mom and I did the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Saturday morning, followed by breakfast and pedicures. It was a lovely, relaxing day just hanging out with my mom. Sunday was an equally restful day, ending with a perfect dinner of fish tacos at my parent's house!

Dessert!

But I have to tell you, I was totally surprised by my husband and parents! Because beyond the super thoughtful texts and calls I got Sunday morning wishing me a "Happy 1st Mother's Day", I certainly wasn't expecting gifts! But once again, they exceeded all expectations and made me feel so special!

Early Sunday afternoon I was surprised by my Mom and Dad at my front door, with all the makings for a new lovely arrangement for our front door! For as long as I can remember, I have loved the Asparagus Fern my mom has on her porch, so she cut hers in half and replanted it for me, in addition to these gorgeous lillies and greens! Isn't it awesome?! I love how large that pot is! It definitely says, "Welcome to our home!" :) 

And then my sweet husband came home with the exact patio umbrella I've been eyeing for weeks (make that months!) for our back yard! He said it would serve as motivation for us to get the rest of our soon-to-be outdoor oasis completed! That man sure does know how to romance this girl:)

Thank you to my family who made this the best "1st Mother's Day" ever! This baby is definitely loved!!

Happy {Nine Month} News!

Sweet friends and readers, it is my indescribable joy to share with you that Chris and I are expecting!! Our little miracle is due November 23 (the day before Thanksgiving!), making me 12 weeks along. And believe me, this has been the hardest secret I've ever had to keep! We are simply over the moon and cannot wait to meet our little one this fall!

As I'm about to enter my second trimester, I must confess, these first few months have been wonderfully easy and for that I am incredibly thankful, and pray my pregnancy continues that way! Aside from being ravenously hungry and craving lots of hamburgers, Chinese food (both of which I've only occasionally given in to) and chocolate milk (which I have almost daily), a bit of sciatic pain and a need to nap every single day, I've had absolutely no sign of morning sickness or nausea as long as I eat regularly. My waistline is slowly disappearing and baby is growing fast and furious!

We are already so in love and absolutely amazed at how much our babe is loved and adored by friends and family! What a blessing to have such a wonderful support team encouraging us during this time. I have honestly never felt so blessed in my entire life! There is so much I would love to share and would be completely honored if you joined along in this journey with us.

PS~We found out we were pregnant on April Fools Day! Even though we were trying to conceive, I was sure someone was playing a prank on me:)

Mother's Day Weekend

Happy Friday, lovelies! What are you doing to celebrate the Mom in your life this weekend?

My mom and I are continuing our tradition of the Susan G. Komen 5K tomorrow and then I am treating her to a pedicure Sunday. With the weather forecast predicting a sunny few days, it should be a lovely little weekend celebrating the Best Mom Ever!

Wishing a happy Mother's day to all the mommies and mommies-to-be out there! Have a good one!

Currently Loving

The past few months I have found myself secretly wanting a beach cruiser. I think it all started after our anniversary trip last year when we rented them in Lake Tahoe for the day and leisurely rode around several beaches for an afternoon. We had so much fun!

It would definitely be a splurge because I already have a really great road bike, which I love! Though I picture a cruiser being more suitable for a Saturday morning ride to our local coffeee shop while dressed in shorts and flip flops (maybe with a basket to hold goods from the farmers market, too:).

Let's see if I can find a good enough deal to convince my husband of such a purchase!