our shower weekend.

Being able to go home to CT was amazing. I hadn't been back and able to see so many loved ones since we left last June. It was overwhelming to see everyone again. Not only was it amazing to be able to see and squeeze everyone I have missed so dearly, but to have everyone share in such a special time for me and Lee- indescribable. I honestly don't know if I even have the words, it meant so much that so many people we love share in our joy. That alone means more to us than anything else could.

Lee couldn't make the trip to CT, but thankfully I had Sarah as my travel buddy. I am not the best flyer- as Sarah is now aware of. But it must be noted I am not nearly as bad as you, Heather! I am just really not a fan of taking off- and when the plane moves in a way I feel as though isn't normal. So when I have a hand to squeeze (or potentially break), I feel a little better.

When Sarah and I arrived in Boston, seeing my mom and Heather was so amazing. My mom (with a permanent back/neck injury) who was wearing wedges, RAN to us. We couldn't get to each other fast enough. And when we did, we group hugged and cried. Then, of course they touched the bump and said hi to baby G. :) That night, we met my dad for dinner once he was out of work. That was when it was my turn to run. This pregnant lady ran through Wooster St pizza fighting back tears to hug her dad!  Again- I couldn't get there fast enough.

The weekend is now such a blur of awesomeness. Friday was spent getting to CT from the airport and running errands for shower preparation. Saturday was our shower, full of laughter and love that I will never forget. Sunday I was able to celebrate with my dear friend who got engaged after we moved, and is getting married in CT while I will be almost 36 weeks pregnant. Since I have and will miss such momentous moments for her, I was thankful to be able to attend her bridal shower and love on her! After her shower, we celebrated Mother's Day with my mom a week early since all of us kids were together. It was a great day just being together. Again- full of laughter and love. There were also some quick, but wonderful visits from different family members and close friends- as many as we could squeeze into one weekend. Monday we packed up our things, and headed back to the airport. It was a tearful goodbye, that's always the hardest part. But I left feeling so incredibly loved and with a heart full of memories that I will never, ever forget.


Thankfully, my friend Meg is such a talented photographer and she documented the shower beautifully! All of the shower pictures are from her- thanks for sharing them with me Meg! While I did pack my own camera (even though Sarah laughed at me when I did), I didn't take a single photo (other than a few iphone photos). I would love to see any photos you may have taken too! (I may or may not be looking at you Amy!) :)



Photo overload, brace yourselves!

My mom and Heather did a WONDERFUL job planning and executing such a great shower!

I LOVED getting to squeeze so many loved ones!!

My mom is a little bit excited about being a Nana :)

(Mrs. Pat was SO kind to open her home to us- love her heart!)

I was SHOCKED to see how mature and big Caleigh got!

                                            

Our future nanny ;) 

                                          

I was telling a Lee story- and then laughing at my own story apparently?

Loving the 007 onsie from Matt :)

Our quick front yard photo shoot:

These next two pictures describe the entire weekend- my mom and Sarah legitimately fought over belly time every waking minute. 

(look at how they are looking at each other! hahah- I love that Meg captured this moment so perfectly!)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Our shower was so wonderful- thank you to all those who helped in some way and for all those who came to celebrate with us! We love you all so much! 

Here are a few more iphone photos I took over the weekend:

So thankful for my travel buddy- for the time we were able to spend together and for her hand to hold during the flight. 

Checking out dad's new toy!

I loved growing up seeing this- this is what Lee and I want our son to grow up seeing too.

Celebrating the future Mrs.!

Visiting with the Parkers! 

Ended the weekend with some chocolate soft serve ice cream- a rare find in Charlotte! 

(Amy couldn't decide which kind to get- so she got two!)

(blurry- but I love it!)

(love my mom so, so much!)

It was such an AMAZING weekend!!

weeks 27, 28, 29, 30, & 31

I know- it's been a while. I had every intention to post when I got home from CT, but somehow it has been almost two weeks since then and I have yet to write down what's been happening here. After a few "reminder" texts, I figured I better get a post or two up. :)



So here is what's been happening:

- My heartburn has increased significantly. I have been talking with my doctor frequently about how to remedy it to the best of our ability. Thankfully, this week (week 31) I think we have reached a bit of a solution, for now.

- I have been SO forgetful. I can't remember the littlest things. For example, I will want to look something up online so I walk over and pick up my lap top. By the time I have it open, I have NO IDEA what I wanted to look up. And it doesn't come back to me, even if I go back to what I was doing prior to picking up my lap top. I literally make mental to do lists to get through each day- "put carrots back in the fridge, then go switch the laundry". I take my days in 5 minute spans like that so I do my best to remember to get most things done.

- I am incredibly thankful that I am sleeping most nights. It has become a lot more uncomfortable, and I move around quite a bit and I get up a few times each night thanks to the squished bladder. But, I sleep and I'm trying to savor that now while I can. Lee laughs at me now because within the past few weeks, as soon as my head hits the pillow I am out cold. He also says that I have started snoring, but I am not sure I believe that. (But how would I really know? I guess I just don't want to believe that one.)

- My back pain has been consistent- it is very uncomfortable. But thankfully, I go to an amazing chiropractor and they help correct anything that may need it.

- I have recently noticed that I have been having a hard time getting my thoughts out clearly. Lee and I were at the store getting our crib and I had a question for the employee who was helping us and I couldn't get what I wanted to say out clearly. The employee and Lee were just looking at me and I knew I wasn't making sense, I seriously had to close my eyes and start over again.  My second attempt wasn't much better but I think the employee was slowly starting to comprehend what I was trying to say. Thankfully.

-As each week passes, I am feeling more and more enormous. That's not the best feeling- or the most comfortable. But I am so thankful it means our boy is growing. :)

- Sometimes, it feels like I have a ton of bricks on my chest and it makes it hard to breathe.

- I absolutely love watching baby G move! Feeling and seeing him kick and move his body around is my favorite thing. I don't always love when he kicks my ribs, but I must admit even those kicks make me happy because it reminds me of the miracle growing inside of me.

- I am becoming increasingly more afraid of the labor/delivery process. I am trying to educate, and stay calm the best I can. But, it is scary. Especially when I have never done it before and can not mentally prepare for it like I wish I were able to.

- Food I am loving: boston cream donuts (still), ice cream (this is new this pregnancy), oreos and milk, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken devon (thanks h!), and egg and cheese on a whole wheat english muffin. (I of course limit all the sweets I am loving.)

- Foods I struggle to eat: vegetables. It is a daily struggle for me to force veggies down. A battle- an all out battle that I don't look forward to. I do it, but it's not fun. I am pretty much open to everything else.

- I will put up a separate post for our shower, but I will quickly say it was AMAZING and one of the best weekends I have ever had.

- We bought and put together the crib. That made it all feel very real!

- I think that's all. I could very well be forgetting something, but overall I have been feeling pretty good and I don't have many complaints.


week 27:

week 28: 

(same shirt- left is February, right is April)

end of week 28 (I don't have any from week 29):

week 30:

week 31: