On my birthday, I hung out with this little peanut all day long.

He was my date for the day,

and he is just the cutest date there ever was.
I received the sweetest package from my family in Utah,
and my sweet in-laws brought me dinner.

I woke up to this note by my bed.
Made my entire day.
Greatest birthday present I could ever ask for.

I was soo spoiled.
I have the sweetest husband, baby, family and friends ever.
Thanks for making it so special.
Bigg 22!
I feel old!

In my experience...

I feel like pregnancy goes a little like THIS.

Finding out you are pregnant= PURE excitement

You build up the excitement to tell everyone.

You are dreaming of if it's a boy or a girl.

The morning sickness is a little shadowed by the excitement. (in my case)

You finally tell THE WORLD.

All the "Congratulations!" puts you on a high for about 2 more weeks.

"Worrying Stage"

"Is my baby growing properly? Is it healthy?"
"When does the first trimester end?!"
This morning sickness thing is getting old!

"Am I showing yet?"

Food doesn't sound good.

Smells make me gag.

I don't feel like exercising.
I'm so emotional.

Blood tests at the OBGYN are NO fun.

I am exhausted all the time.

I want to feel my baby kick!!!

Happy stage.

Out of that first trimester swing- Usually more energy.

Find out the gender.

PURE EXCITEMENT once again.

On a high for a few weeks.

Now you can shop for your baby, pick out themes for the nursery, and think seriously about names.

Some feel the baby kick during this time which I describe like Christmas morning.

Starting to show.

Hitting the HALFWAY point- JOYESS MOMENT.
Sigh of relief after that 20 week anatomy scan.

"People just think I've gained weight, where is the definite ball??"

"How come it feels like it's been ages since we found out the gender?!"

I'm really really hungry.
When is this second trimester going to end!?



10 weeks and counting.
Stoller, crib, etc... CHECK.
Baby showers are fun.
I HAVE TO PEE!
Ok, now I can't sleep.
I'm uncomfortable.
I'm tired of wearing maternity clothes.
I want to go shopping for real clothes!
I just want to see my baby!




 9 months is a really long time.
Is this ever going to end!?
I love my basketball.
Birthing class is fun.


It could be any day now.
I'm so excited.
Ok, why is time going so slow!
I feel like a beached whale.
Exercising is hard with 20 extra pounds.
I can't sleep.
I'm really really hungry!
I'M JUST READY TO HOLD MY BABY!


Full term.

It's FINALLY here.
Best day of my life.
He's perfect.
It was worth every. single. second.


Alright, I know pregnancies vary depending on who you are,
but I will be honest and say that I loved being pregnant. ( didn't love every minute - but overall loved the experience )

However, I believe that pregnancy is what you make it.
Just like everything in life.

Pregnancy has a way of turning your hormones upside down, inside out, and all around.
It can make you sad and depressed one minute, and then happy and energetic the next.

In no way did I have a perfect pregnancy, however, I look back and have NO regrets.
I loved each stage to the fullest.
Looking back, it was some of the best moments of our lives together. ( my husband and I )


I came up with 5 ways to survive the ups and downs, while keeping your sanity, emotions level, and keeping happy.

I felt like working out while pregnant was so unproven to me.
I didn't know how much to push myself, how far to go run, what was safe and unsafe, etc.

I learned that YOU know your limits.

My doctor always told me,
"just make sure you are able to carry on a conversation. If you do that, you are not pushing too hard"

EAT.
Eat eat eat. If you are working out, make sure you are fueling your body with healthy foods to keep your baby healthy.

I have been there, trust me, pregnancy is EXHAUSTING at times.
HOWEVER, if you make the effort to work out in the process, it is SO worth it in the end.

I made a goal when I found out I was pregnant, to try and do something EVERY day.
It didn't have to be big!
Sometimes it was a run, sometimes it was a little walk.

I was able to run my whole pregnancy, up until week 35.
I was so slow, but it didn't matter,
it kept my sanity,
it kept me happy,
and it kept me healthy. (healthy weight gain etc.)

I had an 8 pound baby 2 weeks early- I think it kept my baby healthy too:)

Working out helped me to feel strong through labor
and also helped me recover quicker.
I was able to get right back into my normal routine without feeling like I was starting from ground zero.


This might sound crazy but I'm a believer.
It makes you feel good.
On those days where pregnancy has taken it's toll,
it brings you out of the slump:)



My favorite time of the day was when my husband and I would just lay in bed and feel the baby kick each night.
We would talk about everything baby.
I loved those nights.
If you are having your first- trust me, life changes with a baby!
Enjoy every minute.



ENJOY IT!
I craved the most random things at the most random times.
This was another big reason I worked out,
I worked out to eat what I felt like eating. (because you are allowed to:))
Enjoy the late night runs getting ice cream:)

When I found out I was pregnant, my mom told me, just always remember...

"Pregnancy is not a disease."

Haha I remember laughing at the time, but that phrase would always pop back in my head.
9 months is a really long time people.
It's a long time of excuses, "not feeling well" and mood swings.
Your spouse does not deserve 9 months of that.
Somedays you will be tired, somedays sad,
but that phrase of "pregnancy is not a disease" would pop into my head,
and you can make it happy.
It's all about how YOU make it.

We took Ryan trick or treating for the first time.
Pretty sure my 2 month old baby held his own trick or treat bag.
We were dying.
It was hysterical.
We only went down one street, and then he pooped out. haha
But he got about 10 pieces of candy.. and let me tell you, they were good ones!
(probably because I picked out what "he would like best") haha
Then we trick or treated my in laws- and got big bags of candy ha so we are SET.
I married the halloween grinch.
hahaha and I don't even think he will mind me telling you that.
He is proud of it.

However, I should clarify and say he has dressed up with me in the past.
Like last year... We were nerds.
But he did admit Halloween is more fun with a baby:)
And I AGREE.
Best halloween yet.
Even though it is 85 degrees,
I'm making pumpkin bread, trying to wear "fall" clothes, and enjoying every minute with my little fam!
Oh I almost forgot...
Ryan has a second costume.
Thanks to my mother in law.
Here's my little cowboy.
(the beanie came off .2 seconds after this picture was taken)
Hello warm Texas weather.
Happy Halloween!!!
andddd on to my favorite time of the year! yayy
xo