Saturday, July 30, 2011

My Bump!

Here is a promised picture of my baby bump:
Mommy and Max at 22 weeks.
I am now at 23 weeks and he keeps on growing and growing and therefore I feel like I keep growing and growing.  I know this is an inevitable part of pregnancy, going into this I knew that my belly would get bigger (not to mention my thighs and hips) but I guess I didn't really realize how much this would affect my day to day activities.  Now that I am finally feeling better (I haven't thrown up for almost 2 weeks!) I have been doing a lot more.  When I drop things, it isn't really worth it to pick it up.  When I walk for long periods of time, the extra weight takes its toll and I huff and puff a little bit.  Also, going from laying or sitting to standing takes some creativity... Where did my abs go?  I understand this is all part of pregnancy and I am sure that the in the end the pros will outweigh the cons, but I really do look forward to the day where I am no longer pregnant.  :)

In the past few weeks my bump has really become noticeable.  Most people say that my bump is still on the small side, but yesterday, I encountered a woman who did not make me feel to good about my growing body.  I was at the mall in the Motherhood Maternity store and the associate came over to help me find my size in a basic ribbed tank top.  I told her what size I was pre-pregnancy which I have heard is what size you should get in maternity clothes.  She told me that looking at me, I probably needed to go a size bigger.  I thought to myself that the top looked big, but then reasoned that she was the expert, so I went to try on the top.  It was too big.  I went back to the pile of tanks, got a size smaller and went to check out.  The associate looked at the size of the shirt and then me and shook her head and said, "You realize you got a size or two too small right?"  I told her that after trying on the tops, I was happy with the size that I selected.  She then told me about how she had friends "wayyyy tinier" than me and they didn't fit into this size.  I looked at her in somewhat disbelief and and told her that this was the size I would like to purchase.  She rolled her eyes and rang up my purchase.  I left the store not feeling too good!  

In positive news, I learned how to knit some really cute baby booties!!!  I will post pictures once I get the ribbon I need to finish the look!  If I can stay motivated on this project, there will be baby booties for everyone!  :)

One more story before I end my post.  This week our good friends Liz and Drew welcomed their daughter Madilynn Grace to the world!  What a cutie she is!  MaryBeth and I went to visit the new parents and perfect little baby in the hospital.  I was eager to see Madilynn, but also had some alterer motives.  With only about 17 weeks to go, I wanted to see how the new mother was holding up.  I needed to know if someone could actually recover from the act of giving birth to a child.  Liz looked great!  She was smiling, sitting up, talking, laughing, it was great to see she was still the same Liz!  MaryBeth (who has 8 less weeks than I do before giving birth) and I talked about Liz on the way out and were both very encouraged at how the whole birthing process worked out for her.  We seriously had just come to the conclusion that it must not be that bad, when, wouldn't you know it, a very pregnant woman and her husband walked past us to go into the hospital and she was screaming in agony from what I can only assume were her contractions.  She looked miserable!  MaryBeth and I just looked at each other and then back at the woman.  MaryBeth told me to look away, but it was like a train wreck, I just couldn't stop looking!  

I guess I will find out in 17 weeks if it is really that bad...



Thursday, July 14, 2011

It's a BOY!!!

A week ago today, we found out that Baby Rude is a boy!  A healthy baby boy too!  It was so fun to see the ultrasound and watch him move around.  We were able to see hands, feet, belly, heartbeat, and his little face!  I love him already!

It has been so fun to actually know a little bit about who is in there and begin to really plan for his arrival.  Jason moved around the furniture in the spare room so we could start organizing all of my finds and all of the fabulous clothes that we have received from Aunt Heather, Jami, and Leigha!  Every time I look at the little clothes, I imagine my little guy wearing them and I can't help but smile. :)

I have been able to feel the little guy move around a lot lately!  Not any crazy kicks yet, but a lot of wiggles!  I am so thankful that he is healthy and growing.  It has been tough to be pregnant, but I feel so blessed to have the privilege to raise a son with Jason.  He is going to be such a great dad!  Our official due date is still November 25th, but he was measuring about a week early... so maybe...

Last weekend Nichole, MaryBeth, Leigha, and I went to Babies R Us.  It was so nice to have Nichole point out the things that MaryBeth and I would need (and Leigha was great comic relief!)  I feel like little by little, I should be ready by the time Baby Rude gets here!

I will try and post some pictures soon of my growing belly and the in progress nursery!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

4th of July -aka- My Favorite Holiday

A year ago, I remember going to the fireworks at Raccoon River Park and getting butterflies in my stomach when Jason Rude walked by and sat just a couple feet in front of me.  I wanted to sit by him so bad!  This year... I got to spend the whole weekend with him and although I still get butterflies when I see him, this year the butterflies in my stomach have been joined by Baby Rude! A lot can happen in a year, ya know? :)

We started off the weekend by celebrating my brother-in-law Bobby's birthday Friday night.  It was really fun to see the family and I always enjoy seeing my niece and nephew although my nephew was almost unrecognizable in his cool shades!
This is Brody, my nephew.  This wasn't taken at the party, nor is he wearing his shades, but he is still so cute!

This is a throw back picture of Hailee, my niece, celebrating the 4th.  I think she is about the same age as Brody in the picture above!  So cute!


Saturday, Jason and I got some much needed cleaning done around the house.  We also went over to our dear friends' John Michael and Rachael Hall's house to celebrate Rachael's birthday with some homemade ice cream cake!  To top off the night, we borrowed The Patriot from our friend Marc so that we could really get into the patriotic spirit!

Sunday, my wonderful husband took me to see the fireworks at Jordan Creek.  We got there early and listened to some live music and enjoyed each other's company.  There were no signs of where the fireworks were going to be shot off, so we didn't know if we had a good seat but... WE DID!  When the fireworks started, we realized we were in the PERFECT spot!  I had so much fun being right up in the action with my best friend!

Jason and me at Jordan Creek


Monday came and I got to spend some time with some of my closest girlfriends while Jason braved the heat in the Windsor Heights parade.  After the parade we went out to the church camp to help with the festivities our outreach group had planned for our church.  The night was a success!  After the talent show, Jason, our good friend Marc, and I went to get some 59 cent drinks at QT and what would the 4th be without sparklers?  We got back to the camp in time to celebrate with the sparklers and watch the WDM fireworks.

Jason and me at the camp!  With our tattoos!


It was a great weekend!  Thank you to my amazing husband for making my favorite holiday (and 5 month anniversary) very special!