our very own christmas

Found these pretties at Ikea the other day and couldn't resist'em. In fact, now I'm wishing I'd brought home another set.

It's the first year we'll be having our very own Christmas with our very own full-size Christmas tree (as opposed to one of these little guys).

We're really looking forward to starting some of our own traditions, although we'll definitely be missing out on some fun times with family out West.

a happy halloween

Pictured above: Edna "No Capes!" Mode & Dash "Super Speedy" Incredible

After attending the "Trunk or Treat" at our church and the Air & Scare event, we didn't even make it out for official Trick or Treating. Instead we spent the evening watching Halloween specials with a big bowl of popcorn -- our favorite family treat.

36 weeks

Yes, I'm falling a little behind.

I hit 36 weeks on Monday but keep running out of energy to blog about it. Shane was out of town for four days and so I was on full-time Christian duty so that may have something to do with it.

I still throw up on a weekly basis. Last Tuesday was the worst -- I was on the freeway when the wave of nausea hit me. It was probably one of the most scary experiences of my life. There was no where to pull over. There were cars right behind and in front of me. I figured an accident was inevitable -- it was just a matter of when and where. I remember pleading/praying for help. And it came. We had a plastic bin in the car and by the time it was all over, I didn't even have to go home and change. Gross, I know, but for me it really was truly a miracle. When I finally found a spot to pull over and catch my breath, I couldn't believe how long it took for my heart to slow down and beat normally again. I said a prayer of gratitude.

In happier news, at 35 weeks I had an ultrasound and got a glimpse of our little guy again. The doctors have been concerned about the baby's weight (I've been measuring small, but it was the same with Christian so I wasn't worried) but not any more. If anything the baby is measuring ahead of schedule (90% aisle, believe it or not). In fact, my doctor had to reassure me this doesn't mean his final weight will be bigger than average. Her guess is he'll be right around Christian's size (about 7.5 lbs.). Even if she's just saying that to be nice, it was good to hear.

Side note: She pointed out that I'd lost weight since my last appointment two weeks ago. Only a pound, but still, it was sure nice not to see the scale go up yet again. However, any boost in confidence that I may not be looking as big as I feel was knocked out from under me when a lady at Costco that afternoon asked me if I was having twins. When I told her no, she responded: "Are you sure?"

Observations:

- Still crave dark chocolate with mint. I've always enjoyed the combo before but never so much as during this pregnancy. I think the mint is soothing to my stomach, and dark chocolate is soothing to my soul. ;) These peppermint Luna bars are my go-to when I know I need to eat but feel queasy. I've got my pregnant coworker hooked on them now too.
- Stomach is itchy & dry. I don't remember it being as bad last time, but it's a good reminder to keep my tummy oiled/moisturized constantly, which should help with stretch marks (in theory, right?).
- Already waddling. At least I feel like I am. The baby started descending probably two weeks ago. That's when I noticed the pain in my ribs and mid-back subside and the pressure continues to build in my pelvic area. Sometimes this includes sharp pains that catch me off guard.

- Baby still moves a lot but you can tell he's feeling a bit squished (much like myself!).

- Belly gets "in the way" now. I notice I bump against things a lot and I'm trying to be more cautious. Just doing dishes, leaning over to look in the mirror, etc. brings a quick reminder that I'm definitely pregnant, and then some.

- Still running, or at least trying to. Today was an indoor gym day thanks to the rain. I don't feel comfortable risking a slip on the sidewalk at this point.

- Ready but not ready. I'm still anxious about this baby's arrival but I also know I'm not really ready mentally/emotionally for delivery. I really need to use these final weeks to focus and get in the zone, if possible.

Technically this little guy is "full-term" on Monday but I have a hard time believing he'll arrive anytime earlier than his due date, Nov. 21. We still don't have a name for him so maybe it's better that way. At least that's what I'll tell myself during my more impatient moments.

this boy makes me happy

From the top of his dark chocolate-covered face (he found my stash -- no wonder he was so quiet)...

....all the way down to his new stripey socks.

tempeh curry with sweet potatoes

Is it just me or does this not look amazing?

fall wreath

I finally finished this wreath and hung it on our door last week. I'm not the craftiest of people so I kept second guessing things but then I finally gave up and hurriedly glued the last few flowers into place.

{lighting is pretty bad in our hallway -- sorry}

This is my first, completed Pinterest-inspired project (patterned after this wreath) and it makes me excited to try out a few more that have caught my eye as the holiday season approaches.

our little man

Oh Sweet Christian,

Hard to believe you've hit the two-and-a-half mark. You will quickly turn three and then where will we be?

Thanks for being my favorite little pal through these past couple of years. With your dad working by day, going to school by night, we've had quite a lot of one-on-one time and somehow you still put up with me and let me cuddle you in my arms each night.

You've put up with so much in your short time on earth -- crazy work/sleep schedules, on-the-go meals, four nannies/babysitters and last-minute hand-offs, late-night errands and trips to the metro (all in your pjs), oh and countless Young Women lessons and activities. ;)

You are so full of energy and curiosity and sometimes it's a bit overwhelming but I really do love you for it. You see the world in a completely different way and I love that you want me to see it that way too. No matter what I'm in the middle of, it's impossible not to give in when you call out "Mama" and ask me to watch your newest trick or grab my hand and drag me over to see your newest project.

I'm so sorry I've been a bit impatient with you lately and so short on energy. I promise I won't be like this forever (hopefully only a month or so to go before things start to change). I appreciate you putting up with my poor meal planning of late (read: breakfast for dinner 3x a week) as well as my need to lay on my side after work while you keep us both entertained.

With fall in full swing, you couldn't be happier than when you're exploring outside. You love everything about nature. Finding the moon is probably at the top of your list, followed closely by collecting rocks and leaves, spotting squirrels and birds, and jumping in ever mud puddle that crosses your path. The other night you took a rock to bed with you, as your "toy" for the night. Your appreciation of the little things really helps your dad and I put things back into perspective.

Lately your favorite spot in the apartment is atop your windowsill. You can hoist yourself up there before I can count to three and then you open the blinds and spend time waving at the neighbors or reading a book. Last night you tried to lie down on it with a pillow. Your dad and I couldn't help but laugh.

Oh, and just for the record, you are still a fabulous hugger but your new fascination with L-O-N-G kisses cracks us up. Hilarious. I'm afraid you'll get stuck to my cheek one of these days.

We adore you, little man. Don't ever forget it.

results are in

On Friday morning the much-anticipated Virginia State bar results were posted:

Shane said he double-checked the list 20 times throughout the day because he couldn't believe his eyes.

I'm not gonna lie, I shed more than a few happy tears when I saw the results (I'm guessing the pregnancy hormones were a contributing factor).

It's been over four years since we started this journey and I'm so proud of all that Shane has accomplished. Even if he is now a lawyer. ;)

34 weeks

I entered week 34 feeling pretty good about life. I ran five miles Saturday (much to my surprise) without stopping (thanks to supportive friends).

Then yesterday I managed to throw up in just about every room in the house. Awesome. You can probably imagine how excited I was to go to work after that and then scrub things down again last night.

Observations:

- Baby feels like he's dropped a bit or something -- he's not nearly as stuffed up in my rib cage and my mid-back pain has eased.

- At the same time, baby seems to have doubled in size over the past few days (makes sense since he's supposed to be about five lbs. now). My old stretch marks are pink yet again and sitting in traffic is getting so uncomfortable. (Side note: Christian seems to feel my pain and sits in the car lately with his hands on his head saying: "Go, go, go!")

- Sleep is getting rough. I toss and turn from side to side. My hip joints ache by the time I get up. Running helps relieve some of the aches, gets my circulation going.

- I've also noticed my vision blurring a bit, and I've got the dry eyes going on, another typical symptom at this point in the game.

- Getting anxious about baby's arrival. I feel like I'm counting down -- and I've still got several weeks to go. I can't wait to meet this little guy, can't wait to get a good night's rest, and -- let's be honest -- can't wait to start seeing the scale go down instead of up.

- Speaking of which, I need to check the official records but I think I now am weighing in at the same place I was when Christian was delivered. Yikes. And I've still got a ways to go.

simplifying our lives

More words to live by from the lovely Marjorie Hinckley, stolen from an another amazing woman I know:

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

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