20 Weeks - Half way there!

Feeling great at 20 weeks! This is the last picture we will take before we know if it's a boy or girl. After this, it's all pink or blue and baby's name will begin to take shape. I'm feeling the baby move a lot throughout the day. The movements have definitely become more noticeable in the past 3 weeks. Things have been so easy and fast, it's hard to believe that there's only 20 weeks left of this pregnancy. I only get a little anxious when I think of all I have to prepare for in conjunction with wedding work and settling in the house. I'm learning how to stop and remind myself that the Lord will not give me more than I can handle. This time with Michael is so precious and we are being intentional about enjoying our time alone together - we always have, just now there's a clear change in sight. This summer, though hot and huge, will be great and very much enjoyed!

I have a problem

I don't like buttons. I don't like to look at them and I definitely don't like to touch them. I'm not afraid of them - some people get confused and think that I am fearful of them, but that's not the case. I simply do not like them. I've never bought clothes with buttons on them. The only exceptions are winter coats and required dress shirts -such as for the National Fine Arts competition and waitressing. I never button my pea coats. I have a way of hanging Michael's dress shirts up so that I don't touch the buttons. I don't think purses with large decorative buttons on them are cute. I will never ever wear a necklace made of buttons and I'm appalled that they even exist.

I recognize that this may become quite a handicap when I have a baby. How on earth do I say, "no buttons on clothing please" ??? I just can't be that picky. Snaps are perfectly fine, any other way of fastening clothing is perfectly fine with me, just do not make me touch a button and squeeze it through a button hole. When I search a little deeper into this, I think may be fine with buttons on the back of an outfit - especially if they don't have 4 small holes in them. Like those little pearl or bead buttons, those I can handle. I can see this becoming an issue in my near future. But who knows? Maybe having a cute little baby will cure my dislike of buttons. However, you will not find my child wearing a bib or shirt that says "cute as a button." I don't think it's cute.

La Quinta

The grounds of the resort were absolutely gorgeous in Palm Springs. I could've spent every single day walking the property admiring the beautiful flowers.

That was our home for a week. If only I can learn to garden this well and make my true home look this good!

Best part of my week

Seeing Rebekah and Nathan in Palm Springs! They live in San Diego and Bek graciously offered to drive down and spend a night at the resort to see us. It was such precious time. I need more of her in my life.

And Nathan? He is the cutest and largest 6 month old ever!
Here we are eating lunch at In-n-Out Burger (which by the way has NOTHING on Five Guys, except the milkshakes) and Nathan decides that the french fries aren't good enough, he'd rather take the cheese off and eat that. Bek stopped him in time.

See how small he makes me look? I like him for that.

Do-Not-Do list

Yesterday morning at the ladies coffee we had a fabulous speaker who talked to us about balancing stress and life. At one point during her presentation she started talking about things on her "Do-Not-Do" list. This list is for things that we women feel like we need to do, should be doing and most likely feel guilty about not getting done. The idea is to forget about them completely! Don't add the stress of these tasks on your life. Simply resign to knowing that you will not get them done. I got so excited because this is exactly what I have mentally but could never put a name on it. Now I know and truly do not feel bad about it! I have a do-not-do list and I love it! Here are some items on mine:

My Do-Not-Do List

- Iron clothes

- Put photos in photo albums

- Preserve wedding dress

- Try and clean the house more often

- Make a grocery schedule

- Plan out meals more than 5 days in advance

I'm sure this list will expand after we have a baby and I'm determined not to care. I encourage you to think about what is on your do-not-do list. It can be freeing and a great way to reduce stress. I'd rather lay in bed at night thinking about all that I accomplished during the day rather than stress over all the things I didn't and what's left to do for the next day.

Pregnancy Brain

Man oh man, am I a believer of this condition now. I wasn't sure that "pregnancy brain" was any more than an excuse for ditsy girls to make themselves feel better. Boy was I wrong. In the past, I've been a person usually sharp, quick and on top of my game. Those days might just be history. My pride is gone. In the last week I have:

- Driven to Reagan National to pick up a cousin after I looking at the itinerary for their flight into Dulles.

- Taken my shoes off, "lost them," and walked around barefoot in the convention office before figuring it out.

- My short-term memory retention has dwindled to about a 3 minute time span.

- I can't get directions right in general.

- a few other things not even worth writing about

and if you don't believe me, I've posted a blog twice about the exact same thing using the exact same picture saying nearly the same thing and never remembered doing either. (see below for post about 17 week sonogram and 18 weeks.) Not complaining though! This bebe is worth it!

18 weeks

Can you see our little sweetheart? This sonogram is from last week's appointment when we almost found out boy or girl. We think we know, but we are waiting for 20 weeks to be sure! I've been feeling the baby move more regularly this week. It's incredible. I'm also showing more and more -almost to the point where a stranger can tell. This week we are enjoying the gorgeous weather and grounds of our resort in Palm Springs. Can't wait to share pictures with you!