Second Trimester in Arrested Development Gifs

I feel like the pregnancy brain has become REAL. It's not personal when I forget your name, to text you back or what we're currently talking about, my brain really has turned into a sieve.

HERE

The belly has definitely made itself known. It's becoming harder and harder to make my shirts cover the whole thing.

HERE

I started working on a little dresser I bought on Craigslist. I don't think it's a wise idea to work on a giant piece of crap that will never turn out the way you want because no matter how much money and time you throw at it, it's still just a piece of crap dresser from Craigslist. This is an especially bad idea when you're deep into the hormonal nesting stage.

HERE

I feel like little Blob is getting bigger and stronger every day. When I lay down to go to bed I swear he's in there doing this:

HERE

Once you start to look obviously pregnant people start giving you advice. It could be from the plumber that comes to fix your sink or the girl at the check out line at the grocery store. I honestly don't mind when friends or family give advice but sometimes I'm like:

HERE

All I have been wanting to drink is lemonade. I don't know if I have ever had so much lemonade in my life. There's something about the sourness that is just so satisfying!

HERE

The girls are getting bigger and bigger all the time (is that TMI? Oh well!)

HERE

I seem to have most of my energy back. There are fewer and fewer days where I come home from work and NEED to sleep immediately

HERE

I am still trying to have a reaction other than this when thinking about going into labor

HERE

Other things to note about the past three months- Thomas had his appendix out

HERE

He really is okay now but it was really lucky that I was starting to feel better when the tables turned and he was the one stuck to the couch, unable to do much of anything around the house. We actually went back to Utah and Idaho for the 4th of July and since he wasn't supposed to be lifting anything over 10 pounds I was doing all the bag hauling. We got some interesting looks from people as my burly husband watched his pregnant wife lift bags everywhere. 

The final countdown has begun to where I won't be able to fly anymore and we'll be in hibernation due to winter and a tiny human for a few months. We've been trying to take full advantage of our relative flexibility now and have taken trips to Utah, Idaho and Seattle along with an upcoming trip to Hilton Head and Savannah.

HERE

I have loved watching Thomas' excitement for the baby grow! One morning he woke up and announced he would be building the crib that day. After 5 trips to 3 different hardware stores it turned out perfectly! He diligently tracked down the absolute best price on a certain Ergo Baby carrier I wanted, won the most adorable stuffed monkey for the baby at Dave & Busters, patiently painted the nursery and helped with some crafty things for the nursery.

^^ My creation on the left and Thomas' on the right^^

Before & After
I love the gray so much!

I have to say that the second trimester has been really great! The constant carsickness has almost completely gone away, I pee a few less times every night and I have energy and enthusiasm back again. I think the first 16 weeks were such a tough mental game for me that it's made me really enjoy this middle part.

I think that all too often we only hear about the terrible parts of being pregnant. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty rough going sometimes but overall it's been pretty great. I feel like it's been such a joy watching Thomas get excited to see Blob every day when he gets home from work. I love feeling how wiggly this little guy is when I drink a big glass of cold water. I love looking forward to snuggles and smelling Blob's sweet little face.

I love when people say weird things to me, it's entertaining if nothing else. I think it's a shame when you can tell people are trying so hard to ignore the fact that you're pregnant because they've all read a terrifying list of  "10 Things to NEVER say to a pregnant woman". Let's all celebrate pregnancy and a new life, let's all just let whatever weird thing comes out of a stranger's mouth roll off our backs. Let's give all those future mothers something exciting to look forward to and be enthusiastic about rather than something to dread and fear.

*Steps down from soapbox*

And now a few pictures of me and Blob in the second trimester

16 Weeks

20 weeks

22 weeks

24ish weeks

26 Weeks

A Storybook Baby Shower

While we were in Utah for the 4th of July my sisters wanted to throw a little baby shower for me. We worked together to come up with a theme and start planning ahead of time but it really all came together the day of.

Thomas and I try to find a unique children's book whenever we travel. The first one we ever bought together was in Santa Fe on the day we got engaged. We have them from all over the world now- from France to Australia (our friends sent us that one). What better theme for a baby shower than Storybooks then?

Hallie, Annalie, Thomas and I spent all day shopping for and making decorations and food. It was really fun to just spend time with them working on something together.

The first guest to arrive was my best friend from high school and what do you know, we were wearing pretty much the same thing! We used to inadvertently wear the same thing to church and school all. the. time. We actually have the same couch in each of our current living rooms too. There's this strange connection that has stretched across the years and many miles between us.

Did I mention that she is also pregnant? She's due just a month or two before me with a little girl who I am sure will be protected heartily by her might big brothers.

For the food we tried to do some book-themed items. We had a bunch of fruits and veggies that the Very Hungry Caterpillar ate through along with some Madeline Cookies. There was also pulled pork sandwiches although we couldn't think of a book that would coordinate with. Dad picked up some fresh root beer from Carr's Drive-In and my step-sister Trisha made an adorable cake that looked like a storybook. Hallie did such a great job planning all the food and it turned out super yummy!

 We spend the evening sitting under the big tree in the yard looking through books and hearing why each guest brought the one they had. We ended up with stacks of great books to read for years to come. I was overwhelmed by the love and support people offered to us and our tiny little family.

^^Buntings made from old books^^

Before we knew it we had to rush off to the airport for out red eye flight back to Boston. I feel like the weekend was so full of family and friends. It was incredibly busy and I know I did not sleep nearly enough but it was so worth it!

And now for a few funny pictures with my beautiful, smart and talented sisters.