pizza on our anniversary.

For our 2nd anniversary, we spent the whole day together. We got Cafe Rio for lunch, and had planned to go up the canyon for a picnic, but the traffic was backed up for miles getting in, so we went to a park instead. We ate lunch, laid side by side in the shade, and watched a family play soccer.

Afterwards we went to the mall and bought some hand soap at Bath & Body Works, and a few pieces of baby clothes for our little one (I really couldn't resist). 

Later we tried Pizzeria 712 for dinner, and really enjoyed it (but it was fire-grilled pizza, after all). Their cheese is to die for. "Hand-pulled mozzarella" is what they call it, and now I need to get my hands on some. We topped the night off by watching Lincoln and feeling the baby kick (!!!). Even Zac can feel it, and that makes me happy.

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two years.

Two years ago today, I married this handsome man. We were so little back then, and so nervous. We didn't know what to do with all the attention we were getting that day. But holy cow, that day was the best of my life. I made my very best friend my husband, and it has been the best decision I've ever made.

Happy 2nd anniversary, Zac! I love you. :)

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16 weeks.

This week I'm loving food. I have the biggest appetite, and Zac can vouch for me, because every time we eat something, I say something like, "Oh my gosh, this is sooooo good!" I get hungry so often nowadays. I ate two filling meals before 11:00 this morning. I've been on a Chinese food kick this week (thank you, Panda Express), and I'm starting to think that's one of my cravings. I think I crave it more than all the other random stuff.

The little babe is longer than my iPhone now. Holy smokes! I feel like time is flying by! In 4 weeks, I'll be halfway done. What?! If we're lucky, we can still feel little kicks if we press our hand against my belly while I'm lying on my back. It's unbelievable. 

I've gained a total of about 4 pounds so far. I'm trying to keep it that way until after my doctor's appointment next week, but we'll see how it goes (remember how I love food?).

The joy that is round ligament pain is still here. I love it and I hate it. Mostly I'm just glad that I can eat and smell almost anything. I realized this week that the smell I can't handle is ranch. Every time I smell it, I want to throw up. I can't eat it either; it's disgusting. But man, bring on the Chinese food!

This week the baby is starting to hear things. Zac and I decided that by the time this babe is born, it will have quite the taste in music, because we're going to make it listen to a few good ones, like Bon Iver, M83, and The Beach Boys. Hopefully that will prevent it from ever wanting to listen to something like Justin Beiber. Here's hoping!

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happy birthday, papa!

To my papa, who helps me out with all the complicated things about being a grown up, like putting offers on houses, figuring out mortgages, and helping us with taxes. This man is one smart chump. Thank you, dad, for being there for me and for making me one of the priorities in your life. I love you! Happy birthday!

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happy happy.

Things that make me happy:

The smell of lilacs that come in through our front window. I could breathe them in all day long.

Making dinner with my sweetheart.

A full tank of gas. 

Knowing there's a tiny baby in my belly, and getting excited to see what he or she is like. Who will it look like? Will it have dark hair like me?

The warm weather that is perfect to go for a walk in. I'm really loving this.

Anticipation for fun things that will happen in the next few months, like going to Bear Lake, and going to BBQ's. Oh, and meeting our baby!

I was reading this blog today, and I came across the most eye opening question that I've seen lately. 

"Have you made your life so secure and comfortable here on earth that you never truly long for heaven?"

I think that's why we have death here. That's why we have hurt, misery, hate, sorrow, and frustration. This is our temporary home, and if we get too comfortable here, then why would we want to leave it?

We also have excitement, joy, love, and success. We have people who love us, because I think we have a God who loves us enough to make this enjoyable for us, and also to give another reason to look forward to heaven. That picture above is just a little piece of what I think heaven will be like.

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15 weeks.

Tonight, I was lying down on my back with my hand pushed down against my stomach, trying to feel the baby. I could've sworn I felt the tiniest kicks from the outside (but who knows? I've never done this before), so I asked Zac if he wanted to feel. He said he felt something, too. The tiniest, softest kicks from our little babe.

I've been hungry like no other, and the headaches and cramps are getting more frequent and strong. I've had a few cravings for ice cold root beer this week, and I'm still wanting it, but there's still no consistency. 

I'm so excited for when I start really showing, and for when we get to see the babe again on the ultrasound in about a month. The last time we saw it was when it was just a little blob. I'm also really excited for when I can feel real kicks, and be sure of them. That should happen in the next few weeks!

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the kong kone.

Tonight Zac and I went to Macey's like the good ol' days when we were kids and got ice cream cones for a little date night. Zac wanted ice cream so bad that he ordered the kong kone! It's HUGE. So huge, in fact, that he didn't even finish half of it. He barely made it past the rim of the cup, and we laughed about it.

On the way home, we saw a record store on State Street with a sign that said, "Coming Soon." A record store in Orem! We've been dreaming of this since we moved here, guys. And it's only a mile away from where we live?! I'm dying. We're going there as soon as it opens.

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from a pregnant brain.

Just some thoughts on pregnancy:

I think people should bring frozen dinners to women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy like they do after the baby is born. We sure do need it.

My kitchen has never been so piled high with dirty dishes. Everrrrrrr.

The new Dollar-and-Under menu at Del Taco is genius. Grilled chicken tacos for one buck? I love you.

I've never been so out of breath from walking for 15 minutes. I come back sweaty and panting.

I think I'll be one of those women who annoyingly says, "I loved being pregnant!" I'm sorry.

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happy mothers' day!

Happy Mothers' Day to all the beautiful, selfless, courageous, and magnificent women in the world who have raised children to be the best they can be. And especially, Happy Mothers' Day to my mother, who is the dearest one of them all. I love you!

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14 weeks.

At 14 weeks, this baby is 3.5 inches long, and weighs 1.5 ounces. I'm starting to wear maternity pants more regularly (not because my belly is getting bigger, but because they're so comfortable, and I have to do the elastic trick with most of my regular pants). I can feel how much more energy I have, although I still get pretty tired earlier on. 

All I want to do is eat full meals--no snacks, because they don't fill me up, and I like feeling full, which is weird, because I hated feeling full before. I still can't put my finger on any specific craving. I just crave food in general, and it's different everyday (today I'm craving Indian curry with naan). 

My symptoms have pretty much left, except for, you guessed it! The cramps. Technically it's called round ligamant pain, and it's caused by the ligamants in my lower abs stretching to make room. So it's a good sign, and I'd rather have them than not.

Last night, after Zac and I finished our movie, I could've sworn I felt some flutters in my lower stomach. So I tried a trick my sister suggested, and laid down on my stomach and tried to feel it again. I had to hold my breath, and hold really still, but I think I could feel the very slightest movement from the baby. If it would've been any more soft, I don't think I'd be able to feel it. It was so freaking cool! I'm excited for when Zac can feel it, too.

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a redbox and some gelado that zac really couldn't pass up.

Last night, Zac and I went to the store to get some milk, because we were fresh out. While walking through the store, Zac saw a freezer full of dark chocolate gelado, and was like, "Mmm, okay, I'm sold," and picked one out. That made me laugh. We decided to make a date out of it and pick of Life of Pi from the Redbox and go home and have a movie night with dark chocolate gelado. And it was goooood.

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cinco de mayo.

We had a Mexican fiesta the day after Cinco de Mayo with a few friends and some tacos. There was pin the tail on the donkey, and a pinata filled with pencils, action figures, mustaches, and candy, and we even watched Nacho Libre before we called it a night. Erica showed up in a huge poncho, all festive. Then later, she got hit in the head with a balloon. That was the highlight of the night, I think. At least for me. We listened to the Mexican pandora station and drank Mexican sodas, too! God bless Mexico.

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13 weeks.

Happy 2nd Trimester to me! Today the baby is as big as a peach; three inches long to be exact. The sickness has pretty much left, but I'm starving about every hour (but when I get hungry, it's just hunger pains, and not I-want-to-throw-up pains). I'm still so so tired, but it's letting up. I was able to stay awake until about 10:00 pm the other day! That was a big deal. I've gained 3 pounds so far, and cramps are still here. Big surprise (they were the very first symptom I had). I think they'll be present throughout this whole thing. Yay. :)

We heard the little babe's heartbeat this last week, and I made Zac take a video of it so we can listen to it whenever we want. It's the sweetest sound. :) It's healthy and strong, and we'll hear it again at the end of the month, but not before we go on our "baby moon" to Newport Beach!

This is all still so amazing to me. My body is so awesome. I am still shocked that I'm going to be a mom soon, because I don't feel too different at all. I don't think it'll feel real until I have that baby in my arms. :)

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little moccasins.

I've been collecting little baby clothes for the past few years. Every now and then, when I see something extra cute, or extra tiny, I'll snatch it up and add it to my collection. These are a few of my favorites that I have: a little knitted cardigan and some cute suede moccasins.

It's hard to believe that a baby--my baby--will be wearing these in a few short months. This pregnancy seems to be going by so fast. I'll be in my second trimester tomorrow?! My baby is due in six months?! I'm gonna have to give birth in six months?! Holy cow, slow down (just kidding, I'm way too excited about a baby for this to slow down).

Every night in bed, I say something to Zac along the lines of, "Holy crap, we're going to be parents soon!" It seems so surreal, but so natural at the same time. I was born to be a mother; I just know it. And I'm so ready to be a mother. 

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a craving for baked beans.

Last week, I had a good ol' pregnancy craving for some homestyle baked beans. We decided to go across the street to Dickey's and try their BBQ, and let me say, it did not disappoint! I'd like to say that my favorite was their pulled pork, but I'd be lying, because their baked beans were pretty darn good. And not to mention the free, unlimited ice cream with every meal! What?!

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