Vacation...week 1

We had a wonderful time on vacation back in Michigan and my only regret is that I haven't written about it sooner! But life has been crazy so it is what it is.
Our vacation started out with a 14+ hour plane ride from Hawaii to Grand Rapids, MI which was almost seamless. The only scare we had was once the last plane was hovering GR the pilot announced that there was no visiblity to land! We were told we had 30 mins to circle and then we would have to go somewhere else and that might have to be back to Chicago! Needless to say I said a prayer and a few choice words right away, and thankfully the prayer was answered and we landed in GR 28 minutes later!
My mom and Grandma picked us up from the airport and after lunch we headed back to my mother's house to freshen up before hopping in the car and driving another 3 hours across state to Wes' Aunt Peggy's house. It made for a long day, but the excitement of seeing the family helped.
When we arrived at Aunt Peggy's we were greeted by Aunt Peg, Uncle Randy, Joe and Grandma Sutton. We had a wonderful homemade meal and good conversation before calling it a night.







Wed was spent just relaxing at the house and hanging out with Grandma Barb. When Aunt Peg arrived later that night we did have an impromptu drive out to the apple orchard for donuts and cider.


Thursday brought even more family as Aunt Peggy was gracious enough to invite over the entire family for a potluck dinner and a surprise baby shower for Noah! It was wonderful being able to see everyone again, and actually have time to sit around and visit with them. We received some wonderful gifts from Wes' family for our lil man, but the time spent visiting was even more precious.


























Friday brought the Hudson/Yarbrough wedding rehearsal, so Wesley and I headed down to Troy MI to see some really good friends and get the wedding started. Before rehearsal we all headed out to Yates Cider mill for, yup you guessed it, more fresh donuts and cider! I indulged in a fresh carmel apple while we were there. Afterwards we headed to rehearsal and then to rehearsal dinner.


























Sat. was the big day for Julie and Jeremiah and everyone was waiting for the big event to start. Wesley was the best man, so I spent the day hanging out with Julie and her bridesmaids. It was fun to be behind the scenes and meet Julie's friends. The wedding started about 5pm and the bride was beautiful as always...oh did I forget to mention that I had to read a poem during the service?!?!? So scared I was going to forget my cue, and even more scared to read this poem, but it all went off without any problems. Then the "I do's" were said and the Mr. and Mrs. became ONE! It was a great day.

















After the wedding we stayed around for pictures (which some will hopefully upload here since FB is having issues) and found the photographer to be quiet annoyed. He definietly wasn't very friendly and I think he should have been doing wakes instead of weddings, but he got the shots, and it was off to rehearsal.
Wes gave the best man speech, and after many "please don't ruin Julie's day by saying embarassing things about Jer, because Lord knows we have plenty," Wes made a very short but to the point speech. Then of course there was the usual cake cutting, dancing and oh yes the one drunk person that always enialates something...and this time it was Jer's sister Mandy and the women's restroom about 30 minutes after the arrival of the wedding party. Poor Smith missed his chance :)
The day after the wedding we were able to say goodbye to the Bride and Groom over breakfast in the hotel lobby. Many good wishes later and Wes and I were back on our way to his Aunt's house. We spent the afternoon stopping at stores looking for MICHIGAN gear for Wes and the baby and a lovely lunch at Red Robins.
Monday was another day to visit with family along with Tuesday afternoon when we saw Uncle Tim and made a trip out to Papa's grave where Wes introduced Noah to Papa. After a quick haircut from Sam we were back on the road and heading to GR to have dinner at my dad's house.

28 weeks! And into the Third Trimester!

How far along? 28 weeks...and the first week of my third trimester!
Total weight gain/loss: I am on vacation, so I am not keeping track...does it really matter anymore anyways?
Maternity Cloths? yup...but I think I am pretty set by now besides the bras and sleep cloths.
Stretch Marks? nope!
Sleep: I still get enough sleep even if it is not continuous.
Best moment this week: Feeling Noah go crazy moving our first day back in Michigan!
Food cravings: Nope...but I do plan on having some fresh fruit, donuts, apple cider and other fall goodies while I am home!
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: No Labor signs, but the round ligament pains are an interesting start! lol
Belly Button in or out? Way in.
What I miss: Right now I don't think I miss anything, I am just enjoying being pregnant and sharing it with our families!
What I am looking forward to: Seeing my side of the family next week and having them enjoy Noah with us.
Weekly Wisdom: Visit family and enjoy all the small and big moments with them!
Milestones: Seeing and visiting with family, a surprise baby shower given by Wes' Aunt Peggy, Noah kicking and moving more, and getting to the third trimester!

The last week of the Second Trimester! Week 27

How far along? 27 WEEKS! wow...this is the last week of my second trimester!

Total weight gain/loss: Somewhere between 28-31 lbs! lol...I just now have to laugh at it...

Maternity clothes? Yes, I couldn't imagine being comfortable in much else. I think new bras and maybe some sleepwear will be on the list to look for while I am home and the selection is a little bigger.

Stretch Marks? Thankfully no :) And I am not kidding. I thought for sure I would have them, but Noah is being good to his momma. (At least I can get rid of the weight...but stretch marks are for life!)

Sleep: It is alright. I have given up trying to stay off from my back. I wake up a few times a night to pee and flip over, but honsestly I can not complain for what I am being blessed with!

Best moment this week: Being able to go to the bathroom :)

Food cravings: Not really, although my appetite has returned since the digestive issues have passed :)

Gender: BOY!

Labor Signs: Just a few Braxton hicks contractions, but those have even calmed way down :)

Belly Button in or out? I will be interested to see if my belly button makes an appearance or not since it has a long ways to go before it pops out.

What I miss: Being able to paint my toes without being winded from bending over! lol. It was kindof funny, but at least they are painted!

What I am looking forward to: Getting on that plane on Monday afternoon! Can not wait to see my family! Oh and getting dressed up for the Air Force Ball tomorrow night!

Weekly Wisdom: Just be happy with all the changes going on with your body because you have created a wonderful new life!

Milestones: Took the glucose test and passed with flying colors! Noah is starting to wiggle, roll and kick more often, even if it is only light enough for me to feel. It is like our little secret :)

We're leaving on an airplane...

Have I mentioned yet how very excited I am that we are going on vacation?!?!?!? We take off this coming Mon around 12:30pm and will be landing in Good ol' Michigan around 10am Tuesday morning! I am beyond trilled to be going back home to see family and friends, celebrate a wedding, and some up coming babies! Especially happy that we are going home in the fall, since I can not remember the last time I have been in fall weather, and hopefully we will be able to see some changing colors and enjoy that crisp fall air! I am hoping to make it to a few apple orchards/mills, maybe a pumpkin patch and just see a few favorite spots while we are visiting.



The first week we are home, we will be making the eastern side of MI home while we visit with Wes' family. It will be fun and I am sure entertaining knowing the Sutton's to see everyone again and get to know them a little better. I have only met most of his family members for a brief time after the wedding. It will be good for Wes to have a chance to visit with them and spend some time with his grandma too. Then we will enjoy a good friend's wedding over the weekend before heading back to the west side of the state to spend 2 crazy weeks bouncing back and forth between my family members.



I am fortunate to have two loving families that care enough for us and our baby to be throwing us baby showers while we are home. My stepmother Wendy is throwing one for us on the 1st of Oct. and my mom and Wes' mom are throwing a joint one for us on the 11th of Oct. I am really looking forward to both of them and just being able to visit with the friends and family that gather at them.



Wes' mom and dad are also driving up from TN. to join us for a long weekend of celebrating Noah! I am looking forward to my Dad and Wendy being able to get to know Wes' parents a little better over dinner when they head into town, and for Wes to have some time with his dad (and of course mom too, but I think she has plans to go shopping!)



Luckily for me, my best Friend Elaney is also going to be in town over the 3rd for her baby shower and I feel blessed to be able to go to it! I am so looking forward to seeing her since we have only seen each other 2 times in 5 years...once at her wedding in 2005 and once at mine in 2008! I am so thankful for her friendship and knowing that no matter how much time passes in between seeing each other, it feels like yesterday when we pick up the phone!



Other than that we are having pregnancy photos taken (thank you Jacob and and Trish!), celebrating my birthday, I have a mission to find Dirty Bastard beer for my father in law, meeting up with people for dinners and conversations and trying to find some time to relax in between all the chaos. But that is my life when visiting family.



So needless to say, time is going to pass quickly while we are home, but I am determined to make the most of it. The blog might not be updated until we return on Oct 13. or later but i promise it will be full of pictures and information!

26 weeks!

How far along? 26 weeks, this is going by so fast now that the sickness has ended!
Total weight gain/loss: I have not felt good this week so I am not going to step on the scale and make myself feel any worse.
Maternity clothes? yes and i don't think I will make it much longer without new bras, to bad they will probably just be nursing bras and nothing very cute!
Stretch Marks? still can not find one besides the very few I had from before I was pregnant and they are so light other people never even see them.
Sleep: It has been absolutely horrible this week! I can not stay comfortable for very long and I can not stay off my back which I think is hindering digestive issues even more than normal. Not sleeping well also makes me tired during the day and Just makes me fell like crap in general.
Best moment this week: Having Wes actually see my stomach move.
Food cravings: Nope and actually thanks to the digestive issues I don't even feel like eating.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: no thank goodness I want to be able to get on that plane home!
Belly Button in or out? Still way in.
What I miss: Hhmmm...I could say a few things here this week. But being able to go the bathroom is on top of the list! Sorry if that is to much info, but it is my blog. And no I don't need any advice on the subject.
What I am looking forward to: Going home next week, our Dr. Appt. and just being able to get away for awhile.
Weekly Wisdom: Do whatever you feel comfortable doing without listening to everyone else's advice, but listen to your body! Also take what people say in stride. Hearing "oh your pregnant?", or "you don't even look like you have popped!" when you are carrying an extra 25+lb basketball on your stomach is not the most complimentary thing in the world, but I guess some people are "trying" to be polite. My instant response however is " How in the hell fat did you think I was before I was pregnant!?!?!"
Milestones: I accomplished a 5 mile walk on Sat, walking the mall for a few hours on Sun, 4 mile (2 straight up the mountain) hike on Mon and a 3.5 mile walk on Tues...my only regret was that I didn't do my normal 3.5 mile walk Thursday because my walking partner couldn't make it! I feel great doing it and don't care if some people think it is to much. I plan on continuing to walk up until I give birth, literally...so the doctor better not even think of strapping me to a bed! Anyone who feels like walking when I am home let me know!

A Special Touch

I wanted to add a special touch to Noah's Nursery and so I painted the saying below on the wall and then not only made the moon, but hung it for our little boy!

25 week belly shots!

25 weeks!

How far along? 25 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +25lbs Thank God I think it is slowing down! (knock on wood!)
Maternity clothes? yup and beginning to forget what it is like to wear a pair of pants that don't come up to your boobs!
Stretch Marks? Not one :)
Sleep: I keep waking up on my back and having to flip back to my side. But they say not to worry about it, so I won't.
Best moment this week: Feeling Noah move more and more and actually seeing Katie's face when she finally felt him move :) She is the only one besides Wes and I to feel him and I thought for a moment she was going to cry.
Food cravings: Not really anything in particular.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: I don't think so although I am praying what I felt the other day was just Noah stretching and not Braxton Hicks contractions starting already!
Belly Button in or out? it has a ways to go before even thinking about surfacing
What I miss: being able to cross my legs comfortably and easily...which I don't understand because I really haven't gained weight in them.
What I am looking forward to: Going home to Michigan in 2 weeks and having my family see me!
Weekly Wisdom: accept the fact that you will need more sleep than average, sleep and move on :)
Milestones: Finishing the nursery :)