20 Weeks!

How Far Along: 
 

I am 20 weeks today!

 Baby Size:

The baby is 6.5 inches long and 10.6 ounces in weight--about the size of a banana.

Maternity Clothes:

 

Yup.  Now that it is finally warm (ish), I have broken out some non maternity sundresses that are working right now, too.

 

Sleep:

I seriously love going to bed so early.  I hope I remember this always and stay an 80 year old even when I'm not pregnant.

Movement:

I have felt the baby move so much this week!

Best Moment This Week:

Friday night, Bech got to feel the baby move.

Food Cravings:

Cold things:  salad, frozen yogurt, yogurt and granola

Food Aversions:

meat...yuck

What I Miss:

 

Sno-cones.  I need to be pregnant in the south.  Why do I keep having these yankee pregnancies?

What I Am Looking Forward To:

Finding out the gender...which is happening right now, as this post is being published...ah!

Milestones:

Halfway there!

Pregnancy Symptoms:

Round ligament pain.  Also, I am breaking out like a 14 year old boy.

 

Gender:

 

Today, today, today!

Weight Gain:

 

10 pounds.  I would like to thank leftover Easter candy for that.

5 on Friday

 

O     N     E

 Three days until we find out the gender.  Seriously, that is all I can think about.  Forget that it is my last day of work.  Forget that it is almost the weekend.  Forget that I have a fun wedding shower to go to tomorrow.

Three days until we find out the gender!

T     W     O

I have a weird husband.

I got a text Wednesday afternoon from Bech asking if I had seen his picture.  This is what was on facebook.

Bech can never just shave his beard off.  He always does something strange in the process.  But have no fear...he finished shaving and now looks like this:

Much better, right?

Seriously, though, I love my cute, quirky, artist husband.

T     H     R     E     E

Today is my last day at my job!  Well, I do have an event to do on Sunday afternoon, but this is the last work day.  

I have had several night events this week, and I can't work more than 40 hours a week.  So yesterday, I took the morning off.  Jack and I took our time getting ready, then stopped by Dunkin Donuts on our way to daycare.  After I dropped him off, I spent a leisurely morning at Starbucks, drinking a frappucino and reading birth books.

I need these kind of mornings more often!

F     O     U     R

Any Kelly's Kids lovers out there?  Did y'all see the news?

Kelly's Kids is going to stop selling their clothes through reps and house shows (which is has been doing since I was a little girl) and start selling only through their website and catalog.  This is good, because they will lower their prices.  But it makes me a little sad.

Due to an order mix up, I have some Kelly's Kid credit that is burning a whole in my pocket.  I picked out a sweet summer church outfit for Jack, but I am going to wait until next Monday.  If the new baby is a girl, I have my eye on a couple of sweet outfits:

Which one do y'all like best?

And, of course, if it's a boy, then Jackie is going to be getting this cute outfit:

F     I     V     E

It is almost summer!  I have lots of things planned for this summer with Jack.  I want to really enjoy the last few months of his only childness with him.  

I'm thinking about copying my friend, Becki, (and numerous pinterest pins) and making a summer to do list.

I like this one:

Do y'all have any fun things you are already planning for the summer?

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Easter

So many posts in one week...amazing, right?

We had busy and fun Easter weekend this year.

My sister and brother-in-law drove up Friday night from D.C.  I believe I have previously mentioned my geriatric bedtime.  Katy and Dave can now attest to the truthfulness of the bedtime.  They got in about 11 p.m.  Bech and I had, at that point, been asleep for at least an hour.

Saturday morning, Jackie boy got up bright and early (why do I have to drag him out of bed on a daycare day, but he wakes up at 6:30 on a Saturday?).  We waited until Katy and Dave woke up, then gave Jack his Easter basket.

We like to keep his Easter basket pretty basic.  We gave him a Berenstein Bears book (super unrealistic, side note), the first Rain for Roots cd, Hiro the train, a few happies (silly putty, crayons and a coloring book), and a toothpaste and toothbrush.  Because the kid needed a new toothbrush so why not add it to the basket.  

Hiro was definitely the favorite.

Bech had to go unload a kiln, so I showed Katy and Dave the sights of Bellefonte.  Which means we got coffee and went to the local library.  

As soon as Bech got home, we got to work egg dying.   This was the first year that we have dyed eggs with Jack.  And while he loved it, I think my artist husband and architect brother-in-law were having the most fun.

Goofy Jack was so happy to have his KK and Big Dave there!

We went to community egg hunt then made yummy tacos for dinner.

Sunday we headed to church then a friends house for lunch.

In case you are wondering, yes, this is the best picture as a family we got that day.  Also, this is why I rarely use my nice camera these days.  Because my child refuses to take cute picture.

And Jack in knee socks may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.  Expect it all summer.

Jack and his best buddies.  Also, pretty much a typical picture for 2 year old boys.

After lunch, Katy and Dave hit the road and Bech and Jack hit the hay for a nap.  I headed to a second Easter event.  Like I said, a busy but fun weekend!

Making New Friends in New Places

At the request of Courtney, I am going to do a post on how to make friends in a new place.

I am an expert at moving.  Since Bech and I got married, we have lived in Oxford, MS, Lilongwe, Malawi, Jackson, MS, Burlington, VT, Baton Rouge, LA, and State College, PA.

Does that make you tired to think about?  Because it makes me tired.

Am I an expert at making new friends?  Not really.  But I have had to do it a lot, so I do know what helps.

So here are my tips on making new friends in new places:

Malawi friends

O     N     E

Get plugged into one or two different communities immediately!

For us, this is always a church home.  We immediately start going to church, the first Sunday we are there.  And we don't skip out.  Also, we aren't much of church hoppers.  We find the local PCA church, we start going, and we start plugging in.

Our church friends, without exception, are some of our closest friends wherever we live.  Sometimes, we even try to connect with church members before we move there.

I think it is really easy to move somewhere new and take your time finding a church.  I totally understand why.  It is hard.  Going to a new place with new people is really hard.  But, I promise, that you will be so thankful if you will just immediately plug in!  Ask about small groups.  Find out about Bible studies.  Go to church events even if it's outside of your comfort zone.

Other communities to get plugged in to:  graduate student communities (go to and organize events with your cohort), Mom playgroups (or a local MOPS group), volunteer organizations (my sister transferred to the DC junior league and is making friends there).  Just find a community and become invested!

Burlington friends

T     W     O

Stick around for the weekends.

Of all of the places we have lived, I felt the least connection to Baton Rouge.  And I can tell you why...we were 2 hours away from family.  We went home all of the time.  I would not change that.  I was so glad to have a year near our families!  But, hands down, that was the main reason why we didn't have as many friends there--we were always gone!

When do people usually get together with friends?  The weekends.  When do you meet new friends at church?  The weekends.  If you are traveling every other weekend, you aren't going to be a consistent part of any friend group.

Baton Rouge friends

T     H     R     E     E

Do the inviting!

This one is hard, and it's one that I wasn't great at in the beginning.  

I think it is really easy to get to a new place and expect every one else to recognize that you are new, need friends and do the inviting.  I did this when I transferred to Ole Miss.  I remember just waiting and hoping that old friends I had, who were Ole Miss students, would ask me to do something.  I remember being a part of a Bible study and hoping those girls would ask me to do something.  And I was really lonely.

My second year there, I stopped waiting for people to ask me to do something, and I asked new friends to hang out with me!  And it was wonderful.  I ended up making so many new friends in so many different places.

Look, in an ideal world, established people would see new people come in and they would invite them over.  But we don't live in an ideal world.  And when I am the "old person," I don't always think to invite the new people into my group.  Some people have never been the "new person."  They have always lived with the same people, had the same friends, and never moved.  They honestly just don't think.

So you have to just step outside of your comfort zone and invite people to do things with you!  Yes, this can be tough.  I have invited people to do things with us and had them NEVER respond (darn you, facebook, for telling me that they did see my message!).  And that makes you feel like a complete loser.  But I have also taken a chance, invited people over, and ended up being great friends with them.

State College friends

F     O     U     R

Unpack quickly.

We have moved almost once a year.  Do not complain to me about how hard it is to unpack boxes.  I know.  But the best thing you can do is unpack those boxes quickly and get settled in.  I'm talking pictures hung, kitchen, organized, window treatments made.  

Because the sooner you feel comfortable and "moved into" your new space, the sooner you will start feeling at home and inviting friends over.  We have tried to do this almost every place we have lived.  It helps so much

State College friends

Also, can we once again note what wimps Bech and I are in our scarves and jackets!

So there you go, my tips on making friends.  I hope this helps any friends and readers who are moving to a new place...I know how hard moving is!  I just keep telling myself that this is God's way of teaching me that I am a citizen of heaven, and not of earth!

 

19 weeks

How Far Along:
 

I am 19 weeks today!

 Baby Size:

The baby is 6 inches long and .5 pounds in weight--about the size of a mango.

Maternity Clothes:

 

Yup.  I'm still mixing in some non-maternity tops, but bottoms are all maternity.

 

Sleep:

I'm still going to bed at a geriatric bedtime.  But I've been struggling some with waking up in the middle of the night.  Ugh.

Movement:

I feel more each week!  I think that Jack and Bech will be able to feel the baby in a week or two more.

Best Moment This Week:

Easter!  My sister and brother-in-law came for the weekend, and Jack had a blast with his KK and Big Dave.

Food Cravings:

Anything cold!  Also, I have wanted salads, which is good.

Food Aversions:

Still meat.

What I Miss:

 

Sno-cones.  But soon, I will be in Mississippi, with a sno cone in one hand and a Sonic drink in the other.  And it will be WONDERFUL!

What I Am Looking Forward To:

Knowing the gender!!!

Milestones:

Almost halfway through!

Pregnancy Symptoms:

Round ligament pain.  Gross.  

 

Gender:

 

1 week...we are so ready to know!

Weight Gain:

 

9 pounds.  Thank you, Easter candy.

 

5 on Friday

O     N     E

My mom pointed out that I never explained how Bech magically got Jack to start going to sleep on his own.  So are you ready for it?

It's big...

He just told him that we weren't going to lay down with him, he should close his eyes and pray.  And Jack repeated to himself, "Close my eyes and pray.  Close my eyes and pray." 

Yeah, sorry, no big magical way.  But it works!  A week and a half of my child going to bed by himself!

T     W     O

My sister and brother in law are coming into town this weekend.  Jackie boy is SO excited.  We bought egg dying kits a couple of weeks ago, but I told him we couldn't dye eggs until KK and Big Dave got here.

I tried to find a picture of KK and Big Dave with Jack, and this is the best I could do.  So here is 15 month old Jack on a rainy day in the Grove. 

T     H     R     E     E

I posted this picture on facebook yesterday:

Do you see that?  The youngest royal is wearing smocking.  SMOCKING!  

I can't tell you the amount of times my little wild man has gotten called a girl because he is in smocking.  Side note, if I am the type of mom to put my child in smocking, I am also the type of mom who puts a bow in her daughters hair.

I also got a huge kick out of this article.  Yup, we do it right down South.


F     O     U     R

I have lots of cooking planned for this weekend.

First up, this lemon blueberry cake. 

Lemon and blueberry are my favorite!

I also plan on making these yummy things again.


F     I     V     E

One more week at my job...!  I will miss it and I know Jack will miss daycare, but I am so ready to be home with my little boy.  I can't wait to spend one last summer with Jack as an only child!

18 weeks!

  Yeah, so this is what happens when your real camera is dead and you have to use your iphone for the picture.  But at least I took a picture!

How Far Along:
 

I am 18 weeks today!

 Baby Size:

The baby is 5.6 inches long and 6.7 ounces in weight--about the size of a sweet potato.

Maternity Clothes:

 

Yup.  I'm still mixing in some non-maternity tops, but bottoms are all maternity.

 

Sleep:

We are still sleeping like we are 80 year olds over at the Evans house.  I'm pretty sure Bech thinks my pregnancy induced early bedtimes are the best perk ever.

Movement:

It is getting a little more regular.  But the baby isn't really that active during the day and I usually go to bed super early.  So I don't get to feel him/her move that much.

Best Moment This Week:

 

It was 80 degrees yesterday!  80 degrees!  Granted, it might snow a little tomorrow night, but I really enjoyed my 80 degree day.

Food Cravings:

Crisp and cold things.  And water.  Lots and lots of water.

Food Aversions:

Meat.  Although I did eat a little this week.  I also really don't want savory things.  Give me salad, fruit, desserts, yogurt, etc.

What I Miss:

Margaritas. 

Yup, again. 

What I Am Looking Forward To:

Knowing the gender!!!

Milestones:

Hm...I can't really think of any.  I feel like this happens a lot more the further along you get.

Pregnancy Symptoms:

The heartburn has begun.

 

 

But thankfully, a friend recommended these to me.  SO much better than normal Tums.

 

Gender:

 

2 Weeks!

I go back and forth on this one.  Most days I really think this is a boy, because I have a boy and it's just normal for me to think that way.  I often refer to the baby as a "he" or "him."  But every so often I think it could be a girl.

 

Weight Gain:

 

Wavering between 7 and 8 pounds gained.  Again, I'll take it.  I've also done my pregnancy work out video (which is equal parts awesome and cheesy) this week several times.

5 on Friday

Another 5 on Friday!

O     N     E

Y'all, it was 70 degrees yesterday.  Seriously, 70 degrees.  Now granted, it is going to be 48 degrees next Tuesday, but I can handle this.  Thank goodness for Spring!

 When I think about or am asked how I have managed 3 real winters, I always remember these days, when the snow is all gone and it is finally spring.  Don't get me wrong, I adore spring and summer in the South.  I really do...even when it is 100 degrees in the shade.  But when you have made it through a northern winter, spring and summer are so much more precious and glorious.  You feel as though you have really earned it!

T     W     O

If you read my blog while Jack was a baby, you know that I am a big fan of "Babywise."  We sleep trained the heck out of Jack, and he was an AMAZING sleeper.  He was sleeping through the night with a dream feed at around 3 1/2 months, and we dropped the dream feed at 5 months.  Up until he was 2 years old, we would, for the most part, put him in his crib and he would fall asleep on his own, only waking up in the middle of the night if he was sick.

Then he turned two and we switched to a big boy bed, partly because I wanted his new room at the new house to be more exciting to him and mostly because he had started to climb out of his crib.

Bedtime in the fall was not great.  It took him a while to fall asleep and he would come out of the room several times before that happened.  You could always tell if it had been a bad night by the amount of toys that had been taken away from him and stacked on the dining room table.

Over Christmas in Mississippi, when we didn't have a separate room for him to sleep in, we got in the habit of just laying down with him until he fell asleep.  And we have been stuck in that habit since then.  Which is crazy...I felt like I needed to re-sleep train my almost 3 year old!  

But a couple of nights ago, Bech broke the habit!  Seriously, he is brilliant.  He does so many things that amaze me, but this takes the cake.  Last night, I tucked Jack in, prayed with him, and left the room...HALLELUJAH!

Also, let's hope I'm not speaking too soon.  But it has been 3 nights in a row!

T      H     R     E     E

Speaking of my brilliant husband...

He's turning 30 on MONDAY!

Also, I've always loved this photo.  Bech, a "man of hands."

F     O     U     R

My latest pregnancy (or just regular) obsession:

I've liked Polar water for a while now, but I found the Blueberry flavor a couple of weeks ago.  I am not sure, but I think it might be new.  Um, SO good.  I have seriously tried almost every Polar flavor, and this is, hands down, the best. 

F     I     V     E

I need a new planner.  And I don't want to spend a ton on it.  So, yeah, no Erin Condren.  It doesn't need to be super detailed, but it does need to be cute (that's a need, right?). 

Any thoughts?

Have a wonderful weekend!