Baby Bump

23 weeks!

Being pregnant is weird. 

That is the best word for it in my book.  

Weird because this little guy has taken over my body and I have no control over it!  My body is changing everyday and it's so strange and yet so fun.  Weird because for weeks I felt extremely sleepy and nauseous.  Ben couldn't understand why I wanted to take naps. Hello!? I'm making another human being inside of me-that's gotta be hard work. Oh and morning sickness? Who gave it that name when the nausea lasted me all day and night long? I feel tricked. 

But the second trimester has been a dream!

I feel energized and enjoy being social and working out again.

But my balance is definitely off--I've become such a klutz   The other day I was trail running and totally biffed it. I would show pictures of my wounds but they would gross you out completely! My elbow, knees and hands caught the fall so my belly barely skimmed the earth (just another way a mother sacrifices her body for her babe!).  I limped the two miles back home, embarrassed and wanting to cry. I felt like a little kid--only kids scrape themselves up right!? I am now using just one arm and one leg; the others are too uncomfortable to use--yes it was that bad! And since being pregnant this was not my first fall but it was definitely my worst fall. 

Speed walking from here on out!

Recently I started feeling our boy rolling and kicking around in there. 

He is quite active--maybe he takes after Ben, my hyperactive husband. 

I'm sure I talk to my belly in public and don't even realize it.  I love our little conversations.

Most of my thoughts are now centered around BABY.  What fruit or vegetable is he the size of now? How is he developing this week? Would he like it if I ate this? Is it good for him? How should I decorate the room? What should we register for? What will he wear? Which diapers should we use? What birthing classes should we take? Will I survive a natural birth? Am I crazy? Will he be born in May or June?

These thoughts keep me up at night.  

And I love it. 

I just know we're gonna blink and he's gonna be here, in our arms, ruling our life, and making everyday sweeter.  

16 weeks to go...

It's a...

BOY!

September 2012 we found out the very exciting news that we are expecting!

You can never take too many tests right? 

October 26, 2012 we had our first ultrasound.

Watching our itty bitty baby move around, and seeing the heart beat made our own hearts leap.  

I looked up at Ben to see him red eyed.  In that moment, it all became so real. 

We are so blessed.

December 2012 we announced the big news!

We sent my parents a house plan (since my dad is an Architect) and wrote "We'd like you to take a look at these plans for an addition to our home... we're adding two feet, two very tiny feet!"  

We sent Ben's parents, who are serving a mission in Rochester, NY, a card that said, "On the second month of your mission Ben and Brit gave to you, TWO tiny feet..."  It was our job to send them their "second month of the mission" package or letter.  It was their daughter Ali's idea to take turns doing this over the course of their 12 month mission and it worked out perfectly that we had month two!

 We wrote Christmas cards to family and friends ending in, "Love, Ben, Brit & baby!"

And of course we also posted about it on Instagram and FaceBook...

"I guess I should start taking advantage of the perks!"

(move over grandma or mom with six kids!)

On January 2, 2013 (Ben's Birthday!) we had another ultrasound.  We watched as the Ultrasound tech examined each and every part of our baby. The picture clearly shows he's all boy!

I am awed at today's amazing technology, but more so by how miraculous God is.

 

So we are going to have a little Benjamin!

My sweet coworker, Megan decorated my desk at work!

Cupcakes for the Young Women at church announcing "it's a boy!"

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite,
something that makes one feel aware of God,
one need not go far to find it.
I think that I see something deeper,
more infinite, more eternal than the ocean
in the expression of the eyes of a little baby
when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs
because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.
-Vincent van Gogh

Unplugged

This paradise is where Ben and I spent last week.

Where we lost track of time,

forgot about work,

unplugged ourselves,

basked in the sun,

and completely relaxed.

Thank you Cancun.

We stayed at the Royal Islander and yes these pixely pictures are taken straight from their website.  We were so completely "unplugged" that we didn't even break out the camera to take pictures!  We've enjoyed our site-seeing, back packing vacations but determined this one would be a "do nothing" type of vacation. It was  refreshing and exactly what we both needed.  Ben has been working so hard building his business and leading the young men at church so this was a nice way to celebrate his success and his birthday. We also considered it our "baby moon!"