reflections and things

Being pregnant has been a lot better than I thought it would be. Let's get real, I mean I hardly get nauseous any more and I never threw up. Now that I'm bigger I don't sleep through the night most nights and I have to visit the bathroom a bit more frequently. All and all it hasn't been that bad.

Don't worry though, every time I talk to someone about it or mention a few "issues" I have they proceed to go on about how everything will get worse. It's all very uplifting. I think I hear on a daily basis: "Oh, you think you're big now-just wait; you're going to get huge!" "Get sleep now because you'll never sleep again." "It's only going to get worse." "Labor is the worst!" Seriously people? I try to avoid talking to anyone about it because it's just upsetting.

Alex and I are well aware of the major and eternal changes that are going to come but we are focusing on the the positive ones. I think being away from my immediate family and best friends makes it hard to have some real encouragement.

So I guess this blog is just me crying out for some nice words and things to look forward to throughout the end of my pregnancy and baby's arrival but to those family and friends who have been supportive and kind-thank you. And I'll throw in a few belly shots and some of the small milestones involving our little one that have happened lately: Alex felt Baby Peach move in my belly, I saw my belly move today from her wiggles and I got baby girl a super cute swim suit on clearance! Yippee!

Peaches

I finally got to have my doctor visit! It felt like forever since my last one. During this appointment they measured Baby Peach and showed me lots of angles of her developing body. I saw her lips and her heart (all four chambers-crazy!) and her arms and legs. She is growing so well!

sucking her thumb!

I love that one of the nurses is in our ward and in primary with us because she always takes time to talk with me about lots of questions and concerns I have. She might do this with everyone but it really has helped me a lot to have someone to talk to about our bebe. She really is a lifesaver and our doctor is very sweet and professional. 

21 weeks!

I seriously can't wait for Christmas to be here! The Christmas music hasn't stopped playing for me since I found out our due date and I'm just so anxious to have our little one here. Hopefully everything stays on track and we're able to be healthy.

dating and courtship

This weekend we've been on lots of outings. Hannah and Maggie, Alex's younger sisters  wanted to spend the night so we could all play tennis-which didn't end up happening, instead we watched movies and old Scooby Doo's (my favorite) and in the morning we took them to the Marietta Square and walked around.
We ventured into Eddie's Trick Shop, an old Alex favorite. It's full of masks and pranks and everything-it's really a neat place. We also went into an antique store and found some cool things from the Civil War and old news articles, a wooden croquet set and some cool records. It was fun and then Will picked them up and we prepared for fun with Gressel's. We're trying to pack in all the time we can with them before they leave again and we wanted to meet up with our friends the Brock's so we could all have a get together and hang out like in our old college days-haha, ok who are we kidding, we aren't that old!

Hannah in a Chicken Head!

So the Gressel's stopped by and we played some more tennis, took a dip in the pool, watched the Braves for a bit and then went out to dinner with the Brock's. It was an adventure finding somewhere to eat. We couldn't decide on what to eat and the Brock's suggestion of Moroccan did not sound very appealing to me and Baby Peach. Alex heard about this BBQ place that was supposed to be a hit so we drove out to find a beer shop attached to the BBQ "restaurant" which happened to be out of beef, brisket, steak-basically everything we wanted and had zero seating. You could literally not sit down because it was like a drive thru with no drive thru. Crazy. So we sat awkwardly in the parking lot and looked to see what else was good around us. We found a place and drove there only to find that it was completely empty which translated to us: this place is no good. After two flops in a row we had the Brock's suggest Pappasitos. A Texas restaurant that only has one location outside of the great state that was in fact, right down the road. So we indulged and it was packed, tasty and great.

The guys laughing at what they had found out.

On Sunday, we went to the Brock's so the boys could watch Breaking Bad, which neither of us wives care too much for so we sat and causally watched and chatted. The men both happened to bake something sweet that night which was funny and very tasty. Having spent so much time with them makes us miss our Idaho friends and watching parties we'd have with those guys-I definitely miss them a lot.
On Monday we decided to head out to Turner Field again with the Gressel's and much to our dismay it was raining! It delayed the game about 2 hours. But we came prepared with ponchos, umbrellas and towels-not to mention our snacks: powerade, cheetos and gummy bears! Eventually we headed down from our seats to walk around and ended up near the bull pen where the Gressel's got their baseballs signed and we got way closer seats-right behind Jason Heyward! It was a fun time despite the rain and the fact that the Braves lost to the Phillies. Boo! Anyway, I'm so glad Alex was able to make such good friends in his youth, stay in touch with them and that they were able to marry amazing women so now we are all super great friends!

Near the action!

Jordan and Ashley

Nice and Dry

Next to the Bull Pen

HALFWAY

I am 20 weeks pregnant!!

20 weeks

same day, different shirt-for effect of course

Hooray we are halfway! It feels like I haven't had a doctor visit in forever and I'm dying to see how Baby Peach is because I feel a lot bigger now and I want to see how much she's grown!
Last weekend we were finally able to get our crib, just as my family left, and the nursery is really coming together. Let's see my pregnancy app tells me to write down my reflections of this whole experience so here goes:

Lately I've been having a harder time sleeping, gaining 10 lbs on my belly will do that I suppose. So I've been looking at some body pillows to take away the discomfort. I feel like I've been feeling kicks and movement for a while now but didn't want to say it was for sure because I wanted Alex to be able to feel them too. When I told him I thought I felt something but I wasn't sure because he needed to feel, he told me he knew I would feel things a lot sooner than he could-he's so understanding! So then I told him it was a kick for sure and I tell him when they are so hopefully he can catch it too.

I am almost praying that she has Alex's eyes because they are the BEST and based on how I've felt she'll be very quiet, maybe a bit gassy, and peaceful. I sort of picture her as being like my sister Stephanie-completely loving, quiet and graceful. I just hope we can teach her all those things but most of all who she is and why she's here.

We are so happy to be having a little baby and I can't wait to go to the doctor next week to see how everything is! We also found out that she'll be the very first baby on my side of the family to be born into the covenant. That's so special for us and I'm so happy for all of the so many righteous decisions that have come before her to make that possible!

As far as names, nothing has been decided yet but because both of our families are pretty big on family names and because Alex is the oldest grandchild on both his dad and mom's sides of the family; I figured we could give her a middle name after her great grandma Kjar, Marianne. Which means, Anne will probably be her middle name. Her nursery is really coming along but doesn't really have a theme yet. I think I want to do light gray and pink chevron with owls and elephants because it's cute and we can change out the pink for blue if we have a boy sometime in the future. We'll see though! For now it's just white walls.

Baby Peach's room so far!

Her Texas blanket from Grandpa Steve

We got the red stroller for her UGA loving Dad.

We're almost all ready!

In other news, our great friends the Gressel's are in town and we've been able to visit with them a bit. We played tennis in the rain and got some Waffle House. We always have lots of fun with them and have been able to share lots of great summer memories together.
Also, I got a job as a part time, mostly afterschool nanny for 3 wonderful children that live very close. I feel very blessed to be able to watch them and to store away some extra money for our growing family. The Lord really loves each and everyone of us and knows our needs. Hooray for halfway!

The Tello's came to town!

I've been missing my dear family and so guess what...they came to visit me! Hooray family! I think I sort of pressured them into leaving a little sooner which may or may not have thrown off their sleeping patterns for a while...oops. But they're such champs and drove through the night to get here. When they arrived they rested and we had set up everything for a bit because in the morning we were driving more-to the Atlantic! Hilton Head, SC. They've never been to the Atlantic and I went for the first time with Alex's family last year. It was so fun! I'll do a breakdown of the days they were here:

Friday:
Alex's family had already headed to the beach-his dad had a convention there for work so we were meeting up with them. But, one of Alex's brothers refused to go so the other (Will) stayed with him and headed out with us. **side-note: Will has an outstanding record of "ruining gatherings/events" for example-my very first visit to Georgia to meet Alex's family, the day after Christmas in '09, Will at dinner spilled lemonade all over the table and unfortunately on the cat after he threw a fit about getting a guitar stand for Christmas but no guitar. It was hilarious and now a big joke and we really love him because he's got a great sense of humor about it and has the best intentions.** Ok, back to our beach trip...so we all got up early, showered (in our two separate bathrooms now-thank goodness!) and packed up all our gear and waited for Will to get dropped off by his friend so we could all head out. The night before we talked about what time we wanted to leave and that I would call or text him to wake him up just in case. He responded to my text early that morning and then to our total calls of probably 30 he did not so we waited and waited until he showed up. And of course we all gave him a hard time about it, laughed and went on our merry way! When we got to Hilton Head we went straight to the beach where Alex's family was and hung out. Ron, Alex's dad, taught everyone how to find sand dollars and so the crew caught about 100 all together! I'm not joking, it was a lot and they put some back and kept a few.

the coolest sand formation you ever did see in the hotel lobby

Saturday:
Alex's grandfather, Bill, and his new wife and her daughter decided to come to the beach too and we were all in the same hotel just off the beach so of course they brought their golf clubs and went out for an early tee time. So all the boys (my Dad, brother, husband and Bill) headed out to play. The Tello men were nervous because my dad has never golfed a whole 18 holes and my brother wasn't very experienced either. But they wanted to go and try it out.
Alex hates being away from the beach when we're at the beach and wanted to do 9 holes but they did it all and played young vs old. When they finally got to the beach with the rest of us the "old men" were beaming and "youngins" were not. I couldn't believe it! Alex and my brother Steve had lost to my dad and grandpa! It was definitely funny to hear them bragging about beating them because they are all so competitive.
While they were gone I got lots of sun and time to play with Hannah and Maggie (the sisters in law) in the water-it was so fun! See, they're still young and don't like to go too far out and neither do I, it was awesome. We jumped waves and played some games and met new people.
That night we decided to go out, all 14 of us, to the Salty Dog Cafe. It's apparently a sensation because everywhere in the South people have Salty Dog shirts and I wanted one so we went. It was crowded and the tide had gone way out so the dock it was on was bare and very smelly-not good for pregnant me. But inside the smell was extinguished and the food fantastic! I had shrimp-which is my favorite! and ok to eat in my condition. I think everyone enjoyed their food.
We had to drive a ways back to the part of the island where we stayed and across from our hotel were these amazing Pirate, putt putt places. And we all played! It was so fun, we broke up into 3 groups and if I'm not mistaken, I think Bill won between all of us and even had a hole in one!

Right in front of the Pirate Putt Putt, looking good.

Sunday:
Early that morning Bill and his crew left and we found the ward that meets in Hilton Head was at 10 so we all got dressed and went. It was probably the smallest church building I've ever been in but the people were so nice and half were visitors! It must happen a lot in that ward. After Sacrament meeting everyone left but my parents and Alex. My mom plays the piano and was quickly swept away to the primary where she was needed-it really is a good skill to have, I wish I never gave up when she tried to teach me. So it was funny how the 4 of us stayed but we were all separated.
After church we had lunch and headed, you guessed it, to the beach. I was feeling tired from all the sun I got in the day before so I didn't bring my swim suit and just sat and chatted under the umbrellas and watched everyone play. My mom brought horseshoes and the men played. In the evening we decided to go for a stroll and found a few hermit crabs and a giant horseshoe crab! It was crazy and attracted a huge crowd! My dad kept flipping it over and showing people but I kept a good distance because it had so many legs and a big tail. After taking a few pictures we left him alone.
Ron and Stephanie skipped out the night before on putt putt and bought a little grill, some hot dogs, chips and s'mores ingredients! So that night we dug a little hole in the sand and grilled on the beach! It got dark and cool but it was so fun and the s'mores were what I've been dying for all summer! It was the best to just sit around as a family and talk and share stories. We even played a game where we went around our circle and created a story one sentence at a time-pretty comical.

Monday:
Luckily our hotel had breakfast for us every morning so we were able to eat and pack up pretty quick. We hated to leave so soon so we drove down to Savannah, GA. It's historic, so we went to see it for a bit. On the way down (it's only like a 30 minute drive) we had some navigational problems that were just so silly we had to laugh. Once we got to Savannah it was hot and we all needed a restroom break and some food. We walked up and down the streets looking for a pizza place my brother had looked up and was considered the best. By the time we finally found it: it was, I swear, at the border of Savannah, closed and hotter than ever. So we tried to go to Paula Deen's restaurant but it had a 5 hour wait-pure madness. Finally we ended up just eating at Moe's, not a favorite from any of the Tello's but it was good enough! Making a stop at River Street Sweets we got our dessert fill and headed back to Atlanta. We thought we'd hit rush hour but luckily didn't. It was perfect timing.

In the courtyard in Savannah

Alex found something interesting!

We unloaded and found a gas leak so we had someone come out and fix it! Bill is a champion at ping pong-excuse me, table tennis and has gone to the senior olympics and won medals! He of course has his own set up and decided to challenge the men at yet another game. They all went over for games and pizza while my sister and I stayed and waited for the gas man to come.

Steve getting schooled by Bill

By the time we got there everyone had eaten and the games began. No one got close to beating Bill and so then they went outside to challenge each other at a game of cornhole (a typical tailgating game). They just don't stop, I know. They did old against young again and I think Alex and Steve actually won!
Bill had ordered us a stroller and car seat too that we picked up and put together-ok attached a wheel or two. It was awesome and weird having a stroller and car seat now!

Tuesday:
My mom wanted a day to do some shopping so while us girls went to the outlet the men, yes, went golfing-with Bill. Luckily they were prepared with so many golfing outfits! I guess their rivalry of age continued and Alex and Steve won for the day. Good job hubby!
At the brand new outlets in Woodstock, we got some precious baby clothes and some essential maternity shirts. Then got a quick bite and headed over to the Kjar's to visit with Stephanie and the girls and trade them cars so we could all fit for our trip to Turner Field that night. That's right, what would a trip to Atlanta be without a Braves game? We left early to avoid traffic and ate at Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles-so so tasty. Their peach cobbler is the best but I didn't get any-next time!

We had some pretty great seats!

When we got into the stadium we were ushered in by the best usher in Braves Country! He was so energetic and chopped better than anyone you've ever seen! We had a blast and the Braves beat the Rockies! The guys even did the pitching cages and almost missed the best part of the game. Successful day.

Wednesday:
We finally saw Wolverine with Stephanie, the girls and Drew (Alex's other brother)! My dad is the biggest Wolverine fan and has been since, forever! So we went to the movie which turned out to be a huge flop according to movie critics Alex and Steve but I didn't think it was too bad.
For dinner we ventured to Medieval Times in Lawernceville (a bucket list item for my mom) and ate with the king and princess of somewhere...it was actually super fun! We had our pictures taken, sat front row, I had our knight (he was green) throw me a carnation, cheered long and loud and ate with no utensils. Ok I brought my own and my favorite part was the tomato soup and bread-it was so tasty! Our wench was really cute too and served us very well, haha. When our knight lost (first round-that was lame) we cheered for the east side and lost. They had a "dungeon" where there were pictures of old torturings (is that a word?) and the various machines used to inflict pain-it was creepy and gross! We got a light up sword and got the knights signatures and pictures. I felt like a kid but it was so much fun and a lot better than I thought it would be.

we knew we had arrived when we saw the castle front

our knight!

where the king and princess sat

the king's right hand man

starting the tournament

The Ladies

Luckily, they had a club screen to take pictures with. Aren't we cool?

Thursday:
This was our last day with the family and Alex decided to go into work for the morning hours. While he was gone we kind of just rested. The family finished laundry and packed a bit and then we went shopping again! To Kohls, my sister got some shirts and I got a Curious George book for Baby Peach. Next to it is a Walmart where we were hoping to pick our crib that my parents ordered but it was having lots of shipping problems and wasn't there. It was a bummer because we wanted to put it together, together! And see the nursery as almost complete. We finished up with some shopping at the mall and got our fix of the Varsity. The boys loved shopping. We found some great pieces at Macy's and it was my parents treat-thanks so much!
That night we went to the Kjar's house and ate BBQ Street, which did not work with pregnant me-I think I had about five bites, and chatted all night. My dad, Alex, Maggie and Will went out to the tennis courts and played while the rest of us sat and talked with each other. It was a prefect way to end our visit.

Friday the family left and I wasn't as sad as I thought I'd be but now I sure do miss them. I wish they lived within a days drive at least. I just can't wait to move home. Yes, HOME, to Texas, where I belong. That is, of course, things all work out. We'll see, if not Georgia is second best. My parents did come bearing gifts-all things Texas. They're the best. We got a wonderful Texas flag blanket for Baby Peach that I just adore and is in her room. They also brought some Texas toast-mmMmmmm- Texas shaped tortilla chips (shout out to HEB-love you, miss you), a Native Texan bumper sticker, that is on the fridge and some other goodies. We love them!
We really have been so blessed living here. It's been nice to be around family and close to so many great things. We are still getting used to our ward. They have us in primary so we don't get to meet too many adults but our 5 year olds are very sweet.
Overall our trip with the Tello's was splendid! I was a little grumpy at times though, I'll blame hormones, and next time we meet (hopefully October) I'll be in a better mood and we'll have loads more fun! Family is the best and forever.

Princess Peach

Ladies and Gentlemen! 

We are pleased to announce that our tiny baby peach is in fact a little girl! We did indeed want a boy but we are super excited to be having a girl-our own princess peach!

I may have already mentioned this, but there is an amazing lady in our ward who works in the doctors office I go to and she was able to squeeze us in before my "real appointment" just to tell us the gender. The whole day I was super anxious and thought for sure I was going to cry my eyes out when she told us the news-but guess what? I didn't! I was just in shock and so happy and wanting to hug Alex and tell my family! It was also a big relief, why? Who knows but we are both very excited and have no names yet-despite my mother's efforts to text me 50, no joke and all individually, potential and some terrible names. 

Alex, being the supremely thoughtful and loving husband he is, surprised me with a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses! Apparently his dad, after they had 3 boys, did the same for his mom when they learned they were having a girl. It's such a sweet gesture and I sure am lucky!

So with both of our parents being first time grandparents you can imagine how anxious they are to spoil the little angel! My parents bought us a crib and Alex's (along with his younger sisters) have picked out some outfits and a plush owl toy that are so cute! 

How cute is that little beanie??

I think the light pink onesie is perfect for coming home from the hospital-if it fits!

cutest owl toy-a doll that will probably look like her-hungry caterpillar 

I think it's safe to say that girl things are overall cuter than boy things!

In other news...in less than a week my family is coming to Georgia and we're going to the beach! None of them have been to the Atlantic (my first time was last summer) and we're going to be joining Alex's family in Hilton Head! I'm so excited to see them-especially my brother since he wasn't able to make it to our graduation and because he's such a great friend for Alex. We have lots of fun things planned and we're going to set up the crib together! Eeek I just can't wait! Alright, here are some belly shots from week 17.

17 weeks and wearing pink for my little princess!

Today: 17.5 weeks. Don't pay any mind to the messy bathroom, thanks.

15 weeks

Well, nothing new has been happening really. I've just been getting anxious to start shopping for Baby Peach! 

Alex's Grandparents have been spoiling me with maternity clothes and a new stroller! It's not here yet but I am so excited to have it. It will be the first thing that makes this seem real-I mean the sonogram is great but my "baby bump" is more like just some extra weight I am putting on...so it doesn't really seem real yet. But I'm sure having a stroller in the house and putting the car seat in the car will help me grasp this whole "mommy" thing I'm about to embrace-forever. Oh gosh.

In all my research about future doctor visits, healthy foods, good exercises, baby needs, mommy needs, etc. I've been reaching out to some very helpful friends (with super adorable babies). And they have been such a big help! My friend, Carissa, has been so wonderful at calming me down and reassuring me about little Peach's health. Who knew pregnancy would be so stressful?? Thank goodness for friends that have ventured into motherhood before me-and recently-so I am comforted. Hopefully they never get tired of answering my questions and concerns! 

Since I figured nothing else has really been happening (expect my lack of documenting this pregnancy and overwhelming amounts of rain and thunderstorms here in Georgia) and in light of my constant asking of questions to friends, I'd do this pregnancy questionnaire I found. Here goes:

How far along? 15 weeks 1 day

How big is baby? I've read the size of an apple or an orange-but since we've already dubbed the name "Baby Peach", I like to say the size of a peach. 

Total weight gain/loss: meh, almost 10

Maternity clothes? Yep! A few days ago when I got some in the mail, but that's only when I go out. I hate clothes to begin with so you can imagine what I "wear" most days...

Sleep: Pretty good, some tossing and turning, but naps during the day make up for it!

Best moment this week: We went to the store and I convinced Alex to buy us some chocolate snack packs. Oh yeah!

Movement: Nothing yet, at least I think...does movement feel like gas? TMI? Oh well. 

Food cravings: Salt! A few days ago I was literally packing the salt dispenser in my purse. Not ok. 

Food Aversions: anything that smells too strong

Gender: No idea and it's killing me!

Labor Signs: I don't think it would be a good thing for me to be having any this early...right?

Pregnancy Symptoms:  Weight gain, a few headaches lately, nausea and emotions!

Belly Button in or out? In! 

What I miss: Laying on my belly with ease, my friends, Texas and all things in it-but that's unrelated to pregnancy.

What I am looking forward to: Knowing the gender and my family's visit this month-to the beach! Christmas-AKA the baby's arrival :)

Upcoming appointments/events:  4th of July celebrations (long weekend with Alex!!)

Weekly Wisdom: What does this even mean? I'm pregnant, I don't know what I'm saying or wanting half the time-pregnancy brain is real. 

Milestones: Baby Peach is the size of a peach! He/She did it-what an awesome baby we have. 

14.5 weeks-I tried real hard to make it look like a baby bump and not just fat.