31 Weeks and Update on the Home Front

This weekend, Jeff and I will get the keys to our new place - yay! What a wonderful, quick provision!! We'll start with the lighter stuff and move what's remaining the following weekend. The home we are moving into, we actually saw just 3 days after finding out about us needing to vacate our current place. We put an offer in the next day and things have been in motion since. Praise the Lord!

A few perks:

• It's only .7 miles away from where we are at now (making this move a lot easier).
• We are already familiar with the area (which we like) and our commute to and from work.
• I can stay with the same GP AND deliver at the same hospital.
• It has a dishwasher (an actual one and not me!).
• It has a good sized nursery with built-in storage for Little M.
• It has a back garden for Monk.

How far long? 31 weeks
Baby size? 16 - 18 inches and just over 3 pounds
Total weight gain? about 25 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes, but oh my legs. They just ache and can't seem to get comfortable.  

Best moment(s) this week? Celebrating our 7 year wedding anniversary! For those who know me, know that I enjoy reminiscing, and it was so nice to do just that with Jeff. After work, we enjoyed a nice, leisurely dinner at Bianco 43 near Trafalgar Square, where we talked about all of the transitions we've gone through, how we celebrated past anniversaries and how we both look forward to meeting our son in less than 2 months. We also Skyped with our parents about their upcoming trips in August!

Miss anything? Walking in public and people NOT staring at my belly.

Movement? Yep, especially near my diaphragm.

Food Cravings? All the fruit.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Initial moving this weekend and getting the nursery partly arranged.

30 Weeks

How far long? 30 weeks
Baby size? still about 16 inches and 3 pounds 
Total weight gain? 22 pounds

Maternity clothes? Absolutely

Sleep? Yes, but I am waking up earlier than usual. 

Best moment(s) this week? Our weekend visit to Wales. It was a great time with Katy, Ben and his parents!

Miss anything? Breathing easier while walking up stairs or inclines.

Movement? Yep, but I can tell room for Little M is starting to become sparse.

Food Cravings? Orange flavored Calippos - yummy UK ice lollies.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Picking up Little M's crib bedding this weekend!

29 Weeks and Another Move on the Way

Jeff and I had a real 'case of the Mondays' yesterday. Before lunch, he received a call from our letting agent, who informed us that our landlord is now in a position where she needs to sell and not rent out the property we live in. We have only been living here since mid-December and now have 2 months to find a new home. A lot in me wants to be angry, bitter, and anxious, but what good would that do? I don't think entertaining questions as to why this is happening would be helpful, even though part of me wants to. Honestly, part of me wants to wallow with self pity in this situation. 

Time and time again though, Philippians 4:6-7 has been a great comfort.

⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer helped me through Monday night, and I know it will continue to do so. I'm reminded of God's love through Jeff and Little M. This situation could be worse, and I keep telling myself that to keep some perspective. There are so many things to be thankful for. How blessed we still are!

As we are making this transition, I do ask for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated. 

How far long? 29 weeks
Baby size? about 17 inches and 2.9 pounds 
Total weight gain? I actually have an update here - 20 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Thanks to Mothercare and H&M {and Jeff for waiting outside each store while I tried clothes on - by the way, who thought having 1 changing room was a good idea?} I should be set for the remainder.

Sleep? Still sleeping and getting enough of it right now. I'm enjoying it and reminding myself this will all change once Little M is here. 

Best moment(s) this week? Visiting the Mum2Mum Market on Saturday and buying some cute clothes for our boy. Also, feeling him move during our first 'official' British barbeque with Ben and Katy on Sunday.

Miss anything? Life without heartburn!

Movement? Yes, so much wonderful movement. I like to look down and view the movements from the outside. They've become more noticeable and forceful every day.

Food Cravings? Nectarines

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy but a bit emotional because of the impending move.

Looking forward to? First trip to Wales this weekend with Jeff, Ben, Katy and Monk.

28 Weeks

How far long? 28 weeks
Baby size? almost 16 inches and about 2.5 pounds 
Total weight gain? 12 pounds... still no new batteries in the scale {sigh}.

Maternity clothes? Yes and the two stain patches on the right pant/trouser leg keep reminding me that I need to buy another pair.

Sleep? I toss and turn from my left to right side throughout the night. Jeff will offer me extra pillows if I get really uncomfortable.

Best moment(s) this week? Feeling Little M move during some of my favorite Italian outings {gondola ride in Venice, trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, drive through the Dolomites, viewing the original statue of David by Michelangelo in the Gallery of the Academy of Florence}.

Miss anything? Taking decongestants for sinus issues. I have to let it run it's course, but thankfully, my asthma hasn't been affected.

Movement? Oh goodness, how to describe this. For those who have seen SNL's 'More Cowbell' skit, at times it feels like Little M is really 'exploring the space' as Will Ferrell's character Gene Frenkle does!

Food Cravings? Ritz crackers with peanut butter and strawberry/plum jelly.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, happy, happy.

Looking forward to? Sleeping in a bit on Saturday before hitting up a nearby mum2mum market.

27 Weeks

In our very 80's hotel room, I have been taking breaks while writing this update, to look outside my window to admire the Dolomites, a part of the Southern Limestone Alps. Yesterday, it was clearer and you could see some of the snow capped mountain tops, but there's more of a haze today. Either way, it's still beautiful, and I'm happy to be in the town of Belluno, Italy for the week. Jeff is working with a client here, and since we decided to make it our 'last trip before baby,' I'm enjoying this time with him.

How far long? 27 weeks
Baby size? about 15 inches and 1.93 pounds 
Total weight gain? I'm still sticking with 12 pounds {I, again, forgot to get a new battery for the scale before we left for this trip - hopefully can update next week.}

Maternity clothes? Yes, and it's becoming more apparent that I need to buy more.

Sleep? I'm still sleeping well, but a sea of pillows seem to be the solution for my aching back and legs. I never have that many around but the thought is very nice. I'm coping just fine with my two at the hotel. I'm surprised though that I haven't taken Jeff's pillows... yet.

Best moment(s) this week? Last Friday, Little M responded to Jeff's voice for the first time. The first time Little M responded to my voice was the week before, while Jeff was in Slovakia. I was beyond happy to share this moment with Jeff!

Miss anything? Tying my shoes in a normal fashion. The bump is making it more difficult.

Movement? I've been feeling lots of wonderful movement and am beginning to visibly see it 'on the outside.' Little M is usually moving in spurts throughout the day. He still settles down whenever I'm am ready to sleep. 

Food Cravings? Fresh fruit... and pastries. During the week for breakfast, I've been enjoying (too much really) the apricot croissant with a decaf, skinny latte from Caffe Nero. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, even though little things that don't matter seem to easily upset me lately.

Looking forward to? Riding a gondola in Venice this weekend with Jeff!

26 Weeks

Now that I'm nearing the end of my second trimester, I've decided to do a weekly update. Since week 12, I've been posting a weekly photo on Instagram, but with my failing memory, I'd like to further document the remainder of my first pregnancy on the blog. When my BFF Nicole was pregnant, I enjoyed following her weekly blog update. It's hard to believe that her beautiful Ellie is almost a year old! I feel like I keep saying this, but time really flies and Little M will be here before I know it.

How far long? 26 weeks
Baby size? about 14.02 inches and 2 pounds
Total weight gain? 12 pounds {confession - I've probably gained just a bit more. I keep forgetting to replace the battery in our scale at home!}

Maternity clothes? Yes, even though I can still wear most of my pre-pregnancy clothes {i.e. by using the rubber band/hair tie method with my jeans/shorts}. I do have one pair of maternity jeans from H&M, which are for the weekends. I'll be buying another pair, because they are incredibly comfortable. For work, I have a maternity skirt, pair of pants {trousers for UK friends} and some dresses. Most of my pre-pregnancy work dresses and casual shirts still fit but are becoming snug. I doubt they'll last much longer.

Sleep? I have been sleeping well for a few hours at a time. When I do wake up, it's usually because of back pain, and once I get comfortable again, I quickly fall asleep. My pregnancy pillow has been helpful too.

Best moment(s) this week? Feeling Little M move around on my train ride home from work. Makes for a more enjoyable commute. :)

Miss anything? Cider!

Movement? Yes, even though Little M seems to be more relaxed at night. He's been moving more during the day. 

Food Cravings? Sushi! I liked sushi before and have been craving it a lot since the beginning of this pregnancy. Please don't worry - I've only eaten cooked fish. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope - not since week 12. 

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? No

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy {unless I have to stand the majority of my train ride, which is rare}

Looking forward to? Jeff coming home from Slovakia on Thursday!!

I haven't even met him yet, and my sweet boy has already been such a blessing in my life! I know I sound like a broken record, but it's so wonderfully true. There is so much joy with every move he makes and thinking of him brings a huge smile to my face. It's difficult at times not to get too anxious because I really want him here now. I rest in God's timing being best and look forward to the day Little M arrives!

Christmas Time Was Here...

Happiness and cheer! Oh, there was a lot of both this past Christmas because my sister, brother, brother-in-law and cousin stayed with me and Jeff for 2 weeks. It was their first visit to London and even their first time across the Atlantic! We showed them in and around London and went on a mini European holiday. I enjoyed their visit so much, and I was very sad to see them leave for the States. The experiences we had together were great and very memorable. And with too many stories, I'll just finish this post with some photos of our incredible time together.

Jacob, me, Bec and Philip in South Bank by the Thames on their arrival day.

Near the London Eye.

Outside of Westminster Hall for the Parliament tour.

Best seats on the bus for their first double-decker ride.

Champagne Afternoon Tea {for one - I was a day shy of being 8 weeks along} at The Wolseley.

Bec and I in the central square of Brussels, known as the Grand Place or Grote Markt.

The best Belgian waffle topped with Nutella and strawberries.

Manneken Pis or Little man Pee or the real crass 'Pissing Boy' in Brussels.

Ten Boom family home in Haarlem, Holland.

Me inside the 'hiding place' in Corrie ten Boom's room.

Waiting to enter the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Statue of Anne Frank outside of the museum.

The Berliner Dom {Berlin Cathedral}.

The Alte Nationalgalerie {Old National Gallery} in Berlin.

The Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin Wall line.

Remnants of the Berlin Wall.

Standing over Hitler's bunker.

Holocaust Memorial

Checkpoint Charlie

Berlin Christmas Market

Humboldt University of Berlin, where outside in the public square, Bebelplatz, the Nazi regime burned around 20,000 books written by who they labeled "degenerates" and opposers of the regime.

A memorial to the book burning set into the Bebelplatz.

The ridiculously funny seating arrangement from Frankfurt to Paris.

The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial just outside of Luxembourg City.

General Patton's grave inside the cemetery.

Visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Jeff, me and Kyle outside of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The Eiffel Tower at night - what an experience to have with these two!

Entrance to La Cambe German war cemetery near Bayeux, France.