April Budget Update...

I'm proud to report that I met my goal to spend $400 or less on groceries and household items for the month of April! Actually, I came in $2.42 under budget.....whooo hoooo!!! I think I can do even better moving forward...I just need to get better at meal planning each week. That is definitely my weakness. If you have any suggestions/advice on meal planning, please send them my way. I think I'm in a recipe rut right now.

For now, I'm going to relish in my accomplishment....and have a Skinny Cow to celebrate!

16 Weeks...

This past week was filled with lots of preparation for Zambia! I ran errands almost every day after work and spent all day Saturday running more errands and even packing a bit! It's really freaking me out that we leave for Zambia in less than 2 weeks....YIKES! I have so much to do between now and then. I know it will all get done, but it's a little overwhelming to be quite honest. When I step foot on that plane in 13 days, I think I'll finally be able to breath a sigh of relief and relax a bit. Thankfully, I've continued to feel really great. I can tell that my energy level is lower than normal, but I think that's because I've been running 90 to nothing every day. But don't worry...I'm not skimping on my sleep. I get a solid 8+ hours each night!

I'm all gussied up in my week 16 baby bump pic, because I was on my way to a shower for Karen and baby Rector. I'll post pics from the lovely affair sometime this week.

Week 16...

Kaci and Chloe ♥ Baby...

15 Weeks...

Today I had a doctor's appointment and baby Rives is doing great! We got to hear it's little heart beat (160 BPM)....which was so amazing! And no more placenta previa...praise the Lord for that! My doctor is pretty certain that he knows what we are having... but the rest of us will have to wait to find out until baby makes his or her arrival in October!

Week 15 sonogram...

Josh took my weekly belly pic last night. During our "photo sessions" we tend to laugh a lot....mainly because Josh thinks I look silly trying to strike just the right pose. Half of the pictures turn out looking like this....me laughing because Josh is laughing {at me}...

OK, here is the serious one...

Vulnerability is the name of the game when it comes to posting weekly belly pictures of myself! I know my face and arms will start to get plumper as the weeks pass by, but I've decided that I'm not going to let it bother me. I'm pregnant and that's what happens when you're pregnant (as Josh likes to remind me)! I'm going to enjoy the journey...even when other parts of my body are expanding in addition to my belly! Friends, please don't judge me.... :)

Happy 28th Josh!!

Josh turned 28 this past Thursday! We had a great time celebrating with some of our family and friends tonight at Fat Daddy's in Coppell. The weather was PERFECT, so we enjoyed dinner and cake on the patio. Happy birthday honey....wishing you a wonderful year ahead! I love you so much!!

The Bakers...

Jimmy, Cole, Karen, BJ, Mom and Kalie...

The Brazeals...

The Rectors...The Simmons...

Michael and Josh...Karen and I...it only makes sense for us to be pregnant at the same time!Uncle Josh and Kalie...The whole gang...with some serious sun in our faces!

Fabulous friends...I love these 2 kiddos so much!

Week 14...1st Trimester Down!

It's hard to believe that I'm already done with my first trimester! It really did fly by, even though I went through most of it without many people knowing that I was pregnant. It still feels so good to finally be able to tell people that I'm expecting! Here are a few things I want to remember from my first trimester with baby Rives #1...

-Food cravings...pretty much everything! Really enjoyed mac-n-cheese, pizza, salads, chips (Cheetos and BBQ), cereal, thin sliced turkey, fruit, cinnamon toast and orange juice.
-Food aversions....bran muffins and hot coffee. No thank you.
-I really felt great most days....every once in a while I would feel bad, but it usually subsided once I had a bite to eat.
-Survived the 24 hour stomach bug at week 12 (it was HORRIBLE)! You're a tough cookie baby Rives!
-Sore boobs...unfortunately, they still are. {Sorry if that was TMI...but my goodness they hurt!}
-Slept well, besides waking up to pee 2-4 times per night. Also had night sweats. Back starting hurting at night around week 10....Snoogle pillow fixed that problem!
-Was not too terribly tired during the day. I think continuing to exercise helped with that. Bed time is much earlier though!
-Pregnancy brain...I can forget the simplest things these days!
-Thanks to the pre-natal vitamins, my hair and nails are growing like weeds!
-A bit more emotional and sentimental, especially when watching TV.
-We're going to have a surprise...but if I had to take a guess at this point, I would say baby Rives is a BOY!
-I've never thought and prayed about something (or should I say someone) this much in my entire life. It's easy to let fear and worry take reign. I'm constantly reminding myself that I serve a sovereign God who is in control of all of the details of my pregnancy.

Welcome trimester #2!! I pray that it goes as smoothly as trimester #1 went!

Week 14...