28 Weeks Preggers with Lincoln!

I cannot believe that we are already in the third trimester with Lincoln!!! 

I had my first doctor’s appointment in a LONG TIME (7 weeks) on Thursday and it was so nice to hear the heartbeat. I mean this guy moves a TON so I knew that all was okay but still nice to hear!Next appointment will be in three weeks. 

So this is where things are standing currently… figured I would do a “traditional” update and see where I am comparing with my last few pregnancies…

Total Weight Gain/Measurements: 20 Lbs which is where I normally am at this point

Maternity Clothes: of course and probably about to go up a pant size, as with other pregnancies

Stretch Marks: Not yet… I had really thought that I was going to get them super early on this pregnancy since one popped up on my FINAL day of pregnancy with Gibson… Just figured that would start a trend but I guess that isn’t the case.

Sleep: HORRIBLE. That doesn’t allow for much actual sleep time. At home I do a bit better. I’m also a little more comfortable thanks to my new Snoogle and I think that I am going to start bringing it on the road… Might as well if it will help me to sleep better.

Miss anything: Wine and Sushi

Movements: ALL the time. Right before bed seems to be the most active time.

Cravings? Yogurt, plums, and granola top the list and I no longer have an aversion to fruit snacks… so those are back in the mix

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions any time I don’t’ have enough water or if my bladder is too full. Major back pains if I’m on my feet a lot during the day. I think that is what is contributing to my hard time sleeping too.

Belly Button in or out?? Still an Innie at this point and no Line Negra

Wedding rings? On… I don’t tend to swell too much

Mood: Okay… I find myself in a funk sometimes but I think that is less pregnancy related and more to do with trying to find the time to “do it all.” I know that it is an unobtainable goal you… there is no such thing as work life balance! Also, being a parent of a pre-teen is HARD!  

Looking forward to??? Starting to take it a little easier… I’ve decided that this will be my last International Trip with the Secretary of Defense. The time zone changes are really rough on my body and that combined with the fact that the next trip that we are looking to do was a TWO week one about a month out from my due date… It is going to be super hard to miss that final international trip but I cannot take the risk of having Lincoln, early, on an airplane or in a third world country. Should he come a month early in the U.S. we would be okay with modern medicine… over the Atlantic… not so many guarantees. 

I still have three domestic trips which will take me up until the end of November though so Lincoln will still get some additional miles under his belt… Just not on the E4B or C-17.

Highlight of the week… SOOOOO… When I was this far along with Hunter I was getting ready for my bestie Holly’s wedding shower! At this stage with Gibson… Getting ready for her Baby shower for her little boy Ethan… and now this week she has welcomed her SECOND child! A beautiful little girl Ella!

Wishing that she was here in Virginia and not California!!!

Favorite Things

It isn’t Friday but I wanted to share a few things that I, personally, find joy in at the moment:

1. Golden Nugget Necklace: This first item isn’t something that you can buy at a store but I still wanted to share it with you…
   
   
   
   The necklace is a simple, understated, gold nugget on a small gold chain but the true value is that it was a recent gift from my Grandmother and was given when we went to Indiana to celebrate her 96^th Birthday! The nugget on the necklace was made from my Grandmother’s and Grandfather’s class rings melted down! How neat is that? I’ve been wearing it almost every day and I love it when people ask about the piece! It allows for me to talk about what amazing people she and my grandfather are/were.  This is a one of a kind piece but I think that it would be easy to have something, like this, made from old jewelry OR you can truly copy their genius and melt down a piece of handed down jewelry that might not be your style to make into something that is truly special and unique 
2. This is Us: If you haven’t seen this new show on NBC you need to watch it! I’ve cried during almost every episode and I don’t think it is due to just my pregnancy hormones. The real relationships and struggles within the drama are captivating and each week I look forward to seeing the story develop. 
   
3. PODCASTS! I’m a little late to this trend but I’ve recently started listening to podcasts on a regular basis… In the past I had listened to Serial but that was really it. Now when I get into the car, and I’m alone, the radio is off and I’m typically listening to Young House Love has a Podcast, Alec Baldwin’s Here’s the Thing, or The Event Planners Podcast. No matter what your interests there is guaranteed to be a podcast available! 
    
   Listen on iTunes | Google Play | TuneIn Radio | Pocket Casts | Stitcher 
   
   
4. SNOOGLE: To say that I love my Snoogle is an understatement. This bad boy goes EVERYWHERE with me and is the most comfortable thing ever. I even recommend this pillow for non-pregnant friends. 
    
   
   
5. SIMPLE: The Easiest Cookbook in the World: This cookbook is changing my life!!! What are two items that we could always use more of…Money and Time and this cookbook helps me to save both of those things. Every recipe uses FOUR Steps, or less, and just SIX ingredients, or less! I mean come on AND the author is a famous French chef so you’re cooking up things like Thai-Basil Beef. Saffron Risotto, and Mozzarella and Fig Skewers! Matt always gets so upset when I get excited about a recipe that has 15+ ingredients because all he sees are the dollar signs… so he is a fan of this book as well. HUGE thank you to the dear friend that gifted it to me!
   

DIY Family Matching Game

In 2014 I decided that I was going to DIY a lot of the Christmas gifts for the kiddos... I had more time on my hands back then...

I realized though that I never shared one of my favorite projects that the boys still play with today... a DIY Family Matching Game!!! 

Step one was to buy 3" wooden craft circles from Amazon.

I lightly sanded down the circles to make sure that they were completely smooth and safe for little fingers and painted both sides of the disks.

I used a 2" circle punch to cut out photos of family member and glued them to each circle. 

Next, I used Mod Podge to seal the photos to the wooden disks.

And there you have it a simple and creative gift for the kiddos to play with. They love turning around those disks and seeing family members on the backs!

Here are some old photos that I found of Hunter playing with the game when he just got it!

Maybe I'll have time to be creative again in 2017!!!!