Pregnancy: 26 Weeks

How far along:  

26 weeks

How big is baby:  

The size of a head of lettuce.

Maternity clothes:  

I got a new shirt this week... a super comfy t-shirt style.  I will post a pic when I actually wear it... its freezing right now!

Stretch marks:

Who knows... I am trying to be proactive and slather myself in rich creamy lotion daily.

Sleep:

I LOVE sleep!  :-)  And the best kind is snuggled up with my little one...

Best moment of the week:

Gia and I spent the day with my little sister... GIRLS' DAY!  We had Starbucks...

Went to the movies and saw Anchorman 2... super funny!

And ate lunch together... <3

Food cravings:

Sweets!  Gia and I made strawberry cheesecake cupcakes the other night at almost midnight...

Food aversions:

None

Nausea:

Occassionally

Energy:

I am napping a lot and going to bed earlier (sometimes anyway)... 

Movement:

Still lots of flips and pushing out his hands and feet.  He can open his eyes this week and recognize big sister's voice!  Only three more months until he is in our arms...

What I'm looking forward to:

Gia's birthday is coming up and I am excited to spend her special day making her feel like royalty!

What I'm nervous about:

Nothing really...

What I miss:

Being able to shave easily... I can't see what I'm doing half the time now and it is guesswork... LOL

Pregnancy: 25 Weeks

How far along:  

25 weeks

How big is baby:  

The size of a cauliflower.

Maternity clothes:  

My wonderful step-sis got me three new maternity shirts for Christmas and my mom got me some adorable new leggings!  I have a pretty cute maternity wardrobe at this point!

Stretch marks:

No more that I can see... I am beyond stressing it at this point.  My body is growing my precious boy and if it needs to stretch to accommodate him then I can deal with it.

Sleep:

I am enjoying taking daily naps with Gia now.  It is a great excuse for extra sleep and snuggle time.

Best moment of the week:

Seeing Gia's face on Christmas morning when she first looked under the tree!

She took her time opening gifts and thoroughly savored each one.  Each thing she opened had to be taken out of the package and played with before moving on to the next one.  It was a joy to watch!

Food cravings:

Chocolate and sausage balls.

Food aversions:

Not big on chicken right now.

Nausea:

Occassionally

Energy:

I'm still really tired... probably a combination of recouping from being sick and the holiday festivities.  We took down our Christmas decorations already (I figured since we put them up in early November we were in the clear).  As Gia says, it gives us more room for toys!

Here I am looking exhausted at a family holiday gathering.

Movement:

Gavin is still super active.  :-)  He is kicking me as I type this.

What I'm looking forward to:

Getting back to normal after the holidays!  I'm so ready to settle back into daily life.

What I'm nervous about:

I'm starting to get nervous about a hospital birth... still praying I can have a home birth somehow.

What I miss:

Being well... this cold/flu has kicked my butt!

Pregnancy: 24 Weeks

How far along:  

24 weeks

How big is baby:  

The size of an ear of corn.

Maternity clothes:  

I officially have a pair of footie pajamas that covers my belly!  I'm so excited!  :-)  They are perfect for cold cuddly days...

Stretch marks:

I have seen two small ones appear this week.  :-(  I was sooooo hoping to not add any to my collection with this pregnancy, but it seems baby boy has other plans.

Sleep:

I've been so busy catering and getting ready for Christmas these last few weeks that my sleep has been greatly lacking.  I'm hoping to catch up this coming week.

Best moment of the week:

Food cravings:

Salad and breaded chicken wraps.  I've been wanting healthy food this week.

Food aversions:

Nothing really

Nausea:

Nope

Energy:

Lacking due to lots going on...

Movement:

My baby boy is SUPER active... I watch my belly jump around with a big smile on my face!

What I'm looking forward to:

I am excited about Christmas... and planning for Gia's third birthday party!

What I'm nervous about:

Having the energy to get through Christmas.

What I miss:

The fantasy of a white picket fence family...

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

With Christmas quickly approaching, I have been super busy with holiday catering.  I thought I would take a moment to share one of my grandmother's yummy dessert recipes... hummingbird cake.

Start by spraying three round pans with non-stick cooking spray.  Preheat your oven to 350.

Next, mix the following dry ingredients in a bowl.  Stir by hand (do not use a mixer).

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

Once the above ingredients are combined, add the following to your mixture.

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 8oz. can crushed pineapple (undrained)

2 cups chopped bananas

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix well by hand.  Pour batter into your waiting pans (split evenly).  Bake for 30 minutes.

For your icing, you will beat the following ingredients together until smooth and spread on baked cakes.

1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)

1 stick margarine (softened)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 lb. powdered sugar

Stack baked and iced cakes to equal three layers.  Serve and enjoy!

Pregnancy: 23 Weeks

How far along:  

23 weeks

How big is baby:  

The size of a grapefruit.

Maternity clothes:  

Trying to figure out the coat situation is proving interesting... my leather coat doesn't cover any of my belly!  :-)

Stretch marks:

Still not sure... I don't think so.

Sleep:

I'm restless and up to pee multiple times through the night.

Best moment of the week:

I had another ultrasound this week!  Gavin weighs 1 lb 3 oz now.  I had to giggle at how he was laying during the ultrasound... with his legs straight and his feet in front of his face, as well as his hands.  

Food cravings:

Mexican and key lime pie.

Food aversions:

None this week.

Nausea:

Not bad this week.

Energy:

What is energy?  I have worked all week and am getting sick, so it is nonexistent.

Movement:

I was able to watch my belly jump while he was kicking... it is absolutely amazing.

What I'm looking forward to:

I am excited about Christmas... and planning for Gia's third birthday party!

What I'm nervous about:

Finding the energy to work this coming week... I am sick with a bad cold.

What I miss:

Moving without extreme back pain.

Pregnancy: 22 Weeks

How far along:  

22 weeks

How big is baby:  

The size of a papaya.

Maternity clothes:  

I'm starting to add in cute blazers with my maternity shirts to dress up my wardrobe a bit.

Stretch marks:

I can't really see the bottom part of my belly so I'm not sure anymore.

Belly button:

Sticking out.

Sleep:

Nightmares are back so sleep isn't that great.

Best moment of the week:

Gia and I went to see the movie Frozen with my family... it was SO funny that I started choking at one point during the movie!  Gia loved it and was glued to the screen the whole time.  By far the best moment of my week.

Food cravings:

Sweets and LOTS of milk.

Food aversions:

None this week.

Nausea:

Still getting nauseated from severe indigestion.

Energy:

I finished moving over the weekend then worked all week... so I'm exhausted.

Movement:

Gavin is officially able to be felt kicking from the outside of my belly now!  I felt him the first time on December 1st... Gia got to feel him too!  So far, only Gia, my sister, and mom have felt him.  He is most active when I'm laying down.

What I'm looking forward to:

I'm supposed to have another ultrasound this coming week, so I'm excited to see!

What I'm nervous about:

I'm having trouble with my insurance... it is cancelled at the moment.  I'm praying that it gets fixed before Thursday so I am able to go to my doctor appointments.

What I miss:

Having my house organized still... I'm working on it!

Stiletto Love

I have a sick shoe obsession... stilettos are my absolute favorite!  It seems that no matter what kind of day I am having, an amazing pair of heels can lift my mood like nothing else.  

Know what I mean?

I have some really amazing shoes... pink cheetah print peep-toes with skull jewels, black leather and cheetah studded wedges, blue and gold peep-toe wedges... the list goes on!

So in honor of my love for heels, I want to know what your heels do for you and what is your favorite pair?