Update Central

So life has been crazy lately. So crazy that I completely FORGOT that I had this neat little blog here started. Intended to document my recent memories, thoughts, and photos, I have again failed miserably with keeping it up to date. For the sake of time and energy I am going to simply fill in some major gaps that need filled from over the last 3 or so months. After filling in the gaps, I will make a promise to write on here more often, because as it is, I have so much updating to do!!



So here goes:

I am pregnant! 

                                               
                                   Here I am the morning I found out the news! (back in August)
                                                                   Still in complete shock.

I think this was the belly bump at about 8 weeks...

10.5 week bump

                                              20 week ultrasound picture of our baby BOY!!!!!!


So, talk about a crazy, amazing, exciting, scary time in my life. Name a feeling and emotion and I have most likely felt it over the last 16 weeks since finding out the news. The pregnancy itself has been amazing. I can honestly say that I am one of those (annoying) people who actually LOVE being pregnant. Other than the occasional feelings of faint, feelings crazy tired the first trimesters, and random emotional breakdowns about feeling "too round and soft", it is truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life so far. Since finding out the news, Dan and I have had a fair share of worries (at the beginning), sighs of relief, tears of joy, smiles, and discussions about this next chapter of our lives together and our new roles at "mommy" and "daddy". I thank God every day for these 9+ months to go on this journey with Dan (and on my own) to really grow as a person and soak in every special moment of this.

Yes, there has been a lot of baby talk, but we have also made it a priority to continue to stay active socially and spend time with the people we love the most. We still go on lots of dates and keep a busy schedule (almost too busy at times!). Dan currently is in a soccer league, (was) enjoying kayaking when the weather was warmer, is staying hopeful that his Fantasy football line-up will take him to the play offs, loves hiking the Appalachian trail, and stays busy doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku on the iPad. In September, I started to help lead a local support group for adoptive families and their children. Once my energy returned in the 2nd trimester I began a few household projects and have been enjoying trying some fun recipes from Pinterest. Most of my social activities with my girlfriends revolve around food, coffee, shopping, and talking...so that is a lot of what I have been up to :)

That's all the time I have right now for this update. I want to write a specific "pregnancy facts and memories" post, so that will be coming here shortly. I know I'll forget some of the small, fun details, so it's really important to me that I jot it down before I forget!

Love, love, love,
als