21 Week Bumpdate + Being Good and Taking Pictures

Hello people,

Merry less-than-a-week-before-I-see-my-family!

I have all sorts of things to share today. Let's go back just a little to Friday morning: I walked into the kitchen and said, "Jeff I don't feel well." Immediately after I ran to the bathroom and let's just say I threw up so much that my doctor gave me an IV (don't worry, Mom!). I went home and watched Muppets Christmas Carol and Mr. Bean's Holiday, which is not a Christmas movie like I was expecting.

If you are wondering Baby Falco is doing great. :) She does her grand battements every day, especially while I am in ward choir practice (or when waistbands and other objects encroach on her space). She's all like:

It's wonderful to feel her kick. I love it!

Anyway, the next day was the ward Christmas party. I was in charge with my friend Fontaine, and do you know what, I didn't take a single picture. You'll have to take my word for it when I say that it was beautiful and fun and seriously went without a hitch, as far as we can tell. I had so much fun and my sweet co-workers even made it. It was their first taste of a Mormon soiree, haha. :)

Today, I asked Jeff to take some higher-quality pictures to document my pregnancy. If I keep getting ready this may become a regular thing. :) Here is my favorite skirt, by the way. I think it's the last time I will zip myself in before my baby comes. It was certainly a wonder to behold, haha.

Yay! Baby!

I felt like a fashion blogger asking Jeff to take pictures of my accessories. What a champ. They were from Walmart. That's how we do, haha.

I will do my questionnaire now, too. I have neglected my chalkboard, But here's an update!

How far along? 21 and a half weeks
Baby is: Seven inches, or the size of a large banana.
Total weight gain/loss? About 4 pounds... I am all about healthy fats right now.
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Stretch marks? No.
Sleep? Sucks.
Best moment this week? Hearing baby's heartbeat with a Doppler stethoscope. By the way, Jeff just got his first stethoscope! Wow, a doctor!
Miss Anything? Not really.
Movement? Yes!
Food cravings? Nothing, although the other day I had dinner and thought it was all delicious. When I went back to get seconds of the same food it all unpalatable. So strange.
Anything making you queasy or sick? A stomach bug, actually. Darn you, daycare.
Have you started to show yet? Yes.
Gender? IT'S A GIRL!
Labor Signs? None.
Belly Button in or out? Mostly in.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy. :)
Looking forward to? Having a baby and having my family see me pregnant for the first time this week!

My handsome photographer *swoon*

Texas

This post is super old... I just never published it and thought I'd share this morning. :)

Texas just has a way of capturing my heart. The people are wonderful, the food is incredible, and the weather in winter is really ideal. One of the most fabulous things I've experienced in Texas in our four-ish months here so far is the Brazos Valley County Fair. My gosh.

We met up with several friends and enjoyed walking around the fair, listening to performers, attending a rodeo, checking out booths, and playing with lots of animals. We have great friends here. 

This was [literally] my first rodeo. I learned why the horses buck and was super weirded out. I watched kiddos mutton bust and fell in love (for those who, like me, have little exposure to mutton busting, it's when little kids--like five-year-olds-- ride a sheep as long as they can. It is seriously the cutest thing).  The mutton busting announcer was the best, "Our next competitor is from Bryan, TX... His name is Billy and he loves chicken nuggets!"

The petting zoo at the fair was Jeff's dream come true. There were tons of deer roaming around and people could feed them out of their hands! Deer are really soft and beautiful up close. Aren't they lovely?

Can we talk about this baby goat? Oh my goodness, so sweet.

I love ferris wheels. So pretty. :)

Perfect.

Turkey legs.

Anyway, I love this place. It's not like anywhere else.

Week 19 Bumpdate + A Video!

Thanksgiving was amazing! Jeff and I visited Louisiana where he served his two-year mission. I love Louisiana. Here are some quotes from the people we stayed with that just speak for the experience...

"Come out back a pick a lemon."

"Gumbo's like a thumbprint; everyone has their own way of doing it."

"I've got some good squirrel meat in the freezer."

Louisiana is totally unique. I met a legitimate Cajun who speaks old-world French. One of the people we stayed with, Jeff's very close friend, breeds champion labradors and had 19 two-week-old puppies at his house. Wrap your brain around that... They were so sweet. I was born puppy hungry, but playing with those little guys this weekend certainly fanned the flame.

Over the course of four days we went to Marksville, Ponchatoula, Hammond, and New Orleans. We ate at Cafe du Monde (which serves the best beignets I've ever had), and had all the Cajun food I could dream of (Here's a recipe blog from a Louisiana native we hung out with).

Here's a pretty, little film from our incredible trip.

As for a pregnancy update, our baby {GIRL!} is healthy and growing. We had a 45-minute ultrasound a while back and she had her legs up over her head the entire time, which frustrated the technician just a bit... haha, sorry.

Further, my morning sickness is basically gone! Finally. I'm 20 weeks tomorrow. <-- That's halfway! Things are going well:

How far along? 20 weeks tomorrow.
Baby is: About six and a half inches
Total weight gain/loss? About 4 pounds 
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Stretch marks? No.
Sleep? It's great. I have strange dreams though. Last night I dreamt that Jeff made me enroll in high school again. As a 22-year-old. What?
Best moment this week? Decorating my Christmas tree! And feeling my baby kick some more. :)
Miss Anything? Sleeping on my back. 
Movement? Yes!
Food cravings? A Subway sandwich...still. I never go though.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really. :)
Have you started to show yet? Yes.
Gender? IT'S A GIRL!
Labor Signs? None.
Belly Button in or out? In, but oh my gosh, I can force it out... I'm a freak, haha
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy. :)
Looking forward to? Having a baby!

Have a great week!