50 reasons to be thankful...

Last year I made a list of the top 50 things that I was thankful for in that season of my life. It was a really great way to put my life into perspective and to really and truly step back and reflect on the things that I have to be thankful for. So I decided to do it again this year. Id love to make it a tradition to do yearly, but no promises with a 9 month old at this time next year...

So here are my top 50 things that I am most thankful for this year...

1. Jesus... no other way to describe or explain it.
2. My husband. I never knew that I deserved a love so pure and so real. And I never knew that I had the ability to love someone so deeply. I am truly thankful for the man that I get to call mine...
3. A healthy beautiful baby boy on the way... although unexpected, the biggest blessing that we could have ever imagined.
4. My family. They are so beautiful in ever way. They are my best friends, my everything.
5. Nic's family, and their love for me.
6. A beautiful place to call home for the time being.
7. Traditions... old and new.
8. The Macy's Parade and the magic it holds.
9. Christmas time. I cant wait to celebrate with little one next year.
10. Early mornings spent with Jesus.
11. The morning light.
12. Baby clothes.
13. Cereal. All kinds of cereal.
14. A husband thats willing to get me the things I crave while pregnant.
15. Snow. And all its beauty and splendor.
16. Homemade meals. Warm and wonderful.
17. Fuzzy socks. Warm and fuzzy.
18. Dance. Being able to express myself fully and unexplainably.
19. Flutters inside from this beautiful baby of mine. No matter how painful those little feet of his may be.
20. Christmas lights. The magic in their glow.
21. Music. And its ability to connect us.
22. Being close to my family. I have missed them so much.
23. Memories. Good and bad. Memories make you who you are.
24. Laughter. The sound it makes.
25. Being raised in a Christian home.
26. Candles. Their smell and their glow.
27. Having enough of everything I need.
28. Pajama pants. Warm and cozy.
29. Milkshakes.
30. Pictures. They hold such promise of things you've had and things to come.
31. Warm showers.
32. The ocean. Being able to see God's power in its majesty.
33. Being blessed with more clothes than we need for our little guy.
34. Technology and its ability to keep us connected to those we love both near and far.
35. Having last Christmas with my pap. We needed that as a family.
36. Blankets.
37. Christmas trees. The hold such wonder.
38. Stories. Hearing peoples stories. Telling people stories. Being part of stories.
39. Dancing in the rain. Its freeing.
40. Seeing old friends... they always feel like coming home.
41. The sound of hearing I love you... It never sounds the same but it always sounds familiar.
42. The promise of joy. That we are called to do life joyfully.
43. Family and friends that care about us and help us to make the best choices for our lives.
44. Ashe and Aric. I dont know where we would be without these amazing people.
45. An amazing church family that has brought us in and gotten us connected.
46. The twinkle in your eyes when you talk about your passions.
47. The sound that a jelly jar makes when you open it for the first time.
48. Listening to Nic sing, especially when he thinks no one is listening.
48 b. Feeling little one dance and kick his little voice to his dad singing. Its incredible how connected      they are and he isnt even here yet.
49. Our wedding pictures. The hold a promise.
50. The beauty of our future. There is so much to be thankful for in this past year, and so much to look forward to in the year to come.

So Happy Thanksgiving to our beautiful families. And to all of you who make this life worth living for us. We love each and every one of you. Thank you for being part of our story. We couldnt be more thankful for who you are to us. Let the holidays begin...

Until next time...

Bumpdate: Week 26

How far along? 26.5

Total weight gain:  23.5ish lbs. 

Maternity clothes? I got some new shirts this week that I love. They are long sleeve so it makes for an awesome fit for the 27 degree days that are expected this weekend, and they are neutral in color so I have been able to wear scarves and stuff over them. Im loving that. My belly apparently makes it very obvious that I am having a boy this week. I have had multiple people tell me that they can tell its a boy just by the shape of the newly developed torpedo look he is sporting. He has also decided that he hates pants over the last few weeks. My jeans make him angry because where the elastic meets the jeans seems to be right where he is sitting. And sweatpants have elastic too, so he just isnt happy with clothes much lately. 

Sleep: Still my least favorite thing in the world. Its hard because Im not sleeping straight through the night so I never wake up feeling quite rested enough. I always feel like I need a few more hours, but a few more hours requires at least two bathroom breaks so its just not even worth it haha. And the dreams are still weird. Poor Nic has been so patient with my lack of sleeping and tossing and turning and getting up every hour or so. He's been getting up with me, and rubbing my charlie horses out of my calves and just taking such good care of me. He really is the best thing that has ever happened to me. 
New this week: You can tell how little man is sitting based on the shape of my belly. It will get oblong and awkward and just odd looking and you can tell where his little head is in comparison to the jabbing toes in my ribs and bladder haha. And you can see him moving from the outside now. Thats been weird to watch as well. It does make him that much more real to us though. 

Best moment this week: Nic in general is my best moment this week. He has been such a trooper through all of this pregnancy craziness and he is so sweet and so caring about everything that is bothering me. I cant even tell you how many nights he has gotten up and taken care of muscle spasms and me crying because I cant sleep and Im so frustrated over it. And he is always reminding me how beautiful I am. Ive had a really hard time with the weight gain part of pregnancy and hating the way that I am stretching and looking because of it. But everytime I make a comment or I look in the mirror with a certain look on my face, he always catches it and reminds me that Im beautiful. He makes my heart so full. I wouldnt want to do this life with anyone else. 

Miss Anything? Genuinely, its the sleeping. And my rings. I hate not wearing them together. I've considered resizing them so that I can wear them from here out but I dont want to resize them too many times and once I lose the baby weight I know they will need to go back down, so I dont know. Im contemplating it all haha. 

Food cravings: Mandarin Oranges. Thats been the main one this week. And chocolate has been consistent. Im trying to avoid the chocolate though. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really this week either. I felt a little sick after a few meals, but I think it was because I waited too long to eat. I have felt a little off in the mornings too, but I think thats because of how empty my stomach gets over night. Once I eat Im good to go. 

Wedding rings on or off? Still half and half. See my Miss Anything section for the details of that haha.

Looking forward to: We found out that Nic's dad and sister are going to be able to come up for the baby shower! Originally it was just his mom so, we are so very excited about that. I know how disappointed Nic was that they werent going to be able to come, so his little face when he found that out was the cutest thing ever. So we will have both full sets of Baby Morris' grandparents at the shower!

And thats the bumpdate! 

Bumpdate: Week 25

Theres no picture of the bump this week. I sincerely apologize for that. Its not even because I didnt want to take one, but because I forgot to take one. And yah. Thats the only excuse I have. So here are some pictures of the happenings to make up for it. 
How far along? 25.5 

Total weight gain:  22ish lbs. 

Maternity clothes? My belly officially torpedoed this week, according to my mother haha, so my preggy shirts are not cooperating at all. Its all not covering my belly, so my wonderful neighbor donated some new shirts, and we bought me a few so I think I have enough to cover the next few months. I bought two that are neutral colors so that I can multi layer them with cardigans and scarves. Preparing for the cold, you know. We also broke down and bought me a maternity winter coat. I was trying so hard to avoid spending the money on one, but with none of existing coats buttoning, it has made for some very cold 40 degree days here in PA. And its only gunna get colder between now and February. So we bought me one. Its actually pretty cute. So Ill take it. 

Sleep: I hate sleeping this week. Absolutely hate it! Not because Im uncomfortable, or because Im peeing every five minutes. But because of the random, vivid awkward dreams. They have just gotten bigger and and weirder. And the rolling onto my back has started. Everyone has already suggested the preggy pillows, which we have tried and returned because they make me claustrophobic under the blankets, which are neccessary as part of sleeping in the winter here, so that was a fail. It usually wakes me up though because Im so paranoid about it. So needless to say, I hate sleeping this week. But it will get better.  
New this week: My hips still hurt on and off, and the muscle spasms have kept on coming. New funness this week. Um violent punches and kicks, and the newley discovered elbow. Little man found his elbow this week and he aims for my bladder ever time. While these new violent discvoveries are not the funnest experience of my life, its still pretty awesome to experience him figuring stuff out. Im loving the experience of watching him grow. And it snowed!! One big huge awesome snow to start of the winter season in PA. Oh it made my heart so happy. 

Best moment this week: The blessing of the hand me downs. One of our neighbors/preschool parents gave us all of her little man's baby clothes. It was such a blessing to us. Its more than we could have ever expected. We have everything we need to welcome our little man into the world. And these clothes are darn cute. Let me tell you. So yah. That blessing is the best thing to happen this week.

Miss Anything? Still the lack of crying. And the sleeping. This week I cried because the bottle of ginger ale exploded on me when I opened it. Not even all over me. But on my sleeves of one of my only fitting sweaters. Not a big deal at all. But in my little preggo world, a very big deal indeed. 

Food cravings: Anything chocolate. And water actually. So that last one is a good one. Lots and lots of water. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really. Its been a pretty mellow week. Some smells still get to me but nothing too horrible. 

Wedding rings on or off? The band is on, the engagement ring has moved to its box for safe keeping. They still go on together, but getting them off was next to impossible so we have moved to the band by itself. Sad day in my world. 

Looking forward to: Nothing in particular at the moment. Just the next few months in general. We are preparing for our shower and starting to organize and get things ready for when little man is born and everything is just becoming exciting. Im looking forward to the holidays and everything around that. 

And thats the bumpdate! 

Bumpdate: Week 24

How far along? 24.5 weeks 

Total weight gain: Every scale is saying something different at this point so we are just gunna go with 20ish pounds. 

Maternity clothes? We had an anniversary party to attend tonight for some friends of the family and so that meant shopping for something appropriate to wear. I hate shopping right now haha, but I actually managed to find two dresses that I liked at Old Navy. Neither of them were from the maternity section, but they fit really well over my bump and I felt confident in them. Which was nice. Aside from that, my bump is officially outgrowing all of the preggy shirts that I have (except for the ones with the awesome elastic on the sides) so it looks like I am going to need to acquire some new ones to get me through the next few months. 

Sleep: Some good some bad. The last two nights have been really good. One bathroom break a night and sound sleep otherwise. The weird dreams have kicked in again this week though. Really vivd and full of people that I know or have known and all of which are involved in random and really freakish ways. The other night there was someone that I have known pretty much my whole life riding a tricycle through the middle of the town of Canonsburg. It was odd. to say the least. My belly feels pretty heavy now as well so rolling over is always an interesting task. I read somewhere at some point that it is easiest to roll over by pushing up on to all fours and then flipping with your belly under you so I have been trying that this week and it seems to be working. So yah. Sleep is constant interesting state of being. 
New this week: My hips hurt really bad and at random times. I noticed it for the first time this past weekend when we were making the drive back from VA and it was subtle but uncomfortable, but now it will just hit me when I stand up and it is quite painful. And then all of a sudden, its just gone. Oh geeze the joys of pregnancy.

Best moment this week: We have slowly started acquiring clothes for our little man. Now that we are getting closer to the time of his arrival we figured it would probably be smart to have some clothes for him to wear haha. Today we were at the outlets getting my dress to wear to the party tonight, and we went in Carter's because they were having their huge everything in the store is 50% off sale and we got his little going home from the hospital outfit. Oh my goodness, holy cuteness. I know it will probably only fit him for a few weeks, but I think this one will be one of my forever favorite outfits on him. 

Miss Anything? Not crying haha. I cry so easy and over the dumbest stuff. Im really trying hard to not be that crazy pregnant lady, but man its hard sometimes. I just cry. And for no reason at all. I liked not being super emotional haha. But oh well. This to shall pass. 

Food cravings: Chocolate Almond Milk. And all things chocolate. I havent really had it bad for chocolate most of this pregnancy but this week it has been something fierce. Any type of chocolate will do. Just as long as it has that taste to it. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Smells have been happening again this week. For instance. I got this candle from one of the little girls that I taught dance last year as my end of the year gift at recital. It was some kind of summery smell that was supposed to be light and lovely and I never had an issue with it. When we moved here I put it in Nic's little cabinet thing in our dresser and havent really payed much attention to it since. This week, every time he opens that cabinet I gag at the smell of it. And it closed with a lid and everything! It got so bad tonight that I made Nic take it to the trash can at the furthest point from our room to get rid of it. I feel bad cause Im sure it was an expensive candle, but baby only likes what baby likes and that candle was not on his good list week at all lol. 

Wedding rings on or off? On! For the most part. They are getting pretty tight but only if Im warm or just woke up or things like that. But I dont know that they will make it the whole 3 remaining months. I hope they do. But we shall see. 

Looking forward to: Theres a lot to look forward to right now. So not one thing in particular. The holidays and the family and the things we will get to experience having a northern Christmas this year. And our childbirth classes! We are getting registered for a few different ones and we are really looking forward to learning this valuable info and preparing ourselves for little man's arrival. He is so loved already that I just can't wait to share that love with him in person. It will be an amazing moment for sure. 

And thats the bumpdate! 

Bumpdate: Week 23

So last week was relatively boring in the preggo world and I am not a huge fan of having my picture taken (Last week in particular I did not care for it one bit) so I skipped the bumpdate. Ill probably be mad at myself later for missing a week, but for right now, it was the right choice. 

How far along? 23.5 weeks 

Total weight gain: 19 lbs

Maternity clothes? Ive just come to terms with the fact that Im huge. Merv is huge. And in turn I am huge. We had the Marine Corps Ball this week, so finding a dress for that was sure an adventure. My mom and I went to a bunch of different stores in the mall and we went to Motherhood Maternity, but most of what they had would have been more fitting for my baby shower than for a ball, so we ended up going to David's Bridal. They were super accommodating and helped me find a dress that worked. I kind of wish I had picked something with at least one strap just because the girls have gotten so large, but overall I think I looked kind of pretty.

Sleep: The actual sleep part is better this week. Im sleeping more soundly on my side, which has been the biggest adjustment. Im trying to not sleep on my back at all because rumor on the internet is that its bad for your baby, but occasionally I wake up that way and have to roll over. Im still peeing 3 or 4 times a night, but that I have simply accepted and moved on with my life. 
New this week: Muscle spasms. This technically started in week 22 (another reason why I was just not feeling the blogging part of my week). These stupid spasms come out of no where and they stop me dead in my tracks, resulting in tears and Nic rubbing them until they decide its time to break up. They are primarily in my thighs and my calves. Occasionally my butt. But holy wow. It hurts so bad. 

Best moment this week: Merv is on the move this week. He just dances and plays and flips. It makes my heart feel so happy. There wasnt one particular moment that I loved, but the week as a whole has just been so fun watching his little personality develop. 

Miss Anything? Sleeping through the night. I really really miss that. I want to be able to just go sleep and wake up 12 hours later and feel completely rested and wonderful and have not woke up once. Thats what I miss. Almost as much as I miss my cute clothes. 

Food cravings: Still sweets. Snickers bars mostly. Almost completely just Snickers bars. I love ice cream too. I just love ice cream. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still waiting too long to eat. I try to make sure that I eat every few hours just to be sure that I dont feel sick. Ive also been trying to make sure that I eat better the last few weeks. I want to keep my weight gain under control. 

Wedding rings on or off? On! Most of the time haha

Looking forward to: Baby shower!! and the holidays. Its gunna be a great holiday season this year. We are gearing up for Thanksgiving, followed by the Morris Family Thanksmas, and Christmas, then baby shower and New Years. Im so excited to get to experience all of the above while pregnant this year. Itll be something truly special for us. 

And thats the bumpdate!