Half Way

Today, Isabel and I are officially halfway through this journey together. The past two weeks have brought many exciting changes. I've started to feel her move inside of me almost daily. She loves to move around once I've eaten dessert (that's my girl!!) and am lounging on the couch.

Not only has she started to move and grow, but I am FINALLY starting to grow as well. While this has been a hard adjustment, I must admit, God has faithfully reminded me that it is all for a greater purpose. I have officially gained weight, which relieved the midwife, and some of my shorts no longer comfortably button. I've employed the Belly Band, and must say, it's worked great. I've also splurged a bit and started buying maternity clothing. What one item of maternity clothing could you not have lived without during your pregnancy? Where did you purchase it?

Here's a "belly" picture for you, taken this morning. Miguel says I look like I'm just arching my back and sticking out my stomach!

Timbuk2

I love Timbuk2 bags; they are versatile, durable, and super cute. (You can even customize your bag with the materials and colors you want.) But, they are also quite pricey. I'd been eyeing up the Cargo Tote for some time, thinking that I'd love to use it as a diaper bag one day. Today, I was returning something at REI in Timonium and wandered by the backpack section. On an end display, they had Timbuk2 Cargo Totes. I of course had to stop and drool a bit. Then I looked at the display. All of the bags were significantly reduced in price, AND they had the exact colors I've wanted!

I now have bought my first "baby" item, and am so tickled with my find. What great finds have you purchased lately?

Aha Use

"Real Simple" magazine has a monthly section listing common household items and their "aha" uses. I think I have my own, and it may just be brilliant!

Item: The Bella Band

Common Use: to hold your barely-too-tight pants and shorts up when you can no longer button them due to a growing pregnant belly.

New Use: For the every-day-woman who fluctuates between 3 pant sizes. The Bella Band will allow you to wear those jeans that are just a tad too tight or those dress pants that are too baggy because you lost a few pounds. No need to continue purchasing new clothing each time you gain or lose a pant size! Use a Bella Band to make your clothing fit your growing and shrinking body.

Am I brilliant or what?! ha

Fruit season

I love berry season, especially when I can pick my own at a local farm. The fruit somehow seems to taste that much better when it's been hand picked! Miguel and I picked 11 pounds of strawberries yesterday, knowing it will be the last of the strawberries for the season. So, in an attempt to use up the berries, I've been incorporating them into every meal!

For lunch today, I had this protein shake:

4 ice cubes
1/2 C. skim milk
1 C. nonfat, plain yogurt
1 Scoop protein powder-I used chocolate (yum!)
A large handful of strawberries (6 large ones)

Blend on high until ice is crushed, and shake is smooth. This is a super healthy, and filling shake. What is your favorite strawberry recipe?

Vacation Pictures

Just a few snippets from our Maine adventure.

Jordan Pond on a foggy, misty afternoon.




























Sand Beach- One of the only sand beaches on the Maine coastline.





















Cadillac Mtn. - We did a short 4 mile hike up to the summit. This was the only sunny, warm day.

It's a....

GIRL!!! Miguel and I were honestly shocked; we both thought this baby was a boy. We laughed, we cried, and now we're just in awe....

I am currently using "stolen" WIFI in front of a little ice cream shop in Bar Harbor, Maine. Once we're home I'll post the amazing 3-d ultrasound pictures. Until then, we'll be enjoying the gorgeous scenery and amazing fact that Isabel Renee (his mom's name) will be joining us in 20 weeks!

Sleepless night

It's summer vacation and I was up at 6:15 am. Why, you might ask? Well, I couldn't sleep last night due to sheer excitement and figured that was a "normal" time to actually get out of bed. I have several reasons for being as excited as a kid on Christmas Eve:

1. We get to find out the gender of our little one today! Pray that the baby cooperates and shows us what we want to see.

2. We leave for Maine late, late, late tonight/tomorrow morning. Other than the intensely long drive, I am beyond excited to get away to New England.

3. Miguel went out yesterday and made a huge purchase. The ZOOM LENS for our Nikon!!! ohmygosh. It's amazing. He is currently doing a large side job and felt that this would probably be one of the few seasons of our life that we could actually afford to buy it without feeling the strain of the money spent.

So, needless to say, I can't wait for this day to really start! I will try to post an update on the baby's gender if we can get wireless access in backwoods Maine. If not, you'll have to live in suspense until the 21st (or talk to a family member or close friend who knows).

Wedding

Pictures from Ken and Cheryl's wedding...I LOVE our new camera and already want the additional zoom lens. =)
















Me and my babe-the best looking one in the wedding party!

















Two Preggos =)


















Kris, Em, and AJ-all dolled up.

ewwwwww

Amazingly, I managed to have my classroom cleaned up, packed up, and ready to go so I could run out at exactly 12:15 today! Part of the process was cleaning out all cabinets and throwing away expired or opened food items (our kids cook once a week). As I was sorting through our spices, I turned the lazy susan and found a block of cheddar cheese. The lazy susan is NOT in the fridge. One of the kids must have been told to put it away...and they did just that...in the cabinet. So as you can imagine, it was mushy, moldy, and a lovely shade of dark gray! Sick. I almost gagged as I threw it in the trash.

Summer Vacation

I officially have .5 days left of school. Am I as bad as my students? I think not...I am worse!!! I am way more excited than they are for the bell to ring tomorrow at 11:44!!!!!!!!

Doctors, Carson and other

Our June book club book is "Gifted Hands," the autobiography of Dr. Ben Carson. First, I must say that Dr. Carson did an excellent job sharing his life's journey-both personally and spiritually. The gospel is essentially laid out within the first three chapters. I loved reading of his struggles to the top and his fight to stay there. However, in sharing his successes, I at times felt that there was pride and boasting that came through. I understand that the man is incredibly talented, and perhaps my perception was due to writing style.

Drs., other. Little Migi and I have now been together 16.5 weeks. He's growing, his heartbeat is strong, and we only have to wait 1.5 weeks to see if I can start calling little Migi -Isabelle or uh, some boy name to be determined. =) Not much else new on the baby front. Still no baby bump (just a not-so-flat stomach any more), though people I know are beginning to touch my belly. Not quite sure how I feel about that yet. I saw this t-shirt in "Fit Pregnancy" and thought it was SO cute. Maybe I should invest if the belly touching gets too invasive!