Waiting for Baby V: Twenty-One Wonderful Weeks!

Had to change up the title a bit, because there is NO WAY I am going to be able to come up with 10 "t" adjectives for alliteration and 10 "th" ones for the thirty week time frame! :) Haha! So I might have to be a bit creative...

Chris and I on our picnic with Lucy! These are my favorite days...

This has been my favorite week of the year - Thanksgiving Break! We had such an amazing week, I never wanted it to end! We relaxed and hung out with the dog on a picnic on Wednesday, ate lots of food at both family's Thanksgivings on Thursday, shopped till we dropped on Friday, sat on the couch (with a tummy bug), slept, and watched TV on Saturday, and had one more Thanksgiving meal with my family and put up Christmas decor on Sunday. I wish every week could be this fun and refreshing, and I definitely did not want to go to work today. I just cannot even begin to explain how amazing this week was, and I have so much to be thankful for...The most thoughtful and most giving man as my husband, the sweetest and funniest dog, Lucy, amazing friends and family who are just about as excited as we are for little Eloise Marie to join us in April, a warm little old house in Norman, a tiny healthy girl on the way, and within the year, I get to do my dream job, be A MOM! I feel like I've waited my whole life for this time, and I am so thankful that it is finally here!

The group of ladies at Thanksgiving this year...my sister, Jennie, my Momma, me, and my cousin, Emily! It was a small group but still fun!

People I am thankful for this week:
19. Shari Dillard - Though her title at Norman High is Financial Secretary, she is actually so much more. She is a sweet friend and an integral part of NHS life! She is always there with an encouraging hug, smile, card, or gift, and I will miss her so much next year. Shari works so hard everyday without appreciation and I love her!
20. Shawn Sheehan - An awesome Norman High friend too! He has had a tough year, but he always comes to school and does his best for his kids. The students love him, and he is so important to the culture of Norman High. What did we do without him? His diligence, hard work, and friendship are somethings I love about this dude!
21. Dad - My Daddy-o in Nebraska has spent a lot of time away from me, and now that we're having a girl, if someone told me I could only see her four times a year, I think my heart would break. He has sacrificed a lot in his life to provide for me, and many of my favorite growing up memories are in Kearney just doing regular things. I love and have always loved going to Harmon Park, the mall, or eating at Amigos, or just going on bike rides, swimming, or kite flying in the summertime.
22. Dad - My stepdad here in Oklahoma, that I have also called Dad since my parents married. Though I know I have a Dad, I have gotten what I like to call a "bonus Dad" that I can depend on any time I need him. He loves all five of his kiddos so much, and has made me feel like his own daughter from day one. And he is the greatest Papa!
So glad I have both of these Dads in my life!
23. Jennie - My sweet sister who is a stay-at home momma of two cuties! Jen and I grew up together in the same "grade", so we have many of the same friends and memories. I am excited because now in this new time in my life, I get to spend more time with her and join her as a stay-at-home momma! She is such a good friend, sister, and mom, and I am glad she is in my life!
24. Darin - One of my dear friends from college whom I share so many memories with! We were in Pride together, worked together at Berkley's, was Chris's roommate and our best man in our wedding, and who bought Eloise her very first Christmas ornament! He is also a teacher, so we share that too! Darin is an incredibly kind and giving person to so many, and he is always there when you need anything. He is a great friend to me and I am so thankful for him!
25. Grandma Cash - My Grandma! Though she is technically my step-grandma, I cannot remember a time in my life when she hasn't been there. She has always made me feel like her own granddaughter, and included me in everything. She spends her day by day making gifts for us, and planning the next awesome Christmas Eve at her house! She is such a positive, cheery person and so kind and caring for others. I love her so much and am excited that Eloise will have her as a Mema too!

Me being pregnant!

1. Total weight gain: +15 lbs total! I actually gained weight this week, but then had the tummy bug Saturday, so I lost it again. Guess that's one benefit to being sick!?!? Or not really. But much better today!

2. Maternity clothes?: Yes! Bought a few new Christmas-y looking ensembles this week, and looking forward to wearing them!

3. Stretch marks?: Not yet!

4. Sleep?: Tossing and turning this week still...Maybe that's just my new state of sleep? I did get well-rested with Thanksgiving Break and with being sick. Why can't I be sick NOT on a holiday?

5. Best moment this week?: So many...Every moment of Thanksgiving tradition: watching the Macy's Day Parade, making caramel apple pecan pie with Chris, eating with the Valentas side of the family, then going to my Mom's to eat too, shopping on Black Friday, and putting up Christmas decor...

6. Miss anything?: Sleeping soundly and unlimitedly! 

7. Movement?: Haven't felt any this week. Been to busy still I guess!

8. Food cravings?: Thanksgiving-ish food still! Had to take a chill pill on it, but still delicious!

9. Anything make you queasy or sick?: No too much. Football injuries on TV? But that usually gets me. 

10. Gender?: GIRL! We looked for fabrics for my Grandma to make a quilt with, and narrowed it down to 20...YES 20! It will be beautifully eclectic!

11. Labor signs?: No

12. Symptoms?: Feeling and looking big...Boo. And tired!

13. Belly button in or out?: In

14. Wedding rings on or off?: On

15. Happy or moody most of the time?: Still happy this week! Two days of school and a five day weekend...Who wouldn't be? Thanksgiving break is everything that is my favorite...Looking at fall leaves, eating lots of delicious food, hanging out with family and friends, shopping. It's just the best!

16. Looking forward to most?: Celebrating Christmastime now! We put the tree up, lights on the house, and the stockings are hung by the chimney with care. We'll continue the shopping for Ellie's room too, and just think, when Christmas is over, then next is Spring Break, and then comes Ellie! YAY! This is definitely a good year.