Waiting for Baby V: Twenty-Two Tasty Weeks!

Wow! Another week has come and gone, and now it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Well, not outside with 75 degree weather today on December 3, but around the Valentas household the halls are definitely decked! And now I'm not quite as sad to come home when it's almost dark, because the I can turn on the Christmas tree and look at the lovely lights. And this week's blog is entitled "tasty" because I have eaten many delicious and pregnancy cravings this week. From Doritos Locos to chicken fried steak to mint M&M's...it has been delicious! :) I am also almost half-way through with Christmas shopping, and getting a head start on wrapping tonight! I will NOT be stressed this Christmas! I will enjoy every bit of it instead!

This week continued with the last five days of people I want to thank. Here they are:
26. Loan K. Vu - One of the sweetest, most thoughtful people I know! We met Loan in college in the Pride, and she has photographed many important events over the years. She took our pictures for our "Prego" baby announcement, many from the Gender Reveal, and I am sure we will enlist her to do many other photo shoots. I love her zest for life, and that she will never let an opportunity go by to have fun and make memories with people she loves. And you should see the pics of food she posts on Instagram! I wish I could just hang out with Loan all the time and see all the amazing things she does. But I guess it's also about perspective too. And she has an amazing one!
27. The NHS Secretaries - These ladies do so much for us on a day to day basis, and make our lives a much better! I so appreciate all they do for us!
28. Bassets - Danielle, Adam, and cutie Mackenzie...This little family has been there for us in so many different stages of our lives, and continues to do so. We got both got engaged within a few months, as well as engaged, and now I get to start my stay-at-home mom journey with Danielle too. They are such a giving family, whether it means a hug or a home cooked meal the first week of school.
29. Lindsey - One of the first things I remember thinking about Lindsey is that she is one of the nicest people you can meet. She will do anything for a friend...help them move, help them paint, bake a cake for them, or invite them over for a meal when they are having a crazy week. She has been one of our best friends for several years, and I am so glad to have her in my life!
30. Student S - What an awesome kid this is! He makes me smile everyday, and goes out of his way to say "hi!" to me each morning, even when I am a bit grumpy. One of his good friends has a severe physical disability, and he helps him eat lunch everyday. He is a great person - giving to others in any way that he can.

Preggo-Me:

1. Total weight gain: +18 lbs with 3 lbs gained this week. I think I was making up for Thanksgiving week, when I gained some but then lost it again with the stomach bug. As long as I don't do it every week!

2. Maternity clothes?: Yes siree! None of my non-maternity clothes really fit anymore, so it's what I wear.
3. Stretch marks?: Not yet! YAY!

4. Sleep?: Tossing and turning is the norm, though I did fall asleep on the couch last night at 8:30, and slept in until 9:00 today. Goodness!
5. Best moment this week?: A few people have made kind comments that I am looking good, definitely pregnant, but not fat. Never knew how much a pregnant lady needs that! I also had a fun week of TV...many Christmas specials I look forward to watching every year!

6. Miss anything?: Buying regular clothes. So many cute clothes out there right now! Most of all, I want to buy/wear brightly colored pants and a button-up plaid shirt. :( 

7. Movement?: Some slight bubbles in the evenings...

8. Food cravings?: This week it was sweets (as always), Doritos Locos Tacos, and that wanted chicken fried steak. And none of the above disappointed!

9. Anything make you queasy or sick?: Not really. I am okay with that!

10. Gender?: Knowing we are having a girl makes this all the more real. Ellie has already stolen our hearts!

11. Labor signs?: No

12. Symptoms?: Tired and swollen feet at the end of the day. Geez!

13. Belly button in or out?: In

14. Wedding rings on or off?: On

15. Happy or moody most of the time?: Pretty happy this week, despite it being the first 5-day work week I've had in a while. It went by quickly, and I had a pretty good humor about most things this week. 

16. Looking forward to most?: Hmmmm... This week it is probably eating a recreated Thanksgiving  meal all this week. Baked the turkey, and made mashed potatoes, gravy, and glazed carrots last night, and it was delicious! Then we'll make other random sides that we love and leftover turkey all week. We wrapped gifts last night too while we watched a Christmas movie. It took a while for us to decide because there are too many that we love!