20 weeks

How far along: 20 weeks

Size of the baby: A cantaloupe - 6.5 inches long

How I am feeling: Other than having a cold this week, I am feeling pretty good. I have a little more energy and have even exercised a few times. More and more food is appealing to me too.

Highlights this week: Not much going on this week but Monday we go for our 20 week ultrasound! I can't wait!

Just the two of us

Last week it was just the two of us...

Matt took a job that wouldn't require much travel, but occasionally it can't be avoided and last week was one of those weeks! He was in LA the first part of the week, and got to see his cousin Rob while he was there, and then he was in New York for the rest of the week, where he got to see our friend Dave. I'm glad he was able to take breaks to see these guys!

Meanwhile Will and I kept busy in COLD Chicago! We went on an outing one day to Target and I found him some Christmas pj's, and he wanted to put them on as soon as we got home!

It snowed on Friday and stuck, although it wasn't very much, but that doesn't mean it isn't FREEZING here already! It was in the 20's last week, and I know I need to toughen up because it will get colder!

Matt got home Friday night with a 'Cat in the Hat' hat for Will that he'd gotten at FAO Schwartz, and a big lollipop that made such a mess but he loved! Will loved the hat too and wouldn't even take it off to go out to eat...

And Matt brought me French macaroons from Laduree, which he was told has the best macaroons (naturally gluten-free!) in New York! They were awesome!

Saturday night we got a babysitter and went down into the city to see Joffrey's Nutcracker Ballet! I LOVED it! I think it was the first ballet I'd been to, and I thought the dancing was incredible.

And I took these pictures of Will Saturday morning in his cowboy boots and Christmas pajamas...he was showing Matt how to walk like a cowboy!

I love that little face!

19 weeks

How far along: 19 weeks

Size of the baby: A mango - 6 inches long

How I am feeling: I don't think my food aversions are as bad as they were in the first trimester, when pretty much everything sounded gross... although the thought of ground beef still makes me want to hurl, which is strange - when I was pregnant with Will it was chicken that I couldn't stand the thought of during the whole pregnancy, which doesn't bother me at all now.

Highlights this week: I am definitely feeling more and more kicks now! Such a cool feeling. I tend to go about my day not thinking about the fact that there is actually a live human being inside of me, and then I start feeling those kicks and it takes my breath away! I just stop and smile!

By the way, in pregnancy related news I saw this earlier this week and thought it was so cool!

Weekend phone pics

My parents came to Chicago last weekend to celebrate their 40th anniversary! They stayed in downtown Chicago for 3 nights and spent most of their time shopping and eating downtown, but they took the train up to Evanston on Friday to visit Will!

Will had school Friday morning, but my parents came in with me to pick him up and he was SO excited to see them! He immediately warmed up to them and started talking and singing to them nonstop!

Dad had to run to keep up with him - I think by the end of the day my dad was exhausted!

We got pizza from Homemade Pizza Co. Friday night and Will was literally bouncing off the walls while we were there. I think this was the millisecond that he actually sat still!

Watching "Woody" (what else?!)

Saturday was a pretty calm day. We ran errands Saturday morning and then loaded down our car with enough firewood to last us the season! Afterwards we were hungry and stopped at Steak-n-Shake. It's been years since we've been, and never with Will, and we couldn't believe how much they cater to kids! He wore his hat the whole time!

Sunday was the typical church, lunch, naps, and small group. Afterwards we went out for ice cream (don't worry, we didn't feed Will junk food ALL weekend!) He somehow managed to get it all over his face!

I took this picture Sunday night because it just couldn't have been any more perfect...we had our first fire of the season going, Christmas music playing, it was raining hard outside, and I was sitting next to our Christmas tree holding a decaf Americano and starting a new book! Aahh...bliss:)

18 weeks

How far along: 18 weeks

Size of the baby: A sweet potato - 5.6 inches long

How I am feeling: I attempted to walk on the treadmill this week. Saturday afternoon, I got on with my phone, headphones, and kindle in one hand and pushed start. Immediately, it took off going the maximum speed and I found myself sprinting for my life! I pushed every button, including the on/off switch, and nothing happened. Thankfully Matt was in our basement and ran over and pulled the cord out of the wall. I was running faster than I ever have in my life, at 18 weeks pregnant! I was terrified! I am SO glad Matt was there...otherwise I probably would have had a pretty nasty fall, which could have been serious for the baby.

I don't know what was wrong with the treadmill...Matt tried it out several times after I got off and he couldn't figure it out either. There is an emergency cord that I could have pulled, but it was wrapped around the base of the treadmill (dumb!) and hard to pull while running at such a fast pace. Our basement has concrete floors and a concrete wall behind the treadmill (with a workout bench right behind it), which means a fall wouldn't have been pretty!

Although terrifying at the time, Matt and I laughed about it pretty hard afterwards!

Highlights this week: I am pretty sure I have felt some kicks, but it is still kind of hard to tell at this point. The kicks are so light that when I feel something I stop and try to be still and wait for another one - which usually doesn't happen!

Anniversary weekend!

We had a big weekend - on Friday we went and got our Christmas tree with Lulu and Grandmama! It has become somewhat of a tradition of ours to get our tree the day after Thanksgiving. I just can't wait for the Christmas season to start - I've been listening to Christmas music nonstop!

Our little helper was excited to help put lights and ornaments on the tree! Will LOVES the Christmas tree! Every morning when he comes downstairs he says "Oh Christmas tree!" and runs over to it and points out all the ornaments to me - again! I love how excited he gets.

Saturday we cheered on the Jackets!

Will loves to "hide" under pillows!

Saturday night we celebrated our 7 year anniversary (which was Sunday)! We went to Michael in Wilmette and had a great dinner followed by a flourless chocolate souffle for dessert!

I can't believe we've been married 7 years already! It seems like time has flown by. We talked about all that has happened over the last 7 years and all that we are grateful for - most of all our healthy 2 year old son and baby daughter on the way! God has been good to us!

Sunday was also my parent's anniversary - and a big one this year - 40 years! Happy anniversary mom and dad!