Stillwagon Christmas Party 2012

We held our annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 15th.  Every year we spend the day cooking and preparing for our friends to come over and then have a blast with them.  This year was no different, well, except that I felt like it was more of a mad dash to get everything done. :)  We spent Friday night grocery shopping for everything we needed.  Saturday at 9am we woke up and started prepping everything.  We didn't sit down except for a half hour to eat lunch.  It was non-stop until the last guest left.  We are SO thankful to all of our friends who came.  (Especially to the Whitworths who showed up a few minutes early to help us get ready.  Franklin helped Bryan move around some furniture that I couldn't assist with and Elizabeth helped me prep the last of the appetizers.  They're always a lifesaver!)

As is now tradition, we set up the photo booth!  This is always such a blast!!!  Here are just a few of the pics from that!  We definitely hope to keep this tradition going in the future - though, I'm not going to lie - next year may be a pot luck. :)

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19 weeks

Nineteen weeks!  This little boy sure does seem to be growing a lot lately.  There have been a few outfits I've put on and thought "that didn't use to fit like that"!  HA!  I couldn't be happier though - to know that he's growing big and strong.

We have been busy this week getting ready for the holidays, wrapping things up at work, and getting ready for our big Christmas trip!  We're headed out of the country again with the Whitworths, and couldn't be more thrilled about it.  We're going to spend a week exploring Vienna and Budapest - Eastern Europe here we come!

I'll post more later on our Christmas party, but for now here's a week 19 recap!

Symptoms:  I have started to experience some hip pain - mainly at night.  I knew this was coming, but I didn't anticipate it bothering me so much at night.  I've tried sleeping with a pillow in between my knees, but I may need to upgrade to the body pillow.  The irony of the body pillow - when Bryan and I first got married he was used to sleeping with a body pillow.  I insisted that he stop.  Two reason: 1. we have a queen bed and there isn't enough room and 2. I wanted him to cuddle with me instead. :)  I'm sure I will have to come up with some type of compromise when I pull that sucker out of the closet.

Best part of the week:  I've been feeling babywagon move a lot more lately.  For a few weeks now, I've felt tiny movements off and on, but it's becoming much more regular. It's still not huge movements as he's still very small, but I can definitely feel him moving.  This is by far the best part of being pregnant!!  There really aren't words to describe how wonderful it is!

Excited about:  Other than being obviously excited about the upcoming holidays, family coming into town, and our trip, I'm also excited about our Dr.'s appointment on Monday.  We have our last regularly scheduled ultrasound.  They'll (hopefully) confirm that babywagon in fact a little guy, as well as check to make sure everything is developing as it should.  I'm anxious to hear that he's healthy and growing, and I of course can't wait to see him again!

Nervous about:  I am a little bit nervous about the eating situation abroad.  There are a number of things that I can't eat, and need to learn how to say that in two other languages, and there are also a number of things that I'd just rather not eat. :) Needless to say, I'm going to pack a lot of pregnancy friendly snacks!

Current household obsession:  Bryan and I are both amazed at my belly button.  That's right - we are constantly assessing the state of my semi-innie belly button.  A few weeks ago I noticed that it was becoming flatter.  This was a huge shock to me.  For some reason I assumed the belly button wouldn't change for a long time.  I'm not sure why I thought that - clearly my belly is growing a lot.  Well, more recently we've noticed that the top part of it is starting to poke out a little bit.  We have a constant joke going on in our house regarding which next meal will make my belly button officially pop out.  Don't worry - I'll keep you updated. :)

Now for a 19 week pic!

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17 & 18 weeks

Time is flying by now.  I'm sure it has a lot to do with the holidays and the fact that we've been super busy with parties, trip planning, spending time with friends, and of course getting ready for this little one in any free time that we do have.  Things are still going great.  I feel very guilty when other pregnant women ask me how I'm feeling.  Other than the occasional exhaustion (saying tired is a true understatement - it's more like bone tired) I really feel great.  Believe me, I have not taken this for granted.  I am also fully aware that this could all very easily change in the third trimester, so I'm living it up now.  I've made a concerted effort to see friends as much as possible, stay up late, and do things like we've always done (case in point: our annual Christmas party - a whole post on that later).  So here's a quick recap of weeks 17 & 18. :)

Excited about: I'm so excited about the nursery and all the baby boy planning we get to do now.  Our little guy has already gotten some very thoughtful and adorable presents from some of our friends.  Every little thing we receive makes me all the more excited and makes it all feel more real!

Best moment:  Strangers have started to comment on my pregnancy.  I have decided this brings about the end of the chubby phase and beginning of the "I finally look pregnant phase".  :)  To me, this phase has been in the works for awhile, but it is of course much easier for me to see changes than it is for others.  I figure if a stranger will ask me when my due date is, then I must look fairly obviously pregnant.  This is a big moment people. I almost hugged the first poor woman who dared ask me this question.

Symptoms: Like I said, I really haven't had a whole lot so far.  Let's keep that streak going! 

Cravings: I get this question a ton.  I feel like everyone asks how I'm feeling and what I'm craving.  I don't know that I would necessarily say I'm craving a whole lot.  I definitely love pizza more than the average person, and I LOVE sweets - which is a little abnormal for me.  But as I said - that's just a clear indication that this little guy is taking after his dad. :)

Most dreaded question:   Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I do have a really hard time when people ask me if my parents are excited.  This question can come in so many different forms.  "Is this the first grandchild on your side?", "Are your parents so excited?"  "I'm sure your parents are so excited!"  I struggle with how to react to this.  I try and judge if it's someone who I should tell.  Normally, if it's someone that I don't know well (and likely won't know well), or if we're in a very public group setting, then I'll just roll with it and try desperately to change the subject.  On the other hand, if it's a friend who I've just never shared the story of my parents with, then I'll certainly tell them.  It's not that I mind talking or thinking about it.  My parents are always on my mind, so it's not necessarily  upsetting to me.  It's more that I feel badly that the person will feel uncomfortable or bad for me.  It's not normal to ask someone my age about her parents and have them respond by saying both of their parents have passed away.

Anyway, enough Debbie Downer for today!  Here's some pictures for your enjoyment!!!  Full disclosure: we forgot to take my 18 week pic over the weekend, so this was on Monday after work. :)

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