28 weeks(:

   28 weeks is upon us. Ryder is the around the size of a coconut. He is also able to cough, pretend breath (suck in and out amniotic fluid), and dream. I remember when my little sister was a newborn and would smile in her sleep, and she must have been dreaming. I can't wait to see Ryder smile in his sleep once he is born.(:

   I feel like this week flew by. My family and I finished our church conference (which was amazing), and we went to Hurricane Harbor for our fun day on Friday. Hurricane Harbor is the six flags water park in Texas. We usually go to an amusement park each year, but my dad was nice and chose a water park since me and mom weren't able to really ride any rides. I can't wait to be able to ride a roller coaster again though! 

   We got home late Saturday night, and it was actually nice to sleep in my own bed after a week of hotel beds. Ryder has been kicking up a storm lately, which means he is growing. Starting this week, I'm supposed to count how many times he kicks in an hour. 

  I got a lot of goodies this week as well. I got a sweatshirt from lovedbyhannahandeli.com (you can follow her on Instagram if you'd like, @lovedbyhannahandeli). The sweatshirt is one of the softest ones I own, and it says "Mama Bear," which I think is perfect for me!(:

   I also received my crochet bow ties in the mail from @dapperbabywear (her name on Instagram). She has a little etsy shop, and I had my package when I got home. She was so sweet and addressed the package to me and Ryder, and she also wrote me a sweet little card!

   I forgot to mention that I got my diaper bag last week. I was able to go to a Vera Bradley store and get it. I got my mom one when my little sister was born, and she has used it so much and loved it. It's not only big and durable, but I think it's so pretty too! My mom got me the matching bottle carrier for it as well!(:

How far along: 28 weeks

Gender: Boy!!

Weight gain: 20 lbs... I went from gaining no weight to this! At the doctor yesterday I was told to watch my weight, yikes! I used to never drink soda, and I'm going to cut it out again because it isn't good for me anyways.

Maternity clothes: I got a maternity dress from target the other day, and I love wearing my kimonos with tank tops too(:

Stretch marks: Nopee

Belly button in or out: I don't have an outie, but I don't really have an innie either.. My belly button is kind of just flat, I think it is really funny looking actually!

Sleep: My belly is in my way just about no matter what, and I wake up two, three, twenty times a night... I'm either uncomfortable, or Ryder decides he wants me to be awake with him, or I just have to use the bathroom. I would love a good night's sleep before my baby arrives.. (Laugh it up everyone who knows how I can usually sleep just about anywhere at anytime..)

Best moment this week: I loved Texas, I know I said I liked it last week, but Texas was just a really great place I thought. I also passed my glucose test, which is good!

Miss anything: Sleep, and medicine. I haven't really needed medicine at all, and I'm not a medicine taker, but I've gotten really congested the past few days, and my head, throat, and ears have been bothering me really badly. Hopefully I will feel better soon, because I don't want to have to take any medicine.

Movement: I can now see my bump twitch and move a bit from the outside! My friend who really wanted to feel him in Texas actually ended up feeling him, which made both of us very happy(:

Cravings: A few, I am really in the mood for soup, but that's also because I don't feel good I think. I still have had the anti-cravings this week. I've had really bad indigestion/heart burn this week, at least I think that is what it is. My stomach will just hurt sometimes, and I'm not sure if it is a specific food that is causing it or just an overall pregnancy symptom that is just gonna happen whether I like it or not.

Looking forward to: I've really been thinking about my baby this week (which he is on my mind almost all the time, but extra this week!). I can't wait to hold him and see him. I love being pregnant, but the idea of holding my little baby and touching his soft skin makes me anxious to have him here. I really can't wait for October to get here!(:

   Thank you for all the prayers coming my way. Ryder is measuring perfectly according to my latest ultrasound, and im healthy. Pray that this continues to be the case! I also have a lot of things to figure out, and I hope I can get everything in order before my baby gets here! So here is a typical bathroom selfie from Sunday to end you with.(:

xx

Week number 24!

   Week 24 is here and I'm so happy. Last week was so busy, and I couldn't wait to have time to sit down and write this weeks blog. I had a doctor appointment and I've been feeling Ryder kick and move even more.(:

   First off, I went to Destin with two of my good friends and we got FREE Chipotle and shopped around a bit. We got free Chipotle because we just happened to be there the day before it's grand opening and the line was slow. We asked the guy at the door what was going on, and he told us that we could go ahead in. He was really nice, and our luck must have been full that afternoon.(:

   How cute is this bracelet piece. It made me smile and I almost got it, but one must save money when you have a baby on the way.

   The day after my Destin adventure. I got a package in the mail (which I adore packages and snail mail) from a friend in Nashville. Rachel got me the cutest onesie (look at the bowtie!!), mittens, baby rags, and she wrote a note to me and Ryder. I feel so blessed to know that Ryder is gonna be so loved, even in Nashville!(:

   The Fourth of July was also this weekend. We had a nice little family get together at the beach and grilled food. When it started getting dark, we drove to my grandmothers' house to watch fireworks. We sat on the pier across from my grandmother's house and could see across the bay. We saw so many different fireworks. It had to have been one of the coolest things, just seeing all the different fireworks shooting across town.

   I can't wait for the next Fourth of July. Ryder will be here to celebrate one of my favorite holidays, and we will be decked out in red, white, and blue.(:

   I also had a baby shower this week that I attended. It was for Judith and her little one, Parker Saige. She is due about a month and a half before me. We got in the pool after the baby shower and took this belly picture (which I think is an awesome picture). Maybe Judith and I can get a picture like this next year with the babies feet in the water. Talk about cute!

How far along: 24 weeks

Gender: Boy

Weight gain: So I have gained 9 lbs. (I need to lay off the sweets!!) 

Maternity clothes: I bought a shirt and some leggings in Destin. Maternity clothes are pretty comfortable, who knew??

Stretch marks: No new ones.

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: I have been sleeping on the couch this week, because for some reason, it is more comfortable than my bed.

Best moment this week: I don't have a favorite moment, maybe just feeling Ryder kick while I'm watching tv. Oh, and I literally just won some crochet bow ties for Ryder. Winning a contest is pretty awesome, plus I get something for Ryder out of it. I will have to take a picture of the bow ties when I get them in the mail next week!

Miss anything: I miss sleep so much...

Movement: Becca felt him kick some last night while watching tv, I think he moves while I'm sleeping more than anything.

Cravings: Chocolate and soda (I need to start craving salads again)

Looking forward to: I have another ultrasound in less than two weeks, and I will be going to visit the University of Alabama's campus soon.(:

   And I will leave y'all with a picture of me when I was six months old with my daddy. I wonder if Ryder will favor me a lot or not. I also adore this picture.(:

xx