my 13.5 weeks of pregnancy so far.

First and foremost, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, sweet, loving husband who is literally at my beck and call if I don't feel good or need anything at all. I really scored marrying this guy and I get more excited every day to see him as a daddy.

Josh has been excited to have kids since dating. I have been excited too, but never ever thought it would happen so fast! I still am in a state of shock.

(Hope this picture doesn't gross you out…I took about 5 more tests after this. I couldn't believe it, obviously.)

As far as symptoms go, I am pretty textbook. Nausea, supersonic smelling, exhaustion, overactive bladder, extreme hunger…blah blah blah. 

I have been great in the morning and horrible at night. I dread getting in bed because it's a fight to ignore how sick I feel and try to fall asleep. For a while I was getting up three-four times a night to pee or throw up. I tried taking Unisom (mild sleeping pill) and found myself exhausted and depressed the whole next day. No more of that. I have been trying to avoid taking medicine in general.

In the beginning, I ate more carbs than I possibly have in my whole life combined. Clementines and pickles are now my staple foods. I could eat them all day and be satisfied. I am slowly accepting vegetables back into my diet. The thought of them was repulsive in the beginning. 

I feel like my emotions have stayed fairly stable, but I do find myself tearing up over…well anything touching, sad, or happy. Regarding my car keys, I do have the "pregnant mush brain." I leave them in the ignition, in the door, in movie theaters, lose them in my purse, etc.

In the first 8-10 weeks I gained a lot of weight. I think my then bird-like appetite was in a state of shock and went a little crazy. Since then I have hardly gained although I know its coming. The change in my body has been especially hard and something I am still adjusting to. Right now I feel like I am in the awkward pooch phase...

I feel so blessed to have a (peach size) child growing inside of me. I can't believe we are going to be parents! 

quite the christmas.

Hope you all had an amazing Christmas! We were overwhelmed with love and support from our friends and family (you!) regarding our announcement. Although I never thought this would happen so fast, we feel so blessed to have this opportunity. I am still trying to wrap my head around there being a child growing inside me…and that I am going to be a mom! What?!! 

(We made puzzles out of this picture below and sent it to our out-of-town family members to open Christmas morning. Pictures coming.)

merry christmas!

I love this time of year unlike any other.

We feel so blessed to have such amazing people in our life, and a Savior who loves us.

Let us all try to focus on the true meaning of Christmas!

our lights are up and our christmas cards are sent.

i forget how much fun ice skating is.

Last weekend we went for a friend's birthday party. I am excited to go again with my family soon. Have you been to the newly renovated Gallivan Center? We were really impressed!

last weekend we went shooting with josh's family. plus one.

need some christmas activity ideas?

On my sister's blog, she shares a printable PDF of Christmas time activities to stuff in an advent calendar, or just a mason jar. I love the idea of just picking something every day to live up the Christmas spirit even more!

Check out her full post here.

a little festival of trees date night.

Josh and I went on a little date to the Festival of Trees last night. I love how Christmasy it feels there and what a great event it is. Josh really wants to do a tree to donate next year. 

We especially liked the Up tree, of course…

josh's childhood tree, thanks to his sweet dad.

Last night we pulled out one of the many boxes filled with Josh's childhood memories saved and given to him when we got our house, by his sweet father. This box contained old ornaments and Christmas decorations! We were so excited, because we hardly had any ornaments…so this year's tree is filled with memories from Josh's growing up (and a few of the ones we received together). It was so fun to see his face light up as we pulled them out! We are so grateful to his dad for preserving such sweet little memories and giving them to us to enjoy together! 

Our house is starting to feel pretty Christmas-y and I LOVE IT!

trees, lights, and beards.

I love this season.