being creative.

Ever since I was a child I loved to draw. I've always been a pretty creative person and remember countless hours doing arts and crafts with my grandmother, by myself, or at school. In high school I took art all the way to my senior year and loved to draw realistic portraits. In fact, somewhere in my old boxes of unpacked crap and childhood memories there is an old folder of portraits of people such as Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Conor Oberst, Mary-Kate Olsen (lol), and other random celebs or unknown people. Somewhere along the line in my teen life I decided that partying and my social life was really important and I began to draw less and less until I didn't draw at all and even convinced myself I didn't know how to. This lasted for years. Weird! Well anyways that was along time ago, and I still rarely draw, but now that I'm pregnant the most partying I do consists of take out, sometimes a chocolate bar, and if I'm lucky trivial pursuit with my husband. The other night I got in touch with my creative side once again, and once I started I couldn't stop! The following is a portrait I drew of my baby nephew, Jaxon. It isn't finished yet, but it almost is so I'm posting it anyways.

Since I drew this, I've been wanting to draw even more, so hopefully I've rekindled my love for art and will continue. Drawing this was really relaxing, I just played some music the whole time and was able to just zone out and think about life. I'm pretty happy with it for not having done this in years!

19 weeks.

Tomorrow I'm officially 19 weeks. I think I'm starting to feel some of the first big movements in there. So happy.

Still craving peanut butter!

Dear Baby - 18 weeks

   Today we entered the 18th week of this pregnancy and the bigger you grow, the more exciting it gets. I'm starting to really be able to feel your little prods and kicks every once in a while. I can't wait until they become more consistent, which I've read should happen within the next couple of weeks. I am also so excited to have your Daddy be able to feel the kicks, but that might not happen for another month or so.

16 weeks

18 weeks

          
This week you are the size of a sweet potato! You are my little tater tot! And I love you! 

   It is finally official, the bones in your ears have developed enough so you can totally hear! Right now, you can best hear my heartbeat, but you are also able to hear some things on the outside, like voices and music. A loud noise will startle you - even though I don't want to startle you, I think it's really cute. I've been listening to music all day, for the past 3 days, and now I'm wondering if you can hear it. I want to play you good music all the time so you recognize it and maybe have good taste in music right off the bat! I plan on playing The Beatles and Coldplay a lot for you, just to name a couple.

   My cravings have still been really limited, thank god. I usually crave peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter toast, peanut butter (seeing a pattern here?), fruit, juice, or subway. The past few days I've been feeling a lot more hungry than usual... you are one hungry baby! Sometimes I feel like my stomach is a never ending pit, and sometimes I can barely eat. I still feel like I have no control over my emotions and I will cry at the drop of a hat, or bust out laughing uncontrollably. Stick me in a room with a bunch of pictures of basset hounds running found on pinterest and I'm rolling. Your Daddy has been pretty good at making me laugh and sometimes I worry that I'm shaking you too much! I know it's an irrational fear, but it's something I think about! Last week, I had an emotional meltdown of tears over a jacket of your Daddy's that was lost weeks ago. Why I decided to be upset about it at that moment, I'll never know. Your Daddy probably thinks I'm crazy, sometimes I think the same thing.

My last doctors appointment was at 16 weeks and 5 days. I was counting down the days until this appointment since I found out I was pregnant with you. We received some awesome news! The doctor said he is 80% sure you are a GIRL. We are so excited. Knowing that you are a girl makes all of this more real to us. I try to imagine what you will look like, all the fun things we will do, and you and your Daddy at father daughter dances. I. Can't. Wait. I think we have settled on a name but I'm not ready to announce it just yet. I'm not 100% positive it's YOUR name, and I want to make sure first. I've already bought you some cute girl clothes I can't wait to dress you in.

Your Daddy talks to you everyday and he always rubs my belly and tells me he can't wait to see you and hold you. He says you better hurry up and come out! I have to quickly correct him, I don't want you to hurry up! You aren't ready yet! But, the good news is we've made it 1/2 way through this pregnancy. HOORAY!

We can't wait to meet you. I day dream about holding your little body, giving you tons of hugs and kisses, playing with you, and teaching you everything. We love you so much.

Love,
Your Mommy

Winter Wonderland

Last week our little German town experienced the first snow of the winter that actually stuck to the ground. Although I loathe the snow and cold weather, I always enjoy the first snow of the season. Matt and I had a pretty relaxing weekend at home, which was great, and I was pleased. He stayed home with me all weekend and we watched movies and TV shows. We also took a stroll down a trail in the woods to enjoy the snow, and I took some pictures.