Bambino, life and general updates.

You know that feeling when time passes really slow...but also super fast at the same time? That is sort of where I find myself.  In some ways, I am super anxious to be at the next significant stage of pregnancy...it seems to be taking forever.  And in other ways, the last 6 weeks have flown by, and I can't believe it is already the middle of April.

I will post some picture, but they are still downloading from my phone.  In the meantime, I'll give you some life updates.  

First of all, work is going really well.  But it is becoming obvious that the weather is nice and we are nearing the end of the school year.  Obvious because it is when all of the kids decide that behaving really isn't a top priority, and we would rather blame it on the weather and such.  And seeing as how I am in a room full of kids who struggle with good behavior to begin with...well let's just say, my weeks are really dragging.  Thankfully, what they said was true, and I have gotten a huge increase in energy in my second trimester.  

This week Ben has been gone on business, and it is just me and Sierra chillin' at home.  Of course I miss him super much, but there is something about living just me and Sierra that takes me back to my first year here in MN.  As fond as those memories are, however, I am still really glad he is finally home today!
  

Alright, on to Bambino news!  Really I am so blessed to be doing as well as I am.  I have had two doctors appointments and have gotten ultrasounds at both.  There is something the doctor wants to moniter as the baby grows and has said I will get an ultrasound at pretty much every appointment...which was a fun surprise!   

I am 16 weeks right now...so in my 4th month.   Bambino is about the size of an avocado (yes, I have an app that tells me my baby's size compared to fruit and vegetables).  Around week 13 I started to get a HUGE increase in energy and gag-inducing smells turned delightful again.  I have more of an appetite, but Bambino recently moved just enough up into my torso that my stomach got a little cozier with my lungs.  Now whenever I eat a normal meal, my stomach feels like it's about to explode and my lungs have a tough time taking a deep breath.  Yay for short torsos.  I am just so eagerly awaiting for the months to come when everything becomes even more squished. *Note my sarcasm.

I am not particularly craving anything...but I did learn that if I am craving something, not to go all out in satisfying that craving, because then I will get sick of it.  I am on the borderline of being sick of potatoes.  And for those of you who know me...that is almost an impossibility.  

I go in for my next appointment, which hopefully will be the anatomy check!  Can't believe finding out gender is so close!  

  

watching Bambino grow from this....

...to this.

it was amazing.  It is still so surreal, but I get this giddy joy that wells up inside me every time I look at that screen and see this little gray image wiggling all over.

Took Bambino to the beach when I was in CA.  Definitely a favorite, and we are returning when we can both put our toes in the water!  

No matter where we live, this baby will have a healthy love for the Pacific! 

16 week bump!  Slowly but surely I am growing out of my clothes.  In fact, this past week, I went through and took all the clothes that for sure don't fit and put them in storage boxes.  

Thanks to my Mumzy and sister-in-law, Krissa...I have an abundant supply of maternity clothes.  (Which are incredibly comfortable, by the way.  I'm thinking about becoming a trendsetter and wearing pants with stretchy waist-band panels all the time, pregnant or not...)

That shout out to my mom not only goes for buying some cute things for me, but also assisting in making some!  I am so blessed to have a mom who can take me to a thrift store, pick out bottoms that fit and a stretchy shirt (for a total of $7) and then take them home and make maternity bottoms for me!  Truly amazing.  

Oh this girl melts my heart.   Most of you have seen this picture, but for those of you who haven't...she hadn't heard about the baby until I came to CA and surprised her in church on Sunday.  After I told her, she was in awe and would come over unannounced at different times of the day and rub my belly and whisper, "I love you little baby!"  When I asked her what she was doing she said, "Well when Aeslyn was in Mommy's tummy, she said we need to talk to her every day so she knows our voice.  So I am talking to your baby so she knows my voice!"  

How I miss her. 

On to other snapshots of life...

Sierra is still alive and well.  Enjoying the nicer weather.  Being pretty good being home alone (although today she slept on our bed...grrrr)

Got the pleasure of being bridesmaids with some pretty swell girls.  Karalea was supposed to be in this picture but was off saving the day with the boys' bowties. 

And this was the lovely couple we were celebrating!  Yay Katie and Denver!  Missed Ben while I was there...weddings without your significant other are a different experience.

Another plus of the wedding was I got to spend time with this goon. 

Miss him mucho. 

Here is my team and part of our class from school!  Mr. Antonio (seated in front on the left) had just competed in the staff olympics and did awesome!  

On my trip to CA we went to the Huntington Library.  In the Chinese Garden there was this neat old barge on display.  Karlina walked in, gasped and said, "Ohhh this is so beautiful, isn't it Auntie!?"  I told her I would take her picture and she should look beautiful.  This was the result.  

=)

Missing this little girl too!  I feel like I am missing out on the most changes in her right now.  Every week holds something new.  Those facial expressions though...

The teacher I work for (Jen) and two of the 5th grade girls in our program.  Yeah, it looks really strange.  They were helping her stretch/crack her back.  Oh the fun, wild, totally unpredictably predictable days we have. 

And if you're wondering what that means...hang around a few kids for a while...especially dramatic, hormonal pre-teen girls...and then you may get it. 

Lights of Los Angeles.  A sight I will never tire of.  

And with that I will say goodbye.  Until next time.