(Crazy Busy) Week 26...

26 Weeks, 4 Days - this picture cracks me up! Ha!

What a crazy busy week! I am still trying to recoup from the go go go, but it was worth every minute. My adventure began on Wednesday evening with a flight from Orlando to Detroit and then on to Grand Rapids. I didn't get into GRR until almost midnight but was so excited to be greeted by my 2 favorite boys, my nephews, Jack and Owen. I seriously can't get enough of these 2. And I can still say that (honestly), even after our 11 hour drive from Michigan to Minnesota the following day. This trip is old hat for the boys, my sister and their 2 dogs but not one I would want to make while 6 months pregnant ever again. My back was sore, feet were swollen, I had a headache and felt achy all over. I even shed a few tears once we pulled into my parents' driveway. 

Owen

Jack

Cocoa and (part of) Boo

Friday, a group of us, including the bride to be (Katey), her friends, Maeve, Brianne and Brittney, our sister-in-law, Amanda, a friend of the family, Bri and my Mom all made our way to the Wedding Shoppe in St. Paul to go dress shopping for Katey. We had a ton of fun and she said Yes to the Dress after just trying on a few dresses. She was stunning in everything she tried on but we were all oohing and ahhing when she slipped into "the one". It's perfect and gorgeous and everything you would hope your wedding dress to be. We had lunch after and decided to cancel her second appointment for the day. With 4 of the 8 of us being pregnant, we spent the time we would have spent at the 2nd dress shop, at Babies-R-Us instead. A day full of wedding stuff and babies... doesn't get much better than that! 

After we returned from dress and baby shopping I met my Grandmother (Shirley) at the local Relay for Life to walk in honor of my Grandfather. He passed away from lung cancer a year ago on July 17th; I was so grateful to be a part of this evening in his memory. 

Saturday was my baby shower, hosted by my Mom, sister and friend Angie. It was so much fun to celebrate little Miss Brynlee and a pretty emotional day too. I feel so blessed to have the amazing friends and family that I do. All of which took time out of their busy summer schedules to join us for a morning of onesie decorating, lots of laughs, a few tears and some of Mom's home-cooking. (oh and some yummy cake that was almost too cute to cut into!) 

                                     

Diaper Cake made by Katey

Sunday, after church, we went to see my Grandmother (Gen) in the facility where she is currently living. She was so happy to have visitors and she finally got to "get her hands on that bump she's been praying for for so long". She made a quilt for Brynlee and although she would tell me it was made to be used (like all the others she's made); I think it just may have to be tucked away until she can understand just how special it is and how special the person who made it is to me. (she's kinda my favorite person in the whole universe!) It was another emotional day but yet another I am so very grateful for. 

Bright and early (4:30am), Monday morning, Katey and I headed to the airport. It is such a crazy feeling knowing, the next time I set foot in Minnesota, I'll be a Mom and have a little one in tow. (here I go crying again...) 

26 Week Update: 

How Far: 26 weeks, 4 days at the time of the picture with my nephews at the very top. Jack is supposed to be holding up a 2 and Owen is holding up a 6 (ironically, Jack is 2 and Owen is 6). There was actually a picture of us all posed the way we had intended but this one makes me laugh so I had to post it.

Gender & Name: I hope it's still a girl (as you can see she has a pretty good start on her wardrobe - courtesy [mostly] of Aunt Katey and Grandma Mary. I'd really hate to have to take all this back). Provided she is still a girl, her name is still Brynlee. 

Movement: She's still a little wiggle worm. One of these days, I hope she cooperates so I am able to get a quick video of it. I really don't know how woman can go without knowing their pregnant. I would be seriously concerned if my stomach moved the way it does due to indigestion! 

Sleep: Yes please! This week kicked my booty but the positive is I am having no trouble sleeping at all. 

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes! There is no more hiding this bump. I just hope my ever expanding belly, butt and thighs decide to disappear as quickly as they've made their appearance. :( 

Symptoms: Heartburn. Slowing fading energy. 

Aversions: After this weekend, I will NEVER eat Taco John's again! BLEH!!!!!!

Cravings: Fruit, Rootbeer, Sweets

Week 27 Projects: Ordering fabric for her bedding. More work on the nursery. Preparations for a garage sale that MUST happen SOON!!! 

Gen and Gen ;)

25 (almost) down (WHAT!?!?!) ... 15 to go!

25 Weeks 1 Day

25 Week Update:

How Far: 25 Weeks, 1 Day (at time of photo)

Baby Size: 13.5 inches, 1.5 pounds (the size of a rutabaga - I will be googling this because I have no idea what a rutabaga looks like)

Gender & Name: As far as I know she is still a girl. Although, I have been told several stories recently, of friends or family members that know someone who thought they were having a girl until they actually gave birth. If that's the case with us, this little boy is going to wear pink like the strong man he will one day be! Her name is still Brynlee Dahl this week. ;) 

Movement: Not only am I feeling her kicks, punches, twists and turns; I am pretty sure I also felt hiccups last night. I just love feeling any movement (no matter how uncomfortable and even if it sends me running for the bathroom). I kind of wonder if I'll be sad after she is here and I don't feel her in my belly all day every day. It has definitely been a constant reminder of God's miracles and how blessed we are. 

Sleep: Some days are better than others. This week hasn't been so bad, which I can attribute to having a sick puppy who hasn't felt like going out 2-3 times in the middle of the night.

Maternity Clothes: Clearly (as you can see in the picture) there is no avoiding maternity clothes any longer. The stretchier the better. Jersey material dresses are my best friend right now and will continue to be for the next 3-4 months, I have a feeling. 

Symptoms: Round ligament pain... ugh! Stretching and expanding skin and muscles has also been a bit annoying. Shortness of breath is a common morning occurrence and it's getting more and more difficult to lean forward. Cozart better brush up on his toenail painting!

Aversions: nothing really

Cravings: Still sweets but mainly fruit

What I am looking forward to in the week to come: Going home to Minnesota!! It's going to be a jam packed 4 days but I am so excited for every minute of it! I am flying to Michigan to drive with my sister and 2 nephews to Minnesota on Thursday. 10 hours in the car with a 2 year old, a 6 year old and a pregnant lady... My sister could use your prayers! Friday we are wedding dress shopping with my sister! I didn't get to dress shop with my Mom and sister so I am super excited to get to experience this with Katey, my Mom, my sister-in-law Amanda and Katey's best friends. Friday evening, I am walking in the Relay for Life with my Grandma Dahl in memory of my Grandfather. Saturday, my Mom, sister and one of my best friends are throwing me a baby shower. And Sunday, I hope to spend the day with my Grandma who recently moved to an assisted living facility. Busy busy busy but I can't wait!!!

Today I am going to leave you with a picture that was taken at a wedding Cozart and I attended 2 weeks ago. I love this picture not because I think it's a better picture of us than another but because after it was taken is when it hit me that we are going to be someone's parents! 

Brynlee's Daddy & Mommy ;)

  

Homesick...

Another trip to Minnesota has come and gone with a blink of an eye. Shame on me for thinking a 10 day trip would feel any longer than my typical 4 or 5 day. There is just more things to do and people to see crammed into those extra days and it's over before you know it.

Before moving to Florida (9 years ago) if you would have asked me what Minnesota had to offer I would have said: "Snow & mosquitos but other than that, not much of anything.".  Today when asked what I miss about Minnesota, I could go on for days. From the moment the plane breaks through the clouds and  the flight attendants prepare for arrival ("cross check and all call"), I am able to tune out the screaming children arriving home from their Disney vacation because I am completely mesmerized by the beauty that is the great state of Minnesota. Whether it be the lush horticulture in it's vibrant green color in the summertime; or the snow capped Arts & Crafts style homes that you very seldom see in cookie cutter, stucco-home-filled-neighborhoods here in Florida. From cornfields to breathtaking skylines of, not one city but 2. It is beautiful.

Florida may be surrounded by water but the total miles of shore line of the 11,842 lakes Minnesota is home to; totals more than that of the shoreline of the states of Hawaii, California and Florida combined. (and yes I had to look that up) From boating in the summer to skiiing and snowmobiling in the winter, you are never without something to do.  Sure there is the possibility of having 10 feet of snow in your front yard but, what I wouldn't give for a snow day once or twice a year. And yes, they have a funny accent but I lived there for 20 years and I was able to avoid it. (unless of course Leanne is around to call me out when I say bag) Ugh! I could seriously go on forever... I never have a bad hair day there, my skin isn't oily, there is no tax on clothing, my Grandma (and her homemade jam) would only be a short car ride away, there is an outdoor baseball field right in the middle of downtown Minneapolis and I can't stand baseball but that still seems so much cooler than Tropicana Field. There are places like the Boundary Waters (www.canoecountry.com), Lake Superior (a mini ocean in my opinion), Grand Avenue, the Basilica of St. Mary (www.mary.org) and The St. Paul Cathedral (www.cathedralsaintpaul.org) both AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Ornate theaters, that don't even fall into the same category as the high school auditorium that is the Bob Carr. Art galleries and museums and cool places to host events like the Mill City Museum (www.millcitymuseum.org). There is a mall with a roller coaster AND AN AQUARIUM INSIDE PEOPLE!!! (it's really not all that cool but you can't talk about Minnesota attractions without mentioning the Mall of America) There are fun music festivals like the Basilica Block Party and Grand Ole Days (oh how I love Grand Ole Days). There are bars where every one knows your name like Billy's (sorry inside joke there). Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun and Uptown and SO much more... but I'll stop there for now.

Minneapolis Skyline

St. Paul Skyline

Maybe it's age and the infinite amount of wisdom I have gained in my 35 years (haha) or maybe it's a change in values and priorities since I lived in Minnesota before. It could very well be a case of "don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" or maybe it's being married to a Florida native who has not an ounce of desire to live through a Minnesota winter and would never agree to moving there (12 months out of the year). I can't say that I blame him. Can you imagine transplanting an islander to an igloo??? It wouldn't be pretty. Perhaps the pit in my stomach and the lump in my throat that I get every time I leave (much like when I was sent to camp or when my family dropped me off at college) is a combination of all of the above. What ever the cause, the diagnosis is none other than... homesickness. I've got it bad and will for at least another few days. It will, much like the common cold, run it's course. I won't treat it with Nyquil or cough drops. The only ailment I need is a few days of driving on our perfectly paved roads and a day at the beach. And maybe a phone call or 2 from my Mom complaining about the fact that the temperature there is higher than it is here. To which, I will respond with a comment about the humidity being FAR worse here. (for the record it annoys me too, when people say things like "it's not the heat, it's the humidity" but it's SO TRUE!) I'm also reminded of the reasons I moved here, when an unexpected guest emails me to say they'll be in Orlando on vacation or going to a conference and would like to get together. That is definitely a treat we wouldn't get if we swapped states. Although, after this post maybe a few of you will be adding Minnesota to your places to travel. :)

I guess you can take the girl out of Minnesota but, you can't take the Minnesota out of the girl. And for all you Floridians, don't worry, I will be sending everyone back home pictures of sunsets over the ocean the first week of October, all the while the Minnesotans will be digging their way out of their first snow fall. I may still be a little homesick but I know they'll come visit and leave their shovels and ice scrapers behind! :)