back again.

Here I am again folks. 

Boards have taken over. Pregnancy brain is in the driver's seat.

And I am no where to be found! 

Please pray for me...

Taking these over would SUCK.

dumb weather!

Unfortunately due to the poopy weather yesterday, we had to cancel our maternity photoshoot :(

We are hoping to reschedule soon although schedules on both end are getting tight and I am getting farther along with every passing day!

Don't you worry though, we will document this! :)

she got it from her mama!

Sorry for my lack of posts this weekend or overall in general.

We've had such a busy and fun-filled weekend (& it's not even over yet!)

Thank you to Ryan's grandma (Grandma Page) and to my Aunt Mac, we now have our SUPER amazing car seat & stroller that we registered for! I can't believe things are THAT expensive for such little people hehe but we are nonetheless blessed and very very very grateful. 

"Grandma" Dorough and I went on little shopping adventures including a needed hot stone pedicure (yessss) and had fun while Ryan and his dad ("Grandpa" Dorough) worked very hard on our bathroom. 

We are truly so blessed for all the people in our lives...Baby D is so lucky :)

And we have our maternity photoshoot today!! We are so excited for that too so updates will be posted about that when we get pictures!

Even MORE exciting is that we got to hear our baby's heartbeat AND see her beautiful face with our families in the room with us! 

Here are some ultrasound pictures to share with you :) Enjoy!

Baby Dough is officially 33 weeks!

Look at those chubby cheeks :)

She got those LIPS from her mama! :) 

She's giving us a little smile :)

car seat. stroller. ultrasound. family. pretty good day.

busy weekend. ultrasound tomorrow. yay!

maternity shoot soon!

This weekend will be SUPER busy and crazy including our maternity photoshoot! 

Updates and pictures will definitely appear on my blog so stay tuned:)

goodnight. my brain hurts.

my little reminder.

needed a 'pick me up' so I sat in the nursery & put together baby's bassinet. Felt mesmerized by all the little clothes hanging, the beautiful mural her dad painted for her, and the fact that I'm going to be the most blessed woman in the world in a few short weeks.

trying to stay positive...hopeful....and calm...

hoo-rah! last one...

...just some pictures for you all to enjoy from Katy's bachelorette party :) 

With the beautiful future bride! 

With my beautiful cousins, Darlene & Rosie.

Taking a rest stop on the streets of downtown Chicago with beautiful Anne-Marie! :)

It was a fun night overall. But I definitely realize that is truly my LAST hoo-rah before little babes comes. 

Weirdly enough, I watched the movie "Knock-up" before going out & saw the scene with Katherine Heigl & her sister trying to get into a club when she was 8 months pregnant.....haha..well that was me. 

I would have to say the belly serves a greater purpose externally too because many guys avoided me after realizing I am basically off-limits so that was nice...but I have to be honest that I got the occasional glares & whispers as I passed by in my stilettos & full blown pregnant self from women. Little did they know, going out in the city was not apart of the entirety of my pregnancy & only for special occasions such as bachelorette parties. But Oh well..nonetheless, I CLEARLY did NOT belong. 

It was my farewell to this for a long long time. 

32 weeks! 8 months preggo! Eek.

How far along? 32 weeks 

Total weight gain? 2.0# (Total: 25 #)

Maternity clothes? Yes. I am very tempted to buy a couple maxi dresses...it's getting quite frustrating because NOTHING fits and my wardrobe is BORING. 

Sleep?  I wake up a lot...but the great thing is, I get to fall back asleep :) Yay to being home and just studying my life away.

Best moment this week? Being blessed with amazing friends and family that put together a baby shower for us in Rockford. It was awesome :) & guess what?! I have another one coming up! :D

Miss Anything? I forgot how it feels to NOT be pregnant. I think it's going to be a tough transition back into reality once this little baby comes.

Movement? She is SUPER active. You can SEE her move all the time. My midwives think she's hilarious how much she moves and they said it's a VERY good sign so I am enjoying it while it lasts:) 

Food cravings? I had a craving for cheesecake last week...ate a couple bites & that's it! Other than that, I haven't been picky at all...I just EAT EAT EAT EAT AND OH EAT.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Same ol' same ol'.
Gender? Diva in training.

Symptoms? New symptom that I absolutely hate is this sensation that there is a lump in my throat. I got a little nervous it was hypothyroidism....or something worse. But everything checked out okay and I just have to deal with it. Oh the joy of my stomach being squished into my esophagus. Eating has gotten...interesting.

Belly button in or out? Still in! yes yes yes! But it looks like it's on the end of staying that way...and I am FREAKING out.

Wedding rings on or off? Still have all my rings on! 

Happy or Moody? Happy overall but definitely a bit more irritable. 

Looking forward to? Getting the board exams OVER. I don't even care if I fail or pass...I just want them to be out of my life. Oh and this weekend, we have our final ultrasound AND our professional maternity shoot. Be ready for some fabulosity. 

going out.

32 week update coming up but going out to celebrate a bachelorette's last night- Katie! 

I'll be sure to post pictures of my last hoorah. Yeah yeah I said that for Maria's too but this was last min and I figured...Well Why not?! :)

gooooodnight

had so much fun spending time with family tonight that i almost forgot to write a quick blurb. appreciate life. love people. my heart goes out to lives that were lost due to senseless violence. tonight reminded me of what i have to be grateful for...and my little girl moving around all the time reminds me just a little more what i have to live for. good night world. spread love. wipe out hate.

25 things I want my daughter to know-Part II

Today's blog is a continuation of my blog from yesterday (if you missed it, click here!).

I will be finishing the list off with the last 10 things I want my daughter to know. 

Enjoy & hope your heart smiles!

25 things I want my daughter to know PART I

I saw this on Pinterest from this blog: Click to read another mom's blog! and felt very inspired.

I am in the midst of all of my baby's clothes (while taking a much needed study break) & I am in awe that a little human is slowly growing more and more everyday in me. 

Looking at all her future clothes makes my heart smile but also makes me nervous. I can't believe one day these tiny little onesies will grow into a woman that will have her own family one day...and maybe a daughter of her own to raise. 

So I wanted to share with you the "25 things I want my daughter to know"...and I will also be emailing this to her :) I realize that my list may change or need additions as she grows and as I grow as a new mother, but I couldn't help but start the list now;) 

I will be sharing this with you in two parts- #1-15 today! :)

prenatal appointment!

We had a very successful prenatal appointment today. My midwives are very open and great to answering all of our questions, I heard my little girl's heart flutter like crazy, and she is still settling head down which makes me happy!

Let's just hope she stays that way!

We are counting down until I have board exams (eeeeeek)...and we are officially in the single digits of waiting...

Less than 9 weeks left!

I can't believe it.

while we wait...

I wanted to share my baby shower pictures with you all but they're not quite ready yet! So here is the PART II video for FUEL (The camp I volunteered at 2 weeks ago!)

Enjoy! :)

exhausted.

another day of recuperating from the day before. 

Back home. Enjoying dinner & a movie with my love snuggling on the couch. 

<3

so blessed.

We are so blessed and loved! Baby D is so lucky! 

We had our baby shower in Rockford this weekend and we were completely overwhelmed by the love from everyone that came:) 

Pictures and everything will be posted soon! 

baby shower

baby shower tomorrow. yay.

alternative medicine from a preggo.

Chiropractic and Naturopathic medicine is not only the careers that Ryan and I have chosen to take up...but it also is the lifestyle we strive to embody. 

Even more pregnancy, we started to become more and more aware of the effects simple things such as exercise, posture, FOOD, etc could have on your body. 

Now during the pregnancy, I've been able to be even more picky about those things...granted I indulge here and there. But I've been able to maintain a gradual normal weight gain, staying active, loading up on all my vitamins, fish oil, etc, and keep my pain level (musculoskeletal-wise) to a minimum! (It's definitely a perk being married to a very very very good Chiropractor!) 

I really can't imagine not receiving Chiropractic care everyday in some form whether it's muscle work, stretching, or manipulations throughout this pregnancy. My husband works six days a week...more than 50 hours a week...and comes home every night more than willing to give me a massage, stretch tight muscles, and adjust me. 

It has truly been my miracle drug. 

We are even planning on bringing our portable Chiropractic table into the birth suite with us during labor as a possible avenue to help alleviate the pain! The freedom and possibilities when you aren't giving birth in a typical hospital room are amazing...worth every penny:)

...now if only something could be done about these constant trips to the bathroom...

hehe :)

the U.S in my country!

Secretary Hilary Clinton in Laos! 

She is evening using a gesture we use to indicate respect to others which is great to see.

Not only do I hope this raises the awareness that my country EXISTS but that a positive relationship can be built to help improve the livelihood of all the residents of Laos. 

It's a beautiful country scorned yet continues to survive. 

Cannot wait to go back one day. 

30 weeks :)

How far along? 30 weeks 

Total weight gain? 3.0# (Total: 23 #)

Maternity clothes? Yes. I don't have a ton but just some essentials. 

Sleep?  Sleep continues to take a toll as I toss and turn...and PEE A LOT! 

Best moment this week? Being able to share in the joy of FUEL camp with all the youth, reaching out to them, and of course...enjoying the pool :)

Miss Anything? Being able to hold my pee. When I gotta go....I GOTTA GO! 

Movement? She is SUPER active. She continues to grow BIG! Around this time, she is actually packing on the pounds...while mama also packs on the pounds! Bigger and more movement = uncomfortable mama too but I am enjoying every minute and move!

Food cravings? Hmm...I just like to EAT. Nothing really crazy! I still LOVE my Laos food.

Anything make you queasy or sick? I stay away from fish & avocado. But motion sickness = bleh!
Gender? Baby girl.

Symptoms? Sinus congestion, muscle aches, and yes POLYURIA.  

No more swollen ankles...for now. Pre-natal yoga has been doing wonders! Really weird symptoms are from my skin stretching in my upper abdominal region that SUPER HURTS...trying to stay moisturized! All that still occurs! Getting out of bed is interesting...I'm like a rolly polly! 

Belly button in or out? In! I'm kind of freaking out about this! It's getting closer though....ew.

Wedding rings on or off? Still have all my rings on! 

Happy or Moody? Very happy! I am so blessed! I get irritable here and there...but I think that's just..ME. hehe 

Looking forward to? Getting these stupid board exams over (August) so I can start all my DIY projects for the nursery! Oh and my big baby shower is this weekend! yay!


Nursery update: We put the crib and changing table together! Love love love it! And Ryan finished the mural!!!! It looks so amazing! He wants to "touch it up" but overall, it's up & ready to be appreciated! :) Can't wait to share pictures when we have everything put together.

i really wanted to do a 30 week update today but i am too lazy, exhausted, etc. tmrw is the day. i promise.

video

Today has been an exhausting day. I did not do anything super crazy but the week at FUEL has finally caught up to me. Being 30 weeks pregnant during camp with the high heat everyday made it difficult but so rewarding nonetheless.

I wanted to give more of an update today but I just want to share a video that Jayson put together. There will be more I am sure!

Enjoy.

2012 FUEL - "I Am Somebody" Pt. I from Jays Photography on Vimeo.

home!

home from camp. my soul was refreshed and feels even better to be back with my husband and babies. updates tmrw. time for bed.

a fellow mama!

I am so excited and happy to hear of the amazing news that a fellow colleague and friend gave birth to a beautiful baby girl yesterday at 4:32pm exactly!! 

I remember when I found out she was pregnant and now she is a mom! It's so surreal but also makes me realize that I'm not too far behind her. They will be great parents and I can't wait to visit them.

Today is day 3 of FUEL camp and it's the hottest day thus far. I am getting a nice tan but walking outside has been more than overwhelming! Thank goodness for A/C. 

I did some laps in the pool today for my "exercise" and I felt amazing. I realize that being almost 30 weeks pregnant, I'm not doing too bad. I think about my experience from before...the one that still makes my heart sad, and I realize that it has made me love and cherish this baby so much more. 

Every move she makes...all the flips and kicks...it's an absolute blessing. 

I can't believe that it can be anywhere from 6-10 weeks until I get to see her beautiful face and join the elite club of MAMAS. 

30 week update is coming soon...stay tuned:)

Day Two.

Camp this year feels so different. 

The smaller group definitely doesn't take away from God's presence here with us. 

Neither is anyone discouraged. 

Being a leader at camp this year has a different but very positive experience thus far. Not only relaxing in general for a very pregnant woman but the atmosphere...the aura...everything..is so genuine. 

Keep praying for all of us :)

FUEL: Day 1 & Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday America! 

Today was the first day of FUEL Camp!

We have a smaller group this year but I feel encouraged that God's plan will be followed through...His intentions are always for the good.

I am excited for this week! :) 

Keep us in your prayers!

one word. exhausted.

kalie & I

Today was HOT but Kalie and I didn't care!

We walked around Lincoln Park Zoo today after a very successful prenatal appointment that I'll blog about later. 

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy! 

The end of our HOT Zoo visit! :)

the heat.

Oh boy. The heat is getting to me. I hate being inside and stuck in the A/C all day long but I feel as if that's the safest bet. Even then...if it's not cool enough in the house, I am hot & sweating. Gross.

It's only...July.

Whew.