Pregnancy Highlights version 2.0

How far along: 13 weeks! (that's gone by quickly!)
Size of baby: 3 inches, the size of a peach
Weight gained/lost: lost 3 pounds
Maternity clothes: not yet, my uterus is starting to push up all of my fat, so pants are getting snug. But still wearable. :)
Gender: unknown. We haven't completely decided if we will find out this time or not. We enjoyed the surprise with Liam!
Movement: still a little early for that.
Symptoms: let's jut say I'm thankful to be moving into the second trimester, I feel a lot better already. I had pretty much constant nausea and was really fatigued, both symptoms are abating now. Pregnancy brain is in full force, I'm basically the biggest idiot to walk the planet!
Food cravings/aversions: I don't think I'm much of a cravings girl. I had none with Liam and haven't had any yet with this pregnancy. Not much has sounded appealing but I haven't had as severe of aversions as before, thankfully. I have been eating a lot of cheese and citrus because they both always sound good to me. OJ has saved my life!
What I'm looking forward to: hearing a heartbeat! I was too early at my last appointment to hear it with the monitor, it looked great on our ultrasound. There's just something about hearing that whooshy little heart that makes it more real!

20 Months Old!

Dear Liam bird,

You are 20 months old!  That means, in just four short months you will be two!  That just boggles my mind, dear one.  You are so big and funny and smart and silly and we just love you to pieces.

You have not been weighed or measured since your last doctors appointment, but you are outgrowing most of your 18 month clothes, so we know you are growing like a weed.  You finally got that last one year molar to break through your tough gums, so hopefully you will get a break from teething for a while.

Wiggs, you are still eating and sleeping like a champ.  You do have a new favorite food, oranges!  You rush over to us the moment we start peeling an orange and whine and beg for piece after piece.  You usually are out of breath from eating them so quickly, silly friend!  You have also started to throw food off of your tray whenever you are finished, which we are trying to get you to stop!

This past month we phased out your paci completely!  You've been only using it at sleepy times since you were about 8 months old, one night we just didn't give it to you and didn't look back!  You've done great, nap times were a bit fussy for a couple of days, but you still have your lovie and glowy sea horse thingy to keep you company!

You are still not talking much, but you are good at communicating with us.  We know what you want/need.  This month you have starting saying Mama and Dada with purpose and also, cow!  Cows are your favorite, and you call several things "cow" that aren't cows!

 
You are a dancing machine, Liam!  Constantly spinning in circles and breaking it down!  You don't need music, but you really get going if there is some playing.  If we go out to eat, you keep everyone entertained with your dance moves!  You also hum along with songs, especially when I sing to you before bed.  You've started snuggling with us more and will lay your little head on my chest and start humming away, so very precious.

We are so thankful for who you are, Liam.  You are growing and changing and developing right before our very eyes and it is such a blessing to be apart of your sweet little life.  You can move mountains with your hugs and kisses, little boy.

Love you forever, and ever,
Momma

The Emerald Isle: Day 2

We woke up Monday morning after 13 hours of sleep (in which Ryan battled and defeated a horrible fever) ready to see the North Coast.  We had a glorious full Irish breakfast at our guest house before we departed for Giant's Causeway.  The weather was horrid; about 39 degrees and pouring down, sideways rain, we were still game for a good time!

The North Coast is rich in both history and beautiful scenery.  We drove all along the coast and visited Dunluce Castle, I love all of the beautiful ruins that you practically just stumble upon.

We had planned to visit the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, but upon arriving and having the door of our rental car blow back with amazing force we decided we didn't want to spend money to be blown about in the freezing rain on a rope bridge!  So, instead, we ventured into the warmth of the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery for an incredible tour.  We also ate lunch at the Bushmills Inn which dates back to 1608, just like the distillery.

We had a beautiful drive south to Belfast where we checked into our lodging and immediately walked around the neighborhood to find my old dorm on Derryvolgie Avenue.  It was so neat to see how much had changed/stayed the same over the past nine years.  We stayed in another great guest house that was in a wonderful location for walking in Belfast.

The Emerald Isle: Day 1

Yes, I am finally recapping our recent trip to Ireland/Northern Ireland!  Aren't you happy?  Here goes...

sunrise over the ocean

We landed in Dublin on Sunday, May 6th at 6:55am.  We had a nice, but fairly sleepless, flight over the pond and were excited to be on our way!  We changed clothes and exchanged some money at the airport, picked up our rental car, and proceeded to drive 45 minutes in the wrong direction!  Upon realizing our printed google maps directions were wrong, we stopped for a Dublin city map.  And then realized that Dublin is the most difficult city to drive around in; most street signs are either missing, in Gaelic, or on the side of a building that you just passed.  We had a very stressful hour or so of driving in circles where I recounted again that I did not have a good relationship with Dublin.  I spent a week feeling lost, lonely, scared, and confused there once and this was rapidly seeming similar.  We finally decided to park in a garage and immediately upon exiting I knew exactly where we were and we walked to our destination: Trinity College!

a building at Trinity

We quickly strolled through the grounds (I found the building I had stayed in, of course) and on to the library which hold the Book of Kells and the Long Room.  You aren't allowed to take photographs there, but we snuck some.  :)

the Long Room, Ryan's personal heaven

By this time, we were starved and took the recommendation of several friends to eat at The Queen of Tarts.  It was delightful, if you are ever in Dublin we recommend it as well!  We had a lovely brunch before heading north to Ballymoney, Northern Ireland for the night.

At this point, fatigue (and what we would later realize was Hand Foot & Mouth disease, thanks Liam) was setting in for Ryan, so I got to drive!  Let me just say that it was a trip!  We were in a manual car and I think the most difficult part was shifting with my left hand, and remembering what to do at the round a bouts!

we didn't die!

We arrived in Ballymoney in the mid-afternoon and checked into our lovely guesthouse, Country Garden House.  We could not have been more thrilled by the quaint cottage and lovely hosts.  They greeted us with tea and wanted to hear all about our lives.  We settled in and drove into Bushmills for an early dinner before going to bed at 7:00pm!

Ready, Set, Go!

We are finally all set to depart for Ireland! Everything is printed, packed, cleaned, cooked, and checked in! I'm thankful to have the morning to play with the Liam bird before our flight leaves.

If you think about it, please pray for safety for us. We will be driving on the wrong side of teeny country roads and I'm a bit anxious! I'm also a bit anxious to be away from Liam, I know he is in great hands, but we will miss him enormously! Pray I don't mope for him the whole time. :)

From the moment I left Ireland nine years ago, I've been dreaming of going back. I am so excited for this trip, and to share more of my heart with my husby.


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