Our Lives Are About to Change...

... in a dramatic way!  At least that's what everyone tells us.  We are beginning to experience some changes but we definitely haven't felt the magnitude of it yet.  We won't truly understand what these expert parents are talking about until our little boy arrives.

But, here's what I do know for sure so far:

We couldn't possibly be more excited for these changes in our lives!

We absolutely love our adventurous lifestyle.  We love traveling to new places.  We love camping and mountain biking and skiing and paddle boarding and we LOVE living in Tahoe!  But, all of those things are about to become a little more difficult.  Not impossible.  Just more difficult.

Nevertheless, this is the new season in our lives and we will embrace it.  We will still attempt to do all the things we enjoy... just with a baby.  And yes, we will still live in Tahoe.  At least for now.  Only God knows what the future holds for us at this point.

I am already anticipating how difficult it will be to raise our son without our families close by.  Again, I know that I won't truly understand HOW difficult until we are "in" the situation (meaning baby is here and we are overwhelmed and need help and we have only friends to call on).  But I do know that it won't be impossible.  We WILL make it work.  Because we HAVE to.

Mike and I have had only each other for the past 5 years and 9 months since moving to Tahoe.  We've had to rely on each other to make this life work and I'm proud that we've been successful.  We've made a beautiful life that we love... and now we get to share that with another human being.

So, I thought I would share a little bit of our pregnancy so far so that our close friends and family can still feel involved even though we are far away (and so that I can look back and read all these memories one day). 

We found out that we were pregnant on the day before Mother's day.  We didn't tell our families just yet because it was VERY new information that we were still processing and we wanted to have some time to think about HOW we would tell them... did we just want to call them?  Skype or FaceTime?  Or plan some grand announcement?  So, we waited a few more weeks.

The moment I found out, I immediately felt SO nervous about morning sickness!  I will openly admit that I am a baby when it comes to nausea.  I do not tolerate it well.  I was worried that I would be working with a student when I suddenly needed to vomit!  How embarrassing?!  I feel incredibly blessed that I haven't had ANY morning sickness at all!  HALLELUJAH!!!! 

I did have some nausea every night for a month or two (right around 9:30 every. single. night) but I would just go to sleep and I would wake up in the morning feeling fine. 

In the first trimester, I had the craziest cravings.  For several weeks I craved LEMON!  Anything lemon flavored: water, candy, Chic-fil-a lemonade (it was the best liquid I had ever put in my body... truly God sent).  I also craved salty/savory things: pickles (yep, that craving is real), salt and vinegar chips dipped in Chic-fil-a polynesian sauce (don't knock it 'til you've tried it... it's amazing).

I love sweets.  Baked goods especially.  It felt very strange to crave french fries more than donuts!   

My ONLY food aversion: broccoli!  Ugh, I couldn't stand the sight or smell of it for months!  It's gotten better now (at 21 weeks) but for a while I thought I would never eat it again in my life. 

The other noticeable thing about 1st trimester: FATIGUE!  I couldn't make it through the day without a nap. As soon as I got home from work, after walking the dog, I would nap on the couch until Mike got home.  This has improved greatly in the second trimester and I am so thankful. 

We had our first doctor's appointment right after Father's day.  I was so excited to see the tiny heartbeat but even better than seeing it, is hearing it!  That is the coolest sound in the world!

OUR FIRST GLIMPSE AT OUR BABY! 
THIS WAS AT 10 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS PREGNANT.
BABY IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A STRAWBERRY. 

WE DIDN'T KNOW IF BABY WAS A BOY OR GIRL YET. 

THE BUMP AT 18 WEEKS. 

OUR NEXT ULTRASOUND WAS AT 19 WEEKS 2 DAYS.
AND... IT'S A BOY!!!  

GLIMPSE OF HIS FACE!

IT WAS SMOKEY AND WINDY BUT...

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!

ZEPHYR HAS BEEN VERY SNUGGLY. 
AND THE BUMP IS BECOMING VERY NOTICEABLE AT 21 WEEKS!

SWEET SNUGGLE BUDDY. 

So far, the second trimester has been awesome.  I've had more energy.  New, exciting things are happening like feeling baby move.  We've been very productive around the house to make room for baby.  I'm transitioning into maternity clothes which are pretty comfy.  It's all very exciting. 

I have been HORRIBLE about taking pictures of my belly along the way.  In fact, I've only taken one (the one above).  I am going to try to get better at that and I will post updates here.  

Baby boy is moving a lot now!  I can feel his kicks inside, but only a few have been big enough to feel from the outside.  Last week I saw my stomach move with one of his kicks.  I know it will get much stronger in the weeks to come and I'm excited for Mike to be able to feel it.  I don't feel much when I'm up/active but as soon as I sit down and get still I feel him moving around and I LOVE it!  

I can honestly say that I've enjoyed being pregnant so far.  I am 21 weeks now... officially over half way done with the pregnancy!  It's crazy how fast it's going.  Really hoping to do more updates during the second half of this pregnancy! 

Quick shout out to my amazing husband who has been phenomenal during the first half of this pregnancy.  He has made it to every doctor's appointment.  He frequently asks if there's anything he can do for me, or do around the house.  He's been making dinner almost every night.  He is taking care of Zephyr.  And yesterday he booked me a prenatal massage (which was AMAZING).  Mike, thank you! You are THE best!  I am so lucky!