Third Trimester.

At this point we're just over a week into the third trimester!  I can't believe that time has flown as quickly as it has and Baby J really is going to be here before we know it.  I had my 29 week appointment Friday and everything is still looking great.  It's always amazing to hear the heartbeat and Baby happened to move while we were listening so it was neat to hear the jump in the heart rate with movement.  I passed my gestational diabetes screening with no problem which was great to hear.  I feel Baby moving frequently throughout the day and he or she seems to really enjoy kicking me up under my right rib...it's the one spot I most frequently feel Baby kick and it's actually pretty uncomfortable!  It's starting to get harder to sleep well as my stomach is getting huge and I've always been a stomach sleeper.  Had to give that up a few months ago much to my dismay.  We've reached the point where our OB appointments are every two weeks now, pretty crazy.  We just can't wait to meet our little boy or girl!!

28 weeks and 5 days...Baby sure is growing!!

In Loving Memory.

Matt's grandfather passed away Monday morning after a decline in health.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He lived an amazing life and had quite a knack for storytelling.  I wish that I personally would have had more time to spend with him as he truly was an incredible man full of warmth and love; I feel that the few years I did know him were a gift and am very grateful for them.  I think the whole family takes comfort in the fact that he has gone to a better place and is reunited with his beloved wife Rosemary.  Below is a photo from our wedding, it's not the greatest picture, but Grandpa looks so very happy.  May he rest in peace.

Leo Higgins, Jr., July 24 1924 - January 14, 2013.

Looking Back.

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  I realize that we're already 11 days into January and thus this post is a bit late, but better late than never.  The year 2012 was another big one for us, full of changes and more ups than downs.  It marked the end of Matt's service in the Army, the end of my first nursing job, learning to deal with Colorado wildfires, summer in St. Louis, a move north to the Boulder area and adjusting to apartment living, Matt starting his MBA program at CU, a new job for me at Avista, and probably the biggest event of all, being pregnant with Baby J.  It was a year full of change and excitement, and I suspect 2013 will bring us even more of both.

We had a wonderful Christmas back in St. Louis with our family and friends...it was a much needed visit for both of us.  Our New Year was rather uneventful: I rang in 2013 at work and poor Matt was under the weather with an awful head cold.  I usually try to make a few resolutions for the New Year but opted not to this year.  I never seem to follow through on my resolutions and instead have an overarching goal for the year (and many to come): embrace impending motherhood and be the best new mom I can be to my coming child.  I know that our world is going to be turned upside down come April and while I am incredibly excited there is also a bit of trepidation about becoming a first time parent with our major support system two and half states away.  Of course, I believe these feelings are completely normal for any first time parent and I am incredibly grateful that I have a husband as wonderful as Matt to begin this new adventure with.

Speaking of Baby J, today marks 28 weeks which is the beginning of the third trimester!  I truly cannot believe that we are just three months away from meeting this child.  The reality is starting to sink in as we begin to prepare for Baby J's arrival; we purchased the crib and set it up in our room last week!  Baby J is one active little babe and I feel him or her moving around constantly and it seems to be especially fun to kick me in the right side or under my ribs.  I have a feeling this kid may have inherited Matt's athleticism as he or she delivers some powerful kicks--it's pretty to crazy to be able to watch my shirt jump when baby kicks.  I am still feeling great and feeling truly blessed that this has been a relatively easy pregnancy thus far.  Here's to the last three months!!