Bumpdate {30 weeks}

• How far along? 30 weeks 6 days. THIRTY?!? 
• Weight Gain/Loss: feeling heavier, that's for sure!
• Sleep: still crappy. It's a combination of the new house and general pregnant discomfort. 
• Best moment this week: my trip to Ikea where I found a ton of things I needed for the nursery. 
• Movement: definitely more rolling and sliding sensations instead of sharp pokes. Luke can officially see her moving from across the room now too!
• Food Cravings: Lots of chocolate!
• Food Aversions: I still can't handle the smell of eggs when they are cooking. I can eat them fine at a restaurant though!
• Belly Button: still an innie
• Stretch Marks: No but I'm thinking i might get some around my belly button. My skin is looking a little stretched and odd right there. 
• Symptoms: Backaches, my stomach get sore when I'm on my feet too much, heartburn when I forget to take the meds, and lots of trips to the bathroom. There have been a few big kicks that have sent me running to the bathroom - Luke thinks it's hilarious ;). Naps are starting to make a comeback too, as I find myself pretty tired every day.  I don't think this is a symptom actually, but I'm feeling pretty anxious and stressed about getting things together for the baby, and it's making me pretty cranky. We have some clothes, a few diapers, and lots of ikea furniture that needs to be put together. Yikes. 
• What I miss: slouching (weird, but true) and bending over comfortably. Wrapping presents has been a serious workout. 
• What I’m looking forward to: Christmas! Three more days. The week is going to go really fast I'm sure. We are spending Christmas Eve and Christmas with my family this year, which is so much more convenient and comfortable. Luke is taking off Thursday and Friday, so we will finish shopping for his family at that point. We also have another doctor appointment Friday! They are coming so fast now. Three weeks until the next one, and then two weeks, and thenwe start weekly appointments after that! 
• Nursery update: I did some damage at Ikea this week, and found some great stuff. Baby girl now has curtains, a rug, two lamps and a chandelier (I. Know.), a closet organization system I'm hoping will work like I think it will, a hamper, a side table for the rocker, and lots of other basket organizers for clothes and whatnot. My mom was able to get the first coat of grey up on the walls and I love the way it looks! It's been pretty cold so it's been hard getting a second coat done or trying to tackle the turquoise. We need to pick up some white paint and some better tape for the white stripe that will divide the colors - I'm thinking of trying out the orange Frogtape that's meant for textured walls. Why do textured walls have to be so difficult?!  Overall I'm loving the details that are coming together. Lots of textures and colors, without being babyish and hopefully without being overly trendy. I plan on ordering the crib this week, which great grandma Ivy is buying for the baby. We are also searching for a rocker that's tall enough for Luke and I without being a beast. Ideally it rocks, reclines, and swivels, but we will see what we find. We haven't had much luck yet. I'm also stalking craigslist for a white dresser, and my dad is supposed to be building a higher base for the family cradle so it's easier to have by the bed. 

30 weeks

A bad nighttime picture of the wet paint in the nursery. Loving this grey though!

Christkindl market = delicious German food and a bout of homesickness

Curry wurst and pretzels made me a happy pregnant wife

I love Denver's union station, especially at Christmas time!

Finn investigating some adorable hand-me-downs from Luke's boss 

Oh tannenbaum....

Wanted to share pictures of our annual Christmas tree hunt! Every year we head up to one of the national forests that is participating and I love it! Some years we drive a few hours, some years we trudge through knee deep snow - this year presented it's own challenge for me, hauling my 28 week pregnant belly around in the woods! My balance was definitely off, so luckily the snow wasn't too deep so it was a little easier to see the obstacles that I needed to step over. This year we were lucky to find beautiful trees very quickly! However, they are all (all 4 family trees) drying out too quickly and shedding needles like crazy. That's the thing with avoiding fake trees or tree lots - you can't guarantee the condition of the tree no matter what they look like. I think it's totally worth it though!

Here are some pictures -

Found it! 

Watching Luke clear some branches to get to the tree 

We were a little over zealous with the height of our tree....

My jacket was working hard to cover me :)

One of my favorite candid pictures ever!

The Moss girls!

All the kids - Bryan, Meg, Luke, Kelly, and me

Working on getting our tree up finally! It sat at my parents' house for two weeks until we could move it to the new house. Finn is watching Christmas Vacation while we do this :) We ended up hacking a couple of feet off the top and another 6 inches from the bottom to get the tree to fit! 

Bump date {29 weeks}

How far along? 29 weeks 2 days

• Weight Gain/Loss: I'm sure I'm gaining steadily now :)
• Maternity Clothes: 5 long sleeve ts, 2 sweaters, 3 jeans (1 grey pair) and lots of leggings. So far I've avoided buying more. I've also had to buy some new bras finally which should last a while hopefully 
• Sleep: meh
• Best moment this week: getting our Christmas tree up! It's finally starting to feel like Christmas. 
• Movement: she hit my bladder so hard last night I thought I was going to pee myself hahaha
• Food Cravings: lets just assume I'm eating my weight in sweets mmkay? 
• Food Aversions: nothing
• Belly Button: Still in
• Stretch Marks: Not yet
• Symptoms: Still dealing with heartburn and backaches, and I can tell my kidneys are not functioning at 100%
• What I miss: wine and ever this week. Coffee too, since it doesn't taste that great these days 
• What I’m looking forward to: getting the house unpacked, and starting on baby girl's nursery. Things are getting more difficult for me to accomplish! 

29 weeks

Ridiculousness occurs on a daily basis around here

Bump date {28 weeks}

• How far along? 28 weeks 6 days
• Weight Gain/Loss: up seven pounds from my 24 week appt - yikes! I'm up 15 lbs now total, so I'm still in normal range
• Maternity Clothes: I've given up on all regular clothes so I don't stretch it out. 
• Sleep: thank god for the Snoogle! We finally purchased one this past week when we were finishing our registry at Babies R Us, and I don't know why it works, but it does!
• Best moment this week: closIng on our new house and moving in! I have a lot of unpacking to do. 
• Movement: Plenty when she's awake, especially in the evenings. Her feet are up in my ribs in the right side for the most part but it just tends to be uncomfortable more than anything. I felt her hiccups for the first time on Black Friday, and I've felt them a few other times since then. 
• Food Cravings: sweets! Thank goodness I passed my glucose test.
• Food Aversions: nothing Ive noticed. 
• Belly Button: Getting shallow but not close to popping out yet
• Symptoms: Oh hello kidney stones! Yeah, my third trimester greeted me with kidney stones. Ended up at the ER, then labor and delivery with a possible kidney infection which turned out to be stones. That was some of the worst pain I've felt, but we will see if I still think that after this baby makes her appearance. Still dealing with occasional heartburn, which is being helped with Prilosec, and back pain. 
• What I miss: sleep
• What I’m looking forward to: So much! Christmas is two weeks away, then we have our baby classes and baby shower in January then it's February! This trimester is going to go so fast!

Here are some pictures from the past two weeks!

Goodbye house! Final walkthrough of our old house

Finished up the youngest niece's 1st birthday quilt in a day - I paid for my procrastination with a few days of back pain. 

Black Friday loot, in the form of baby girl clothes. She is going to be SO spoiled.

Our final walkthrough of the new house on December 3rd!

28 weeks! I've been so bad about getting pictures lately

Snow and FREEZING temps!

Glucose test - geeee-rosssss but I passed!

Ridiculous puppy snuggles

Bump date {26 weeks}

• How far along? 26 weeks 3 days
• Sleep: some nights have been better after most of the house stress was over 
• Best moment this week: it's been a pretty low key week which was great in itself!
• Movement: plenty. I can tell when she's sleeping now too
• Food Cravings: Overall, I'm loving Mexican food and sweets still
• Food Aversions: none
• Stretch Marks: Nope but my skin is feeling really tight and itchy these days
• Symptoms: Ohhhhh the heartburn. I started taking Prilosec yesterday so hopefully that starts helping. We will see how I feel after the move this weekend!
• What I miss: sleeping on my stomach and back without feeling bad about it! I miss wine lately too
• What I’m looking forward to: I'm struggling to be positive this week. I am feeling very emotional about moving out of our first home and nervous about loving the new house as much. I think it's all happened really fast and the fact that I have to spend two weeks at my parents' house (especially now that my grandmother is living there too) is making it harder to be excited about the new house because it's not an immediate move. I'm trying to remember why we are moving, but I'm going to miss this house!

26 weeks and looking very pale :)

Bumpdate {25 weeks}

• 
  
• How far along? 25 weeks 2 days
• Weight Gain/Loss: I had gained 4 lbs at last week's appointment, and my fundal height measurement was perfect at 24 1/4, so everything was exactly where it should be. 
• Sleep: still crappy
• Best moment this week: considering it's been two weeks (whoops!), I would say the house selling in about 24 hours and us finding our new house!
• Movement: plenty
• Food Cravings: Overall, I'm loving Mexican food and sweets still
• Food Aversions: none
• Belly Button: still in
• Stretch Marks: Nope
• Symptoms: the heartburn is getting worse! I'm starting to think I need to take a medication for it. My belly is starting to itch as well and the skin feels so tight. I've also started getting leg cramps at night - not bad enough to wake me up but my calves are sore in the mornings. 
• What I miss: not having limitations! It's been hard working on this move when I can't move furniture or anything too heavy. I wear out so much faster nowadays too. 
• What I’m looking forward to: our new house! It's going to be a great family house with a great yard, and I can't wait to bring our girl home :) 

Pictures from the last two weeks! 

A picture from the wedding 

Listed Saturday at 330, two offers by the next evening, a third offer and under contract Monday morning!

I believe this was at 24 weeks 

Celebrated my handsome guy's 28th birthday on the 8th! Massages, beer tasting for him, and an awesome dinner at Denver Chophouse

Getting bigger!

Our 6th USMC birthday ball together, and the last one since Luke's contract is up in July. 

25 weeks - where did this belly come from?! I look huge. 

Our adorable new house! Inspection went well overall, so we are on our way!

Bumpdate {23 weeks}

• How far along? 23 weeks 3 days
• Weight Gain/Loss: I'm sure I've gained, we will see how much next week!
• Sleep: still crappy
• Best moment this week: seeing a little kick! I also loved Luke's surprise for baby girl this week :)
• Movement: kicking as I write this - She's still spinning around plenty in there, because I will feel kicks way down low, then above my belly button a short time later
• Food Cravings: HAD to have Cafe Rio's sweet pork this weekend after having it for the first time on Thursday at a rehearsal dinner!
• Food Aversions: nothing really
• Belly Button: slowly getting pushed out! It's weird being able to see the inside of my belly button, it's always been so deep it wasn't possible 
• Stretch Marks: Nope
• Symptoms: Heartburn after most meals, and my back is starting to hurt. I think that's mostly attributed to how much I've had to be on my feet this week. Being in heels for the wedding was torturous and now I've been so busy packing the house! 
• What I miss: sleeping through the night. Luke and I were both awake at 2 am last night thanks to sleeping in a spare room (paint fumes in ours) and our new humidifier making way to much noise
• What I’m looking forward to: getting this house LISTED and sold so I can move onto finding a new house!

This week has been the busiest one of this pregnancy and I'm paying for it! I'm SO GLAD the wedding is over and done, because it was the hardest thing I've had to do so far. I don't think I was prepared for how difficult it was going to be for me to keep up, much less in heels. By the time we were all ready and at the venue, it was already 5 and had been a long day. Add in pictures (taken while hiking through fields and rocks in heels) and the actual ceremony and I seriously was contemplating where I could lie down. Luckily I was able to get out of the heels after that, but the damage to my poor back was already done. I spent the rest of the wedding seated, even through all the dancing. I was also the only bridesmaid NOT to leave early so I really felt I couldn't leave until the wedding shut down. Luke and I finally made it home around 1:15am, and I could have cried at the sight of my bed :)

After getting through the wedding, I could finally concentrate on getting the house ready to sell. We spent as much time this weekend packing up anything extra and organizing the house. We also had tickets to the broncos game Sunday, so we didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I would have liked. Luckily, my parents got back from their amazing cruise on Tuesday and spent yesterday helping me at the house. The only thing left to do is organize cupboards and drawers in the kitchen, finish painting the master bedroom, touch up paint around the house,and finally some cleaning. We are hoping to get it listed tomorrow, November 1st so that we can have plenty of showings over the weekend and I can just plan on being at my parents' house. Wish us luck! 

Here are some pictures from the week! 

Luke and I at the wedding this weekend

Papa talking to his girl, and feeling her move :) I get teary eyed every time! 

Just some of the boxes - I keep reminding myself how much easier the actual move will be with half of our stuff out already!

Papa made Mama cry her eyes out with this surprise this week. He decided that he wanted to find a book to read to baby girl, and then would write her a note on the inside so we would always remember the first story he ever read to her. He is so good at this already :)

Bumpdate {22 weeks}

• How far along? 22 weeks 3 days
• Weight Gain/Loss: I'm sure I'm at least holding steady
• Maternity Clothes: regular shirts but my regular pants are packed away
• Sleep: waking up at least once a night for quite a while. I need to buy a humidifier
• Best moment this week: watching Luke run his second marathon. So proud of him!
• Movement: Lots! I can tell when she moves positions too - she's been in a breech position for quite a while, but this week I seem to feel kicks on my side so I'm thinking she's laying horizontally now. My bladder appreciates the break!
• Food Cravings: had to have myself Big City Burrito after our hospital tour on Monday :)
• Food Aversions: ground meat
• Belly Button: A little more shallow but no where near popping out
• Symptoms: Heartburn, threw up for the first time in a few weeks the other morning, and lots of bathroom breaks. My problematic SI joint is starting to give me some pain, so that's no fun. My stomach gets really sore if I spend a lot of time on my feet as well, so I'm having to remember to take breaks and go slow these days. 
• What I miss: sleeping through the night. I miss wine lately too. 
• What I’m looking forward to: Surviving this week, and getting the house on the market. I have a wedding rehearsal dinner today, the rehearsal and a BBQ tomorrow, and the wedding and all day festivities Friday. We also decided this week that we are going to sell our house! We have a lot of "decluttering" and staging to do. I'm getting as much accomplished during the day this week, and hopefully we will get most of the rest of it done this weekend. Houses in our neighborhood seem to be selling fast, but I'm most concerned about finding a new house that will work for us. We have our eye on one neighborhood in particular and things are moving fast everywhere. It's definitely an added stress right now, but I think that it's easier to do it now than waiting until after the baby is here. I cannot imagine dealing with house showings with a newborn! 

I'll share more about Luke's marathon later this week hopefully, as all the pictures are still on my camera. 

For now, here's a weekly belly shot:

Bumpdate {21 weeks}

• Surprise!! If you were paying attention to yesterday's post you already know, but here she is!
• 
  
  
  How far along? 21 weeks 3 days
• Weight Gain/Loss: I finally gained some weight! I'm up four pounds (last week's weight)
• Sleep: there have been more naps this week for sure
• Best moment this week: sharing the news of our baby girl with family! Also loved our lazy anniversary at home, with lots of snuggling.  Luke also found out due to the government shutdown, he won't have drill this month. Normally it doesn't matter too much, but because my parents will be gone on a cruise, I was going to have to do the unthinkable and give myself the daily injections. Thank goodness I can continue avoiding that!
• Movement: more and more each day still. Luke was able to feel her quite a bit last night too
• Food Cravings: sweets as usual, but my appetite has picked up a little this week thank goodness. 
• Food Aversions: ground meat
• Symptoms: aside from some morning dry heaving, or anytime I'm hungry, just the heartburn and being tired. 
• What I miss: waking up and NOT being hungry immediately
• What I’m looking forward to: we are touring one of the hospitals tonight, and if we like it we will go with that one. It seems very real when talking about hospitals and delivery! We are also planning on making our pregnancy announcement public this week, so that should be fun :)

We love actually being able to refer to our baby as SHE! It's really sinking in, and I can't stop shopping for baby shoes :) I mean, how can you resist baby moccasins and Mary Janes?! Poor Luke. 

21 week picture, cute puppy photobomb

A love letter

10/15/2013

To my wonderful husband,

Two years have flown by! Not a day goes by that I don't consider how lucky I am. Looking back on how we started, I can't believe how amazing our marriage is. Beginning as a typical college fling, and making it through all the growing pains is a testament to the people we've become. And there. were. growing pains.  We've learned how to be a couple while staying true to who we are as an individual. If nothing else, we should succeed because of that. We've learned to trust each other, then failed each other and had to regain that trust, which is always more difficult. I've gained faith in your commitment, and value your loyalty to me and our family above all else. 

2012 USMC Birthday Ball

It wasn't easy to learn how to be a husband, and how to be a wife. There are so many unspoken requirements that you can't fathom until you are there. I'm so grateful for how hard you worked to become such a great husband, and in case I don't say it enough, that hard work has paid off. It's nearly impossible to think of any other couple that's as happy as we are. Do we annoy each other? You bet. It's never going to be perfect - how could two people love and have a passion for each other without disagreements? 

Luke's first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C.

We aren't the same person, and that's what makes us so great. I like to think that I keep you grounded, and help you keep perspective on life's frustrations. I try to build you up and remind you of how truly great and wonderful you are, when you are so prone to downplay your abilities and accomplishments. I want to always be your biggest cheerleader! You, on the other hand, help me to see the joy in life, and push me to be better in so many ways. You have never said a negative word against me or my many bad habits, but I try to fix them anyway, just to make you proud of me. Is there a better formula? I don't think so. You keep me laughing! I don't know how I would have made it out of the past year and change without your lightheartedness. You remained positive when I doubted we would ever be able to have a family, and told me you would love me and be happy even if we couldn't. 

2012 Broncos season 

We've weathered some serious emotional storms this year again - more like hurricanes. We have learned so much about each other through our grieving, and we can see the light at the end of that tunnel now, in the form of this beautiful baby girl that's half-baked. I can't ever thank you properly for helping me be strong and for being my rock through all these trials. Our family will be hard-won, and neither of us could ever forget that. 

Mini vacation in Ouray & Durango, January 2013

Your protective nature that's emerged this year gives me such warm-fuzzies, knowing our daughter will have the biggest (figuratively and literally) fan and protector in her papa. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I have had doubts in the past about how you would cope with the changes that come with parenthood. Then again, I had doubts about myself too - doesn't everyone? I've seen how selfless and aware you are this year, and how you already have made changes to better accommodate our family. I promise to have more faith in that ability, and to trust that you'll make the best choices for our family. Knowing me, you can understand it's not easy for me to turn over the reins to anyone. You, however, have unknowingly made me admire you and trust you even more during this pregnancy. 

 

Zack's wedding in Beaver Creek

Today may mark our 2nd wedding anniversary, but it fails to mention our 6 years of dating, and 8, almost 9, years of friendship. I never would have imagined going through as much as we have in two little years of marriage, but I can't imagine it being any easier. These tribulations have only increased my love and faith in you and our commitment to spend our lifetime together. I couldn't have picked a better partner, and I'm so so so glad you picked me too. 

I know our third year of marriage is going to be the best yet - after all, we have this to look forward to:

Baby Girl Bolinger!

I can't wait to see you as a papa! I love you more than I ever thought possible, and I thank my lucky stars for leading me back to you, my love. Happy Anniversary. 

Today is the day...

That I can no longer eat without a bib. Or at least holding the plate OVER the belly, instead of trying to lean forward to the plate. 

Lunch fail. Don't judge my grungy tshirt!

A wonderful (early) anniversary weekend

What a great weekend! We decided to do a last minute overnight trip to Steamboat Springs for our 2nd anniversary, since the weekends before and after our actual anniversary are booked with wedding things and Luke's marathon. Before Steamboat, we got to go to an Avalanche hockey game for free! Luke was selected to be the Hero of the Game, and it was AMAZING. 

I was so proud of him and loved seeing so many people recognize him for almost 10 years of service. My family was there, and his mom made it as well, which was great. Luke's middle brother and wife came as well, but were super bummed they were late due to a traffic accident and missed Luke on the big screen. We were just happy they tried to make it! 

A look at the new giant screen during introductions. 

The announcer did a great job speaking about Lukes service and mentioned a few of his awards, as well as talked about all the volunteering and fundraising he does. They only used pictures from Luke's deployment to Iraq, so no one saw any pictures of him in his dress blues. That's probably a good thing, I have to keep the ladies at bay somehow ;)

Luke's awkward smile while on camera

A family friend got some great pictures of the big screen, thank goodness, because I was too busy freaking out and trying not to cry. 

I loved seeing all those people standing and cheering for my hubby! 

Saturday we dropped the pup off at my parents' house around noon and headed up into the mountains. It's about a three hour drive to Steamboat Springs from Denver, and it was beautiful! I snapped a few pictures along the drive, but I failed at taking any pictures of us together. Isn't that the way it always is? 

Near Georgetown

East of Eisenhower tunnel

West of Eisenhower tunnel - always a different world on that side of the divide!

Silverthorne

Excuse the broken windshield - ugh

Leaving Steamboat

Gratuitous Instagram photo 

We had a great time, even if we were completely lazy and didn't actually do much. We had dinner at this little Italian place called Mozzola's, and I had this butternut squash ravioli that was sooooooo good. It's prompted a search of butternut squash recipes and I may have purchased a squash at the store this week :). For breakfast, everyone said that Creekside Cafe and Grill was not to be missed, and they were not mistaken. I had a giant (hot!) breakfast burrito that I actually got halfway through before deciding that continuing was probably a bad choice  that would lead to a three hour car ride with an upset stomach. Luke had their High Energy Waffle, made using their one of their malted waffles, housemade granola, yogurt and fresh fruit. He loved it, and also tried a chai tea for the first time which was one of the best ones I've had. 

We headed home after breakfast and watched the Broncos game at my folks' house. While it's clear we don't have an issue scoring points, defense made me a little worried, and I hope that gets better. I'm hoping for a Super Bowl win here guys, we've got to be perfect! :)

Luke ran home (plus some) after the game, and got 16 miles in. That guy amazes me. I'm so ready to watch him kick butt on the 20th in the Rock n Roll marathon!