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! 

Bumpdate {20 weeks}

• How far along? 20 weeks 4 days
• Weight Gain/Loss: I finally gained some weight! I'm up four pounds
• Sleep: I'm coming to terms with the idea that sleep will never be the same
• Best moment this week: our anatomy scan ultrasound on Wednesday! It couldn't have gone better, and yes, we know the sex of baby Bolinger! Ill spill the secret soon :)
• Movement: more and more each day. Our ultrasound tech said because of my placenta location, it's absorbing a lot of the movement. 
• Food Cravings: the usual. I'm excited to eat all my favorites this weekend at our mini gender reveal on Sunday with our family :)
• Food Aversions: ground meat
• Belly Button: Actually noticed it's looking more shallow this week, probably because baby's head is right underneath
• Stretch Marks: Nope
• Symptoms: aside from some morning dry heaving, or anytime I'm hungry, it's been a pretty good week
• What I miss: feeling hungry without feeling sick
• What I’m looking forward to: my family's reaction at the gender reveal! They are so excited and it's so nice. I don't feel like many other people (aside from my "mom friends" of course!) are that excited so we decided to just keep the party to family. Luke's family had their own opinions when we told them we were finding out, so it kind of makes me feel like they are only coming to be nice. Whatever! Luke and I need all the positive warm-fuzzies we can get during this pregnancy - surprises aren't so great when all you know are the bad kind during previous pregnancies. We love that we know, and it's helping us feel like it's really going to happen!

This last week has been aaaamazing! I already shared a few pictures from the Avalanche game and our Steamboat trip. I was really excited going into our doctor appointment, but as it got closer the nerves started up as well. I don't think I'll ever get away from that. We started with the ultrasound, and I told Andi, the tech, that I wanted all the good news she could give me as we went along. She was great about telling us what she was looking at, and that everything was good. One of the first things she told us, after letting us hear the heartbeat, was the gender! We were both pretty silent (aside from some teary-eyed "wow"s and "oh my gosh"s) when she told us, just because it was so crazy to hear! She thought we were disappointed and jokingly told us to start getting used to it, but I told her it's just that we've never made it to this point in a pregnancy so it doesn't seem real. We are both beyond thrilled and either way would have reacted the same way! Baby was measuring exactly on track, and is estimated to be in the 50th percentile for weight at 11 oz. Is that not crazy?! I keep thinking that a block of cream cheese (you can tell I'm a healthnut ha) is 8oz, and baby is almost one and a half of those. That's heavy! No wonder I'm getting uncomfortable :) 

Here's a picture from Thursday. I purchased this dress from Marshall's and I'm totally buying into the whole maxi dress for preggos thing! Normally these dresses are anything but flattering on my but I'm loving them now! Dont mind the puppy tail, he's my shadow most days :)

A vent to pregnant mamas out there

For the love of gummy bears, can we try to be more positive about our pregnancies? Instead of telling anyone with ears how horrible pregnancy nausea is for you, why not share how amazing it is to feel those first kicks? Or maybe we can share the adorable thing your husband did or said instead of saying how terrible pregnancies are for you. Women spend so much time talking about the bad parts of pregnancy that we forget to put it in perspective. Is it glamorous? Nope - but we get to grow a HUMAN and that is an amazing feat. Instead of telling men how lucky they are that they don't have to "go through this", maybe we should feel sorry that they can't experience this. We are all guilty of spending too much time talking about how often we threw up this week, or the aches and pains we feel, mostly because we've been led to believe that's what defines pregnancy. It's become a competition between women, akin to telling war stories and showing battle scars. Don't even get me started on hearing these complaints from a pregnant gal when you are struggling to get or stay pregnant - I can't even begin to share that pain and frustration without sounding like a bitter old hag. 

From here forward, if anyone hears me complain, will you just ask me what the best pregnancy moment that week was? Lets start reveling in the unbelievable thing our body is working to accomplish. 

Bumpdate {19 weeks}

• October 1, 2013
• 
  
• How far along? 19 weeks 2 days
• Weight Gain/Loss: I won't know any changes until my 20 week appt
• Maternity Clothes: holding onto whatever normal clothes I can 
• Sleep: meh
• Best moment this week: last night when Luke got to feel the baby move! His face would light up like I've never seen, and of course I cried :)
• Movement: getting stronger!
• Food Cravings: Sweets still. I'm thinking that's not going away. 
• Food Aversions: meat
• Belly Button: Staying the same 
• Stretch Marks: Nope
• Symptoms: round ligament pain, heartburn, and my puking is down to once a week. Yay. 
• What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, and having an appetite
• What I’m looking forward to: the BIG ultrasound in 8 days! Luke and I are also going to try to get away this weekend for an early anniversary celebration, in Steamboat Springs, which we actually haven't been to before. 

We had an an amazing moment this week, that confirmed our feelings for our doctor. Luke's boss Jackie was the one that referred us to Dr. M. She is also currently pregnant, with her second, and has really loved Dr. M for both pregnancies. While visiting for her weekly checkup, somehow Luke and I came up, and while Dr M can't discuss us, they all agreed that we are going to be amazing parents. What's more, they all got really emotional talking about it, even Dr M. This gave Luke and I such warm-fuzzies, and made me cry like a baby. I explained to Luke that I just feel as though Dr M really cares about us and our story, and whether or not she's like that with every patient, it doesn't matter. It's such a difference from the anonymity we experience at our first women's clinic, where no one knew/remembered us, or anything that happened to us. This whole pregnancy has been such a different experience and I really have to thank Dr M for so much of that. 

Here's a new picture, taken today! (Kindly ignore the lack of makeup and overall exhausted look ha)