Parent's Visit

So happy that my parents were able to come visit us for a few days. Mother and I went nuts baby shopping and it was so nice to have them both here all to myself! Times like these I wish I had them here with me everyday but I am so grateful we are close enough that we are able to see each other as often as we do. Can't wait to see them again in a month! Josh and I are heading up to Tulsa for a baby shower! I can't believe that time is already approaching...time is flying!

24 weeks
mother insisted on this picture.
lovely background...i know!

Mothers gift and one of my favorites so far!

I could stare at these all day.

 =)

On a different note I was able to escape the parents for just a bit this past weekend to sprinkle baby Avery who is due April 9th. Avery is going to have a million boys fighting over her with all the other baby boys in our group of friends! Here is a picture from the shower that I stole....

The three preggos! Erin and Emily
are due the exact same day...so crazy!

24 Week Belly Post

How far along: 24 Weeks
Size of the baby:  Around 12.5 inches and 1.25 lbs. About the size of a corn.

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 15 pounds since my 21 week appointment.

Maternity clothes: Wearing most of my pre-pregnancy cloths other then my ohhh soooo comfy maternity jeans and a few shirts that were given to me as gifts.  I still sport the belly band with other pants that I own. Its been nice having a wardrobe full of flowy shirts because I seem to have no problem in the shirt department. 

Cravings: Still no constant cravings. But I am sooo ready to have a Margarita, Beer, or glass of wine! So happy I don't have to suffer thru the entire summer without a drink of one of these beverages.

Symptoms: I can't really complain about much these last few weeks. I have really felt great! I know the days of discomfort are near so I am just trying to take advantage of this time as much as I can. This is the time to really get cracking on the nursery and I have been busy these last few weeks getting things ready for our lil man. We have most of our big items purchased. We are just waiting until after my parents visit to move the guest bedroom downstairs so we can start moving in the crib, chair, light fixture, and a few tother decorative items.  Nursery updates to come...

Movements: Baby boy has active periods where Josh and I sit and watch certain parts of my belly twitch.  So far they are pretty mild kicks or punches but lately I have had a few really hard kicks that left me dead in my tracks! There were a few days last week where I didn't think I felt him as much but sure enough his movements picked up with a vengeance soon after. Its amazing how much I love and already begin to worry about our little guy. 

Gender predictions: BOY!


24 Week Belly Pics...

Puerto Vallarta

A little behind again on all my posts so we will start off with our trip to Puerto Vallarta, where we got to celebrate The Morelands Marriage! Although we had some bumps in the road and things didn't turn out exactly as planned, we were happy we were there to witness these two love birds on one of the most special days of their lives! A little rain didn't dampen this parade and we even had a a very rare double rainbow show up in time for their ceremony. Pretty AMAZING!

Here are some pictures of our weekend.....

23 weeks

The Fosters

Posing for a pic on Puerto Vallarta's board walk

Strolling the board walk

Pretty church in Puerto Vallarta

Rehearsal Dinner...beautiful roof top view of the city

With the beautiful Bride to be

23 Weeks

Exploring a small town outside of
Nuevo Vallarta

action shot! waves came crashing in on us

a little stop until the rain blew over

the boys enjoying their street tacos...
which may or may not have caused these boys
to get SICK!

boat ride to Amie & Jon's wedding

Ceremony site

Rain stopped for the ceremony and look what appeared?!
a double rainbow!!! SOOO SPECIAL!!
The girls were crying like babies!

The beautiful bride with her
sweet Dads!

Wishing you two love birds a lifetime
of happiness together.

22 Week Belly Post

Update.... At my 21 week appointment I had my due date moved up a week!  According to all my ultrasounds I am consistently measuring a week ahead, along with my first belly measurement.  So this puts baby Manard back to being conceived in Greece, which Josh and I always thought was the case! Looks like we have a little Greek baby on our hands. =) Not sure why shaving off a few days is so exciting but maybe its because that means we probably get to meet our little guy that much sooner! Official due date now June 10th 2012. WOOO HOOO!!!

How far along: 22 Weeks

Size of the baby:  Around 11 inches and 1 lb. About the size of spaghetti squash.

Total weight gain/loss: At my 21/22 week appointment I gained an extra 5 lbs. For a grand total of 15 lbs!!! I have been trying to watch it these last few days because now that our visitors are gone I can go back to trying to eat a little more healthy. The last month has been busy with family, friends, and special events. Which means a lot of eating out! I know gaining weight is a normal process throughout pregnancy but I just want to make sure I gain a healthy amount. So far I haven't gotten yelled at by the doctor but I can't help but clinch my teeth every time I hit the scale at each appointment. 

Maternity clothes: Finally sported the maternity jeans my mother gave me for Christmas this past weekend. Ummm not sure why I waited this long to wear them. I am OBSESSED! I want to wear these even when I am not pregnant! Still wearing some of my other pants with the belly band and most of my shirts and tops will do just fine. I did purchase a pair of maternity black leggings at Target. I like that extra belly protection and I know I will get good use out of them this spring and even into the summer. =)

Cravings: No specific cravings. Just love all foods in general and have no problems in that department. 

Symptoms: So far I have been doing great! Can't really complain too much except for a few minor aches here and there. I have noticed at times when I sneeze I feel a pulling sensation in the groin area but I hear that is completely normal from the muscles stretching from my growing belly. 

Movements: Josh has been feeling baby since 20 weeks and Catherine (my BF) got to feel baby take a kick when she came to visit this past weekend. He is an active one for sure!

Gender predictions: All BOY!

22 Week Belly Picture

Catherine came into town to visit and we got so much done! She helped me register and boy am I glad she did! I swear I didn't know what half the stuff we registered was for and let me just tell you there is a lot for this girl to learn. Its always great to get each Mothers advice when it comes to baby gear, especially for this first time Momma. We enjoyed getting to eat yummy food and shopping for baby cloths.  =) More than anything it was just great to get to catch up! So happy she made it down to Houston to spend time with me and lil Manard!! Here are some pics of her visit....

Happy Hour at Benji's....Except this girl got to sip
on Water... =(

Silly Boys drinking their Martini's

Love these ladies