7 Months Prego!

The belly is getting BIG.  I'm definitely starting to get uncomfortable.  I'm not complaining yet, because I know BIGGER is to come.  (Man, I looked cute at 4 months :)). 

Last Travels Before Baby

Andrew and I have been packing in our traveling the latter part of summer before the arrival of our bundle of joy.  We had plans to go to Mexico for a wedding the end of October, however since Baby Woo will make his or her arrival around the same time, we decided to switch our Mexico airline tickets for a "babymoon" vacation!  The most economical option to trade our AirTran tickets from San Antonio was Tampa, FL.  We stayed at a lovely St. Petersburg bed & breakfast for 3 nights.  My favorite breakfast meal was a tempura poached egg - Y.U.M.

We went to the beach complete with a picnic from an Italian market

Crazy cool trees.  Originated from India

St. Petersburg at sunset

In front of our bed & breakfast - The Dickens House

On the same weekend that Andrew went to Denver for Caleb's bachelor party, I also took a weekend to "party" with my Chicago peeps!  Beth was a gracious host for the weekend, making sure I was always well fed and hydrated.  The weekend was filled with fun and friends and went by WAY too fast! 

Beth got us some sweet newborn Hawkeye gear!  We'll be ready for the Minnesota game (and maybe even a couple more before that too)!

PT mini-renunion

I had the best baby shower - complete with Hawkeye tailgate.

More Hawks gear!  The jersey will be ready for next season and the bib will inspire the baby forever.

mamas

Newman Center Reunion

What is left of the delicious spread that Beth prepared - including black bean burgers for us vegetarians

Go Hawks!

Chicago skyline from Soldier Field

We were threatened by beer bongers that we could not leave the parking lot unless we did a beer bong - Adam Muckler saved the day :)

Last, but certainly not least, we will attend the Stoll/Church wedding in Nashville!

Welcome 3rd Trimester!

Hello 3rd trimester, and hello lots more eating!  My appetite has definitely exceeded that of my hyper-metabolic 6'2" husband.  At our last check up, doctor states that I'm "in perfect health" and the baby is doing great too!  Now we start going to the doctor every other week rather than once a month.  We have painted the nursery a neutral gray color, and we continue to read, attend classes, and prepare for welcoming the "Wittle Wooter" into the world.  Here's the most recent bump picture - I can't believe I'm going to get (lots) bigger than this!

I left the t-shirt on just for you Carrie ;)

Grandma Brown is Getting Excited

Though I haven't even my own child, I can imagine that being a grandparent must be even more fun than being a parent.  You get to witness all the goodness and joy without as much responsibility, discipline, and "bad-guy" as the parents.  By the looks of it, Grandma Brown is getting pretty excited for Baby Wooster to make his/her appearance in November!

Courtesy of the Iowa State Fair - Grandma holds a doll the size of a 30 week old gestational baby

Also at the fair - Grandma's got baby on her mind when decorating a cookie and entering it for official judging

Saved the best for last - remember those beautiful wedding bags that she made each of my bridesmaids?  Baby Wooster has one too, but of course baby style.  Very precious.  

I hear that Grandma Wooster has some surprises of her own in store for us too ;)

From the Kitchen...

Good cooking this week.  I got a new pizza crust recipe (I'm always searching for a keeper), and this one is a good one!  Crispy crust, relatively easy to make, and delicious!  Andrew made his into a perfect circle and mine turned out like blobs. 

 

I also recently made Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps from the Pioneer Woman's blog.  They were yummy and what really put them over the top was an easy-peasy peanut sauce I stirred up to go on top (I can't remember where I got the recipe but it is similar to this one). 

Five Month Bump

Time flies when you're, 'er, having fun?!  Not sure I can say my whole pregnancy has been fun but I can say that everyday is better than the last - filling with anticipation to meet our little one, preparing for labor & delivery (I can handle it!), starting to work on the nursery, and shopping for the necessary goodies to care for a baby.  Our family will be THREE before we know it!

 

 

I do believe I'm going to have to get a new t-shirt for next month!

Relaxing Minnesota Vacation

We enjoyed a relaxing vacation in northern Minnesota at my folks' cabin on Leech Lake over 4th of July week.  Although we were without power for 3 days due to a massive summer storm, we had a great time eating walleye, swimming & boating, partying with the 70 year olds and daily napping!

A calm part of the boat ride in Roosevelt Canal

So many beautiful sunsets - view from the beach

 

 

Celebrating with the 70 year olds!  My mom hosted a party and we had fun decorating and baking the cakes.  I hope I look that good when I'm 70!

another sunset - I will be printing these out and hanging the prints in our house

Andrew's first being towed behind a boat and he made it up on the knee board!  Next year, slalom skiing.

 

Dad caught a 21" walleye - too big to keep so had to throw it back

another gorgeous sunset - I think this is my fav

Wouldn't be a trip to northern Minnesota without a visit to Paul & Babe

Bump Update

Now strangers can tell I'm pregnant!  I definitely FEEL more pregnant too as I have an obvious bump, I can feel the little Muffin in the oven kicking/punching/flipping, and I'm eating A LOT more.  My goal is to buy no maternity clothes - I am way too practical A) they're expensive, B) I can re-wear clothing I buy now later on.  I do need to find a dress to wear to the Church-Stoll wedding in September where I'll be almost 8 months pregnant - wish me luck!