Welcome Peanut: My VA Baby Shower

Wow. Just wow. This weekend was the most incredible celebration of love and I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Just to relieve the fun, joy and duh, food. 

Le Husband and I flew back to VA for my baby shower and it was seriously the best weekend ever. My sisters, mom and friends did such and fantastic job with all the little details and I just LOVED the Peanuts theme. 

What made the weekend even better was my BOFF flying in from Texas to attend the shower. I remember being so excited for her shower, 4 YEARS ago for her sweet little E. It was beyond special having here up with me for the weekend and I LOVED how quickly and easily she fit in with my family and my friends. Seriously, newest sister to the clan :)!

We also celebrated my sweet niece's 1 year birthday on Sunday and it was quite a lot of fun. She really enjoyed her smash cake and did so well with so many people in the house. Especially back to back days. It was a full weekend of chilling, dinners, food, girl talk, self care, celebrations and love. I am so blessed and feel so thankful to have so many wonderful people who care so much about me.

Friday Letters: Third Trimester Edition

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Open letters are cathartic. I find writing them here, in a journal, or social media just makes me feel better. Usually I'll write about a bunch of different things, but as my life now is consumed with the third trimester most of my thoughts center around baby.

Dear Stomach: YOU ARE LARGE AND IN CHARGE. I swear you grow an inch a day and I'm constantly hitting you against myself and randomly now against other people, eeeeek! Thank you for keeping BOB safe and thank you for being so incredible as you grow. Now, please just don't give me stretch marks, kay?

Dear Sleep: WHY YOU LEAVE ME?!? LEGIT, you gone. Everyone said third trimester is the toughest for sleep and dude, the first week of the third trimester you disappeared. I'm now waking up every hour, even though I don't have to pee and then the last REM I'm able to sleep for three hours straight which is just TOUGH to feel rested. Will you come back, please?

Dear Fitness: We are approaching that time. The time where exercises I LOVE just aren't the most comfortable. I'll be honest, I haven't worked out as much as I expected and I think that is playing a part in my fitness. Or, my endurance. I've tried to get to the gym on my own, but most of my workouts have consisted of just teaching. ATTACK and COMBAT are taking more of a toll on me than I thought and I'm honestly said when I think of giving up teaching so soon. But, I'm so grateful to still be able to move.

Dear Random People: How bout you keep the opinions to yourself. Don't get me wrong, I find pregnancy a wonderful time where people are super excited when they ask about BOB. I enjoy your excitement when you find out we are going to be surprised about the gender, makes me smile. But, when you launch into your scary birth stories, or tell me I look big enough to pop, or try to tell me to get sleep now, I want to tell you to shut your mouth. Why do people like to say weird things?

Dear Family & Besties: Thank you so much for everything so far. For all the support, the pep talks, the allowing me to cry, the excitment, the offering to throw me a baby shower, the telling me it's okay, the sweet notes and just being there. I haven't been the easiest pregnant woman, and I know that. This has been a lot harder than I ever expected and I'm grateful for people who love me and BOB so much.

Dear Pregnancy: Holy moly, we are in the weekly SINGLE DIGITS! I am baffled, just baffled. In a few short weeks we will be ONE MONTH away from delivery day and eeeegggaaadd. I knew time would fly, even on days when I felt awful, but I cannot believe we are now here. I'm praying this last trimester isn't as awful as people say.

Dear Food: My word are my tastebuds all over the place. Some days all I want is sugar. Other days it's salty and crunchy. Some days I just want to eat all day. Others I barely get enough calories. I feel the extra weight though, especially from many nights of ice cream and cereal before bed. I'm up just over 20 pounds and can't really blame that all on baby :)! I need fresh veggies to be my craving again, I miss that feeling.

Dear BOB: Oh sweet babe, I love you. I love your kicks. Your movements. Your recognition of my voice. I pray for you daily. I dream about your face. I dream about your arrival and I'm so excited to meet you. We want you to keep cooking, but gosh, just wondering WHO YOU ARE is killing me. Keep being healthy and keep growing. I can't wait to hug and kiss you!

Show Us Your Books

Got myself together for Show Us Your Books, finally. All female authors this time, randomly.

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I found this book because I was looking up pregnancy books for learning, not just for fun. Super glad I picked it up because it is a super cute read. The main character is enjoyable and the premise is silly, but legit. After being stuck with all the crap shifts and jobs at the magazine, Liz pretends to be pregrnant to collect on her MEternity so she can find another job. Of course she meets a guy, of course people second guess her and of course she gets attached to all the joys of pregnancy. Full of normal rom-com funnies, this is a easy read to pass the time. I took off half a star beccause I felt the auther was trying to be too trendy in her writing about NYC. It just annoyed me, ha.

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I still have to see this movie, so of course I read the book first. Which doesn't totally mesh with how the movie runs, apparently. I wanted to love it, because I love Blake Lively, but even imagining her as Emily this story kind of fell flat. Kind of tried to be quirky by pushing boundaries and it was weird. I also didn't enjoy the back and forth between blog post and real dialogue. I honestly was waiting for one more twist at the end but it didn't happen. Passed the time well, but not the hype the movie seems to be about.

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Ballet is a secret love of mine so I snatched this book up when I needed something easy for a trip. It is the classic Nora Roberts formula. Hot girl, smoking guy, both from different backgrounds with no reason to fall in love. Things happen, they get together, something pulls them apart and theeeeeeennnn! I enjoyed the unique family dynamics woven into the story and adored Kate.

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Random pick up on a whim. Full disclosure I thought it was fiction until I started reading it. Call me a bad history student but I was completely unaware of Kick Kennedy and enjoyed learning about her and the Kennedy family's stay over in Europe before WW2. Lots of Downton Abbey period references and interesting tidbits about the Kennedy family. Was a bit long, but still enjoyable.

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This book is how I imagine a conversation with Graham would go. I must admit, there were a few times I was like, 'GIRL GET TO THE POINT', but overall it was a fun read. I enjoyed learning more about her early career, gaining insight into what it was like to be on GG when it suddenly ended and how the remake came to be for everyone involved. Fun read.

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Oh, this book. I thought it was the normal Roberts book, but it was kind of icky which really surprised me. Roberts is the queen of opposites attract and people fighting chemistry until there is the 'awww heck' moment and someone goes in for the embrace. However, this is the first time I've felt the 'chase' was taken too far and the consent really wasn't there. The main character had so much going for her, but then was just a flop. I enjoyed the setting of Greece and the whole mystery was one I didn't truly see coming.

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Loved this Roberts book. So well written, such wonderful characters and masterfully pulled together. Heartbreaking at the beginning, something we are seeing too much in our society, but the follow up is truly wonderful. There isn't a quick fix and relationships are tested over and over again. You watch people grieve and grow and come back together. This will pass the time quickly.

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Oh, wow, what a book. This one tugs at the heart strings so badly and is beautifully written. Set in WW2 it follows three completely different women as they navigate the rise of the Nazis and the war. One woman is Polish, one is German and one is American, all trying to survive and make it through. Lots of pondering moments and thoughts of "what would I do in this situation". Incredibly crafted and a book everyone should read.

TBB Asks: Relationship Edition

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A week late, oh well. Valentine's day is this week so I'm fine. It's fine.

1] Who is your oldest friend and how did you meet? My bestie, L. She and I met in kindergarten when both of our father's were stationed at the same base in California. We were not best friends then. We actually were very competitive when we first met. My family moved to DC and her family moved to Japan and we didn't see each other until 4th grade when they stayed with us for a week after moving back to the states. It was besties from then on.

2] Tell us about your circle of support. Who are your people? I'm lucky because I have so many wonderful people in my circle. My sisters, first. Then my besties. Then my fitness besties. Then my kickball besties. I have so so so many fabulous women who support me and want nothing but the best for me. When you find them, hold on tight.

3] How did you meet your partner? Kickball. Yes, kickball. We met on a social league and the rest is history.

4] How is Valentine's day celebrated in your home? My parents always did an amazing job of celebrating Valentine's day for us when we grew up. The sissy's and I always had balloons, candy and fun lil trinkets. I never was a big fan of the pomp & circumstance of V-day when dating. I never was the girl who put pressure on the guy and never freaked out if we didn't do anything big. The day never defined a relationship, ever. With Le Husband we will sometimes cook a special dinner and usually exchange a card.

5] What is your love language? Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch.

6] Do you prefer receiving flowers or chocolates? Flowers, please. Chocolates just go to waste :)!

7] What is the most meaningful gift you have ever received? Roses from Le Husband after we found out I was pregnant. It was so unexpected and so sweet. Two close seconds were clothes from friends unexpectedly, when I was going through a really tough time last year. They both sold clothing and just sent me a lil something and it made my day.