24..25...26...

Ahh yes, there is a trend here. I keep forgetting to blog. Honestly, all the weeks are running together. I am currently in my last week days of the second trimester which is really hard for me to wrap my head around.

24 weeks

Baby Size: baby is as big as a cantaloupe

This was our first week at home just the two of us. We took full advantge. We decorated the house and put up the tree.

We also filled out our baby registries. I must say I am not a fan of registering. I hated doing it for our wedding and still wasn't very fond of it for our baby. But, it was fun to imagine getting to use all that stuff with our little guy in a few months. Who knew something so tiny would need so many things to survive. Don't even get me started on the things I learned that I personally will need post-baby. Ever heard of nipple butter? Yeah, I don't think it is used for fun.

25 weeks

Forgot to take a belly picture this week so the picture of us at Laura and Pen's wedding will have to do :)

Baby size: Cauliflower, about 13.5-14.8 inches and 1.5-2.5 pounds!

This week we celebrated our last wedding of 2015 and last one before Baby Rice arrives! It was for the final Boddie boy, Pen, and his new wife Laura. We had so much fun dancing the night away to an awesome band, The Janitors, and taking in the gorgeous views of Rose Hill Plantation. As always, a blast getting all our friends together under one roof and playing the cow bell ;)

This was also the week I broke down and admitted I was not sleeping well to Jared. His response, "I know, I noticed it a couple days ago so I ordered you a pregnancy pilliow from Amazon and should be here soon." Hello, husband and baby daddy of the year! He seriously is the greatest. This pregnancy pillow is ahh-mazing! It took me a few nights of shifting, finding the right position and getting over the fact that it felt like pillow jail but it has made a world of difference.

26 weeks

Baby size: head of lettuce. Which, I should probably eat more of but Baby Rice is just not a fan of vegetables, just like his daddy.

This week we are in Texas celebrating Christmas with Jared's side of the family. It has been busy since the minute we landed but I love every second of it!

I especially love all the time with this sweet sister-in-law aka built in friend of mine!

Day one was kids' Christmas. Our sweet family got us gifts for baby boy even though he's not technically here yet. He will certainly be decked out in Texas/Rice Man gear :) We had our annual meet up with Jared's old friends and went to see Star Wars.

Day two Jared's cousin got married. It was just a small civil ceremony followed by a family lunch. Then we met up with Gwyn and Neil at their new house for dinner.

Day three was shopping day which is Jared's favorite. Spending 2 hours in Best Buy is my nightmare but he loves it.

Day four (today) was Christmas Eve Eve where we did our immediate family gift exchange. My in laws got me set with a new fitbit and kindle. Jared also made me the sweetest most thoughtful gift, a mama coupon book for after Baby Rice's arrival. I'm telling you, Baby Daddy of the year.

Tomorrow is our traditional marathon Christmas Eve. The morning will be with my mother-in-laws side of the family. The evening is church and Christmas with my father-in-laws side of the family. It is a super long day but always so great to see all the family!

Then early Christmas morning we fly home to be with my family in Wilmington.

It is a whirlwind of a week but totally worth it. Can't believe our sweet little boy will be here next year for all the Christmas festivities!

21..22..23 weeks..oh my!

It has been pretty busy since we got back from Arizona and we have been playing catch up.

21 Weeks 

Unfortunately, we have been so busy since getting back from Arizona that we kept foretting to get the picture outside before the sun went down. Thus, we must settle for an indoor shot for the 21 week belly picture.

Baby Size: pomegranate or 10.5 inches and 12.7 ounces

Week Recap: nothing interesting happened this week. It was a lot of catching up at work and getting back in the swing of a routine. Baby boy is still moving a lot. Mama is still loving her sweets and will soon be regretting that at the doctor's appointment next week. A mix of maternity and pre-pregnancy clothes are making up my wardrobe.

22 Weeks

Baby Size: Papaya! Honestly, couldn't tell you what in the world a papaya tastes like, but baby boy is 10.5-11.8 inches and 12.7-20.8 ounces.

Total Weight Gain: brace yourself...16 pounds. Yes, SIXTEEN pounds. I gained 10 in just 4 weeks (insert shocked-face-emjoi here). For me, a person who has struggled with weight and body issues her entire life, this was a hard pill to swallow. I was quickly reassured by my husband and doctor that this is totally normal. Still it was difficuly for me to grasp especially since my plan was to only gain 25 total. I don't feel like I look 16 pounds heavier. Most of my gain has been belly and obviously my chest. I understand you gain weight with pregnancy however, this was a scale shock for me. I feel amazing and I am grateful that I get to experience such a beautiful thing. Quickly learning to love the weight while decreasing my ice cream intake and increasing pilates...

Maternity clothes: duh.

Best Moment This Week: of course nothing beats hearing our sweet baby's heart beat at our check up, but we also got to spend a weekend in Topsail Island with some of our best friends! 

We celebrated this guys 30th birthday! Hillman and I have been friends since high school and over 10 years. Well, now we are both married, one is 30 and one is pregnant. Oh life, you move so fast. 

Spent the weekend with these lovely folks eating oysters, enjoying Friendsgiving, and celebrating the birthday boy! 

The views from the house were unreal. I'm talking 360 degree water views. Hello dream vacation home. But let's be real, the picture is mainly to show off my cute husband and sweet Lillie bug.

Thanksgiving: 

Jared and I hosted at our home again this year for the third time. It was very low key and perfect for us. Very thankful for all the people above and the little turkey in my belly that will be joining us next year!

Sweet hubs with his turkey day set up outside

23 Weeks

Baby Size: Grapefruit! About 10.5-11.8 inches and 12.7-20.8 ounces

Sleep: still great! Having some crazy vivid dreams still.

Symptoms: I don't know if this is really a symptom or if I should attribute it to my increase in hormones. Well, I think I love my husband more everyday since I have been pregnant. I am literally bursting with love for him. I know it sounds weird (and cheesy) but knowing he helped/played a major role in giving me the greatest gift ever makes me just melt. I can't imagine what kind of puddle of love I will be be once I see my boys together.

Movement: all the time! I LOVE it! I think it is one of my favorite things about being pregnant. Plus I am way less anxious because his movement reassures me everything is ok.

Best Moment This Week: got my very first funny pregnancy comment from one of my patients. She said, "girl, did you swallow a watermelon?" Haha.

I survived being pregnant for an entire football season! Woohoo! We capped off tailgating/football season this weekend. Unfortunately, we had a sorry loss against the Tarholes but still had fun at the final tailgate of the year!

Now, on to basketball season...