//Bumpdate 32 weeks + CA Pictures

 ( Andrew trying to be my paparazzi! Rude!)

 How many weeks: 32 weeks

Movement: Lots of movement when I'm trying to relax or when I'm sitting or laying down. I sometimes feel him when I'm up and moving around but bit as much as when I'm being still. 

Symptoms: Still some morning sickness, feeling uncomfortable in one position to long, back aches and the worst is being swollen in my hands and feet! Oh they ache so bad and I can't fit into many of my shoes. 

Any weight gain: Last appt I had I was up to 16 pounds. 

Sleep: If you let me I could sleep all day. I sleep pretty good once I'm out and usually just have to get up once to use the bathroom. 

Cravings: Ginger ale!

Moods: I've been a little bit emotional. Okay, that's a lie. I'm a cry baby lately. Oh, the emotions!!!

Stretch Marks: No new ones.

Linea Negra: Nope!

Belly button in or out: Still in but it's very shallow. 

Rings on or off: Wedding band off and my engagement ring is pretty close to being off. 

Moments during the week: Well were back from California! I'm happy to be home but sad that we didn't feel we got to spend more time with family and friends. It's never enough. I will admit it wasn't the most relaxing vacation. With the baby shower, (which was so fun don't get me wrong)Andrew working a big gig, then getting tooth pain again which resulted in a root canal and another tooth extraction, and his uncle being in the hospital, we sort of felt like we were all over the place. It was a pretty crazy week but I'm so happy we went and were able to see everyone. I wanted to just pinch everyone because they were in front of me in real life instead of over the internet. It's been hard being away from everyone but it just means more planning to get together and making it a priority to take time away to visit. I am really glad we were able to come to California and stay with Andrew's grandparents. I also feel very welcomed there so that was a nice place to kind of unwind. 

I was so grateful for all the beautiful things Liam got at the baby shower! You all made Andrew, me and Liam feel so loved! I just keep holding and looking at everything imagining Liam in all his cute clothes and playing with his fun toys. I'm so thankful! 

>>Still deciding when to take maternity leave. I'm the type that works up until the last minute before anything. I'm sort of battling with trusting God has everything under control. With becoming a new mom, still adjusting to living in Washington and being away from family, I just get myself so worked up sometimes. I hope I'm not the only new mom who goes through all of this. I feel like I could have all the money and material things in the world and I still wouldn't be "ready" I am anxious to meet him and start our life with him. It still seems so surreal to me sometimes until he kicks me in the gut and reminds me he's really there! Anyways, here's some pictures from our trip! All the baby shower pictures you can find on my facebook HERE Enjoy!

Hubert is our roadtrip hog

The drive is long but it sure is pretty!

We have Washington plates!!!

 

                        

Mt Shasta

My handsome hubby at Peet's!

(This is the gig Andrew was apart of!) 

Sissy

Jordyn & me! Love her so much!

Visiting at my old school I worked at. This is my 8th grade friend Kirsten! I have loved watching her grow up & excited for what God has for her. 

Gypsy!

Real Mexican food. Sorry to my Washington friends but I haven't found a place yet that compares to the many we have in California!

Sister and me playing with mustaches from the shower

Andrew, Mom, me

Andrew doesn't always love the camera

We're back home!

Love Forever,

Chel Chel

// Bumpdate 30 weeks

How many weeks: 30 weeks

Movement: SO MUCH movement! He has been kicking me like crazy! Andrew has been able to feel and see him and my friend Andrea just saw him move yesterday! It was so cool!

Symptoms: This week I have felt alright actually. It has been a very busy week and I won't slow down until I am literally in the car Wednesday driving back to CA. Rest and relaxation will be nice.

Any weight gain: I have a DR. appt Tuesday so we shall see. Everyone says I'm tiny though so I haven't gained very much. I had one mom totally shocked when I told her I was expecting in May and she just couldn't believe I was 7 months. 

Sleep: I can fall asleep okay but getting up has been hard. I feel like I could hibernate forever.

Cravings: Nothing really this week. 

Moods: Mostly happy just slow and tired. 

Stretch Marks: No new ones.

Linea Negra: Nope!

Belly button in or out: Still in but that thing might poke out any day. It sure feels out to me.

Rings on or off: Okay, I had to add this in because I noticed last night after I took my rings off that my finger was a tiny bit swollen. I wear a tungsten medal ring as my wedding band and it cannot be cut so I am probably going to stop wearing that when we leave next week. 

Moments during the week: Not to much other than Liam moving like crazy! Just ready to slow down. I literally have no time to just be and it's starting to wear on me. 5 more days...5 more days.. I got this!

( Camera shy)

See all my family & friends in California soon!

Love Forever,

Chel Chel

//Bumpdate 29 weeks

How many weeks: 29 weeks

Movement: Every day I feel his kicking. It's so crazy that it's Liam kicking me. Im going to be honest sometimes it totally annoys me when I am trying to relax and I am like, "Hey kid, calm down in there!"

Symptoms: Still a low appetite, exhaustion where I feel like I could sleep all day and still not feel rested, round ligament pain, my pre-pregnancy clothes are starting to not fit so great anymore. Whaaa!

Any weight gain: Just had a Dr. appt and I am at 12 pounds weight gain still. 

Sleep: Better now that I have my mornings to relax and wake up naturally. 

Cravings: Nothing really this week. 

Moods: Irritable in the mornings. Just not in the mood to really do a whole lot except nest at home.  

Stretch Marks: No new ones.

Linea Negra: Nope!

Belly button in or out: Still in but that thing might poke out any day. It sure feels out to me.

Moments during the week: I did my test where they gibe you the "nasty" drink and I have no clue why people think it's gross. It literally is just sugar in a drink! I am not sure how sugar and nasty get put into the same category but it didn't phase me to drink it. I thought it was pretty good. If I slapped a cool label on there you people wouldn't know the difference and I would be a millionaire. Just sayin!

We leave for vacation in 11 days!!! I cannot wait for a break and just some relaxing time with family and friends. I miss so many people back in California. On the other hand though I have loved meeting new people and forming friendships here. It's give and take. 

I was feeling the other day about how I am just ready to be done working with other children for now. I love them and for the past four years it has been a joy investing in other children's lives but I'm done. I just want my own to invest in for a while. I am starting to get more anxious about meeting Liam. I know its going to be 24/7 and I know it's going to be different than my ideal in my head but he will be the baby God chose Andrew and I to take care of. That is something I am ready for.

Here is my registry again if you would like to view it. 

Liams Registry

I have been blessed to receive a lot already but still needing some big ticket items. You can ship to us through the registry and it has our address already saved. Also, gift cards to target and IKEA would be wonderful too! We will need stuff down the line that we don't have the space to purchase for now. Also, if you can please avoid babies r us. I do not live very close to one!

I am getting so excited to see everyone in California! Waiting eagerly for my in and out!

Love Forever,

Chel Chel

//Bumpdate 28 weeks=3rd Trimester

How many weeks: 28 weeks

Movement: He is pretty mellow. He kicks me everyday but he doesn't do the big jabs and hard kicks. I have only felt maybe 3 hard kicks my entire time of pregnancy so far.

Symptoms: Low appetite, belly feeling like it's stretching like crazy, leg cramps ( I need more bananas in the house now) heartburn, round ligament pain and just over all pretty tired most days no matter how long I sleep.

(This is how I feel about all my symptoms. Why, oh why?! Okay, enough drama!)

Any weight gain: Last I checked was about 12 pounds. 

Sleep: I have been going to bed and getting up pretty regularly so that has helped me during the day not feel like I want to fall asleep.

Cravings: Nothing really this week. Still have lemonade stocked up in the fridge.

Moods: I have been in a pretty good mood this week. Having my mornings has helped me feel more productive. 

Stretch Marks: No new ones.

Linea Negra: Nope!

Belly button in or out: Still in but that thing might poke out any day. It sure feels out to me.

Moments during the week: The kids at my YMCA site have been really funny lately. They ask everyday when Im having the baby, how I am doing and sometimes shove basketballs in their shirts and pretend to be me. It's pretty hilarious actually because they shove them way up on their chest and especially the boys crack me up! They think in a matter of seconds the "baby" or basketball will come out and ta-da! Baby! I have one boy in particular who's mom is due at the end of March so he has been my little helper/buddy lately and today he came up and gave me the sweetest hug for no reason. Those kids make me laugh and make me realize how important it is to be a positive role model in their lives. 

On another note I have an appointment Tuesday and it's the one where I have to drink that really sugary drink. Some women have told me it's really gross and my doctor was cracking up because he's convinced he could slap a good marketing label on it and make millions. He says it is really sweet and tastes sort of like a flat soda. He likes them actually! So we shall see. I'm not nervous, just annoyed I have to be there forever to do the test. I'm glad my appointments are getting closer together because I have a list of questions I want to ask especially before we leave for California! My boss finally approved my request and we are headed there March 19-27! Excited for a vacation/baby moon/ baby shower and just a time to catch up with family & friends!

In case anyone wanted to view my registry here is the link: Baby Liam Registry

(If you happen to purchase anything online it already has my preferred address stored to be shipped too)

Love Forever,

Chel Chel

//Community

I was standing in line to get my cat Daisy fixed today ( no this isn't a cat post, I'm not that crazy of a cat lady!) and I was chatting with the girl behind me. She was really friendly, talkative and telling me about her cat Duke. We chatted a bit about where we worked, her son and my soon to be son, my husband and her boyfriend and some other surface-y type topics. As I waved goodbye to her and thanking her for the chat I realized something, I could have easily shut the conversation down. There were a few other people in line I interjected my comments in, I mean we were all there for a similar purpose, but they would respond and then turn away. The girl, Tiffany, kept our conversation going and I did as well. When I was in my car driving back home I was thinking how much more I have made an effort to reach out to people.

Andrew and I moved here knowing next to nobody. If we want to have community and also reach people for Jesus, we have to reach out. People aren't going to just become friends with me or us for no reason. No one in close community probably even knows we exist. I've learned in this generation and time of technology how important reaching out and just talking to people is. I mean seriously some people get freaked out by real life conversations now and I just think it's hilarious some times. It's so easy to hide behind our tiny phones and computers and output out opinions and thoughts. However, in person your statements become so much more vulnerable.

I have become so much more vulnerable moving to Washington. It was almost like a fresh start and it's expected people are going to ask me questions about my life that so many people back in California just knew. I've learned to become even more of an open person and become a better listener. I'm surrounded by a new environment and new people that requires me to listen more so that I can get to know my community. Vulnerability is a trait that I think is taking a back seat in so many peoples lives. Also, listening and actually caring for the people in your life has been excused by the word busy. We're all so "busy" and don't carve out time for each other anymore.

I've learned in this past year that being vulnerable and not listening can really cause some damage in relationships and friendships. Now being vulnerable is not a bad thing but it can hurt when the person you're telling things to doesn't respond the way you expect or is to busy to be there for you. I know I have totally messed up in this area. I expect people to listen to me but then when they come to me I flip the coin. I've hurt people and had relationships and friendships change because of it. It's all taught me something though. That being vulnerable is okay even if you get a rejected response. It means you're growing and allowing trust to happen even if the person responds differently than you expected. I'm definitely not saying to share your personal buisness with every human soul, there is such thing as over sharing, but I think we need to stop being so afraid to open up to the people who care about us in our lives. I know I've opened up and it totally back fired in my face. Friendships I thought I would have forever faded in almost a matter of weeks. Friendships I thought had no reconciliation eventually did and apologies were able to be made even if the friendship was then different. Now I've opened up to a new community of friends and my circles have also shifted as my life shifted. I now know this is all okay and I have embraced the friendships I have now and the ones I've had to let go. I've tried my best to reconcile with the people in my life that have needed it and given space to the ones that reconciltion may or may not come. It is all okay and that was something I thought for a long time was not okay!

God has changed the way I look at people. We're all busy, we've all got something going on but it doesn't mean we can't be there for people. It doesn't mean it's not okay to say this is all I can give you right now but I'm here. Opening up to the community around you and not limiting the people you allow in your life will change the way you look at people. At least for me it has. I look at people and see stories, experiences and a chance to get to know someone I may call friend. 

Community is important and I don't think I realized that until I was in a completely new one. I encourage you to reach out to people, share your story and make peace with people in your life. It's not easy but everyone has something on their plates. 

( I had to include at least one picture of the cat!)

Love Forever,

Chel Chel

//Bumpdate 27 weeks

How many weeks: 27 weeks

Movement: Party all day everyday!

Symptoms: My appetite came back for about 3 days and then has sort of trickled off again. Still feeling really tired. I had a long week that had me gone pretty much all day, everyday. 

Any weight gain: Total weight gain is 10-12 pounds! Yay! 

Sleep: Trying to get as much of it as I can. 

Cravings: Sour things and chocolate milk. 

Moods: I have been emotional and really drained. This past week was particularly exhausting. I filled in at work in the mornings which had be up everyday at 5:30. I just do the after part of our program not the morning so it had me way off my routine. 

Stretch Marks: No new ones.

Linea Negra: Nope!

Belly button in or out: Still in but to me it feels more poked out. 

Moments during the week: I had a long week and I was very emotional the other day. I just felt I had way to much on my plate and I needed to figure out what was "extra" in my life. Honestly, I realize having my own child will be very different and forever but I have to say after four years of watching 30-50 children everyday with different personalities, temperaments, disabilities and needs I'm ready for just one. Just one child with one personality, temperament and needs. I won't get to give him back at 6pm but at least I can put him down for a nap! My point is I've always known I wanted to be a wife and mom. I never wanted to be a career women. It's just not for me. The reality of becoming a mother is something that I'm excited for and ready for this chapter to be unfolded. I'm ready to close the chapter of watching everyone else's child for now. 

For all my California family & friends we will be coming for a trip March 19-27 and the baby shower will be then. My mom and her helpers are getting everything prepared and invites should be going out soon! Can't wait to have a baby moon and baby shower and spend some time in the sun before Liam comes.

Love Forever,

Chel Chel

//Bumpdate 26 weeks

How many weeks: 26 weeks

Movement: Some days Liam is mellow and other days he reminds me with a good kick he is still in there.

Symptoms: Sleeping better this week. Appetite is here and there. Leg cramps at night sometimes. Dealing with some back pain :( also, still getting morning sickness a few times a week. 

Any weight gain: I gained a pound! Yippee!

Sleep: Sleeping great! Hard to get comfy but a pillow under my belly usually helps. Andrew refuses for me to get a body pillow. I might sneak one in here pretty soon! 

Cravings: Lemonade and sour candy.

Moods: I have been pretty happy this week minus one day when I was running on low sleep and my routine was thrown way off. I had to help out at another YMCA site and boy was I cranky being out of my routine.

Stretch Marks: No new ones.

Linea Negra: Nope!

Belly button in or out: Andrew says it is slowly starting to pop out.

Moments during the week: I had an emotional day this week where I just had this reality of having a baby. It just sort of hit me that in 3 months I am going to be holding my own child. It still seems very surreal to me most days. I just cannot believe I am finally having one of my own. I have always called my daycare kids in California my kids and now my YMCA kids are my kids too. I have this motherly instinct to want to teach, grow and develop our littles of this world. However, at 6pm Liam will still be with me. I don't get to give him back to his mama because I will be his mama. I had so many emotions that one day they just all spilled out. I am so thankful Andrew was there to hold me & just listen to all my thoughts. Looking at Andrew and knowing he is going to be Liam's daddy is really awesome too!

( Andrew wanted to take my close-up)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love Forever,

Chel Chel