Fleeting moments

 
A few weeks ago my husband asked me if I was taking pictures to document this pregnancy. When I thought about it, the answer was no. He reminded me that I would regret it if I didn't start. I admit that I'm tired from chasing Liam around and doing so carrying a belly double it's size, and taking photos seems like extra effort these days but I know even a year from now, I'll be sad I missed so many moments I wish I would have documented.
 So, I pulled out my camera that hasn't been used since Christmas(!!) and made a goal to keep it out and within arms reach for the next month and see what happens when it's easily accessible.
So far I've noticed I capture moments I wouldn't have even noticed before. I don't miss moments I wish I could have gotten. I can leave my phone in another room and spend time with Liam, my undivided attention, without feeling like need my phone in case I want to take a photo.

This moment for example. My 3 year old will soon be too big to sit in my lap like this. He won't want to sit on this chair and tell me about his favorite things, what he did that day, or asked to be rocked. Are these perfect "Instagram" photos? No. My livingroom isn't staged, there are no coordinating colors, these aren't photos you'd find in a magazine. But it's real and definitely a perfect moment.

I think this goal may be a permanent thing.

26 weeks and stuck on my back

 26 weeks! My constant craving for sweets   all the time   are starting to turn into wanting fruit and ice cold drinks. My thighs and butt are grateful for this change #ladylumps I have invested in some maternity leggings so, I think I'll live.

I was excited to have my energy back these last few weeks but nothing lasts forever and the fatigue has returned. Boo. The fatigue has returned but naps aren't happening around here. This wonderful fatigue has been joined by insomnia. Not the best combo for a grouchy, overly tired mama of a 3 year old but once again, I think (hope) I'll live.

On the humorous side of pregnancy, I literally got stuck on my back while laying down on the couch last night. I had to do a combo of rolling and attempting to sit up to get my feet on the floor. I'll tell you this, having Kristofer out town is rough when you're stuck horizontal with all your limbs flailing. What I would have given to have a helping hand. . . even though I'm glad to have avoided to mocking I'm sure I would be enduring. You're welcome for this visual.

 Liam has been telling me all the things he's going to teach little sister, including how to eat chocolate. He's already such a good big brother and his priorities are in perfect order, obviously.

93 degrees on a monday.

HOLY CRAP. Because how else would you start a blog post about how you're feeling about this heat. South Carolina heat is no joke, you guys!
Sometimes I'm feeling brave and instead of having park dates before 10 AM or after 7 PM, I put on my big girl pants and surprise Liam with a middle of the day trip. Then we spend about 10 minutes there and look at each other with our sweaty foreheads thinking, why do we do this to ourselves?
I feel a little lucky though. The last couple months I was thinking it was supposed to get even hotter and these 90+ days weren't seeming so bad. I was then told that things might start cooling down a bit, and we had a couple weeks of 80 degree weather. Cruel, cruel mother nature. How could you trick me like that? Ignorance is bliss, my friends!
Though we don't have a beloved Utah fall heading our way, I'm still counting down the days until I can break out my flannel and break out my pumpkin flavored, well, everything.
Come soon, Autumn! We're aching for you!

It's a girl.

The moment we were told there was a little girl joining our family in November, we were in a bit of a shock. "What!? A. . . GIRL? Are you sure? Are you serious? You're positive, right?"
I had a feeling throughout this pregnancy that she was a little lady but I was nervous to admit it, just in case I was mistaken and we were having a little boy. Which would have been AMAZING but, come on, who doesn't want a little girl?
The ultrasound technician wasted no time. She asked if we wanted to find out the gender and then as soon as my shirt was up and our baby popped up on that tv screen she blurted out, "Looks like you're having a girl this time." While we were still in our initial frozen state of shock, she moves on looking and picture capturing.
Que in our "Wait, wait, wait, WHAT!?"
 I think we've come around to the idea. Especially after I started shopping and seeing all the bows and sweet baby girl clothes. I'm on cloud 9!
Liam has completely adopted the "big brother" title. He's proud and excited to have a little sister. He may not completely understand what that means, but I love seeing his enthusiasm all the same.
We can't wait to meet this little girl in November.

Utahns on the east coast.

One day I'm talking about packing all our stuff up and moving across the country and the next I disappear! But good news is, we made it. We are here. We are now residents of South Carolina.
We arrived in January, yes that long ago. Seven months of neglecting this post.
When we first arrived there was a wait list to live on base. This being my first duty station, I wanted to live on base and get a feel for this new lifestyle of not only pcsing in the military but also living so far away from my family in Utah. The wait list was upwards of a 3-6 month wait. We decided to get an apartment until a place opened up.

Luckily enough, we were offered a home ready for move-in, the day our apartment lease was up. Hallelujah! We moved into our place the first week of July and we are loving it. Liam loves being able to run and jump as much as he wants and I love the space to not trip over Liam every time I turn around. Kidding, Kidding. Kind of.

South Carolina is a whole new world. Moving from Utah to the south is a bigger culture shock than I ever expected. But one thing that was a surprise I'm perfectly okay with is the people. The locals here are some of the nicest people I've met. I mean, takes your cart from you in the parking-lot to return so you don't have to make the extra trip, hold the doors for you, and aren't afraid to send their children over to say hi to your children while shopping.

I think the thing that is most difficult is being in the land of sweet tea. How do you say no to breakfast, lunch, and dinner of sweet tea!? It's in every restaurant, front and center in the grocery stores, and the first thing you're offered here. Sweet tea for all in these parts!

Liam misses Utah. I'll admit it. He asks about it at least once a day. "Can we go to Utah?" "Is Utah far away?" "Is grandma in Utah?" Sometimes it kickstarts my homesickness but the more he meets friends and goes on his little adventures in our new neighborhood, he's becoming more and more okay with this being our new home. Bless that little boy!


So many pictures to share over this last year but I'll spare you the endless scrolling and share some of the favorites.