31 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 31 weeks

total weight gain: 26 pounds

maternity clothes: yep

cravings: sweets... since we're trying to eat healthier now that the holidays & babymoon are over!

missing: sleeping comfortably (on my back) & being able to roll over without pain

Overall my pregnancy has been really easy, but a few weeks ago I started experiencing some pain like I did during my last pregnancy: hip/pelvic pain that is excruciating when I roll over in bed or sometimes when I first get up in the morning. It's been making it a bit harder to be on my feet, and sleeping is pretty tough some nights.

However, Brandon & I were able to get away last week for some rest & relaxation... and food! We flew up to St. Helena and spent 4 nights there (our longest trip ever without kids!) and we had a wonderful time exploring the area, eating delicious food, stopping at a few wineries (for the hubby, obviously), and just relaxing! After the craziness of the holidays and work, we needed the break, and I came back feeling better, physically & emotionally. I'll update pics from our trip soon.

Babymoon

early morning flight

 convertible camaro... our car for the weekend!

pastries at tartine san francisco

sweet note & salted caramels from the wydown hotel

morning coffee at napa valley coffee roasters

cream puffs from the oxbow public market 

etude winery

delicous pork belly sandwich & fig shrub soda at the girl + the fig sonoma

beringer

designated driver

st clement

st clement

selfie before dinner at COOK st helena

lunch at cindy's backstreet cafe

french blue

such great breakfast... we went back for lunch!

mom drove out to spend the day with us

etude winery

the most amazing scallops at goose & gander

last stop at boonfly cafe before heading home

Brandon and I have been talking about a babymoon for a few months now, but between work & the kids, it just wasn't happening. So right before Christmas, he took it upon himself to just book it before it was too late! He booked a 4-night getaway, which is longer than we have ever been away from the kids (usually it's 1 or 2 nights) but since we won't be taking any trips for a while... and Grandma Joan was willing... we went for it! 

We caught an early flight on New Year's Day from Long Beach to Oakland. From there we scored a pretty sweet rental car (thanks to my hubby's negotiating skills), and stopped in San Francisco before heading up to St. Helena. Brandon found the cutest boutique hotel (the Wydown) in downtown St. Helena. It was totally our style and within walking distance to lots of great restaurants. Since I obviously can't do wine tasting, we made this trip all about the food (though we did make a few stops at wineries so Brandon could taste). Our favorite spots were Cindy's Backstreet Cafe, French Blue, Farmstead and Goose & Gander. One day we headed out to Sonoma and had lunch at The Girl + The Fig, which was also delish!

St. Helena is such a cute town, and the area is gorgeous (although it's super dry right now because of the drought). It was the perfect place to go and relax... and eat. But after 4 nights away, we were SO ready to come home and see our kids! We got to the airport, anxious to see them, only to discover we had a 4-hour flight delay. Cue the tears. That was the worst thing to hear. So we spent the next few hours hanging out in the Oakland airport, watching NFL playoffs and Keeping Up With The Kardashians... and finally we were on our 1-hour flight home. We finally made it home around 5:30pm to some pretty excited kids.

Thanks to Brandon for planning an amazing trip for us! And for the 5-pound weight gain!

28 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 28 weeks

total weight gain: 22 pounds

maternity clothes: yes (pants)... I think I have one pair of non-maternity pants that I can fit into.

movement: more & more each day... he's getting strong!

cravings: candy cane oreos

missing: being able to keep up at my normal pace. I'm getting bigger & a little more uncomfortable.

This week I had my glucose test, and the results came back normal- woohoo! Also, Brandon surprised me and booked us a babymoon to St. Helena! I won't be able to enjoy the wine, but what I can't drink, I'll make up for in good food! After a crazy several weeks of work, I'm looking forward to taking some time off and relaxing!

26 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 26 weeks

total weight gain: 19 pounds (the sweets are catching up to me... I need to watch it!)

maternity clothes: yes (pants)

movement: he's been moving around more throughout the day, and a lot at night when i sit down to relax. his movements are getting pretty strong!

cravings: cereal

missing: wine or a nice glass of holiday bubbly! note to self: pack champagne in hospital bag

I'm still feeling really good, but I am definitely starting to get more tired. I'm sure the full-time job, side business (lots of Christmas card orders!) & 2 kids attribute to that! Oh, and we started potty-training London last week too. She's actually doing great & it hasn't been too hard... thank goodness! I think we learned from our mistakes last time. And honestly, London is like a teenager in a 2-year-old's body, so she was ready. 

Christmas is going to be here before we know it! Brandon put lights up on the house last week, and we set up the tree with the kids right after Thanksgiving. The weather has definitely cooled down this week, so it's feeling like the holidays around here!

Family Photos

A couple weeks ago we had a family session with Candace Rock Photography.  She sent me the photos yesterday & I can't get enough!! I love them, and how she captured the kids' personalities so well. Here are a few of my favorites.

23 weeks // Baby #3

I definitely had a growth spurt over the last few weeks! I've been extra hungry lately, and last weekend I really gave into some cravings with burgers, pizza & cookies! 

how far along: 23 weeks
total weight gain: 13-14 pounds
maternity clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity pants (a couple non-maternity that used to be big), but I haven't had to buy any tops yet. Thank goodness for so many loose fitting tops!
movement: mostly I feel him at night, when I finally sit still!
cravings: last week I was craving cheeseburgers... and I think that shows in my weight gain!
missing: being able to sit on the tub & bathe the kids without having to exhale 100 times. I'm definitely feeling more pregnant these days & getting tired easier than before.

Halloween 2013

My kids LOVE the movie Wreck-It Ralph, so when Hudson suggested it for this year's Halloween costumes, I thought it was perfect! Originally Hudson had a plan for all 4 of us to dress up... Brandon as Wreck-It Ralph, me as Sergeant Calhoun, himself as Fix-It Felix & London as Vanellope. Well, Brandon wasn't quite on board, so I decided that London should be Ralph. I mean, it's kind of fitting for her personality anyway!

I bought most of the pieces for the costume, painted the golden hammer, and made the 2 patches for Hudson's costume. Semi-homemade. :)

20 weeks // Baby #3

I can't believe I'm already at the halfway mark. This pregnancy is flying by, as I figured it would being busy with 2 kids and work. This week we bought the baby's carseat & stroller, so at least we'll be able to transport him around! Last night Brandon painted the baby's room, and it looks great! Slowly but surely, it's coming together. But we are not ready to be parents of 3 yet!! I had an appointment this morning, and my doctor said baby is looking perfect. All the screenings, ultrasounds & tests have come back with great results.

how far along: 20 weeks
total weight gain: 9 pounds
maternity clothes: can still fit into a couple pairs of my regular pants, but mostly wearing maternity pants now. luckily most of my shirts have room for a bump, so i haven't bought any tops yet!
movement: feeling more each day, and even Brandon & Hudson have felt him move.
cravings: still lemonade...
missing: wine, again. it was a tough week with lots of work & a sick little girl. i definitely could have used a glass this week.

18 weeks // Baby #3

Looks like we'll be adding more blue to our family on March! Hudson is thrilled to be having  a little brother... in his words, "The boys win!!"

Baby looked perfectly healthy on the ultrasound.

how far along: 18 weeks
total weight gain: 7 pounds
maternity clothes: purchased a couple pairs of maternity jeans right after this appointment... so much more comfortable.
movement: yep, definitely feeling HIM move around!
cravings: lemonade (raspberry, blueberry, mango... can't get enough!)
missing: my old pants :)

15 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 15 weeks
total weight gain: 5 pounds
maternity clothes: not yet... but soon!
movement: starting to feel little flutters in my belly!
cravings: cereal (like reese's puffs!)
missing: wine