Maternity Photos

Immediately after we found out I was pregnant, I started dreaming up what I wanted our maternity pictures to look like. Documenting our life via photography is something that's super important to Jake and I. We definitely wanted evidence of the bump, and we definitely wanted them to be unique, fun, and something we would be proud to hang in the house for years to come. Initially I wanted them to be taken in the snow, but after considering how limited my outfits would be and how frizzy my hair would get, I quickly began to rethink my vision. We finally decided that we wanted some to portray who we really are: dummies who don't wear fancy clothes and just laugh with our eyes squinted and our mouths open wide, and some to portray who we wish we were: glammed up celebrities and a bohemian princess. Lucky for me, one of my very best friends, Becky Davis, is an incredible photographer, understood my vision, and was excited to take on the challenge. We could not be happier with the result. Last month, when I was exactly 34 weeks pregnant, Beck and her husband Eric (another of our best friends) spent the ENTIRE day with us in Cambria working on the shoot. They didn't even complain when I had to make special trips to the bathroom and demanded Main Street Grill :) It was so fun to enjoy quality time with them and to get amazing photos while we were at it. Here are some of our favorites. 

Every Pregnant Girl Needs A Jake Yeager

My husband is the best. I mean, I know (hope) every woman thinks that, but I feel a little extra blessed. I get nightly foot massages, and on more than one occasion he has fallen asleep rubbing my back. I catch him on the kid's section of Pinterest, and he spent far too much time analyzing what shade of pink her nursery should be. He raced the strollers around the isles of Buy Buy Baby, turning sharp corners way faster than necessary to make sure we picked the safest and smoothest ride. He monitors my daily caffeine intake, won't let me lift anything heavier than 10 pounds, and never judges me when I ask for Pineapple and Canadian Bacon pizza every night for dinner. He always makes sure to tell me that I'm tough, and a trooper, and that I look beautiful. He has yet to grow tired of feeling the creepy alien movements inside of my tummy, and every day before he leaves to work, he makes sure to tell me, Gatsby, and Brielle goodbye. I was humbled today when I came home from being at a party for a few hours. The floor was mopped, the dishes were put away, the bed was made, the laundry was done, the trash was taken out, the glider was assembled, and he was (and still is) outside, not only vacuuming, but steam cleaning the car to make sure it is sanitized and ready for our baby girl to ride in. Brielle and I are the luckiest ladies. I can hardly wait to see my amazing husband become the most incredible dad. 

Good Morning, Brielle.

Good morning, Brielle.
      It's February, which means you could very well be in our arms by the time this month ends. Judging by the way you made me feel last night, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm so ready to meet you. Your dad is bubbling with joy. Big brother Gatsby is enjoying his last days using my belly as his pillow. Every night after we pray we talk about you and wonder what you'll be. It goes without saying that your eyes will squint when you smile, but everything about you remains a mystery. And it's still a mystery why God granted us a miracle as great as you. We will never be worthy. But we accept that mystery and your miraculous life. Carrying you has been an honor, and I will soak up these last few weeks as you wiggle and grow inside of me. We love you.

Happy Birthday, Gatsby!

Happy 1st birthday to the most silly, sweet, naughty, hungry, playful, cuddly, talkative, loyal, hilarious, human-like puppy around. He has brought so much joy (and frustration) to our little family, and we can't picture life before or without him. We love his countless quirks, like how he sits on the perch of the couch like a cat, and how he swims in December. How he has no boundaries when trying to get comfortable, and how he has to lick somebody's legs after every time he gets a drink of water. How he can't hear the word 'hungry' without running to his food bowl, and how we are fairly certain he is a dwarf. I know that in six short weeks we will have a real baby to love, and kiss, and cuddle, but Gatsby will always be our little guy, our first baby, and the best big brother Brielle could ever have.

33 weeks

Before Saturday's shower. Exactly 33 weeks. 

How far along? 33 weeks!  

Baby is the size of: A pineapple!  

Total weight gain: 33 lbs.... Holy crap people. My doctor is totes down with it since I was underweight pre-pregnancy, but it's a little discouraging when all the baby books say you should gain 26 lbs YOUR ENTIRE PREGNANCY. Yeah right.  
Maternity clothes? All day, every day.      
Stretch marks?   Nope! The other night Jake and I swear we saw some light ones starting, but that night I rubbed on that bio-oil and in the morning they were nowhere in sight. So I'm not sure if we are just delusional, or if bio-oil is really worth the money.  
Sleep: Not too hot this past week. My snoogle pillow case is dirty and has been sitting in the dirty clothes. I can't believe how pathetic my sleep is without that stupid pillow.  
Best moment this week: My baby shower. I will definitely try to post some pictures once they are loaded onto my computer, but everything was beautiful and so fun. The theme was Baby It's Cold Outside, and the whole room was filled with pink and gold glitter, pine cones, snowflakes, and candles. We had yummy soups, sandwiches, fruits, and veggies, hot cider, and my personal fav: hot chocolate with way too many marshmallows. It was so nice to be with my favorite ladies honoring my little lady. And oh my goodness, that little lady got a lot of BIG gifts. I can't believe we get to do it all again at our next shower in two weeks! 
Miss Anything? Costco hotdogs.      
Movement: Always. Baby girl must be sensitive to something I'm eating or drinking because she gets hiccups alllll the time. She has also been punching my bladder several times a day. It's always when I'm standing up, and every time I am convinced I am going to pee my pants or she is going to break my water. The past few times I've been to the doctor she has been head down, so I'm praying her movements don't get too wild and she stays semi put :)   
Food cravings: Fruit is in full force still. I swear I'm going to OD on Vitamin C with all the Cuties I eat. Also pineapple and Canadian bacon pizza covered with jalepenos and dipped in ranch. I could eat that for every meal.   
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada.  
Gender: She better still be a girl or I have a lot of headbands, tutus, and general pinkness to return.   
Labor Signs: I'm pretty sure I've been getting Braxton Hicks recently. It doesn't hurt, but I can feel my whole tummy tightening. 
Symptoms: I literally can't do anything even moderately active and maintain normal breathing. It's so embarrassing. Also, I've noticed I'm getting fuller faster, which is seriously the most depressing thing in the world. 
Belly Button in or out? It's more of a belly slit than a button. 
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! A little stressed, but trying to stay focused on how blessed we are and how precious this time is. 
Looking forward to: Maternity pictures this weekend! And our co-ed shower the weekend after that. So many fun times to look forward to!