20 weeks and a life update!

I am 20 weeks! Maternity Clothes- yes! Movement- They are getting stronger and stronger by the day! Mike, Lyla, and my mom have all felt some good baby kicks! Gender- ITS A GIRL!!! I have had a feeling it was a girl from the moment I found out we were pregnant! I am over the moon that Lyla and this little one will each have a sister! My sister is my best friend and I hope they are so close!  Morning Sickness- Just as I thought I may be getting over morning sickness it came back with a vengeance! Holy smokes this last week was really hard! Cravings- My most recent craving is an egg white delight from McDonalds (these cravings are not a joke!) Favorite Moment- Lyla felt the baby kick for the first time this week! It was so sweet and a little funny she was confused wondering how I had done that to her, I told her it was the baby! And then she gave my belly big open mouth kisses. I hope she is this sweet when the baby actually comes!

We are loving this time of year with Lyla! Seeing her experience and recognize the magic of Christmas is so rewarding! I took President Nelson's challenge to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish from October until the end of the year. I have never read the Book of Mormon this fast and it has been amazing. Something I have noticed is that I have been praying, hard, for extra patience with Lyla. She is at a difficult age right now. She is VERY head strong, and is finding her boundaries by making insane messes, spilling everything- milk, lotion, food, etc; screaming, and hitting! It has been hard to make it through a day with her and stay happy and calm. Over the last two weeks I have felt this divine peace within myself. I have been so much slower to frustration with her, and I have felt like things she does just don't bother me as much. I completely attribute this to a blessing from following the counsel of our prophet! Something he promised in his talk was- "As you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you.." what a blessing it has been to see this happening in my life. I am so grateful for a living prophet, for a loving Savior who is involved in the details of our lives, and for the opportunities they give us to be obedient. Something else that has resulted in my lesser frustration is a nicer child. She is more loving towards me and seems to be getting easier! I just feel so blessed and don't ever want to forget this experience!

Lots of love,
Brookey

Build Update

Mike and I were so excited when our offer for a condo was accepted back in July! Its been a long waiting game to get this condo built, but we are getting closer! We are so excited to have a place of our own. A place to bring home another baby, a place to keep our girls safe, a place to make memories in! We hope its a place where people feel welcome and safe from the demands of the world! We hope its a home where we will invite the presence of the spirit and the love of Christ. We feel so blessed to have this home and are so excited to move in when its finished in a few months!

Lots of love,
Brookey

Week 19 bumpdate

I am 19 weeks this week! The baby is the size of a puffin! Maternity Clothes- Yes! Morning Sickness- Yes, but SO MUCH better!! I only throw up like twice in a week now, which is relieving compared to the dark days I survived for the first 17 weeks of pregnancy- the toilet and I were rather frequent acquaintances. Cravings- The craziest craving for Subway sandwiches right now. Turkey with pepper jack cheese toasted, with ALL THE VEGGIES!!! I have started making them at home and had one for breakfast yesterday haha! Its a crazy craving and I CANNOT quit it! I still am loving green smoothies, nacho cheese doritos, and popcorn- those have been consistent for a few months. I am grateful for some healthy cravings among all the unhealthy ones!  Movement- This last week the baby's movements have gotten SO much stronger and noticeable! I love it!! Gender- we had a long ultrasound with my aunt at the hospital a few weeks ago and we are pretty sure its a girl! The little stinker NEVER stops moving and would not cooperate. But it looked like a girl and I just feel its a girl!! We will hopefully get a better view at our appointment next week! Funny moments- I have made an honest effort to stay active this pregnancy, I am attending a high fitness class once a week, and I typically go do 4-5 miles on the elliptical 2-3 days per week and then on the 5th day I will walk and do some weights! It has made a huge difference in how I feel and I wish I would've been better with my last pregnancy! But this last week I had some major growth in my belly area because after I went to the gym and walked a briskly for just 40 minutes, I was SO SORE the next day and same thing after my high fitness class. SO SORE. So weird! We will see how long I can keep up with my fitness routine. It may just be elliptical weights and a slower walk for the rest of my pregnancy. 

I haven't posted Halloween or Thanksgiving yet either! We have had a wonderful start to the holiday season! I love our family time and doing all the fun traditions each year! We are so blessed and I am so grateful for our family!

Lots of love,
Brookey