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

Dear baby girl,

Hi sweet pea. I just wanna sing- "Ohhhhh, we're half way there! Ohh! Living on a prayer!!" Its pretty exciting to be at the halfway point, now that I am feeling better, time is flying right by and I know it'll be no time before you're here! I cannot wait to snuggle you! Being a wife and a mommy are the only things I have ever really wanted in my life and I am so excited to have you here with us!

We are at the halfway point of 20 weeks! You are the size of a banana this week and you weigh just over 10.5 ounces and are 10 inches from your head to your toes.
My cravings and aversions have stayed the same for quite a few weeks now. I am beginning to wonder if they will change, or if I'll just have them for the rest of this pregnancy. I hope you like cafe rio and costa vida when you get bigger, because daddy and I really like going there, and I miss it!
We didn't buy any baby products this week. We are waiting until after we move on the 25th to buy anything else! I am getting so excited to start on your nursery!

We had an exciting night on Monday, I had been feeling you all day long, more than I usually do. It was like you got in a good nap and then you needed to stretch for a while. I started to feel some very strong movements so I had daddy put his hand on my belly. You kicked him so hard you moved his hand up a little bit! That is crazy for how tiny you are!! He kept his hand there for a while to feel you moving and then we moved it and watched my belly moving every time you kicked. We didn't expect to see movement like that for at least a few more weeks! You crazy girl! Daddy was so proud haha! You have repeated your nightly exercise every night this week and it just doesn't get old. We already love and adore you so so much!
Daddy pulls up my shirt and talks to you every night he always says silly things and tells you he loves you. He really likes feeling you move, I always try to let him feel you when he is home. It's so fun for me to watch him love you so much! My heart may just explode when I get to see him holding you and cuddling you this summer. You got the best of the best you lucky girl. Your daddy truly is top notch. I don't need to tell you that though, you'll already know that when you read this one day.
Also, I am convinced you are going to be a sassy girl, like me. Every time I lean forward while at school or work, you kick-kick-kick until I sit back and give you more space. And right now, you still have quite a bit of space! I am worried about the damage you're going to cause to my insides in a few months when you're stronger and squished.

With Valentines Day being this week, I have spent lots of time thinking about your sweet dad and our love story. Our love story includes New York, a few emails, many middle of the night phone calls from Maui, a Ferris Wheel, a night hike, and the Draper Temple. That list has grown and grown and it keeps growing everyday. I can't wait for the part where you join us. I sure love your dad. Our forever family is the greatest blessing!

Lots of love,
Mommy