32 Weeks

This is the first week that I have noticed my emotions are kind of out of whack. I feel great right now but I can look back on the week and see where I was in a funk and emotional.

There have been lots of highs--seeing his amazing kicks and putting his pack n' play together in our room(he will sleep in the newborn sleeper part of it for a while before he sleeps in his crib). It is fun seeing it in there! 

There have been some lows, too--pretty intense sciatica and someone I deeply love experienced heartbreaking loss. 

I am thankful for this week because we are blessed. Even in the lows of life, we are truly blessed. We don't deserve it--not one bit.

(Yes, we were that couple taking photos in our front yard. *Mental note* For now on, take photos in the backyard. You look weird standing out there holding your belly and the cars behind you in the photos are tacky.)

Weeks:32

Weight gain: 23 pounds total

Baby's size: I can't really go off of BabyCenter anymore because he was measuring a full POUND heavier than what they were saying. So, I'm guessing he is about 5 pounds and is almost 17 inches long--WOW!

Maternity clothes: YES.

Changes: Sciatic nerve acting up but is getting better the past few days. My tummy feels like it is stretching. Obviously it is, but I am actually feeling the tightness of it. No stretch marks on the belly yet.

Food cravings: Cheese.

Food aversions: Onions...kinda. I'll still eat them though:)

Best moment this week: Being truly thankful for our gift of a baby boy.

Worst moment this week: Emotional roller coaster.

Missing anything: My family.

Looking forward to: Our doctor's appointment on Monday. Travis has the day off of work so he gets to go! I've gone to the last few by myself so I'm excited T can go.

Thank you for following our blog--we really appreciate the support!:)

Five on Friday

So, my friend Aubrey is letting me copy her and take on my very own 'Five on Friday' posts! Check out her blog--she has three adorable kiddos and great style! Thanks Aubs! 

These posts are meant to be a fun little recap of our week. Hope to share some highlights (and lowlights--because we all have them!) on these posts. Thanks for following!

ONE.
I almost had a breakdown the other night when I couldn't walk because of my sciatic nerve shooting pain down my back/butt/left leg. I covered my face and made some pitiful noises...you know...the pre-crying meltdown noises. I wanted to make a midnight(10pm) snack. Travis asked if I wanted him to carry me to the kitchen. He was playing poker, otherwise he would've just made me one. Him offering to carry me made me laugh so I stopped having a pity party. Best quesadilla I've ever made.

TWO.
Just finished editing our last wedding of the season. This little baby growing in me took precedent over any more weddings this Fall. How dare he!

THREE.
Learned this week, more than ever, that heartache is real in this world. The people closest to you go through things that you never want them, or anyone else, to deal with. I wish I could share more but it is not my story to share.

FOUR.
Last night Travis and I took a little trip to Target. Well, it turned out to be not-so-little. We ended up getting groceries and I was even spoiled enough to get to browse the dollar section while he returned baby gear. That is where I came across our first Fall decor--made me very excited!! Going to add to it soon...

Instagram--@mrsdla

FIVE.
Travis also indulged in my checking out the Maternity sale section. He let me get 2 tops!! They were $5 each--STEAL! I say "let me" because we make purchase choices together. It is both of our money. Most of the time we tell each other "You don't need that"...so I felt spoiled last night:)

Overall, this week was quite productive. It definitely had it's ups and downs but when your life and it's fragility are put in perspective, most things seem like an 'up'.

Have a great weekend!

Chico California::Post-Vacation Blues

Yesterday was a tough day for me. Started off on the wrong foot when I realized I was showing up to a Mom's/Moms-to-be group an hour late! I had been hanging out at home, really excited about the meeting--just waiting for 11am to roll around. Well, I was the only one walking in at 11am. All the ladies were in there talking and I walked in with blushed cheeks and an awkward smile. I have no idea why I thought it was at 11am. I was truly upset that I missed the lesson. 

I was just kind of in a crabby mood all day, thinking about all of the things I wanted to do and not having the energy to do them. I couldn't get out of this funk. Can you relate? So, I did what any normal adult would do. I ordered Chinese food for dinner. 

Funny thing happened next--Travis walked in the door from work and my mood changed. I was automatically in a better mood. He knew I wasn't having a great day so he asked me what was up. Then he told me that he was sad leaving this morning because he hasn't had to say goodbye to me for a while! Then it clicked--I was suffering from post-vacation, hubby-is-back-at-work-and-gone-all-day, blues! I realize I shouldn't be relying on him to make me happy but especially on weird days like yesterday, I'm thankful that he does:)

So, we ate Chinese food together and went on a walk. We then got some Starbucks and I thoroughly enjoyed my decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte.  

One fun thing that I did yesterday was I got to spend some time with Baby Talia. I am going back in a few days to get more photos of her during her sleepy time. But, she is just the cutest! Don't you agree??

She put a smile on my face, that is for sure!

Chico California Portrait Photographer::Doolittle Family

One of the best parts about this job is getting to see families grow and getting a glimpse into their lives. I'm so thankful for families like the Doolittles who allow us to do so. Ben is a graphic designer and Tiffany is a social worker--they are both very hard working. They also have an Etsy shop with super cute stuff! Check it out.

 Their little girl is becoming a big sister in December and we can't wait to meet their little boy!

Enjoy these photos of our time spent with this cute family--girlfriend is an early riser so we got to meet with them bright and early:) 

 How adorable is this purple, lacey romper? Tiffany got it just for these photos!

 She was acting like a bird--too cute!

Of course we got some of the beautiful, glowing momma. Doesn't she look great??

This session was seriously fun--very calm and the weather was great. It felt like the first cool morning of Fall! 

Thank you Ben and Tiffany for working with us! 

31 Weeks

Update from last week: Had the ultrasound and we are both healthy. Baby's biophysical profile looks great--not quite sure what that means:) I had the ultrasound because I was measuring small. However, baby Albini is measuring BIG. Two weeks big, to be exact. Babies around 30 weeks tend to weigh 3 pounds--our little guy is at 4 pounds. Of course, there is room for error. It is an educated guess based on the measurements of his body. Maybe this means that he will make an appearance before November 20th. Maybe this means we are having a 10 pound baby. Only God knows. We will just have to be patient and pray that he comes when he is healthy and ready:)

31 weeks has been great! I've definitely been having Braxton Hicks contractions and his kicks are getting intense. 

We have been on vacation this week so I've spent a good amount of time eating yummy foods and staying up way too late.

Travis took these photos today and I was just too lazy to change into something cute. Yoga pants and one of his T shirts is the norm around here...

Weeks: 31

Weight gain: 22 pounds total

Baby's size: 4+ pounds

Changes: Feet are starting to swell when I walk a lot or stand a lot--the heat isn't helping. His kicks are really intense now. Some startle me!

Maternity clothes: Yes. My wardrobe is very limited these days.

Food cravings: Fruit

Food aversions: BBQ

Best moment this week: Being on vacation. We also had our baby shower but technically we were 30 weeks then:)

Worst moment this week: Some tough sciatic nerve/back pain. Looking into going to the chiropractor soon.

Missing anything: Buttoning my pants.

Looking forward to: Organizing all his things/packing hospital bag/decorating house for Fall:)

San Diego, California::Baby Shower

We are truly blessed--in so many ways. I'm thankful for our friends and family who take such great care of us. My mother in law and sister in laws threw us a shower last weekend. My sister in law Torrie is an artist--She is so talented. She is the one who handmade our headboard and drew the stencil by hand. She made the onesies in the photos below, along with the succulent displays.

Anyways, I got to spend time with my sisters, some great friends from high school, women who watched Travis grow up, and more family and friends. We are spoiled, that is for sure--So many cute outfits and some baby necessities.

Thank you to everyone who came and showed our little one how loved he already is. We're so grateful for you! 

Of course I had to share some photos of that fun day. Enjoy!

They planned some great games. I really did think they were fun. Well, this one was kind of disgusting. I had to close my eyes while Torrie fed me different baby foods. I then had to guess what flavor I had tasted. I got 3 out of 8 correct. However, I guessed hamburger when it was really beef stew and I guessed strawberry banana when it was just banana. I think those should've counted:) Especially since I had to eat pea, macaroni and cheese, and beef stew--UCK!

 Thank you everyone!!!

Sonoma, California Wedding Photographer::Matt and Chelsea

Matt and Chelsea met in Chico and we loved hearing their story. I can imagine Chelsea giggling as they got to know each other. The night they met each other, Matt prayed that she would be the one. 

Matt is a confident and loyal person. Chelsea is so bubbly and friendly--they work so well together. Together, they love to dance, travel, and be active. Their Wedding Day was proof of this. 

The Wedding took place at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma, California. It was beautiful and the weather could not have been more perfect. Enjoy these photos of Matt and Chelsea's day--we sure did.

The ladies got ready at an adorable house on the grounds surrounded by vineyards.

Travis and I went over to the gardens to take some photos of the men before the ceremony began. Chelsea and Matt chose not to see each other until she walked down the aisle. 

The moment before the ceremony begins is always filled with anticipation. Chelsea looked beautiful walking down the flower-covered aisle.

Love this next photo that Travis took while the couple walked back down the aisle after being announced husband and wife!

We got to sneak away with the newlyweds for a while--always fun!

The reception was just stunning--lots of friends and family who had a great time!

Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Matt and Chelsea Faraclas!

And because this post could really get too long, I will end with these photos. The dancing moved to a beautiful barn. As promised--some proof of this couple's dancing skills.

 Chelsea and Matt--thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your day. We feel blessed to get to work with people like you! Your wedding day was just perfect!