26

On Friday we celebrated my 26th birthday...

Dustin stayed home sick (unfortunately he was actually ill, not faking it) and so we kept it low-key. At least I had him around all day, even if he was feeling miserable.

He surprised me with balloons and goldfish (you could call it a craving) and an awesome Twilight card (which I'm hoping was a joke because even though I finally caved and watched Breaking Dawn, I hated the book)...

and I got a big puffy furry down parka to get me through our next few winters in Chicago.

26 is going to be full of changes... baby, relocation, residency... and I'm excited and terrified and totally overwhelmed!

Early Birthday

My family came down this weekend to celebrate my upcoming birthday (it'll be official on the 9th)...

And spoiled us with pizza...

Presents...

And broadway...

Sunday we made dinner...

and my mom baked my favorite German Chocolate Cake!

And this is what my belly looks like lately (post eating a big meal, cake, and ice cream)...

Thank you, family, for such a fun weekend and all the birthday treats!

Burgers and Basketball

Last night we took a quick trip to D.C. to watch the Sacramento Kings v. Washington Wizards.

*Thanks to Hutch and his awesome jerseys, the King's channel cameraman picked me out of the crowd and kept coming over during breaks to film me... forcing me to wave and smile at him... apparently I was looking embarrassed all over TV last night in Sacramento!

There were a surprising number of Jimmer/BYU fans in the crowd. Let's just say I couldn't walk up the bleachers without a handful of men hollering "go Jimmer" at me.

Not only did I get my few seconds of fame, but Jimmer actually played, the King's won 115-107, and Dustin caught (OK, it really landed at his feet) this sweet t-shirt:

Before the game we killed some time roaming around Capitol Hill...

... and met up with my family for greasy-good burgers and fries.

Oh, and this is what my 29-week belly looks like underneath that jersey. No hiding anymore!

Our Last Ball

Every February the VCU medical campus hosts a winter ball... and there was no way we were missing out on our last one! 

On our way out the door...

This year it was held at the Richmond Convention Center (not quite as fancy as the Jefferson but much roomier).

There were friends.

And games (Dustin spent half the evening on the "green".) But no casino (I was disappointed, too.)

And dancing. (Of which I caught a few precious shots, but worried I'd lose a few friends if I posted them.)

And awkward encounters with Dustin's drunk classmates. Loved it all.

*Thank you to Kim for the adorable dress and to my little sis for the cute blister-inducing shoes.

V-day and B-days

  sushi   +   chocolate   +   roses   +   sappy romantic movie

= perfect Valentine's Day.

And Happy Birthday to my parents...

sure loved spending it with you!

6 Months

27 weeks/6 months... the third trimester has arrived!

Only 3 more months to go... which feels like forever when I think about about how much more time that is for my belly to grow, but a short blip when I realize we'll have a baby of our own. That things are going to change. In a crazy but good way. Permanently.

 Excited? Of course. But I don't think you can ever be ready.

So here are some shots taken over the last few weeks. My friends tell me I'm still small and my sister thinks I'm "huge". (Thank you, Brooke. Most days that's how I feel.)

Besides a short bout with the stomach flu, I've been feeling pretty great. It seems like baby girl (we're not going to decide on a name until we meet her) never stops moving around in there. And is it just me or does it seem like the whole world can't help but stare at a pregnant belly?


In other news...

My feet are beginning to disappear:

My family came down for the weekend to continue our never-ending paint project and we noshed* here on some burgers and tots:

*for Dustin, a definition: Nosh: noun/to eat food enthusiastically or greedily

And last week Dustin and the boys took a road trip to Blacksburg to support the Cougars:

things i'm loving in february

that it's 70 degrees. this has been the most wonderful, warmest winter ever. bliss.



this web site. it's saving me from baby registry-induced anxiety. (as are all my wonderful friends with
     endless suggestions.)



knowing where we'll be for the next 2 years (Chicago!!) ... even if we are incredibly sad to be leaving our
     friends and family and home we've made in Richmond



baby girl everything. i've been good, but i can't help myself to a few adorable things...

Trader Joe's chocolate covered pretzels. milk or dark. sweet and salty and heavenly.

forever 21 maternity. yah you might have to check their site daily and items fly out of stock instantly.
     but 6$ for skinny jeans. 3$ tees. seriously.


reading.
      Clockwork Prince (addictive series)
     The Thirteenth Tale (currently enthralled)



taking my first few pictures on manual settings. each in-focus, well-lit shot is a tiny victory!



self-tanning cream. i could certainly do with a little faux sunshine... my secret to summer glow in february (it may have forced its way onto Dustin's face once or twice)



and family. love them all. did i mention my little brother is getting married in April? isn't she darling?!

jake + maddy