Getting bigger ...

A few new pics of the bump ...

22 weeks

22 weeks

23 weeks

Boys will be Boys

So Ryan has had his Jeep for about two years. I admit, I think it's pretty cool. But I didn't realize exactly how practical it is until the past two days. Every so often after a big rain I will notice some mud on Ryan's Jeep from where he's tried desperately to find some mud to go muddin' in.

On Christmas eve when the blizzard hit, Ryan was quick to say he'd go out and pick up last minute items, run to the store, etc. It wasn't until he got back from one of his outings that I realized why he was so excited to get out in the snow. He was trekking through snow without any problems while several other 4x4 vehicles were stuck on the side of the snow. In fact, he pulled some of them out. He even got out in our neighborhood with a shovel to help stranded motorists. It made me so proud of my husband and our daughter's daddy.

The funniest part of this story is that not only does Ryan have a big ol' manly Jeep, so does my big brother. Chris also went out to help stranded motorists. He ventured a little further out than I would allow Ryan. It was so cute to see their child-like excitement when they talked about how their Jeeps drove in the snow.

Ryan's Jeep

Ryan driving around in the field behind our house

Chris throwing up snow

Merry Christmas

When I first heard we might have snow during Christmas, I thought it was just the weathermen trying desperately to get our hopes up. On Wednesday, I found out it was not only snow, but possibly ice and sleet as well. Luckily for Ryan and I, we weren't going anywhere for Christmas. Everyone was coming to us. I felt lucky that I could just snuggle in by the fire!

On Christmas eve, my dad, step mom, brother, step brother and his girlfriend came over for dinner and presents. Then on Christmas, my grandma, my cousin, my mom, her boyfriend, my brother and my three nieces came over for dinner, presents and some playing in the snow. It has been a great two days spent with my dear family.

Our backyard on Christmas eve

Darbi looking for her tennis ball

They LOVE the snow!

My precious nieces eating Christmas dinner

Ashton - just a bit ornery

So happy - it makes me smile

Brother - father of 3 little girls (hero)

Ryan pelting my 11-year-old cousin with snowballs

Rylee - such a sweet, beautiful angel

Ryan playing in the snow

Kennedy - the baby with golden curls

I love this photo of Ashton - even if it's not quite in focus

Me and my LP

CJ and I do practically everything together. But when we both came up pregnant two weeks apart, it surprised even us! Not only are we both pregnant and due two weeks apart, we are both having baby girls! Needless to say, it's been so awesome having another first-time mother to go through this with. We share way too much information about everything including bodily functions, husbands, digestive issues, anxieties, crazy emotions and family. I can't imagine going through this without her. Thanks, LP!

CJ is my LP who lives down in Austin.

We both work at Saxum and have been best buds for three years.

This is team Saxum at our Christmas party which was conveniently held at McNellies which is only the best pub in Oklahoma because of its vast selection of delicous beers and fried pickles. Unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy my favorite beverage, Lindemans Lambic Framboise.

Baby bump update

So I'm long overdue for a baby bump update. 21 weeks down and 19 to go! We've all been doing awesome. On Nov. 17, we found out we are having a girl! We are over the moon. It's amazing to know that we are going to have a daughter. I have no doubt she will have Ryan wrapped around her little finger in no time.

Since then, we've purchased her furniture, her baby bedding and a few outfits. Little girl stuff is ridiculously cute. I didn't put up much of a fight to stay away from pink. So she will definitely be wearing her fair share of pink. Ryan and I have been cleaning out the baby's room. I can't wait for the furniture and bedding to arrive to start getting things ready!

Over Thanksgiving, Ryan and I went to Texas to visit his family. We had a very nice time shopping, relaxing, eating and watching football. It was the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving.

I have been feeling great! I still try to work out a few times a week when I can and I've noticed more energy. This week was the first time I saw 11 p.m. since I found out I was pregnant. I have also noticed an increase in my appetite. Oh boy! Thank goodness we had healthy eating habits pre-baby so that makes things a little easier. But the recent opening of the Orange Tree down the road may pose a bit of a problem.

I really started wearing my maternity clothes around week 18. But it wasn't until this week that I would say that I "popped". I really noticed it when I went to put on one of my t-shirts that normally falls right down on me got stuck. I thought it was stuck on my sports bra or something, but no! It was stuck on my big 'ol baby belly! I actually love my belly, but I am a little paranoid that people will think I'm just fat. So I put on a hoodie to hide my new bump while I worked out but I got too hot and had to take it off. It was quite the liberating experience. It was as if I was saying, OK here is my belly and I ain't scared to show it off!

20 weeks

21 weeks