24 Weeks

I think it's about time for a baby update.

How far along? 24 Weeks, 5 Days

Total weight gain/loss: I weighed myself for the first time at 13 weeks so since then 12 pounds. 

Maternity clothes? I finally broke down and bought a skirt. Maternity clothes are so expensive but I can't wear anything else:( 

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: Sleeping at night is getting better I still have some night where I'm super uncomfortable.

Best moment so far: I'm excited to actually look pregnant.

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Not having an soccer player (or so Mark hopes) in my stomach. As much as I love feeling the baby move it definitely get annoying sometimes.

Movement: All the time!

Food cravings: Ketchup and sour cream. I usually don't just randomly want these but I find that when I am eating I want to dip whatever I'm eating in them.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! I've been feeling so much better and it's awesome!

Have you started to show yet: You bet!

Gender prediction: Ever since the ultrasound Mark's been thinking it's a boy. I have to admit that I kind of want a girl but I kind of think it's a boy. Who knows?

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On, I'm not sure for how much longer though. The nice weather we've been having lately has made my hands swell up.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Umm...I think I'm going to have to say moody... and I do not like it!

Weekly Wisdom: Buy maternity clothes! They are so much more comfortable.

Looking forward to: The third trimester... although I'm not looking forward to getting any bigger... And Lindsey having her baby so we can get this ball rolling!

Lindsey @ 37.5 weeks, Lauren @ 31 weeks, Kami @ 24 weeks

My beautiful pregnant sisters! I wish I could look that good pregnant.

Coldplay

For Christmas Mark's parents got us tickets to Coldplay in Calgary. My husband has never received such an amazing gift. He loves Coldplay! He listens to them all the time and going to one of their concerts was definitely on his list of things to do in his life. April 18th was the night, Mark worked the morning and then we headed to Calgary! We made sure we had enough time to stop for dinner at The Olive Garden, yum! It was very good and I ate so much food!! SO much! After dinner we headed to the Saddledome and who did we see as we walked in? My Uncle Merrill and Aunt Christie. What are the chances? We found our seats and after two painful opening acts Coldplay finally made their appearance! It was an awesome concert and I'm not really a Coldplay but I definitely had fun and Mark was like a little boy on Christmas morning. I loved watching him enjoying himself so much. Thank you Mom and Dad Drew! You made my man one happy boy.

They gave everyone a wristband when they walked in and when Coldplay came out they all lit up! 

It was so kool!

Then they started shooting confetti. A lot of confetti!

Mark's first concert...

Baby's first concert. 

Elder Moojalsky

I miss him.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about Braden. It was his birthday last week so naturally I was thinking of him and then last night I was going through some old texts on my phone and I found a couple conversations with him. I missed talking to him. It's been a long time since Braden and I have actually sat down and had a one on one conversation so emailing shouldn't be all that different for me but he's so busy that I miss getting a letter just for me. I miss being able to talk to him whenever I want/need it. Today I was looking at some pictures and I miss seeing his face. I miss enjoying his humor. I miss his hugs. Braden has been there with me through everything. It has been such a blessing in my life having him so close to my age. I have loved growing up with him! He let me boss him around a lot but wasn't afraid to put me in my place when I needed it. He was the person I went to when I really needed help and wanted advice. We didn't always agree with each other but once we got older (there was definitely a phase where I couldn't stand him) we never fought. He understood. He was my favorite person to share those big events in my life with. He was there when I ran for president in Jr. High and High School. He was there for my first break-up and my last. He was there when I was convinced I would never marry. He was there when I found Mark, he was there when I fell in love with Mark and he was there when I married Mark. And I'm sad that he won't be here when I become a mom...

But having said all that I couldn't be more proud of my missionary! He is working hard and serving faithfully and I hope those people next door appreciate having him there. He is exactly where he needs to be and I am so grateful for his courage and determination to work through all the hard stuff to be where he is and to go where he needs to go. He truly is blessing me and our family by serving and I love him for it!

Halloween.

Fun with the cousins.

An assembly in Jr. High.

After the final night of Bye Bye Birdie.

At conference.

Christmas

Christmas with only the 4 of us!

Right after I got out of the temple.

On my wedding day:)

I love you Brade!

Congratulations!

(So I started this post about a month ago. Better late than never!)

Mark finally received his acceptance letter to the University of Saskatchewan. It was never a worry-for me- that he might not get accepted but it felt like we had been waiting for it for a long time. It was the best acceptance letter I have ever seen! Not just because it was a relief to know that our plans were working out so far but because of the actual letter. You can't see it very well in the picture but there was confetti in with it! And the letter it self made you so excited about the future! It said things like, " You have so much to be proud of, and I want to take a moment to personally celebrate this accomplishment with you." and "Whatever path you follow at the University of Saskatchewan, I want you to know that you'll always be part of our community, your community--one that will support you along your educational journey and wants you to succeed." I know every received the same letter but it really did feel like Peter Mackinnon was talking just to us and it was exciting! It made us both so excited to go! I find myself looking at apartments in Saskatoon often even though it is kinda early. I just am excited to go! And by that time we'll have a wee one. Thinking of life in Saskatoon is so different than where we are now. Add a new place filled with unfamiliar people, a new school and a new baby. A very new baby. Scary? Definitely. But so so exciting! I can't wait for the adventures!

In other news...

Happy Anniversary to us!

That's right! And what a year it has been. We have had so much fun being married and we've learned so much. I couldn't be happier with my life right now. I have the most incredible husband who makes me so happy! I'm so grateful for someone who loves me like he does and I feel so blessed to love him more and more everyday!
Mark and I celebrated our 1 year mark 2 weekends ago by going back to Whitefish. We even spent the night at the same lodge where we spent our honeymoon. It was such a fun trip. Kinda weird when we first pulled up to the lodge but it's such a kool place that it was fun to be back and once again we didn't take any pictures. We were planning on doing some baby shopping and price checking while we were down there so before we left we made a couple stops. My mother and sisters will testify, I am not a shopper. I never have been and I'm starting to realize that I never will be. So after about 2 hours of shopping I was ready to go home. So we went for lunch and then got groceries that we needed and went home. We did get a few things like a few maternity clothes for me and a crib but there was so much more things on my list that I'm anxious to go back. I know better this time though. I will bring my mother with me so she can drag me around all day and make sure that we don't go home until everything is done. The biggest thing I'm bummed about not getting is fabric. Who goes all the way to Kalispell and doesn't make a stop at JoAnns?! Especially when their expecting...and somewhat unemployed and have so much free time for sewing projects!