I hope everyone had a nice Christmas Eve and Christmas Day…or however long your Christmas lasts. We are officially undecorated and back to normal. As soon as Christmas is over, our tree is down and our decorations are put away, onto the next holiday!

We sure had a house full for a few days but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The days were filled with eating, card playing, gift opening and movie watching. Here’s a little peak at what Christmas at the Laroche’s is all about!

My parents and brother arrived on Christmas Eve and we had a nice (and easy) spread of Spiral Ham and Homemade Mac-n-Cheese. The table was finished with Green Depression Glass inherited from my Great Aunt.

Christmas morning I made an easy spread of Challah Bread French Toast on the griddle and we were off to open gifts! Naturally, my pile is the largest….I must have been a GOOD girl.

We had some munchies for apps but the real center of Christmas was the main attraction. We cooked a delicious Beef Tenderloin and Shrimp Oscar with Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese drizzled with honey and a side of Green Beans. I mean seriously, drool! And a HUGE thank you to my Mom who did the dishes – doing dishes after Kevin cooks is never a fun task. <3

If you follow my Instagram, you would have seen these babies. My Grandmama’s famous Cream Puffs. Her recipe was a bit vague so I tried…they were OK but nothing like hers. Better luck next year!

Of course, no Christmas is complete without Zoe being spoiled…the little princess that she is!

Back to work and back to reality…but really back to getting everything straightened up for the arrival of Baby L! 11 weeks left….I’m excited – not really nervous yet. Ready for he or she to be on the outside and to see what this little one has in store for us and the rest of our lives. <3

How far along: 29 Weeks
Baby is the size of: A Pineapple – and just as prickly!
Gender:  Haven’t a clue
Weight gain: Definitely, most likely, 20lb after the festivities this week.
Maternity clothes: Same. Went to the mall with my Mom the day after Christmas and actually purchased non-maternity clothes…size Small…that actually fit over my belly still.
Stretch marks: Nope.
Belly button in or out:  Still in.
Sleep: Totally hit or miss and it’s frustrating. I’ll sleep like a rock for two nights and then toss and turn the rest of the week. I’m getting to the point where I am a lot more exhausted during the day and need naps though. Joy.
Best moment this week: All of it. Spending Christmas with my family and enjoying the last holiday as a “couple” soon to change to a family!
Worst moment this week: Normal activities are so much more difficult. Bending over, sitting comfortably in a chair, restless legs, sleeping, getting out of the car. It’s getting awfully frustrating.
Miss anything: Being normal size. Eating normal sized portions.
Movement: Lots of movement after I eat or when I hum/sing. <3
Cravings: Not really. Things are pretty normal now.
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Labor Signs: Some Braxton Hicks every so often but that’s it.
Symptoms: I keep meaning to discuss this and kept forgetting! These symptoms have kind of been around since I got pregnant. I sneeze a lot, I wake up very congested and I have a dry cough in the morning.
Wedding rings on or off: On
Looking forward to: Meeting this little nugget! Now we can really focus on the nursery and putting together the crib and getting everything all situated! EEEEP!!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Here’s a peak at our Christmas cards from 2014! <3  Being pregnant for the holidays does have its perks.

We wait for these two days ALL year and I feel like it’s over in the blink of an eye! I’m going to really try and step back this year and enjoy every second of the last big Holiday with just Kevin and I. From here on out, it’ll prove to be a chaotic mess with presents and toys and I can’t wait!

My brother is on his way into town from Boston and my parents will arrive later today in time for dinner. We’re going real simple tonight with a Sprial Ham with famous Ham Sauce, Homemade MacnCheese and shredded Brussels Sprouts! Easy peasy on this Eve.

As promised, here is a peak at some of the pictures Kevin and I took (ok really, Kevin just took them of me), but hopefully we can get someone to take pictures of the two of us this weekend.

From Clark’s house, to our house to your house, have a Very. Merry. Christmas.  

How far along: 28 Weeks
Baby is the size of: A coconut – I feel like we’re getting smaller in these fruit descriptions. Baby  is about 2lb 9oz.
Gender:  Haven’t a clue
Weight gain: Had another checkup on Wednesday and I am at the 18lb mark!
Maternity clothes: Same. Tops are mostly always non-maternity.
Stretch marks: Nope. I feel like there’s going to be a lot of growing in the next 12 weeks though.
Belly button in or out:  Still in.
Sleep: Been off and on. If I have a very busy day then I usually sleep like a baby. Haven’t gotten up to pee any more or less than normal and baby isn’t waking me up with movements or anything.
Best moment this week: Seeing baby on the Ultrasound again. Its little profile is the cutest – not to brag or anything. Things seem to be going along pretty well and he or she is in the 65th percentile.
Worst moment this week: Getting bigger and bigger is bothersome. Bending over to pick something up is a chore, just dealing with a belly and no strength in my core to move is annoying.
Miss anything: Being normal size. This belly is for REAL
Movement: So much movement and big movement – even though Baby is still pretty relaxed in there.
Cravings: Not really anything in particular
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Labor Signs: Some Braxton Hicks every so often but that’s it.
Symptoms: Nothing! No swelling or anything yet.
Wedding rings on or off: On
Looking forward to: Honestly, getting the room in one piece and then having this little creature on the outside of me. The can’t come soon enough.

Loving this time of year and totally looking forward to Christmas with a little one. Seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes  – there can’t be anything better!

How far along: 27 Weeks
Baby is the size of: A bunch of bananas
Gender:  Shim
Weight gain: Probably still around that 15lb+ mark!
Maternity clothes: Same. Tops are mostly always non-maternity.
Stretch marks: Still nothing and I owe that to Lush
Belly button in or out:  Still in.
Sleep: Been off and on. It’s really starting to be a nuisance.
Best moment this week: Feeling baby moving is always a crazy exciting time. I also got my Glucose Tolerance test under my belt so will wait for the results at my appointment this week. AND, Kevin officially being done with school and graduating in the Spring! He finished just in time to enjoy the first year of Baby L and not be stressed with school. I couldn’t be more proud! <3
Worst moment this week: Just the sleeping being a hassle is starting to wear on me.
Miss anything: Stuffing my face at every meal and a holiday cocktail! It gets kind of old being sober sister at every event.
Movement: So much movement and big movement – even though Baby is still pretty relaxed in there.
Cravings: Still beef. In any form. Oh, actually been really wanting Oranges and Clementines!
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Labor Signs: Some Braxton Hicks every so often but that’s it.
Symptoms: Nothing!
Wedding rings on or off: On with plenty of room to grow.
Looking forward to: Getting through Christmas and New Years in one piece and then be at the 30 week mark. OH EM GEE!

I wanted to share a couple perks of those whole pregnancy thing because I’m pretty impressed about them. I know the books say that your nails and hair grow a ton and get thicker…I wouldn’t necessarily say this is 100% true for me. My nails are pretty hard, but my hair is about the same. I will say, my hair does not get greasy. It’s amazing. I don’t typically wash my hair every day anyway since it isn’t healthy for it, but my hair looks good as the first day I did it for close to 5 days. It’s a miracle. The other thing is my skin, mainly my face. I have had such soft, acne-free skin this entire time – even if I get too lazy and don’t wash my face at night of all that makeup. All in all, I’d say these symptoms are pretty nice to be encountering.

We spent the weekend in Rhode Island celebrating Christmas, Birthday and Patriot’s with Kevin’s family. It was a busy weekend, as usual, but a fun one!!!

Saturday was the end of my young years and the beginning of having to be a grownup. YUCK! 5:56am my life, as I knew it, was over. Ok, just kidding, I’m totally not that dramatic. Turning the big 3-0 was no big deal for me since I still look like I’m about 18. Moving on!

As my Dad says, my week long birthday celebration started on Friday with my brother and parents coming into town. We had reservations at a very nice French restaurant downtown.

I splurged on a glass of champagne that lasted me the entire evening with lots of water. It was a delicious dinner and a great night with my family and lovely dessert they brought me!

Saturday, Kevin woke up early and made pancakes for everyone and a special ’30’ pancake for me that was the size of my head!

We had a lovely spread of bacon, pancakes, banana and the most delicious clementines that my Mom spent the weekend peeling for everyone. The rest of the party arrived around 11:30 and off we went to our lunch reservation…it was interesting to say the least.

The Venezuelan restaurant down the road from our condo had a “Special Event” which we decided would be a fun time. The chef was on Rewrapped on the Food Network and the event was a viewing party to watch the episode and have some lunch. Food was great, but the experience was less than appealing.We made the best of the afternoon then back to our place for cake – oh yeah, Kevin forgot to pick up the cake!!

Thanks to my Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law who went to pick that up while we paid the bill and went back home. It was the most delicious Vanilla cake ever. It was a super chaotic time with some stress but overall we tried to make the best out of it and I’m so glad our family and friends from all over were able to help celebrate my milestone!! Now I count backward, right?

*side note, if you’ve noticed, Kevin and My Christmas present arrived a few days ago. A new Nikon D3200 camera so we can take GOOD pictures for once. We wanted to get a nice camera to prep for an active baby who should be making an arrival in only 3 short months!! When can I start to freak out?

Anywho, busy weekends coming up between out of state Christmas, other Christmas Parties and other shenanigans. We’re glad to be able to rest today with our feet up and looking forward to a busy week ahead!

Grandma and Grandpa loved spoiling Zoe and she is glad everyone is gone now. She’s been knocked out for hours! <3

How far along: 26 Weeks AND my 30th birthday.
Baby is the size of: A Butternut Squash
Gender:  Shim
Weight gain: Probably still around that 15lb mark!
Maternity clothes: Same. Tops are mostly always non-maternity.
Stretch marks: Still nothing.
Belly button in or out:  Still in but working it’s way out
Sleep: Been off and on. Last night slept like a champ.
Best moment this week: Aside from anything baby, it was my 30th Birthday yesterday and everyone came to celebrate! No more birthdays after this year.
Worst moment this week: Still nothing too bad. I can’t complain about anything right now.
Miss anything: I did splurge and enjoy a glass of champagne on my Birthday, that was lovely.
Movement: So much movement and big movement! Not just kicks and punches, real rolls! But baby is still rather calm!
Cravings: Still beef. In any form. Oh, actually been really wanting Oranges and Clementines!
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Labor Signs: None yet.
Symptoms: Nothing! I mean, besides the baby moving and me being hungry…
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Looking forward to: One more big event and then we can get the nursery into shape. Going to totally miss our spare bed but it has to go. Need to focus on the rocking chair/recliner situation and figure out what we’re going to get.