Babymoon (#1) in Chicago!

Babymoon: a vacation taken by a couple either soon before, or soon after, the birth of their baby, like the honeymoon which follows a wedding. In the 2000s, it also described a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby, in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the baby is born.

Whoever thought of this...genius. The hubs and I will usually take any excuse to get away for the weekend and spend some time alone sight seeing/exploring/making memories. Winter break is the perfect time for us to do this. We both have almost 2 weeks off from work...paid! So, we definitely wanted to take advantage of it this year since out little man is due in April. We wanted to spend Christmas with family (it was our turn to be in Iowa for Christmas), so we left for our first Babymoon the 27th.

When we first started discussing Babymoon options, we were thinking about going to Jamaica with friends over the break. A few things came up and we decided that wouldn't be our best decision - partially because we wanted our Babymoon to be just us. Then we thought about going to San Antonio, Texas where it would be a little warmer. Then we thought about going to Tennessee or even Colorado and renting a cabin in the mountains and just relaxing...then we realized both of us are really active people and we didn't want to get bored after 2-3 days of relaxing. Then we finally decided it would also be more fun to take a couple of Babymoons that were 2-4 days long each rather than 1 Babymoon that was 5-7 days. So that's how we landed on our first Babymoon to Chicago. It's within driving distance, there's a ton to do and see, I've never been, and Brad's been there mostly for business and hasn't done too much sight seeing. We planned our trip for 3 days and headed out!

Thursday we got to the Chicago area around 2 pm, found our hotel, and headed down to Schaumburg to do some shopping. We went to Ikea and several stores in the mall. At this point in the pregnancy, I am starving all of the time and it just so happens that one of Brad's favorite restaurants (Maggiano's) was right across the street, so we made reservations and then had a delicious dinner later that night. Yummy.

Friday was our sight seeing day. We slept in a little, grabbed breakfast at the Whole Foods diner (my favorite), drove into downtown Chicago, and saw the city! We started out at the Field Museum, walked all over downtown Chicago, and then headed to dinner at a restaurant that our friend Christian had recommended. Deep dish Chicago pizza at Uno's. Again, delish.

Field Museum of Natural History

The most complete t-rex in the world!

prego

Saturday we got up a little earlier and headed back into downtown Chicago to visit the Shedd Aquarium. It was fun and we got to see some cool sea life. Best of all, no wait to get in! After the aquarium, we did a little more sight seeing then decided to head home...with a stop at the outlet malls of course. We spent about 2 hours there (oops) and got home around 9 pm Saturday night.

I'm so thankful that we got to see Chicago and spend some wifey, hubs time together. There's nothing I love more! Babymoom #1 is in the books and it was fabulous.

Bumpdate ~ Week 22

(I'm a little behind in posting this. Whoops...but come on, last week was Christmas!!)

22 weeks along and 18 weeks to go! I know I probably say this every week, but the time really is flying by. I'm not going to lie...I am loving every second of being pregnant, so I hope the time slows down just a little. I love having my little munchkin in my tummy and feeling him kick and move around. It's absolutely amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Week 22 has been filled with so many wonderful memories already: the Bishop Family Christmas, our friends Christian and Sarah came to visit and stay with us (along with their precious 4 month old, handsome man!), our Christmas together (the last one as a kid-less couple), Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas, and lots and lots of time with my love. This week is one I am loving!

• Week 22
• Baby is the size of a : papaya
• Weight :  1  lb. / Length :  11.2  in. (from crown to heel)
• Babies sleep pattern is more distinct now. Baby is sleeping 12-14 hours a day. Little man is starting to look like a "miniature" newborn already. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and his he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. Baby's eyes have formed, but the color is still not developed. If you could see inside the womb, you would be able to see Baby's fine hairs and wrinkles in his skin! Studies also show that Baby finds my voice and soft music most soothing.

Gender: A handsome baby BOY!

Weight Gain: Not sure, but I feel smaller. I would guess between 12-15 pounds. Does that even make sense? I mean, I know my belly is growing, but I think it has slowed down. The rest of me sure feels smaller! Thank you clean eating and working out.

How I Feel: This week? Amazing!! I've been able to sleep in and relax now that we're on break. I'm not tired, I have energy, I don't get sick at all, I just feel great! Loving it.

• Stretch marks: None.
• Belly button: Pretty flat looking.
• Other: No headaches - amazing. My back is feeling better. My hair and nails are thicker, but I've noticed all of these little baby hairs popping out.

How Daddy's Feeling: Precious! Daddy talks about Baby more and more and I can tell he is getting even more excited. Our friends Christian and Sarah came to visit with their 4 month old little man and the hubs was on the floor playing with him, holding him, making faces, and all the cutest Daddy stuff. Love it! The hubs is even more excited now that he can feel our Little Man moving around!! Melts. my. heart.

Clothing: Maternity clothes. #duh. I can still wear about 10% of my regular clothes. My belly has been growing straight out, so long shirts are essential.

Cravings: None.

Food Aversions: Sweets.

Movement: I am feeling more and more each week and it is glorious. I absolutely love it. I feel him mostly in the mornings from 7-10ish, but I do feel him moving around throughout the day as well. I am starting to feel him more and more at night as well. That's when Daddy gets to feel little man the most too! It's become a nightly routine!

Sleep: Sleeping great!

Best Moment This Week: I was changing into pj's and the hubs looks as me and says, "You know, you can't even tell you're pregnant from the back. You look about the same, just with a bigger belly." *shine* Thanks bear! I never want to be that "fat" pregnant lady.

Worst Moment This Week: None.

Looking Forward to: This whole week ~ time with family, time with friends, no work!!, and lots of time with my hubby!

What I Miss: Not really anything.

Pregnancy Thoughts this Week:

• The hubs and I have almost everything ready and we'll be starting on the basement in early January! The hubs is going to do some of it himself and for time's sake contract some it. 
• The hubs told me, "Tell me exactly what you want in the Nursery and I'll do it for you." He wants to get started asap so we can start getting everything ready! So sweet.
• Baby registry...so much fun!! and a little overwhelming at the same time. We want to be budget friendly, but also have quality products on our lists. 
• The countdown has begun and I feel like I am in "nesting" mode already. Just getting ready for our handsome man to come!

Diet: The same. 80% clean eating, 20% cheat meals/snacks. I have been going through the holidays pretty well. It's definitely harder to eat clean with traveling, parties, and changed schedules. I'm working on it.

Exercise: Breaks might be the best time for the hubs and I to work out. We're rested, relaxed, and happy to get to the gym and kick our own butts. Weight lifting 4-5 nights a week and the 6th night is a cardio night. We always try to keep the 7th day as a rest day. It's good for ya. Since we have more time, we spend a little more time in the gym over the break.

Inside Pregnancy ~ Week 21

Happy Week 22 to us!

Merry Christmas! 2013

It's finally here. Christmas Day. The Family time, the food, the presents, the merriment.

The hubs and I had our "Christmas" kind of throughout December, so there weren't any gifts to unwrap this morning. Next year, when we have a kid I'm sure it will be much more exciting!! We got up fairly early this morning though to get ready to make the 2 hour drive down to Brad's Grandparent's house. We arrived around Noon and were greeted by Family and tons of food. We celebrated Christmas today with Grandparents, Mom and Dad, brother and sisters, niece and nephew, aunt and uncle, cousins, and 3 toddlers. What a growing group! ...especially since there were a few pregos in the group this year.

We ate, we chatted, we opened presents, we ate, we had a poker chip drawing for a white elephant game from Grandma and Grandpa, we ate, and we had a gift card exchange. Lots of food, lots of family, and lots of fun. What a great Christmas it turned out to be!

Here are a few photos... More to come soon!

Kids opening their presents!

Abby and her bear, Belle (who got a new outfit for Christmas)

Baby Jax!

___________________________
And now that the news is out...here are the rest of the pictures!
Best Christmas News ever!

Coming out in their announcement shirts!

Love Craig's face!

Grandpa is very excited for his 7th great grand-baby!!

Prego Sisters!!

3 new cousins arriving in 2014!

New parents!

All of the Bishop kids and grand-kids!

The Bishop Family Christmas

There is never a dull moment when the whole Bishop gang gets together...and the 2013 Bishop Family Christmas did not disappoint!

As the usual, we all met at Momma B and Dad's (Grandma and Grandpa's) house the weekend before Christmas. After everyone arrived, we opened presents, took a break for dinner, finished opening presents and then played a belly aching/tear filled/cracked up game of Cards Against Humanity. Have you ever played that game? It's like the raunchy version of Apples to Apples. Oh. My. Lanta. Never in my life did I think I would hear my mother-in-law/husband/brother and sisters/myself say some of the things that come out of your mouth during that game. Warning - it is not kid friendly - Adults only! We've played as a family before, but the combination of cards never ceases to embarrass the crap out of me! Hilarious.

The Bishop Family

Bishop "kids"

Our niece and nephew are the cutest! ever.

This Christmas was also special because of some very special gifts from Abby (our niece). She picked out and wrapped these presents all by herself. So, with the presentation of the gifts there were giggles, hidden laughs, and exclamations of excitement. One by one, we opened our presents to find the most hideous fabulous Ugly Christmas sweaters for each and every one of us. Abby and Baby Jax even got an awesome sweater. Best of all...we wore our sweaters for Family photos! Another Bishop Family tradition. Clearly, these photos turned out the best. Like I said, never a dull/laughter filled  moment.

Yes. This actually happened. The photos prove it. I'm also pretty sure many tears were shed from laughing. I'm also fairly certain that we may have perfected the "Awkward Family Photos."

 Merry Christmas y'all!!
 __________

And now that the news is out!! Here are the rest of the photos!

All of the grand-kids' stockings!

Prego Sisters!

Momma B made the babies' due date cookies!