15 Weeks and VACA Withdrawal!

**This is a pregnancy-related post, so please feel free to skip this post if you're not up for it. God bless.**

Hey all! I hope everyone is having a great week so far. To me, it feels like Tuesday, since our first work day this week was yesterday. Man, how I wish we could have stayed on vacation for the entire week!

We had an AWESOME TIME with my family in Grand/South Haven! We walked around town, shopped, hung out on the beach, played games, went out to eat, and most importantly, RELAXED. It was so nice to be with family, although we missed my brother Joe who was stuck at work. Next year we will all be together, we will make it happen!

And so, for your viewing pleasure, a lovely little photo dump of our time in paradise...

The view from my godmother's porch in Grand Haven, MI. We have been coming to Grand Haven every summer since I was a little girl, and to me, this town=HAPPY.

My beautiful godmother and sisters, at our favorite local burrito place!

You're welcome Moll (she just loves burritos).

Went for a solo pier-walk on my last day, and the view sure did help me relax!

My mom and godmother...best friends since third grade!

We caught a Tim McGraw impersonator concert on our last night! Sounds weird, but it was actually a blast! (The folks in front of us didn't seem to be diggin' it, though...) 

My sister Claire's friend Ben joined us, and everyone got together to pose for some really stellar pictures.

That's more like it.

My sisters are so beautiful! (And the best breakfast place ever!)

Cuddles.

Could they be any cuter?! (I'm a bit biased)

I don't think I'll fit on that lap too much longer...

Photo-bombed.

I love them so much!

Gratuitous bump shot, you're welcome. I lived in leggings the entire trip, it was so cold! (And yes, that is my brother Matty lounging in the background...)

Subs n' More!

My parents and a very romantic back drop.

Hanging out on our porch.

T in his element (which is playing...always playing).

Shopping day!

Smushing the bump...

Out and proud :)

So there you have it, a very busy but very productive trip! I ate way too much, laughed a lot, and generally had an awesome time. Though I need to get back on the Bradley diet (well, at least I'm trying) this week to make up for all of that delicious junk food! But that will be a bit hard, because...

Apparently this is what happens in our house when you complain about your weight, even once! T has insisted that I indulge in my gummy/candy/salty cravings whenever I feel like it...I don't think he understand what life would be like if I did that!

On to the nitty gritty!

Artsy faraway shot...

The whole enchilada!

How far along?  15 weeks, the SECOND TRIMESTER, and baby is the size of an avocado...4-4.5" long! So hard to believe!

Clothing? Still being as creative as possible, but honestly, it's time to start dressing WITH the bump (instead of against it) or time to buy a few new items of clothing...

Stretch marks? Nothing new!

Sleep? Vacation was the first time I was really truly uncomfortable sleeping. I was waking up every hour because (as weird as this sounds) my knee and hip joints were THROBBING. Owie. Put a pillow in between my knees finally, and it helped a bit, but not totally. Just received my body pillow in the mail, and I'm hoping it helps!

Best moment of this week? Vacation, of course! Introducing baby to  Lake Michigan, and getting in lots of QT with the fam. Also, feeling more of what I am maybe 65% sure are baby flutters!!!!

Worst moment of this week? On the train to MI, I was having these sharp shooting pains in my stomach and I let myself get really upset/worried about it. They finally went away, but I worked myself up more than I should've. Stupid hormones!

Miss anything? Would've loved a cold beer/glass of wine on the porch this week! But I will gladly skip it for peanut.

Movement? As you can see, my percentage of being "sure this is baby" is slowly creeping up, but I am still not 100% positive. But what I do feel, I feel throughout the day at random times...especially on the train to and from work :) it feels like butterflies, or almost like a little vibration in my belly! Is that you, peanut?!

Symptoms? Fatigue, migraines (still clobbering me!), breast tenderness, lower ab stretching/RLP, dumbness, a growing belly, backaches (requiring lots of ice packs), achy joints, some nausea (if I let myself get hungry/when I'm in the sun for too long), becoming full really easily, and a faint linea nigra! 

Food cravings? Had another ranch episode...I just can't explain it. Other than that, ICE CREAM and FRENCH FRIES!!!!!!!!! Super healthy, I know.

Gender? Still calling her by her girl name, but almost everyone else thinks boy.

Labor Signs? No siree.

Belly button in or out? In, I guess, but increasingly more alien-looking every day!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Mood? Happy, and feeling very blessed. Have also been feeling super "mushy" lately...Lots of tears and hugs. Oh boy!

Rituals? Nighttime lullaby, holy water on the belly in the morning, holy oil on the belly at night. And staring at the ultrasound pictures/watching the videos as often as I can!!!!! Along with routine bedtime chats.

Milestones? Finally told my boss about the peanut, but asked her to keep it to herself until after Monday. I just want to get one more appointment under my belt before I spill the beans to my co-workers (who love to gossip). Everyone keeps telling me "you have to just tell people and not be afraid!" and I'm getting there, it's just taking some time. Slow and steady wins the race! 

Looking forward to? MY FIRST REAL STRONG "OW THAT KINDA HURT" BABY KICK, and my 16 week appointment on MONDAY! Only three more sleeps!!!

xo and have a fabulous weekend,