WHERE IT ALL STARTED

Damien and I met right here in the wok line at New Seasons.

LINCOLN CITY WEEKEND GETAWAY

27 weeks along and getting bigger. Damien took us to the coast (Lincoln City) this weekend and what a wonderful idea that was. We rented a hotel room right on the water with a wonderful view.

We spent the evening walking on the beach and enjoying each other's company. After we returned to our hotel room we decided to go to the grocery store to get some hot tea since it had cooled down and some snacks. Damien and I found this neat independent grocery store that had tons of organic brands. We were thrilled!

After we returned to the hotel the sun had set so we sat in the room in front of the fireplace and the sliding glass door and watched the clouds float by as we cuddled. It was incredibly relaxing.

In the morning we slept in and just relaxed. What a wonderful weekend!

OUR VISIT TO THE VOLCANO!

Oh I love my family! This was the first time Damien had been to Mt. St. Helens. He is always taking me places he has already been so I thought it was about time to take him somewhere new.

Better watch out for my eagle talons! We stopped off at the Forestry Learning Center on the way to the volcano. Damien couldn't resist taking this picture since I was being silly. I had fun!

On our mini hike towards the top of the volcano. We didn't make it too far because the gray clouds were rolling in and the temperature was cooling down. It was fun and incredibly interesting learning about the volcano. We heard from people who witnessed the erruption on May 18th, 1980, saw three different video presentations (one at each visitors center along the way), listen to the talks on the volcano by parks staff, and more. We also made sure to take pictures of me standing sideways so our baby would be able to see she went to there before she was born! Overall fun day with my family!

I LOVE MY NEPHEW KEEGAN!

Keegan you are the sweetest little boy I know. I love how even though I don't live close by everytime you see me you get so excited and will sit and play with me, rub my back, give me big hugs, and smile for the camera the entire time we are together. I love you very much and can't wait for you to meet your new cousin. I know you will be great friends! I love that you ask your mom to send photos of you doing adorable and often very silly things to me on my phone. I think it's great that you set such a healthy eating example and how excited you get over fresh fruits and vegetables. (If my daughter doesn't do that will you please tell her how yummy and good for you they are?) You are a rowdy and totally boy little guy but also are the sweetest little thing. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I love you Keegan and will see you soon!

TWO PEAS IN A POD

I think the best thing in life is to have someone you love more than anything and would do anything for and who loves you equally as much. I don't worry about things because I am at peace and am happy. Damien has completely changed my world. He challenges me, helps me to grow, loves me, always looks out for me and the baby, loves me unconditionally, appreciates me as I do him. I am so lucky to have someone who loves me for who I am and who gives my life so much meaning. I have always wanted to have children but couldn't imagine ever making that sort of commitment with another person until I met Damien. I knew from the first time we spoke in the wok line at New Seasons that he was the one for me. Even though it took a year for things to fall into place for us to be together I always knew as he did that it was fate that we met. Damien told me he wanted to marry me the first week we were together. Sound crazy? Maybe it was but he knew it was right. Today we are happier than ever. You hear people say "when you know, you know" and I always thought that was just a line people used backed by no real substance. However the day Damien entered my life I learned what those few words meant. There are no words to describe the feeling Damien and I share. It's this amazing sense of calmness and contentment knowing that no matter what happens, no matter what disagreements we may have (rare as they are), no matter how many laughs she share or kisses we give there will always be more and it will always be okay since I know we are meant to be and always are. We are two peas in a pod and I wouldn't change a thing! (Damien and Sunny at the Grand Canyon last November)

26 WEEKS AND GROWING

Wow the past 26 weeks have truly gone by so quickly. Seems like before I know it she will be here. Only one more week and I will be in the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy. She really started getting bigger the past couple of weeks. Before no one believed me when I said I was pregnant now this week I keep hearing, "oh wow, NOW you look pregnant, you look so good!" I take that as a compliment. I try to eat well (expect those delicious lemon ginger cookies do sneak into my diet every so often!) and take care of myself and the baby. I had an appointment with the midwife yesterday where I was weighed as usual and measured for the first time. I have gained 12 pounds so far and measured at 23cm. She said I am registering smaller than "normal" but that the baby and I are both healthy. I think people are just use to seeing women gain a crazy amount of weight so when someone doesn't pack on the pounds she is considered small. "Normal" weight gain according to the book at this point is 14-22 pounds but they say it depends on body shape, diet, activity levels, etc. I am happy that the baby has "popped out" and is doing well. I feel her kick and move around a lot now. Damien has been putting his hand on my belly at night lately and felt her kick for the first time. What a special moment for him. We look this weeks photos in her room (which I spent a lot of time in trying to make it perfect for her). I love my growing family!

POLKA-DOTS IN BABY'S ROOM

I have been having so much fun preparing for the baby. Damien and I painted her room pink 2 days after we found out we were having a girl and yesterday I spent 7 hours painting green polka-dots on two of the walls! I love how it turned out, just perfect! I know she will love it. I wanted to make her room special and something she could grow into. The color scheme is something that even as she gets older she will enjoy.

GETTING READY FOR OUR BABY GIRL

I love being pregnant. As I write this blog I am sitting in my baby's room trying to imagine what it will be like when she is here. Her arrival is greatly anticipated by so many. Her mama, grandma, and aunts have already got her the most adorable outfits to wear. She will no doubt be the best dressed baby in town. As an excited mama-to-be I have already done so much to prepare for her. Already I painted her room, set up the crib and changing table, brought in a rocker, added a bookshelf and filled it with beautiful storybooks to read her, added colorful curtains and rugs, and have a toy box which I started filling with baby toys. I am lucky to be able to pass down some of the special items I played with as a child to my daughter (thanks mom). Just yesterday I cleaned the strawberry shaped toy box I had growing up and prepared it for her by adding toys and placing it in her room.

My baby girl has been kicking and growing so much the past couple weeks. Up until about week 22 no one could tell I was pregnant because my tummy was still so flate and then about 2 weeks ago I "popped" and let me just say I can feel my once tight stomach muscles stretching to accomodate the growing baby. It's nice to look pregnant and to feel her moving to around, that way I know she is okay. I can't wait for her to be here! This week is the 25th week and I can't believe how quickly time passes. Before I know it December will be here and Damien and I will have a beautiful baby girl in our life.

We selected the most beautiful name and we are both so excited about it! However we are keeping it a secret. No you will not guess it as I am almost positive she will be the only one in her school with the name. No it's not weird or hard to say instead simple and sweet. I hope she likes it as much as her mama and daddy do.