Entering the third trimester

Evenings with Wally:

An update on evenings with a one year old puppy: We spend most of our time trying to figure out how to tired out our puppy so he'll sleep through the night. Currently the newest project is trying to figure out how to transition from sleeping in his crate all night, to sleeping on a bed in our room all night. Knowing that baby is coming and will be up at all hours of the night, we also know that means Wally will want to be up and frequent trips to his crate will be in order. Or, our other option is to start training him now to sleep out of his crate at night.

Side note- Dan just had to stop Wally from his couch pouncing game because he found a Silica "do not eat these" pack and was trying to eat it. Are we sure we're ready for kids?

Last night we took Wally to a beautiful area of Panama City called St. Andrew's. It is a historic neighborhood not far from our house, right on the water. It's not a great beach for swimming or recreation, but it is calm and perfect for walking the sand and playing fetch with Wally. Here are a few pictures from last night:

Wally before we left for home

Beach date with my love :)

Wally frolicking in the water playing fetch

The road Dan drives to work everyday through this neighborhood 

26 weeks

One of the many fun things Wally does: he drags his blankets out from his crate in the kitchen to whatever room we are in so he can lay with them. Below is a picture of his blankets in our bedroom doorway:

Married Life:

Finding a balance is definitely a new challenge in married life for us! When we were long distance and dating, it was always the highlight of the week to see/ spend time with Dan. Now we see each other all the time, for groceries, laundry, cleaning, house repairs, TV watching, etc. Trying to designate that roommate/ hangout feel to be different from necessary date nights or lovey time is a challenge I didn't anticipate in marriage. The most exciting part, we're about to throw in roles as parents and diaper changers to our ever so glamorous life. Can't wait to see how romantic we feel when we're covered in diapers, milk, and spit up. Oh what an adventure! In an effort to still act like newlyweds while we still can, we've opted for date nights lately with movies, dinner out, the fair, etc in an effort to spend time together that is not doing chores or finishing a to-do list. Here are a few pictures from our mid-week date to the Bay County Fair a few weeks ago :)

Baby update: 26 weeks

I recently had my first round of baby nightmares. I woke up confused, but not shaken, until later in the day. An image of sweet Baby Campbell from my nightmare haunted my thoughts all morning, and lunch break that day was spent driving to fast food and crying profusely. I also have had a few 'mom' moments, including telling some young kids a few neighborhoods over to stop playing in the busy street. When they shook there heads yes, I said "yes ma'am?" and they replied "yes ma'am." I seriously pulled over my car, got out, and used the mom voice on some kids?! And I made them say yes ma'am?! Then today at work I used the mom voice to tell a little kid to stop being ornery and trying to open the office door to run out while his mom and I talked. I looked right at him and said "Um, no sir, you may not."

I sound like a mother, and not the kind that is your best friend- the kind that rules your curfew and makes you do your chores. Guess the transition was faster than I thought!


Weight gained: +8.5 pounds (that means up 10 in the last 5 weeks!)
Feeling: Great! Blessed. Full. Stretched. Loved
Symptoms: Indigestion occasionally. Weepiness sometimes. Tired more and more easily.
How big is baby? 15 inches long, 2.5 pounds!
Miss anything? Laying on my belly, wine with dinner, energy (don't think that one is returning in the next 12 months or so)
Cravings: Not really. Although ice cream and general junk food are frequent favorites. Recently there were 3 days in a row that I splurged on McDonald's french fries- gross.
Aversions: Still not loving vegetables, but trying to consciously get in 2-3 servings/day. It is SO hard anyway, especially when I am craving french fries or cinnamon rolls.
Maternity clothes: Of course. We've been lucky to buy clothes on sale, and I've been able to work in alot of pre-pregnancy tops and dresses. Tonight I tried to rubber-band-trick wear my capris... ya that wasn't happening. Looks like the pregnancy thighs and buns are here too now.
Stretch marks? Not yet. Crossing my fingers!
Gender: Boy!
Name picked out? We think so.
Belly button in or out: Frighteningly shallow in. That button will pop out soon, but I assure this bun in the oven is nowhere near done!
Looking forward to: Feeling Baby move every morning. Meeting our little man in 3 months. Upcoming travels, baby showers, visitors, and holidays. Most importantly: every evening that I get to spend with Dan.

Other upcoming news: 
Our next OB appointment will be for check-up, labs, glucose test (joy) and an extra ultrasound to see if a few things have resolved. Lord willing, Baby and I will prove to still be healthy!

We will soon be taking our last round of pre-baby trips to our hometowns; then spring visits will be with Baby in tow... so crazy.

Dan has shoulder surgery coming up, and Lord willing, his recovery will be on schedule and he'll be able to carry/ hold our baby boy when he arrives in January!