Merry Christmas and happy holidays! This year, we kept everything as low key as we possibly could. All gifts and travel stayed at an absolute minimum. We enjoyed Christmas eve with my family and Christmas night with Daniel's, but other than that.... we took no extra time off from work, even stayed home on Christmas morning, and I couldn't be more pleased with that choice. With how large and uncomfortable I am this year, I really didn't want to bite off more than I could chew. Insane to think that next year, we will have a 10/11-month-old to spoil! What a huge change!

We also started on some of the crazier third trimester checklist items this week, like packing our hospital bags and installing the car seat (well, thinking about installing it!). I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that we're less than 45 days from her due date... a number that feels both so so close and also way too far away. I would love to say that I don't think there's ANY way this girl will hold out until her due date, but I think every pregnant woman feels that way towards the end. I still have quite a few things left on my nesting checklist to get the house/nursery in order, but now that the holidays have pretty much passed, I can really focus on that again..... IF I can stay on my feet long enough to complete them 😒. We're almost ready for you, Frankie! Just blame these damn feet! Anyone want to volunteer to help me get Christmas decor down and nursery decor up? LOL.

What an amazing week in pregnancy! Sunday was our baby shower hosted by my sister, Grace, and my friends, Emily, Angela, and Jill. Even with over 30 guests, they made the shower so personal, with nods to my IVF experiences in the favors and games, my two favorite cravings served (a potato bar and an ice cream bar), and decorations that incorporated my love of all things plants. I could barely fit everything into my car to head home and Daniel and I are beyond grateful for the gifts and love. It was a really wonderful and overwhelming day. One I definitely thought would never happen for me. I wont bore you with a million photos, they're up on my facebook and instagram for all to enjoy!

Thursday morning, I woke up bright and early to get dolled up for my maternity photos! My friend Lia came over to perfect my face and I met Christina at her beautiful studio to take a few shots. We did both regular dress and a few in pajamas/underwear, and I cannot wait to see the final product. I know that right now, I feel awkward, sore,  and huge, but I know that in a few months or years, I'll be so glad I have these to look back on. Thank you, ladies, for a fun-filled morning!

Holy moly! 30 weeks! How did we even get here? Its amazing how pregnancy can feel both like the longest nine and a half months of your life and also just flash right past you. Suddenly, my chair doesn't make it all the way up to my desk thanks to the belly, and I'm putting REAL baby plans in place. 

Some of the realities of having a child hit me in a weird way this week and made me panic a little. Besides the physical baby-having, there are all the big lifestyle changes on their way. We bought our first SUV, a Mazda CX-9, and that was a bit terrifying. I also know I'll be going back to work about nine weeks after she's born, and what happens next is very up in the air. I'm beyond lucky to have my family and Daniel's family in town, but we know the transition to full time daycare is looming... and is expensive. I've definitely spent a few hours each day having mini panic attacks over budgets. We met our pediatrician for the first time and had another great doctor's appointment in which my OB discussed early labor with me (this seriously cannot already be a point of discussion, can it?). The one thing I always remind myself is that Daniel and I will figure it out... we always have and we always do. Millions of people have careers, car payments, and kids. We can totally do this!