a GREAT pregnancy!

That's what my midwife told me this morning when Livi and I went for my 27 week appointment. I really have been so blessed to have a very enjoyable pregnancy so far. AND now (as of next Friday) that I'm in my 3rd trimester, I get to go hear that every 2 weeks instead of once a month. It's the little things that excite me, really.
I really do love going to these appointments. Not really to hear my midwife say that (although it's nice to hear) or to get weighed or pee in that cup. I love these appointments because it's the only time I get to hear sweet little Clara's heartbeat. (Her name is Clara Bailey DelGrosso, by the way!) And once a month is an awful long time to go between hearing that sweet sound. It was especially hard when I wasn't feeling her move all the time. At least now I can feel her dancing inside and sometimes even feel the shape of her body in my belly. That's comforting but there is just something about listening to the doppler that makes me tear up every time I'm there. I can't wait to have her here.

rain smells so good

For pretty much the entire past week and a half, we have had unbelievable weather here in Portland. It's been beautiful, sunny, blue skies and just about 60 degrees every day...actually reminds me a lot of Colorado. Needless to say, I have just been soaking it all in. Every chance that Livi and I have, we are outside at the park, taking a walk, etc. It's been wonderful to just get out and get some excersize and fresh air. And now the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom...might be my favorite tree.

That said, I kind of forgot how good the rain smells. Today it's cloudy and a little rainy and after not having the rain for a while I was really able to smell how good it was. It's refreshing and clean. I think it makes me a little nostalgic. This week, especially, I've been thinking about how excited we are for this new time in our life: getting to finally meet our new baby girl, Brandon being done with school, Brandon starting a new job, moving back to Colorado. So many changes within a few months! But at the same time I think of how it makes me just a little sad that we will be completely abandoning the life that we have now had for the last 4ish years: just the two of us to worry about living in our tiny 1 bdrm apartment, walking to coffee whenever we feel like it, eating at our favorite Thai place, sharing life with the dear friends that we've made in "our" town. We have had so many good times and made so many memories here in Portland. I will definitely miss it. I'm sure once the time is here for us to go through all of these changes I will be completely ready to jump in to this next stage and embrace all the new blessings that God has for us. Until then I need to be patient: enjoy all the jumping around and squirms I feel daily in my belly, enjoy the quiet evenings with Brandon doing homework and me having time to do what I please, enjoy my last few months nannying, enjoy the rain and cherry blossoms.
Anyways, I will be going to Colorado this weekend for a baby shower :) I'm so excited to see my family and friends. Hopefully I'll remember to take some pictures. Brandon will be super busy here presenting a paper for one of his classes. And then the next weekend is Brandon's 28th birthday!!! Can't wait to celebrate him and the amazing man that he is. Seriously, he's the man.
:)

Anybody still there?

I'm not sure if anyone even comes here anymore. I know it's been a long time. I don't really have any reason for not writing other than I wasn't feeling inspired and didn't feel like we had a lot to post about. But I think I'd like to start again. I kind of miss updating the posts and writing random things. So hopefully, I haven't lost everyone's interest! Hopefully there are still some people out there who want to look at random pictures :)
I guess I'll update you on the last *cough* 4 or 5 months! ahh! can't believe it's really been that long. Well, I'm still pregnant :) haha. I'm at 26 weeks now (almost to the 3rd trimester!). It's really hard to believe that in only a few short months we will have a beautiful new addition to our family. We are so excited! We're in the middle of our Bradley Birthing classes and are having fun thinking about her finally being here. (this is from about 24 weeks(?) needless to say, i'm a little big bigger now!)
Brandon is in his last semester on school!!!!! YIPPEE!!!! He is so amazing at everything he does and really puts everything he has into it. His lead-teacher has been very supportive of him and has really encouraged him that he is awesome in the classroom. He is going to be a great teacher and we're excited for him to finally graduate!
so yea, I think that's it, in a nutshell. Hopefully y'all all haven't given up on me yet :) I'll be back soon.