Random thoughts: Body image, my parents and becoming a mom

The closer I get to my due date the more I think about how I want to raise my kids and what I want to teach them. Even though I'm nearing the end of pregnancy (11 weeks to go) it still doesn't seem completely real most days. Randomly it will hit me that soon ill have a little one of my own and how different it will be from being around my friends kids, I still haven't quite grasped that fully.
During these last few months and weeks especially as my body has changed the most Ive really thought about body image. I expected to grow a belly, and it was weird at first, but not as weird as I thought it would be. I didn't quite expect to feel like everything is growing. I feel like I'm getting big everywhere and its a not my favorite feeling, but at the same time its completely worth it.
The more I think about it I realize how lucky I am, not only for having a little baby growing inside but I'm also pretty lucky to have an awesome family, parents especially.
Thinking back through my life neither of my parents ever made comments like "your thighs are getting big","oh look at that double chin" or "You really shouldn't eat (insert food here) and you really need to exercise more". Healthy eating was encouraged, we didn't snack endlessly on treats, candy and soda. We rarely had soda in our house, besides special occasions. We snacked on fruit and to this day my dad cuts up apples to snack on when we visit.We played outside, took family bike rides and swam on the swim team. We didn't own gaming systems and would spend hours playing whatever sport or games outside over watching TV.
Now, being older and almost having my own little one I really appreciate the positive outlook I gained through having fun while being active and eating pretty healthy.
Of course we had days of treats, eating mac and cheese, sat around watching TV for too long but we were never put down for it. Never had negative words said to us about it. Never had the ideas of going on a diet put into our heads. I cannot remember one time where a negative comment was made about my body or eating habits that came from my parents, and in my opinion that is how it should be. I didn't grow up with my mom complaining she was fat or that she needed to diet and I don't want to be that mom to my kids either. I really hate when I hear a mom complaining she is fat, especially around her kids. Kids look up to their parents, hear and take in all that they do or say. What are you teaching your child by hating on your body? Its even worse when a parent makes negative comments to their children about their weight or body.  I cant imagine having a parent, who has unconditional love for me, basically tell me I'm fat or that I have gained weight. Yes I think its important to want your children to be healthy but there is such a difference to me, between saying something along the lines of "you're gaining weight, why are you eating that?' and doing things like making healthy meals and encouraging good food and activity choices. I'm pretty positive that if I have gained weight Ill know and won't need any one else bringing it up, unless  I reach out to them for advice.
I really hope my children never feel bad or put down about their bodies because of anything I do or say. Kids grow up with enough body image issues and bad influences that I don't want to ever purposefully add to that.

So pretty much thanks mom and dad for teaching me in positive ways how to take care of my body, stay active and never saying negative things dealing with body or eating.It really matters a lot and I hope that ill be able to have the same influence on my kids.Love you!

April 2014

 Well, we are having a baby!!It was some what unexpected...but we are super excited.

I found out in August, the same day as my sisters wedding reception.

I didnt want to take away from my sisters big day so I didn't even tell Kelly until 2 days later. I had Hersh's help in telling him... 

she loves me

if you cant tell

 12-ish weeks..the first picture I took. I don't think I really looked too different and I definitely didn't look any different with my shirt covering my stomach. I wasn't really sick at all, just tired and nauseous mostly at night.

 13 weeks-Still felt the same. I had a hard time sleeping at night and would wake up feeling sick. Im still pretty lucky I only felt really sick at night so that it didn't affect my work.I cant imagine feeling sick like that all day at work.
I dont crave too much but LOVE lemonade and orange juice. I also hate all meat and the smell of eggs. Yuck.

 14 weeks-right before we went to Oregon and had a wonderful vacation. This is when I started to notice a little bump.

 15 weeks-I had two clients at work say they thought they noticed a bump and asked if I was pregnant. Kind of shocked me since I don't think its that noticeable. Especially with the looser, comfy clothes ive been wearing and loving...but I guess it is?!

 This week I have my 16 week appt and the Dr. (I love my doctor) did an ultrasound. It was nice to finally have Kelly able to come to an appointment and see our little baby. I sent this picture to my family and drew on it so they could better understand what they were looking at. At my next appointment we will have the anatomy scan and get to see a more clear picture and have a longer look at everything. Lets hope this month goes fast.

Oregon and some other stuff

For Kelly's fall break we were able to go to Seaside, OR with his family and stay in their beach house. Usually October is pretty cold there with lots of rain so I was looking forward to cuddling up in big sweaters and comfy clothes. Lucky for us the weather was beautiful and pretty hot which was great.

 Hershal Loved the beach

We did a lot of walking and playing on the beach. Most mornings Kelly went crabbing with his brother, Dad and cousins. It wasn't a successful year for crabbing...

 One of the days we had Kelly's youngest sister take some pictures for us  so we can have some nice pictures besides our wedding and engagement pictures. We of course ending up doing it on the windiest day but they still turned out really good.

Having a little vacation was really nice since we didn't get to do too much in the summer. Kelly's school schedule is really intense and were both trying to work a lot and save money for our baby due in April.