Bearing a St. Louis January

 So ever since this guy came along for Christmas, I have seldom touched my MacBook, which means I post less often due to the wonderful convenience of the ipad and all it's magical uses. (My blogger app on the ipad does funny formatting on my posts and I have yet to work that out.) 

I tried to resist the ipad craze for so long, thinking it was just a stupid way for apple to make more money by selling this fancy appliance thats somewhere between a phone and a computer, since I had both those things I had NO need for an ipad. THEN we got pregnant and I wanted a quick, easy and modern way to take pictures and videos of our coming little one and send them to family pronto, since they cannot be here to see her grow, hence the magic of ipad. and I LOVE it. ok enough of that. 

On these bleak january weekends, we hang out with our good friends and neighbors every Sunday to start the week out with the latest episode of our favorite show. It's been fun to bring a drink, a meal, or something sweet to share as we indulge in Downton. 

Confession: I have in my possession the entire third season (airing now) and on friday night I watched the last five episodes of the series. Oh my WORD, I can't believe what happens. What a great season. Less soap opera-y than season two and just as classy as season one. 

 Lately, we have been working full time during the week, blah. and having only 2 months to go with my pregnancy, I am of course getting bigger and therefore very eager to get off my feet at the end of the day. So my nights usually consists of couch and ipad/reading time. I'm currently reading: Emma by Jane Austen for a second time and Childbirth without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read. I highly recommend if you are a woman who plans to labor and deliver naturally. or as naturally as possible.

I could get on a soap box about this, but I won't. I will say that I am *so grateful* to live in a time where medical/scientific intervention is available in emergency situations and to prevent the emergencies from occurring at times as well. However, there are many things I grieve about when it comes to the way our culture thinks about this natural and beautiful process. I am so looking forward to this process to experience it and own it. I will be so happy to share it too when the time comes. 

Pregnancy update: I am 32 weeks and have gained 28 pounds. I mention this for documenting purposes   really. I know I will be on the higher normal side of things when I am to full term and Im curious how, Lord willing, our other pregnancies will go when it comes to weight gain and fitness. 

Also, baby Cora is either a gymnast or the next Mia Hamm. She definitely has her active times. I've thrown out the "kicking count" assignment that my O.B./D.O. has given to me. I'll let her know if I'm worried but I certainly am not right now. She also gets the hiccups all the time! Sometimes twice a day. I love them. In our birthing class, the instructor said this was a good sign of a well developed CNS so that was comforting. They are so strong now, other people like co-workers and Jonathan can feel them from the outside. It's fun. 

Oh and, can you say heartburn? 

 okay okay so part of my weight gain is due to this. I admit. It may not be the best habit to make homemade ice cream every weekend but I can't help it!! :) It's so bleak out and the baby craves calcium (my excuse) and these flavors are just so divine. I've made salted caramel, gooey butter cake ice cream, and our new favorite: banana with honey butterscotch sauce. You're drooling right?! I know I am. Everything in moderation right? Click here for where all this amazingness comes from

Oh and of course our lives would not be complete without this chubby pet. He is happy and healthy and can't wait for springtime so he can go out and catch baby birds and rabbits. (we don't look forward to those gifts but it's instinct right?) 

Well seeing as how it is a Sunday night, I've got rising pizza crust dough to attend to for supper with Downton friends and homemade banana ice cream in the freezer waiting to be devoured. 

So happy Downton watching!!